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

Sailing Season 2010 Officially Begins
Launching Chip Ahoy
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Description

Monday was at last launch day. Loading the boat this year should have gone quicker than in the past -- considering that my goal was to limit things going aboard to lighten the boat and raise its waterline. The port-a-potti was left behind, along with a spare 14-pound Danforth anchor with 20 feet of 1/4" chain, the heavy toolbox; a large collection of every description of fasteners; electrical wire, connectors and tools; spare sails -- anything I've found non-essential (or never needed) over the years. I estimate the boat is 150-200 pounds lighter this season. I moved the 8-pound Danforth anchor and its bag of chain and rode from beneath the cockpit sole forward to beneath the v-berth, where the heavier backup anchor and much heavier chain had been stowed.

But even so, I pulled something in my back lugging things aboard up the step ladder, which slowed down (but didn't stop) progress. After a week's delay and a postponement or two, by last Sunday evening the boat was loaded and ready to be trailered down to Riverhead Beach the next morning.

My usual launching crew, Wally Riddle and Michael Sullivan, arrived at about 11:00 am. We hooked up the trailer to my Blazer, loaded the Honda 8 outboard, Idasailor rudder, and the step ladder into the bed of Wally's truck, and brought Chip Ahoy down to the beach and nearby launch ramp. Barbara accompanied us in her usual role of official event 'photo-journalist.'

The most fantastic spring in memory continues.  (May 24, 2010)

In past years Wally has been the mast-raising guy with Michael on the forestay, but with Wally's recent back problems (are we getting old, or is this contagious?) we decided not to waste his visits to the chiropractor; Michael and Wally would exchange roles this time.

As careful as we were to make sure nothing got tangled or caught, the inevitable happened -- then catching the pin through the mast and its step became a wrestling match. This was the most difficult time we've ever had getting that mast up. It took two tries and a lot of straining and maneuvering to get it up. (That solar panel is definitely in the wrong place when trying to step and raise the mast!)

Then, for some reason, the forward lower shrouds/turnbuckles seemed too short by about an inch. It took loosening up all of the turnbuckles to finally make it work. What is usually a quick task ended up taking much longer to finally connect. What a project this turned into this year!