| Marilyn Anne went in the water Friday and was sent up to Monroe on Sunday. It's something of a production, moving a 13,500 pound craft into the water. This year, all went off smoothly.   The copper colored bottom is a trade mark of VC-17, the bottom paint we use. Once in the water it will eventually mellow to a darker gray. For a while, however, the bottom is pretty stunning in its own right. This year, we repainted her yellow boot stripe a deep blue. Change can be a good thing; we're really happy with the way it turned out.    It takes at least two men to operate the travel lift, three are better. The guys who work in the East Chicago yard are very skilled at what they do. They also, tend to be pretty colorful characters. Beadle, Paul and Hijito are Teamsters and entertaining Teamsters at that.   Sometimes, in life, you have to walk the plank....    Once she's in the water, a good deal needs to happen before she can be moved. Fuel, water, cushions, etc, need to be added. The rigging needs to be adjusted. And, of course, the sails need to be put up.   And, she is off, en route to another season at Monroe!  |
