Rain, Rain and More Rain! ! ! !

SHIP'S LOG:

The rains came just as NOAA predicted. It's amazing that they got it right. Then again, even a clock that is not running is right twice a day! Rather than spend the day bobbing around in the rain, I took the opportunity to take the vane off the self steering apparatus to have a new cover made, or I should say, to make a new cover. The vane came with a nylon sheath, intended to catch the wind like a sail and turn the rudder on the system to the proper course and hold it there, relative to the wind. Nylon is not the best item for long term exposure to sunlight (UV rays) as it deteriorate after a rather small amount of continuous exposure and literally become "brittle." A good puff of wind or a stray poking finger, and a hole is made and after that the vane sheath just falls to pieces. The one that came with the system lasted about a year, and though they included a second one when I bought the system, it was made of the same material and naturally would last about as long. A new sheath of a different material was needed.

I went to my old friends at the sail loft, where I used to put in some of my free time - in exchange for free sail repair - to help me with this project. Biker John gave me some extreme sail-cover material - stuff that is made to be out in the sun and wind for extended periods of time - and put me to work. I had not done anything like this in quite a while, but it was a rather simple project. Think of make a narrow, three foot long pillow case and you get the idea of the complexity, or lack, of the project. Between the yacking and catching up, it took about two hours but it got done and it will be fitted on the ABISHAG today. . . . . in between the predicted thunderstorms. Along with the endless supply of "projects" and maintenance, the day shall fill up nicely.

MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:

O I do love not having to go back and for to Black Rock Harbor. Got the car "adjusted" by the insurance company. I was afraid that they would total it. But the good thing about drive a P.O.S is that they don't cost that much to fix. $2,100 and four days, mostly to wait for the paint to dry, and I'll be back on the road. Sadly, may name throughout the insurance industry must be a source of horror and disgust. O well, such is life. I get to be a mark boat for the Governor's Regatta on Sunday - free food, Mount Gay & Tonic, a day in the sun - life could be worse!