SPLASH!!!
28 November 2010 | Marina San Carlos
Sunny and warm
We're back in the water again!!! The workmen came for us at 0930 and backed in the big trailer to hoist us up and take us away. We all stayed aboard as we were quickly driven to the harbor. Heck, we went faster on the trailer than we go most of the time when we are in the water. We were whipping along at well over 6 knots and for a trailer rig to go that fast with a boat as big as Zephyr, that's not bad. By 1000, we were at the launch ramp and about to be launched. Unfortunately, the man with the key to the chain that blocks the ramp was no were to be seen so off went the engine on the tractor that brought us there and we waited. About 10 minutes later he showed up and apologized. In we went and then stopped so we could check all the thru hulls we had rebuilt as well as the stuffing at the top of the rudder post that had to be repacked after we lowered the rudder for it's repair. I turned the key and vorruum the engine sprang to life with a roar and water shot out of her tail pipe just as it was supposed to. All was well, except for the fact that someone was parked in the slip we were supposed to go into. OOPS!!
Off to the office a voila, we were assigned to another slip. This one was 56 feet long. A BIG slip and much easier to get into(and at no additional charge too). It was a straight shot right into it. Even I couldn't get it wrong and surprise, we made it in on the first try. Tracy started grabbing the fenders that keep the hull from bouncing against the dock and took them to the opposite side as well as the dock lines and off went. A few minutes later and we were safe and sound tied up to our slip.
The rest of the day was spent doing a few more tasks. At least after a nice lunch at the local Marina Cantina. We put more things away and then started filling our water tanks. Now the water here can be a bit suspicious so we brought out our BIG water filters--one charcoal and one a paper filter and then for good measure, we added one of our smaller filters that is supposed to be good at blocking small little microbes that might be hiding in the water. All in all, our new water would be filtered three times before it ever got near our tanks. As you can imagine, with three filters in the line, it slowed up the delivery of our water so it flowed in a crawl. About 90 minutes later, our tanks were finally full.
About the only things that isn't working so far is the forward head(toilet). It won't draw in water from the thru hull that flushes it. The valve is turned on, but no water is getting into the bowl. Tomorrow, we'll be tearing it apart to see what is wrong down there. At least the one in the stern is working. Do we really need two? It's in there, so it's one of my jobs to make sure it is up and running.
Apparently from what we have heard, San Carlos has a bit of a problem with people stealing things off boats, especially dingys and motors so we will have ours safely under lock and key. We've made it even harder by not inflating it and leaving it upside down on the front deck. Puff(our outboard) is lock nicely to the stern railing and if you want it, you are going to have to take the railing with you.
So, we're back in the water and at this time plan on heading out by Wednesday if the weather cooperates. The weather dictates when and where a sailboat normally goes and we are no different.
Tomorrows another day but at least we are in the water and all of it is staying out(as of now).