Launch April 26th, No, May 1st, Uh, No, May 6th, Uh.....Stay Tuned

As most of you are aware, we have been tackling some bigger projects this year in order to get the boat ready for the sailing season. Although it has been a long process, the light at the end of the tunnel no longer appears to be a train and SOON we'll be back in the water. The current launch date is now May 6th at 10:30 but I am going to try and push that back a bit more to see if I can get one more full weekend of work on it before we splash. I'll keep you posted.

There was some rotted balsa core in the deck around the chainplates on both the port and starboard sides. In addition, I removed and replaced the divider up in the bow. ( I just can't seem to eat enough fiberglass dust)

Currently, I'm in the process of re-glassing everything in under the much appreciated direction of Joe Parker from the Gougeon Brothers. (All of you need to keep him in beer for the forseeable future) Joe has generously supplied both materials and advice throughout this project and his help has been indispensible. In addition, I'd like to thank all of you that have contributed your time and effort helping to see this project through.

Although the repairs this year have gone way beyond our normal bottom prep, wax and cleaning routine, they were needed and we were fortunate to properly address them in time to avoid an even bigger project down the road. There is still much to do. After I finish the fiberglass, we need to paint, re-install the cabinets and stereo, re-install new bilge pumps and throttle and two deck winches, rig the mast and refinish the floor. Then clean, clean. clean and re-oil all the wood below. The bottom is pretty much done and the hull is waxed and we have a BRAND NEW Light #1 headsail that Turbo from Dolphin is building (Yaaaaaay!!!!!!) (Thank you Meme!!!)We're going to call it "The Turbonator".

We're getting close. This should be a GREAT year and I'm looking forward to sailing with all of you. Also, there is a meeting this Wednesday night at the Bay City Yacht Club. (6 ish?) If you feel inclined, stop by and join Meme and I for a cocktail or two. There should be a good turnout as it is the last "meeting" before the start of the racing season.

Shiny Happy People Holding Rags

WOW, those are some shiny shoes !!!!!! Click on the picture for full effect ! Well, this past weekend got us off to a great start in preparing the boat for the upcoming season. We were able to clean and wax the hull, remove the manual bilge pump and throttle quadrant for much needed maintenance, remove a couple of halyards that need replacing, and pull off two deck winches that are in need of cleaning and lubrication. So it was a VERY productive day !Thanks to all that helped! This coming Sunday we'll be at it again, chipping away at the list, so anyone who wants to join in and be as happy as these guys please feel free to wander by. I'll be out there from about 11-4. I'd like to get started on the botttom. It looks pretty good this year so it shouldn't take too much whip it into racing form. I guess all the work we put into it over the past couple of years has paid off. If you plan on coming out be prepared to get smudgy as bottom work has a way of doing that. The building is heated and it is very comfortable to work in despite the cold temperatures outside. None of the boats being stored outside had any activity going on around them so we are fortunate to have Meme provide an opportunity for us to get the jump on the competition. Thank you Meme !!!!! Last weekend, we 'emptied' the boat cooler so you may want to bring along a thirst quencher. If we follow last week's model we'll probably stop off somewhere afterwards to sit, relax and make doubly sure we aren't thirsty. Did I say Thank You Meme yet ? Anyway, hope to see you out there !!!!

Billy

Bottom's Up !!!!!

Scratching your head wondering what you want to do next weekend? Well, I have a great suggestion. This coming Saturday, January 19th, we'll be out at Bay Harbor Marina getting down and dirty. Yes, it's that time again. We're just a month and a half away from March already so the clock is ticking on getting the old girl ready for her annual dunking. John, Maury, myself and possibly Meme decided to head out there this coming weekend while we were at the party at Meme's this past Saturday night. For those of you who missed it, you missed some great food, wine, friends and laughs. We'll have a "Crew Party" soon so you still have an opporunity to cash in on a good old fashioned hangover. This weekend, I'd like to start work on the bottom so search your respective wardrobes for the most dirt friendly attire you can find. I also would like to pull out the manual bilge pump to R&R it as well as the throttle quadrant. Both gave us fits lasts year and it would be nice to finally fix em and forget em.

I don't anticipate spending alot of time out there Saturday, maybe three or four hours. If we have enough people there though we can get alot done. PLEASE try and make it if you can. We'll start about 11am. If you can, either call me or leave your intentions in the comment section of this post. It will be Maury's birthday too by the way so feel free to bring him gifts or money. We have another MAJOR crew announcement, however, I will let that come from the person involved so as not to steal the thunder.

Anyway, for those of you who I did not get a chance to see over the holidays, I hope they treated you well, and I look forward to seeing all of you soon.

Thanks.
Billy