Helen Back Launched!
May 6th 2023:
Happy Birthday Uncle Fred (May 3rd)
It has been a busy time around here. We prepared the boat for launch earlier in the week and she took to the air on Thursday morning.
She looks good up there but I am nervous when she flies.
Ah. . . back in her element!
In the seven years that we have been members, I have always worked on moving the boats during both autumn haul-out and spring launch. This year, they put me on yard work. Holy smokes! Was I ever tired at the end of the day. The work was less stressful, but much more physical and . . . . well. . . . I'm old! Don't forget, on Thursday I was in my late sixties!
Anyway, the day went extremely well. We started at 7:00AM and all the boats were launched before 1:00PM. Donna worked in the kitchen, helping with snacks for breaktime and lunch preparations.
Then we went to 'Open Mic' at Sam's. It was a relatively quiet night (because of hockey I believe) so we got to do two sets. Dave and Neil were there and Tom joined us as well on the 'cajon' (a box-like percussion instrument). All the songs went well.
For the first set, we played:
Early Morning Rain (Tribute to the late Gordon Lightfoot)
What Would Leonard Cohen Say? (by Local Songwriter Sandy Hay)
I'd Rather Go Blind (Etta James)
For the second set:
Goodbye Again (By Hamiltonian Ray Materick)
Black Magic Woman (Fleetwood Mac)
Next morning (yesterday), was 'cradle day'. After not a lot of sleep, we started at 8:00AM and we were done by noon. We had 2 forklifts this year so there was no heavy lifting required by anyone (Yayy!). I was particularly glad about that because, when yesterday came around, I turned 70. Now I'm really old! No complaints though because I'm 'living the dream'!
In the afternoon, I did a couple of things on the boat. I brought aboard two batteries. The 'start' battery and the thruster battery. I connected the thruster battery and the solar panel / charge controller and uncovered the solar panel. I also connected the 'start' battery.
Also yesterday, the club held our first pot-luck dinner in three years. It was great!
Donna brought her fabulous double potato gratin. She also produced a cake and a bunch of people sang 'Happy Birthday'. It wasn't the same as when Donna and Michael used to sing it in Prevost, or when Mom, Dad and the gang would sing it at home, but it was just fine.
Today, we continued with spring fitting-out. I connected the cooler and got it running. I connected a primer bulb in the new gas line from the on-board tank and pumped it until I could feel some resistance. I checked for fuel leaks at all the fittings and started the engine. I checked for leaks again.
She's ready to go!
But there's more work to do. I started measuring and cutting the window trim pieces (I'll be at it for a while).
Donna worked on the toe rails, sanding them and applying 'Cetol' finish to them. Here she is on the side deck, painting with one hand and hanging on with the other.
Great job Donna!
Thanks for reading our blog!
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