Putting Frolic Away for the Season

The hurricane season is well in swing and we have kept a careful eye on the weather as we sail between the various Virgin Islands. Also the Annapolis Boat Show is getting close as well as the holiday seson, so we are looking forward to leaving and spending the holidays with family and friends. We ducked into Brewer’s Bay to avoid Isaac and she kept her distance. Tropical Storm Leslie hung north of the Virgins Islands for a long time and we watched her carefully as the time for hauling Frolic approached.

We are hauling in Spanish Town on Virgin Gorda, but spent three days in Leverick Bay Marina preparing for the haul out. We washed the boat with fresh water and man, what a different feel it gave to the deck! We pulled off the jib, tied down the main, and changed the engine oil while we were in Leverick Bay, but still have a long list of things to do before we leave her in the yard. One of the last things we did before leaving the dock was a fresh water wash out of the holding tanks. Hopefully this will keep the heads smelling fresh and clean.

Waiting to be hauled out

It was a tight fit as we came out

We pulled into the haul out channel and it was a very tight fit! We had about 3” on each side.

 

 

The lifeline caught on the lift strap!!

 

When the slings were fastened under the boat they accidently caught the life lines.  We anxiously watched as the boat was lifted and moved out of the water so we could climb up a ladder and undo the life lines before they could possibly be pulled out of the railings.  Nerve wracking but no damage done. They blocked us up and then drilled holes to put in sand screws which would then be attached to straps that would be attached to the boat.

We are settled in on the blocks

We are blocked and dinghy down

 

With the boat secured I removed the salt water pump impellers and salt water inlet valves. The sail drives had their oil changed and we found water in the port drive. We washed down the inside of the boat with anti-mildew solution, closed all the thru hulls and put corks in them all to keep out any critters. The outboard engine got a fresh water flush and new lower unit oil before being fastened to the deck railing. The bimini came down last and the boat was ready for the season. While we are gone the yard will change the sail drive seals, replace the port engine bolts, and fabricate a new cabinet to replace the after seat at the saloon table.

The dinghy engine gets serviced

Holes are drilled for sand screws

Frolic is all strapped down

 

 

 

 

 

The yard has a great way to store large boats. They put a concrete hole in the ground and lower the keel of the boat in the hole so instead of being 6-8' in the air they are only 2 or 3' over the ground. We found a number of Newport RI registered boats in the yard.

Big boat lowered into the ground

Another Newport boat