Our slip was located at the end of the pier, just the other side of the free pump-out station (for boats with a chemical toilet; it works just like those in campers). While we didn�t need the facility for ourselves it to proved to be a great way to meet the natives. Most captains needing to empty their heads take their boat in solo, or with a crew that hasn�t the foggiest idea about docking procedure. Faith�s sturdy and astute crew could ascertain the likelihood of a certain collision while the approaching vessel was still twenty yards off � coming in too fast, too slow, or at the wrong angle. One of us would leap from our coffee to fend off a bow with a cry of, �I�ll get that for you, Skipper!� Relief would wash over the features of the pilot as his bow or beams were kept from ramming and scraping the pier. This opened a perfect window for conversation, which we would indulge in until another boat was ready to come rolling in. We actually stayed so busy it felt like we�d been Shanghaied by the marina as line handlers. It was a great relief when one boat pulled up, docked on its own and stayed put for the rest of the day.
I called Steve (Stacy�s aforementioned friend) at work and gave him directions to find us when he got off. Then Brian and I went shopping for boat stuff at the big West Marine store. Finally, after about fifteen hundred miles without them, we replaced the boat cushions. No more sore asses for us!
The Rev and I wondered back later in the afternoon with the main halyard. I used the store�s crimping device to fasten three crimps to the severed end of the wire portion, creating a new loop to attach the clip for the sail. I had to admit that one great advantage to our return to the States would be access to parts and technology. If you know what you want you can almost certainly find it easily and quickly.
Which is how Steve found us as evening set in. We all took one of the beers he�d brought, sat in the cockpit and caught up on each others� adventures. Steve invited us back to his new condo for pizza, which we gladly accepted. Except for Brian. He opted to remain on the boat, looking forward to some alone time.
The Erics and I accompanied our buddy back to his extremely nice pad somewhere in San Diego (I lost my sense of direction after the first five or six turns). We had a wonderful dinner, after which the Second Mate and I fell asleep on the sofa and recliner.
In the morning we wished The Reverend God Speed (appropriately enough) on his flight home. Steve dropped Eric and me off at the harbor. We woke Brian as we stepped onto the boat. After coffee and breakfast we looked over the charts, opting to skip the LA area and head right to Oxnard, near Ventura. This plan was motivated by the high prices at the LA marinas and our desire to get a little further ahead of our schedule. That would leave an extra day or two that we could spend at Brian and Doni�s house in Encino. The sauna there was sounding pretty good. I checked us out at the marina office and we were off! Welcome to the California coast!