Costs Higher Than Expected, Repair Spending Frozen

Friends of Sea Scouts of Maryland is waiting for the final billing from West River Rigging. Due to the higher-than-expected cost for the mast installation, the organization must freeze additional spending for the repairs that remain, including replacement of the worn out main sail. You can help by making your tax-deductible donation today!

der PeLiKan Sails Once More!

At 11:15 am, during return from the 23rd annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival, Skipper Shay Seaborne reported by text message, "Jib and mizzen are filled with wind, engine is silent. Der Pelikan flies again!"

Recommissioning Cruise Begins

Skipper Shay Seaborne: "Four Sea Scouts and three adult leaders took der PeLiKan on her four-day recommissioning cruise, to provide support for the Antique and Classic Boat Society Chesapeake Chapter's annual Boat Festival in St. Michael's."

Mast Wiring Connected

Commodore Nichols: "I went to Henderson's Wharf Marina yesterday, and connected the mast wiring. All the lights on the mast work except the tricolor on top. I will need help to run the wire for that light. I put a new connector on the radio cable and connected it to the antenna. The weather channel works, but I did not test the transmit function. (This is an old cable, with signs of corrosion and should be replaced.) I connected the wind display and it works. It is not calibrated as certain maneuvers are required while underway. The display did appear to be functioning correctly. While I had it on, the wind increased from 5 knots to 15 knots and changed direction in the manner that was broadcast on the weather radio. The wind indicator is wired to the same power switch as the depth gauge. The stern light is not working. I bought a new one, but I did not have time to install it. I will return to Hendersons at 11:00 AM on Friday, and I will install the stern light then.

Returning Home

Joel David: "Just thought you would like to know as I just got a call that [der PeLiKan] is currently returning to her home port with her new mast installed. Expected arrival is approximately 8:30 tonight at Henderson’s. The long journey is coming to a close.

New Mast Installed

Commodore Nichols reported, "der PeLiKan's mast was installed at 2:10 PM on Friday, June 11. The first attempt last week was not successful as the old mast was oval, and the new mast is more egg shaped. The hole in the deck was enlarged by removing an aluminum ring that is used to secure the mast boot. This ring was cut and welded to fit the new mast and reinstalled. A soft epoxy called "sailtite" was used to fill the void between the mast and the deck. All the shrouds and backstays have been attached. What is left, is to install the roller-furling foresaty, and the triatic stay, and to tune the rigging. [These] should be completed on Monday, leaving us with an improved boat with modern features that the old mast did not have."

Another Change in Plan

Commodore Nichols: "The mast did not get installed today. It is now scheduled to be installed on Friday morning. If the mast is installed in the morning, we will take the boat back to Baltimore in the afternoon.

Ken [Kessler] power washed the deck to remove the Baltimore grime that accumulated over the winter. The boat now has a clean bottom and top! We also replaced the stanchion base that was damaged last week. Fawcett's had the two nylock nuts that we needed to complete the chain plate reinstallation, so they were installed today. I also have started flushing the fresh water tanks. The main tank and hot water tank flushing is complete, but the auxiliary tank is not quite finished."