Yesterday, we had workmen on Zephyr. Jack--the electrician was back. Still sore but he appears much better. He talked to Tracy (I was still over here blogging)about what had happened since he left--nothing. Not really happy about that. He took the morning to get caught up on what had happened at the yard and was on Zephyr in the afternoon hooking up lots of wires. The VHF is now up and running and Jack did a radio check and got all the way to Seattle on it. Nice range. Much better than we have ever had with it. He says it will even be better once Zephyr had a better ground system installed--later this week maybe. Now I can hook up the computer to the system and see if our AIS works again. This is a really neat system that tells us lots of information about the really big boats and ships that are around us while we are out at sea or even in a harbor. Big boats and ships are required to carry a radio transponder that send out information about their boats--name, call sign, heading, speed etc. If you're out there, it can be a big help getting in touch with them(if they are even listening) and with the knowledge of their course and speed, you know where NOT to go. Really cool!!
The riggers showed up nice and early and got right to it. They put more epoxy on the bow so it could harden for the installation of the stem fitting(holds the forestay and anchor)and set about getting the boom ready for hoisting and installing. The new gooseneck(connects the boom to
the mast--a real nautical term) was installed. All screwed into the boom and up she came. A great new fitting. Much bigger than the last one.
Brion went up the mast to measure for the forestay. That's the big wire that will be holding the mast to the bow of the boat and that the genoa(big sail on the bow) attaches to. The fittings were installed so it can go on today.
Brion is off for another conference (boy he sure is popular) on Wednesday so he is trying to get as much done as possible before he leaves. It's to address a gathering of boat surveyors!!! Yeah--that's right!! The same groups of people we have been talking about earlier this week. He has my survey and others and is ready for bear. I'd love to be a fly on the wall during that speech. The bad thing is that he won't be back till Monday so unless the other riggers take action, not much will be happening till he gets back.
Lots of line--also known as rope to you land lubbers--was installed yesterday. We are going to have a special set up for the main sheet. That's the line that controls the boom(holds the main sail). It isn't going to have an end to the line. A special splice is made in it so that it becomes one long circle of line. If you pull on just one strand of line, the blocks(big gizmos the line is attached to that help pull in the line) comes in at a 3 to 1 ratio. If you pull on both lines at the same time, it will come in at a 6 to 1 ratio--lots faster!! It will make controlling the main sail lots easier and can let out or brought back in lots easier. Really cool!!
A new topping lift(holds up the outer end of the boom up) was rigged. Brion used Spectra line. Thin line but incredibly strong The 1/4 inch line is rated to hold over 7,000 pounds. Way over the top in strength. It's hooked to a three to one set of blocks so it will be really easy to lift the very heavy boom and mainsail--yeah!!
Lots of drilling and more fasteners were installed on the mast. Lots of new shiny bits of metal and things that go in them. We're getting to look like a sailboat again. Not sure when we will get back in the water but we are making better progress and I can't tell you haw good that feels.
My new "chip" for the chart plotter came yesterday. Now I will have really great electronic charts for the area all around us here at Point Hudson. This way, when we do get out, we will know what is where and what to avoid. This "chip" covers from Olympia to Puget Islands. Bill had already bought the "chip" to cover from Victoria to Point Roberts which is up North of us. Now we are nicely covered.
Well, the Sun is about up and I need to be headed back to Zephyr. The workman may be arriving soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment