On the hard again

Ariel was hauled around 10:00 this morning. I arrived at the boat (with Jake) around 8:30 and proceeded to slack the rig so I could disconnect the backstay for haulout. Not surprisingly, the allen key for the furling drums was nowhere to be found, so I had to borrow one from the yard. I started up the engine and let it run as I was messing with the rigging so the oil would be nice and hot for the end-of-season oil change. Once again, the engine cranked quite a bit more than usual before catching. I sure hope this isn't the beginning of something bad.

I stripped the dock lines and backed toward the fuel dock. Ariel, as usual, had other plans - she just won't back predictably. I finally spun her around to starboard and brought her starboard stern to rest right by the end of the fuel dock. From that point I gently coaxed her back, using a blast of forward every now and then to get her bow in the right direction. After pumping the holding tank, we moved Ariel to the slings and up she went.

Jake and I had to make a trip home after Ariel was out of the water because I had forgotten the anti-freeze and extension ladder (it never fails!). I think there were at least three other trips to various places before I finally had the oil changed and the engine and head winterized. I stripped off some gear, but I'm going to have to make a few more trips.

The mast is scheduled to come down Thursday. I need to modify the sawhorses before then to accommodate the roller furling units. I wish I could buy some time; there's just too much to do this week.