It was an impressive sight, seeing the Wilma Lee propped on jack stands where the work was done.
Then the travel lift arrived. Heavy duty straps were attached under the Wilma Lee's hull, and she was lifted up and carried slowly, very slowly, to the water.
Carefully, the skipjack was lowered into the basin and set free.
We crossed Pamlico Sound. Here is Rob at the helm, Chuck by his side, and the setting sun behind us. We arrived back at Silver Lake about 9:30.
With the addition of new sails, and fully rigged (not exactly sure when that will be), the Wilma Lee will again be ready for sunset cruises and educational programs. Stop down at the Community Square docks to take a look at her.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a 1910 article about waterfowl hunting. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102114.htm.
What a beautiful boat. I know the community is happy to have her home again.
ReplyDeleteThank GOD you had professionals... It doesn't always go as planned... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek3pRQ7gp5w
ReplyDelete$30,000 later.
ReplyDeleteSo glad she is back!
ReplyDeleteNice to see Wilma Lee back in homeport.
ReplyDeleteTime for a visit.
How long did it take to cross the sound?
ReplyDeleteWe left Jarrett Bay Boat Yard a 3 pm, and arrived back in Silver Lake about 9:30...so about 6 1/2 hours.
DeleteSix and a half hours? Wow. Surely there's a future newsletter post in that journey.
ReplyDeleteWas this a "working" cruise (i.e., was any sailor-ing necessary on the part of the crew/passengers), or was this more of a point-the-bow-toward-Ocracoke-and-relax trip?
How'd folks pass the time--fish, eat, sleep, play poker?
And how did everyone get TO the boat yard in the first place? Via another vessel--that perhaps served double duty as an escort for the return trip--or did some unlucky member of your party draw a short straw marking them as your designated driver? (And how DID you make the return trip in any case--northward via the Neuse River, or southward past Cape Lookout? A glance at Google maps reveals there's not a straightforward route in either case.)
Surely must've been an adventure. And your photos are fantastic. Thanks again (and as always) for sharing.
The trip was quite ordinary. Since we didn't even have a sail (a new one has been ordered), of course we motored across the sound. There were 5 of us guys, so we passed the time sharing stories, telling jokes, navigating, eating sandwiches, and relaxing.
DeleteTo get there we walked on the Cedar Island ferry. An employee of the boat yard picked us up and drove us to the yard. We traveled back through the Neuse.
Appreciate the detail of your 805 update, Philip. Again, just further insight into island life. Thank you. :-)
ReplyDeleteSo glad the WL is fixed up and back home. We had a fabulous sunset ride last fall-my first on a sailboat. We missed our trip this year and hope to be back sometime next. SueM/Macomb IL
ReplyDelete