Jacking Her Up To Paint The Bottom

We spent a lot of time this week . . . working on Gypsy Rose.She is getting prettier every day.

Today I built these wooden boxes and reinforced beamsso we could jack her up off the trailer.

I wanted to get her jacked up enough to attach a new cable to her keel,but we couldnt jack her up quite high enough and still feel safe.So, Im going through the cabin to attach it. 

We did get started coloring the bottom.After scraping the keel to remove barnacles and rust, from her days in salt water.  

Well, it doesnt look like well have her in the water by the first of June . . .but we are still optimistic about sailing before the end of the month.  For all my followers that are watching her progress,I just want to say thank you.It is nice being able to share this project with you,and I enjoy reading your comments.Have a great weekend . . .I think that we are going to check out the new Star Trek Movie.Ive been a Star Trek fan since the first TV shows.My sister and I used to watch then together as kids :)

Read More..

Launch Day!!!

Yes Im smiling.  Its launch day! And we got her in the water in June!!!

This is what is looked like when we arrived at the marina.

Gray skies, thunder and lightening in the distance.It might not be the ideal time to raise the mast, but Im ready and have been waiting too long, for this day.

This is my friend Matt.  Hes a newbie sailor and came to help.Matt has a boat of his own, that he is starting to re-do.

Every boat is a little bit different, but basically has similar  rigging,whether its a 21 footer like Gypsy Rose or a 100 footer.

Shipping the rudder.

Here we are in the water motoring to the slip,where we will set the sails.Because, its raining off and on and its her first time out,Im only going to set the mainsail, today.

Some of you might be wondering why Connies not here.She is, shes behind the camera.

Today we stayed in the little cove by the marina,hopefully on the 4th the weather will be great and Connie and I can raise the jib and get out and explore more of the lake, .

This is choice more fun than it looks.  I had never sailed her before and was delighted to find that she handles like a proper yacht.

Here we are coming back into the slip to change passengers.

This is Matts family, they were excited to take their first sail, ever.Connie stayed on shore to set the picnic table for lunch and take all these photos.

 This is a photo of the Key Lime cheese cake that Acashia, Matts wife brought to the picnic.

 She bakes specialty dessert cakes.You can find her here on face-book:https://www.facebook.com/lalassweetreats?ref=ts&fref=ts 

How do you like the looks of our beautiful lake?Smooth Sailing& 

Happy 4th of July!Please leave a comment, Steve

Read More..