The never-ending project to fill my hole in the ocean while bailing it out

Sailing Season 2010 Officially Begins
Launching Chip Ahoy
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Description

Floating in Marblehead Harbor, on the way around the peninsula to the mooring in Salem Harbor. Rich from Jordan's Marine returned my call yesterday, assured me Chip Ahoy's mooring was just made ready and was waiting. Every year I tell him I'll need it "by Memorial Day Weekend" but this is the first time I've made it by then! He just set it up for me yesterday.  (May 26 2010)

It was apparent almost immediately that Chip Ahoy is still plenty stern heavy, at least with the two of us in the cockpit. I ended up running the outboard lifted (still plenty of cooling water circulation). This is especially frustrating after all the weight I'd eliminated. Michael and I concluded it was probably a see-saw effect, more weight eliminated forward than aft. I'll have to try shifting some of it around, but there's really not much remaining that can be moved forward from aft.

Wally, as he prepared to drive my Blazer and trailer home (left). Michael at the tiller on our way around to Chip Ahoy's mooring.

Rounding Naugus Head and into Salem Harbor, with its landmark power plant chimneys on the other side.

Below, Chip Ahoy on its mooring with views of its new waterline (taken from the launch). I'm disappointed it isn't sitting higher. The two 6-gallon gas tanks in the stern are still full; the plan is to run them down to half-empty. I'll see how the boat floats then. In the meantime, I've got to see what can be moved forward.

The above photo was taken on May 31, 2010

Michael and I closed up the boat, called the launch, and arrived at the Village Street dock at about noon.

On the right, Chip Ahoy sits on its mooring, home again for the sailing season. There are still a lot of empty moorings out there -- I'm on mine ahead of the crowd, early at last!  (May 25, 2010)