August 31 – Merrickville Haul Out
44°55′7″ N 75°50′5″ W

All good things must come to an end – and so it is for my adventures on Santosha this summer.

I was up early this morning to finish my pre-haul out chores. I wanted to get certain things done before the boat was out of the water & sitting on jackstands – simply because it is way easier getting stuff off the boat when it is on the dock compared to going up & down a ladder 10 or 20 times.

Photo below: cool mist on the water this morning – fall is in the air

All the remaining groceries are off the boat as well as my clothing, etc. Whatever is left on board can stay there for the winter.

Santosha was hauled out at 10:00am, the bottom power-washed & she was sitting on blocks & jackstands by noon.

Once that was done I went on back on board to shut off the batteries, seal up all the windows on the inside & put the winter window covers on the outside. All that remains to be done is to winterize the engine & the plumbing. I will be coming back this way around the end of September & will do those final tasks then.

I have also arranged for a mechanic to come & look at the bow thruster. Once the boat was out of the water I was able to get a better look at the unit & it appears that the motor needs to be rebuilt. I will have that work done over the winter & it will be ready to be reinstalled early next spring in lots of time before launching in June.

This summer has been amazing. Traveling the Rideau System has been on my “bucket list” for over 10 years & it was well worth the wait. Tons of fun with family & friends & I’m looking forward to traveling the Trent-Severn Waterway next summer.

Photo below: Aylings Boatyard office – a beautiful stone building.

My nephew Wayne came to pick me up in Merrickville & took me back to his place in Ottawa for an overnight stay in a “real” bed. I’ll take the train home to London tomorrow.

Cheers Everyone!