Friends Good Will - Maiden Voyages

The preparation of Friends Good Will tells the story of the crew and their efforts in preparing FGW for departure from Lake Erie.
Click a photo to see it in greater detail

The Leg 2 Crew (without Bob)	The crew gathers on September 3, 2004	Rapt attention	With some of the Erie crew


As the Commander directs	And the crew paints	removes	the sails



Prepares to shift the boom	and the mast	The crane is ready	The ship builder considers while the film crew gets busy


A proud prow		Off come the mast and the boom


The heavy lifting begins	I could have done that if it were a few pounds lighter	Assembled on the mast	The painting crew are making progress


Time to re-align the sloop	How sweet she moves	With the crane	She steers easily into place


The rigger	All lines are ready and made fast to the mast	The Commander has the honor... (photo by Al Kempf)	to place a 2004 Michigan quarter in the step of the mast


Lift away under the rigger's watchful eye	Up	Celebration on deck	Now to the Forestay


Ready for the lift	In the afternoon	An awesome sight	Successfully stepped


Yes it is a sloop!	Who's going up first?	Let's get this properly	set in place


It's simple---and you have a french coil	Voilla!	(photo by Al Kempf)	Duane works on the jib stay


Tracy steadies the line	Now for the chain falls	Blueberry pancakes and sausages!	Turks head mats - Renee and Ellen are game


(photo by Al Kempf)	(photo by Al Kempf)	Let's get the boom on	Easy now!


Just like that	It's looking more and more like a sloop	More work on the head gear	John Scrano is first aloft!


Now for the gaff and mains	Pickett gets the frapping right	Who let the mosquitoes out?!	(photo by Al Kempf)


(photo by Al Kempf)	(photo by Al Kempf)	Below deck	The electronics are being worked on


Bob from Scrano's yard	Below decks a renewing repast is served	by the brave and well prepared chef	to a very grateful crew

The first passage on Lake Erie was at night with very rough weather and waves.