A Sailing Boat Again . . .Kind Of!

SHIP'S LOG:

ABISHAG is a sailing boat again! Well, at least she has her sail back from the loft.  They haven't been "bent on" as of yet for to do so, perched perilously on the poppets, would be to invite a tumble and the thought of the damage her 11 tons would do crashing to the ground is painful to contemplate.

I was however, with a little help, able to get the newly re-windowed dodger back in place. I can actually see through it. The previous vinyl "window" was so old that it lost its flexibility and as a result cracked in several places in the heavy winds of the storms I experienced during the trip on the ICW. Repairs were made with fiberglass reinforced packing tape which worked well for about a month before the UV rays made it fall apart. It had to be regularly replace and each time the cracks and tears got bigger. In addition, I could see through it so the window obviously had to be replaced.

The batteries are still not in. The yard boss says that unless there is an absolute need, they prefer to install them once the boat is in the water. It is much easier then hauling them 10 feet up a ladder. They are kinds heavy and going up a ladder with one is slightly dangerous. I can see their point, so installation will await launching.

The welding will have to wait until the welder gets up to speed with the jobs he has lined up. As I noted before, welding and rain just don't mix and we have had a surprising amount of rain recently, which is the reason for the back-up.  It will take him less time to do the job than it will to haul all the equipment he needs to do it from his shop down to where ABISHAG patiently awaits. I shall continue to make myself "present" around the yard in the hope that he gets tired of seeing me and just comes and does the job. Hopefully, it will be sometime this week!