Our launch of Messing About was aborted earlier this month due to a buggered outboard. One new water pump, a new carb and $840 later, we have a working outboard and launched her this weekend.
Saturday, was about getting her to the mooring. A simple navigation of the Cheesequake Creek from Morgan’s Marina, through a raised railroad bridge and road bridge and then a motor over to Raritan Yacht Club. It was fairly uneventful.
We had a little sail but there was no wind so tied her up to the dock, gave her a good wash and put her back on her mooring.
On Sunday, we took our friends, Andy, Rob and Colleen out. This was a bit more eventful as the bloody engine would not start. Go figure.
Sailing off the mooring was a cinch. There wasn’t much wind and what there was all over the shop. It started out of the Northwest, veered east, stalled and then veered Southeast. When we came back to the mooring it was back out of the Northwest. It seemed like at the Western end of the bay, the wind was out of the North but as we headed East the prevailing winds ..er prevailed. We then became becalmed and sailed backwards against the ebbing tide for an hour. Very odd.
Sailing back on to the mooring was a little more exciting as of course this was the most wind we had all day. The mostly novice crew did well and we picked up the mooring first time.
Alice and I took her out again today. Similar weird wind conditions to yesterday and got stalled in the same place. Alice calls it the Keyport Black Hole (as it’s off Keyport).
The engine of course started today. It seemed a refilled tank was what was needed. This is strange as there was a gallon left yesterday.
Messng About is functional but not a beauty. She is pretty grubby too. Lots to do in the off-season but it’s great to be owners again.
I love that place name, Cheesequake Creek. Bet you can’t say it three times fast!
Unless, of course, it’s pronounced some way other than how it’s spelled, such as chess-a-kwauk-ee.
Congratulations, Adam!
“Cheesequake Creek” – hee hee. 😉