With the help of my good friends and partners in minor misdemeanors – Rosie and Teresa, we got some new waterproof connections on the Radar cable… despite the near freezing temperatures and solder-chilling gusts to 20kts.
The following day, the mast went up with a hitch… yes, a minor snag. About halfway up it got hard to crank the winch, the mast had a bit of a bend in it, so we stopped raising. I took a look around and found the offending snag… the dangling backstay got caught on the lifeline up forward. Keep an eye on that pesky backstay!
The day after was a balmy 39º – perfect for shakedown sail! Teresa and I left the comfort of the winter dock, made plans to motor through the drawbridge out of the Lagoon for a day sail, and then put Chamois on a mooring. We called the bridge tender and made arrangements for a 1115 bridge opening. All was a go-go, until the moment the bridge tender stopped traffic and told me to come ahead, as the bridge would be open by the time I got there… I throttled up and wathced the bridge closely for a sign of lifting… nothing… I immediately felt that same frightening realization of Lando’s in ROTJ…
Lando Calrissian: We’ve gotta be able to get some kind of a reading on that shield, up or down.
Nien Nunb: [speaks in Sullustese]
Lando Calrissian: But how could they be jamming us if they don’t know… if we’re coming?
[over comlink]
Lando Calrissian: Break off the attack! The shield is still up!
Wedge Antilles: I get no reading. Are you sure?
Lando Calrissian: Pull up! All craft, pull up!
Admiral Ackbar: Take evasive action! Green group, stick close to holding section MV-7!
Mon Calamari: Admiral! We have enemy ships in sector 47!
Admiral Ackbar: It’s a trap!
Evidently, some work to the bridge or the road that was going on this winter had vibrated a main powerline and when the bridge operator flipped the switch he lost a leg… or at least, that’s how they explained it to me. The next day was windy rainy and bitter cold, and I proceeded to get sick… and so the window of opportunity for a shake down sail closed slowly but surely.
But she’s ready for the survey and the delivery sail down to NY for her new owner.
