10/31: Maintenance

Walcome,

It is finally Fall here in South Carolina! With the Winter season approaching, Lé Toots has deemed it necessary to winterize one of the sailboats in her French Cat Militia’s fleet.

Ah was provided the following declassified report about the vessel: “Ze Velocity Report is a class Coronda-15 fiberglass monohull that is 15 feet long, weighs 385 pounds and features an upwind sail area of 123 square feet.”

Ah’ve no idea what any of that means but Ah’m sure excited to learn! I promptly reported for duty eager to make a difference - my first task - inspecting the huge brown tarp that covers the boat.

Toots announces: "Privates do not inspect, Privates clean. Ze tarp is what covers ze vessel during ze long winter. I expect it to shine. White-Glove Inspection at 1800. Dismissed."

Ah first cleaned the underside and found a few old webs; spooky and sticky! In excitement, Ah turned to Lé Toots to show her but she had already started inspecting the stern; but really, Ah have a feeling she doesn’t like spiders.

Once I cleared inspection, Toots allowed me aboard to help perform a triple-point check of the rigging on the stern. Ah confirmed that the riggles were salty and dangly!

She didn’t understand my evaluation so I tried to show her how riggly the riggles were by playing with the riggles. But, for some reason, she growled and ordered me to the bow for the next task. Stern complete!

Next, Toots authorized me below deck to review the bow compartment while she inspected the fiberglass topside. Maybe I'd find more spiders! I leaned my head in and noticed that it was dark, smelly and a bit damp.

Toots was surprised to learn that the compartment was still wet from the previous sailing expedition and commended me on my findings. I’m helpful! The plan is to leave the tarp off for a few days and monitor the weather for any potential rain.

Lé Toots ordered a meeting on the bow to conclude the inspection. She outlines that, although there will be a few more sailing expeditions this Fall, we are on track for Winter maintenance. The only remaining task is to count the barnacles; I know this one already, there's 10!

Hae a guid day,

Beans