Sunday, April 22, 2018

Well, as it turns out Irma did more damage to Queequeg than we had first thought. In preparation for a trip to the boat yard to inspect and repair the underwater damage, I discovered a dent in the mast. It was hidden by the mast boot and the collar so I didn't see it until I pulled things apart to inspect the mast wedges.
It seems that when the lower diagonal shroud let go, the compression forces on the mast were uneven and the mast bent ever so slightly, just enough to put a little crimp in the extrusion right exactly at deck level.
It is heartbreaking, after all the work we've done and the money we've spent repairing and upgrading the boat, now we will have to postpone any further voyages. It will now likely be another year before we're a fully operational boat. The likely scenario for repair will  be to pull the mast, cut it at the dent, straighten it and install a sleeve inside the mast to reinforce it. Yuck - and $$$$$.
On a lighter note, I will be flying out to California in May for my granddaughter's college graduation. Congratulations Chandra on your 3.7 GPA!