Launch 2013

An impressive sight, 33, 000 pounds of carefully shaped fiberglass, lead, diesel and wood suspended above the ground in an awkward state. We know she floats, the sea trial proved it, but now it is up to us to make sure she doesn't sink.  Buying the boat was easy. Now it feels real.

There is a lot to learn, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed, but we choose this and it is fun. In the end, a sailboat is a simple thing to understand. The important equipment keeps the mast up, the keel down, the water out, and passengers safe. Most of the systems are not critical, instead they just make life more comfortable. The trick is to not screw up the important stuff.

Touch down in the Chesapeake Bay, Port Annapolis Marina. The lift operator asked me if I wanted to go on board and make sure everything was A-OK, so I said sure.  I wasn't exactly sure what to do, but I checked the bilge and looked around. Didn't see any water coming in...so we'll call step one a success.