Liftout

While waiting for a big enough tide to lift Gjoa we were blessed with an entire week of fabulous fall weather in Homer, Alaska. Day after day of sunshine, clear skies and warm temperatures. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately, on Friday, liftout day, the skies were cloudy and the rain soon started. We made our way from the harbour over to the boatyard travelift. At least it was still reasonably warm. We arrived with numerous other boats and the boatyard called us in one by one. High tide came and went and we were starting to get a little worried. The tide was eighteen feet, but, we weren't sure how much that translated to at the shoreline. We were the deepest draft boat and we thought they would take us in just before high tide. Ten minutes after high tide, they called us. It's a bit daunting driving your boat directly towards the shore, but, we nailed the approach and were lined up perfectly to enter the travelift area. We got over the first strap and then stopped dead. We were aground! With the tide now dropping very rapidly there was nothing to do but reverse away quickly otherwise we wouldn't get out at all. With our hopes dashed, we dejectedly made our way back to the harbour, soaking wet and miserable. The yard said "you told us you needed six feet and we had six feet of water." We replied, yes six feet is our draft, but, we also need at least an additional six inches or so to float! They probably should have realized this, but, we probably should have been more specific as well. With eighteen feet of tide we assumed that there would be plenty of water. Luckily, the yard was able to fit us in the next day when the tide was going to be a foot and a half higher. With enough water, it all went very smoothly. The yard was professional and efficient and before we knew it Gjoa was in her winter home, safe and sound.

The lift.

Crossing the road.

An unorthodox cradling method, quick and efficient, hopefully it works!