The Great Dinghy Trial

May 12, 2014

Today another major milestone was reached in out preparation for the Texas 200.  Gene has been building a dinghy, and today was launch day.  The good news is that it floats.  For those of you who don't know Gene, there was little doubt that it would.

Gene was kind enough to build in an extra seat at the back of the boat me me to sit.  After the boat was launched he said it was a little "nose heavy" and he needed me in the back to ballast.  I'm pleased that he is going to use me for ballast rather than the anchor.

So, despite the fact that it was nose heavy and the oars need to be reset for length the great dinghy (as yet unnamed)  trial run was a total success..again, knowing Gene's ability not a big surprise.

Gene is besides being an extremely intelligent person is a true renaissance man.  His capability to craft, restore, build, and design never ceases to amaze me.  With his engineering background he can make any project look easy.  I on the other hand need directions to put a pen back together.  It comes down to ying and yang.  I'm aesthetics and he's function.  In the end it all works out well.  He builds the amazing and I decide on color,decor, and make sure his functional design is put to good use.

After the dinghy trial run Gene bolstered the chainplates on Sun Dog(for non-sailors the chainplates secure the mast to the boat.  Without strong chainplates the mast can become unstable and fall).  Gene's last task is to cut an opening under the V or front berth for storage.  You can never have enough storage on a boat for essentials like toilet paper, paper towels, extra food.....

So, with Gene's tasks being done I will go aboard tomorrow and put all the non-perishables in place, make sure we have all the safety devices required, and put the finishing touches on Sun Dog.

We'll be returning to Missouri for the last 2 weeks of May.  Gene has promised his 89 year old dad, Gene Sr, that he would drive him in his Model T in the Memorial Day Parade as a Veteran of WWII.
We will also be having our annual Logo Gruender Memorial Day BBQ.  Then it's back to Texas on the first of June for the final preparations for the race.

Tomorrow pictures of the inside of Sun Dog.  Also see the video of the dinghy launch on my FB page.