Brenda

May 292012
 

I wonder how much preparation you have to do to have a trip like the one we are planning this summer.   Get the list and check it twice, maybe three times.  This past weekend we were at home checking things off the list.  Spring cleaning, check, new Smart TV check, even downloaded a movie to try, check, new shelf for the Xbox, check, made cockpit cover, check, made TV cover, check.  Slowly we are getting things ready.  I think it is the never ending list that is overwhelming.

This coming weekend the weather man says rain.  Although well needed I don’t like rain on the weekends.  Rain all you want during the week but leave my weekends dry and humid.  Scott is looking at changing out the transmission fluid but has research to do on exactly how to do it.  The generator is still winterized and that needs some work.  Then there is the completion of the wax job I started on the lower half of the boat.  Scott has to compound the upper deck to give it that factory shine and then there is the wax for that.  Whewww, I’m tired just thinking about it.  Also there is a bug netting that we are trying to make so that we can enjoy those summer nights on deck and not have to go into a canvas cave just because of a few mosquitos.  The list goes on and on.

I am still waiting for a surgery date.   Scott is off to Mexico for a week somewhere between now and then and a birthday party for Aiden too.  It is going to pass by quickly.

Pottahawk is only 6 weeks away where 6 guys will be camping out on Lake Erie for 2 nights.  And that, my friends, is a whole other list of things to do!

 Posted by at 6:22 PM
May 192012
 

It is now official.  The 2012 boating season has begun.  Splash was May 16th with  Conductance making her way home through the quiet rivers and gratiously anticipated May breezes.  A few fishermen brave the chill in the air at this time of the year.  Not many other types of boaters yet.

Check list once and twice before heading home from Tonawanda.  Engines started up and they ran beautifully.  After coolers were refurbished this winter in Scott’s workshop.  No leaks from the disco lights that were also installed a couple weeks ago.  Always a bonus not having leaks after drilling 4 –  1″ holes in the hull.  Now for all the electrical.  Gremlins seem to have multiplied in the electronics with the touch screen intermittently working, navigation charts sporatic and the VHF radio non existent.  Now that’s a problem.  Scott, I know what you’re doing this weekend.

Waxing has to be completed this weekend while tied to the dock and some major cleaning.  Bring on the sunscreen.

The first major trip this long weekend will be to drain the antifreeze and add water.  I think a stop at “The Boathouse” for some patio time is in order while we are there.  Anyone interested in the first maiden voyage for 2012 can give us a call!!!

 

 

 Posted by at 12:24 PM
Oct 132011
 

 

 

The sun sets a little earlier these days.  Longer nights means that Conductance will be resting for about 6 months on the shores of the Niagara River, laid up on some scraps of wood while wearing a tight white raincoat to keep winter at bay.  Resting peacefully and looking forward to the day when the tulips and daffodils awaken, the ice is gone from the river and she can start those engines again.

 Posted by at 4:04 PM
Sep 192011
 

I didn’t know until our friends from Apt Sea II let us know that the Hudson River was hit by Irene pretty dramatically.  Some businesses are devastated and the locks that we passed through are inoperable due to high intense flooding.  Locks from Lock 2 in Albany through to 22, just before Oswego, are no longer available. 

Here are youtube videos of the devastation.

This is the “Yacht Club” we stayed at that had the pool.  Our boat was tied just out of frame of this video on the left.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDPgVB1zQOs&feature=related

That little arch spillway area is just in front of the boat, a bit to the right of the frame.

At the very beginning of this video you see four small white buildings.  They are the lockmaster’s buildings at the beginning of the lock and at the end of the lock.  Note  that they are totally underwater and that the locks are no where to be seen.  They are just to the left of the bridge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dMPxCrsvdo&NR=1

Lockmaster building

Never underestimate the power of water.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCN9f6bcpO0&feature=related

 Posted by at 9:40 AM
Aug 272011
 

 

Last weekend we went, just the two of us, to Dunkirk, NY.  We had a great time in a little marina that had everything we need.  The waves and rollers were pretty bad on Lake Erie on Sunday and Monday morning so we did some much needed chores on the boat.

Scott and I ran a HDMI cable from the cockpit to the receiver.  Sounds easy enough, doesn’t it?  Well after Scott took apart most of the aft cabin area he thought about putting it through the dashboard.  So that afternoon we spent 3 hours with our hands in places that were too small for our hands and ran that darn cable.  It’s in and now we have TV on deck.  I’m seeing outdoor dock party movies on the horizon.  But Scott had to put that cabin back together.  I wonder what all the extra screws are for?

 Posted by at 11:18 AM
Jul 272011
 

This past weekend we found ourselves at a little gem of a place in Lockport, NY.

Along the New York Canal System there are 57 locks that carry you from Albany to Tonawanda that both lock up and lock down.

At locks 34 and 35 you will find Lockport, NY.  This is where the two locks climb the escarpment.  We found a little cove right beside lock 35 and stayed there for the night.  We were able to top up our water supply, enjoy breakfast and the sights rich in history.  We stayed for just one night and hoped that we would share this spot once again.

 Posted by at 11:20 AM
Jul 132011
 

Conductance has made her way home.  After a glorious weekend hanging out in Lake Erie, moored at Pottahawk for 3 nights and enjoying the massive mardi gras party, we brought her home on Monday. Pics to follow.

Scott had little problem getting under the bridges that we measured in October, with a foot clearance.  High winds were not friendly this first time home so some manouevering and nerves of steel were in order.  But we made it!!!!

She sits waiting for the next party!!  Who’s in???

 Posted by at 11:19 AM