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Saturday December 3, 2005
To complete the entry from last time, the deal did go through and off went "Fun For Five". It is an interesting attachment we men have for our boats. I speak only as a man, perhaps some women fell the same. It was sad to see her go, almost like losing a member of the family. There is an emotional, a personal attachment to what is, for all intents and purposes, an inanimate object. I think that it is because it comes alive on the water, responding to the wind and waves, responsive to the hand at the tiller, that puts it in a different category. It responds to us but not only to us, it seems to have a mind of it's own. I suppose when we call our boat 'My Mistress' it is because, like a woman, with loving care and a gentle, understanding touch, she can provide great pleasure but if not treated well, a lifetime of headaches and expense. But enough of that.
I started working on some spars. The bowsprit is carved and ready for installation, as is the spiritsail yard. I decided to change the rigging plan, getting rid of topgallants and lowering the masts. The bowsprit is a six by six that I carved down, rounded on the bottom and flatter on the top for easy walking. The jib boom is a sixteen foot four by four rounded and trimmed. While in Florida I found a used/consignment store and bought a bunch of hardware including the fitting for the end of the jib boom.
I also started the water tanks. There are storage bins with baffles inside, shower drains in the bottom and lids caulked and screwed down. There will be 150 gallons for washing and one hundred for drinking. Apparently epoxy is not recommended for potable water so the large tanks can't be for drinking. I've also put a few more coats of resin on the boat and it is ready for gelcoat on the topsides. The rudder is halfway finished. The large amount of money to complete the project is finally on it's way so I should be able to work consistently through the winter and be ready for launch in the spring.
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