Wings is a boat! She was splashed yesterday with no problems. The new transducer hole didn't leak, so Conni did her typical great job of gooping it with caulk.

We had requested a tow to our new slip since we wanted to complete some engine checks, so after we were lowered into the water the local outboard-powered taxi pulled us toward the slip. To reduce the steering difficulties for the taxi, we tried to steer Wings with our wheel. Nope, the steering was totally locked. NO! It was the low point for both of us. We felt betrayed and frustrated. After tying up the boat, I went below the cockpit to do the only thing that we could think of doing: spray the quadrant with CorrosionBlock, our "go-to" lubricant/penetrant. We went ashore, steamed through a shower, and stormed off for beer and burgers. We discussed all of the terrible costs and delays that the problem might entail. Neither of us could finish our meal.

On return, Conni despondently tried to turn the wheel, and …..it turned! We had dodged not a bullet but a cannonball! Whew!

Today, Sunday, 26 April, we arose a bit late, the first such that we've had in weeks. I dosed the quadrant with CorrosionBlock again and we worked the wheel but it seems that the problem is resolved. I had asked for help from the wonderful Passport list serve and they all made various recommendations, but I was able to respond that the solution had been simple and inexpensive.

So, we're boaters again. I led the forward-looking transducer cable from the transducer to the battery box and will complete the lead from there to the display on the binnacle tomorrow. We're finally starting to complete some tasks that normal boaters complete when commissioning their boats. It's about time!

After work today, I went to the Boatyard Bar and bought a pair of Fiji Bitter beers which were provided with a bag of ice for the trip to the boat. What a relief it is to have a working boat.

Our hope, now, is that Conni and I can spend a few days, at least, in a shakedown trip, just the two of us. She's worked so hard and to be denied even a day of sailing seems unfair to me. We have a week before crew arrives.