[TO NARRATIVES AND PHOTOS LIST]
August 31, 1999
Page One
Late sunset at Brooklin Boat Yard, Center Harbor. In about three days I'll say goodbye to this harbor as we head south for winter.
Earlier in this day there was a dry north wind, and it smelled of fall. There's fewer
transient boats that anchor or moor nearby. Fall can be short and winter can come quickly here. The yard is
starting to haul boats out for winter storage. Some boats were just commissioned in June or July and will now be
hauled in September for winter storage. Some owners having used them for a total of three or four days
during the season. To decommission a 40 foot boat , haul it out of the water, truck it to storage; then winter store it;
then truck it back to the boatyard in the spring, re-commission it and launch it ... a 40 foot boat may
cost $12,000. That assumes no other maintenance or major repairs.
This is the floatplane that circled, landed and taxied up to "Silver Heels" one morning. "Just to take a
look at that old schooner!" the pilot said. We talked for awhile about boats and airplanes.
The seaplane pilot then shoved away from the boat, fired up his engine and taxied his plane
through the harbor! I'm concerned when I power through the crowded harbor fishing Silver Heels'
bowsprit through the field of masts. His wingspan must be nearly 30 feet, and he seemed to cruise through the harbor boats easily.
He took off from inside the harbor through the cut between Chatto Is. and the shoreline. That was no mean feat.
It was sunset, and I liked the lighting in this scene. I inadvertently got the 'sunshower' in the picture.
The sunshower, a camper's device showing on the deck lower left, has proven to be handy. We dinghy ashore for
something and take this vinyl bag along. We fill it with water at the float, bring it back to the boat and
set it on the deck in the sun. The black vinyl warms the water nicely for an evening shower for two persons.
No, we don't shower on deck! We set it on the cabin top and put the nozzle through the portlight into the head.
There are some who shower on deck in the buff ... on other boats.