Just want to add that, thanks to John and other contributors, the latest issue of "SCA" is particularly good (and it has a beautiful cover) . . . I know odds are against new magazine start-ups, and the death of "Small Boat Journal" is sobering (depressing), so I'm praying that "SCA" will survive and thrive . . . ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ludlow, Don" <LudlowD@BEK.com> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 11:04 AM Subject: Forestay Hi Guys and Gals: Happy new year. Sandra, I read john's remarks in SCA about Steve having his forestay come loose in the Catalina crossing, Ouch! I also replaced the clevis pin and cotter pin on the forestay with a fastpin but instead of taping it, I tie it in place with a shoelace, several half hitches and a bow knot. Same for the fastpin on the rudder. I replaced all the cotter pins with ring pins but after that remark, I will tape them all. We live and learn. Doug, Over the Christmas holidays, I added a Richie "Tactician" surface mount compass to the hatch cover like you have. I added a small teak board to the cover to elevate the compass with two screw heads sticking out about 1/4". The compass drops down on the screws and a twist locks it in place making it easy to remove and install when raising the mast. Works great! I can see the compass heading from anywhere in the cockpit and the adjustable bezel allows you to lock in your heading (my short term memory isn't what it used to be). Running out the Dog river channel into Mobile bay last Saturday (in shorts and a tee shirt - Isn't winter hell), I hit a fog bank. I locked the heading in, ran for thirty minutes, did a reverse and hit the channel dead on (allowing 9 degrees for leeway and current). Of course, A GPS would be better, but that will come later, after my new Genny. Fair winds and an early spring to you unfortunate souls living in the upper reaches of the USA. Don Ludlow, M15 #620 Sweet Dream