Mast steps # Re do it again

Change from the Weak to Strong.

Last week Stephen took all the mast steps off and re-install them back one by one step with 70 new bolts. To re do this task a second time because one mast step had fall down. Which meant that 70 rivets had to be drilled out, the steps re-drilled, the mast re-drilled and tapped for the bolt threads and then everything matched up so that 5 new bolts for each of the 14 steps fit and good be tightened on.

I HATE BOLTS. Well 70 bolts that have to be fitted into a mast in a Northern Winter.

never successfully tapped anything before?

France Spar make good strong masts. lets hope my bolts do not weaken it.

No idea? Please ask the Admiral.

Frustrating , bitterly cold, painful. exhausting and sometimes very frustrating.

DId I also mention scary. Luksana was tieing the Knots to the line that held me aloft!!!!!!!

No sure of the name of the knot. Aparently it is used widely in the Thai Navy.

Me having fun

Me having more fun

Me wondering why I ever had the idea of having a ocean going boat

Me really having fun

Did I tell you how how many times I dropped drills bolts ,lock washers cutters etc.

Anchor chains

Sprays the anchor chains We remark the white spray to know how deep we use the anchor chain when we anchorage in the tropical ocean.

Of course the weather is not the best for doing this. Last days frozen and clear today threatening to rain which it did. I did notice the boat bow came up 4 inches when we took the chain out. Still this and the Anchor is the single most important safety gear on the boat. So we can sleep well at nights at anchor.

See you next post and thank you to be friends of our blog.

Apparently colour is boring! Marking the chain about 20ft before the bitter end. When the white stripes appear we are close to the end.

White marks every 50ft. Yes I know we are into metric but I envision distance in feet, as are many of the charts. so no confusion on a dark night when we are tired.