oops

So now we're on rudder #3 (original, 1st replacement rolled aluminum, 2nd replacement cast aluminum) and all is well, or so I thought. The rudder didn't fail last time we sailed but back at the dock I sort of accidentally didn't fasten the halyard shackle to the mast. Thought I had closed it but apparently not. A halyard is a "rope" that you use to haul the sails up and when you neglect to fasten it securely after dropping the sails guess what happens? The unfastened end goes sailing right up to the top of the mast and will not come back down without some persuasion so you can't go out sailing till the problem is rectified. Fortunately Gerry is not one to lose his cool, all he said was "good thing I love you!" "Now how are you going to get it back down?"

So now what? Can't sail till I fix it. Going up the mast is not an option, tipping the boat way over might be a solution but there's a chance we tip it too far and we take in water. Fortunately George told us of a long pole with a hook available to club members to retrieve lost halyards. I guess others have done this, imagine that! So I get the pole, it's a windy day, the boat is rocking, the dock is rocking, the pole is long and is swaying and I'm going blind from looking into the sun, I give up. Luckily Les was on the docks and after about a minute he snagged it and saved the day. Remember Les? The guy who might have run us aground? Well today he saved the day - thanks Les!

Photo is an example - see the pin? It has to be fastened SECURELY around something to prevent escape.