Sunday (after returning from Reedville), we had a bit of difficulty getting into our slip.

We -- I mean I -- misjudged the turn, the wind and the timing. We banged into the building.

And—most distressing: we -- I mean I -- bent the tang that holds the starboard mizzen spreader in place.

This is 20 or 25 feet above the deck. Just looking at it required rigging the Mast Mate ladder, putting on the Spinlock harness and climbing up to take pictures.

It was very handy having the crew of Fawkes and Fortuna to help with this.

The plate was bent. Badly.

The lower, forward rivet was stretched and no longer holding anything in place.

We drilled out all four rivets.

And the damn thing wouldn't come off the mast.

It turns out that it is bolted through the mast. To remove this broken spreader tang, we need to remove both tangs. And both spreaders.

I'm not familiar enough with the forces at play. I admit defeat. We need a professional.

• They may be comfortable ascending with both spreaders removed. That—by itself—is a valuable lesson.

• They may use a crane, and not attempt to ascend the mast. That, too, is a valuable lesson.

We're waiting on pins and needles for some word from our preferred rigging contractor.