It was a close call since the high tide was close to 8am this morning and if the tide goes too far out we might lose the window and need to wait a day.

The crew got on it this morning working alongside the yard crew to complete the caulking, flashing, bottom paint and check all systems for going down the ways.

By the way, the lead flashing nailed on with bronze ring nails is going on as a conservative measure. Since we know the root cause of the seam opening last month was due to the slight shifting of the keel and since that problem has been extensively remedied, the flashing is simply adding assurance....

Slowly the chain hauled the cradle down the rail and Ernestina settled back into her element. Now we prepare for a US Coast Guard shakedown sail tomorrow and the restart of our underway programs through the rest of the season.

Captain: Sophie Morse

The final touches on caulking the garboard seam and shimming a joint at the stem in preparation for launching.

The crew finish up the flashing with lead bedded in plastic roof cement and nailed with bronze ring nails.