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

Sailing Season ‘09 is here at last

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Description

As I expected, with Chip Ahoy parked outside my front door, it kept calling to me. On Thursday I could resist no longer, despite still being sore.  It was time to uncover the boat for the upcoming season. Let Sailing Season 2009 officially begin -- at least the projects in preparation for it!

-- More of the ritual uncovering --

The first big project this season will be replacing the boom with the longer one I bought last fall. Chip Ahoy's old (with the boat since I bought it) boom is 4 inches too short, I learned last year. I'll get started on the hardware swap-over as soon as we get the mast up and can hang it. (Apr. 9, 2009)

-- See close-up comparison --

With the able assistance of Wally Riddle and Michael Sullivan, yesterday we raised Chip Ahoy's mast.  (Apr. 15, 2009)

-- Raising Chip Ahoy's mast --

Initially and for years I thought the foot of the old main sail was stretched when there was no room on Chip Ahoy's boom for an outhaul. When I replaced it last spring with a new Ullman Offshore main sail there still was no room for an outhaul. From inquiries to the discussion group, I discovered the boom that came with the boat was 4 inches too short! Last fall I found a replacement locally, with the plan to replace it for the upcoming season.  (Apr. 19, 2009)

-- Replacing the Boom --

In 2005 I installed a new traveler car and rigged control lines forward outside the coaming and into the cockpit. I was never truly satisfied with the result. I decided I wanted the pull to be into the cockpit, not forward. After last year's cruise up to Chebeague Island and back, I planned to rearrange the situation this spring. I need to have the control line make a 90 degree curve inboard, and a cheek block on each side could accomplish that.  (Apr. 19, 2009)

-- Tweaking the Traveler Control Lines --

The keel, its 'thunk' repaired last spring, still appears to be in great shape.

Port Side   =   Starboard Side

I picked up the new vinyl Catalina 22 logos from All Kinds of Signs in Peabody yesterday and applied the decals this afternoon. Chip Ahoy, near as I can tell, never had the standard logos, and for years I'd been meaning to add them.  Jeff Struck on the discussion group had the design work done in Minnesota for his boat. He sent me and other list subscribers his artwork files. I had the pair made up in red (of course) with a silver outline.

-- Closeup --

The male of the pair of wild mallards I feed takes a look into Chip Ahoy's cockpit.  (May 16, 2009)

After last year's coast of Maine cruise (and deluge), I decided to spring for a larger tarp for Chip Ahoy's "pup tent" this season. The old one measured 6 feet by 6 feet. This new heavy duty tarp measures 8 feet by 8 feet, found online for under $10 at Shadenthings.

The new boom provides a few more inches of length. The new tarp covers another two feet over and along the boom, reaches a foot closer to the lifelines on each side, where it's secured with bungie cords like the old one.  (May 19, 2009)

Another View   =   Another View

Today -- a perfect summer day in May with the temperature heading for 90° -- Wally Riddle (left) and Michael Sullivan (behind me) arrived to help take down Chip Ahoy's mast.  (May 21, 2009)

-- More photos --

After dropping the mast, Wally and I picked up my Honda outboard from Ryan Marine Services. I had them tune it up and lube everything over the winter -- and add a quick-connect plug for the battery cables. Routing them through the aft cowl vent and beneath the cockpit to the battery busses inside the cabin each spring, reversing the process each fall, has always been a nuisance. Mark Ryan suggested the quick-connect plug when I'd inquired, so I had his company put one on for me while he had the outboard for servicing.

-- Closeup --

Manufactured by Anderson Power Products, this quick-connect plug seems to be the perfect solution [specs]. Only once more will I ever need to route those positive and negative battery cables. Next fall when I remove the outboard, I'll simply disconnect the fuel line, and the battery cables plug -- leave everything on the other end in place, waiting for next spring's quick connection before launch.  (May 21, 2009)

-- Closeup --
-- More Observations --