I woke up at 4:58 a.m. today, excited to hit the road and get Splendido loaded for sailing season. Thirteen hours later, I am back home, bone-weary, and ready to hit the hay. All that’s left to do is install the UV zip-ties on all the turnbuckles and lifelines, and we’re good to go.

The obvious issue this year is how low the water is; I was at the very end of the dock, and I was pretty nervous that I’d be painting the rocks with the keel. Didn’t happen, but I imagine this will be the last time I even get near that particular dock this summer.

Load-in wasn’t that hard; it was just time-consuming. It still needs Debbie’s touch to give it orderliness and style. I was just content to get everything in and stowed quickly, and get back out to the buoy before the waterski boats started creating chop that would surely bang the keel on the rocks below.

At the end of the day, she looks pretty good. Everything works; all the wood is in; and what was really remarkable to me is that the Perkins Perama just fires up nicely every time. Can’t wait to get out and sail…probably next weekend will be the season opener. Until then, fair winds and smooth sailing! DB