Pompano Beach, Florida
Wednesday December 17th, 2008
26 15.773N 080 05.310W - Bernie and Kathryn's dock
Some time ago, Charlie placed the order for our new Wells arch. We had first seen one advertised in the Catalina Association magazine, and had seen one on a Catalina 42 in Marathon last winter. This arch will allow us to easily get the dinghy out of the water, and provide a place for solar panels. Howard Wells, the principal of Wells Marinehad invited us to use his friend Bernie's dock while the work was done. We had started to prepare for the installation on Tuesday by removing the bimini straps, and disconnecting other lines on the stern pulpit, as we had been advised that they might have to remove the stern pulpit as part of the installation (scary!) Howard himself and his assistant, Scott Loesel had come by Tuesday afternoon to measure and by the time they left, it was too late to get the dinghy in the water.
Wednesday morning Charlie and I were up early getting the dinghy in the water and lowering the engine from the stern pulpit.
Scott arrived, and soon was busy cutting our stern pulpit from its legs!
He also had to remove teak siding from the aft cabin, and cut a hole in the fiber-glass so that the new legs for the arch could be attached to the hull.
After he had left, taking the legs to be recycled into a new car, perhaps, Kathryn invited me to go to the local market with her, so I was able to pick up a few provisions while Charlie worked on the dinghy's equipment: installing the new cushioned cooler to store stuff in a dry location; changing batteries on the lights and flashlights, making sure the depth meter worked, etc.
We had time for a dinghy ride before dark, first cruising the canals by Bernie and Kathryn's house. We were so pleased to see another Catalina 470 - True North (from Toronto), just around the corner from where we are located!
Out on the ICW we were reminded by the local law enforcement that it was an idle speed area. A nice walk to the dock for a boat ride to dinner at Cap Knights Place - a very interesting old restaurant that used to be a gambling hot spot in the 1930's, hosted Churchill and Roosevelt in 1942, and even Bill Clinton more recently.
"reminded"? Charlie didn't get another speeding ticket did he?
Posted by: Stephanie | December 19, 2008 at 02:41 PM
"Out on the ICW we were reminded by the local law enforcement that it was an idle speed area."
WHAT???????
Posted by: IV | December 21, 2008 at 03:16 PM