As noted previously, we have been in Marina Rubicon with a view to fitting a new masthead tricolour navigation light. We have also taken advantage of the excellent chandler here to do some other maintenance tasks. In the meantime, we have also got to know our current neighbours on Pampero of Down who are on a similar cruise to us.
For a while we have wanted to make up a lifting bridle for the dinghy so as to be able to hoist it clear of the water by the side of the boat. Doing this has several advantages. Firstly, it makes it less easy for thieves to relieve us of it. It is also not a good idea to have the dinghy trailing astern in rough weather as it could run forward and get damaged by the wind vane. Tethering it alongside is no good as it then rubs and bangs on the hull which keeps us awake.
The bridle seems to work fine but in the process of testing it, I discovered that the cleat on the mast for the spinnaker halyard had corroded it's rivets right through. One good yank and it flew off. I staggered backward and panicked a bit about where I might fall (nowhere) but the cleat caught me a good whack on my upper lip.
After a lot of searching around, I found the riveter and then drilled out the old one and reattached the cleat. At least it didn't happen when trying to drop the cruising chute in a rising wind which would have dropped the whole thing in the drink!
Now we still have to work out how to do the tricolour light. Suggestions anyone?
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