Monday, Monday

The riggers are working hard on Distant Horizon. Still, their latest news was a bit of a disappointment. They will try to finish up the work on Monday. I was so hoping for sooner. However, they do great work and that is what I really need. So, rushing them is out of the question. Beside, the realistic deadline would be a week or 10 days longer. They are doing everything they can to shorten the schedule and get me moving... except short-cutting the work. If you ever need rigging work, Key Rigging is the best! I've been to other riggers all over the east coast, and none compare.

The boat is out of the water. One of the tasks being done by Keys Rigging is replacing the cutwater, which is where some of the rigging (bobstay) attaches to the hull near the waterline. The new cutwater arrived today and has been installed. This new cutwater is heavier and thicker. A new bobstay is being installed as well.

Gavin - Keys Rigging - Finishing the new cutwater

In addition to the bobstay and cutwater, Distant Horizon is getting a new forestay and roller furler along with a new backstay and Single-Sideband (SSB) antenna. The forestay and backstay attach to the top of the mast.

Curt Johnson - Keys Rigging - at the top of the mast

Curt - Keys Rigging - at the masthead connecting the backstay

With the cutwater installed, the boat can go back into the water Friday morning. Then the riggers will begin tuning the rig. That's adjusting all those wires to the proper tension so the top of the mast is directly over the boat with no bends or twists.

In the mean time, I am doing some other projects on the boat. I removed one of the portlights (windows). I am cleaning it up a bit, but only so I can apply some sealer. This was the only portlight on the boat that dripped during periods of heavy rain. It gives me the opportunity to create a template, which I can use for the other portlights; allowing me to re-seal them all in the future.

Portlight removed

 As you can see here, I did not polish the portlight before re-installing it. I think the boat would look funny with one shiny portlight and four other green patina portlights on the same side.

Portlight re-installed

Some days when it's not too hot, I go for a run in the morning.... I'll also have take a few moments to relax.