Now there's a new engine, a new bow thruster, a new Genoa, new this, new that. Carefree sailing for the next 40 years. Let the vacation begin!
The first morning of the vacation. The boat is loaded for at least a week's needs, the sun is shining warmly, the wind is from the east, off we go! Barely behind the first island, the forestay wire breaks from the upper part of the mast when pulling out the new Genoa. No choice but to set course for the shipyard at Hernesaari and change plans for the vacation. The forestay hung on the hoist rope throughout the journey and was on the verge of breaking when we reached the dock in the shipyard's harbor. A night at the dock, and in the morning, the shipyard crew came to lift the forestay with sails and furling gear onto the dock. The investigation began to find a new furling gear, forestay wire, and someone to do the job. It would be July in a week, and the next time we could address the issue would be earliest in August or September. So, practically speaking, in September at the earliest. This sailing season started off well :) fortunately, Lauren's mast stands on the deck, supported by a baby stay in front of the mast. In other words, the boat could move with the engine, "normally," but not with sails. We didn't let this "minor" setback depress us, and we motored around "sailing" with the boat this season. 256 hours were clocked on the new sailboat engine in the first summer after the engine change, i.e., a quarter of the engine's warranty period. 0 hours under sail :)
The new furling gear finally arrived in mid-August, and the boat was lifted into the shipyard. At the same time, a bow platform, lazy jacks, and a lazy bag for the mainsail were installed. I can say that these are invaluable accessories for a sailboat. Lazy jacks automatically fold the mainsail onto the boom. Before these three-legged ropes from the upper spreader to the boom, the mainsail had to be manually folded and secured to the boom with bungee cords. In rough weather, it was a really dangerous task next to the swinging boom on deck. The mainsail folds into the lazy bag, which protects it from the sun's UV rays and dirt = bird droppings. It is said that one hour of sun on nylon equals 30 washes. UV protection significantly extends the life of the sail.
On a sailboat from the 70s-80s, boarding the boat is done either over the side, if possible, or typically over the bow. The bow is high and narrow. Additionally, there are obstacles such as the Genoa furling gear. A bow platform with cassette steps significantly eases access to the boat and reduces the risk of falling between the boat and the dock. There's experience in that too, but luckily, there was some drunken luck on board. Only the glasses and shoes were lost. But life was preserved, for both me and the dog. Home insurance covered the new glasses and sailing shoes, so the only damage was having to throw on the winter cover for the boat a second time. Fortunately, the boat has an efficient heater, dries clothes, and Captain Morgan. The unexpected swimming trip for the dog was more annoying than shocking. You could see it on the face the whole rest of the evening.
Capt. Simma
Dictated but not read.
