Launch day!

The day finally dawns. Friends John & Di agreed to help and arrive in their Land Rover. Di rides shotgun with JB towing and John follows behind. Thank goodness he did as the forward hatch flew off and landed in a hedge!

Arrive safely at the marina and drive into the yard to ask for the slipway barrier to be unlocked. Other friends gather and are given yellow jackets to stop the traffic and JB reverses down the slipway - best reversing seen in Watchet for years, they say!

Vicky supplies the well earned fish, chips and cider before we take Thalia round to her berth.

Walk Thalia into the water - first time she's had her bottom wet! Gently float her off the trailer and she's away.

The motor sounds sweet as she makes her maiden voyage round the harbour with Terry on board as crew.

More friends gather and it's time to wet the baby's head in time honoured fashion, to wish well all those who sail in her and to thank everyone who has made it possible - cheers

Here she blows

Well the sails were up, briefly to get a feel for where everything should go. Work in progress. Sails now back in the boat shed roof. The slack forestay needs attention. Nobody likes a slack forestay.

Fitting the engine controls

Been a bit lax in keeping the blog updated but there have been distractions such as another wedding! The engine has been tested and runs well. Sounds like a tractor! We were close to launching last month but had last minute cold feet! There is still plenty to do inside the cabin anyhow.

Fitting the engine wasn't quite so straight forward! A few alterations were needed to the mounting and the controls will now be on the side of the cockpit which will allow for a smaller console. Neat fit in the end and the propeller goes round!

Work gathers apace on the interior

Interior design

Forward bunk space for two (ha!)

Cabin fever

Cabin roof on and adding the extra touches - Samson post, chain plates etc