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Restless High & Dry:

On this site Feb 2 we had two pictures of Tug Restless high & dry somewhere near Mobel. I asked Capt Roland if he could enlighten us on the reason. This is his reply, enjoy.

After red lining the temperature and pressure gauges of my John Deere Luggar Diesel, while pushing “Restless,” to within an inch of Self-Destruct, during the Low Horsepower Event at the Tugfest, this past August, I figured visit to a boatyard was in order after the long trip south to the gulf.
     Having been plagued with shaft alignment problems ever since the final sprint over the finish line, at a speed approaching “Warp Nine,” I arranged to be hauled on a marine rail, shortly after arriving in Tarpon Springs Florida. Subsequent removal of prop and shaft would reveal two of the 5 blades; 5/16” out of pitch, and a slightly bent shaft.  
      Such gross lack in acceptable tolerances, I can only attribute to hydrodynamic pressures created by the Tug, “Lady Marion,” in her close aboard, surfing of my wake, during the final nerve racking moments of the 2006 race at Perry Sound.
     After arriving in the Pan Handle of Florida, one comes to realize that marina and yard costs are directly proportional to southerly transit, which later spike with a turn east. The municipalities of Port St.Lucie and Vero Beach however, have recently developed Yacht Moorings, which have first class facilities, and are extremely economical at $10.00 per night. As a result of their popularity, Vero Beach has a policy of rafting multiple yachts off the same buoy, in an effort to accommodate all seeking refuge from man’s common enemy. Having the Harbormaster directing some Leaking Lena, to secure off your port or starboard beam, is normally considered rather territorial by most skippers,  but the experience, which follows, is usually quite positive. Crews involved tour one-another’s boat, navigation hazards are shared by those coming from the opposite direction, and of course Splicing of the Main Brace, aids in telling tales from under the lee of the longboat.
In many respects, the boatyards here have an inverse relationship to those that exist up on the lakes. At one marina in Ft. Walton Beach Florida, the cost of keeping a boat on the Hard, was actually more expensive than being water borne and secured within one of their slips.
     At another, near Jacksonville, Dry Storage was figured at a rate of $8.50 per foot the first month, and $9.00 per foot, for those following. Somehow, the vessel is considered to grow in size after 30 days, warranting an additional charge. As one of those few remaining masochistic types who still believes: “Had God wanted us to have fiberglass boats, he would have grown fiberglass trees,” I had difficulty understanding such rational as, my cypress on oak hull is known for massive shrinkage when absent from water.
      The term, “Gold Coast,” has nothing to do with mining here. Marina and yard operators will tell you that the high costs are a result of loss and damages from recent hurricanes. Make it a point to carry a copy of your insurance policy. Many yards will  demand proof of such prior to passing a sling beneath your keel. Should you have a hull that is constructed from a dead tree; such as “Restless,” even having a survey from Lloyds of London may mean nothing. Two yards that I approached for purposes of being hauled shunned me as though I were infested with the Plague.
       Additionally, many yards seem to have a problem with the owner working on his own boat, no matter what its construction. Specialized and extensive tasks such as bottom painting, being restricted to only the highly skilled, close shop professionals employed by the yard, who have been trained and certified in how to avoid the dangers of dipping a paintbrush.
     Since I was a boy, my own past experiences in boatyards up on the lakes, always allowed you to plug-in somewhere for electrical power for running a sander (we’re talking wooden boats now) or whatever. Down in these parts however; that comes at an additional cost. In defense of the yard to such “Catch 22’s,” you must realize that it is not all that unusual for a yacht which exceeds the capacity of the travel-lift, and having a shore power cable the size of a towing hawser from a Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier, to plug in with central air conditioning being set to 65 degrees, and be left unattended for months at a time.
     Blue sky, warm temperatures and sunshine are a welcome relief from northern winters, however the environment here is harsh to more than just sunburn.
     Maintenance and deterioration to ones vessel is greatly accelerated as a result of UV, saltwater, and all the strange things that can only be found in an ocean. Those having bright work, of course will find themselves holding a varnish brush more often. Polished brass is something that you will soon give up on, unless you possess a crew full of coolies. Windex suddenly becoming an item that will constantly be in short supply, as a result from streaking of salt spray drying on all weather ports. Lastly the metamorphosis that will be taking place in your bilge, will have a definition of its own.

Capt Bob |15:10 EST |Comments (0)

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