Plonk!

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 What colour to paint our boat?  Pea Green was one option.  We went with Pearl Grey.  Dealing with coastal weather of alternating heat and drizzle we managed to apply 3 coats of paint and 3 coats of anti-fouling.  We were advised to apply a special anti-fouling to the propeller which involved several steps applied quickly ending with a silicone clear coat.  Hope it is that good.

The damaged mast was repaired and varnished.  Learned that the humidity and resultant dew can cause problems with varnish; three days of stripping off the mess.  Sailing season is starting which brought about a flurry of activity in the boatyard.  A crane was about to be hired to lift masts so we joined in to share cost and a date was set and we needed to get the main mast ready, quickly.  The spreaders were made, varnished and installed. The radio was sourced and rigging completed.  And up it went.  The mast fitted in perfectly, but the saloon table inside was the casualty due to difficulties in communication. The mizzen mast followed a few days later using the boatyard crane which could handle the smaller mast.

We were ready to get plonked into the water.  The day was booked, high tide in the afternoon.

Betwixt was in the gantry and taken to the end of the slipway.  John and I were a little tense and apprehensive.  The boatyard staff doing the launch seemed unconcerned and just did their thing.  The brakes were released and the gantry holding the boat rolled into the water.  Plonk!  The gantry was pushed a bit further in, and yes we were floating.  Then a motor dinghy came alongside and towed us to our designated walk-on mooring.  With many hands on deck and a few waiting at the mooring, we worked the fenders and mooring lines, successfully tying up.  Well done John.  She floats.

Waiting our turn for the main mast

 

Mizzen mast went in perfectly


 
Shrouds and Stays fastened


Going In

She floats


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