Epilogue
Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four - Part Five
I tell ya'. There's just no rest for the weary around this boat ranch. But, the days are getting longer, the snow is getting shorter. Boat season is just around the corner. But, if I expect to have anybody ready for operation, there's quite a bit to be done yet.
So, with her nail polish still a little wet, and finishing touches held in abeyance, "Strumpet" was cleaned out, and readied for transport back to storage with all the other girls.
And since this project just sort of happened, and didn't even get the proper day or two of pre-planning; there was one whole lot of stuff that hada' be moved to even get a clear passage to the outside world.
First off, little "Punkin' Seed" has been sitting upside down out in the garage, patiently waiting for me to finish fairing and sanding and priming and a few more "-ing's". It's not real easy, but I managed to get her turned back over and back on the trailer. I think that little spit kit must weigh about 500 pounds. I don't suppose all that epoxy and plywood I've been adding to make her leak less comes for free.
I started to say that I did the turning-over by myself. But, since I didn't bargain on the hull going the whole way over when I took tension on one crane while she spun in a lifting strap on the other; I can't take credit for how the whole shootin' match was saved by that same strap snagging on a ¾" ring bolt projecting from the stempost. It's safe to say that I had help, even though I was the only one in the room to hear me yell, "oooooooohhhhh nnnooooooo!!!!"
So, instead of getting dropped and punctured, here she is ready to crawl back on the trailer.
After that little misadventure, I called my good buddy Jim. He's showed up quite a few times when I had to lift one of these girls, and desperately needed to be in several places at once.
Big "Strumpet" has been sitting on a building frame that has been added onto and modified more times than the Winchester Mansion. Those poor casters underneath are ready for retirement. But, we had to fly just one more mission first. She had to roll out to where the pickee-uppee stuff is. If you've ever tried to convince a half-dozen bent casters to swivel and follow while you push and pull; you know how silly you can look.
But, nothing that a pair of floor jacks, some random dunnage, and some heavy duty vehicle movers can't handle. That, and Alice-the-tractor pulling; and presto. "Strumpet" emerges back into the sunlight, for the first time in about a month.
Now, we really get to the "Children. Don't' try this at home." part.
All it takes is two chain falls and a tow strap up forward. Two engine lifting cranes back aft. A random floor jack or two. A trailer, snow plow tractor, and Good Ol' Jim-to push, shove, and tell me when I really aughta' "STOPPPPP!!"
And, before you know it. "Strumpet" is in, over the snow berm, and situated amid the rest of the fleet. With almost half an inch to spare on all sides.
OK, enough of this standing around. Time to get back to work. |
