YES! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

SHIP'S LOG: WEDNESDAY

Wednesday I ended up 110 feet from the water's edge. The boat yard crew never quite got the batteries out of the boat and so that they wouldn't invalidate the contract, the moved the whole boat lock, stock and batteries to the nearest 30amp out let and plugged her in. They did all the things to the batteries that they were obligated to do and ABISHAG hummed as her batteries filled.

Wednesday also saw the transfer of the anchors. Moved one of the plow anchors and replaced it with a danforth style anchor. It is not important that you necessarily know the difference between the two, suffice it to say that with two different anchors I have improved my hold capabilities over different bottoms . . . less chance that I will mess up again. So it is a good thing.
Finding a good place for the second plow anchor proved fruitless so now it rest, at least temporally atop the deck house aft of the mast, secured to the handrail. Not the best place, but the best I could come up with on the spot. Another may present itself later.

Aside from little things like whipping some lines, and cleaning and stowing, everything else awaits the splash awaits the splashing of the boat.

THURSDAY

Three o'clock in the morning comes awfully bloody early!Three O'clock? Yes! In order to be at the boatyard in Black Rock Harbor by 7 AM, I had to give myself a good 2 1/2 hours to make the 108 mile trip. Taking in to account the vagaries of traffic (and accidents) at that time of the morning, and giving myself time for my regular morning ablutions, four hours seemed about right. I ended up getting to Captains Cove Seaport at 6:30AM , which gave me sufficient time to unplug the boat . . the batteries were fine . . . .check the engine oil and take a short nap before paying the final yard bill . . .almost 2 marine units. ABISHAG splashed at 7:40Am and was nestled in her comfy transient slip by 8AM. The engine ran like a champ, the water stayed outside the boat, she went where she was steered and though extremely short, the first trip was a rousing success.

I spent a few hours checking all the systems. they all worked excepted for the GPS unit in the nav station. For some reason the antenna shorted and despite following the very detailed instructions from the tech people at Garmin, no fix could be found. The unit worked, it just didn't receive via the antenna and so a new one must be purchased (at a mere $43).

Bending on the sails was more of a project, something akin to herding cats. Thanks goodness there was little in the way of wind, but the little there was was enough to make it a frustrating pain in the butt. All the sails went on and furled like there were supposed to, though I did catch the main on something a put a small tear in it along a seam. The sail is old and had it been newer, it probably would not have torn. I am going to have to look into purchasing a new one ( Oh, will the expense never end! ! ! ) But everything that can be done, short of hauling down all the stuff I took off when the boat went on the hard, has been done. The trip to New London awaits only the rising of the sun on the morrow.

CAPTAIN'S PERSONAL LOG:

I couldn't believe how nervous I was an the ABISHAG went into the water. Paranoia reigned supreme. Would the engine start? Would she take on water from somewhere? Would all the wiring and plumbing that was done hold up? The quarter mile trip from the boat launch to the transient slip went like a breeze. It was as if I had only helmed the boat yesterday. The again, I hadn't done such a great job yesterday! ! ! !Still it was like the old saw about riding a bike. It was quite indescribable to express what it felt like making that short trip. At the marker in the channel, a left turn led to the slips and a right turn led to the Sound, and it was hard not to make the right turn . . . . though the boat yard crew guy who was with me might have raised an objection or two. Getting the sails on and the systems checked to longer than necessary as I enjoyed just being on the water again. I even took a short but well deserved nap to celebrate. Tomorrow should be great, come rain or come shine.