Month: October 2017

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Goodbye, rotten spreaders

The wooden spreaders I had were really rotten. Following rigger’s advise, I decided to replace them with lightweight aluminum spreaders  so after removing them he shipped them off to so new parts can be fabricated.

Old rotten spreaders with paint peeling off
Spreaders are gone

 

What I learned today:

  1. Lower shrouds are enough to keep mast in place without load of sails i.e. it’s actually possible to replace upper shrouds without taking the mast down. I was always sure that if a shroud would break the mast would come down. Not true!
  2. If your rig is configured right, you can use turnbuckles to tighten upper shrouds even with spreaders removed.
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Removing windows

Removing windows in preparation for deck and interior paint. Will likely replace those leaky windows with new acrylic (properly sealed).

It’s sad to let the originals go but they are too corroded and not water tight.

Removing original aluminum window frames
Scraping sealant
Getting fresh air
Original frames from 1971

What I learned today:

  1. By Murphy’s Law, the last bolt will have to be drilled out.