It's Time

There comes a time in every cruise’s life (at least in ours) when it is time to put the boat away and that time came today. I was a little apprehensive if for no other reason, despite our neighbor’s reassurances, that this boatyard is new to us. Last year we left the boat in the slip on Wellesley Island, NY and went home. The yard did everything without us in tow. This was not usually the case. I normally am, even if a by-stander, part of the process.

Well, this year I am in the process again. I winterized the boat. For the uninitiated this means 14 quarts of motor oil to replace and 20 gallons of antifreeze pumped into every system: toilet, hot and cold water systems, wash down pump, fore and aft bilges, air conditioner, generator, and finally the main engine.

Carrie Rose needed to be delivered to the pier but first the holding tank needed pumping and the fuel tank needed filling. Neither of these is complicated just a bit time consuming due to taking on 130 gallons of diesel.

Bringing a boat like Carrie Rose into a dock presents certain challenges. Nordic Tugs are many things but nimble is not one of them. Jerry, our fellow tug enthusiast, took us out on a couple of day trips and I noticed how well he handled his tug in close quarters. So, when I commented on this he proceeded to teach this old dog a new trick, and I got to try it out today. And what do you know it worked.

To shorten a long story, Dan and the crew pulled CR out of the water using a big John Deere, which did not seem to notice it was pulling a 17,000 lb. 32 foot long boat up a steep grade. Within a short time, she was parked with the keel supported by numerous wooden blocks and six side-stands.

And this happened with me on CR’s deck going along for the ride, while Charlotte raced around taking pictures. Quite a ride and quite a day, tomorrow the Big Apple by train and I am sure more adventure!