Preparing to Set Sail

Figuring out the reef points while The Typesetter looks on and porta-john makes wisecracks.

 Our 1,400 mile sojourn to pick up the boat has left both myself and The Lady in need of a rest from long distance travel. Sadly this time of much needed rest falls over our favorite medieval event of the the year. But the silver lining is a very relaxed pace to prepare the boat for her official debut on Saturday, October 6th at Finley Point State Park. And today was a day for doing just that.
 Where the boat currently resides it's impossible to raise the mast for boom and spar work. So it's off to find a suitable location to do that. Today was Thursday and like so many of those days The Typesetter and myself, joined by The Lady took in coffee and fiddled with the boat. As we got the rig up some rather startling peculiarities popped up.
 I've had the rig up before and the first thing I noticed was the mainsheet did not run free. There was an incredible amount of binding in the triple block set up and that was dangerous. I figured it was a combination of a mainsheet too long in the heat, sticky and stiff, and blocks at the wrong angle. I was sure right about the wrong angle. The entire boom has a pretty severe warp to it. This causes the block to bind the sheet on what would be starboard tack and leaving no cushion should a gust hit. I remember well how I fought the issue of binding in the Blue Flower and ended up changing that set up as well.

C'mon catboat! Let's do the twist!

 This would require some fixing. I was also looking at how to reef. And doing it at sea would be hazardous if not almost impossible. And sailing on Flathead that isn't an option. So jiffy reefing it would be. I have set this up on my Piccup Pram and it has proven to be quite successful. So off to a few neighnoring harbor stores to get the requisite parts.

The Typesetter lounging while parking lot sailing.

Happy skipper.

Shadow is a fine dog.

 First up was a new mainsheet. There is a Duckworks order coming soon that will include all line needed but with the splash fast approaching a new mainsheet is the minimum we'll need. With the boat I got a back of assorted blocks and I found I had enough swivel blocks to replace all but one. This drastically helped take that apprant warp out of the boom and combined with the new sheet the boom runs free.

Swivels all around

  Jiffy reefing was based on a diagram I found on Pinterest as well as my own experience. The corners were done with padeyes leading up to the reef grommets. Although there is some friction in the system subsequent testing has shown the validity and usability of the concept. We'll hit the water the ability to reef. And that is important.

The basics of the idea

Forward starboard

Forward poartside

With a the reef in.

  Those were the major things accomplished on the boat today. There where a few minor fixes, line replacement, tightening up the gaff outhaul with renewed line and ensuring other things were ship shape. The mainsheet aft padeye was also replaced with a smaller eye and a swivel block to help with the tension issue. Tomorrow the hope is to install a gaff bridle and a rope traveler at the stern. We'll have the option to sail with either depending on the weather. We splash in three days. And we'll be more then ready.
 Also sold the trailer that Lazy Shamrock was on to The Typesetter and included the boat. New adventures for both I'm sure!