Started removing deck hardware today. Got the mast step, forward hatch, couple of cleats and sheaves, and the bow rail. One of the rusted (stuck) screws gave us a problem, but we finally prevailed once we got the right screwdriver. (Borrowed a big 12-incher.) Still have the other three bow pulpit stanchion bases to pull off tomorrow. I also started jacking and blocking the boat so that she's supporting her weight properly. Think I've just about got her leveled and blocked (still on the trailer, though), just need to fine tune it tomorrow. I'm leaving a light on inside the boat to try and dry her out. Hoping for the best.

Sun. 21 Feb, 1999

O.K. Now I feel like I can relax a little. I've been very anxious to get the boat blocked and balanced, and I feel I've finally done that. Trying to assess the damage of the effects of being strapped to an ill fitting trailer for, say, 18 months is difficult, but at least for now it's fairly well supported.

Now that I've had a couple of days to play around with jacking the boat up here, blocking it there, I can begin to see how I might be able to get it off the trailer. Still, it's those side supports that are going to be tricky. With it on the trailer, I've been able to use to the bunks (4x12s mounted edgewise on the trailer) for side support: as I jack up and block the keel, I insert 2x6s between the bunks and the hull. To get the boat off the trailer, those side supports are going to have to be positioned outside the wheel base of the trailer.

Still, it's pretty amazing how that thing just balances there on her keel. The curve of the hull is at just the right height for me to bend over and, positioning myself underneath, lift up with my back and carefully rock her over onto the opposite bunk while I slide in a spacer.

Also got the tarp set up over the boat using a rope run from the trailer winch post, across the bow to a tree behind the stern of the boat (not on the centerline, but close enough). The tarp drapes over the rope, with the corners tied off behind the boat about 4 feet off the ground at the fence directly astern, and in front of the boat with ground stakes out about 4 feet on each side. It's starting to look like quite a sideshow here, but the boat's staying dry.