Happy Summer Solstice

It's summer now, today being the Summer Solstice. Happy Summer 2009 everyone!
And, the sails are officially off the boat. Taken down in preparation for hurricane season. Trying to decide if the sails are worth saving or if they'll be replaced this year. The foresail edge is beyond tired and definitely needs to be cut off the sail, if the sail is to return to the sailboat for next season at all, but as a smaller sail. Other hurricane prep included doubling up all the lines and putting on chaffing gear. While working on the lines I also decided to finally get around to taking a picture of where the anchor had "dinged" the bow of SV Athena during the Boca Grand Inlet passage. In the top pic on the right, where the old green paint is showing through the new blue, that is where the anchor dinged the boat. In lesser boats, that anchor might have popped right through. But SV Athena was made before they knew how very strong fiberglass was. Lucky for SV Athena and crew, the anchor only removed the top layer of blue paint. Makes one feel good that she is a good darn solid boat!
There's nothing like a boat to teach one's self impermance...
I also decided it was way past time to figure out the anchor locker drain problem that has been plaguing me for some time now. Although, it's usually only bothersome during the rainy season, which started full force this mid-May with four days of rain.
The weight of the water in the anchor locker actually weighs the bow down and raises the stern (see middle pic on right) where the top of the rudder is out of the water.
Although the anchor chain and line get a nice freshwater bath, it's not the best of circumstances. After trying to carefully unplug the line, I discovered the culprit...
A piece of wood teak from the toe rail that had dislodged and perfectly fit into the anchor locker drain. In the top right of the pic on the bottom left you can see the spot on the toe rail from which the culprit escaped. The pic on the bottom right is a close up of culprit matching perfectly the anchor locker drain.

With mission accomplished, I happily poured water into the locker and watch it drain away. Easily amused :)

Also amused is Peppermint Patty as she explores around the boat during hurricane prep day and peers within from out (see pic top left).