How cool is it to be a Lusby in Lusby? Every time I use my credit card - and I have used it a few times - the clerks do a double take when they look at the name. There is probably a family connection back a half dozen generations but nothing close. Thomas and Mary Lusby crossed the ocean from England to Amherst, Nova Scotia in the late 1700's, but I haven't been able to find out when others arrived here and named the place.

We made the 10 minute drive from Lusby to the boat yard shortly before 10 am and sure enough, the big red Sealand truck with Martin at the wheel and Madcap on the trailer rounded the corner right on time. Madcap looked in perfect shape - all trussed up and tied down.

We have nothing but accolades for both Sealand Specialized Carriers (Chester NS) and Zahnisers Yachting Services (Solomon's Island, MD). They have taken excellent care of our precious ship. Over lunch, Martin filled us in on some of the details of boat transport. The keel sits a mere 3 1/2 inches above the pavement, and the total height of trailer and boat must be no more than 13 1/2 feet. Our beam is 12 feet, and if it was wider, we would have needed escort vehicles to travel with the truck - greatly increasing the costs. At 12 feet, it was considered a wide load and could be moved only on weekdays in the US. Height- wise, we measured just under the 13 1/2 mark. We had taken everything off the boat - radar, wind generator, mast (of course!), dinghy davits, dodger and bimini frames. If the keel was deeper, we might have been looking at removing stanchions, bowsprit and more. Martin said that whenever he approached an underpass where there was new paving, he held his breath that the level of the roadbed had not been raised! There are different weight restrictions between Canadian provinces so on other trips, he has had to move wheels back and forward to adjust the weight on each axel. Fortunately it wasn't needed for this trip. Amazing details eh? (Martin - if I didn't get some of this right, send along your corrections!!)

The Zahnisers crew were ready and waiting - and in no time flat, John and Bobby had Madcap in the sling and ready for the water. Paul climbed on board to check the stuffing box (and repack it) (I have learned that is not a box with "stuff" stuffed in! It means strips of flax or, nowadays, gore-tex wrapped tightly around the prop shaft so water doesn't come in.) Chuck reconnected the radar. Cory checked the mast and rigging. Other guys put up the wind generator pole again and Phil oversaw the whole operation. One result of their careful inspection is that we have some maintenance things to take care of.

They found a crack in the toggle that connects the top of the forestay to the mast, some corrosion at the bottom of the mast, some wires with compromised coatings, a halyard that should be replaced, and rivets on the furling mechanisms. We had our own list of things to check - installation of the AIS, (Automatic Identification System), corrosion on the port toe rail, checking and replacing the propane sensor. The result of all this, is that although we had hoped to be put back together on Friday, ready for a Saturday departure, the mast with its new and improved top and bottom will not be stepped (put back in) until Monday. Jim and Richard are working away at the AIS, and balancing the blades on the wind generator. I've been doing some more provisioning along with returning the car to Baltimore (with Carole's kind assistance) and renting another one from the Enterprise branch in Lexington Park (15 minutes from Zahnisers) - good people over there too!

In the evenings, we've been enjoying the company of our gracious hosts. We enjoyed meeting Janice and Dennis (Lady's Choice) the other night, and visiting the new Mexican restaurant up the road. The weather holds well - a bit cooler today but still warmer than home and we are safe and happy (although getting poorer by the day!)