Evanston: almost
Evanston: almost
I had GANNET taken from the water early to allow for bad weather days, but we have had nearly perfect weather now for almost two weeks. That may be changing. Rain is likely, and temperatures this weekend are due to be 20º cooler, with lows around freezing.
Today was my sixth day at GANNET in the past nine, and the little boat is almost ready to go west.
Yesterday three fellow sailors helped get the mast lowered. This was rather high-priced labor, though given to me free: a dentist; an oral surgeon; and an “international steel grader.” I don’t know what that is, but it is big. Their help was more than welcomed, it was essential. Thanks, Larry, Ed and Bill, very much.
The mast came down smoothly, but the bolt at the hinge on the aft side of the step stuck. Eventually we got the mast free with the hopelessly bent bolt still partially in place. This afternoon I cut it with a Dremel tool to remove the halves.
Carol and I put the name and registration decals on and masked the rub rail and waterline. I got one coat on them yesterday and another today.
Although there is an obvious wave in the waterline, which I hope won’t be as noticeable when the boat is afloat, I’m happy with the results.
Ed was kind enough to say that GANNET not only passes the view from a boat length distance test, she even passes the half boat length test.
Securing the mast and rigging is time consuming. The jib furling gear requires that the mast be father aft than when GANNET was delivered to me. Then it rested on the pulpits. Now the foot is on the foredeck, and there is barely room for me to squeeze through the companionway into an interior that has become a nightmare.
I’ll be very glad when GANNET is a boat again.
Monday, October 1, 2012