4-8-21, Ron’s View

Launch Day, the day it all gets real!  We traveled from Jekyll Island, Ga down to St. Augustine and spent the evening on the boat while still on the hard.  We are to splash first thing Friday morning which is ironically our 8th anniversary.   

The launch pit from Hell.

She looks much bigger out of the water!

Splashing was interesting since there are strong cross currents which make pulling the boat from the launch pit a terrifying event.  My lack of experience along with a non-centered rudder basically made the boat impossible to control.  As I weaved my way between million-dollar yachts while embarrassing myself,  I finally sorted the rudder issue.  It’s not a mistake I will make again.  I pulled right into the dock with no issue.  That would be the first time I docked this boat.    We scoped out the area and decided to move up to another area and docked like a dream again.  Beginner’s luck? Lets be honest, we picked an area where a blind man withone arm could of docked, there was nothing around to hit.   

She floats

I have to be honest, docking scares the shit out of me.  As a control freak there is little control to be had when you consider currents, wind and the lack of experience on a large catamaran.  Good thing there are two engines to help matters along.

 We stayed two days at the SMAC dock. It was one more than aloud, but no one seemed to care.   We left early Sunday morning on our way to Jekyll Island.  The plan was to waste time in Georgia as a shakedown cruise until we haul out in May.  We are not sure where that will be yet but hopefully St Mary’s boat yard in Georgia but we will see.