Afloat

So with about six weeks to go it is all getting a bit real. We have been fairly busy over the last few weeks getting things sorted, everything from health insurance and boat insurance to building a rack for the dive bottles.

The key item we needed was a boat! (ok so we had one, it was just that it was stuck in a car park in bits). We were starting to get a little anxious as we have a bit to do on board. So as I had this week off we spent the week getting her ready for the water. The yard also focussed on getting most of the electronics connected up.

So we spent a day polishing the hull. A 40ft boat is a lot of polishing. Not something we do a lot , but we figured she deserved it. (Andy’s very pleased with himself as he made it so shiny he could see his face in it!)

I have also been varnishing the boat name on to the dingy paddles.

Robin had been down and painted the hull last week, so we got her on the lift and lifted her off the cradle so we could do the bits that were under the pads.

The guys in the yard have also fitted the solar panels and the new GPS plotter

So after a few finishing touches like replacing the Anodes and polishing the prop

it was time to take her for a walk….

I have to confess to being nervous taking her round to the pontoon as was not far off gusting gale force 8 and not having taken her out for 5 months you always worry that you forget how she handles.

Once on the pontoon we gave her a clean and Jenny sorted the insides out. It was great to see her looking so good.