It’s been 1-month short of a year from my last entry. Quite
a bit has happened.
Yes, we traveled from Scottsdale to Northern California. After visiting family in Chico, we went to the Napa Valley Marina to ready the Bayliner 3870 for sale. We pretty much threw out most of all we had stored in anticipation of relocating back to the boat in a couple/three years. Lots of stuff. And in fact, the boat sold within a month.
Upon leaving Napa, we went to my Buddy’s in Concord. I had left my California Lido 14 at his place not knowing what future it held but knowing it would be taken care of until that day came. And it did as we picked it up and headed back to the Phoenix Valley with it in tow and partially loaded with stuff from the Bayliner.
All went reasonably well, keeping to the freeway and keeping speed around 65 (speed limit is 55). The new wheel bearings I installed on the trailer were fine, contrary to my fear of burning them up.
Until Barstow. Just east of Barstow, the trailer tongue
broke at the front mast wand. The tongue is made from a 1 1/2 “ pipe topped
with a 2” x ¼ “ steel strap. The pipe broke clean but the strap held the
trailer together and fixed to the Cayenne. I saw the trailer go down below the
rear window in my mirror.
So, I pulled over, pulled out an oar and a wooden pole and with the rope I had, lashed the whole rig back together. We pulled into the usual gas stop and I also lashed the boat’s boom up underneath the trailer tongue. Did I mention it was 117 degrees Farenheit? It got us back to Scottsdale. Once back, not needing the mast wand, I cut it off and bolted/clamped it to the trailer tongue.
So, I set out to restore the California Lido 14 but did not
have a garage or inside building. Although I had a hand winch and block and
tackle, I had no gantry so I tried using the Condo’s Car Port steel structure.
It sort of worked but not enough to be convenient. I started working on it but
it did not take long before a complaint was made and notice was issued. As per HOA
rules, I had to move it around the corner to the RV / Boat lot provided by the
HOA. So, I learned how to lift the stern onto a portable work table and the
midships with a 2 x 4 onto 2 small step ladders and pulled the trailer out from
under the boat. To flip the boat just required lowering it to the ground, a lot
of cardboard and rolling it over by hand. Something I am still able to do by
myself.
So, the boat has been repainted, new rub rail and had an aft
seat installed and is operatable. She has been renamed “Ga Ga”, the name Judy’s
grandchildren call her.
Second year back in Scottsdale. I miss living on the boat in
the California Delta but life is good here, very good. We have a back patio
garden and I am back playing music, sometimes solo, sometimes with a trio or
even a 5 piece band about once a month.
Peoria Library Performance March 24, 2025
