Yes indeed, we are ready to go, just add sails and crew!
A great big thanks to Skootch, Lifeline, & Squirrel. Together we stepped the mast on PERSPECTIVE and then pitched in to help Calvin and Tom launch Merlot.
We had two hitches that took a bit of extra time:
- The increased water level meant that our top spreader was just slightly above the mast crane while lowering the mast onto the stepping block. While in the hole, we found that we had parked the spreader on the top of the crane. Oops!
- With a shorter forestay, and the mast positioned with minimum rake, the backstay was short :-(. At first we tried to shift the mast, but to no avail. Later, I decided I liked the rake, and I liked the feel of the forestay, so I measured up the gap and headed off to Lululemon (aka the marina stores). Brewers had exactly the right toggle — 3.5 inches pin to pin. Perfect! –installation was a piece of cake.
By now, Merlot was rigged, so Squirrel and I fed all the lines on PERSPECTIVE — take a look!