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

Season ‘07 is officially launched!

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Description

Beginning on the Small Repairs and Mini-Projects.  This includes repairing the rudder (left), refinishing the motor mount board (again), and completing installation of the VHF coax cable to the antenna mount and antenna, struck by lightning last season.  (May 12, 2007)

Wednesday evening, while heading from my office down the steep, narrow stairway to the kitchen, once again I took the top step just a little bit off, missed hitting the second step perfect by just a half inch or so more, and heel on the third step found myself sliding down "the chute" once again.  Seems this happens every year or two, but the damage this time was the worst in my experience since living here.  (May 16, 2007)

See:  "Down The Chute"

After two nights and day in between of increasing pain, on the second day I went to an orthopedic doctor to be checked over.  His x-rays showed a broken left clavicle and a broken left rib -- broken bones -- along with sprained ribs in the area of the break.  He strapped me into a "figure eight shoulder brace" and told me the collar bone will take six weeks to heal.  Even with my chest wrapped in an Ace bandage, he said the ribs will be the most painful.  I also whacked my left hip at the top of the pelvis, my left wrist (rug burn) and elbow, but those bruises and tenderness are almost gone.  What a great way to start off Sailing Season '07.  (May 30, 2007)

A week-and-a-half down now since the fall, four-and-a-half to go on the mend, and on the land.  The weather can't be any better, of course, and feeling improved (a result of gradual healing, or the Tylenol3 pain-killers I'm eating like candy), my thoughts are back on the boat.  But to continue healing right I must take it easy for the full six weeks, the doctor advised during my last visit, or it'll take longer later.  How frustrating, but at least there's not a whole lot more that needs doing before I can launch Chip Ahoy, once fully recovered.  I should be able to have it floating out on its mooring within a week later -- hopefully the first week in July!

After the blow.  You can tell I'm getting bored.  John Graichen (C-22 "Malacass") got caught out in yesterday's thunderstorm and blow.  His report to the discussion group list motivated me to mention its effects on my catalpa tree -- the "snowstorm" of blossoms from the 40 mph winds he confronted out in Salem Sound.
Two weeks from yesterday I'll see the bone doc again, and expect a clean bill of health; get rid of the brace and bandages.  Onward and forward after that, a quick-and-dirty launch maybe a week later.  (Jun. 22, 2007)

Chip Ahoy and its integral parts sit just where I left them (as does Chip Mate, the dinghy) before my "ride down the chute" -- in the midst of various project stages.   This is the same photo I could have taken five weeks ago -- not a whit has changed since -- but I've got only one more week (I hope) of healing to go before the doc removes the shoulder-harness and lets me get back to work.  Next week I should be able to pick up where I left off five weeks ago, making ready for a launch soon; probably another week or so later.  Gratefully, John Graichen ("Malacass") will be coming by to help me load the heavier things up the ladder and aboard, e.g., the batteries.  (Jun. 28, 2007)

July 5th was my personal Independence Day.  The shoulder harness came off and the doc told me I could get back to work, slowly; the collar bone is still mending:  "Don't over do it right away," he advised.  He saw no problem with me doing my annual singlehanded cruise -- was impressed with how well Chip Ahoy was set up for the task.
Oh boy, my next question to myself was, "Where did I leave off six weeks ago?!?"  John Graichen stopped by that afternoon and mounted Chip Ahoy's rudder.  That's right -- now it's coming back -- I'd just repaired it:  I need to paint it next.  (Jul. 7, 2007)

The motor mount bracket too -- right!  I'd left off the old board, the new plastic board and its stainless steel backing plate with Fraser Welding, the boatyard machine shop, six weeks ago to have the holes drilled.  I picked everything up yesterday, but am going to use the old wood board for this year.  I left off on that project with a coat of primer on that board.  Today I added the finish coat.

I got the rudder painted with a coat of Pettit Unepoxy bottom paint.  It's ready to go.  I also ran my new Cajun Ropes main halyard through the masthead sheaves.  It's ready to go too -- I'm making progress again!
The shoulder began aching a bit, so I called it a day early.  Wish I was up for doing more, but "don't over do it" I was advised, if I want to do my upcoming cruise.

In a dawn raid I attacked the hornets' nests in my cockpit shelves.  I hit them with a "flash-and-bang" thick fog of regular bug-killer spray, ran down the ladder, then picked them off like a sniper as they poured out with the high-velocity wasp & hornet canister from a distance.  The boat is now open, airing out again:  I have retaken ownership.
From there, I greased the Furlex roller-fuller system, then my shoulder started aching again.  (Jul. 8, 2007)

Regardless (rebuild those muscles!), I mounted the motor mount bracket board, using the stainless steel backing plate but keeping the freshly painted wooden board until next season.  This shoulder thing is a nuisance; it's taking too long to get out of my way, to get things done that need doing to launch.

I just opened the new-style cabin curtains kit I ordered from Catalina Direct over the winter, to install them today.  Curtains, fasteners, white disk do-hickeys, but no explanation how to install them or where, even how it's supposed to look when completed.
I've got four curtains, 20 screws, and 12 white nylon disk do-hickeys apparently for attaching velcro.  I believe the 20 screws will fasten the tops of the curtains -- but what do I do with the 12 fastener-less do-hickeys?  No, they don't peel-and-stick on, either.  (Jul. 15, 2007)

See:  The New-Style Cabin Curtains Project