Last night should have been my night to catch up on my sleep, but it was not to be. I didn’t make it to bed early, and around 2am a wicked storm came through. That got me out of bed to check lines and such, although I wasn’t sure trying to actually unfasten a line and adjust it would be a good idea. The wind was blowing 40-50 knots - who says I can even pull the boat in under those conditions. I had carefully gone over every line when I docked, so they would have to do. Pete, from two boats down, was concerned about his boat and how well the dock hands had cleated his lines, since he felt he was getting very close to the boat next to him. So he was out getting pelted by the rain as he added another line. I posted a short clip of the storm.

This morning, someone from Outland Hatch Covers was here measuring my two hatches. I hope to have them before I leave Thursday evening.

I was tired and lazy and slow today, so my only project was the leak on my V berth shelf. I’m pretty sure the stanchion does not leak. I know one bolt on the bow pulpit does leak. So some of the work I did with Roger needed to be redone. Pete helped as I completely removed the bolt this time to apply caulk in the hole and on the bolt. Then I found out why I didn’t do that the first time. It is hard to put the backing washer, split washer and nut back on with only one hand, while on my back with my hand over my head around a corner and barely able to see the bolt while shining the flashlight with my other hand. Gravity was my enemy. I used caulk and tape to get the three pieces to stick together and stay nearly centered on the hole where the bolt needed to go. Then on the deck, I scraped off the caulking I previously did around the base of the bow pulpit and tried caulking that again. The enemy in that case is the old silicon caulk the boat yard used. Nothing will stick to old silicon, so good prep work is critical. When I did this part on the Erie Canal, I did a half ass job, with the corresponding results.

Pete and Sue were getting fuel, another boat was after them, so it was a good time for me to fuel up also. The pump is right in front of my boat. Best fuel up ever! Or at least the most convenient one ever.

Several folks here are waiting on the weather and are leaving Thursday morning, but they are going inside, while I am going outside. Outside means ocean. Inside means ICW waterway.