Aisling disabled and towed to Baltimore

We have been at Tidewater Yacht Service Marina since last Wednesday, May 10th.  Jeff and the electronics technician were taking a short cruise to calibrate the autopilot.  However, before they were able to do that Aisling's engine overheated and Jeff called Tow Boat US for a tow.  The tow boat took the technician back to Middle River Landing Marina.  The tow boat then returned to Jeff and Aisling, who were anchored near Wilson Point, and towed her to Tidewater Yacht Service which is in the Port Covington area in the Baltimore City.  Luckily we have Boat US towing insurance --  this 20 mile tow would have cost us $15000.00 otherwise.

Anyway, since then Jeff has continued to do various jobs on the boat and I finished the quilt for our vee-berth bed, two quilts for the dogs, an apron, and curtains for the forward part of the boat.  The curtains have been very valuable since the sun comes in those windows and heats the cabin up.

We have been sleeping on Aisling since last Wednesday and discovering how to make her organized and where to store things.  Today we bought some storage bins that fit in a storage area perfectly.  We are able to store 36 cans of dog food (each can lasts for 3 days - six meals) and their treats, and meds in that area.

I've also been moving my clothes and toiletries onto Aisling and organizing them.  Aisling is beginning to feel like home and I'm amazed that for not having any room or much storage area, we are getting things in place.

The Yanmar engine mechanic did some quick troubleshooting and found antifreeze in the oil and oil in the antifreeze.    This marina is busy and so far we have not been able to get the work even started.  Tomorrow, will be one week since we were towed here and hopefully the work will begin soon.

Meanwhile,  Jeff has been busy installing a new battery charger that uses the solar panels and/or the engine alternator as the charging source.  

The marina we are in is adjacent to some properties that are being developed by the Under Armor executive James Plank and his various companies.   The Sagamore Spirit distillery which opened only this month is next door to the marina.  They make a rye whisky using a unique 40 foot polished copper still.   Jeff took the photo below.    Meanwhile, today an article appeared in the New York Times about the Port Covington development that are making this part of Baltimore City re-vitalized.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/realestate/under-armour-preakness-kevin-plank-sagamore-port-covington.html

Sunday we brought Caitlin, our Baltimore granddaughter,  to Aisling.  It was her first time seeing the boat.  She had a great time playing pirate, and Jeff took her on the bow of the boat and even to the very top with the "smoke stack".

We  now have a Twitter account where we will upload short updates and photos.    Just follow the Twitter user @mv_aisling  -- that stands for Motor Vessel Aisling.   https://twitter.com/MV_Aisling