Prop going back on. 

Boat ready to go back in the water

Todd

We are getting closer       Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Tuesday at noon we called the boatyard and they assured us that the boat would be in the water Wednesday afternoon.  Dave and I drove to pick up the rental car for the trip back to Daytona.  We arrived too early for the 24 hour rate so we had time to shop.  There were no economy cars available so we chose a 2016 red Ford Edge.  We own a 2015 red Ford Edge, coincidence.  After dinner we loaded the car and did last minute prep for our departure.

5 AM departure, and it couldn’t have been a more beautiful early morning for a drive heading into the setting full moon.  The truck traffic was heavy but we made good time; arriving at 1 PM.  The prop had not been delivered.  That arrived at 3:30 and need to be installed, etched and bottom paint applied.  Obviously we would not be back in the water.  We got the car unloaded, schlepping everything up the 8 foot ladder.   Dave’s cousin picked us up after we returned the car to Avis.  (renting there was discounted, another perk from BOATUS)

During the day we met the lady, Doreen, who runs the kitchen at the Dayton VFW.  She recommended we go there for their Chicken Parmesan special, $6.50.  The Ballards joined us for a nice dinner; although we were not members we were told to come back with a schedule of their special events.   They told us that they recognize the American Legion Memberships.  Dave’s membership was approved while we were home and the card should be in the mail.  The Ballard took us back to the boat yard and a cool night.

At 8 AM they were painting the bottom paint on the prop.  I moved into the office area and tried to upgrade my Kindle.  The date to do the upgrade was the 22^nd of March, mine was on the boat.  I missed it.   I could not get a long enough connection to do the update so hopefully I can get the fix through the internet.  Meanwhile, Dave was monitoring the work and soon we were in the travel lift.

Dave is very pleased with the work done here.  Before the boat was put in the water they did another inspection of the bottom.  New bottom paint was applies to the keel and repair was done to the hull where the blade had nicked it in the grounding.  We are in the water, the alignment of the prop shaft and the engine was off by .005”.  They have us in the water for the hull to settle in to form and will check the alignment in 24 hours it should read .002” that will be followed with a sea trial.  Dave has the damaged prop to display in is work area…..!!!!

Hopefully we will be in Halifax Marina (next door), our original destination.  Jim Ballad has again provided us with a car from the auction that will then be shipped to Springfield, VT; put in resale there.  The plan is to be here until about the 1^st of April.

Saturday, March 25, 2016   Good Friday

Thunderstorms came through during the night but nothing serious in this area.  The rain was badly needed.  During a break in the rain the professional, Todd, checked the alignment again.  The settling of the boat in the water brought the tolerance to where it should be, .002”.  When he gets it back together we will go for the sea trial.  Because we have an internet connection at the moment I will post this installment.  The boat yard has invited us to their Friday employee/costumer lunch.  Nice idea and welcome.