More Albany and Life after Albany

The problem with large boats is that they have too darn many systems, at least one of which will be broken at any given time. So, while Scarano was doing it's best to fix things, our stern thruster (a small propeller which allows you to move the stern sideways) ingested something which broke off a blade. A call to our commissioning yard, who then called the manufacturer resulted in a promise of overnight delivery of a new prop for a mere $370, plus shipping. This prop is all of 9 inches in diameter; and I thought institutional sales was profitable! Tuesday, 10AM UPS delivers and we're thinking, "OK, we're out of here." Not so fast Lone Ranger: wrong prop, despite assurances from the manufacturer that they knew which one to send. Minor typo error apparently, but this means we will have to get the right one shipped to another marina and have to haul the boat again
(forgot to budget things like that!!) Additionally, the 1000 lbs of #9 shot for ballast proved to be about 500 lbs short of our needs and another day would be required to get more. We decided we'd get more somewhere else and I'll put it in place. Also on the repair list was our shower which has not drained without help and the plan was to fit another drain where the water pools, but it turns out it was impossible to access that area under the shower. So...at some point when the boat is laid up we'll get fiberglass added to the low point. The good news is our dealer has never questioned who foots the bill for all this. The bad news is the thruster problem is not a warranty item and we've spent 5 days getting nowhere.

Enough of this. You and we want to move along, so Tuesday late morning we pushed off for Waterford, the start of the Erie Canal. Did our first lock in Troy without braking anything and later squeezed our 59'10" bateau into a 62' space at the Waterford town dock (just in front of the second boat from the end in the picture on the right) - one reason thrusters are a big deal! A couple of nervous owners of the boats in front and behind came racing out in fear we'd do some serious damage, but they had to do no more than assist the Admiral with her lines-whew! While I tried my best to look as if I do this all the time, it took an hour or so for my heart beat to return to normal.

Waterford is very boater friendly. They provide free docking, electricity and showers in hopes we'll spend lots of money in their charming town. They even had a 3 man/woman welcoming committee. We responded by buying an ice cream cone and going out for dinner at a nice restaurant. Today, Weds., we did grocery shopping on our fold up bikes and rode through the park called Peebles Island where a former shirt factory now does all the restoration work for NY museums. Sadly they do not offer tours.

I can't say how good it felt to get here. I guess the rush to get to the Seaman's party, which was worth every minute, and the day after day of repair work combined with cold, cloudy, showery weather was a strain I hadn't recognized. We left Albany in bright sunshine and I felt like we were really beginning our venture. We look forward to the Erie Canal where we will watch the countryside slide by at a graceful 5-9 knots. Thirty miles a day will be a long day. Some may only be 10 miles. We can go as many or few as we like. Let the show begin... again.