Our First Visitors

We just spent our second weekend on the boat. The second weekend had some firsts. We had our first visitors, Allen and Karen came over and spent the afternoon and early evening with us. We took our first trip with me at the helm and we got stuck in the mud for the first time. Oops.  It was also the first time we've been on the boat and the weather was nice. It was fantastic actually.

When we left last weekend we set off some bug foggers below deck because we had seen signs of some roaches here and there. Those with germophobia may want to skip this part. It is relatively well known amongst sailors that you should never bring cardboard on to a boat. The reason for this is that roaches like cardboard as a food source, a place to hide and a place to lay eggs. When you bring cardboard on to a boat you risk bringing these pests aboard as well. Obviously the previous owner didn't get that memo. Last weekend we rid the boat of all the cardboard below deck and then set off the foggers as we left. Saturday morning started off with loading all the dishes, glasses, silverware and cooking utensils into a plastic container so I could bring them home and wash them. Same with a few of the many My Liberty embroidered towels.

Before Allen and Karen got there Susan and I ran some errands and stopped at Jackie's Brickhouse for lunch. We can't speak to anything else but after two trips we highly recommend their catfish, hamburgers, onion strings (rings) and sweet potato fries.

After showing Allen and Karen around the boat and chatting for a while Allen suggested we take her out. We thought that was a marvelous idea! We cast off the lines and made it out of our slip and on our way out to Galveston Bay without hitting a thing, not even the dock. The channel winds around quite a bit and then passes right by the Kemah Boardwalk before getting to the bay. Galveston Bay is actually pretty shallow, not much more than 9 or 10 feet in the small part we've been to so far. It was already a bit late in the afternoon so we basically motored out to the bay and then turned around and headed back in, never raising the sails. It was our first time taking her out by ourselves so I was good with just an easy practice run like this.

From beginning to end we were out around two hours. On the way back, more than half way back to the marina, we were motoring along in the channel and we started losing speed and then came to a stop. Stuck in the mud. I was in the channel but close to one side rather than in the middle. Won't make that mistake again. Late afternoon on Saturday there is quite a bit of boat traffic, helped by the first nice weather in several weeks. The sailboat that was following us in must have recognized our problem so he sped up so that when he passed us he put up a bit of a wake that theoretically would raise our boat and allow us to get unstuck. It didn't work but I was able to back up enough to get unstuck and then make it into the middle of the channel and carry on. My Liberty / Good Morning Vietnam draws 5' 6" of water. I was in a dredged channel and got stuck. In all likelihood I could have gotten out and walked to the marina but that seems like such bad form.

We made it back with no other incidents, even docked that huge thing without a bump or a scrape. All that without using the bow thruster. It was a good confidence booster to get in and out without any significant problems. Now I just must remain humble, not get cocky and remember part of the reason it went so well was because we took it slow and easy. Get back to the dock when you still have plenty of daylight and don't try to show off by flying in to your slip. Words to live by. We finished up the day with dinner with Allen and Karen and then wished them good night and many thanks for being our first visitors.

After breakfast on Sunday we went to West Marine to shop for a few things. Susan ended up at the rigging counter with the guy there showing her how to make a "soft shackle" out of plastic rope. It was educational and the guy gave us some ideas on anchors and chain as well,. The remote mic at the helm for the VHF radio stopped working during our sea trial. It worked when we started out but stopped working by the time we we're heading back to the dock. This morning I did a little trouble shooting and determined it was indeed the mic rather than the wiring. West Marine didn't have the mic I needed so in looking online tonight I found it on Amazon for $20 less than ordering it online from West Marine. Most things are less expensive other places but sometimes I'm going to be willing to pay a bit more to get their expertise and experience that comes along with their products.

The morning was over too soon and we had to get on the road back to Dallas to get Susan to her flight. This weekend was so much more enjoyable. The nice weather helped a lot but it was also fun to share our boat with friends. On the drive back to Dallas we worked up our To Do list. This thing only gets longer. No matter how much we get done, there are always more things to do.

That's it for now.
Brian