More Boat Details...

Here it is with the exaggerated rake [backward angle] in the mast to keep the sail in the same position as the old step position. Too much rake in my opinion--the weight of the sail is pulling down on the mast awkwardly and making it bend slightly, putting too much stress on it.













So I adjusted it some--this is about the same rake it had before (maybe a little bit more). I still think the center of effort on the sail looks to be about over the place where the lee-board will be, so I think we're in good shape.















Here's a view from the front...























...and one of the transom--I like how the varnished wood looks from 20 feet away! (Up close you can see more errors...)

















Finally, I realized as I was coming out the back door with the camera that I'd have few opportunities to get a bird's eye view of my boat!

Downtown flooding

Today after lunch we went downtown to show some friends the Arch before their flights. Check out the stop sign almost completely under water.


Sign says "The Riverfront" !


This shows a comparison of the current flood to the one in '93. The bottom of the plaque on the side of the stairs shows how high the water was then...


We have had GORGEOUS weather lately!

How to offend people...

Q: How can you offend Jews, Neo-Nazis, Germans, Swedes, women, the elderly, homosexuals and moral conservatives?
A: The Producers

We went last night to the Muny's production of the Broadway hit. It was a bit slap-stick for my tastes and rather bawdy, but some of the ideas (Hitler in Springtime for example) had the potential to be really funny. Not my favorite of what I've seen, but more plot than Hello Dolly (which struck me as the Broadway equivalent of an action flick: the plot was merely a vehicle for music and dance--things that, like special effects in an action flick, ought to be there to enhance the story, not to carry it by themselves!).

Well, we got the paint job done and dried--we like the looks of the varnished (well, epoxied) wood against the blue hull! (Just hope a green sail doesn't look too weird for the time being...)

The reason you can see two thwarts in the second photo is because I'm moving the mast forward. From pictures it looks like the sail is further back than it needs to be and the cockpit feels a bit crowded with two people in it so I've moved the mast forward about sixteen inches. I'm adding a bit more rake to it (angling it back), and trying to tie the halyard in just a bit farther forward to avoid lee helm (the boat wanting to turn downwind on its own). As it probably has more weather helm than it needs right now (it seems to sail well, but then I'm a novice), I don't think the move will hurt anything, and it will create much more space when sailing.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Our first Cardinals game!


This is always my favorite part of the experience...
about the only time you'll find me eating a hot dog, actually.


After the 4th inning we moved seats and had a much better view!




I love STL!

Força Portugal!!

Check out these awesome pics!! I especially like #55.

http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/photos/t=110/gallery.html