Sunday, March 24, 2013

Did You Say SPRING ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

SHIP'S LOG:

     As several people reminded me over the last day or so, last year at this time we were experiencing temperatures in the low 80's! Ah, what a difference a year makes! I am not necessarily looking for temperatures in the "low 80's," but I would settle for  temperatures in the normal seasonal range which I gather is somewhere around 60.  This would mean that most boat chemicals that need to set to accomplish their purpose would be able to do so as most require at least a temperature above 50 degrees. It would also mean that the boatyard would turn on the water through out the boatyard so that one could actually do some cleaning as most cleaning projects require at least a modicum of water. Seasonable temperature would also mean that you could work without being bundled up like "Nanook of the North" and it would also allow you to work without gloves, a very necessary option whenever a project requires one to handle screws and bolts and nuts and washers and to fit little things into tiny places. try picking up a small washer with gloves of any kind on, at least any kind that provide some degree of warmth for the hands.

     I received a phone call from "Francis of Toronto" who said a friend of his in the Great white North was looking for a boat.  I am fairly certain that "ABISHAG" will not be the boat for him. Just getting her there would be a major project. They could go up the Hudson, through the New york Canals and into the Great Lakes and cross Lake Ontario to get to Toronto. Of course they would have to drop the masts $$$$$$$$(both of them) to go through the canal system and re-install them $$$$$$ once on the Lakes. Or they could sail up the Atlantic Coast, through the Gulf Of Maine and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, down the St. Lawrence River all the way to Lake Ontario all the way to Toronto. They could also just contract with a boat-moving company who will ABISHAG from New London to Toronto for probably close to $3,000. ABISHAG is certainly worth any of these efforts but I have a feeling that she is just too big for what the "potential buyer" is contemplating.  Still, there is someone out there would is looking for her. Now if we can just get them together!