Boat out tomorrow........then what do I do??

[longjohnsilver]

Taking Blue Fisher out tomorrow, I feel that she deserves a break after almost 4 years in the water apart from short spells to antifoul.

Problem is what will I do with myself for next 3 months. Most of the jobs that needed doing were done last winter, all the electronic playthings I need have been installed, the foot or so of rubbing strake that's come loose will only take an hour or so to fix.

The real problem is the wife, SWMNBO will insist on painting or walls, ceilings,gardening etc etc. How do I escape the evil clutches when all I can do is go and sit on the very dry boat with no huge list of jobs to do, suppose I could have a real crack at reducing the liquid ballast, but that will take a lot of effort and concentration

Helpppppppp I'm feeling lost already...............................

What would do you do in this position???

My definition of DIY = don't involve yourself

 

[Scubadoo]

My boat is still in the water and trying desperately to finishing DIY jobs around the house, so I can enjoy the rest of the year.

RM.

 

[hlb]

Join the club. Mines still wet, but I aint seen it for three months. Minuite I took to part time retirement the shwimbo (Just sounds better thats all) took up part time teaching. Therefore totaly knackering at a stroke. Thirty years of planing on. Boat. Med. Boat. Greece. Sun. Boat. Med. Sun. Spain, etc, etc, etc,

Haydn

 

[Guest]

Prioritys that's what it's all about , get another boat but dont give in just imagine the emotional harm you'l come to .
Decorating !!! Gardening !!! Shopping !! NO NO
Mick

 

[ToMo]

Well Haydn, here's an offer you can't refuse, Longjohnsilver and myself will undertake to give your precious floater all the TLC she craves.....and all you have to do is make sure there is plenty of credit at the fuel warve. - Now is'nt that nice of us....you see what good neighbours you've got?!

 

[lanason]

I'll help put fenders out - bring them in - put them out etc throw a rope or 2.

Adrian

 

[DepSol]

fly over here John I'll take you for a spin then to cornerstones for a couple of beers and a steak sandwich

 

[ChrisP]

Re: Practice trips

Get on board get the heating going and the booze ready. Now chose a suitable chart and set it up on the yeoman plotter. Put in some way points and set the plotter to dead recon. You are now off on a pretend trip so you can sit back, enjoy the scenary and invent your own hazards, sightings etc sure in the knowledge that you wont hit anything when you reach for the next beer or take a leak. On completing the cyber journey you can sit back and have another celebratory drink. Having made the perfect passage and mooring up in the chosen harbour with no damage or stress. Pop into the local club on the way home and relate the story of you latest expedition to all the other "boat on hard members". Much admiration will be experienced. Only things you must rember is not to tell them that you've not used any fuel on the trip and check the weather forecast didn't include memorable features like hurricanes etc.

Happy tripping

ChrisP

P.S. Should the booze situation be too much for you the Brighton Marina Mafia will be glad to help out.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Its obvious. Lie. Make up things to do. There's always a bilge pump to check or a trim tab reservoir to top up. I find it best to hint that there's some safety aspect to it all - 'surely, checking the fire extiguisher dates, dear, is far more important than painting the porch. Its the safety of our children, after all' - there's no answer to that unless, of course, you've forgotten that you used that excuse last week.

 

[Guest]

Go and buy a pre owned (second hand) new boat. there will be lots to do. Launched mine early december last year, was able to escape during Christmas, and New Year to either test things out, modify or bring up to spec all the important bits like shower drainage, hot and cold water taps and showers. Cause that's what is important to the Admiral.

We even bought new cutlery for it !!!!!?. A small price to pay for getting on board to play with all those engine, navigation and control bits, all for safety reasons of course.

Mind you I was reprimanded last night for going AWOL for a hour to run up the engines.

 

[paulineb]

Go visiting

Each weekend, choose a different forum member to visit. You're very welcome to come and see us in Brighton, although our boat's out of the water too for about 4/6 weeks but you can help us drink the booze.

Pxx

 

[Guest]

Re: Go visiting

I have a vision of all these boats in the yard, busy people working on them to get them ready for new season...and pauline perched up on hers having a g+t. Good idea to tie the ladder on - not for saftey, just in case someone borrows it....

 

[paulineb]

Mystic Matt

OK, where's the webcam? You described the scene to perfection.

Pxx

 

[ArthurWood]

Can't help. Never been in that situation in past 15+ years.
Just going to see mine. Diver didn't call back and SWMBO wants to cruise in this lovely weather, so 'spose I'll have to don wet suit and scrape props. Well it'll save me $55, but I might catch a chill.

 

[paulineb]

Perhaps your diver has a jellyfish stuck up his arse Arthur ;-)

Pxx

 

[ArthurWood]

How rude and from such a nice lady! Well, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt in that he might not have rec'd my message which I gave to a young person on the phone.
Any road up, I've been in the water. Props etc badly fouled, cleaned trim tabs, rudders, waterline, & 1.5 props but had to get out because cold was getting to me and asthma was setting in. Fortunately I can reach props without having to put head under water. Got out and couldn't get out of wet suit! Neighbour on dock asked me if I was going to put my dance to music then sympathised and pulled it off my (ever-so-broad) shoulders. Quickly took gasp from inhaler, rinsed and dried off, put cabin heating on full blast, made coffee and warmed up. Now have to go and buy new scrapers as I dropped old ones in water 'cos my little handies were so cold. Perhaps I should tie them to my wristies. Now working on heating/AC system which has become noisy. Found cause and now going back to wedge piece of wood in offending rattling area. Back in water later with someone standing by to extricate me from wetsuit. That's my day. Might get to cruise tomorrow, tho' wind f'cast to pick up to 15-20kt.

 

[ArthurWood]

Re: p.s. for Pauline

I didn't pick up a jelly fish, the props are now clean and the boat runs like new, so now we can go cruisin'.
Have a good time at the boat show. Wish I could be there to meet some of this 'gang.'

 

[longjohnsilver]

Re: Go visiting

Thanks Pauline, how large is your booze locker??

Suspect that some BB posters will chain and padlock any alcohol and then pretend they're not there.

Blue Fisher now safely on Topsham Quay, have just returned from the pub after a few celebratory drinks (cos all went well).

 

[longjohnsilver]

Re: p.s. for Pauline

Arthur, are you now very sunburnt or is that an orange?

And don't be such a wuss, 16 degrees is bath temp!!

 

[ArthurWood]

Re: p.s. for Pauline

LJS you should now by now that I am acclimated(!) to higher av temps than those of the sea at Dawlish Warren.