The never-ending project to fill my hole in the ocean while bailing it out

- The 2006 Haul-Out -
October 26, 2006

Description

Okay, I waited long enough for the boatyard, in fact any boatyard -- and god knows I tried many over the past couple of weeks -- to haul-out Chip Ahoy.  Maybe it would happen, maybe not, seemed to be the best response, but not until mid-November.  So it was time to take matters into my own hands, finally.

Thus, I arranged a crew of my friends to trailer-out Chip Ahoy at the Winter Island ramp, in Salem across the harbor from my mooring, for today (Oct. 26. 2006) -- the best weather opportunity we had coming at us.  I bundled up (dug out the long underwear even!).

-- See a close-up shot --

I went down to the town dock and was met by an older gent running the launch (I guess the younger folks have all gone back to college), who thought I was nuts trying to do it today, in this wind.  He recommended that I keep my VHF on, in case something happens on my way over.  Even for the short trip across, I buckled on my life vest (see close-up shot above) and clipped my handheld VHF to my belt, turned it on, "just in case."

It was supposed to be blowing 7 mph from the WNW, gusting 17 from the NW.   He said it was blowing 20-plus anyway from the NW, gusting to 27-30.  I told him that I had a crew waiting for me on the other shore, had to get there -- that I'd be fine.  He recommended that I keep my VHF on nonetheless, he'd be monitoring his, just in case.

It was an interesting trip over:  my sunglasses besotted with salt spray, but when I arrived Wally Riddle, John Graichen, and Barbara, the love of my life and today's "official photographer," were ready and waiting.  What a relief!  (Wally Riddle, trailer-driver, in the photo at left.)

We quickly lined up, trailer to boat, and were soon on the hard in one shot in!  After that, everything's possible.  (Able hand John Graichen in the photo at left.)

With the boat out, now the fun begins -- unrigging everything in preparation to drop the mast.  Chip Ahoy has a lot to unrig, it's time-consuming.

It was still a bit nippy (maybe 50° or so), but it's not going to get any warmer for sometime to come -- like maybe 5 or 6 months!  Loosening the shroud turnbuckles was a good place to begin.

Next came removing the main sail -- a sure sign of a season ended.

Wally and John laying out and folding the main sail.  Ole 3282 is retired for the season, about to be bagged for another winter.

Removing the roller-furled genoa.  At least we had the wind to tension it for lowering.

With John on a line attached to the drum to keep tension on the forestay/roller-furler, keeping the drum from banging around and doing damage (to the drum itself, or to my Blazer!), Wally and I prepared to lower the mast.  I've been looking forward for some time to taking it down and finally inspecting what remained of my VHF antenna on its top.

The mast came down easily (gravity is a wonderful thing, coming down), but getting the pin out was, as usual, a bit of a problem though less so this year.  Learning a lesson from last year, we loosened all the shrouds a bit more this time.  The pin slid more easily up in the notch of the step plate, the wing nut securing it was more accessible and turned freely.

Wally and me, moving the mast to its supports.

John and me, position the mast on its forward support, a carpeted 2X4 tied across and to the bow pulpit, while Wally center the mast on its support in the cockpit against the transom.  Later, I'd secure the mast to its supports.

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