The timing of our trip was based on an appointment made in June with the mechanics to service our engine. They had given us the date of August 18th. We had spoken in late July confirming the date. So, on Sunday night, the 17th, we sent them an email notifying them of our arrival. We received an email from the schedulers that we could come by the office so we walked over.
We met the mechanics and the scheduler gave them our paperwork.Then they told us they were working on a catamaran and then a generator so it would be about 3 weeks before they would get to our boat. That was not really what we wanted to hear. We now know that we should have been in touch daily in the weeks leading up to our “appointment.”
The junior mechanic liked to talk and we started talking about boats and Tayana’s and he said he knew a couple that worked really hard on theirs and he had helped them when he was a teenager. It turns out that this couple had been the second owners of Josie and Josie is named for the wife. He knows our boat really well and is excited about this whole scenario. After talking to us for about an hour, we later saw him in his truck talking to them about the coincidence. We are not sure how much work got done on the catamaran or generator ahead of us but are glad for his interest in our boat. His name is Phil.
Our first step was to check with the marina to make sure they had room for us for three weeks or more. They had someone coming to our place after 2 weeks but were able to work out a slip for us. We were also able to get a monthly rate there which helped us. Bob the cat was in the marina office and was unfazed by our situation.
Because we were staying, we decided to investigate rigging and electric. We contacted both previously but did not have appointments. Rigging only had office hours from 3-3:30 in the afternoon. We decided to return in the morning. Electric was very good. The person we had been in contact with was out for a week but his partner Toby was able to access our information and made us an appointment for 11 am next Wednesday.
We returned to the boat feeling a little discouraged but adjusting again to the reality that is boatwork. We decided to use the time to focus on things we could do ourselves and planned a trip home later this week to be there for the worst of hurricane Erin. The boat should be very safe here.
The next morning we were waiting at rigging for the 11-12 office hours. When no one came, we called and they answered the phone. A later email from them confirmed an appointment next Monday at 10 am. We are making great progress.
We headed back and started our boatwork list. We have the windlass, 5 winches and the roller reefer to clean and service. Also out toilet’s joker valve ( great name) needs to be replaced. Our spare anchor needed to be mounted. We accomplished the windlass servicing, gave the cockpit a thorough cleaning and called it a day.