Dror , our new to us 39 foot O'Day, is in the water and today took up residence in her new berth at Pirate Cove in Portsmouth RI. I was there for the launching yesterday and even took pictures of her in the slings of the travel lift, alas on my cellphone. (you'll see why"alas" later). It was an impressive sight, her hanging, all 16 tons of her, about to go in the water. Then they drove the lift over the ramp, and she was in! We climbed aboard and were ferried to her slip by a small outboard boat and a boat yard guy steering her. Tied her up, they left and we were afloat for the first time! It was strange to finally feel her responding to the little waves that went past, after 2 months of being in and on her in dry dock.

The next step was the diesel mechanic to check out the 44 HP engine. Didn't want to start for the longest time, I began to worry we had a serious expensive problem when she finally caught. Wew! and then the noise.... well, she needed time to warm up and once she finally did, and we took her for a test drive in the bay, it was amazing: got up to 7.8 knots( our hull speed) with no problem. We throttled it back to 6.4 and that is where she liked it best: no vibration, little noise, and great manueverability. I really enjoyed being at the helm, and found she really "turns on a tickey" (English for "turns on a dime").

While trying to get the engine started, strange things were happening with the electrics: surges, tripped fuses, and then the formerly functioning instruments went dead. Little things like the depth gauge...Jack tried to trace the fault once the deisel guy left, but it's going to take a bit more serious detective work.The good news is that we really can't sail her until the stays are replaced , so we won't be itching too badly to go out when there's no depth gauge. We hope to get the mast pulled next Thursday, and then Jack can remove the stays, send them off for replacements, and then get the new ones back a couple of weeks later to re-install. We still have little idea as to the condition of the sails, but folded up they look pretty good.

Back at the dock, with careful maneuvering and advice from the diesel guy, and no bumps or bangs , I realized one of the fenders needed air. I got out the pump, and put the little plastic screw from the valve in my zippable pocket in which my cell phone lived. When I took the screw out of the pocket, I forgot to zip the pocket and leaned over the space between the boat and the dock....and my cell phone took a dive. Every year, we donate something to the gods of the waters in which we sail, but I really didn't need it to be an expensive item like a cellphone! And with those never to be repeated pictures on it too...I didn't even have insurance. Ouch. Very ouch.

I had to go to work today, and missed her maiden voyage to her new marina. But our good friends Ed and Tony helped Jack with the 4 hour motor over, Tony on board and Ed on his San Juan (being our depth gauge and back up guy). Jack even made tea in the galley! It's wonderful having a fully equipped galley, with stove, oven, pressurized water (hot and cold), huge cool boxes, one of which we plan to convert to a refrigerator, and double sinks. And I don't have to sit down to prepare food or wash dishes...

We are going to be very itchy to start spending time on her, and I hope the stays don't take too long to do. But Lake Champlain is coming and we need to get our 26 Mac, Zemer, ready, so maybe the hiatus from working on Dror is timely.

Please meet us on the water in the Naragansett and welcome our newest addition to our sailing family (Dror makes 6).

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