SPLASH!!

Weather: Sunny, temp range mid 70’s to mid 80’s; wind E @ 12 knots

Comment: It’s launch day! Before we got up, George (the Jamaican bottom painter) stopped by to paint the transom areas that Bobby Hardy was working on. Our appointed time, 0930 – 1000 for splashing, was delayed until 1300 hours. We found other things on which to busy ourselves. Anna Marie and I took the bikes to the city marina. Jim and Gary ran some last minute errands.

Al (marina worker) came by at 1245 to tell us to unhook the electric, move the car and make ready for splashing. The travel lift arrived at 1330. At the launch area, George painted the spots made inaccessible by the jack stand pads. After “SUNSHINE” was splashed, Al reconnected the backstays and the topping lift. They had been disconnected to allow the travel lift to lift the boat when we arrived last week..

It was difficult to start the starboard engine and a might tedious to get out of the harbor using only the port engine. Once out, I checked the engine to find that Eric, after replacing the plugs, did not put a wire back on one of the plugs. Once the spark plug wire was connected, we started the engine and it ran strong. Engine vibration seems to be reduced, perhaps because we tightened mounting bolts.

It was a windy downwind run to Moser Channel. We unrolled the jib and hit 7.8 mph. We rolled up the sail at the seven mile bridge, went through under power and were greeted by a lumpy Atlantic Ocean. We continued to motor into boot Key Harbor where we sallied, nice as you please, up to our mooring ball.

We enjoyed a great mesquite rubbed pork loin and corn-on-the-cob dinner. After dinner, we planned a three day trip to Bahia Honda (anchorage) then on the Newfound Harbor and back to Boot Key Harbor on Friday.