Following the Manacles Race at the end of September, where much weed, a supernumerary dog and a mislaid start, ensured no line honours, although we did finish and enjoyed an excellent meal at the Port Navas YC,we decided on a relatively early lift out in mid October.
After catching the bowsprit tackle on a cleat as we left Falmouth Haven, after our last night aboard, "Susan J" was lifted out in the middle of October.
As suspected, the zinc cone, replaced annually, from the propeller was missing. I first noticed this in August, while swimming and cleaning the boot top and top 6" of red antifouling, a not unpleasant summer task given clement weather. The other zincs were well depleted, after there planned two year deployment.
Before replacing all the anode, with the somewhat larger one, now supplied by Darglow, using longer bolts, the propeller was thoroughly cleaned with screwdriver, wire wool and green scourer. The grease was replenished and the slight play in the blades was no worse than usual. the other anodes were replaced with new.
Julie rubbed down the antifouling. Washed and checked the rubber dinghy and cleaned up the decks. A day was spent de rigging the bowsprit and removing the broken wooden blocks. The tackle rope was very worn anyway and I took one of the redundant foresail tensioning lines to the riggers for making rather longer than the original and equipping it with a suitable eye. In February I discovered he had shortened it to the original's length, so I just ordered some traditional braid on braid with a soft eye, so saving weight. I have found two redundant, refurbished 4" Colin Frake blocks of similar size. One with double bronze sheaves will serve at the cranse iron and, with a single on the bobstay its self. It will provide some additional purchase to bowse down the bowsprit before tensioning the jib, each time we sail. David Carne, of Riggers UK, has made some lighter acetate sheaves, minimising the weight at the end of the bowsprit.
The boathook and staysail pole chocks required re varnishing as did the taff rail and gas box. I had used one pot International Compass, a polyurethane varnish and it had not stood up well to the sunlight. I have stripped it off and used International Woodskin, instead, just three coats, to preserve it's breathability. Hopefully, this will be much easier to patch up, if necessary and has a pleasing tint. I have replaced all 91 parrel beads in anticipation of a new mainsail.
Another winter project has been to create a "cage" on the lower Wickham Martin furler. This is to try and prevent the furling line falling out when slack, off the wind in a seaway. A short length of shock cord on a clam cleat to the furling line helped, but it would still fall off and prevent the furler working at the most awkward moments! I had read about it but saw it first hand on another yacht at Brixham Heritage Regatta.
I did a few jobs down below, out of the rain in February and we returned for a more productive five days at the end of March. Julie sorted the antifouling, while David de winterised and serviced the engine and filters, installed a BT Navtex receiver and cleaned up generally. We both sorted the lockers, eliminating some redundant or out of date items and installing more for the imminent summer cruise around Britain.
Other innovations include a more effective man overboard ladder, with rigid, rather than fabric, steps. A four man life raft, to be stowed under the cockpit seat. Sufficient floating cushions so that the helmsman can see over the coach roof and dinghy, while seated with some back and leg support. A small Danforth pattern kedge anchor, easily accessed from the lazarette, now utilising the 30 metres of nylon and 2 meters of chain, that we have been carrying around for 5 years! We have retained the enormous but relatively light, Fortress anchor at the bottom of the forepeak locker, useless as a ready to deploy kedge but still a reserve for the CQR if we ever loose it. We have deployed a box of bedpan liners and absorbent pads for use in lieu of a holding tank in marinas etc.
The biggest change will be the new sails. SKB, of Penryn, condemned the working jib completely and the UV strip on the staysail. The main sail has very baggy and, "would probably do another season or two if sailed gently"! With our imminent plan to sail around Britain in 2023, we took the decision to let them build a new suit of sails and a try sail as well. As one gets older, it made sense to get this done and enjoy the benefits while we still can!
So with only three trips to the boat, including lay up and the weather remaining cold and wet, we rather hope that our lift in will be delayed until after Easter! However, we could manage before if needed and the new sails are ready.
