We have not had to do locks since 10-25 when another Looper boat lost their lines in the Pickwick lock and went careening out of control and slammed into the opposite side of the lock. All of us sharing the lock that day have had nightmares, have replayed the situation numerous times and have come up with some strategies. Our standard locking routine now is to have fenders and lines ready on both sides, always put 2 long lines on the bollard, keep the engine running and keep a handheld radio with us to call the lockmaster immediately if there are problems.
This morning gave us an opportunity for a “corrective emotional experience” as we did 4 descending locks, the Jamie Whitten (84 feet) and the Montgomery, Rankin and Fulton (30 feet each), in quick succession and without incident. We breathed a sigh of relief.
We entered the quirky Smithville Marina at 3pm with “South Shore III” and “Sojourner.” It is the smallest marina to date, has old fixed, narrow docks, and is very shallow. “Sojourner” was reading 0 on the depth finder and kicked up a lot of mud but did not get stuck. It is a family marina and the whole Cox family helps out
We met the most interesting people here. There was Moe on “Moto”, an Island Gypsy 32, who has been singlehanding herself on this boat and sailboats for the past 17 years. “Sojourner” had an all female crew with the new owner, Susan, helped by Captain Carol from Sea Sense and crewed by Jill. I had taken a short course in 1/07 from Captain Patty Moore from Sea Sense, an all female boating school, and I highly recommend them. We also met John and Dan Morse, crewing on a Californian 35 trawler that they plan to overhaul this winter. Do they know about teak!
This morning gave us an opportunity for a “corrective emotional experience” as we did 4 descending locks, the Jamie Whitten (84 feet) and the Montgomery, Rankin and Fulton (30 feet each), in quick succession and without incident. We breathed a sigh of relief.
We entered the quirky Smithville Marina at 3pm with “South Shore III” and “Sojourner.” It is the smallest marina to date, has old fixed, narrow docks, and is very shallow. “Sojourner” was reading 0 on the depth finder and kicked up a lot of mud but did not get stuck. It is a family marina and the whole Cox family helps out
We met the most interesting people here. There was Moe on “Moto”, an Island Gypsy 32, who has been singlehanding herself on this boat and sailboats for the past 17 years. “Sojourner” had an all female crew with the new owner, Susan, helped by Captain Carol from Sea Sense and crewed by Jill. I had taken a short course in 1/07 from Captain Patty Moore from Sea Sense, an all female boating school, and I highly recommend them. We also met John and Dan Morse, crewing on a Californian 35 trawler that they plan to overhaul this winter. Do they know about teak!
