Making Ready 2

 

Alan, the sail-maker and rigger, springs aboard Stargazer, as soon as I make her fast to the crane dock. And swiftly detaches the backstay (back support for the mast).

Wayne swings the jib, of his newly repaired crane, into position. Taking over the task, of keeping the mast standing, with a strop rigged between its upper and lower spreader roots.

Alan detaches the cap shrouds and lowers (side supports). Then the forestay (forward support). James, the yard banksman, steadies the foot of the mast, as the engine note of the crane deepens. Slowly, Wayne raises the extrusion, just clear of its step, and holds it there. Suspended, motionless, in mid air.

Rich, the electrician, emerges from Stargazer's companionway, thumb held high. The data, power and vhf aerial cables are disconnected; and their mousing lines (with which to 'rethread' them, when restepping the mast) secured.

Alan pulls the cables up through the compression post (the vertical support, running from keel to deck, beneath the mast) and out of the waterproof deck gland.

At a signal, Wayne guns the crane once more. And lifts the rig clear. James walks the mast foot off Stargazer's deck. Expertly keeping the delicate load in balance.

It is a perfect day for our, much postponed, winter lift. Not a breath of wind, to interfere with the delicate  manoeuvres; and a well practiced team, used to one another and to their crane, to carry out the task . A combination which is worth the wait.

Now, for the first time since her launch, in March 2010, Stargazer lies shorn of her spars.

 Emma, the marina manager, arrives to tail on with James. The voice of the crane deepens once more. Stargazer rises through the still air. Water cascading off the bottom of the keel bulb and back into the dock.

I can already see that this season's switch, to Seajet Shogun 033 antifouling, has paid off. There is only a light slime adhering to the hull. No weed, let alone any barnacles. And, whatever momentarily tore the tiller from my hand, between the Eddystone and Helford, over the summer, has left no scars, on the rudder.

The jet wash quickly blasts away the season’s algal growth, and leaves Stargazer's topsides gleaming in the setting sun. Wayne slots her neatly into her winter quarters, at the top of the yard. Preparations, for our new season, begin here.