Today I left the docks and anchored out but getting that far took a bit of last-minute work.
Sunrise
I still needed to put in a full day at the office today. Work at the computer and in front of the video camera started the day. These times of work were interspersed with other activities, such as getting the VHF radio ready for use by trying to locate where I’d stored the microphone. The blank plug needed to be replaced with the depth and speed sounder. Despite the ostensibly leak-proof valve, this is always a messy affair. I spent more time cleaning up the leaked seawater from the bilge than switching the plug.
I love my sparkling water and use a Soda Stream to allow me use normal water instead of going to the store for bubbly stuff. When I fired it up the loud pop and hissing indicated that there was a problem. It seems that the plastic screw around the pressure tube broke, but I can repair that. Unfortunately, the glue I have has solidified in storage, so I’ll need to go shopping before enjoying sparkling water aboard.
Noon and Afternoon
I’d gone into the office and paid my bill early and normally boats need to leave by noon or risk getting charged an extra day. But some showers passed over the marina with gusting winds, so I waited until they’d passed before enlisting the aid of my Boston neighbors on “Northern Knights” to cast off.
Motoring “Zanshin” is just like riding a bike, you never completely forget how to do it. I used the bowthruster to turn about upon leaving the dock and motored slowly through the channel and towards my final anchorage position off the beach. I anchored in less than 20 feet of water and then settled back to enjoy the feeling of finally being underway again.
Dinner and Evening
I’ve left the docks and anchored out, which implies that I need my dinghy to get ashore. I risked the trip ashore in the dinghy but the outboard runs cleanly. I had added another 500ml of good 2-stroke oil for a 25:1 mix, which is pretty rich but should offset the heavy engine oil in there. Dinner was to be at one of the restaurants in the marina, but I got waylaid at the Boardwalk bar by some acquaintances and spent too much time there before eating.