Another Week in Chesapeake

Another Nor'easter threat has kept us here for another week.  It's been a very worthwhile stop for us as we begin the Loop.  Our first drill was to be able to lower and paint our mast.  We will go under many low bridges where they do not open for boaters like the ones do on the ICW.  Bridges on the Intracoastal Waterway open when we've needed them to.  Not so on the Loop.  We will need to take our Bimini down as well as the mast in order to JUST fit under a 15 foot bridge.  We are 13.6 !!

Lee and I will be sitting on the floor of the fly bridge at that point!  THAT'S gonna be fun!

We had 3 guys helping us to get the mast down.  Lee devised a block and tackle to help in getting it upright again.  I pulled and he pushed and it worked like a charm.  We think we can put it down again ourselves when that time comes.  It weighs about 60#  Cross your fingers!

 

Shangri-La was put up on the hard to get her bottom (hull) painted and trim tabs removed from the transom. Trim tabs are hydraulic steel plates under the stern which, in some cases, can provide lift in order to compensate for changes in speed, weight distribution and water conditions.  As with many boaters, we found them unnecessary and dangerous when climbing from the water onto the swim platform without slicing our feet on them!

Moving up in the sling

I forgot to take a "before" photo, but here is where they were.  40"x12" on each side is a lot of steel to remove

Rolling on new bottom paint.  We think we can do this ourselves next time!

AFTER photo.  You'd never know the tabs were ever there!  Nothing like a fresh coat of paint!

We'll be in fresh water during most of next year so no worries of scraping barnacles and sea creatures off the hull!  Our lifestyle continues to excite, amaze and educate me!  Who knew that this rebel would find such a perfect fit with my Captain and our Shangri-La??
EAT LIFE!!