Getting Ready for Launch

The weather has been horrible for working on the boat. The priority is getting the bottom paint on so Ariel will be ready to launch. Bottom paint has a high copper content and includes biocides that resist marine growth. We use an ablative paint which slowly wears away. Since we will not have the boat hauled again until 2008, we want to give extra special attention to getting the bottom right. We haven't been able to work outside, so I decided to proceed with the watermaker installation.

It took three weekends, but the watermaker installation is now complete. It will be quite a while before we can test it. Until we are ready to run it on a routine basis, it cannot be started. This system has several components that can be installed in separate locations. The final design is not much like my original plan, but my original plan was done away from the boat, and my memory of the dimensions of some spaces was a bit off. I am pleased with the result; however, and it is very efficient, with all components installed close to one another and very close to the electrical and water connections. The only concern I have is that the module is mounted upside down on a shelf, so it is hanging. This was to keep as much usable space as possible. The concern is that, if necessary, repairs will be very difficult, and anything stored in this area will need to be protected against potential water leaks. Routine maintenance, such as filter changes, should be fairly easy.

We are also busy taking things to the boat. With the closing date set, we have to make the final decisions soon as to what stays and what goes. We're in good shape with the final choices around clothing and kitchen items. We have had some strange dishes lately as Linda is cleaning out the cupboards.

Getting the Covers off Ariel

We expect to sign the Purchase and Sale Agreement on our home on Monday, April 2, so we are really feeling the urgency to get Ariel ready to launch. We are both anxious to get the preparation work behind us and have our new home ready when we close. To that end, this past weekend, we removed the winter cover protecting Ariel. We were pretty efficient, as this was the fifth winter we have used this cover. The day was perfect with temperatures in the 50s and a clear blue sky.

Each year at the end of May, Defender Marine, a discount marine store, holds a four-day warehouse sale that extends online. They already have good prices, with no sales tax and reasonable shipping, so the sale is really nice. I have the patience each year to compile my list and wait for the sale. This year, we ordered all of the electronic charts to cover from New England to the Bahamas. These are on tiny cards that slip into our chartplotter at the helm, or into a card reader attached to the laptop. We can do our route planning on the laptop and then transfer the cards, both the chart and a user card with our route plans, to the chartplotter. We also ordered paper chart kits and guides for the same areas. These provide a broader view and, most importantly, backups to the electronic version.

We also purchased bottom paint and updated signal flares. These have expiration dates, so they need to be replaced periodically. As soon as we get another nice weekend, we will apply the bottom paint, and then we will be ready for launch.

Last week, we also ordered and received the last of our moving supplies. We added more moving blankets and a carpeted dolly to move heavy furniture.