20070325

New mains'l is ready to install, I ordered the wrong slugs and had to replace all with the correct size. More work than I wanted but actually probably good for me, now I know how to attach the slugs. Took the old mains'l off but the weather is not cooperating and I have been unable to bend on the new sail. Its cold, alternating rain and snow and occasionally blustery. Not much sun for the past few days. Hopefully next week will be better.

Most of the removable wood trim is in the garage waiting to be sanded and varnished. As soon as it becomes warmer I plan to get it done and rebed it. I have the cockpit chart table almost finished and will put it together and install it. The fixed portlights in the saloon will be rebedded as soon as the weather warms enough to allow spreading 3M 4100 to seal the external frames and then the Plexiglas will also be rebedded. I hope that will take care of the annoying drips plaguing the starboard side. Other projects for this spring include remaking the cushions for the V-berth and starboard settee and new cushions for the dinette. I think I shall also look into making a new table top for the dinette and hopefully can make it to turn the dinette into a second double berth.

The long awaited West Marine store is getting set up and will be a welcome addition to the boat stores here in Sitka. There are a number of purchases I would like to make including a GPS, sailing instruments, and a speed log. The current log is the original that was installed with the boat in 1973 and has not worked since the second day we had the boat on the delivery trip. I don't think its absolutely required but I would really enjoy knowing how fast Polly can actually move. I am reticent to buy this type of equipment from the catalog, and the hurried trips to marine stores I have been able to make on our trips to the lower 48 don't lend themselves to getting the information I need to make major purchases.

Fortunately spring is coming soon, not soon enough for one as anxious as I to begin the sailing season. Its been a long dreary winter here, and so far March has been a gigantic weather bust. We have had almost 3 feet of snow since the beginning of the month. I think the weather gnomes owe us at least a few days of pleasant weather before the spring monsoon starts.