Land Shark!

Kluane gets a bottom job!

Cliff (The Buccaneer)

Hit the local watering hole (and there are many in Port Salerno) and the topic of conversation will soon turn to bottoms.  Being a G-rated blog, we'll stick to the subject of boat bottoms.  As you can see, Kluane has a substantial bottom - with a lead keel.  If you think you're sporting a robust bottom, take solice knowing Kluane's bottom and keel weighs in at a hefty 4500 lbs!

What you're seeing above is Kluane being hauled from water into a boat yard.  This may be the least favorite part of the cruising life.  Boat yards are hot, often dirty, and always expensive.  The past five days we replaced a cutlass bearing (an opening not unlike our own lower forty opening), trued the shaft, straighted the prop, replaced a thru-hull (a hole in the boat designed to leak only when we say), raised the waterline (Jennifer's doing with all the great food stores aboard), and applied a fresh coat of bottom paint.  All in all, a long, hot, dirty and expensive five days.

The good news: Kluane is ready to go and will be back in the water, Saturday, Sept 29, 10 am EST.  Tune in for the splash.

Thinking of Every One of You,
Cliff (a happier Buccaneer)