Wax on-Wax Off

 The last wax and buff was over 2 years ago.  The hull was dirty and nasty, yet ASD was still somewhat shiny. It was sunny and warm.  I first used a hull cleaner to remove some bad marks and green stuff.  It has acid in it so gloves were a must.  Then I started with an orange pad to cut the dirt and grim.  It took all the black marks and makes it shiny.  I started on the port side.

Then with a red pad, I added Starbrite polish. and buffed until the surface was chalky.  Next with the with the buffer, I used a micro-cloth buffing pad to bring out the mirror shine.

Not bad for 34 year old boat!

No the bad news.  As I was adding polish, the buffer would not shut off.  The switch went bad. Unless I wanted to wait a week for a new switch, then an additional week polishing the starboard side, I went out on the internet to find a new buffer.  Found one in Seattle at Fisheries.   A 4 hour drive and an almost 6 hour drive back.  By then it was late.  Then Kay was flying out early the next morning so yesterday was a wash and lost sunny day.

Today, pouring down rain and 30mph wind.  No-Go today.

On The Hard

 After getting beat around in the marina for 2 days with 40+mph wind we finally get hauled out. At first look the bottom is not that bad.  I had to laugh as last year we hired a diver to change the zincs.  He left the old ones on.

This time out of the water will be to fix the swim step, wax and polish the hull.  Ilwaco has a new lift which is awesome. for not being out in 2 years she doesn't look that bad.  A good power wash and time to go to work.

With fuel tanks at 3/4 full, full water, ASD comes in at 48,000 pounds.

2021 Hualout

 Took off from ASD's winter dock and headed to Ilwaco WA for the annual haul out. I looked at the weather and moved the departure day back to Wednesday as there was some winds coming up Thursday Afternoon.

We left at 10 AM and had nice smooth run or 57.6 miles. As we pulled into Ilwaco marina the wind started and was blowing us away from the dock. Took 5 runs at the dock and finally had a bow line tied and was able to bring the stern around.

By 5 PM the we had a steady 25mph and it was going to get stronger over night. Well this sucks as I was adding additional lines. Good thing I did. By 10 PM we had gale winds blowing. Never seen white capes inside a marina. By 8 AM, the haul out was cancelled and they don't work on weekends. 11 AM on Monday is our new haul out.

Not much sleep last night with the howling of the wind and creaking of the lines. The winds pick up and we are having 42mph wind gust with 32mph steady.

So here ASD sits in the marina in the wind and rain. Winds are suppose to reduce later tonight. 

A few pics from the travel down river.

The Crew

Looking down river

Sharing the River

Old Pillar Rock Cannery

Astoria Bridge

Entrance to Ilwaco Marina

Our spot to observe the wind