Volunteers Take on the Spars Refinishing Project

Gaffs and Booms down-rigged and swayed over onto the dock for total overhaul

..And they sorely needed it. 

Foresail gaff showing 6000
sea miles worth of  wear and
tear.

 This is what faced volunteers, Ken Fonville, Bryan Oliver, and Dan Maurin when they arrived Sunday morning to start the next phase of the Spars Refinishing Project; taking the Gaff's down to bare wood, in preparation for sealing and revarnishing.  It had been four years since these spars had seen serious varnish.  Over 6000 sea miles later, they were showing lots of wear and weather damage.  And now, crew members and volunteers face the task of restoring them to like-new condition in time to be rigged, sails bent on and ready to sail in two months.

The weather started fairly nippy as the group, fortified with a dose of strong galley coffee and a few donuts, broke out scrapers, power sanders, and extension cords, and started to work.

Bryan taking a wrench to break free
 the bolts securing the foresail
gaff throat iron collar

During the previous week, the crew, with volunteer, Bryan Oliver completed the first phase, down-rigging all four spars (gaffs and booms).  Re-purposing the throat halyard and peak tackles as lifts, they separated the spars from the masts, hoisted them up and over the rails,  and swayed them onto the dock.  Once secure on the dock the team finished up by un-installing and removing all iron and brass fittings, irons, collars, leather chafing strips.

Bryan and  Ken, taking the last
 sanding strokes on the foresail gaff. 
Dan, in background, inspects the
Mainsail boom

Throughout the morning, Ken and Bryan scraped and sanded the top-half of the foresail gaff, then flipped it over on it's cradle and started again on the bottom half.  Warming temperatures, and disappearing clouds helped morale, and jackets came off. During a break for a spaghetti lunch in the galley, Dan arrived from Summerville to reinforce the effort, starting in on the mainsail gaff. By quitting time, the team had the foresail gaff completely stripped to new wood, and ready to take on first steps of varnishing.  Dan had completed  half of the mainsail gaff. After securing the tools and cordage, it was time for some refreshment, and reflection.

The Volunteer team advanced the refinishing project by 12% to completion. 2 and 1/2 spars will require stripping and prepping before the next major phase can begin, applying several coats of sealing oil followed by 12 coats of Varnish.  The three professional crew, Capt Dan, Mate, Charlie, and deckhand, Matt, will advance the work as they can during the week days, with help from any volunteers that can lend a hand during the week.  Next Sunday, 12 January provides the next opportunity for Volunteers to fill in and make a big difference.