"Parts is parts"

Last blog entry I made a note that Ed had purchased a new alternator when in fact he had bought parts to rebuild the spare we had on hand.  He has NOW gone to purchase one.  He says that if the auto zone in Guaymas doesn't have one, he'll drive to Tucson tomorrow to get one.  I asked why he wouldn't just go to the boat store to get one and he says that the boat store, if they had it, would charge a couple hundred bucks for an 80 dollar part.  He also believes they'd have to order it, and so on.

I just smiled.

We met with the female half of a couple at the boatyard yesterday who trailered their (smaller) boat down here to sail.  She was going on about how much there is to do and how long it took to close up the boat for how little sailing time they get in.  Ed asked how long they'd been sailing and she said 2 months.  He then asked how long they'd been in the yard closing up and she said three days.  Ed got this look on his face and said 'wow, that's pretty fast'.  She started laughing, as did I, and told him, emphatically, that was NOT fast.  Then she looked at me and said this must be a venus and mars thing.  I got tickled.  I still find it fascinating how complete strangers with a common denominator will just come out with it when frustrated.
Having seen what goes into shutting down our boat, and now, what must be done prior to launching after a year on the hard, I too believe three days is fast.  But I totally get what she was saying, as most men just move slower, or should I say more meticulously.  And when I'm on the boat, I'm glad of it.  Most that just get onto someone else's boat for a quick sail, or a long one for that matter, haven't the foggiest as to what it has taken to make sure they stay afloat.  If you're not the captain, you likely don't have the investment that he/she does, so cannot fully appreciate what must be done.  Having said that, I have seen where some men do enjoy hanging on a bit longer then necessary.

Its not a vacation but an adventure.  Big difference.