Earlier in this story I mentioned a Mike Tyson comment that everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.  My first punch in the mouth has been the center plate.

First it was jammed, then there was retaining pin horror, inaccessibility anxiety, cable  crisis, winch worries, decay despair.

This photo in no way illustrates the problems associated with it.

We shall overcome, one day. That day I think was today.

I find a buddy of Kiyuna san working  on the plate. He has filled all irregularity with epoxy filler and sanded exhaustively.

Smooth operator

The center plate is now the best in the world. It is as smooth as a baby’s bottom.

I then paint it with anti-fouling.

Stealth.

By the way, it is 34 in the shade under the boat and God knows what in the sun. Not novel in Okinawa but far from ideal working conditions. The mainland is suffering under very unusual heat.

So plate rebuilt, cable replaced, revolutionary winch installed; this is a hot center plate.

It is now 6 weeks since I have been able to really work on the boat due to the center plate issue, Sabani races and typhoons. My Protestant work ethic is rubbed raw. However, next  week, I can definitely get the boat onto the lower trailer, which will catalyse a flurry of activity.