masting and other things

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We finished with all the locks, a couple of days ago. Although interesting we are both happy to be finished. We are currently at Castleton on Hudson putting the boat back together. The masts are stepped, new halyards all round, now onto tuning the rigging, attaching various booms, gaff and oh yes sails.
A nice fellow from Switzerland helped us with our rig, and we of course returned the favour. I was especially grateful for his help, since I have been sick for a week, and that main is particularily heavy even with a large gin pole carrying most of the weight. One still has to manouver the thing into position, and that eventually requires someone to be down below guiding the mast into its socket. Mark will have to go aloft tomorrow the running backstays haved snagged on a block, and the radar has to be re-installed on the mizzen. Tomorrow will be another longish day. Hopefully tomorrow will be minus the drizzle that has plagued us for a week. One has to pay attention here for passing vessels causing wake while you are masting. One of the chaps lost some bits from his masthead after a vessel passed causing everything to roll. The commercial vessels go very slowly, but they have just had to negotiate, what for them must be a very tight turn.
We are now seeing more interesting vessels, Rhine barges with their large lee boards, and various tugs, barges and other small ships.
We are also in tidal waters, 144 miles away from the ocean. The range and currents are something one has to take into account when moving, and when tying up. Thus far it has been an interesting trip with more to follow. Some of it has been very scenic with clouds in the hills ahead, mansions suddenly appearing, various birds visable and not to mention all the different vessels. The erie canal work boats are VERY nice vessels.
More as able, hope everyone is well.

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Comments

[Robin]

love the blog, have fun. remember thos New York hudson tides set on the top and ebb on the bottom. caio. robin