This past Saturday, ORION came out of her boatshed with her cabin filled with gear, a new coat of bottom paint and bootstripe paint, two coats of varnish on her mahogany, a new centerboard pennant, and a few other small improvements. I tied the mast to her bow pulpit and a wooden support post, attached ratchet straps at the bow and stern quarters, and cable-tied her forward hatch shut so it wouldn’t fly off on the highway. Within short order, we were ready to head to Niantic!
Out of the boatshed.
Ready to go!
We arrived in Niantic without incident, and I was happy to have my father help me step the mast in the launch ramp parking lot. It always takes a while to get everything rigged properly, and I couldn’t help but think of all those who trailer sail their Mariners regularly and have to rig and de-rig their boats every single time they use them!
I always seem to run into someone I know at the launch ramp, and I was really pleased to see my friend Doug Butler who just happened to come in his car to the ramp to see any activity. Doug is an extremely knowledgeable sailor and boatman who keeps his own boat on the Niantic River as well; he even came to the rescue of a fellow Mariner sailor who ran into trouble just outside the Niantic railroad bridge during the 2016 Rendezvous. He’s just about the nicest guy you’d ever hope to meet, and I was happy to see him and introduce my son to him.
ORION splashed in the water at 4:34 pm, and we motored to her mooring. I hope to take her for her first sail later in the week, but I can say her 2022 sailing season has officially begun!
Putting on the sail cover with my son, Harrison.
On her mooring. She’s the first boat on the Niantic River this year!