“Taaris” Moves to Maryland– Chapter 4

I'm home OK, but with lot's of drama on the way.  First I want to thank you for your hospitality and help yesterday!  The sandwich was awesome.

The trip started with the first tie-down strap coming loose on Rt. 25A (a few miles from your house).  It happened again about 10 miles down the LIE.  The real drama started when I miss read the exit number for the Clearview Expressway.  There was an accident on the LIE at exit 29.  While I was sitting in traffic, I glanced down at the road map to verify my exit number and read "Exit 21".  As I was negotiating the traffic, I cruised by exit 27 and saw the signs for the Clearview and Throgsneck Bridge.  No way to reverse direction so I resolved to go back the way I came... down through the Brooklyn Queens Expressway (IS278).  Fortunately the traffic was only moving about 5 mph... That road hasn't seen maintenance in the last 30 years.  But watching the boat and trailer bounce up and down every few yards wasn't the real problem.

About halfway to Staten Island I'm looking in the rearview mirror and realize that the left front jack-stand has come loose and is hanging down like a limp willy.  Now there's only three jack-stands keeping the boat from tipping over.  As you know that's an elevated highway and there are no turnoffs for emergencies.  I limped along as slow as I could alternating sweating and peeing my pants on every bump.  At the top of the Verrazano Bridge I'm seeing this image of my boat tipping over and either taking 4 or 5 cars with it, or going over the side into the river.  I was seeing my picture on the front cover of The Daily News... "Thunderbird falls off bridge and comes up floating."  I figured this must be some reality show where I can call a friend when I get stuck.  I tried to call my friend Lad in Maryland, but my hands were shaking so I couldn't dial the number.

I was finally able to pull over to the side on Staten Island (although still feeling the cars brush by my pants) and look at what was going on.  Fortunately when the Pad on the jack-stand flipped down, the boat landed on top of the pad edge which kept it from unscrewing any further.  But now I had another worry...  I was worried that the next bump would cause the pad to puncture the bottom of the boat hull.  Nothing I could do about it but keep on until I reached a safe area to stop. 

The Goethals Bridge was the next challenge.  For some reason they believe that 7' - 6" traffic lanes side-by-side constitute ample travel space.  I had about 2" of space to spare between the concrete barriers and the traffic passing me at double my speed on the other side.

I was finally able to stop at a service area 6 miles down the New Jersey Turnpike.  The large lock nuts that were suppose to keep the jack screw from turning were vibrating loose.  I was able to carefully back the offending one down a bit further in front, flip the pad up, and then raise the pad about 6" back into position without dumping the boat in the parking lot.  Two others were starting to loosen in the rear as well.  I retightened everything and continued on down the NJ Turnpike.  One mile before the Delaware Bridge crossing the same thing happened again.  Stop, get out the pipe wrench, re-tightened and continue on home.  I left your house at 2:30PM, and arrived home at 9:30PM.  Went directly to bed!!!  "Taaris" is resting as well.

Bob