2013 Launch and halyard retrieval

Brought the boat from Waukegan to Montrose with David and Steve.  Was a last minute trip as the engine work was completed and needed to vacate the slip asap for later launches.

Larsen Marine did alot of work on the boat - new water pump, temporary seal of the heat exchanger (awaiting new part), new running rigging, new spinnaker halyard, and fresh bottom paint.  

Weather on the trip was interesting.  Knew we would see a cold front pass with 20 kt winds.  We were prepared and dressed warm, however the front passed with a bang - at least 40 kt wind and lost the main halyard shackle.  We were able to douse the sail and motor in. But the halyard at the top of the mast was trouble.  Did some searching on the internet and came across a posting where an owner used pvc pipe with a duct tapped pasta spoon on one end.   Run the pipe up the backstay and a few twists and it's caught.  

I did the same using 3/4 pex and a metal pasta spoon - worked like a charm!