Update - Saturday, November 5, 2005
A very busy day for all in preparation for the voyage. Ann and Michael added food provisions. Jay and Donna went to a marine store and purchased bolts, nuts, polypropylene line, 3M 5200 fast cure, and washers. We did not buy a sea anchor bridle and other pieces of equipment which seemed incredibly important at the time. Too bad about that little reference book which details the relative strength of minerals.
At the dock, Donna spent two hours aloft in the Bosun's chair installing the radar reflector on the mast above the staysail stay. She learned why her habit of saving used stainless steel screws was misguided, after being forced to toss at least a dozen screws which bent, stripped or broke at 40' above.
Jay and Michael managed to figure out how to mount the life raft on the deck instead of keeping it in the hold. The solution involved a trip to Home Depot for oak to mount the cradle above the sleeve for the hatch. The Home Depot did not have mahogany, but the red oak is good wood, and we were able to get stainless steel screws for mounting. The Man Overboard Pole was repositioned for more effective deployment. Ann packed the abandon ship bag and dispensed with all of the expired medicines already on board. Ann and Jay filled the portable and onboard diesel tanks. Water tanks were topped off. The damage from the collision last week was sanded by the ship's carpenter, Michael. Unnecessary gear was removed. The dodger was installed, after its repair by Brenda, part of the on shore crew. Things were stowed into the many cubbies throughout the boat. Kore and Maureen's "bon voyage" present was opened, revealing overwhelming gifts of chocolate, books, wine, nips, star guides, puzzles and PJs. What more could a person want?
We got back to Cambridge to enjoy soup by Kate and left over risotto by George. Pam S-C sent us off with Harbor Sweets and poetry. We had a lot of fun reading the verses out loud. We downloaded a warning from our Real Weather service recommending that we delay departure to avoid a front scheduled to slam us in the Gulf Stream. The crew huddled. We are leaning towards a 24 hour delay in departure, but are so prepared and exicted to cast off that any delay is a disappointment.
The real sour note of the day is that Petra, our big calico cat, has been missing for 36 hours. She will be grounded when she reappears.
Donna
At the dock, Donna spent two hours aloft in the Bosun's chair installing the radar reflector on the mast above the staysail stay. She learned why her habit of saving used stainless steel screws was misguided, after being forced to toss at least a dozen screws which bent, stripped or broke at 40' above.
Jay and Michael managed to figure out how to mount the life raft on the deck instead of keeping it in the hold. The solution involved a trip to Home Depot for oak to mount the cradle above the sleeve for the hatch. The Home Depot did not have mahogany, but the red oak is good wood, and we were able to get stainless steel screws for mounting. The Man Overboard Pole was repositioned for more effective deployment. Ann packed the abandon ship bag and dispensed with all of the expired medicines already on board. Ann and Jay filled the portable and onboard diesel tanks. Water tanks were topped off. The damage from the collision last week was sanded by the ship's carpenter, Michael. Unnecessary gear was removed. The dodger was installed, after its repair by Brenda, part of the on shore crew. Things were stowed into the many cubbies throughout the boat. Kore and Maureen's "bon voyage" present was opened, revealing overwhelming gifts of chocolate, books, wine, nips, star guides, puzzles and PJs. What more could a person want?
We got back to Cambridge to enjoy soup by Kate and left over risotto by George. Pam S-C sent us off with Harbor Sweets and poetry. We had a lot of fun reading the verses out loud. We downloaded a warning from our Real Weather service recommending that we delay departure to avoid a front scheduled to slam us in the Gulf Stream. The crew huddled. We are leaning towards a 24 hour delay in departure, but are so prepared and exicted to cast off that any delay is a disappointment.
The real sour note of the day is that Petra, our big calico cat, has been missing for 36 hours. She will be grounded when she reappears.
Donna
posted by Welcome III at 21:25
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