Hydro Therapy 4.26.2011

Not our first sail of the season, but certainly our first time away from the dock! It was a beautiful evening, but the wind was blowing like stink on the bay. I clocked 23 knots true, too much for Domingoman! We motored through Back Creek, around the marker and headed up Spa Creek toward downtown. Before we headed out, we enjoyed salads from The Main Ingredient and a 1996 bottle of Bordeaux that I brought back from Paris in 2002! I was saving it for a special occasion and tonight was it! We had some much needed alone time on the water.

At dock before we headed out

The Naval Academy at sunset

Downtown in the distance

Gaining on it...

Our first time on Ego Alley. We passed by Pusser's to port and there were a lot of people dining on the dock. We were the only ones crazy enough to be out I guess! St. Anne's steeple with the sun setting behind it was neat for us to see. We just love our church home!

Ready for Sailing 4.22.2011

Well here she is all dressed up and no place to go. It is a very damp 50 degrees with spotty rain. Believe it or not, Leah and I are still thinking about going out for a quick sail. We'll see if that happens or not!

Launch Day 4.21.2011

Domingoman awoke from her long winter's nap and hit the water today, actually the exact same date as last year! After work, Leah and Abby helped me transport from the launch dock to our slip. What a joy it was just to motor through Back Creek to B dock!

Abby wasn't so sure at first, but when we were safely in the slip, she started to explore!

My newest grandson was aboard as well!!!


One year later! Check out the post on 4.23.2010 for a comparison!

Abby helping Cappy navigate. When I asked her if she liked the boat, Abby said "it's great!"

Domingoman in her slip, still a bit naked as she has no sails or bimini top yet. That is a job for this weekend!

Ready for Launch 4.20.2011

The painting is done, as is all of the work that I had to do while Domingoman was on the hard. Launch date is tomorrow, April 21st! Hooray!

Ready to launch!

Second coat of antifouling paint

First coat of antifouling paint (in progress)

This is the antifouling paint I used

The prop and shaft sanded and coated with Pettit Zinc Coat Barnacle Barrier

Yard Sailing 4.17.2011

I spent the afternoon getting some things done on the boat before we launch this coming week. Eileen rode her bike to meet me and we had a beer together and did some yard sailing.

Cappy on the stern perch

Amma with her Hoegaarden

Domingoman with her 2nd barrier coat...only one more to go! Same paint but white. A different color is used to ensure complete coverage. The last barrier coat will be grey like the first coat.

First Barrier Coat 4.14.2011

Domingoman sporting her new underwear! This is the first of three barrier coats. In the end, she will have 12 mills of protection on her bottom, plus two coats of dark blue antifouling paint.

This is the barrier coat paint I am using

A Shiny Hull 4.13.2011

The weather finally got a little better today, not good enough to start the painting, but certainly good enough to wax and buff the hull. The painting begins tomorrow. She looks so shiny!

New Bottom 4.12.2011

We are getting ready for some sailing adventures. Domingoman is getting a new bottom job. I had the old bottom paint stripped down to the gelcoat. She will get three barrier coats and then two coats of ablative anti-fouling paint. Our scheduled launch date is Friday 4/15, but the weather hasn't cooperated. Our launch date will be moved to sometime next week. I am very excited about the 2011 splash-down!