Launch day - after 57 months in the driveway!

Robert Wilson

Robert Wilson

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Joined
23 May 2012
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Location
Second Coast, Ross-shire, overlooking Gruinard Bay
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Lorry crane is on it's way from Inverness, due here at 09:00hrs.
All (hopefully) repairs and work done, quay-side lift area booked with Gairloch Harbourmaster. Pontoon spot booked for two days for rigging and shakedown.

We've just had days and days of sunshine to get final chores completed.
:encouragement:

POORING DOWN this morning, 8°C :(
Hey ho!

Really looking forward to at last getting back "under sail" and enjoying a splendid summer on the water.:encouragement:

Finger's crossed.

Thank you all for the encouragement, advice, waenings and witticisms since Khamsin came ashore in September 2015 - it's been a long hard slog, but she's looing great.:)
 
When our boat was on the hard last week, we polished the hull (or most of it, at least) for the first time.

The hoist lifted us back into the water after the week ashore, we toddled over to the fuel station (wind from dead ahead), filled up with diesel, and then toddled over to our berth, wind now on the beam ..... and caught the hull on the stb side on the black rubber buffer things on the end of the pontoon as we were backing in. :ambivalence:

Luckily it was only a black line of rubber a couple of feet long so I was able to get out the polish again and completely remove it.

Our pontoons are so low that even with the fenders rigged to be just touching the water, they seem to ride up onto the pontoon when the boat is moving. They work fine once the boat is tied up so I'm not sure what the answer to this is. :confused:

Richard
 
RichardS said:
I see. Thanks.

Although I'm not sure whether the marina would allow me to screw things onto their pontoon.

Richard
Click to expand...

Get to france. They seem to encourage construction of a modest conservatory on 'your' pontoon. An ideal test for visitors arriving in darkness.
 
Right - the day's report:-
1 It was raining at 08:45 when the wagon arrived.
2 It was raining when I got back home at 19:00 (Gairloch is 18 miles from home)
3 The wagon, larger than the previous one couldn't turn in the drive by the house so couldn't get into lift position.
4 It had to go back up steep gravel drive, turn round and drive down forwards, which meant it would have to reverse up drive with boat on. Last time it tried that it got stuck with not enough traction for rear wheels.
5 By now it was raining hard and we were soaked through water-proofs.
6 Three hours later all ready to depart, reversed up drive, no bother. PHEW!
7 Perfect trip to Gairloch, boat didn't move an inch.
8 Straightforward lift into the water from clear, uncluttered quay-side.
9 Mast in with only a little hitch.
10 Motored round to pontoon (Ooops, forgot to open sea-cock for water intake...…)
11 Set about shrouds n stays, only to find several halyards and stays wrapped around each other and wrong side of spreaders etc. All despite a thorough check of all on Sunday. Baffled!!:confused:
12 A cold, wet hour and a half climbing mast and untangling, Two still to do.
13 By now down below is a shambles and soaking wet, but so cold, wet and tired I packed-up and drove home with cradle on my small trailer.
14 Big welcome from dog.
15 Deep hot bath, long soak.
16 Slipped getting out of bath, crashed onto sharp edge and think I've cracked two ribs.
17 Three large Rum n Cokes. Bed with two paracetamol.
18 Morning has arrived, sun is out after an inch and a half of rain yesterday.
19 Ribs agony so no mast climb today. Shall bend on sails, tidy and dry out then hope to sort halyard tomorrow then sail home on Thursday.

Hey Ho. But at least Khamsin is afloat again and looking very smart in her new paint-job.:encouragement:

And big thanks for all your good wishes.:)

P.S. For some strange, annoying reason I can't post pictures. Seems only to work very occasionally. I'll try again later.
 
Have anyone any advice on inserting photos?
I try the "insert" button, browse and select pic file in my folder, press "open" (only option?), file folder, name etc appears in "from computer" line, I click upload, but then message pops up Failed, or words to that effect.

I'm sure that's all I have done in the past.

Baffled !! :confused:
TIA
 
Good to hear that it went well, apart from your RIBs – try the mobo forum for advice?

Shouldn’t try to make you laugh I guess – all the best! :o
 
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