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Parallax
 
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Default Saga of the Blind Boatbuilder

Yesterday (Saturday), while working on my two Stevenson Mini-Cup
boats, my glasses suddenly broke. This was not a break that could be
repaired with tape and I realized I was essentially legally blind till
Monday since I had no backup. Being absurdly optimistic and stubborn,
I decided this was no real impediment although my range of vision was
maybe 6". So, with the aid of my 13 yr old son, I proceeded to work.

"Nickolas, help me find the tape measure"

Nick: "Dad, its right next to you"

Putting it in place,

Me: "What does it say"

Nick: "What are all these marks betwen the numbers?"


I stubbornly went forward. We managed to get the centerboard box of #2
mounted and I really thought it went well, better than #1 since I
measured much more carefully. I had to trim about 1/8" from its
height (safety glasses and eyes about 6" from the cut).
Meanwhile, being tired of being blind, I called the HMO emergency #
and they gave me some emergency contact lenses (I wore contacts years
ago), unable to correct astigmatism or the bi-focal problem but at
least I could sorta see (now have to be about 3' from the monitor to
see it). I really thought #2 centerboard box had gone well till I
went out this morn and looked and saw that I had mounted it upside
down! This mast hole is unavailable unless the wind is underwater.
HMMM. what to do? Not possible to remove the box at this point. Will
prob have to cut a hole for the mast and push a piece of wood into the
hole to form a bottom. Minor problem.