08 May 2014

More from The Bear!

Crew,

Last weekend was very successful.  Sarah, Ute and Kevin (aka Mary Ellen’s bro) washed and waxed the hull on Saturday.  It was not an easy task as the cold temps made the wax rather thick, but the hull looks like it just came out of the factory.

Tim appeared a little later and I had him add another coat of wax to the hull.  He was encouraged by his girlfriend as she lounged on the deck thinking about sunny days and warm temps on the water.

Sunday Anthony arrived with his friend Matt.  I think he thought we would have the hull sanded, but did not know we were waiting for him to arrive , suit up and sand the bottom, one of the dirtiest and most demanding jobs preparing the boat for the season.  Nice try Anthony.  Of course his friend had to join him in the fun.  Several hours later the red/copper faced pair finished the job.  The protective suits for painting purchased for protection turned out to be porous and the clothes underneath were as red as their faces.  Next time it will be tyvek or less porous material.   Matt has never sailed and has not even seen what the inside of the boat looks like.  Wait until the next time Anthony asks him to join him for some work on the boat-- he will be heading off to Dubai or some place far away.  Hopefully Matt can join us on a sunny moderate weather day for his first real sailing experience.   Many thanks to Anthony and Matt,  I would still be recovering if I had to sand the bottom.

Meanwhile, Sarah appeared for a second day of fun after the sanding had begun and thus had to be assigned another task.    She begged me to let her sand, but Anthony and Matt were having so much fun they refused to let her get dirty with them!!!    Up on deck, she managed to get dirty cleaning and lubricating the cabin top winches.  They now spin and sing when turned.

A few touch up places on the boat, sanding the keel to perfection, followed by taping the waterline and painting will be the focus on Saturday.  If we have a couple of people we can send some over to the wash and wax the mast/spreaders. 

Meanwhile, my sunburn skin is peeling as I remember the warm Caribbean breezes of a week ago.

The boat is longing to be in the water.

Launch will be on 8 May and the trip to Chicago will be on the 10th weather permitting.

Sailing time is getting closer.   Are you ready????

Don

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