Blond Ambition (the sitcom)

[Mundaysj]

It was Memorial Day weekend, my son came back from his dad's and we got ready to drive the boat down to her mooring. 

I planned the trip for late evening hours because my trailer isn't exactly legal.  The previous owner had no registration for her, and it has no breaks, and Pennsylvania requires brakes on both sets of tires.  Well I had to get the boat off the trailer so they could work on the breaks , didn't I?   Soooo the trip was planned late night to avoid any potential misunderstandings with the troopers.  At about 12:30 with son and dog asleep in the back of the Jeep, I attempted to leave.  But the darn trailer wouldn't hitch properly to the hitch... Jack it up, back up an inch, get out of the car, back it up to the right a few inches, get out of the car, now a few inches to the left, bam ... oops maybe a few inches less, drop the jack, pull out , bam ... trailer falls off the hitch, jack it back up and try it again...and again...and again  By 3:00 AM my Jeep and trailer were blocking the street in front of my house, when my friend and neighbor came home three sheets to the wind.  He stumbled down to help me... and in between compliments on my wardrobe (shorts and heels) he actually got it hitched properly!! Yeah!  Well he requested a kiss in payment and wanted to know what my sexiest outfit was...boy did he have too much to drink... I gave him a peck on the cheek and said I'd have to think about it (Boy will he be embarassed if he remembers this at all!!)

Ok...3:30 AM ..I'm on my way to New Jersey.  Who knew that there was so much FAST traffic at that hour.  And I was buzzing along at a zippy 45 mph.  All I can say is that those tractor trailers must be pulling down some Gs!!   Every bump I would wince at the sound of my poor boat bouncing on the trailer.  But my plan worked and Jeep, boat, son, dog and I made it to the harbor at about 6AM.

Well .. 6AM is a happening time at the harbor.  Trucks with power boats are pulling up 4 abreast to the loading ramp, dropping their fishing boats in the bay and zipping back out.  I was getting a headache just watching them.  I asked the nice boy in the security booth if I could pull over to the side to set the mast ,etc.  He pointed out a spot and I tried to lay down for a little shut eye...But NO...Max, my 3 year old doberman, was awake and wanted to walk. 

So.. we walked around, he did his business, I cleaned up after him (honestly, at least the kids grow out of the diaper stage!!).  Upon returning I asked the nice boy in the security booth if someone could help me step the mast, being a helpless female and all, (not really but the dumb blond routine comes in handy at times), and he and another young man offered to help.  It took a little more muscle than they expected... and they had to climb into the boat 'cause I didn't bring a ladder.... and then they had to lift my outboard onto the boat (I had it wrapped in a pink sheet so it wouldn't get the Jeep dirty!)  So I thanked them and gave them a bottle of champagne as a token of my gratitude.  And then I had to get it down the ramp.... well I waited until all the other boats were done, cause I always get confused on the left/ right when backing up.... So the boys guided me down the ramp....then they wanted to know if I had blocks for the tires... ??huh?? ...?no??.... ok then...  so after a few forward/ backward movements, Blond Ambition was in the water!!  Yeah!

Well ... now the boys had the boat secured at the dock, my son was on board, Max was a little reluctant to step onto the boat....sooo .. I heaved all 75 pounds of him right into the cockpit.  But now I had to use the motor....something I never did before... Nice boys to the rescue (again) ... they yanked on the pull cord a few dozen times but it just would not start.   (the boat shop that overhauled it said it was working fine.)  Enter another nice boater who was watching this sitcom, a nice fisherman with a knowledge of motors.... he starts to fuss with the motor, pulling out plugs and sticking his finger in holes, and lo and behold he gets it going.  Thanks all around and I'm off.....turn the motor to turn the boat around and it started pinging off my rudder..... oops...we'll try again... turning both the rudder and the motor.. and we almost hit three boats on the way out of the pier ...(it's that left/right port/.starboard thing again).... nice boys were running down the dock and pushing Blond Ambition off so she would not hit the docked boats.... but I finally got the hang of it and got into the mooring field without hitting anything... not even the bouys!!  I was feeling pretty proud.  Although, I think the spectators that were watching the whole affair had themselves a good laugh!

I found our mooring and told the launch operator that I didn't think my VHF was working,   He said he would come by later to pick us up.  Then I went in the cabin and turned the knob (from the off position) and what do you know ?... My VHF is receiving just fine.  Point to self ... remember to turn ON the VHF.   I found out later that I can receive but not transmit .... probably that loose wire from the mast??  Point to self  ... get a hand held VHF for next weekend.

We then relaxed and enjoyed an afternoon on the boat.  Max did well.  Dakota thought my dumb blond act was shameful (Didn't want to admit to him how much of it was real), but he loves the boat.  Later that day we waved down the launch operator, heaved Max onto the launch, rode back to the dock, and drove back to PA.

All in all a successful launching of Blond Ambition.  (I'll post photos)  Plan to get her off the mooring for a sail the following week....the sitcom continues..

[Deborah Klaus]

Hahahhaha...least you didn't break anything!

[Bob23]

Sherie:
   Wonderful story. I can't wait to tune in for next weeks episode. So glad your twin is in the water. I'm sure her blond hair shimmers!
   And you kept your sense of humor through it all!!!
Bob23, laughing because I can relate!!

[B.Hart]

Great story, now that the hard part is done, go sailing and enjoy the rewards. keep us posted on your sail. HAPPY SAILING   BILL