Successful launch yesterday

T

tillergirl

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0838 yesterday TG's keel entered the water again at Heybridge Basin. All felt slightly strange and sad as for the first time in 23 years her re-commissioning whether from the yard or the mud berth was not overseen by Adrian Robinson of Stebbens Boatyard.



But the weather was remarkably kind. Had been predicted to be a gloomy day. Here the crane is setting up to launch the third boat in the 'consortium'

[URL=http://s217.photobucket.com/user/rgaspar_album/media/P1010086.jpg.html]

And then there was the new sails from Doug Seaden Sailmaker. He came on board as well to sail down with us to Mersea. Fascinating to see a man who knows his business looking at every aspect of the 'fit'.

[URL=http://s217.photobucket.com/user/rgaspar_album/media/DSCF6948-Copy.jpg.html]

Compared to the last suit, the genny is larger (150%) and the cut is so much better - as I think you can see. Wasn't much wind which was great for the crane but meant no real test for the sails but we seemed to slip along so well.

Haven't put the Dodgers back yet. I rather think she looks better without them. What does the team think?
 
Yep leave the dodgers off. You'll of course feel the chill wind more but TG will look better t us .

Noticed that your crane operator does not use spreaders to take the squashing load off the gunwhales, hope there was no stress damage caused?

Unc
 
UncleAlbert said:
Yep leave the dodgers off. You'll of course feel the chill wind more but TG will look better t us .

Noticed that your crane operator does not use spreaders to take the squashing load off the gunwhales, hope there was no stress damage caused?

Unc
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Absolutely not. No need for spreaders because he uses brothers. Got to get the right crane. No squashing loads of any significance because of the height of the hook. If you look at most of the utube 'boat falls out of slings' vids, they are using spreaders (and have not lashed).
 
Must have been very strange without Adrian but dear Richard ("Stretch" to me) hopefully filled the hole? Your boat lo
oks lovely!
 
hils said:
Must have been very strange without Adrian but dear Richard ("Stretch" to me) hopefully filled the hole? Your boat lo
oks lovely!
Click to expand...

Richard did very well, very professional and everything went smoothly without a hitch. Only issue was when we came to do the mast, Richard asked me 'how did Dad do this' and we both looked at each other having never bothered to look properly for 20 odd years. But he sorted it out and the mast went up without a hitch as it normally does.

Shows the value of a good team, Richard knows what he is doing, the consortium is the same that has done this (four boats in the minimum half day hire of the crane) for many years using the same crane driver (R J Cannons of Tiptree) and lorry driver (Peter Downs and son).
 
Looking very smart, good looking boat.

I think most boats look better without dodgers.
I have one easily de mountable ambidextrous dodger to give a bit more shelter when required but don't use it when sailing.
 
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Tomahawk said:
Well done..

The Basin looks very empty?
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That wharf where we launched was cleared for us - of both boats and cars! - but the other side where we moved to in order to set up out rigging was certainly totally clear. There were still a good number of craft in there.

PS, thanks everyone for the kind comments.
 
Vara said:
I have one easily de mountable ambidextrous dodger.
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I am tempted to ask what her name is? :)

For some reason your post reminds me an amusing moment with poor Adrian. In the first year I owned TG, we had crossed the Estuary and overnighted at Ramsgate (long before any marina).



In the morning we came out into a NNE which was perfect for Calais. We are heading out due east from Ramsgit hard on the wind with Adrian at the tiller. TG was going like a train even though we were using the original 1964 sails. I went below to plot our position and write up the log conscious that the Goodwins were a lee shore not far away. I am at the chart table, oilies open, working on the brand new chart when Adrian called 'Wave'. I looked at him, wondering who I was supposed to wave at, when the sprayhood banged backwards and half the North Sea came down the hatch and over me, the chart table and down my neck. Eeek, I can still feel the chill of that water. I looked at the two wives (both Judys) and Adrian in the cockpit and they were perfectly dry wearing big grins! TG had stuck her nose in one and the water apparently rolled along the deck and cabin roof before hitting the sprayhood and popping all its fasteners.

Nothing to do with your post of course but it raised a fond memory.
 
tillergirl said:
…. and half the North Sea came down the hatch and over me, the chart table and down my neck. Eeek, I can still feel the chill of that water. …...
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Know the feeling in that part of the world..
It is the evil way that a wave looks at you and makes a bee line straight for your neck knowing you can't avoid it..
 
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