New member and introduction
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:40 pm
Step by step, I am getting my C-22 ready for it's first sailing.
Today, we attempted to raise the mast inside the aircraft hanger, but the hanger was 3 inches too short. We were all amazed at how tall that mast was. We moved the aircraft out of the hanger, and centered the boat below the highest point. We even folded down the navigation light on top of the mast, but it was still too tall. With only 3 inches left, we contemplated letting the air out of the tires, but with the possibility of tire damage, I decided that it was not worth the risk. Darn, it would have been great to raise the sails for inspection inside of the hanger and not worry about any wind.
Anyway, I did get to practice how to raise and lower the mast by myself six times and everyone was rather amazed how well it worked. I spent an hour running lines and checking everything in my mind on how this would work and nobody had a clue what I was doing.
Thanks Captain Scott! Without your website and detailed pictures, I would have been totally lost.
When I was finally ready, they were absolutely amazed how "tricky" it was, as I applied levers and pulleys to raise a very heavy sailboat mast all by myself.
So far, the trailer has all new wheel bearings installed and the electric brakes have been inspected and verified that they are working. All new wiring (greased and heat shrinked connections) have been installed on the trailer and it is now safe to drive.
The Ford Edge (my wife had to sacrifice and trade in her car) still needs to have the trailer break wiring installed, but all of the other electrical connections have been tested. When we purchased the Ford, I demanded that the trailer hitch and wiring be installed as a condition of purchase. They did everything as expected, but the blue break wire is missing. Oh well, I was rather ignorant about electric trailer breaks at the time...
The boat had almost a 1/8 inch layer of calcium deposit below the water-line that had to be removed. I tried everything possible (CLR and other domestic products), but finally had to bring out the "heavy artillery" to get rid of it. With pure hydrochloric acid, that calcium rapidly dissolved, but I had to be very careful. My paint brushes kept dissolving. After a long weekend of applying the acid, spot by spot, the boat's hull is now sparkling clean and it's owner did not suffer any acid burns!
Ok, so the hanger floor is kind of yellow in a few spots, but I tried my best to protect it.
Fridays are my day off, but I have been spending that time at the airport working on the boat. Everyone is excited and has been helping me in every way possible. Sunday is my "alone time" where I work on the boat without anyone disturbing me.
Remember having fun in a tree house as a kid, and why it was so special? This boat is my "own special place" on Sunday, just like that tree house from so long ago.
Without this Chrysler Sailor Forum, I would have been totally lost. I can not thank each and every one of you enough.
Later
Today, we attempted to raise the mast inside the aircraft hanger, but the hanger was 3 inches too short. We were all amazed at how tall that mast was. We moved the aircraft out of the hanger, and centered the boat below the highest point. We even folded down the navigation light on top of the mast, but it was still too tall. With only 3 inches left, we contemplated letting the air out of the tires, but with the possibility of tire damage, I decided that it was not worth the risk. Darn, it would have been great to raise the sails for inspection inside of the hanger and not worry about any wind.
Anyway, I did get to practice how to raise and lower the mast by myself six times and everyone was rather amazed how well it worked. I spent an hour running lines and checking everything in my mind on how this would work and nobody had a clue what I was doing.
Thanks Captain Scott! Without your website and detailed pictures, I would have been totally lost.
When I was finally ready, they were absolutely amazed how "tricky" it was, as I applied levers and pulleys to raise a very heavy sailboat mast all by myself.
So far, the trailer has all new wheel bearings installed and the electric brakes have been inspected and verified that they are working. All new wiring (greased and heat shrinked connections) have been installed on the trailer and it is now safe to drive.
The Ford Edge (my wife had to sacrifice and trade in her car) still needs to have the trailer break wiring installed, but all of the other electrical connections have been tested. When we purchased the Ford, I demanded that the trailer hitch and wiring be installed as a condition of purchase. They did everything as expected, but the blue break wire is missing. Oh well, I was rather ignorant about electric trailer breaks at the time...
The boat had almost a 1/8 inch layer of calcium deposit below the water-line that had to be removed. I tried everything possible (CLR and other domestic products), but finally had to bring out the "heavy artillery" to get rid of it. With pure hydrochloric acid, that calcium rapidly dissolved, but I had to be very careful. My paint brushes kept dissolving. After a long weekend of applying the acid, spot by spot, the boat's hull is now sparkling clean and it's owner did not suffer any acid burns!
Ok, so the hanger floor is kind of yellow in a few spots, but I tried my best to protect it.
Fridays are my day off, but I have been spending that time at the airport working on the boat. Everyone is excited and has been helping me in every way possible. Sunday is my "alone time" where I work on the boat without anyone disturbing me.
Remember having fun in a tree house as a kid, and why it was so special? This boat is my "own special place" on Sunday, just like that tree house from so long ago.
Without this Chrysler Sailor Forum, I would have been totally lost. I can not thank each and every one of you enough.
Later
(i'm sure I am at the top of the list) 
