Bittersweet Boating

We pulled the Macgregor out of the water today and trailered her home to the driveway where she'll sit until we're able to either park it in the garage next door, or haul it down to Hastings to a pole barn. I'd much prefer the garage next door so we can work her over the winter: new coat of paint, new electrical, new cushions, new, new, new. "The Islander" will have undergone the extreme makeover we promised when we bought her.

But before that, we of course went for a sail. It was a near-perfect fall day in Minnesota: a high of 60 with clear, crisp winds. Gusts pushed 10kn but stayed around 3-5 throughout the late morning when we were out. I brought some foul weather gear but wound up in a shirt, it was so warm.

What a day. It was as nice as this looks.

We took our corgi, Dylan, out for the first time. At first, he was terrified, but slowly calmed down and by the end was running around the boat his usual skippy self. We'll have to get him a puppy life jacket as I don't trust him to sit still. Something tells me we'll be practicing crew overboard drills with him on board.

Dylan at rest. Midday cider to celebrate the last sailing day of the year.

When the winds finally died for good, we motored to the dock and tied off. Anita pulled the mainsail down as I headed to get the trailer. It was a great sail but nice to turn the page on this season. Bittersweet, indeed.

Ready to get hauled out.

The haul out wasn't without excitement. Thirty two bikes with more than 32 bikers decided to show at the boat ramp for a photo op on the busiest day of the year and left their bikes on the small roundabout to take the photo. Remember that this was the last day for haul out and there were four boats in various stages of undress on a small ramp, with several more headed for the dock. Well done, fellas. This is why people hate you.

Perfect time for a strong gust of wind, an orca, or alien invasion.

I got home and worked on the 'other' boat. There are only a few good days left; I'm kidding myself that we can keep it in 60's for any length of time. I finally got around to epoxy'ng the lamination for the sole. This is a small strip of ash to the padauk at board #4. It helps break up the pattern and looks pretty nice all done up. I thought about attaching this with some wood glue and brad nails, but thought better of it. It needs to be pretty strong and waterproof, so it gets the full epoxy treatment. The port side is sitting on my living room floor waiting its turn

Quite a color combination.

The goal for the evening is to clean out the hull in preparation for painting. If I can get the interior painted, with the wires laid down and the decks on before hibernation, I'd call that a success. Any nice days from then to spring will be a bonus.