Picture: Ted at work modifying the trolly to fit our new boat.

Work began the day after the new boat was delivered. Rod and Mary, the previous owners, left the boat in front of the house of our neighbor and friend, Susan. The same day, just before dark, we backed it down our driveway, which is steep and curvy. It was a difficult job on account of its size (31 feet overall) and weight (about 4 tons with the trailer). I tried to guide Ted as he backed it down. Being a truck driver in his younger days, he did really well. The boat stayed in the driveway while he prepared the boathouse for it.

Originally the boathouse trolley was specially made for a pontoon boat with floats on each side so Ted had to modify it by cutting and welding it to take a V-shaped hull. For me, it would be impossible. It took him about ten days to complete the task because it was necessary to make several trips to town to buy nuts and bolts, steel, long timbers and so forth. He also had to repair some weak spots in the cable used to pull the boat into the boathouse. Although he worked hard and long each day, he was content. All of a sudden his life had meaning; he could see something being accomplished. In contrast, I am content just doing yoga, cooking, gardening and taking regular morning walks with my friend Susan.