Under Cover Schooner

Good Morning Everyone. 6 degrees below zero this and the wind chills will be bracing. We are in for a snow storm according the National Weather Service tomorrow. The forecast is for 8-12 inches of new white stuff here and 12-18 in the western mountains. So much of today will be spent hunkering down for an anticipated snow day for the kids and office day for us. Jen left at 0500 for Boston to go renew her Coast Guard license. Congratulations to Kaitlyn who just passed her National Registry EMT exam!

I received an email yesterday from 2 fellas who really should be working instead of reading this blog. They were wondering what it is we do to get the schooner through the winter unscathed. The single most important part of our annual maintenance cycle is the winter cover. Without that shrink wrap cover the schooner wood be open to elements, namely rain and snow, with no ability for the crew to work through inclement weather getting the boat painted. The schooner actually spends more of her year under cover than open to the weather. I have an old picture, from the 50s I guess, of the schooners left open to the weather chained together in a snow storm, rigging in place. I guess schooners were less expensive those days and the old timers would laugh to see the lavish care we provide. It takes us 2 full days to cover the boat. We use the same framework of PVC bows and laminated purlins each year. The shrink wrap comes in a roll 40’ x 149’ and is white to reflect the UV sunlight which can make the place like a green house some days. We wait for a calm day and roll it on (imagine the wind catching that kite and sending it up over the bay. The FAA would have a field day with that one.) A special propane fired blow dryer on steroids is used to shrink the plastic so that it is literally pingin’ tight. You can weld the plastic back on to itself where it over laps. Braces inside the cover keep everything rigid. Imagine the forces when the wind is gusting to hurricane strength as they will these next few days. Needless to say we double up our extra big winter lines in the stern and attach chains to the beach in the bow. I won’t be able to get to the schooner tomorrow but will sit here miles away with a prayer in my mind and the knowledge that we have done the best we can to see your schooner through the long winter. The lonely rocking chair sits empty waiting for someone to come warm her up.

Have a great day. Be well. Do Good.

Hail Mary

My heart is heavy with sadness as I write this particular blog. Since the beginning of August our dear friend and cook for the last 12 years, Mary Barney, had been struggling with cancer. I have intentionally respected Mary’s privacy and I apologize to you for not sharing any news about Mary’s health sooner. On Monday afternoon Mary passed away very peacefully at home, surrounded by friends and “family”. Her departure was as graceful as the rest of her life. Many people, including Jen, have been doing heroic work to support Mary these last few weeks. Oddly enough Mary was never very excited about transitions though this was about the fastest transition she ever made. And as I struggle to let go of Mary I realize I am terrible with transitions as well. We used to joke about how we liked things just the way they are, thank you very much, so why change what is working already even if it might be less labor intensive. Hard works is its own reward. I used to joke about getting Mary a Cui...

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