Had some help sent on a wing and a prayer! Sarah and Justin came down to spend the day aboard the SPARROW and helped rip up the cockpit for replacement. Of the many projects we've worked on over the past three years, the woodwork has been low on the priority list, so now, she is finally getting the face-lift she deserves.
We finally replaced the sail-cover so it matches the hull, the boom tent will be next.
While working on replacing the marine-ply bench seats in the cockpit and fiberglassing them, I'm also working on replacing the boom crutch. After much consideration between a crutch or a gallows, I've decided to go back to my roots. When I was a youngster and sailed on my father's John Alden, Malabar Jr. 32' sloop, she had a traditional crutch that looked like giant scissors that held the massive wooden, roller-reefing boom. Because the SPARROW, also has a very long boom, I figured it would work great for stability and ease of stowing while sailing. Gallows would be nice, but I'm afraid of the big smack on a wild jibe...nope, nope, nope. Especially while the boom hangs low until we can re-position the mast at a more vertical angle. So many issues with this boat that were caused by the previous owners...whew!
Some day I hope to sail her proper, as I know she deserves! For now, we take short trips and continue to work on her "issues". And yet, she is always inviting and carries herself humbly through the harbor getting warm smiles~