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update 30 Oct 06
After a long search, I found my new boat in Oak Harbor, Washington.
MORGANCE is a Pearson, 35 foot sloop, built in 1968, hull number 36.
Timing was everything. I had a short window of time to get her home and
through the yards.
My first call was to Gina at Affordable Boat Transport to arrange to have her
trailered from Tacoma, Washington to Rocky Pointe. My next calls were to Tacoma
boat yards, Modutec and Hylebos. After speaking with both yards, I selected Modutec
and made arrangements with them for a Tuesday (Jan. 17) haul out and demasting in
preparation for loading on the truck Wednesday morning.
A call north to Sonya at Marine Documentation Services in Anacortes, confirmed
the signing on Thursday, the 12th of January.
I packed everything I would need for the three day trip from Oak Harbor to
Tacoma. I did not want to push her, just enjoy the trip. Thursday morning my dock mate
Anthony drove me north to Anacortes to take possession of her. Unlike the two previous
trips to Oak Harbor, this ride was a delight. Anthony drove, and I enjoyed the ride. We
arrived in Anacortes mid-afternoon, and fifteen minutes later, hull number 36,
MORGANCE was mine.
Anthony wanted to spend the night in Seattle, so a quick stop at West Marine and
Safeway for some last minute shopping, we went to Oak Harbor and MORGANCE.
Anthony helped me load five dock cart loads of stores and goods aboard and left me to
my first night aboard. The evening was spent stowing supplies and installing the new
VHF radio.
After a good nights sleep, I went to the marina office to checkout and learned the
fuel dock was closed for repairs, there goes one cush day. I decided to go into town for
lunch and window shopping. As there was no bus service to the marina without calling
for a special bus, I walked into town. The day was spent wandering around Oak Harbor,
poking into the many shops and lunch at a local bistro. By 1530 hrs the fuel dock was
open and I was able to fuel up and top off the fresh water tank. We were ready to go.
0700 hrs, Saturday we were underway for home. Having lost a cush day already,
I decided to make the run in two days, instead of three. The first day was the longest run,
from Oak Harbor to Edmonds. I arrived mid-afternoon, just before it started raining in
earnest.
The sun rose Sunday to a partially overcast sky and a brisk south wind.
MORGANCE and I were underway early. It seemed, no mater what course I steered,
the whole day was spent going into wind, wave and sunshine. Just south of the
Southworth/Vashon Island ferry crossing I was treated to the sight of three porpoise
crossing my bow. What a treat. As the day wore on, I began to dought my decision
to go all the way into Tacoma. It was after 1600 when we made Commencement Bay,
and only a fue minutes of daylight left when we were secured at the Modutec docks.
Dinner and a warm bunk for me, it had been a long day.
0815, Monday, Martin Luther King Day, I was woke by a rapping on my deck.
It was Gary of Modutec. He was curious, wondering why a sailboat was tied to their
dock. I seems they thought I was a power boat when I spoke with them over the phone.
When we talked about unstopping the mast, they thought I was referring to a trawler
mast. They only service motor vessels, their trolley system did not allow for keels. What
to do, what to do?
As it was a holiday, no-one was open. I called Hylebos Marina and left a frantic
message on their answering machine. Gary of Modutec, bless him, had invited me to
remain their guest at the dock until further arrangements could be made. Next I called
Gina at Affordable Boat Transport to let them know what was going on. Martin Luther
King Day had dawned gloomy and rainy and it stayed that way all day.
Tuesday morning dawned bright and clear. Diana of Hylebos Marina called me
early and arrangements were made to move MORGANCE to Hylebos Marina’s dock. I
called Gina to update her, the next call was to Steve at Something Special Yacht Services
to schedule her demasting. MORGANCE was scheduled to arrive home Wednesday
afternoon, five days after leaving Oak Harbor.
Wednesday morning dawned bright and clear. The truck, riggers and yard
workers all arrived together and the fun began. The mast was quickly taken down and
wrapped for transport. The boat was loaded on the trailer and the mast lashed down.
After repairing a brake diaphragm that was leaking, we were on the road home. Mike,
his wife, and driving partner November and I had a pleasant three hour drive from
Tacoma to Rocky Pointe. She went straight into the yard for bottom paint, new cutlass
bearing and a rebuild of her mast. MORGANCE was home.
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