We just sailed our boat to Channel Islands Marina, Oxnard (north of LA). Yep we did it. We decided in late Aug. to get serious about finding a boat. We were both "rotting" on land and life wasn't so much fun with just the daily grind and the not so often fishing or hiking trip. I kicked my search mode on high and started looking at for any h40 (Hunter 40 1984-91) on the West Coast. I locked on one boat in WA. and two down here. The first appointment was at Marina Del Ray. The boat was trashed. The broker didn't get the companionway open before I said this boat is not for us. $72k by the way. It was a good thing in the long run but Patty and I was heart broken. It was Sat. labor day weekend and I knew of another boat (all h40) south at Dana Pt. So south it was, the broker was closed for the long weekend but I was getting good at finding the mast of a h40 and thought we could sneak onto the peer to have a look. When we pulled into the parking lot I could see the distinctive swept spreaders in the first slip just in front of the broker. She was beautiful. New topside paint, not a flaw to be found and clean with lots of covers. With the new paint was the name graphics CAMELOT on the sides. (If you haven't pulled up the picture yet now is a good time.) We must of just stood and talked about her for an hour. The only way for Patty to pry me away from the rail is to offer me a cold beer. We went to a restaurant with sidewalk tables (Dana Pt. is a little touristy) had a few and discussed out next moves.
A few days later we were back to view the below and talk to the broker. Followed by more appointments, bartering back and forth (started at 74.9k paid 63.5k), a down payment, and a beautiful wet test (only 10 knots of wind though). The broker was very helpful at getting things done. We live 1.5 hours north of Dana Pt. and it was nice to leave the organizing of things in his hands. The survey went well, although when I saw the bottom I wasn't impressed. It was done in June but it looked like they painted it on with a broom. No blisters! But a couple of chips out of the steel keel. I figure next year we'll redo the bottom with a good barrier coat on the keel. Got the loan, insurance, liveaboard slip, got out of our house lease, I think we covered it all.
GUNBOAT?
There I was... sailing CAMELOT to her new home in Channel Islands, CA. The sun is just coming up and Patty is just getting out of that very warm, queen-sized, two quilts, owner's stateroom bed. I, on the other hand, have been at it for about 24 hours, all the way from Dana Pt. The weather is cold and I'm shivering with not a breath of air, it's not freezing but I'm not dressed for it. I've been listening to channel 16 on the VHF all night with lots of traffic; 3 rescues, lost boats, and notices from the C. G. One of the notices was about the missile range being closed between some point and the power plant. I'm too cold and sleepy to go get a chart and find out what they are talking about. (rookie move) We decide to make our run to find the harbor but instead of following our predetermined (2nd rookie move) course we decide to sightsee. East we went until we only had 80 feet under the keel and then north. The idea was that this should put us close enough to see things until we find the harbor by site. When over the horizon we see a gray bow moving fairly fast on our nose. Minutes go by without a course change so I move the autopilot a few degrees. Huh, kinda looked like he is still on our nose, time to come off the autopilot and move off some more. Nope, now he's getting close and still on intercept, and we can see detail, a cross between a P. T. and working boat. Time to show him my beam. 90 degrees of his course and I can see him change to intercept. Pull the diesel back and put our hands up. Just then he called me on the VHF with a very professional voice like he's been at sea for years he tells me that I'm in the way of a launch and could I please get 5 miles to sea. Sorry and yes sir, west it is. Before long I hear, What is your best speed? And I reply I'm doing it, 6 knots under diesel. Well the big gray boat wasn't happy with that so he suggested that if I was going to the harbor we might try that. North it is and pushing the diesel up to 3 grand. The gray boat parallels us and I can see the crew looked bored going so slow. But we must have made it because they stop following us. (They did stay in the area to make sure we didn't come back) Made the harbor not long after that, Patty at the helm putting it into out new slip perfectly, must have been all the warm sleep she got.
STUFF HAPPENS
We needed to get a live-aboard inspection to stay in this harbor. The inspection is kind of like a CME with a few other checks. I've done my homework and passed beautifully. On the way back to the slip, (can't go sailing got too much work to do), I suggested we stop at the pumpout. Patty stops the boat a perfect 6" from the park pier and I give her a quick tie. Walking over to the Machine to read the not too much instructions I figure it's OK, It looks like a big vacuum it can't be to hard. Open the deck plate, turn the machine on, make the seal, and open the valve. MAN, this thing has a lot of power. Not to long all my stuff is on its way to the sewer plant, cool. Now you have to under stand, Patty is in the cockpit watching things, I'm standing on the pier holding this large hose in a deck plate just in front of my chin. When the Machine is done I pull it from the deckplate. (big rookie mistake) When the seal was broken the stuff that was under a vacuum expanded with a small explosion. I instantly realize my mistake. I must have had a bad look on my face, what face you could see, because Patty was about to jump over the other side of the boat to get away my explosion. Then, in a dummy voice, I said, "I guess I should have closed the valve first". She realized I wasn't going to explode so she started laughing, then I started laughing, which isn't a good idea with stuff in your mustache. Good thing there is water hose on the dock so I could wash off the boat, after me.
CAPTAIN BRAVO
Long ago there lived a seaman named Captain Bravo. He was a manly man's man, who showed no fear in facing his enemies. One day, while sailing the seven seas, a look-out spotted a pirate ship and the crew became frantic. Captain Bravo bellowed, "Bring me my Red Shirt." The First Mate quickly retrieved the captain's red shirt and while wearing the bright frock he led his mates into battle and defeated the pirates.
Later on, the look-out again spotted not one, but two pirate ships. The captain again howled for his red shirt and once again vanquished the pirates.
That evening, all the men sat around on the deck recounting the day's triumphs and one of them asked the captain, "Sir, why did you call for your red shirt before battle?"
The captain replied, "If I am wounded in the attack, the shirt will not show my blood and thus, you men will continue to resist, unafraid." All of the men sat in silence and marveled at the courage of such a man's manly man.
As dawn came the next morning,
the look-out once again spotted not one, not two, but TEN pirate ships
approaching. The rank and file all stared in worshipful silence at
the captain and waited for his usual reply. Captain Bravo gazed with
steely eyes upon the vast armada arrayed against his mighty sailing ship
and without fear, turned and calmly shouted, "Get me my brown
pants!"