Getting ready for the season

Launch day or rather lift in day went according to plan last week and the quay at the club is now clear of over wintering boats. Esso, quite surprisingly, issued an extended licence for this to happen. An extension I took advantage of to get some work done. The lease has been seen, signed and returned and is just waiting final agreement from Esso HQ before we are truly back in business.

With the extended licence I dashed straight down from work on Monday last week and rigged the boat so that I could take her off the trailer, which I did, and then on Tuesday morning rushed the trailer to Fawley Trailers in Badminston Lane, where I left it in the capable hands of Adrian to do a service, courtesy of some persuasion by Sharon from Churchouse.

Whilst Daislebee was in the water I gave her top sides a thorough clean and fitted the batteries properly. I was joined by Tony during the afternoon which somewhat delayed too much progress..... but the next morning, when I got the trailer back, running very nicely, I was able to get on with rigging and other bits and bobs.

Rigging ...grrrrr....up went the mast with all the halyards attached...only to come down again to put the wind vane and lights on.....up again......down again...a rope had come unsheaved....up again...only to discover the peak halyard and the topping lift needed to be swapped over...wrong blocks...it was about that time I gave up,,,,,and set off for home.

But most of the work is done and I have a list of new jobs to to next time I am down.

Back at home I am giving a few finishing coats to the flag staff I have mad to replace the one I snapped last year.  £30 odd from most chandlers...just a bit of broom handle surely....well it is now.

Just need to put the fittings on and its ready to go with the new ensign I got for Christmas.

I have also been lurking on E bay...dangerous place isn't it. The result, amongst other items, is some dyneema line on order , a hook and a snatch block.

The idea behind it is based on a successful trial a fellow sailor, Nick Payne, has had making the winching process easier by using a turning block to reduce the pulling load. I'll take some pictures of the arrangement when it's fitted and provide links to the items used...assuming it's successful.

Other items on order are the service kit for the engine, some car back seat tidys' to store items along the side of the cabin. LED bulbs are also on their way to me, to replace the standard bulbs with brighter, less current hungry navigation lights.

The mast lifter has been used quite a lot and is reasonably successful but needs some tweaks. When I'm happy with it I'll post some pictures.

All in all, once she's been to Rock for her hull re furb she is going to look cracking for the new season...can't wait.