A Major Rigging Job

My friend Major is a rigger without peer. Ms. Bettencourt needed a canopy to shade her forward cabin top this week. The grab rails need refinishing and the varnish work cannot be done in direct sunlight.

Major came over yesterday and turned  an 8 x 10 reflective tarp and 75 feet of light line into a very serviceable work space.

I think the man is part spider. Click on this photo to get a closer look at the web he wove on the forward end of this job.

A roller stand from my woodworking shop was used as the main tent pole.

A couple of sponges cushion sharp edges to preserve the tarp.

The whole rig is acceptably nautical from a distance.

And, restoration of the rails has begun--in the shade.







Loading for next month's cruise is proceeding on schedule. Ms. Bettencourt is fueled to capacity and all the safety gear has been double-checked and re-stowed.

The high today was 77F. A few days with highs in the 40s are expected next week, but we're optimistic springtime weather will return by the time we leave in a couple of weeks.

If not, we'll go anyway.