Day 107, Monday October 7- A sailboat again!

Day 107, Monday October 7

Again an early morning on the boat.  We are at Hop O Nose marina and today is the day we get our mast put back up vertically after travelling with it on our deck for almost 4 weeks.  It was supposed to be only 2 weeks but the closure of the canal extended that for us.



Dawson unwrapping the mast

Hop on Nose marina putting up mast

Our first order of business was to take off all the tie downs on the mast.  Then Julie had to back out of our slip and back into it so that we could access the stern of the boat because the top of our mast was hanging off the back.  The new parking job was excellent.  Dawson was able to put on the attennas and wind indicator and the big job was to change out 3 of our halyards which we had ordered a month ago and had been waiting here for us at the marina.  Dawson had to whip (sew) the ends of the old line to the new lines so that we could pull them through the mast.  If they come unattached from each other then you end up with the rope end in the mast which is a bad thing.  All 3 halyards were stitched and switched within the hour.  It was now about 10:30 and although it was not raining the sky was looking ugly.  The weather report had also issued a Tornato Warning for this area so we wanted to get the mast up as soon as possible or wait a day or so.  Luckily Sean was ready for us.  We had been concerned that there could be a line up for the crane which is used to lift the mast, but fortunately there was not.  After another hour the mast was up and we were parked back into our original slip.

Next is getting all the rigging tightened, but before we do that we need to get the angle on the spreaders right, and connect the radar, connect the electronics.  It took about 4 more hours to get all that done and then it started to pour rain so we quit for the day.  There is another 8 hours work before she is ready to sail.

Gwen and Guiomme on Gozzard 37

The weather forecast is not favourable for heading down the coast so we decide to rent a car and book a hotel and head to the Annapolis boat show tomorrow afternoon.  After getting our bookings done, we head over to Gwen and Guiomme's boat for cocktail hour, and a tour of their beautiful Gozzard 37, which is beautiful.  When we arrive it is at high tide and their finger dock is separated from land by about 5 feet.  Julie wades through in her clam diggers and water shoes.  Dawson strips off his jeans and shoes and gets across.  An odd way to arrive, but no use getting all wet!  We of course share some information and plans as we are all heading in the same general direction.

Soon it is time to say good night and head back for dinner, pack, make a few phone calls then off to bed.