In Search of Welder

December 8

Good news. Boom was ready for pickup by 1300 Monday. Loaded 18' X 8" diameter, 90.2 Lb. packing tube through hatch and right window of rented van, then avoided jousting with every sign and tree beside road or sideswiping cars headed opposite direction. Rolled container onto dinghy then winched it aboard mother ship before removing contents. Everything was as ordered. Entire operation was easier than imagined.

Bad news. Even if shape of casting to be attached to it had a passing similarity to mast, rivet holes are off just enough to make it unusable at required location. Vang attachment is warped enough at 90 degree weldment to not slide into tighter track. Also, one of us has felt like warmed over dog squeeze all day. This unnamed person was not wise enough to pass out, as did one of guests, prior to last round.

Fixes. If machine shop can get to it this year (not a joke), old casting will be reworked to fit new gooseneck. Plan to borrow largest possible sledge to straighten slider or use non-optimum fitting from mast kit. And finally have eschewed Asiento happy hour or slightest thought of mind effecting drugs. Will never, ever do that again... maybe.

Will spend evening deciding whether pitiful whimpering and/or harassing welder until he finishes job to get rid of me is best strategy.

There is always a well-known solution to every human problem--neat, plausible, and wrong. - H. L. Mencken

Jack