C'est la Vie's mast is now standing! The top stays arrived midday and by 14:00 the crane was hoisting the mast into position. The day was not without is glitches, I mean we are working on a boat. The retired top stays were made up with Norseman wire terminals. I removed these from the old rigging and planned to reuse them on the new. The inner cone must be replaced prior to re-installing the fittings on new wire. I took my fittings to West Marine and used them to identify the part required. West Marine ordered a cone for 5/16 wire fittings. C'est la Vie's fittings are 1/4. The difference was so slight, that I did not notice at the time. When Paul, from Omar Sails, began to install the fittings on the top stays, he identified the cones as too large. Damn, thwarted by the top stays - again. Here is the point where I must cease my rant and be thankful that we hired a professional rigger, Paul, to assist/consult on our rigging repairs. It is doubtful the either Anne or I would have realized the cone in the swageless fitting was incorrect for our wire size. We would have assembled the fitting and likely compromised the integrity of rig. Paul assured me the mast would stand supported by the four lower stays, the fore stay, and the back stay until the correct parts arrive tomorrow.
I'm an avid and committed Do-It-Yourselfer, but in this scenario having the knowledge and experience of a professional on hand was worth the additional costs.
We moved on from the frustration of the top stays to success with the forestay and new Harken Cruising 1 furler.
By the days end C'est la Vie had regained her mast and boom.
Despite the delays, it feels good to be putting the pieces back together.
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