Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Traditions!

In keeping with tradition, I placed a coin at the base of the mast for good luck. I put a 1979 quarter because that’s the model year of the boat (and I didn’t have a 1978 for when the keel was laid).
While I’m not terribly superstitious, I don’t want to miss my ride across the river Styx because I didn’t have the toll. The legend is that Charon, the ferryman, requires a toll to take souls across the river. If you arrive and have no way to pay, some say your soul must wander the shores for one hundred years. I’m guessing a quarter is a worthwhile investment.  
Hope I Don't Need it to Make a Phone Call!
Another tradition I’ve considered is painting eyes on the bow of the boat. This is a very old tradition dating back to the Egyptians. The belief is that eyes help to guide the ship safely to its destination.  I’ll have to get back to you on that one.
Everything from the chain plates to the masthead has either been replaced with new or reconditioned. While luck has its attractions I’m going to go with new parts.
In the interest of making repairs far afield I skipped the swage fittings and chose mechanical fittings. They’re reusable and I can make adjustments to them with a couple of wrenches.
The 35 year-old wiring was replaced with new and attached inside the mast to quiet that clacking noise every time I stepped onto or off of the boat. I had an LED deck light added for those times when you just gotta see what’s on the deck and of course all of the masthead parts were replaced. The original tricolor was sun rotted and cracked when I gave it a twist to look at the bezel.  
Did They Get the Colors On the Correct Side?
The fellows that were going to reinstall the mast weren’t really sure what to say when I suggested I go get an antenna ball from Jack In The Box to put on the new VHF antenna. This comes from the guy that wanted to go with plaid sails!
I was gently dissuaded from the plaid sails. I may add the antenna ball later when I get the nerve to climb the mast. Stay tuned.