Hoisting Sails

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Weeks of rigging, re-rigging and making soft shackles using dyneema rope.  Also making more dead-eyes and blocks as we figure out what is needed for each rig. 

Sailing lessons continue and doing all the compliance.  John had to re-write the exam and re-do an eye test because it was first done 3 years ago and was now expired. Bureaucracy. Fortunate for John to have a sailing buddy also learning and they can crew for each other for the practical exam.  The big day came and the weather was perfect and they both passed in spite of the curve ball the examiner threw at them - do a man overboard rescue without an engine!  Two new Skippers in Richards Bay.

The sails ordered from plan arrive from Cape Town. A main, mizzen, genoa, jib and storm jib.  Now to see if they fit.  First one to be tested is the main, hoisting it on a calm day, and it is a bit too big, about 70mm too long.  The rest were perfect.

Next was to see if the engine worked, fitting fuel hoses, gear and throttle lever, and connecting to a battery.  Again not something one can just buy. Cut, weld, polish.  The engine came to life.  Now we can move the boat and took her for a spin in the bay.  Getting in and out the berth was hair raising the first few times.  We really did not want to bump and scratch our boat, nor anyone else's.   Betwixt's long keel is perfect for cruising, but not for berthing.

Then we hoisted a sail, and then two, and then three!  Beautiful ketch sailing.

Soft shackles for the genoa and jib.



The genoa


Sailing in the bay



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