Wow, this has been a big day.

The welder showed up this morning, and installed the new bowsprit. It looks like a big stainless steel cannon sticking out from the bow. It will support the asymmetrical spinnaker. The thing is a work of art...

Second, the aluminum arch that supports the solar panels has been extended and welded to the stern davits. This makes it much stronger and less vulnerable to a boarding wave.

Third, the emergency rudder system has been built. It's fantastic, very strong. This project is unfinished, and will be completed tomorrow.

Fourth, the gooseneck (the hinge that connects the boom to the mast) has been totally rebuilt and outfitted with bronze bushings to make the thing as good as new. The gooseneck is the number one point of failure on sailboats so we have been careful to make sure this critical point is in top condition.

In a day and a half, all these projects are already nearly completed.

Plus, our new spinnaker arrived from the U.S. today.

We're getting close to being ready!!! We can hardly believe it!