Assessing the project
sunny, high 60's
11/09/2009, Port Kinsale Marina, Kinsale VA
The hardest part of making the trip to Kinsale is actually getting into the car and doing it. I finally dragged myself out of the house at 9:40am or so and set off. Despite leaving ridiculously late (especially since it gets dark so soon now) I decided I wasn't rushing down again and blowing past all the intriguing stuff on the way. As I approached Oak Grove, about 30 mi southeast of Fredricksburg, I saw signs for
Ingleside Winery. I turned off the main road to follow the signs, hoping it was actually open. A lot of wineries are only open weekends if at all in the off-season. Fortunately, this one was open.
(click on any of the photos below to see a larger version)
After a nice wine tasting and the purchase of a few bottles of wine, I set off again. Entering the town of Montross I remembered that I saw a little coffee shop there last time through. Sure enough, I soon spotted
Art of Coffee, a converted gas station, of all things. I stopped for coffee, then seeing their panini menu, decided I was hungry. I even managed to ignore the fact that I was now hours later than I wanted to be and sat down to enjoy my lunch.
Back on the road again, I finally got to the marina. At this point, maybe subconsciously I was stalling, as I decided to explore the other side of the marina that I didn't see last time. Maybe I was afraid I'd find the boat lying on its side after the jackstands collapsed or the keel fell off, I don't know. It would have been par for the course.
I pulled up next to the Skipjack Inn B&B and admired the view. Steps lead down to an actual sandy beach with an expansive view of the Yeocomico River.
There are also four other small rental cottages, they are little prefab buildings. I have to say that they look a little small and under-maintained to command the rates shown on the website. Maybe they were a lot nicer inside. Of course, they did have nice views.
Finally I went to look for the boat. Much to my relief it was there and standing, in a pretty good spot. On a concrete pad right behind the main repair building. There was a power pole behind each pad. I didn't see a water source anywhere but I didn't look too hard.
The boat is really dirty, and the hull looks really bad with all the paint coming off. I think I will strip all of it off and start fresh. There are some chips and dings that will serve as an intro into fiberglass repair. There is some weird pitting/spalling of the gelcoat at the waterline that I don't quite understand....they're not blisters but I don't know what caused them.
I have to keep reminding myself I did only pay $800 for the boat. I knew I was going to have to do some work. And really, the boat could go right back into the water tomorrow, slap the new engine on the back, and be quite usable. You can't argue with that for what I paid. I would want to change out the running rigging before I actually sailed, and there are a lot of little things I WANT to do, but very little that I HAVE to do.
Lots more photos at Photobucket:
On the Hard
Hopefully I can get back this weekend, it's supposed to be nice again. I have to get the water out of the water tank somehow if nothing else.
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