through the locks and on the sound again!

The boat finally made it out of the boat yard and back to its home at Elliott Bay Marina. Luckily we got it back just in time for a great summer weekend. Temps were in the 80's on Saturday which is hot for us especially after only making it into the 50's for most of our spring so far. No global warming going on in Seattle this year.

We picked up the boat by Fishermen's Terminal and then took it through the locks. The locks are always a bit of a challenge with so many boats jockeying to get in. To add to the mix you always seem to have a few boats who haven't gone through before so they aren't aware of the protocol - big boats first and then the boats who have been waiting.

If you have a 50' boat you most likely don't want to tie up next to a 20' foot boat on the wall - even without taking a physics class this seems to be a disaster in the making. Sam and I have had some humorous experiences in the locks (like the time someone on a small Bayliner without a head had to improvise and have his fellow boaters surround him with large beach towels) to some not so funny times (like when a boat hit us in the locks and when another boat came untied when the water level was decreasing). Luckily this time wasn't so bad - but then maybe we were so excited to be on the boat again with sun that we were in a much more mellow and forgiving mood.

Sam was able to tell immediately the keel work had made a huge difference so look for us in race postings - okay maybe we aren't that fast but our speed did improve! Hey on a sailboat it is all relative - .3 of a knot is huge. For those power boaters laughing at us just remember while motoring we only burn less than a gallon an hour! Well this is what Sam reminds me of when I lament how long it takes us to get anywhere and how I still long for a powerboat sometimes.

It was a boating weekend since we also took it out on Sunday as well with some friends. We even jumped in the sound (okay I did after everyone but Sam had done it) but quickly climbed out - well if I could have I would have jumped out as well. Unfortunately it was back to work on Monday to pay for all of our fun.