Captain's Log

March 15, 2003

	Spanish windlass on BTC Velocity to secure the mast after an important piece of the rigging failed - Alan Paris photo		Part of the jury rig to support the mast on BTC Velocity - Alan Paris photo

Just before sunset the front passed and winds of 30 kts on a tight reach became 20 kts and a broad reach. Sea state is very confused; however, I took the opportunity to do part of the work needed to stabilize the mast. My nerves would not allow it to go unattended overnight.

This entailed a the pre set up of a 2:1 block and tackle attached to a strop around the front of the mast from the ' good ' side. Any lines completely around the mast would mean that the main sail could not be raised or lowered. The strop is a combination of nylon webbing, for sacrificial chafe, and what we call Spec Cord. This very thin yet very strong line has a durable outer core and a spectra, high strength low stretch, line inside. I figured that flying spinnakers was not in my immediate future, so both spinnaker blocks made up the block and tackle.

Tomorrow morning I will check the arrangement and fine tune so that the mast is straight, right now it has a little lean to windward. Then I will put a line on the good side of the mast to the deck using a ' Spanish windlass ' ( that will have you looking in the dictionary ) to oppose some of the load on the spreader. Lastly at each connection I will install a back up line as a preventer should any part of the system fail these lines will hold until my frequent inspections.

I feel better about what has been done and my plan to make it as bullet proof as possible. BTC Velocity has no wish to join the carnage that has taken 2 masts, 2 booms, damaged 2 keels and now seen the withdrawal of one competitor.

Holding it all together.

Alan
BTC Velocity