It all started with a phone call from Vic, on a Thursday, I seem to recall. A deal had been struck with Fred of Schroth Fiberglass for the use of a trailer. The boat was to be pulled the following Sunday or Monday. Sunday turned into a blowout, literally, with winds gusting to 40mph and thunderstorms throughout the afternoon. So, Monday it was. I took the afternoon off, and when I got to the club, Vic was motoring the Pearson over to the rigging dock in anticipation of Fred's arrival. In the picture below, she waits at the rigging dock.

Fred's schedule being Fred's, four hours later he and the trailer show up.

Being the consumate professional, Fred had notes on over 130 trailer configurations for different boats. As Aphaia, in her previous incarnation as the Sailing Vessel Tejas, had been a guest at Fred's shop for an earlier bottom job, Fred already had notes on how to set up the trailer to pull her. This made the process much easier and some 20 minutes later, after a few false starts and a quick and cool swim for Vic, the boat emerged from the water.

This process was a lot less stressful than last time. Very soon the boat was out of the water, secure and riding high and dry. As this was a heavy duty trailer, no flat tire this time!

As compared to the last time we pulled the boat, some five years ago (my god, time just flies), the slime wasn't bad at all. Of course, this is partly due to the fact I get the SCUBA gear on several times a year and scrub the bottom as it sits in the water.

Another view of the slime

The Rudder

Once the trailer was reconnected to the truck, it was off to the work area for a good powerwashing in the dwindling sunlight. It was important to get the bottom washed off while the slime was still wet, otherwise it would be a real bear after it dried.

Kudos for Vic for doing the dirty job of powerwashing

As it was getting late and dark, we decided this was enough for one day. There was plenty to do tomorrow