Trip 149 - Saturday - Sept 11th

Not many pictures, but I tightened down the mast and worked on the wiring for a bit.

Now, if you are a Purist at these things, close this page and seek strong drink. And lots of it. Then, find it in your heart to forgive me.

The Mast Tuning

Since my forestay is all set, I simply tightened the backstay a bit. I can adjust the forestay, but do not have the energy nor am I smart enough to know where the top of the mast should be anyways, front to back.

Good Enough ...

I loosened the lower shrouds till they just hung there. Then, using the halyard for the main, drew it tight to the deck on one side, and checked the other. About 3/4" or so. Loosened the one side, tightened the other, checked again, made another smaller adjustment. Checked again and good enough. Then, ran both turnbuckles down another 10 turns each.

How did I know that a stretchy halyard was the same length on both sides?

Touch

I simply stretched it on the one side as hard as I could, measured, and repeated on the other. Did each side twice that way.

Good Enough ...

Then, I finger-tightened the forward shrouds, then the back, and ran them down about 8 turns each.

Good Enough ...

The Test will be out in the wind. The Upper Shroud on the leeward side should not flop, yet be snug. The Forward Shroud on the leeward side should be snug. The Rear Shroud on the leeward side should be tight.

This is probably the tightest these have ever been.

 

Here is a tiny baby spider. We had a hundred of these on board.

Why are not God's Creatures afraid of the immense world beyond their web and unspeakable dangers, as they are so very tiny tiny?

Marcia and I did our best not to step or set on them.

Later ...