Just a simple job, cut off the topping lift from the mizzen mast and drop a new one in... so we thought. Dropping a wind gauge cable had been a doddle, why shouldn't putting in a new topping lift be easy?
Up the mizzen mast I went, snapped on my safety line and cut the old (stuck) topping lift which dropped gracefully to the deck. Then with a screwdriver pushed away the old topping lift into the mast ready for a tracer line to drop in the mast and pick up a new 8mm line. But... the old topping lift didn't clear the block fully whatever I did. The tracer would not fall inside and... tended (about 5 times or more) to come out of the sail track.
Eventually I gave up and fixed a new external block to the outside of the mast for the topping lift! Will fix properly when we drop the mizzen mast.
Next... fix the clip on the end of the starboard mizzen spreader. Lowered away till I was at the right height, added extra safety line and pushed out from the mast to reach the spreader... hoisted drill and started drilling out the old pop rivet. Tried to steady myself from swinging around since I am pushing out from the mast... kept drilling... drill bit broke. New drill bit, drilled hole, fixed new pop rivet in place.
Then added two extra lines from the spreaders to hold the two new solar panels. Finally down on the deck and time for a snack of haloumi cheese sandwiches. Then fix the solar panels in place... couple of other odd jobs and home for lunch. Late. Ooops.
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