Still not sure why the boat sank.  The company who refloated it said there was no "smoking gun".  

It could be that the bilge pump (a small pump that pumps any accumulated water from the very bottom of the inside of the boat (called the "bilge") to the outside of the boat (in our case called "the ocean") so the boat doesn't violate the "First Law Of Boating" (Keep the Water on the OUTSIDE of the boat)) siphoned water into the boat because it failed due to mechanical reasons.  It could be because the accumulated weight of snow on the boat or the wind driven swell or the wind listed the boat and pushed the outlet below the waterline.  Something allowed the "ocean" to fill up the inside of our boat overwhelming the approximately 200 lbs. of Damp Rid we had on board that valiantly tried to suck up the entire ocean and failed, sending our boat to the bottom, along with Clambake, the ship's mascot. 

We went to salvage what we could.  There wasn't much.  We fit it all into my Explorer Sport with the dinghy strapped on top.

Now we wait for the number from the insurance company,  Ominous rumblings, but we'll see what they do.  The course forward depends on their number.

The (for us) heartbreaking pictures are below.  The smell doesn't come through the screen, fortunately.

The Engine Room, where I spent too much time studying and tracing wires.  Also scraping gaskets.

The aft cabin, where magic used to happen.  (Sleep.)

"You got a suit?  Suit up."

"Bye, Lady."

Clambake, in happier times.

Yes, the boat sunk.  Don't know why.  Doesn't matter why. 

We had been making stellar progress on the boat,  Carol basically swabbed the entire interior with Clorox, so everything sparkled.  (At one point while I was stuffed into the engine room, I actually worried I might die from ammonia poisoning.)  All my tools were stowed in various lockers and no longer underfoot.  We were becoming comfortable sleeping and living on the boat, even though we had, for the most part, basically horrible weather, a couple of pretty good days, and one spectacular day,

Then, as per plan, we came back home to be here to support a couple of family members having some medical issues.  We knew this was coming, and weren't really concerned about the boat (OK, I was worried about the milk and eggs we left in the fridge, but what is the worst that can happen in ten days, right?  Sour milk?).  I spent some time researching and procuring the items needed to get the engine back in top shape, as well as some creature comforts to be installed when we got back.  We also waited out another weather event (see below).  I fully intended to take my Bride on her first cruise on the boat when we returned.  (I had the boat out during the survey, but Carol has never left the dock.)

It was not to be.

The salvage crew foreman tells me the usual reason for a boat sinking at the dock is failure of a hose clamp below the waterline.  We'll see when the boat is refloated, but it has to be something like that as the boat was not taking on water while we were on it.  On some boats the bilge pump runs frequently, this one did not. 

So I got the call from the Dockmaster on Valentine's Day about 4:00pm while I was at the hospital.  "Your boat sunk."  A quick trip down, a night in a hotel and a quick trip back, and it is all in someone else's hands.  Salvage companies and insurance companies will take it from here.  Old hat for the both of them.

For us, the shock is wearing off.  A few tears were shed at the dock (or was it raining?  Yes it was).  No matter, it is not the end of our dream.  Depending on the outcome, we will continue our journey either way, with this boat or another one.  Unlike some disasters at sea (and this was not one), no one was hurt, and there was no loss of life. 

There are things more important than boats.




P.S.  Rob, your room is no longer ready.

P.S.S.  Steve, we really need to talk about this plan thing.

So what's up with the weather?

Still at "home".  (This is already feeling less like home than the boat.  Have I transferred already?)  We are holed up here rather than there waiting out this latest "Global Warming" 10 Year Record Snow event.  If I am going to be confined to a cave due to the weather, at least this is a bigger cave.  We thought about buying some firewood to burn for the next few days, (heretofore we would have cut a tree down in the summer so we would have firewood in the winter for our infrequent fires) but don't really want to spend the money.  We spent an inordinate amount of time looking for a replacement electric blanket at just the right store with no success. 

I am NOT complaining.  I could have been "working".  Instead I spent some time on the phone ordering (probably) the wrong parts for the boat engine, and (probably) the correct replacement hose for the house vacuum cleaner.  (Note how I am split between two worlds?)

Wherever you go, there you are.  My friend Steve is fond of reminding me that when we make plans, God laughs. 

We'll get back to the boat project in the fullness of time.  Until then, we will support and enjoy family as is appropriate to the occasion. 

On another note, Carol bought the replacement spatula.  More to follow...

Posted by Carol

The temperature was finally up to a balmy 45 degrees after the snow event so off to the boat we went.  Freezing temps had kept the snow and ice hanging around but we needed to get back to work.  We stowed provisions, got the heaters fired up and Monty jumped back into one of his ongoing projects.  I didn’t have anything pressing to do so I headed up to take a closer look at the deck. There was still about six inches of snow lying along the shady port side.  


The wheels begin to turn.  If I could find something to use for a shovel I could throw the frozen mess overboard.   So with that in mind I began my search of South Star to find a tool that would stand up to the task.  My new, shiny orange Teflon Spatula did get my attention when I ran across it giving me an idea.


It was off to the club house for me.  Surely there would be an old one stuffed in a drawer somewhere just begging to be used.  I could borrow it, remove said snow, and return it, all before it was even missed.  So goes the plan. Simple!


Sure enough, my search led me to that very item.  With prize in hand, I trudged back to the boat eager to begin my task.  Now up to this point Monty had no idea what I was doing, though it quickly became self-evident as I set about digging and scraping the snow from the deck.  As he stood in the cockpit he shook his head (maybe rolled his eyes a little) and told me quite plainly that this would end badly.  He went on to explain that the ice was too thick and the spatula was way too small.  


I think some small part of my brain got it.  I understood all that he said but I was on a mission and (this time) I would just have to prove him wrong.


Silly me, what was I thinking?  Dog gone its tuff when he’s always right. That poor spatula was too small and the ice was too thick.  Not to mention I was a little over zealous with my cleaning.  My frozen fingers didn’t seem to know the difference between tossing snow overboard and a pilfered spatula.  Imagine my surprise as I watched my digging tool hit the water and sink slowly into the briny deep.    


Yes, he told me so and consequences are being paid.  I’m spending my weekend in search of the perfect replacement.


Go figure!

OK, so we've been slack.  I know.

When last we left the boat, there was an impending snow storm.  We waited that out in Concord, then went back to the boat.  Glad we bailed out.

That's snow on deck.

There's something really wrong with snow on a boat. Not sure it's legal.       


Anyway, The weather moderated and we got a lot done.  Nowhere close to what we needed to get done, but progress was made.

Explanations will follow (from Carol) as to "The Great Spatula Heist And Demise", the "Will The Boat Sink Before Monty Gets Back From The Hardware Store" caper and others.  A preview from the latter:

So presently, we are back home dealing with some family issues, mostly going according to plan.  We hope to be back at it sometime first of next week.  (Rob, your room is ready.)