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The Bobcat in Repose
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Winter can be a long time in the Big Sky Country. But we have a slow thaw happening that will hopefully continue. And boat work is about to commence as long as the weather allows. The Typesetter has been a great help in getting the Bobcat this far. The bottom has been glassed and awaits finishing. To that end graphite and fairing material are on the way. After paint the hope is to only flip it once. The plan is fleet colors, white with a "In the Navy" blue band at the top sides, buff topsides and a yet to be determined interior. We're working on the sail now. Turns out 110sqft is a bit bigger then what we can do on our sewing table but my mothers basement works just fine.
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Sailrite Kit for a Bolger Bobcat
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Work on the Kat Boat should commence later this week or next. It's really just getting the boat ready from her winter slumber. Pull everything out, inspect, repaint, varnish, repeat. The list is long. A major project will be adding a forestay. Although the tabernacle does a fine job the loads could be spread out a bit more. This will mean replacing the current bow light with side lights and adding a mast hound and bow fitting. Nothing to awful hard but work nonetheless. A new sail is on order from Duckworks and should arrive late June. Due to the size, 145sqft, their usual loft was unable to fill the order. Originally cream the plan is now tanbark and according to my fellow catboater's, although rare it's perfectly acceptable for our craft. Just make sure all is Bristol Fashion with such a distinctive sail! Cushions have been patterned and will be added before we sail for the year.
The official kick off this year will be the traditional Juneteenth weekend with the Finley Point Messabout. I'll be in town for most of my own event running steam engines and observing the Buffalo Soldier event being put on by our local historical museum. It used to be a safe bet for a messabout but with the federal holiday I feel I may be needed in other areas. Part of being a visible member of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community.
Not making it to Port Townsend this year, or possible the western PNW at all. Attending the Center for Wooden Boat's Wooden Boat Festival was the idea in September but that event will not be happening this year. But that does not stop other plans afoot further in the future. The goal is to make it back to the Pocket Yacht Palooza in 2023. The original idea was to bring the Bobcat out with a boom tent but that has grown to bringing Kat Boat back and sailing the Pocket Yacht Crooza in full. 2022 will be about training for three nights on salt water. Hopefully the boys will make it and maybe even The Typestter's vessel will make an appearance. Time will tell.
All of this moving ahead is weather dependent. Goal is to put the Kat Boat in such a state to day sail on Memorial Day, and full mission readiness on June 17th. I have my first scheduled "charter" (The vessel is NOT for hire) with my oldest friend in July. This is the earliest I've even thought about doing outside boat work so hopefully those dates are not to pie in the sky. Not to mention all the yacht club stuff I'll possibly be involved in this year. It's going to be a busy one!
