Sea Cup went into the water today. No idea what possessed me to go in so early - usually I feel I'm doing well to be launched by Memorial Day. The nice weather last week prompted me to do the hull repairs needed after the drop last fall, and that went so well I continued with sanding and painting the bottom. So, put it in - I can do the rest of the work (normal stuff plus rebuild the broken water tank) in the water. Yard boss apparently couldn't believe it either - he called me at 8:30 this morning to confirm for 1100.
Fired up the crane (good old GM 4-71) at 1100 and lifted the boat off the jack stands. I sanded and painted the stand spots while the two helpers moved the jack stands to the storage area. Lowered it into the water, removed the straps, and reconfigured the crane for the mast job. Lifted the mast and lowered it onto the step. Secured the crane and went to lunch at 1200.
After lunch, moved the boat to it's slip (Atomic 4 started right up), then spent a few hours getting the boat re-rigged - stays and shrouds attached, mast centered athwartships and shrouds tensioned, boom on, hard vang on, mast chocks in place, boot secured to collar, etc. Even erected the dodger frame and installed the dodger (need one new snap).
Tomorrow the sails go on, then ready to go. I should probably do one sail, then get into the water tank repair, which involves isolating the rest of the boat with plastic sheet to keep the grinding dust under control.
So, I'm a happy camper today!