May 16, 2023 - Monday
Monday was a warm day. I had the tarp off for Sunday's sail and the cabin really heated up when the sun came up. After setting up the tarp I started on the day's projects.
First up was to rig my jacklines. Jacklines are safety lines which are run down both sides of the boat. Using a harness and tethers, you clip to the jackline when moving about the deck. This keeps you tied to the boat at all times and prevents anyone from falling overboard. The boat came with jacklines, but they were getting old, so I decided to install new ones.
Jacklines are usually made from flat webbing. This is because rope will roll under foot when stepped on, especially on a tilted deck. The flat material does not roll, so is a safer choice. I run mine from the forward dock cleat, through a cleat at the mast and then to a stern dock cleat. I tie it at both ends so there is no additional hardware in the system that could be a source of failure.
I tackled the staysail downhaul next. This is a line that helps bring the staysail down to the deck when I don't want it up anymore. For the most part, the sail comes down by itself. It does tend to hang up the last 10 feet or so. A downhaul will bring it down to the deck from the cockpit without having to go out on the deck. Pretty handy at night or in rougher conditions. I may still need to go tie the sail down, but that is easier and safer since you can stay low on the deck.
My neighbor Peter was scheduled for a haulout Monday morning. His engine is being repaired, so the boatyard sent a boat over to tow him to the lift. He got there about 9:30 and they tied him up in the lift dock. As they were getting ready to move the lift to his boat, something broke and the lift would not start. They worked on it a bit then left, leaving Peter tied up at the dock with no way to get off his boat. The tide was going out, so I loosened his mooring lines before they became too tight, then went to talk with the lift operators to see what the plan was. They said a switch or solenoid needed replacement and that they hoped to have the part later in the afternoon. They had not told Peter anything. I relayed the information and told Peter I would go shopping, then come back and check on him.
About an hour later I returned to find Peter in the same spot. I suggested I go get his dinghy so he would have the option to leave the boat and he agreed that would be helpful. Later in the afternoon they had the lift working and raised his boat out of the water, then the lift stopped again! This time he was on the boat and hanging over the dock area. Poor Peter ended up sleeping on his boat suspended on the boat lift! Only in Mexico!
By Tuesday morning they finally got things working and put his boat in the yard.
I finished a few inside projects in the afternoon, then met with some of the cruising folks for a dinner out to see off a couple heading back to England. Peter couldn't attend...
Poor Peter is right! Luckily he had a friend like you!! Making progress!
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