Well, seeing as how we are stuck here waiting for medical procedures. we might as well keep busy. During our spring work on the boat, we realized our mast on Thunderbird had some serious rot problems. So, we dismantled it to assess the situation.
It's obvious that the mast is purely decorative. As we have been without it this whole summer and never really missed it. The only function it serves is to carry our top white all around light, and our forward facing white light, that is only used for night running and anchoring out, which we never do. It also has a spar and was originally intended with a manual pulley system to lift a dinghy onto the roof of the boat. But we have never used it for that either. We just never trusted it's strength. Once completed and re-assembled perhaps we will be able to use it for that purpose.
There was no rot on the spar, so that will simply be re-attached. We have a new 4X4 post that is now being shaped to replace the original. Thanks to our son Ken's wood working skills. We are also adding some length back onto the mast as we are aware that it has been cut down a couple of times. (due to said rot) It has been suggested by some that we save ourselves some work and do away with the mast and spar. But real Trawlers were working boats, and conversions, and I like the utilitarian look of this equipment.
SO THAT IS THE PROJECT WE ARE WORKING ON NOW, TO KILL TIME.
