The old geezer had some minor difficulties to overcome the past few weeks. After finding, fixing, replacing and repairing various parts & gizmos on our new-to-us O’Day 222, launch day finally arrived a couple weeks ago. She floated off the trailer just as gently as could be, and we warped her over to the gin pole. The mast went up OK, and soon she was snug in her slip next to a rugged looking Dana 24.
The boom is crammed full of lines, has little plastic jam cleats (I hate those things) and how do we stop internal halyards from slapping? This rig is somewhat more complicated than it needs to be, having more parts & pieces subject to failure in a blow. The jib twister is functioning, but still needs a slight adjustment when I get a bigger hammer aboard. Oddly, the backstay and forestay are still quite slack, shrouds are OK, and the mast step is appropriately stout.
Mrs. Salt nodded approval as she inspected the vessel, noting the absolute neatness and cleanliness of the accommodations. Our first sail last Sunday went well. Light airs, warm sun, a tot of fine aged Madeira, and then.. the iron wind ran out of gas. I aptly demonstrated how to enter the cut and nuzzle flawlessly into the slip whilst under sail.
Thanks to all who assisted the old coot with commissioning advice and encouragement. I am truly happy to be sailing again, as in the younger misspent days of my youth.
The boom is crammed full of lines, has little plastic jam cleats (I hate those things) and how do we stop internal halyards from slapping? This rig is somewhat more complicated than it needs to be, having more parts & pieces subject to failure in a blow. The jib twister is functioning, but still needs a slight adjustment when I get a bigger hammer aboard. Oddly, the backstay and forestay are still quite slack, shrouds are OK, and the mast step is appropriately stout.
Mrs. Salt nodded approval as she inspected the vessel, noting the absolute neatness and cleanliness of the accommodations. Our first sail last Sunday went well. Light airs, warm sun, a tot of fine aged Madeira, and then.. the iron wind ran out of gas. I aptly demonstrated how to enter the cut and nuzzle flawlessly into the slip whilst under sail.
Thanks to all who assisted the old coot with commissioning advice and encouragement. I am truly happy to be sailing again, as in the younger misspent days of my youth.
