I got two stand up springs with the block. I wanted the fancy red one, because red always means faster, but couldn’t find a retailer that had it all the bits in one place.
My deck cleat is firmly secured with a solid block of nothing and just pulls out. Still weighing the options for that. I’d really like to not punch a hole through the deck. That decision will take a few more beers to hatch a final plan. In the mean time I picked up a couple 4” aluminum horn cleats and drop-shipped them to my machinist buddy. He is milling a radius into the mounting surface so they will be a straight and flat contact to the outer curve of the mast.
I saw the zip-tie trick watching one of Lee’s videos. That will be applied, as my harbor freight McPherson spring compressors would probably fail with that much tension.
I didn’t know about the blue hull to celebrate the Bicentennial until researching why it had one (was it painted?!). It did not come with the original sail, but I’m not broken up about it. $700 with the trailer, I’m pretty happy.
Up at my folks place and looking over the boat. My deck cleat needs backing. I’m trying to weigh options for inspection ports. I don’t really want to punch holes in the deck but alas I may have to. Has anyone put in a rectangular inspection hatch with a box on the front of the cockpit. Effectively making a “glove box” to stow items while sailing?