Jim Dabrowski

Working on the jumbo jib. Had to remove the jumbo jib boom so I could lace the sail to it. Now I get to reattach it and re-rig it.

Up top showing the blocks for the jib halyard. I think this is so cool looking.

Where it attaches to the bowsprit.

Jib in place

I got the jib all “hung”? My wonderful seamstress wife made it for me and I just got it attached. Still need to do the lower corner but I’ll do that after I get the next one up there, the jumbo jib.

**I got my flying backstays untwisted! **

I had such trouble with them. As soon as I put a little tension on the lines the blocks would twist all around. A little wax, a little weight on the lines, and tying them off to a different place and they look good!

And behind all those templates you saw the main sail. It’s huge! Over 14” at the base where it’s lashed to the main boom. My wife has graciously consented to see them up for me. I’m so lucky!

Then comes the fore sail. It goes between the fore mast and the main mast.

Right behind it is the jumbo jib. Why jumbo when it’s smaller then the jib? I don’t know.

Jib. This one is all the way at the front close to the deck.

Starting on the sails! I finally realized I don’t have to fully rig things up just to measure up the sails. So I temp rigged the main boom and main gaff and am now on to sail making.

Main boom topping lift belayed to the boom by the main mast.

Main boom topping lift.

Fore mast rigging is about done (for now).

Fore gaff rigging

Fore boom topping lift and sheet. I still don’t know how I’m going to stop them from being all twisty-tailed around.

Jumbo jib boom sheet. I’m keeping things loose right now because I’m going to have to un-rig all this to attach the sails.

Guess it’s been a while. Got the flying backstays done. They’re twisting up on me when I try to tighten them up. I want to re do them a bit later. Then just finished up the inhaul tackle. This was hard. The chain, the double block. Tiny tiny stuff.

After a bit of a pause for some travel I’m back at it. Main top mast shrouds and ratlines are done.

Main mast shrouds and ratlines are done. Looking good if you ask me. Next up, main top mast.

Moving on up. Another section done.

First of the starboard ratlines done.

Main mast port ratlines are done!

Another section of ratlines done.

Starting ratlines on main mast.

My dream scenario: Bears trade with Texans to go to #2, then on draft day trade down again. End up with multiple first round picks this year and next plus lots of other picks. And I don’t think this is unlikely either. Poles wants draft picks, not just the top one.