I launched Bequia Suite on Monday at the start-up marina in Hull. I stripped all of the “topsides” (the white part) and repainted it this spring (as well as numerous other chores. You can tell from the blue tape on the back that I was working on right up until the time the boat hauler picked it up. The snazzy blue bottom paint was still drying when she splashed.

Despite appearances, there were lots of seams that had opened up during the 8 months out of the water and it leaked like a sieve when it went in. I had 5 pumps at the ready and 5 spares. It filled up so quickly that it took a friend and several guys from the marina about twenty minutes (seemed like hours) to help install and adjust enough pumps and a portable generator to get it under control. They then ferried me out to a dock to allow the wood to “make up”. The first night was a bit nerve-racking with about 20 gallons a minute coming in and needing to adjust and clean out pump filters, keep batteries charging, etc. After 18 hours it was down to 5 gallons a minute and after 3 days is now about 5 gallons an hour. Phew!!

I’m getting the sails on now and things tidied up; I should have here on the mooring by tomorrow. We should be able to go for a long-awaited first sail this weekend.

All the best,
Jeff