1. Substantial rerigging. I've changed out all of the halyards and the topping lift, replaced the masthead fitting, and installed roller furling. On the boom I've added a vang and a new outhaul system. I was able to find a 0.75oz reacher/drifter in A+ condition at http://www.baconsails.com/ for $200. It will set from a halyard just below the masthead for light air work. I rigged the boat in the parking lot to locate the proper sheet leads for the new sails; I'll install new jib sheet tracks this weekend. The new mainsail should be finished today.

2. Faired and refinished the rudder. The original rudder was in good shape save for some dings, and a few scabby coats of varnish that appeared to have been applied with a broom. I carefully sanded it smooth, filled the dings, and I'm building up coats of varnish. I dig the kick-up rudder design of the M-15.

4. This weekend I hope to hoist the boat off the trailer with the forklift to remove the centerboard for refurbishment. I might also get to the slow work of compounding the gelcoat and renewing the teak trim.

5. New outboard, hurray! Chimpanzee came with a rattly old 2.2 Mercury. I've never had any luck with Mercuries, especially old ones. I carried it next door to the outboard repair shop, thinking that if it could be made to run, I could at least sell it in the newspaper. But wait! On the floor of the repair shop was a 9-month old, twice-used 2HP Honda 4-stroke! The proprietor said I could have it for $400 plus the trade-in on the old Mercury. That was just too good to pass up, so I plunked down my much-abused credit card. Such luck! I hate engines on sailboats in general, preferring to sail when possible and to row when not. But in my opinion the Swiss-watch quality and cleanliness of the 4-stroke Honda takes a lot of the sting out of having an engine on a small boat.