Afloat!

Finally, after a desperate 6 months of work we squeezed out of the grain store and loaded onto the truck ready to go down the the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky... And so we did.

The preparation for launch went well enough, even if we did have to go in twice. The first time in, we checked the bilge and found that the bung, put in late the night before, was leaking, and although leaking planks were likely to take up, a leaking bronze bung was not. We hauled her up in the slings, got under her in a launch, removed, resealed and replaced and relaunched. All fine.

Warped her across to a berth beside an old 12 metre, and as we were surrounded by big Oysters, we felt rather small!

I must say at this point that Foxes Marina, would have to be to the most helpful bunch of people I have ever dealt with during a boat luanch. That is not to say others have been unhelpful, just that Foxes went out of their way to assist. Including staying an hour late to see us launched successfully. The harbour master has also been a star. And while I am singing praises, Peter Downes Transport has also given superb service.

Photos below sum up the launch day and the following weekend on board with the children while we sorted bits and pieces out. I couldn't believe how keen my daughter was to go to bed, even though she was clearly not that tired!

Firstly, on the truck.

Then there is how you use a cowl vent as a plaster cast..

And finally the dinghy on board in its proper place. Although I haven't decided whether to stowe it inverted or not as yet. I suspect the staysail may foul it like this, but it is easier to rig and launch this way up.

11:04 AM - Jun. 5, 2008 - post comment

congrats!

She looks absolutely stunning!

MagnaCarter - 9:01 PM - Jun. 5, 2008

Yes People Do Read Your Blog!!

Been following your progress since winter 08. Great to hear that you are back in the water, she looks lovely. Who is the designer/builder of your boat?

My husband 'PuFFeR is working on our boat. He raves about multimasters and has 2 of them that he calls his 'wondertools'. Tip for blades, "get a hacksaw blade of appropriate TPI, place along the edge of the MM blade until the teeth line up, clamp in a vice then, with a fine saw file, refile the teeth to match the hacksaw blade's teeth. Apply set to the top teeth only. A 5 minute job". Hope this tip saves you a bit of £ in the future.

Have fun in Brest. We would like to get there at some point but he still has rigging and other work to complete and I need to learn to sail first!



Edited by PuFFeR on Jun. 10, 2008 at 1:14 AM

- 1:13 AM - Jun. 10, 2008

From www.ihaveaboat.blogspot.com

What a beautiful boat. Love the hatches.
Nice deck.
Wow.
More pictures as often as possible.

Anonymous - 1:26 PM - Jun. 16, 2008