Friday 23^rd April – Messolonghi (Cockpit enclosure)

38:21.686N 21:25.005E

Today, after the bread man had visited and the radio net had completed, we continued fitting the cockpit enclosure. 

This has proved quite a challenge as the fabric needs considerable stretching to get a good fit; if we simply make a comfortable fit now, in a few weeks time it will be beginning to sag.  Initially we thought there would be no way we could get it to stretch to fit on the previous studs and that we would need to cut the steelwork to fit.  But, by persevering throughout the day, it has gradually stretched.  When the manufacturers fit it they have a couple of extra guys to pull down very hard and stretch the fabric; with just us we have had to resort to fitting it stud by stud and then letting the material gradually stretch allowing us to force the next fitting on, it is time consuming but it slowly seems to be working.  We have a few more fittings to put in place but have decided to let the fabric continue to stretch overnight before continuing.

This evening, there has been another music night up at the clubhouse as a few folk are planning to leave soon.