Healing, Thinking and Projects

It has been seven-plus weeks since my shoulder surgery. The weather is improving (although the recent east winds have been nasty), the shoulder is getting better (range of motion improving faster than my strength) and I’m getting antsy. However, arm/shoulder strength is a limiting factor right now - using a hand plane is not possible yet (to give you an idea). About all I can do right now is think about what needs to be done and make lists.

Thinking can lead to changes . For instance, I installed a mast slot to facilitate raising the mast.

(Due to technical difficulties, the photos to be inserted here are, for some reason, unavailable.)

The small balance-lug-yawl sail plan puts the mast just aft of BH-1. What if I want to sail with just the main (without the mizzen)? Not sure I really want to, but what-if? According to the sail plan drawing, it looks like stepping the mast just foreward of BH-2 would move the CE of the main very nearly (within millimeters) of the CE of the balance-lug-yawl plan. Seeing this leads, naturally, to the idea of building a mast step to accommodate both mast locations, So, guess what just made the projects list?

Speaking of the project list, as soon as possible (this week?), I will begin work on:

• Fabricating and installing the new and improved mast step,
• Figure out the location and set-up of a motor mount for a trolling motor,
• Figure out what size trolling motor is needed/suitable, I
• nstall the mast caps,
• Clear the overhead space above Gardens (so the masts can be fitted)
• Sand the gun’ls and rub rails

If I can get to any one of these listed projects this week, I'll be happy.