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

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Description

The masthead with its newly-installed VHF antenna, anchor light, and Windex weather vane.

The 14 pound Danforth anchor is mounted on deck anchor chocks for ready availability and ease of use. (I've got a smaller 9 lb spare Danforth with chain and rode stored under the cockpit.) The anchor rode is 10' of 1/4" coated chain and 200' of 5/16" nylon line stored below in the forward v-berth locker.

Close-up of the anchor and chocks. (I added the Nicro air scoop, the only means of ventilation in the '74 Catalina 22 besides the companionway.)

NOTE:   I later learned this was a poor location, as the jib sheets often caught on the anchor when tacking.  I subsequently changed over to a Delta Fast Set anchor and anchor roller on the bow.

The cockpit and hatch after clean-up.

The companionway from the cabin below looking aft, ready to go. (See  how it looked early in the project).

Chip Ahoy as close to the water as it's gotten yet. I trailered it to Marblehead Trading Company's Beacon St. boatyard on July 7, where it awaits installation of a new keel hanger casting kit and centering spacer kit, keel zincs, getting the bottom painted and the mast stepped. I'm still shooting to launch later this week. (This is the first shot of Chip Ahoy using my new Olympus D-560 digital camera.)

Chip Ahoy in the crane's sling as it's prepared for bottom paint (July 10)  and launching.

The bottom is wet at last as the yard crew ponders stepping the mast.

Chip Ahoy, mast up and finally ready to sail ... hallelujah.

It's never-ending ... but the good times have arrived!