There are known knowns, there are known unknowns, and there are unknown unknowns.*

 

But then there are BOATS!

 So, here we are, still on-the-hard in Maryland, trying to get Irish Lass fully prepared for departure.  (heavy sigh)

We selected this location to store Irish Lass partially because of the immediate proximity to multiple boat maintenance and repair providers.  And when we left here last September, we thought we had made arrangements with four different providers for a long list of maintenance and repair tasks to be addressed over the winter.  In February, we began inquiring with the designated providers about the status of the work.  Here’s what has transpired since:

1. The company charged with buffing and waxing Irish Lass’s exterior and shrink wrapping her against the elements performed perfectly.  They even got her unwrapped as we arrived and performed a very thorough carpet cleaning during our first week here.
2. The week before we arrived, the crew at Herrington Harbour North Marina completed a first-class bottom paint refresh and zinc replacement.   
3. In March, the company charged with a list of engine maintenance tasks finally responded to our repeated entreaties and began the 1,000-hour service on our Volvo engines.   The completion of this work requires that the boat is in the water, so they choose to leave the engine room in disarray.   We had to get them back aboard to clean up their act before the carpets could be cleaned.
4. After repeated (and unanswered) voice and email messages, the company we asked to address a list of below-the-waterline work “woke” as we were driving east and finally began their work.  We arrived in time to supervise the placement of the new dinghy davit and for them to complete some of their other tasks.  But missed out first intended launch date of May 10th.  
5. But wait, there’s more!  Now  they informed us as we arrived (six months after we requested it) that the critical cutlass bearing replacement was beyond their capabilities and referred us to yet another provider.
6. To accommodate all of this, we traded COVID Adventurer for a more economical rental car and we extended our Airbnb stay by a week.
7. We caught the designated “new” provider in the midst of a family emergency,  but they did finally obtain and install the new cutlass bearings under our supervision late on May 17^th.   
8. But in that process, we determined that the port propeller had significant bends in two blades and needed a trip to the prop shop before it could be remounted.  So we have missed our 2^nd launch window of May 17th.
9. Both props are at the prop shop and we are hopeful (a naive state?) they will be done on Friday (the 21^st) and that we can make our scheduled launch on the 24^th.
10. We have extended our rental car.  But our wonderful (and wonderfully convenient) Airbnb is unavailable this weekend.  And pet-friendly Airbnb’s do not grow on trees.  We have been fortunate to locate another pet-friendly Airbnb property from the same provider.  But it is 13 miles away. 

So, those who have followed us for a while will recognize our historical pattern in all of this.  It’s called “WAITING FOR PARTS”, a well-honed skill, but not one in which we take much joy.  We are prepared to admit that COVID delayed work over the winter.  And that maybe some providers are experiencing staffing challenges as a result.   And it's now Spring and lots of people want their boats prepped and launched.   We’ll give you all of that.

But why are phone calls and emails ignored for weeks and months?  And why isn’t it all “A-holes and Elbows” (i.e. nights and weekends) to get the work caught up?   What secret in all of this aren’t we privy to”?  Or has coastal Maryland has joined our new nation of idlers? 

Regardless, everything takes longer and costs more.  Or as Commodore Kathleen puts it, “This trip better be fun, because it sure is expensive.”

Thanks for following

(*Thank you for nothing Donald Rumsfeld)