Last month (Moving Right Along) I told you how we went up to Alexandria Bay to start getting our new to us boat ready for launching. We removed many bags full of things we did not want and still had more to go. With the boat being over four hundred miles away it would take more than one trip to sort it all out. While waiting to head up north again in May, a Village of Port Jefferson dump truck backed into my son’s truck with the tailgate down. It cut open the left side passenger door like a can opener. I have to say the Village Clerk and the town’s insurance company have been good at getting it all taken care of, but just another headache to deal
We scheduled the boat to launch on May second, and we would sea trial it on May third. We headed straight to the marina Monday at five and went onboard the boat and started cleaning some more before heading to the hotel in Clayton.
Arriving at the boat around nine on Tuesday morning, I started going through the systems one by one and just sorting the boat out before taking her away from the dock. Kathy spent this time cleaning the cabin, galley and head. Again she had bags of things to remove before we could bring our supplies aboard. Sometime around noon we cast off the lines and headed out into the Saint Lawrence River from Horizon Marine in Alexandria Bay. Our broker Graham was aboard and was guiding me around the Thousand Islands and the many hazards to navigation. Between the new boat, the new area and new to me electronics, I had my hands full and his help was very much appreciated.
The boat was running beautifully in the flat calm river, and Graham pointed out some places we could explore and enjoy the crystal clear waters. One spot we really want to visit is Boldt Castle. Some time this summer we will visit there, probably when our architecture loving friends visit. We made the most out of another long day and finished up back at the marina organizing a few more areas on the boat. Graham suggested Kathy and I run the boat about ten miles back to Clayton for dinner but we were both shot. So we put her to bed for the night and drove back to the hotel.
Wednesday was a rainy and cold day and we spent the day continuing to sort out the gear and stow it all in a place that made sense. During this time the canvas maker finally showed up to install a cockpit cover that was supposed to be done prior to our visit. I did not want to move the boat to the marina on Wellesley Island without a cover. Only able to visit the boat every couple of weeks until we move her to Long Island I feel better knowing it is not open to the elements. To that end, the canvas maker arrived at Horizon Marina at just after four. Luckily the boat was under cover and he was able to fit the canvas out of the rain. It is still not done but it was done enough to leave on the boat until he goes back to finish up his work.
Just a little after six that evening, the canvas maker and his helper finished up their work so it was now time to move the boat across the river to the marina where it is to be docked until August. Kathy took the truck and headed over to Wellesley Island while I took the boat across to the marina in the pouring rain. It is just a short run across at idle speed, and I backed into the slip and secured the boat. I had to set up all the dock lines for the new slip and then hooked up the shore power. By now I was totally drenched and Kathy showed up after I finished up.
We took a few pictures before leaving and headed back to the hotel for dinner. The towns up there are pretty empty at the moment and many restaurants are closed, limiting your choices. We drove by one particular unassuming diner housed in a round building. After debating if we should try it we decided to give it a shot. We went inside to be treated like long lost family. Our waitress Emma explained to us that they just opened hours ago and we were one of the first customers of the day. We each had a delicious hot meal and left there very satisfied. This is now one of our go to places.
After dinner we went back to the hotel and started packing. Thursday morning I played a game of Tetris trying to pack everything into the truck. Then we hit the road home and made it to the Bridgeport ferry fifteen minutes early for the three o’clock ferry. After a long drive getting to the ferry is almost as good as getting home, which is only ten minutes away from Port Jefferson.
We spent the next couple of days going through what we took home from the boat and deciding if we should keep some or throw it out. Most of it went out! Until next time, stay safe out there.