Telltale 91

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It is february 20th. We stepped the mast backed on yesterday. And witht his final nerve wresking job nothing reminds of the accident and all the hard work and money that went in to fixing the damage. 3,5 months of work and a small fortune, but Sylphe is back to normal (and better) shape.

The last month, since launching Sylphe back into her element, was less energetic with only the varnish work of the mast to do. A daily coat of varnish, so that a total of 15 new coats were applied. the weather was not that great and we had a fair share of rain, which only delayed the process. But again, just in time, all was done. The new spreader and the repair on the bottom of the mast. The new steaming light, halfway up the mast, was installed and new electric cabling fitted. The VHF cable was finally put inside the hollow mast, with a lot of effort, so that all looks better and nicer than before.



The stepping of the mast is always a strange moment. Nerves are flying around and the adrenaline gets pumped up. If the crane is not strong enough, or drops the mast, life is all over...... Don't think about it...just do it. Two hours later all was attached and Sylphe motored back to her mooring spot, complete with a mast. It will take another day or two to adjust the mast to a straight position and to close the deck-through gap watertight. For some reason Sylphe is leaning (and always has) over to starboard. I have looked at all the heavy things in the boat, but can't bring any more stuff to port. Batteries, watermakers and other heavy equipment are already all on port, so  have to continue living with it. It just means that I have to angle the mast a bit to port, to make her look standing completley vertical.

At the end of this week I am flying to Holland, for the first time in three years. To see family and friends. Strange feeling, but I am actually looking forward to it. No work for the next month, just good old times with friends and family. Just hope it is not too cold over there.