The last 6 years the dry-docking of the boat has involved a marathon work week-end coming down here after work the day before and trying to get everything done in two or three days.   Then hammering on home late to be ready for work the next day.  Those days are gone.  This year the process has been very leisurely starting with pulling up the moorings.

Lowering the mast has transformed from terrifying experiments in amatuerish physics to the current highly evolved, and reasonably safe, method.  That’s a chain-hoist on the end of a steel brace hooked on the top rung of a wharf ladder and all tied down firmly.   Low tide gives us enough height.  Jane operates the hoist and I encourage the mast to land where we want.

Every year the marina asks for volunteers to tow the docks around to the dry-dock but in recent years the Coast Guard has held a training session at the right time so they get to have all the fun.  Finally I was available to help and all I got to do was tell Phil when they were leaving on the VHF radio.

The dry-dock is wonderful.  Open the gates at low tide.  The boats all float in at high tide.  Shut the gates again at low tide, and we’re dry for the winter.