OK, let's try this cruising thing again

The boat is fixed.  Mac and his helper Nick were here until 8 PM last night finishing up.   They pumped out and cleaned the 800 gallon fuel tank, made new gaskets for the tank access lids, installed the new spin on engine fuel filters, and bled the air out of the lines.   The engines fired up and ran great.

I tried to give Mac a tip but he wouldn't take it.  He's a young guy with a wife, two year old, and a new house and could probably use the money.  I told him how much I appreciated him staying late to get this done for us and that he should take the money and take his wife out to dinner, but he declined.   Everyone I've met here at Oyster Bay Marine has been top shelf and I can't say enough good things about them.    Oyster Bay is also in the process of installing a 55 ton travel lift, so anyone needing any kind of service should certainly consider them.  

The plan today is to make the short 17 mile trip from Oyster Bay to City Island which is just outside of the Throg's Neck Bridge.    We'll leave for the East River at 6 AM Sunday to catch the high tide slack current at 9 AM at Hell Gate.   From there it's past Manhattan to the Battery and then hang a right and go up the Hudson.

Meanwhile, in the interesting news category, a 130 foot mega-yacht pulled in next to us last night while Pam and I were enjoying our back porch and happy hour.   It was out on a mooring with a couple of other mega-yachts and came in to the big fuel dock, making the other big yacht here look tiny in comparison.   It was interesting to watch the crew scampering all over it with concerned looks, getting it ready for the owners' arrival.  The gangway went out and the canvas lashed to the railings.   They took on a quick 1,400 gallons of diesel so they could run their generators all night (forcing us to close all our ports because our stern is next to theirs).  Finally, a Range Rover pulled up to the head of the dock and the owner and his wife appeared with their entourage, one handling their four perfectly matched Black Labradors.  One crewman offered his arm to the lady and they stroled down the dock.   He helped her aboard and then, since it was lightly raining, he toweled off each dog and escorted each up the gangway and onto the boat.

This yacht is certainly gorgeous and I admired it a lot.  I especially like the way it's lit up at night.

Very pretty.