The boat yard
The boat yard: a place where some vessels regain their past glory with hard work, sweat, and of course, money while others languish all alone, seemingly neglected by their owners. In the heart of the mid-day sun, Rebecca and I set off on a bit of a road trip yesterday to make our way to one of the island’s two large boat yards, Grenada Marine, where our friends Kirk and Donna just the other day had their catamaran hauled out.
The view from high atop Ainulindale.
When you own a catamaran as large as they do, the yards which have the ability to haul your boat are few in number. In fact, even though Spice Island, Grenada’s other large boat yard, has a wide travel-lift, easily able to handle our relatively narrow boat, I don’t think it is quite wide enough to accommodate a Lagoon 44.
Another large cat rests in Grenada Marine’s travel-lift.
When we found Ainulindale, peacefully resting in “catamaran alley,” she was in the process of being stripped and storm-proofed in case any bad weather should come upon the island while Kirk and Donna are away. Just as there were 101 things to do when we stored our boat on land for the winter, those leaving their boats in a yard should take similar steps to protect it from water, pests, wind and perhaps even theft. With little access to the cooling breeze found at anchor, those hard at work in the yards frequently comment on how hot it is. With only one short visit, we can confirm, it is hot!
While great care is taken to make sure that the boat is secure, those who leave their vessels for an extended period of time are often very curious (concerned) about how their babies are faring. For example, our good friend George left his boat Earthling resting on the hard not far from where Ainulindale now sits. We stopped by Earthling to give her a once over and snap a few pics for him. We also took a look at another catamaran owned by one of our blog followers to make sure that all was well with her too.
Fortunately, from what we saw, and what we have heard, Grenada Marine is an excellent facility. The boats that we took a look at were all fine, as we suspect Ainulindale will be during her vacation on land. When it comes time to put her back in the water, she’ll no doubt be even more pretty than when she was on the day she was hauled out.
Azure II resting comfortably.
Earthling confided in us that she misses our friend George.
Since our sailboat is pretty small, we do all the launching and hauling out ourselves, but when we are cruising, what kind of costs can we expect for a haul out and a launching. Also, what is the cost for storage and do most cruisers do the work themselves or is there a package that can be purchased at the ship yard? Thanks
You’ll need to consult the Oracle for that info, Cookie. It depends on where you are, what your boat is and what you’ll be doing.
Boat yards are odd places. I sometimes visit them and come away with a happy heart. Sometimes a heavy heart. There are people that are working hard and making progress towards “getting there” and there are many others for whom the dream of offshore sailing will never come true. The dreamers. Many talk a good talk but that’s all they do. They always find other things to keep them busy. Like partying or working or wanting to make another modification or buy some other safety item. They seem to be unconciously avoiding actually finally cutting ties with their old life and getting the hell out. Other’s just forge on and do it. Some of them are just plain stupid to do it. You know those ones. Their boats are an obvious disaster waiting to happen but to their credit, they are doing it. They are rolling the dice and going. If they are lucky they learn quickly and either turn around and come back or they actually make it. For some it is a dream come true. For some, it turns out to be too much. Boat yards are full of all kinds of these stories.
We have heard of, or met, several people in less-than-seaworthy boats. They are out here though, not in a safe yard back “home.” Which people will have better stories to tell at the end of the day?
That’s simple. The ones that are out there doing it. IMHO.
I agree!
I’ve always loved boatyards!
You’re strange. 😉