Nearly there... I think... I hope...

It's only been 4 days since I last saw the boat. Starboard side's coming along nicely. Yet, somehow, I had hoped for more. Just a bit forward of the mast. So some way to go yet. And there's the matter of the fish bone along centre line. If past form's anything to go by, another time-consuming job.
Whilst the quality of the work's top notch, timekeeping's not one of Frank's strong suits. I, once again, impressed on him the importance of the schedule. We launch on the 20th - still lots to do... cleats, fairleads, stanchions, genoa track, ... All the deck fittings have to be in place by then.

To be able to fix the shroud fittings in place, the headlining down below has to be back in place. To be able to do that all the cupboards and lockers (re)moved have to be back where they were. Time to pull the collective finger out. I'll be doing my bit - going over from Friday till completion. That should focus the mind a bit and add a sense of urgency.

What happened over the week-end? New hatch cover for the anchor well was made. Cork laid well forward of the mast starboard side. Cockpit was emptied - (finally) ready for repaint and then the cork. I got all the bits ready and together for the stepping of the mast. Some bits lost (hopefully just mislaid) - shopping list made. The stepping of the mast should go smoothly. Sails back on at the same time - she'll look like a proper yacht by the 20th.

Apart from the issues I've outlined above; what does still need doing?
- Foredeck forward of the anchor well and the centre line - cork application.
- Coachroof and cockpit repaint + cork application. Coachroof should be straightforward, the cockpit seats less so (but nothing major).
- The tiny poop deck - cork application.
- Caulking (all over) and finally sanding down of the entire deck (twice).
- Fit the new oven.
- Still to arrange van rental and sort some boat admin.

We launch on the 20th and we sail not later than the 27th. It's not impossible, but it's going to be (very) tight. Add to that the fact that we're being moved out of the hangar this Friday... fingers crossed for a warm/hot and dry last 2 weeks of May.
Getting more nervous and anxious by the minute. I wish I could just put the next 3 weeks on fast forward.

Going sailing can't be too far away now - for the first time in months I've started taking an interest in the weather again and I even jotted down a few chart corrections. Whatever next?

We launch in nine days - first sail of 2009 hopefully not long after that.