October 2009 - Crunch Month

October has been hectic for both of us. Lots of effort going into getting ready for the trip. Work on Ninkasi proceeds slowly.  Met with Howdy on the bow roller design and we decided the plate version would work better than a tubular type. The roller plate was delivered, minus the rollers and retaining pins, so I could finalize the locations and drill the mounting holes in the plate and the deck. Then the plate was off for powder coating and another week delay. 

As usual I'm keeping track of other cruisers and any ICW problems on the Cruiser's Net. That's where Murphy hit the schedule with a big problem. The Ben Sawyer Bridge just north of Charleston is being replaced from 11/13 to 11/23 and the Intracoastal will be closed. We now have to leave by Nov 1 or earlier to make it to Charleston before the closure. 

By the time the powder coating was done the rollers and pins had arrived and actual installation began.  After several days of the usual progress impediments, the windlass, bow roller, chain and rode are installed. It's now the 27th and the anchor locks are not yet installed and we get another Murphy blow to the schedule. The bridge replacement has been moved up and there is no way we can get there before the waterway closure.  Reluctantly, the decision is made to move our departure date to Nov 8.