Spot the difference.
I haven’t seen ‘Minnow’ today. She’s tucked away in the
garage waiting for attention.
Some days it has been possible for me to spend several hours
working on her; other days I’ve been fortunate if I’ve had more than an hour
for attending to her remedial needs.
More recent articles featured here have centred on the
renovation of ‘Minnow’, a Matt Layden Paradox sailboat; therefore you could be
forgiven for thinking that most of my energy, thoughts and actions have been
devoted to this needy creature. That is not a reflection of the truth. To keep
the momentum going I have had to make positive efforts when I would far rather
have rested or done something more worthy than wasting my time on bits of
plywood held together with epoxy resin.
The fact is that working on the boat is not a waste of time.
This is a subjective judgement, and in my case I know how good and profitable
it is for me to be engaged in such a project. In between doing other things,
the activity engages my mind, and exercises my body - You try crawling into the
forecastle of a Paradox sailboat; turn on your back and try fixing electrical
wiring to a battery or screw in place a block for a steering line, and you’ll
agree that muscles not normally used to any extent are taxed to the point where
rest is required because of pain or fatigue. Maybe you are younger than me, and
perhaps such things are easy for you.
But whatever the case, you know that eventually, all the
effort will be worthwhile, because you will find joy and excitement sailing her
in her new found state of seaworthiness. You imagine the adventures you may
have, and of challenging encounters with Mother Nature. In your dreams you will
see Nature’s beauty, taste and feel her riches; you will see your boat come to
life when she bobs over the waves. Sun’s reflections will dazzle your eyes;
rain’s droplets will moisten your brow until you’ve had enough and close the
hatch. The boat sails on; only the soft hiss of wavelets can be heard as they run
the chines and are transformed into channels of bubbles trailing astern.
Then there’s the next horizon, the next headland and beyond.
Who said it’s a waste of time!!
3 comments:
"Spot the difference"
I hope there is not more than one difference in the pictures. Never was that good at finding the "Missing mouses tail or the chair that has a leg missing in the second picture! I see a new Cam Cleat. So how long is your list of things to do Bill?
What you're doing it great for mind and body. I know so many retired folk who have no hobbies or interests who will probably go down with a bang!
Will you be doing your south coast run to Falmouth or on the scilly next year?
Steve
PS: Really enjoy reading your blog
Yes Steve,
A spring on the old cleat for the topping lift had failed; therefore I replaced the cleat.
Sailing to Falmouth from Burnham-on-Crouch is a challenge that I may undertake once again. Much will depend on how the boat performs and how I feel.
On 11th May the Jester Challenge yachts set out from Plymouth for Newport, and I would very much like to watch the start.
Cheers,
Bill.
I'm restoring a Seawych and I feel really guilty when I don't spend a weekend doing stuff on her. But then again I have the difficulty of doing things on a budget and there are weeks when the wages don't stretch to covering the work, or when the tide doesn't allow me to get on board during daylight.
Its slow progress but ultimately worth it. My goal is to have it ready to sail in April next year, which hopefully gives me enough time.
I'm amazed at the transformation you've worked on Minnow in such a short time. Puts me to shame and I'm 30 years younger!
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