Preparatory Routine

Our purpose in buying the Loop boat in January, though we won’t officially start the Loop until about April 1, was to allow time to provision, repair and upgrade the boat, in addition to learn how to maintain, pilot, anchor and dock it.

 

From the beginning we’ve had TO DO LISTS:  Bob’s list, Cathryn’s list, Darrell’s list, Dave’s list.  And for two weeks now, all of us have been working hard on our lists.  Bob, Cathryn and Darrell (the electronics guy) are almost finished with their lists.  Bob has done things like replace the CO2 monitor, clean the bilge, repair plumbing leaks and add a swivel shackle to the anchor chain. Cathryn has done things like make a snubber for the chain rode (including some splicing, which she was taught two summers ago by friend Jim R), make arrangements for the name of the boat to be changed on the transom and both sides, and arrange parking for our truck when we leave here.

Dave is not almost finished with his list. What we didn’t anticipate is that the guys who are really good at what they do (which both Dave and Darrell are), are also in such high demand this time of year that it’s tough to get them on our boat.  There are many other clients, including in our same marina, who want these guys to do work on their boats too.  Dave works six days a week, and stays up into the wee hours of the nights preparing detailed bills for work he’s completed. He prioritizes and re-prioritizes his clients frequently, based on the urgency of need.

For example, our lack of hot water in the shower the first weekend we were here catapulted us to the top of Dave’s list . . . briefly! Then we saw him for a few hours here and there.  We think he does a great job of managing his time and client list, but one result for us is that we feel we can’t take off to play with our boat, because if we do, Dave can’t work on it.  So we stay on board every day, see whether Dave or Darrell will show up (or get pulled off by some other emergency), then hang around to answer their questions about how we want things done.

It’s a good thing our first visitor arrives this Sunday to stay on the boat for two nights. We gave Dave advance notice that we don’t want any work done on the boat next Monday while Cynthia from Milwaukee is here.  We’re ready for a Play Date! Meanwhile, we are happy and well, and staying busy in the evenings with social engagements with other cruisers.