Pins and needles

Today our boat is supposed to be put in the water. Yesterday we helped two boats get put in the water, grabbing lines and fending them from the dock as all of a sudden, and of course, there is mucho wind. Several boats have been moved out of the way to clear a path out of the yard for us -- but barely. I’m a nervous wreck. The lift they are putting us on is not rated for our weight. We are 4 tons above the limit. So it is unsettling to see how this is going to work out. Everyone in the boat yard keeps telling me their horror stories from the haulout/launch process…bent forestay, gouge in the fiberglass, boat falling off the trolley, fouled prop shaft, broken stabilizer….

Okisollo on the skateboard going through a gravel lot

So, I’ve decided to retreat to the cruisers lounge where there is some fabulous AC and I can view from afar when the boat begins to move. I’m helping one of the women working on a sewing project to keep myself out of the way and occupied. Dan is out chatting it up with the other boaters, keeping the yard staff hydrated and hopefully making sure that when they move us that we don’t hit the neighbors.

Keeping myself busy, leaving our logo on the wall in the cruisers lounge

It may seem strange to many to worry about this. It’s just a boat right? I guess it’s different when the boat is your home. The sourdough yeast starter is going in the galley, my book on the table, all my clothes in the closet. We just finished about 3 months of work, repairs and improvements. Everything is shipshape. Let's just hope it gets in the water!

The harbor at low tide...our launch site

3 hours later…

The boat yard managed to squeeze us out with inches to spare. In the end they only had to move 3 boats to make it work. They put us on a ‘sled’ that was rated for at least 4 tons less than we are and it worked! (I still couldn’t watch!) They moved us from the small sled to the 150 ton travel lift in the middle of the road. From there it was smooth to the water. As I noted today we had 15-20 knots of wind from the north. The actual launch into the water was smooth and care free. We had loads of help from fellow cruisers and all Dan's work on the engines, bow thruster and hull made the launch easy--peasy.

Okisollo in the big 150 ton lift enroute to the launch

At the dock, about 1 football field length from the launch zone, we’ve now tested all the systems including the AC. Everything seem to be great. Tomorrow we will make final preparations before heading south again in the Sea of Cortez. We have a beachside taco stand about 200 miles away that we are excited to visit again. Weather is looking good for Sunday or Monday departure. As the Zac Brown band says,....'we've got our toes in the water...'.