Finally re-launched

It took us a bit of time to re-assemble everything.

We also sanded the canopy and laid a new layer of fiber glass with epoxy resin. Some paint and varnish later, Lady C looks good enough again.

No time to wait, we wanted to launch and sail a bit!

We had to put together the jib pole again, remembering how it was set up. After some time it was ready to lift the mast again.

Lifting the mast is always a scary operation. It is not heavy, but it is long and tall!

Finally, the mast was in place.

Then we tried again every sails, running all lines properly.

And it was time to head out to the ramp. We had some great help from our parents!

There is no overhead electric lines between the parking and the ramp, so we move with the mast up. That is a great thing!

Launching was not easy, it requires to submerge the trailer.

Once launched, the mechanism to lower the quill works well. The soft shackle I had prepared failed and the quill dropped to the sea bed. We could recover it and lift it back in place with the help of the halyard.

Ready to sail! Maracuja and Lady C at the mooring buoy finally.

Our first sail was too quite, not much wind. We stayed in front of the port and motored a bit.

Our second sail was more lively. We had to use the spinnaker to fight the strong tidal current in the Four channel.

And the crew was very happy.

Lady C revival

In February 2013, I left Houston for an assignment in Angola. Bringing Lady C with us was not an option. She stayed under the care of a friend at the HYC.
In February 2016, while I was transferring to a new assignment in Athens Greece, I received a message from my friend in Houston. We needed to bring back Lady C, as he was leaving Houston.
The dimensions of a 40ft container are:

Dimensions:	Length	Width
Overall	40' = 12192 mm	8' = 2438 mm
Internal	39' 5.25"= 12022 mm	7' 5.625" = 2352 mm
Door Opening		7' 8.25" = 2343 mm

Lady C width is 8ft, 2.44 m...! She is too wide to enter a container.

We found a shipper who accepted to take Lady C in a 40ft container. Here is how she looks departing Houston:

I thought of importing Lady C in Greece. But it proved to be a great challenge and it was impossible to bring in US flagged home made sail boat in Greece! While the container was transiting through the ocean, I decided to re-route her to France. She would stay in our house there. And we bought another boat for our stay in Greece anyway!

Here is what Lady C looks like when arriving in Le Havre.

Yes, she seats on the trailer and the trailer seats against the wall! I would never thought that she would be fitted like that! But she was fine! Off course, it took some skills to take her out of the container.

Then she was trucked to our house where she stayed in the shade for three years. Having another boat in Greece, we took all our time off there and sailed the Cyclades. No real need to spend time in France and sail around Molene!

Meet our amazing 1999 Catana 401 "Vite & Reves". What a dream boat! 

This year, I was assigning to Rio, Brazil and had to leave Greece. Vite & Reves was sold quickly...

And now, I will have a bit more time to look after Lady C and get her back on the water!

My first goal this year is to remove the ballast and the daggerboard and install the keel. I had planned to do this, but could never find the time. The trunk was closed and sealed and the keel fin opening shaped for duty. For that, we had to pull Lady C on her side again!

With the keel in place, the trailer support had to be extended to leave enough room for the bulb. I also moved forward the trailer wheel axis to better balance the load. The buld is much forward than the ballast and daggerboard weight, especially when this one is up on the trailer!

And then, I build a lifting jig to pull the keel fin up and down. I used the same kind of winch than the daggerboard one. It is quite efficient and works perfectly.

Lady C has been neglected for a few years and needs a refit. The high quality Joubert plywood has perfectly resisted to the weather. However, I used basic pine wood for the hardwood (not for the keel though!) and this one are showing some signs of damage.

The chain plates had some play and water had dripped and the pine wood inside was rotten. needed to be rebuilt. I reinforced both sides with additional epoxy inside and stainless steel backing plates. This looks super strong now!

Next, the canopy needs a big sanding and new fiber and epoxy protection layer.

And I need to register Lady C in France! I look forward to see her sail in the Molene archipel!

Quite sail across the bay

Once upon a time in Texas...

Bulb

Need crew

In April, we had planned to participate to the mixed double regata. The weather was not with us, so the regata was cancelled and re-scheduled. I am now single, familly gone in vacation, and desparately looking for a crew. If you are interested, leave me a message here.

https://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/regatta_uploads/5139/2012MixedDoublesRevisedNOR.pdf

PHRF-GB

So we did the first race with 245 "estimated" rating. Now the official rating has arrived: 150!

Now, we need to look for sailing excellence to beat the competition!

Boom

This side of the boom, with the new cuningham, with cleat on the cannopy...!

The other side of the boom, with the fine tack...

Side note: The manufacturer of the motor does not offer yet the option to charge back the battery, with the properler free wheeling while under way with the sails. But, they are apparently looking at that option. This would be really great.