Greetings all

Well the winter cover is on and has withstood its first wind storm-so I am hopeful that it will hold up well during our stay in Mystic Seaport. The only spars left aboard as I write are the lower masts themselves and the main boom, which is acting as the cover ridge pole. All the rest are down and under cover along with as many pieces of varnish which could be detached from the ship and brought indoors.

Today myself, four crew and two volunteers began the maintenance projects which we have been hoping to undertake this past season. Alex Myers, the Engineer is overhauling the water maker and working with a Caterpillar technician servicing the main engine. On deck we are stripping most of the varnish down to bare wood and beginning to build up coat after coat-up to the prescribed eight coats required to protect the wood from the elements. Over in the “Shed” crew are sanding and painting and servicing booms, gaffs and yards-all while being indoors!

I will send updates as we push the projects along. There is more than enough to keep us busy throughout the winter so that, when Lynx emerges from her cocoon she will be sparkling, well painted and ready to sail during the Bicentennial year of the beginning of the War of 1812.

Cheers Captain John Beebe-Center

Greetings all!

As per schedule Lynx departed New London on November 1st and arrived at Mystic Seaport for our GRAND ARRIVAL at 1130-with guns blazing and flags flying. We were met by many Seaport staff and old friends-as well as many interested visitors to America’s Seaport Museum. Though Lynx had never been into the Seaport many of her sailors had been to this wonderful sailing port previously.

Mystic Seaport is where Lynx, for the first time in her 10 year life will lay up for the winter in order to do maintenance. As I write to you the Main Topmast and the Jibboom are on their way out of the rig and onto the dock for the trip (by spar cart) across the Seaport to an indoor shed where they will be serviced and varnished and painted before sending them back up in the spring. This will be accomplished by myself and four crew members while the rest of the crew go on to other projects.

We will also be erecting a winter cover over Lynx so as to work on everything on deck, come rain, shine or snow.

Come spring time we will haul Lynx out on the Seaports “syncrolift” to finish maintenance on her bottom. And from there a very busy 2012 coming up as Lynx works to commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Until next time,

Cheers

Captain John Beebe-Center