4 May 23

Launch Day 2023. We were up by 07:30 and checked out of the hotel about 08:30. After breakfast, we drove up to La Conner again. The boat was still in the Travellift slings, but they were waiting on the operator to show up to finish the last bits of work. I took a few minutes to apply the CVS diaper rash treatment cream (as suggested by “Practical Sailor”) to the prop to prevent marine growth. Then, we drove into La Conner and had an early lunch at The Slider Cafe. When we got back at 12:45, the dinghy was already hanging from the davits and the remaining fenders and dock lines had all been placed up in the cockpit. I spent an hour or so tidying up these and installing the two stern/shore lines. Then, after I paid the (huge, sigh) final bill, it was time to launch. “c’est le bon” was once again afloat at 15:40. I confirmed that the engine was running well and they kicked me off about 15:50. I brought the boat north through the Swinnomish Channel to Cap Sante Marina, where Terri was waiting to catch my lines at 17:15; it was a cold run up and, after I arrived, a cold drizzle commenced - probably a sign of what is in store for us over the next couple of months. When we plugged into shore power, I realized that the battery charger is not working, so that will have to be sorted out tomorrow. After we got tied up, we grabbed a quick dinner at Union Tavern, since our favorite Island Cafe is no longer open for dinners. We got to the Marina Inn, where we are staying for the night, at about 19:45 and promptly got in bed.

Log = 77 miles; Sum (2023) = 2669 miles; note, I have not included our several round-trips between Seattle and La Conner, as we have been based here for a few nights to maximize time with Ashley - 2669 miles represents our trip from Houston to Anacortes; now onto the boat.

Boat log = 9.0 N-m; Sum (2023) = 9.0 N-m; Eng hrs = 1.5, Sum = 3107.1

5 May 23

Happy Cinco de Mayo and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HENRY!! Five years old today!! I woke up at 04:30 and started thinking about what to do today and in what optimal order and could not get back to sleep until about 06:45; then I awoke with a start at 07:50. Terri was already up and dressed. We were ready to go within 30 minutes. In the meantime, I called Avalon Rafts in LA and paid them for servicing our liferaft; Mike confirmed that they already had shipping organized with Marine Safety Services in Seattle; who knows when it will arrive - I guess it is about 50:50 whether it will arrive before 10:00 on 11 May, which is our drop dead date. Any later than that, and we will have to delay our start to wait for it. Anyway, we had a large breakfast at Calico Cupboard, then went straight at getting the boat ready to occupy. The weather was cold and drizzly all day. After a bit of to-ing and fro-ing, I finally got the battery charger working, by turning on the switch on the forward A/C panel (the switch that the label has fallen off of; need to get that repaired). The bilge is in a foul state, but not much we can do about it but pour in a gallon of bilge cleaner. We then commissioned the two water tanks, the hot water system, the reverse cycle heaters, the toilets and holding tanks, cycled all the through-hull valves, got the fore-peak ready to sleep in, pulled the old covers off the kayak and got it installed in the starboard-side rack, and made a quick grocery run for breakfast and lunch tomorrow. During our lunch break, we made a quick run down to Latitude Marine to collect the companion-way key, which I forgot to collect yesterday in our rush to get away. We stopped by the storage unit and got the power-washer out, so I could start blasting 7 months of grime off the boat; while Terri was heating up leftovers (from Noi a couple of nights ago with Ashley), I power-washed the cockpit. After dinner, we got the rest of our stuff out of the car and listened to the Astros @ Mariners on the radio (Astros won 6-4). Then, we had showers and went to bed.

6 May 23

We were up at the crack of 07:40. After breakfast aboard, we went back to work on the boat. First order of business was to clean up the bilges, which were (once again) filthy; I think Latitude Marine may have spilled a bit of diesel in the bilge, because there seemed to be a lot of light end hydrocarbon floating around, as compared to the usual nasty-looking black stuff, which was also in great abundance. I finally finished that lovely chore about 11:00 and then fired up the pressure-washer again and tackled the deck and transom. I had to drop the dinghy and make a few adjustments to the rigging, etc. About 15:00, John Koon, the rigger showed up to do a detailed inspection of the standing rigging. Unfortunately, he found a couple of fittings that are showing signs of fatigue and need some attention; not immediately (i.e., we should be OK for the run up to Glacier Bay), but next winter. We are probably looking at a complete change-out of the standing rigging - fore-stay, back-stays, shrouds and diagonals; ugh. Then, we made a quick run up to the storage place to get the fore-sail, storm sail, a-sym spinnaker, water and diesel gerry cans and the prawn trap; and, we put a few items we do not need on the boat in storage. Since it did not rain all day, I spent a half hour applying a coat of water-proofing to the dodger top, which has been leaking a bit. Getting close. All we have to do now is to figure out where to put all this stuff. Ashley drove up to spend the evening with us. We all went to dinner at Anthony’s and then came back to the boat to relax, or collapse, depending upon your perspective. Then, the Astros managed to blow a 3 run lead by allowing 7 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning in a 5-7 loss to the Mariners. Ashley (on mandolin) and I (on guitar) played a few songs

7 May 23

We slept in a bit this morning. After breakfast, I spent a bit of time trying to diagnose the latest issue with the forward toilet; one of the hold-down screws is stripped, but this does not seem to be the cause of the leak. I eventually tightened one of the screws on the joker-valve fitting one-quarter turn - we will see if this resolves the issue. Then, we drove into Seattle, parked at Ashley’s house and rode the light-rail into town to T-Mobile Park to watch the Astros get beat by the Mariners 1-3; disappointing game, but Danny and Lauren joined us. After the game, we all went to Taste of India for dinner. After we walked Ashley back home, Terri and I drove back to the boat, arriving about 19:45. After a relaxing bevy, we went to bed.   

8 May 23

I popped an Advil before bed last night, so got a good night’s sleep, in spite of my aching shoulder. We did not wake up until nearly 08:00. After breakfast, we got straight back into boat preparations. I had a look at the forward toilet, but the joker valve seems to be working well now and nothing is leaking, so I decided to leave it alone for the time being. Then, I went up the mast for a look at the compromised fittings; I agree that they look like they will survive the summer, but want attention in the winter. While I was up there, I cleaned off the underside of the lower spreaders, which were dirty and showing a lot of mildew. Next, we hoisted the jib and furled it, unfurled the main for an inspection (all good), deployed the jack-stays and the jibe preventer lines. After lunch, we ran up to West Marine and Sebo’s for some marine supplies. Terri went grocery shopping and I came back and tidied up the starboard lazarette, lashed down the 3 jerry cans, the crab trap, the storm jib and the A-sym. I made a couple of snap straps to assist the velcro closures on two of the cockpit enclosure panels. I also ran a center-line strap between the two central arches (to support the oil lamp, etc.). Then, it was time to put up the fairy lights, using the support lines I sewed on during the winter; they look nice (and professional) and shed a bit more light than they did last year. That was the end of day 3 of fitting out; we are nearly done - just a few things to store away. I received confirmation from Avalon Rafts that our life-raft shipped on Friday; they gave me a tracking number, but I was unable to obtain any info regarding delivery by the close of business. The weather was very nice today and turned into a beautiful afternoon. We went to dinner at Union Tavern and came up before sunset to watch the Astros @ LAA; the Astros lost 4-6.   

9 May 23

We were up and at ‘em before 08:00. After breakfast, Terri took the car up to get the oil changed and I finally got all my personal stuff stowed away. Then, I spent an hour scrubbing clean the winter skylight cover and the winter dodger cover, along with one of the deck hatch covers, all of which had serious mildew issues; a bit of boat soap and elbow grease, followed by liberal applications of Starbrite mildew treatment, seems to have done the trick. After lunch, we hauled the last of our excess stuff up to the storage unit. I got a phone call from Marine Safety Services in Seattle - our life raft has finally made it in, so we can collect it tomorrow in Seattle. Finally, we went up to West Marine to look for paint to repaint the trim on the edge of the skylight; nothing seemed to be good for application to tempered glass or Lexan, so we came on back and arrived at the car park at 15:30, just as John and Laurie pulled up. We had a good reunion with them and after hors d’oeuvres aboard, went to A-Town Bistro for dinner; an excellent paella. They headed back to Vancouver about 21:30. As we were getting ready for bed, an e-mail popped up from the Beneteau boat-owners forum, suggesting using Rustoleum Flat (available from Home Depot) for the windscreen trim; brilliant. Otherwise, I believe we are ready to go to sea. The Astros beat LAA 3-1.

10 May 23

Another good night and we were up before 08:00. After breakfast, Terri went up to the laundry to clean some clothes and I went up to Ace to look for some Rustoleum, but they did not have any. Then, I fueled up the car and took it up to Bubba-Sudz for a good washing. Terri got back to the boat about 11:00 and we had an early lunch, then hit the road for Seattle. We stopped in Home Depot in Lynnwood and I got the Rustoleum paint and associated supplies. Finally, we drove over to Marine Safety Services to collect our life-raft and EPIRB; glad to have them in our control. After we checked into the Travelodge Motel, we picked up Ashley and went for an early dinner at Westward, on the north shore of Lake Union. We dropped her off at 18:30 so she could attend her monthly tenants meeting. After she was finished, she came over to the motel for a bit more of a chat.