11/22/2008 11:40:14

Over the past couple of weeks I've not really had time to write here however I did work on the boat.

Finished up the deck, where the Mast Step is located, after removing all the hardware I re-glasses, sanded and painted the surface. I added a new overheard brace between the beam and the overhead, redrilled all the holes for the brackets on the mast step and then checked all the hardware on the shrouds, stays and so forth.

I have mounted a swivel bracket to the base of the mast, modified a long pole to become my gin pole and did a couple of tests.

I need a couple of good, solid, double-pulleys and about 150 feet of new rope for the block and tackle, then we can step the mast for the first time. Going to pick up the rope today and get some pictures of me raising the mast for the first time.

If I get this right, JoAnne will be able to easily raise the mast as well herself without any help from me.

I still need to build some kind of a roller assembly at the stern of the boat over which we can raise the mast to make it sit properly and at the right angle to put the step pin through.

Also, I need to build a good, solid bridle or harness to hold the gin pole as everything is coming up and into place.  Should, with luck and if the weather holds out, have that all working this weekend.