Enough with the Mast Hoops!

There are probably three maintenance projects on board, that, by their duration and tedium tend to draw a groan from deckhands when the time comes to take them on. To discourage more colorful sailor-pejorative descriptions, we will agree to label them, "The Triple Challenge."   In no particular order;

•  Refinishing the Cap Rail, 
• Scraping, oiling, and slushing the masts, and 
• restoring mast hoops. 

We have Capt Hackett's team to thank for taking the cap rail off our hands. They've been hard at work, sanding down and refinishing all the bright work on deck as well as repainting the aft cabin trunk, and other superstructures.  

Mikell Evatt and Laura Johnson stoked for
the last step;  getting the freshly oiled mast hoops
 back onto the masts.

This past weekend, five volunteers, Danny Johnson, Laura Johnson, Mikell Evatt, Jim Leonard, and David Lazar wrapped up another of Triple Challenge; the reinstallation of freshly restored mast hoops.  Three Saturdays past, was the de-installing of 27 steamed oak mast hoops from both masts. Two Saturdays ago- the sanding, oiling,  and now the reinstalling of 24 .  

Why the odd number?  The Mainmast had always been short three since that squall on the Bermuda passage back in '17. During deinstallation we discovered three to be "sprung", that is, stretched to a point of cracking, thereby compromised and unusable.  

Each hoop consists of two six-foot oak bands, steamed and coiled within each other like a laminated wood hoop, held together by six copper bolts.   

Close-up of restored Mainmast Hoops
 reinstalled; note the bolts
protruding from each hoop.

To be properly maintained, each hoop must be removed from the mast by first, unscrewing each of the six copper bolts, bagging them and their nuts, carefully, without springing them, twist the tightly coiled strips off the mast, as you would removing a key from a split ring. Next step; sand the black grime off the outside, inside, and sides of each.  Finally, using clean rags, slosh two liberal coats of linseed oil onto all surfaces of the mast hoops, inside and out ensuring a good soak in for preserving and protecting.  

Finally, each hoop must be re-sprung/threaded around the mast, then tightened to align all six bolt holes.  Given number of volunteers available these past three Saturdays, (approx 5), this component of the Triple Challenge consumed about 40 labor hours.  

We're not yet whole. In the next six weeks, we hope to have delivered from Massachusetts, eight new mast hoops, that will be sprung onto the masts, enough for 15, plus a spare on each mast.            

 It's not that we've saved the best for last, it's just that winter weather has done it's share of creating unsafe conditions for going aloft for the remainder of the Triple Challenge.  We're hoping this coming Saturday will promise some tolerable weather that will enable volunteer deckhands to go aloft in bosun's chairs. 

 Project Manager Preps Ship for First Visit by Board of Directors- and the Marine Survey.

While Volunteers, and his own crew take on the Triple Challenge and beyond, Capt Hackett has been looking to preparations for the Ship's upcoming Marine Survey.  It's been three years, with a significant portion of that, spent out of the water.  Marine Insurance underwriters don't view those circumstances favorably in a traditional wooden vessel, and therefore are insisting on a comprehensive survey, before granting dockside or go-to-sea insurance coverage.  That date has been set, but not yet shared. All that of course is prerequisite to Spirit of South Carolina's preparation for regaining her USCG Certificate of Inspection. 

One step at a time.