In for a few repairs

Up before 8am, we called Annapolis Harbor BY; 10 minutes later - John, the owner greeted us at the dock to grab our lines. We got settled and went to the office to register and create a work order. Our mission was to replace the rusty exhaust piece, clean out the heat exchanger (takes in the sea water to cool the engine coolant which does get clogged and can hamper proper engine temperature), replace port side scupper hose (a 4 foot piece of 2” hose that runs from the cockpit floor to a thru-hull in case the cockpit gets filled with water by a wave) and last on the list…was to fix the engine tachometer. I also put heads together to figure out the "run-away engine" issue and resolved that with a simple oil change using the right amount. A guy came that afternoon for a total of 15 minutes to assess the work so a proper quote could be prepared and approved by us (3 days later it was ready for us to sign for things to proceed). We thought they would get started today so I stuck close to the boat, Julie took a water taxi to do laundry and do reconnaissance on lots of other necessary info we will need for our stay.

While I waited for our 15 minutes of attention, I tackled a few projects and walked around the local streets…found a yacht club – EYC (same initials as our home port yacht club). I went inside thinking they would have a bar…they did, but it was closed. They asked if I was a member. I explained our journey and we were instantly welcomed with reciprocal privileges…meaning we could get service at the restaurant and bar, which opened at 16:00. They have a beautiful club and we hope to visit it several times while in the area. The experience was another indicator of how warm and welcoming humans can be once there is a small connection of similar interests.

When Julie returned, she opened the manual for the ICOM VHF radio to learn how to program our MMSI#. The Maritime Mobile Service Identity number is used for emergency information (boat name, style and size, owner contact info, country of registration) or for private encrypted calling from one VHF radio to another; examples of use: You don’t want the Jones’ to know that you’re getting together with the Smiths’ for cocktails at 15:00 or the locals to know you will be away from the boat for several hours. This number also gets transmitted electronically to all VHF radio’s along with your Latitude and Longitude when you press the little red distress button on your VHF radio…authorities can look up details for the owner, vessel and your exact location without even saying a word…because you’re abandoning ship or something like that.

Meeting Rod at EYC

We decided to go visit EYC (Eastport Yacht Club) for a drink…it was Monday, the tables were empty, we grabbed the last two seats at the end of the bar. We quickly got to know Rod Tomlinson, a professor at the U.S. Naval Academy teaching Political Science (a real nice man that was full of information; told us where the pub (Davies Pub) and restaurant (Café Normandie) are that the locals go to. He also offered to provide a personal tour of the Naval Academy for when two of our sons come to visit. We went back for the same delicious dinner and enjoyed his company the following night as well.

BoomDeYada at the dock for repairs

Yes, we are looking very forward to Ryan and Robert driving down from Toronto (about 10 hours) for the weekend of October 4^th. Then a couple of other very dear friends will also visit as we stay for the Annapolis Boat Show…the largest boat show in North America, Oct 9-12.