Good Day readers...
Today, we set out to replace my topping lift (the wire that holds the boom up), with a much stronger cable.
This cable will be used for my dingy lift and the man-over-board system.
The old cable is OK, but is old and a bit on the light side for the purpose it will now being used for.
We motored out of the marina, with moderate winds blowing from the north; however, as we rounded the point, the winds picked up some and the waves were becoming a concern. Hank was in a position to return to the marina, and beat up the wind, or just ride it out to the yacht club. He decide to unfurl the jib by 50% and ride it to the yacht club. Good choice as it was an exciting ride to say the least (winds reached 30 knots).
We got to the yacht club without incident.
Hank position me under the Club's master tower, ready to replace my topping lift. Needless to say it started to rain.
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| picture taken a few days after. You can see the height of the tower...you can lower the arms to any height you need. Great piece of equipment. |
With Hank all suited up with the safety hardness and tool bag in hand, up the lift he went. The mast tower is around 50 ft high, doesn't sound like much, but 50 ft is sure high. Once at the top, he proceeded to get at the job in hand. He tried to remove the old cable, but the cotter pin and the pin itself was seized into place, in-addition he found the new cable / shackle was too large to fit around the pin. So much for replacing the topping lift, at this time. It will have to wait, until we have the tools to cut and remove the old line and obtain a shackle that will fit around the pin.
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| the line needed to be replace is the s/s line in the middle of the picture |
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| A picture taken last year, giving you a great view of Thunderbird Marina. |
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| looking down, Tarka sure looks small from this height |
After a long exhausting climb down, back on the ground again, took the safety hardness back to the club office, had coffee and a bite to eat.
Due to the northerly blowing winds and downpour of rain, Hank decided to spend the night with me. :)
Next day, Hank did some minor repairs that needed to be done.
- replaced the joker valve in the toilet
- replaced the engine zinc
- replaced the safety line around the life ring
- re-secured the sewage holding tank
- and he rig the existing topping lift with the block and tackle with new bright yellow propylene line. This type of line floats, so if it falls in the water, my propeller will not catch it.
After the work and coffee, we set sail...enjoying a 15 knot southerly winds to push us home.
Now resting at dock.
still to be done...
- repair hatch cover (this was done the following day)
- relocate electrical power plug in (can not be done)
- raise the jib track
- replace some hinges in the cabin doors (this was done as well)
- Bottom haul out... paint and new zincs(will be done on March 25,2013)
Out.
