almost forgot

"the old men"  as Darl calls them.  When we arrived, Thursday morning, there was only one bird so later they started coming back from wherever ... my buds.

4th and alone

The crossing was like a lake... very different from last time we crossed... still have that little bit of a leak.  The sheriffs came and told me that I needed a permit to clean the bottom of the boat, cause I was checking things while waiting for Darl.  All bullshit!  The asshole cop has something against our boat.  Went and talked to the harbor master... he told me there is no such thing... I do not need any permits.  Can you believe it?  They are always so busy to fuck with people who are alive in CA.  Fucking bolshevick, communist state.  What a joke, where do all these assholes come from?

summer is here

The roughest crossing in my opinion.... I got so tired just by trying to keep the boat in a straight line.  Than when we were at the island everything became ideal.  Sabra got sick on the way over but she recovered the next day.  The island was very sleepy but next door at Howland's it was kind of busy.  I mean every mooring was taken...

first trip with swim step

Hey it was just fantastic... and the island is still asleep...

finally the swim step is seeing some saltwater...4 years later

Every time she gets hauled out I am ready to have a heart attack... but Nicholas, God Bless you for putting that  new bottom on the boat in 68.  Much of my markings (after the blueprint haul out diagram) can not be used because the spread on the lift is to narrow.  They do know the boat however and I have been very lucky.  Still it is something else when they make you sign this paperwork about what if the boat breaks in half.  Basically they are not responsible. Swim Step was built four years ago,  I am so glad that we were able to put it on... got a new transducer and new upper system with GPS integration... new bottom paint (SEALIFE lasted 4 1/2 years ... not bad).

She looks good amongst all the other youngsters.... and one older gal with some major issues.

The step really looks better once she is on the water...

Thanks Cody for all the running around and willing to "get into" working on an older boat.