Up or Down?

What goes down (can) (may) (should) will come up. The "little" problem we had requires hoisting the boat out of the water to pull the propeller shaft. Hummmmmm---how much is a safe boat worth?

I have noticed (and I bet you have too) that people come into our lives at just the right moments. In the past 2 weeks I can tell you three such stories:

*We are at a dock in Charlevoix - but just until we get things working and "ship shape." We met Melissa who is the owner of a trawler across the walkway. She came to dinner and talked about her westward trip (from Annapolis to Michigan) and shared charts and information that really put us at ease. Melissa is captain of her ship and my hero. She's spending the summer in the North Channel and the Georgian Bay.

*Last week our hard drive crashed. Almost all our navigational charts are run from the computer. The local computer shop installed a new hard drive, but our friend, Bill Murray, held our hands and got all the systems back in familiar running order. He was my personal tutor in setting up this blog. And, he's offered to help with computer problems along the way. What a guy!

*Lou installed a new hot water system on Tequila which required finding the method of moving motor coolant from around the engine to the tank and back around the motor. It was NOT and easy job. He got the plumbing, the electrical, and the hoses all completed but couldn't get the coolant to circulate around the tank. Our old time (and old) friend, Lloyd, helped him drill through the ribs to pass the hoses and the mechanics at Irish Boat Shop gave him hints and advice, but the system just wouldn't work. Lisa's and Bill's advice to Lou was "You can find anything on the internet." So, Lou fired off an email to Westerbeke and back came their advice. They sent a perfect description with a picture. It turns out that the fellow on the boat next to us, Rich, is a mechanical engineer who's career has been in the marine engine field. He came aboard to talk Lou through the adjustments and gave him the confidence he needed. The result is I HAVE HOT WATER. Thank you Rich!

Still no sail date. Rain is coming with winds from the wrong direction. More later.