Mast Stowed

With the help of a local forester, and his Unimog, Shamrock's main mast was final lifted off onto the quay and lowered onto a couple of launching trollies borrowed from Cotehele Quay Gig Club. As the load areas of these trollies pivot around their wheels it was then a simple (four handed manpower) matter of towing the mast into the boat shed. Finally, with the aid of a hydraulic jack, wooden blocks and wedges, the mast was raised onto the awaiting trestles.

Now the job of removing all the old varnish and paint can start, also Shaune can check the fit of the four new saddle segments, he was muttering something about the mast not being round or oval for that matter.

Shamrock's temporary winter covers have been fitted, she has been pumped out and salted ready to be left to the elements over the Christmas holiday period.

Storm Preparation

During last winter a number of Shamrock's mooring lines snapped during the various storms, luckily not all in the same storm. As a result of this the old natural fibre mooring ropes are gradually being replaced with man made nylon rope which will last a lot longer, have a bit of stretch and shouldn't get fungus growing on them. Shamrock purists need not get alarmed as her rigging ropes are still hemp and these are renewed with hemp ropes when required (quite regularly).

Temporary winter covers are being prepared for the openings left when the after deckhouse and forward companionway hatch are removed to the boat shed. These covers will also need to allow for the ventilation of the forward and after cabins.

Shamrock Hoopla

As Shamrock's main mast is due to be moved into the boat shed, her workboat has been moved to the quay boat yard and covered for the winter. This leaves enough room in the shed for both the mizzen and main masts to be left out on trestles with ample room to work on them in comfort. Also in preparation for the move the main masts saddle (collar that supports the boom) and sail hoops have been removed, less bits to get in the way. All four wooden sections of the saddle are showing signs of rot and will need to be renewed before the spring, also the hoops will need sanding and a coat of varnish.

Most of Shamrock's rigging bottlescrews have been scraped and wire brushed clean of old paint and bitumen ready for a fresh coat of paint and finally greasing.