The past two weeks flew by in a whirl of activity most of it traveling by car. With the boat settled into the yard we started our trip North to visit family and friends. We had several stops planned on the way. Our first was in Hilton Head SC to visit Roger and Sue on Dancin Down Wind. They were spending the summer in Shelter Cove Marina. We spent a great evening with them catching up.
Our next stop was in Washington NC where the Pacific Seacraft factory is located. When Light Reach was surveyed before we bought her the surveyor recommended that we have the engine hatch replaced or repaired. This hatch is part of the cockpit floor in front of the wheel. While it gives wonderful access to the engine it has an inherit design flaw. The hatch which is fiberglass with a balsa core is bolted to the cockpit sole with 4 large screws. Over time water leaches into the balsa through these bolts and rots the balsa weakening the floor. Ours had developed significant flex which was only getting worse. Scott contacted Pacific Seacraft to inquire about a repair which they said could be done at the factory. Hence our stop in Washington, to drop the hatch to be refurbished. As a bonus we got a tour of the facility and met Thumper PS’s answer man and head of engineering. PS has been able to stay in business through some very rough times for boat builders. They only build new boats on order and were presently building one for Jimmy Buffet. It was impressive in that it is an entirely new design for them. They also do refurbishment of existing PSC boats and had three on the floor. It was an interesting tour and talk. The factory isn’t large but every inch of space was in use. We left the hatch in their capable hands to be repaired.
We continued our trip with stops in Kent Island to see Peter and Bonnie our former dock mates. It was bittersweet being back at the marina. We both miss the camaraderie and fun we had while Light Reach was kept there. We had a wonderful dinner at the new hotel and restaurant that had been built since our departure in 2014. If our original trip down the intercoastal had been different we might have returned here each summer with Light Reach. Bonnie and Peter graciously hosted us on Q.
A stop in Ocean Port NJ to visit sailing buddies Deb and George was short but sweet. A good time was had in each land port with lots of laughs and stories told.
We pulled into Jessica’s driveway on Monday ready for a long visit with our daughter and her family.