Easter

So the weather is typical for an English bank holiday, variable, uncertain and by no means bathed in sunshine.

Skip had some work done on my port side gate and so now fitted, I have both with a matching rake, it looks as it should.

Today Easter Sunday, skipper went up my mast to apply some lubricant to the pulley wheels up there, he also took the time to measure the distance for the new J3 staysail.  With the gate out of the way, the bracket for the baby stay can now be made and steps can be made to have the J3 made, an item on Skips wish list, how cool is that.  It's almost a trophy for all the hard work he's put into me over the winter in keeping me in good condition.  He wants to emulate the Farr Open 65's of the Volvo Ocean Fleet he's been watching and is fascinated with, tragic about John Fisher and the second MOB on board Scallywag, thoughts go out to the family and to the team.  Today I had two crew members from British Soldier on board who'd rafted next to me for the bank holiday races and they said what such good condition I was in, well done Skip.

Yesterday skip wound on my jib and so today, Sunday, the forecast day of the lightest winds, put my newly laundered main back on, but not before Skip ventured up my mast.  The first trip was to get the lazy Jack bag line back down, the second was to lubricate the pulleys up top and the third was to take some dimensions for the new J3.  Once all done I was moved back to my mooring down the river, let's hope the weather soon picks up so I can go out, now that the big works on the house are complete.

I know as part of the J3 works a new furling system is intended for Thor Junior and possibly the J3 itself. At £2.5k a piece it's not cheap but I know will make a huge difference to the ease by which it can be used.

Well, second Sunday in April and fog and constant drizzle has prevented a shakedown sail, but Skip came onboard.  He took the missing dimension from the mast and tidied me up inside.  Eventually taking the strap made out of wood to his man to make out of stainless steel.  Once that's fitted and a Dyneema halyard is likewise drawn through, then the J3 is to be made out of Tri-radial GPL21LS material in black.  Looks as though the 'Would likes' is moving forward.

Watch this space