1st Sail of the Year

[wolverine]

After spending 2 1/2 days cleaning up the boat from pine needles, pine pollen and everything else that makes its way aboard during the idle times, we took her out today for the 1st time since my knee replacement.  Moving around aboard wasn't easy, but the conditions were calling and we heeded.  The Sailpack Regatta is in full swing and it was thrilling to watch those college students manuever around the course.  We were only out about 2 hours when the wife started feeling sick.  (i thought the tuna was still good  :P)  We headed in wing on wing and tied up along the assc. dock.  My wife went below for a nap and I went about putting things away.  Afterwards, I made myself a couple Moscow Mules and sat in the sunny cockpit burning the tops of my feet and ears. (i'll never learn)
She finally awoke feeling much better and I helped her to the truck.  Starting the Yanmar I moved Ssur La Mer around to our slip and tied up for the night.  We joined SCOO, Sailing Club of Oriental, and this Tuesday is the commissioning and blessing of the boats.  Now that I know I can move about the boat without too much trouble, I'll be taking her out more often.

[Norman]

 8)  Not much on checking out men's legs, but where are your scars from knee surgery?

Mine flattened out nicely within a year, but are still visible.  I lost about 15 degrees of motion, and cannot squat on my heels anymore, or work on my hands and knees, but the rest of the function is fine. :)

Warm weather is finally becoming somewhat common here, and dreaming of sailing is growing.  Reading and seeing pictures of your outing stoked the fire some, and your yacht looks great.  Glad your wife recovered and enjoyed the rest of the day.  Happy is the skipper who returns to the slip without assistance or excitement.  It took me a while to reach that level of seamanship.

Norman, KRUSE'N

[wolverine]

I have the good fortune of not scarring bad.  It's there, but already it's not visible from 6' or so.  As for my skills of moving a 30' sailboat in and out of a slip, it looks more like I'm playing pin-ball.  My wife has disabilities after her stroke and needs assistance boarding and unboarding.  Her thought process is also hampered so piloting the boat while I handle the lines is not an option.  I'm hoping with practice someday I'll be able to move in and out of a slip like real captains.

This is 8 weeks out.  I too can't kneel, but I am back riding my bicycle.

[CapnK]

Wow, you could host the Annual Board Meeting in that cockpit! :) Glad the new boat is working out!!! If/when I next get up that way, will be glad to help you get rid of a Mule or two! ;D

[wolverine]

Wow, you could host the Annual Board Meeting in that cockpit! :) Glad the new boat is working out!!! If/when I next get up that way, will be glad to help you get rid of a Mule or two! ;D

You'll welcome to stop by anytime!  I just stocked the galley with a "mini bar".  That is all the bottles are mini!  Come when the weather is inviting and we can go for sail on the Neuse.

[w00dy]

Congrats on healing up and the new knee. I'm looking forward to one of those myself someday.

[wolverine]

I finished up physical therapy last week, and now the wife and I are dealing with covid.  I will say, covid isn't half as bad as when I contracted west nile.  I was off work for 14 weeks with it.
I was going to quarantine myself in the boat, but we've been having a heat index over 100° this week.

[Frank]

Glad your symptoms aren’t too bad…
Take care!