The boat was to be launched Friday, but predicted thunderstorms forced a postponement. We should be in the water sometime this week. There’s still plenty to do on the to-do list.

BOW ROLLER

The following photo, from 2022, shows the stem fitting just before re-installation.

The following photo, from 2022, shows the top of the stem fitting just after re-installation.

The following photo, from 2015, shows the top of the stem fitting. There are two shackles for attaching the tack of a genoa, but built in and around is the bow-roller assembly.

I know nothing about the origin of the bow roller, but I expect it is not original, and one of the previous owners had it made custom. It doesn’t look bad and it’s quite functional, so I will reinstall it.

At some point, however, a previous owner must have had a minor accident, because both plates curve to port. Perhaps the bow of the boat, while swinging to starboard, caused the end of the bow roller to collide with a piling. I started the reinstallation by working the plates back into shape and cleaning them up:

I purchased new bolts, nuts, washers, spacers, and rollers. There are three rollers in all:

The anchor lives on the rollers when not deployed. Here I have a safety line around the samson post, which interferes with using the samson post for docklines. I’ve forgotten my solution for this dilemma, but I’ll think of something:

COMPANIONWAY LOCK

I removed the companionway drop boards to install a lock-and-key. Here I’m thinking about the installation location:

The installation and operation are self explanatory:

I removed the lock for a 5th coat of varnish on the outside faces:

TO-DO LIST

The remaining items on the to-do list, which can be performed when the boat is in the water, includes a non-skid application of paint on the decks, more varnishing of exterior brightwork, nonskid adhesive strips on the companionway ladder steps, screens for the dorade vents, fiddles here and there, working out the electircal-panel-side wiring for the mast lights, locks for hatches, gaskets for cabintop hatches, reinstalling stainless rub guards that sit on the coamings, working out an awning system for cockpit shade while at anchor, mooring, or slip.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Dyer Dhow has a cover and a spot at the dinghy dock:

Gear is being loaded and stowed. Entertainment-equipment cubby (portable blu-ray player, movies on disc, and a bluetooth speaker for music):

Charts, chart kits, cruising guides, Eldridge, hats:

Cockpit cushions and boat cushions:

And the list goes on: