We are preparing to get underway again. We have both been busy doing projects on and for Cats Cradle. Carol completed the assembly of a new genoa from a Sailrite kit, which was a major undertaking. Carol did a fine job but swears she will NEVER attempt another one. The sewing machine (Sailrite Yachtsman) needed a major tune-up afterward. She also made a new bag for Bernie's bicycle and covers for the dinghy seats by recycling some of the old sail. In place of lifeline netting she used Phifertex to make a see-through weather cloth, made new cockpit throw cushions, new grill cover and worked on the cockpit enclosure panels. Bernie spent a lot of time at the boat making the aft stateroom into a work shop and better organizing the storage area in there. He also "borrowed" an idea from a friend and put in 12 volt fluorescent lamps, 1 on each side of the salon. Also repaired the dinghy so it holds air better, replaced the dinghy lift lines and incorporated a new 6:1 block system. Installed a new Magma Catalina grill, reconnected the gen-set adding a cooling fan, improved the jib and stay sail halyard system, reorganized both cockpit lockers and performed many maintenance tasks. As if that weren't enough, Scupper was diagnosed with feline diabetes and now is on a special diet along with insulin injections and blood glucose monitoring. What a joy that is. In our next blog we'll include pictures of our projects.
