Boat Yard Blues

When the boatyard begins to hum with activity you know it's springtime again. Like all boaters here in Maryland I tend to go into hibernation during the winter months. First I begin by making a list of all the things I need to do on the boat the following year. Stuff like replace thruhulls, glass in loose bulkhead tabbing, re-plumb the fresh water system. That's my short list. I forgot to mention drop in the new engine, replace the rudder bushings and running rigging. Then as we near January my thoughts drift to far off places and I begin making my wish list. I visit West Marine and EBay boats a few times a week. Things like solar arches, solar panels, new Genoas and folding props find their way onto my to do list. By February I have hit rock bottom and I am looking at web cams of St John and Tortolla. Driving myself crazy with pictures of warm tropical waters and beaches. I spend hours late at night sailing the worlds oceans aboard the SS Google Earth. Mapping out our routes to New Zealand.  But as February melts into March and the temps begin to climb into the 50's again I pull my head from the upper rigging and gather my tools once again to do battle with the wrath of winter and time on our boat the Omarsea.
Being 50' is nice when you live aboard in the tropics. But it means more complex systems and that equates to more problems and that always means more work . Boats are the ultimate compromise in life. They can transport you to the farthest reaches of the globe. But they can also be the bane of ones existence. Fortunately  we sailors though a bit gruff sometimes on the outside are Pollyanna's on the inside. I find most of us can't wait to get our hands dirty cleaning out the boat and doing basic maintenance items. Though this desire is short lived as April evaporates into May and we long to see ourselves sailing again. I always seem to have a nautical honey do list as long as my arm. This year is no exception and we don't even plan to put the boat in the water.
In addition to the afore mentioned items I will be pulling the rudder, installing a Roller Furling stay sail, having the old genoa recut, installing a 60# CQR anchor, rebuilding the windlass, electrical panel and the 12 volt refrigeration system. Oh yea did I mention Jean and I are replacing the berth cushion/mattresses? Whew! I am tired just thinking about it all. How do we do it you ask?  I just keep a mental picture of the sun setting beside the peaks of Bora Bora and we are hosting the other cruisers in the anchorage that night for drinks and dinner. If the past few years are any example it won't be too long before we are there.

I would like to wish those sailors out there now a quiet peaceful evening and ask that you raise your glass to those of us preparing to join you.

Fair winds

Scott Trefethen

PS a little Jimmy Buffet goes a long way during the winter!