On The Hard

Deltaville, VA Public Library

"On the hard," is boaters jardon for my boat is up on land. Libby found a place that could haul us on Saturday, so that's what we did.

We pressure washed the hull and Libby scraped off lots of barnacles. I guess the barnacles didn't read the label on my antifouling bottom paint so they didn't know that they're not supposed to cling to that copper-impregneted surface.

I also polished the prop and repacked the stuffing box. The stuffing box is the thing that prevents water from leaking into the boat from around the propeller shaft. It wasn't as hard as I thought. Next time I'll have the nerve to do it while still in the water. It takes nerve to do that because when you unscrew the stuffing box water starts pouring in until you put it back. During that time only the bilge pump or pumps is the only thing that keeps you from sinking. Now that I'm an experienced packer though, I'm confident that I can do the job in 5 minutes, 10 at worst case, so the risk is low.

I also disassembled and cleaned the head (toilet for landlubbers). We have been putting vinegar down there every once in a while to prevent calcium buildup, but still it gave trouble. When I took it apart I was shocked to find 4 to 7 mm of calcium covering everything! I scraped it out and I was amazed at how much calcium was in there. It may have been more salt than calcium but I wasn't about to taste it to find out. I'll have to use vinegar much more often.

How about strong hydrochloric acid? Do any of my readers know if that's safe for brass, rubber, plastic and bronze? There are no steel parts in the plumbing.

Anyhow, Deltaville Marina where we are staying is very pleasant. I think it is the best run marina that we have seen so far anywhere in our travels.

One funny effect. Jenny experienced sea legs after her three days on the boat, but Libby and I are pretty much immune to that. However, with Tarwathie up on the hard, Libby and I both felt that the boat was rocking when we were inside below decks. It is a strange psychological phenomena.

Late today we should get launched again and resume our Chesapeake explorations.