Preparing our Sail Boat to cross oceans Ep 414

Preparing Our Sail Boat to Cross Oceans – Episode 414

Welcome back to Sailing Catalpa! This week we have some very exciting news. We are an Australian family that set off on an adventure of a lifetime, and we hope these little videos make you smile and inspire you to chase your dreams.

This time around, we have a big job ahead of us – redoing the rigging on our sailboat Katala 2. With the help of a company called Hammer, we will be taking on this challenge and sharing the entire process with you!

A New Beginning

As our sailboat has been on our to-do list for quite some time now, we’re excited to finally get started on this project. Our plan is to work with a rigger who will be flying in soon and help us step the Mast and check every single fitting. We’ll be going from the ground up to make sure that Katala 2 is ready to take on any ocean.

Preparation and Measurement

Before we begin, it’s essential to make sure everything is prepared correctly. Our rigger will only be available for a day, so we must use that time efficiently. First, we’ll go over the whole rig and take some basic measurements.

Day 1 – Inspections and Preparation

We started off by inspecting our mast and rigging, making sure to take photos for the team at Hammer. It’s crucial that we get accurate measurements and have a good idea of what we’re working with before proceeding.

Mast Inspection

After measuring, we moved on to inspecting the mast further. It looks in relatively good condition; however, there are some signs of corrosion typical with aluminum and painted metals.

Tidying Up

We then removed the sails from the boat and stored them away in a clean area, making room for our upcoming tasks. Having an organized workspace is essential during these types of projects.

Loosening Rigging

We also took the time to loosen up all the turnbuckles on the rig, applying penetrating oil for smoother operation.

Weekend Tasks

Over the weekend, we focused our efforts on labeling all of the stays and making sure they were set at the correct tension. We wanted to simplify everything for when our rigger arrives.

Rigger’s Arrival

We’re now waiting for our rigger, who will be arriving on the following day. With a lot of other jobs still to do, we need to ensure that everything runs smoothly so we can step the mast as planned.

Final Preparation

In the final stages of preparation, we have secured some steel trestles to hold our mast during the inspection process. This ensures that no damage occurs while working on Katala 2.

With a combination of careful planning and organization, the Sailing Catalpa family is one step closer to making their dream of ocean crossing a reality. Stay tuned for updates as they embark on this exciting journey!