It had felt like a long wet winter and the weather forecasts still were not looking great.  But by late March I thought it was time to make a start on getting Sea Bear back ready for the water.

It was cold and windy in the boat yard with rain at times but I got started on the list of jobs. A mix of outside and below decks jobs, only some of which I will mention. The evenings were long dark and cold but the Dickensons stove really came into its own, firing it up soon had the cabin warm and toasty. First I tackled cleaning the hull and topsides followed by waxing and polishing the hull. It is hard work but a bit of a spirit lifter seeing the boat come clean and shiny. Sea cocks cleaned, checked and regreased. Heads re-assembled, I alway take them apart at lay up time, that way then don’t seize up over the winter. I learned that the hard way long ago. Engine water pump checked and re-assembled. Prop cleaned and antifouled. All running rigging was re-reeved. A convenient break in the weather, it dawning windless and sunny enabled me to fit the furling yankee, mainsail, reefing lines and lazy jacks. Up the mast for this task so refitted the wind speed indicator and inspected the fittings and split pins at the same time.

My liferaft, take for servicing in November had been condemned so a new one purchased. One in a canister rather than valise this time so it was fitted just forward of the refitted spray hood which had been given a treatment of water proofer. After 7 days I was done almost all jobs ticked off the list and Sea Bear was ready for the water and another season.