NOT A SINGLE SCREW LOOSE

Although You May Think Differently

There are no loose screws, of course, in STEADFAST’S beautiful new planks or the complex components thereof; it’s simply another one of those expressions I cannot resist examining. Informally, according to Cambridge Dictionary ‘having a screw loose’ is ‘to seem crazy.’ I’m safely thinking I fall neatly into that particular category. The antonym listed is to ‘have one’s head screwed on right’ suggesting someone is competent and well-adjusted. Since I opine that both those definitions apply to yours truly, well, that is a conundrum for another day. Do I have my slightly crazy head screwed on straight? Yes, I believe I do.

AI defines a loosely-screwed-together individual as eccentric, a descriptor and a reality which I have always adored as a compliment and oftentimes strive toward. I think it is the adjective ordinary that I fear the most, although no matter your choice of vocabulary, it’s quite a task to define humans, isn’t it? And bold to even try, especially with just one word; there are limitless designations. Here’s how we categorize at the boatyard; it’s pretty straightforward.

DON’T CALL THEM SCREWS

Even If You Think Ours Are Loose

They look like screws, but you can’t call them that. The devices that hold STEADFAST together are deemed fasteners, which attach more than just boat parts; they can hold anything together. So while a screw is a fastener not all fasteners are screws. I was taught that the devices holding vessels together are fastenings and the people who insert them are fasteners. Anyone care to weigh in? I have a feeling that you language gurus out there (Sam V) are contemplating this… (my life is intriguing indeed(…or is it?). Regardless, because I learned the majority of my boat terminology/language from a strongly opinionated and experienced individual, here in my tiny little water world our affixers are called fastenings. And always will be.

Whatever you call them, our new Silicon Bronze ones are rock solid and steadfast, you might say, drilled, filled and plugged perfectly, meticulously, into each frame, lubricated with Kirby’s Red Lead Primer and sent on home with a big drill and enough muscle to achieve satisfying, sexy, audible, contact between old-growth long leaf yellow pine and ancient white oak. “Sucked in” we call it, feeling the progress. With each one, we arm ourselves further for our future blue water SPARS WITH MOTHER NATURE.

These are countersunk; I come plugging along after the insertion, with sincere hopes that I will never see any of these little beauties again.

These are, as far as we know, the best ones money can buy. You get the quality level that you pay for, generally, and we have purchased 2,100 of these heavy, perfect, slotted flatheads (retail $4.36 each, volume discounts) from a company based in the Wooden Boat Mecca of Newport, Rhode Island, USA. Fair Winds Fasteners came to our attention during the seven-year reconstruction of 1910 sailing vessel TALLY HO, and has been consistently recommended to us ever since. Their customer care is top notch, generally through personable owner Rob Lehmann, and their efficiency is clear to see. They ship 1,000 units, fifty pounds of shiny sharpness size #20 (that means big), in one remarkably small box. For diverse metals & uses, visit Fair Winds Fasteners. I extolled the virtues of their bronze rod in A STEADFAST REPAIR, too.

The new fastenings are superior, and we upgraded two sizes, from #16 to #20. Most of the ones we are pulling are still holding strong but have aged and acquired far more character, just like the rest of us. It was a tremendous task to remove them, truth be told…days and days of knuckle-banging, power tools and an ancient screwdriver.

I don’t prefer the color of newly forged bronze to the aged version of that alloy. Tarnish is actually a beautiful transformation, unique shades of copper-ore blue to limitless jade greens. How do such words get derogatory? A reputation can be tarnished and that’s not considered a good thing. Mother Nature takes the essential ingredient of oxygen and utilizes it to turn metals from copper-shiny to burnished dark green, the darker, the older, the better. Salt and all the elements we are enrobed by at sea facilitate the process although not as equally, not as evenly, as time itself. You can see the uniquenesses above.

Tight as you can get.

I can write 860 what I hope are interesting, well chosen words about one small but crucial component of our giant complicated project; there are always more to come. If you’re amazed (is that too strong?!) and intrigued with our story, but not yet subscribed, better do so! I’ll point out things that never crossed your mind, never needed to, and perhaps never shall again! I’m thinking you’ll surprise yourself and stay engaged for the duration. I’d be honored.

~J

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Here’s your weekly sunrise shot, just down the street with STEADFAST in the background. We’ve been here too long because we now show on Google Maps…