Plans
We have been busy with the rest of life this month (September is always a very busy time at work for us both). However, our thinking has been progressing and we have been finding lots of inspiration from very small boats and from other people's projects. So for
Plans
Today was beautiful weather and we were able to get the last coat of paint on both masts (at least for the moment) m We are not in a rush now to get the masts up. There is nothing to be gained by putting them up in the boatyard for
Progress
Today has been less certain when it comes to rain than we had hoped. However, this morning we sanded the masts with 400 grit, then washed and dried them. In the end we waited until 3pm for painting in the hope of more certainty about it staying dry. This time
Plans
Tuesday was the last day of our holiday and so was always going to be busy packing up all the tools and materials that we have been using for just over two weeks. However, our biggest decision and challenge was where do go next with the painting of our masts.
Progress
Jane has now filled all the areas of the main and mizzen masts where we have removed corrosion. The plan is to sand the filler and then put the 2 part undercoat on tomorrow. Meanwhile I removed all the fittings from the mizzen boom (we have a new main boom)
Sailing
We have really enjoyed watching Peter Lawless prepare his Rival 41 for sailing around the world singlehanded non stop (aiming to be the first Irishman to do so). Here is his departure video You can track his progress from here: Live Tracker
Progress
Today has been long and hard work. However, we have managed to sand/grind, wash, clean with acetone and then paint with Epoxy Primer both our masts. Part of the challenge is that for the primer to stick to aluminium you have to paint very quickly after sanding. At least
Plans
With a beautiful day we had a nice slow morning with family and then got back to preparing our main and mizzen masts for painting (well we also washed the dinghy and equipment). We now have all the wiring out of the main mast. We have put messenger lines in
Dinghy
We have done a lot of thinking about our foredeck (mostly related to anchoring, sail plan and dinghy storage). During one of the lockdowns we did some thinking about how to use the forecabin beyond the anchoring plans in terms of layout. We checked a lot of those measurements when
Plans
Our first fully dry day for what seems like forever and what a difference it has made!! Our last work on the mast was in Slow progress preparing the Main mast for refurbishment, plus tangs continue Today the first task was to try to get the mast foot off. We
Progress
No progress yesterday as we went to a distant family funeral. Then today has been one of those days where you plan one thing and end up doing something completely different. Jane was going to work on mast tangs and I was going to work on the main mast. However,
Progress
Today has mostly alternated between rain and drizzle which has dampened progress. Most of the jobs inside are still easier when we can do the timber cutting and sanding outside. So when we could, Jane continued with the work on the mizzen tangs while I started on the main mast.