Hauled Out and On The Hard

Moon Dancer II on the Hook

This weekend was the last sail for the season.  Masts are removed and the boat is on its tri-axle trailer.  The cradle fit beautifully under the boat.  The cradle did have to be moved back on the trailer to better balance the load.  All in all, the lift worked fine. Thirty five minutes on the hook.  Now the work of winterizing and the beginnings of refitting and repairing for the 2012 season.  We shall post some of the project work as they happen.

In the Yard ready for winterizing

"It's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails, that's what a ship needs, but what a ship is... is freedom." -
Capt. Jack Sparrow, Pirates of the Carribean

Dry Docked for Cradle Measurements



Moon Dancer II on the Beach in
St. Andrews, NB

That time of year when the rush is on to prepare for Haul-out...  Had to dry dock Moon Dancer II to get the final measurements for the cradle uprights.  Funny feeling leaving her high & dry for about 10 hours as the tide crept away and slowly back to float her off the bottom.  Measurements were taken and the cradle is now complete.  Next weekend for the crane out.  Then the winter work begins...

"You must know the sea, and know that you know it, and know that it was meant to be sailed upon."

Harry Pidgeon

The 2nd Annual "Man Cruise" from St. Andrews to Campobello NB





Michael at the Helm of Moon Dancer II

Under Full Sail



Just to prove the point that the guys (Captians) CAN survive without the Admirals aboard...The Man Cruise was created...  This past September it involved a group of four father and son (and nephew) boats heading out for the weekend on a short sail and indulgence in much eating.  The first day was a beautiful day under sail and great time had by all.  Second day was calm and we had to motor from Head Harbour, Campobello back to St. Andrews.  All-in-all we have to admit (well at least I do) that without the Admiral aboard, things are not quite the same.  Michael, my nephew, & I had a great sail and caught several mackrel before setting out for St. Andrews on Sunday.

From the Bow, as heading out into
the Bay of Fundy

Cheers,

Dave (& Michael)

"If a man is to be obsessed by something,
I suppose a boat is as good as anything, perhaps a bit better than most."

-E. B. White



Better Late than Never... Starting the blog...



Moon Dancer II at the Mooring in Salem, MA

Between a busy summer and a bit of procrastination, finally getting around to starting a blog for our spring purchase of the now called Moon Dancer II.  Moon Dancer II is a 1981 Endeavour 37 (Plan A) Ketch Rigged sailboat with a dry weight of about 20,000lbs.  A summary of this past summer will be posted as I get time to reflect and look back at the log book.

Cheers,
Dave
"Houses are but badly built boats so firmly aground that you can not think of moving them..."
Quote from Arthur Ransom