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NiceAft wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2026 8:11 am One has to admire your intrepidness Herschel.

Agreed. Well done, Herschel. Impressive, and your smile shows.

BTW, as someone who has tarped his boat for many years, I would suggest wrapping the "old geezer stanchion" with a piece of old carpet or something to prevent it from wearing through.

Bravo Herschel! Bravo!
Glad you got that out of the way!

Please don’t over do it (I’m guilty of that as the Admiral will attest…).

The carpet padding is a great idea Russ!
I’ve used those split foam pipe insulating sleeves with good success to distribute loads and smooth out pointy places.
They’re cheap, durable and readily adaptable.
(Personally, I like the stiffer thicker foam tubes over the gushy soft black one that the air conditioner guys use on refrigeration lines.)

Just a thought… One of the things we’ve considered if we were to over winter up north in NH with Over Easy would be to have the boat shrink wrapped.
I’m seriously impressed with how well that holds up when done by an experienced and knowledgeable wrapper.

Best Regards,
Over Easy

OverEasy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2026 6:03 pm Just a thought… One of the things we’ve considered if we were to over winter up north in NH with Over Easy would be to have the boat shrink wrapped.
I’m seriously impressed with how well that holds up when done by an experienced and knowledgeable wrapper.

Shrink-wrapping a boat typically costs between $12 and $25+ per foot. This usually equates to roughly $400 to $500. My $75 tarp has lasted several seasons. Shrink wrapping is ideal, but costly.
Some people reuse the shrink wrap. Preserving/storing the shrink-wrap is a challenge.

For me, I tarp the boat in winter to keep snow/water off the deck. In the winter, water seeps under fittings, stanchions, etc. and will freeze, expand and cause leaks. The UV can also cause damage.

I use a 16'x40' tarp on the rare occasions I know the boat won't be used for an extended period. It's more to keep the leaves from staining the deck than anything else. I used tennis balls on the stanchions to keep them from rubbing through (a hard-learned lesson).

OverEasy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2026 6:03 pm Bravo Herschel! Bravo!
Glad you got that out of the way!
Please don’t over do it (I’m guilty of that as the Admiral will attest…).
The carpet padding is a great idea Russ!
I’ve used those split foam pipe insulating sleeves with good success to distribute loads and smooth out pointy places.
They’re cheap, durable and readily adaptable.
(Personally, I like the stiffer thicker foam tubes over the gushy soft black one that the air conditioner guys use on refrigeration lines.)
Just a thought… One of the things we’ve considered if we were to over winter up north in NH with Over Easy would be to have the boat shrink wrapped.
I’m seriously impressed with how well that holds up when done by an experienced and knowledgeable wrapper.
Best Regards,
Over Easy

Interesting. I want to be able to access the cabin while in storage so I'll stick with the tarp combo I have started. I just like going aboard and being in the boat. I was able to run my 12-volt extension cord for the mast lights and check that both the steaming light and anchor lights are working. Tomorrow I put on the second tarp. I chose to use two tarps that I could manage given my limited mobility. Also, I have a surgery date of April 28. Therefore I am optimistic about getting the boat back in the water by September. It may be just for a season or two before I have to do the same for my other knee, but at least I'll get in some boating later this year if all goes well.

Hi Herschel!

Glad your able to get things in order and shipshape before your surgery!
I hope all goes well with it all.
We’re pullin fer ya!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

OverEasy wrote: ↑Fri Mar 06, 2026 12:11 am Hi Herschel!
Glad your able to get things in order and shipshape before your surgery!
I hope all goes well with it all.
We’re pullin fer ya!
Best Regards,
Over Easy

I just want to say how very special everyone's support has been. Overeasy, befree, russ, niceaft, kmclemore, dlandersson, tuxonpup, and all other readers, your insight has been invaluable regarding the challenges I have faced. I have been buoyed up with all your good wishes and compliments regarding my painting project, the rebuild of my Bimini, and other repairs only to face an additional delay in being able to get underway. Yes, my admiral is very supportive. Obviously considering the "boat bucks" that went into all of this. But it is you sailors who know best what it is like to be challenged in all these ways and especially when we are NOT able to get out on the water, to NOT be able to hoist a sail and become one with the helm and the gentle heel as the graceful flow of water begins to slide silently by the lee side of our Macs, and gently toss our hair against our forehead. That is what I miss. Yes, I have my dear family members expressing their best wishes and even many hearty souls at my church offering prayers on my behalf. Each is important in its own way, but you guys deserve my special thanks for your unique insight to this very crucial slice of my life. Thank you.

Herschel wrote: ↑Thu Mar 05, 2026 6:22 pm Interesting. I want to be able to access the cabin while in storage so I'll stick with the tarp combo I have started. I just like going aboard and being in the boat. I was able to run my 12-volt extension cord for the mast lights and check that both the steaming light and anchor lights are working. Tomorrow I put on the second tarp. I chose to use two tarps that I could manage given my limited mobility. Also, I have a surgery date of April 28. Therefore I am optimistic about getting the boat back in the water by September. It may be just for a season or two before I have to do the same for my other knee, but at least I'll get in some boating later this year if all goes well.

Herschel,
I've spent many hours working on my boat under the tarp. You can even leave the hatches open to allow for ventilation unless the weather is really bad.

After any significant rain don't forget to check the tarp between the mast and the lifelines to make sure you don't have "puddles" in the tarp. I neglected to do that once (it only takes once) while the main hatch was partially open and flooded my cabin when the tarp sprang a leak. Lesson learned (the hard way).

Let me know if you need any help. I'd love an excuse to see that new paint job in person.

Ditto!
What he said!

Bill/be free said:

Let me know if you need any help. I'd love an excuse to see that new paint job in person.

Actually, that may be a real thing. My surgeon and several testimonials on YouTube have indicated that I may not want to kneel much after I get the new knee. He said there is no medical reason not to kneel once everything is healed, but most folks just don't do it. Well, I can't imagine stepping the mast without kneeling and wrangling the foot of the mast into its baseplate and bolting it in. I would appreciate the possible assistance come fall when that evolution will take place if all goes well. The offer is much appreciated.

Let me know when you are ready to step it and I'll be there! I can raise an "X" mast with my eyes closed.

Be Free wrote: ↑Sun Mar 08, 2026 1:16 pm Let me know when you are ready to step it and I'll be there! I can raise an "X" mast with my eyes closed.

That’s what I don’t see enough of; blind obedience

NiceAft wrote: ↑Sun Mar 08, 2026 3:02 pm

Be Free wrote: ↑Sun Mar 08, 2026 1:16 pm Let me know when you are ready to step it and I'll be there! I can raise an "X" mast with my eyes closed.

That’s what I don’t see enough of; blind obedience

dlandersson wrote: ↑Mon Mar 09, 2026 5:22 am

NiceAft wrote: ↑Sun Mar 08, 2026 3:02 pm

Be Free wrote: ↑Sun Mar 08, 2026 1:16 pm Let me know when you are ready to step it and I'll be there! I can raise an "X" mast with my eyes closed.

That’s what I don’t see enough of; blind obedience

Well, we Florida X Mac owners must be out to make a mark for ourselves: stepping a mast---one guy blindfolded and the other gimpy, hobbling about with a walker. What a sight we would be. I have to chuckle, though. One of my childhood heroes was Hopalong Cassidy. As originally envisioned by Clarence Mumford, Hopalong was a crusty ole cowhand a bit rough around the edges and with a noticeable limp. William Boyd polished him up considerably to be a good example to the us kids. Nonetheless, it makes my hobbling about my boat awaiting the surgeons computer assisted knife feel a bit more romantic. Bill, you want a Lone Ranger mask or a Zorro disguise?

If I have to pick I'll go with the Lone Ranger, preferably the version from the 1930's books. Clayton Moore did a good job with the TV version but when I found the original novels in my elementary school library I was hooked. There were only 18 of them but I made up for it by reading each one several times. I remember that they filled most of the bottom shelf and about two shelves above them was the full set of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Martian (Barsoomian) novels. There were not as many of them but they were just as well-read.