Boat And Other Work

SHIP'S LOG:

     Wow, that was a fast two months! Then again, summer always passes quickly while winter drags on and on. O well, such is life.

     I did have the chance to get out sailing every week, usually several times but it was always missing something. My boat for instance. As nice as it is to go out sailing on any boat, when it's not yours it just isn't the same. Every boat owner likes things a certain way, does things a certain way and I always find that I am deferring  and it gets old after a while. then again it is better than not going sailing at all.

     Did a lot of hours on the launch as over the summer most of the launch drivers begged off or took only a shift or two. It meant that the Fair Ivy and I ran the launch most if the time.  running the launch isn't a bad way to make a buck . One is out in the sunshine (and the rain), in the summer breezes (and storms and gales) and one gets lots of practice in small boat handling. Most people have no idea what a skill it is to bring a 26foot launch up to their boat, which in the club range from 18 to 45 feet, stop it right along side without making serious contact with it ,then hold it in place while they get on or off, with or without "cargo" - coolers, sails and other assorted nautical items. Lots of times,they don't appreciate the fact that they aren't the only boat calling for service. This is especially true on race nights/days and on weekends. people tend to get a bit testy when they call and have to wait. it seems invariable that one will get a call from two boats at opposite ends of the mooring field which is 1/4 to 1/2 of a mile wide. It simply takes time to get from one boat to another and then back to the dock. We must also pick up all who call so they may also have to wait while the launch fills up before they get to where they are going. Another aspect of driving the launch, especially on week days when the number of users is smaller, is that one goes and picks up the grew off one boat and takes them back to the dock. You then tie up the launch and walk all the way back to the club hose only to get a call to go out to a boat way out on the edge of the field, or are greeted in the club house by someone who wants to go out. And of course, you render them the service with a smile because that's the job.

     When it is really busy, I might not leave the launch for an entire 6 - 8 hour shift and that can be very tiring. When the launch is in motion, you are constantly shifting you weight to keep your balance because you run the launch standing up. At the end of the shift your ankles and knees are screaming. When it is really choppy it is even worse. And when it is hazy, hot and humid, you get dehydrated and have to constantly slug water or Gatorade. I have grown to really hate all kinds of Sports drinks.

   But like I said, it is not a bad way to make a buck and that was a good thing this year as the Federal government shafted me. Due to my financial situation, I had to start taking Social Security Retirement early. What they don't tell you is that if you do, you are financially penalized if you make over a certain amount. So earlier this summer, I got a letter from Social Security saying that they had overpaid me and they wanted their money back. you would think that since they had the information and set the level and schedule of the payments they would have been on top of this from the beginning of the payments. nope! And rather than take a little out each month, they stopped paying me for the summer. The money I made from driving the launch went for regular living expenses rather than to cover the bills incurred from the Great Tree Incident and for the winter storage. And still Publisher's Clearing House has been unable to find me!

     Friend Fred and I have gotten work done on ABISHAG.The damage bow pulpit and stanchions have been removed and the holes in the deck they left have been filed. The jib furling system has been dismantled completely and is intact. It does not appear that they is any damage that would require it be replaced totally, though perhaps some bearings and fittings may need/will need to be replaced. The forestay itself may have to be replaced. There is no visible damage readily apparent, but it has been stressed and that might render it unsafe.  Sound Rigging will have to make the call on that in the spring. Pretty much all that can be done before spring has been done and over the weekend, I will close up and the boat and cover her.  One heck of a sailing season!

     Speaking of repairs, I am getting some done myself. My left ankle  is a mess. All that balancing and rocking on the launch didn't help it at all. Neither did walking on it for that matter. Next week on the 3rd of November I am having an operation to correct  the problem. My doctor will break the arch and the heel and re-build them. Then the tendons on the inside of the ankle, which are shredding and almost to the point of breaking, will be re-stitched and re-enforced. It will mean that I will be off my feet for 6-8weeks though other patients I encountered in the office waiting-room say that that is an over optimistic outlook and that the pain is nasty. We shall see what we shall see!

     My left knee now has an expensive custom-made brace that cost between 1 and 2 Marine Units. You have to got back several years in the blog to find out how much a "Marine Unit" actually is but it is more than I could afford without help from my medical plan. Still I had a co-pay of $160 for the brace so that will give you some idea. It works every well  and hopefully will continue to do so and so forestall the need for a knee replacement. My right knee, not so much. The cartilage is on both sides of the knee and while the doctor is considering the possibility of going in and cleaning it out, he is not sure that doing so will absolute solve the pain problem. Another brace would not help the situation until after. if then.

     There you have it. I will try to be better with updates though heading into winter and surgery it might not always work out. The again, it is one day closer to launching ABISHAG!