Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Finally Launched!







It was a long time coming and while we were excited to finally be getting the boat in the water, we were apprehensive as well.  Launch and haul days are usually the scariest days of the season.  It is just so spooky to see the boat hanging from the slings. 

We were hopeful that all would go without a hitch.  Unfortunately, it seems there is always something to make you sweat a bit.  Usually it is air in the raw water intake of the engines.   This time it wouldn't be that easy. 

They placed us in the well and the Captain checked the bilges to make sure there were no issues.  Then he went to turn over the port engine and - silence.  No engine hummed to life just the click of the key could be heard.  So with Dave in the engine compartment trying to troubleshoot and me at the helm trying to turn over the engine when instructed the marina staff left us in the well and went about their next task....collecting another boat to launch.  Trying to troubleshoot is always a pain....trying to troubleshoot full well knowing there is another boat going to arrive shortly is even worse. 

Dave checked all the connections and ...... nothing.  Exhausting all his ideas we grabbed one of the staff and had him do a quick review.  Neither Dave nor Mark could find any obvious issues.  Not knowing what else the issue could be they went back to checking connections once again and suddenly when the key turned the engine came to life.  What a relief!  It was indeed a bad connection causing the problem. 

We quickly exited the well and tied up at a nearby dock.  There is still plenty of work to be done before we head out for the season, but at least now we can say we are finally afloat.

The Admiral

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