My fellow yachties span the whole range of human types, from the jaw dropping to the saintly - I will say only that with my views I'm in there, but somewhere near the middle....
So - what news?
Using a sailing analogy (and why not?), my sailing club's committee has had the unenviable task of trying to chart it's way through legislator'y waters that change on an almost daily basis, and with members banging on their door almost within minutes of announcements demanding the right to launch their craft with immediate effect.. I think they've done very well to be honest, I've been a committee member in the past (windsurfing club) and wouldn't do it again.. thankless task, you're always going to be pee'ing in someone's tea... 😁
Either way, under the UK's latest guidelines announced last weekend, and clarified over the next few days, we're now allowed to take unlimited exercise outside, and travel for the purpose, and boats/boating have been confirmed as a form of exercise (but overnight'ing is not allowed). Separately, the harbour authority has confirmed the harbour is open for same. So the club is open again for owners to start work on their boats, and the club is now working on how to keep us safe while we do that.
Sparrow has a speculative launch date of the end of June - more announcements on that will come over the next few days. Before then I need to slap the unguent on the bottom minimum, but some of the other job list items will also be attended to... given that it's going to be warmer than when I normally do my prep I'm hoping that I may get the opportunity to do some epoxy work.
In rough order then...
- engine is already serviced (but I want to give it a run in the tank to make sure it's good)
- antifoul
- got a stencil to paint the engine leg with the boat name - I need to make it less 'attractive'
- coat of paint on the lockers/washboards
- coat of wood protector on anything that needs it
- going to do a wash down with oxalic acid this year
- epoxy repair on the nose that has been waiting almost 10 years now
- engine cover has come
- outboard lock (Fulton type) ready
- new windex also arrived (I know, I know....)
Love the photo - as to getting back to sailing, I think with everything to do with this crisis it's a case of carefully does it - don't be toooo hasty, some countries are now dealing with a second wave of this virus - there are no easy answers, we just have to make sure we react quickly and carefully to what is turning out to be a moving target.
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