Boat Update

Here's a boat update:

We've borrowed a mast from my dad, who's not using his boat this year, and stepped it.  We've run most of the rigging, although a few things have us scratching our heads.  Tonight before the race we'll tune the rig and try the main halyard for the first time. 

The Mast Fund has been an unexpected success.  23 of you have contributed, and the total is $1964.68.  (Typepad/Paypal appear to take an 8% cut, which makes those numbers look a little wonky.  I think what you guys actually pledged comes out to $2010.)  There was one anonymous donation that was exceptionally generous, and I actually got nervous and tearful when I saw it, and tried to figure out how to give it back.  To you, I say, wow.  I wish you could see my face.  I wish I knew who you are, except partly I love not knowing.  It feels a little bit like magic, this way.  And to all of you, I say, thank you.  I can sit here quivery and get all teary at this sense of support from so many people I've not yet met.  It's a powerful kind of gratitude you've inspired in me.  I don't have the vocabulary to write about it, really, which is why I've been speechless about it for a few days. 

And my cup runneth over, because amazingly, the insurance company is going to send us a check for the mast, less our $250 deductible.  So we can replace the mast, and if we are lucky enough to find a used mast that could work, we might have money left over to make a bunch of other necessary repairs.  Ruby and I sat on the boat last night in the gathering darkness, running lines and halyards and making a list of all the things we should repair/replace. 

If it's okay with those of you who donated, I'd like to use those funds for boat and house repairs, if insurance money fully covers the mast.  If that's not okay, please let me know -- I can give the money back.  I don't want anyone to think that I solicited money for false pretenses or anything like that. 

The boat repair list that Ruby and I made last night:   

1) Beer opener permanently affixed to boat
2) Trailer: fix rust / paint job? sail/gear box?
3) Spinnaker pole -- new end.  ~$50?
4) Tiller: remove, epoxy, refinish
5) Traveller cleat
6) Mast puller?
7) Jib lead bullet block on starboard side
8) boom vang
9) Establish travel fund: pick regatta for 2007 -- Marblehead or Newport and set aside some $$
10) Larger twing blocks or smaller spinnaker sheets
11) Starboard jib block
12) Replace cam cleats: jib, spin halyard, mast puller
13) New traveller line
14) 4 Harken blocks for traveller and backstay
15) Fraculator!
16) Cunningham
17) Fix jib tack
18) Install bilge pump
19) Tires for trailer
20) New sails?
21) Have port side chainplate looked at  -- reinforce?
22) Bottom touch up
23) Redo nuts & washers
24) Cupholders
25) Outfits
26) Gel coat spider cracks
27) Glass cosmetics

Comments

It's just a small return on the pleasure we get from reading your posts. Here's one [anonymous] vote for "go ahead and spend it on whatever." Heck, add a sixpack to the list.

[pjm]

I just like the fact that you can add the bare word "Fraculator!" to the list and either (a) know what it signifies to you, or (b) expect other people to know, or (c) both.

[hkd]

I like that the number 1 item on the repair list is the beer opener. You're my kind of girl! My small donation, which you are more than welcome to keep, should cover that one.

[AdriftAtSea]

No sense in having you sail a boat that is in need of repair...might even damage the replacement mast doing that...so I'd have to agree that the boat repairs are a good choice.

After all, sailing is one of the major reasons we read your blog...and if you don't take care of your boat....you can't keep sailing it.

The house repairs are pretty key too. Need to keep the roof over the head of one of our favorite bloggers sound and reliable.

[Jill]

Please do keep it and use it for boat and house repairs!

[Trevor]

I agree. Please, do use it as you like, boat/house/lawn, etc.... The money pales in comparision to... well, everything.

Your blog brightens my working day, so use the money from the latter for whatever keeps you writing the former :-)

[Carol Anne]

1. Absolutely essential.
2. I'm getting really good at trailer stuff, so if you need my help, drop me a line.
4. My tiller needs the same.
9. Why limit your choices to Newport and Marblehead? Dillon and Elephant Butte are fun, too.
15. Yeah, that's another part of the Etchells mystique. Ya gotta have a fraculator.
18. Not only do you need a bilge pump; no two Etchells have it in the same place, so you'll have to be creative when you install yours. Mine's forward, and the outlet hose was originally at the front of the elevated part of the deck in front of the mast; a previous owner of my boat relocated the outlet more forward so that it interferes with the jib tack adjustment lines.
21. You're kidding. Who would have thought that chainplates might need attention?

[Gerald]

Just out of couriosity, how much purcase do you have on your traveler? Mom's has a 2-1 purchase, 438 has a 5-1 system, and Larry (38) has a 4-1 with dried bearings in the car!

[Ted Johnston CEO GMP]

If you would contact us to discuss your writings for possible publishing and a colaboration of the Docu Drama "The Diary of a SEA CAPTIANS WIFE" screenplay adaptation.
We cannot accept any material unless a copyright is provided, CDA and disclaimer are signed. This is to protect you and are interests.
Blessings and a happy New Year.

[Perry Degener]

Can penetrating epoxy recover the tensile strength of a bottom that is made from marine plywood? How will it penetrate the many layers? Is it worth it to try?