Transform from racing to cruising...

As the summer vacation is approaching, Silverminken needs to transform from racing mode to cruising mode. Here are some of the to-do issues:

Repair log:

• Change cockpit "hatches" (the two small hatches on either side, the hinges were broken due to a wrong installation, warranty) (Done - turned out great)
• Get the spinnaker halyard back - it blew out during a broach under the Twostar regatta (or, if we are being diplomatic: it blew out during our very well-timed "drop")
• Get the tackline back, which also blew out (Done, but I am considering a longer tackline so I can drop the kite without tripping the tackline from the deck - which is a very dangerous maneuver in extreme conditions)
• Change the lower part of the furlex - the "eye" which the jib is attached to broke straight off during Twostar (Done, but I will send the parts to Selden to ask them for an explanation!)
• Change the tiller extension since it got bent under Twostar, also change to one that is one size longer (starting at 75cm instead of 60). This is important especially in heavy, shorthanded conditions where you need that reach without being afraid of falling down, which we did a couple of times in the extreme waves and ended up bending it...
• Find out what hozes I forgot to reattach after laying up last autumn, causing the water tanks to leak. :)
• Change battery since it wouldn't take any charge (Done - did it before Twostar, under warranty)
• Tape some minor damage on the spinnaker (Done). Will have to send in the spinnaker after this season for some minor repairs.

Cruising gear:

• Remove stickers and flags from regattas
• Remove the battens from the 3DL, pack it up and take it home (Done)
• Remove the horizontal battens from the no 4 jib, change to vertical battens and mount on the furler (Done)
• Remove some of the excess (actually, not much) security gear from Category 3 racing (Done)
• Duvets, pillows, bedlinen (Done)
• Pots and pans, cutlery etc (semi-done)
• Cockpit cushions, cockpit table (we have a separate aluminium folding table which goes in the big locker) (semi-done)
• Attach the sprayhood (Done)
• Strap for the spinnaker boom
• Boom awning (Done) (We use a Gaastra non-inflatable awning)
• Clean water tanks
• Inflate and bring dinghy
• Fill diesel- and watertanks
• Bring instruction manuals and more tooling for spare time
• Bring cleaning gear - rubbing, polish, wax to get Silverminken shining, which also gives the kids some tasks, fender cleaning is a favourite believe it or not
• Change propane tank
• etc...