shake down cruise….finally

To define what a crappy winter we've had, our traditional St. Patrick's shakedown cruise was postponed almost an entire month.

However, we are finally here…and yes, we are forecast for some nights in the upper 20s next week.

Despite our marina's attempts to destroy our boat in one way or another, I am happy to report that steering/autopilot and rudder still seem to be functioning fine.

However, you would think that if you had employees at a marina, you would teach them line handling 101.  First lesson.  The simple yet elegant cleat hitch.  Most of our commissioning time was trying to get those freaking tie offs off and redone.  We still have one more to do, but we need a marlin spike to get the line off the cleat.  I'm not kidding.

But in a model of efficiency, Tim and I were sails up in two hours. Sails up for the first time in the season in Kansas usually means 'DUCK' as mud dauber nests and bird's nests come flying our of the sail. (We don't take our sails off every year).

Everything was ship shape, fridge is waiting it's beer/soda/wine/water provisionings and let's get rolling!

The first of many sunset sail to come this summer.

A launch off party, shots of rum and a little pirate ditty via the card.
(yes, the boat was out in the lake sailing itself with the autopilot while we were down below
some things never change)