Cleaning the Mainsail

In preparation for Hurricane Irene, I pulled the mainsail off the boom and brought it home.  It needed a cleaning.  That is a two man job, but I managed to do it myself.  I used a pressure washer to wash the driveway first, then I started with the top of the sail and sprayed one side and then the other as I rolled it up.  It is not perfect.  I could probably do it again, pretreating it with a little diluted bleach.  It looks ok.  Better than before and the sail does not need any repairs except for some mono-filament on the Dutchman sail flaking system.  I have some spare mono-filament--enough for one.  I'm wondering if I should replace the other two at the same time.  It is also clear to me that I need a couple of mast steps to help install and remove the sail cover.  I can do it because I'm tall, but it is not easy.

The second picture shows some of the accumulated dirt with the cleaned portion rolled up.

ECHO was originally a US Navy Training boat named at the time, Intrepid, and run out of a maritime academy in Maine.  Hence the sail number NSY 14.  Naval Sailing Yacht 14.  Intrepid is a good name for it because it has designs features, like the keel similar to the America's Cup yacht Intrepid.  I changed the name because people could never remember the name. I also like the simplicity of a boat named after a code flag letter--E, Phonetically, ECHO, so it is very clear what the name of the boat is when talking on the radio. I also like the story of ECHO in Greek Mythology.

The Story of ECHO.

Echo was a beautiful nymph, fond of the woods and hills, where she devoted herself to woodland sports. She was a favorite of Diana, and attended her in the chase. But Echo had one failing; she was fond of talking, and whether in chat or argument would have the last word. One day Juno was seeking her husband, who, she had reason to fear, was amusing himself among the nymphs.   Echo by her talk contrived to detain the goddess till the nymphs made their escape. When Juno discovered it, she passed sentence upon Echo in these words: "You shall forfeit the use of that tongue with which you have cheated me, except for that one purpose you are so fond of REPLY. You shall still have the last word, but no power to speak first."

This nymph saw Narcissus, a beautiful youth, as he pursued the chase upon the mountains. She loved him, and followed his footsteps. Oh, how she longed to address him in the softest accents, and win him to converse, but it was not in her power. She waited with impatience for him to speak first, and had her answer ready. One day the youth, being separated from his companions, shouted aloud, "Who's here?" Echo replied, "Here." Narcissus looked around, but seeing no one, called out, "Come." Echo answered, "Come." As no one came, Narcissus called again, "Why do you shun me?" Echo asked the same question. "Let us join one another," said the youth. The maid answered with all her heart in the same words, and hastened to the spot, ready to throw her arms about his neck. He started back, exclaiming, "Hands off! I would rather die than you should have me." "Have me," said she; but it was all in vain. He left her, and she went to hide her blushes in the recesses of the woods. From that time forth she lived in caves and among mountain cliffs. Her form faded with grief, till at last all her flesh shrank away. Her bones were changed into rocks, and there was nothing left of her but her voice. With that she is still ready to reply to any one who calls her, and keeps up her old habit of having the last word.