Boat Launch Day (sorry, no kilts)

**Alan H** · 9th January 12, 09:54 AM

For the past year, off and on, I've been finishing off a hull kit for a little 15 foot rowing and sailing boat from Chesapeake Light Craft. I purchased the 80% completed hull from the local Sea Scouts, the fellow who'd started the project got sick of it and gave it to them. I finished off the last of the woodwork, did some finishing touches to the hull, then did the varnishing and painting. I prepped the oars and oar leather. The sailing rig is slowly coming together in my garage, but it was time to get her wet, this weekend.

I couldn't have asked for better weather on Sunday; warm, almost windless, bright sun. Wow! We launched Vingilothiel at high tide at the Port of Redwood City, and christened her with Lismore single malt whisky....one for the boat, one for the skipper and one for....not Neptune, in this case, but Ulmo, Vala of the Waters in JRR Tolkiens legendarium.

Everybody had a chance to row her, and we had folks out rowing in single and three's from about 11:00 - 3:00. Most of the guests are sailing friends, two of which had built their own small boats, and one of which is my best bud, Synthia, who is also my sailmaker. There were four sailors on hand who've done the solo race to Hawaii, that I did (in a much larger boat) in 2008. It was GREAT day! On to the pictures, there will be more coming, I'm sure!

Port of Redwood City launch ramp....on January 8th, 2012. T-shirt weather in January in the SF Bay Area.

Yours Truly and the Mrs. on the docks...

Dockside, after the blessing and dousing with single malt...OK, actually this is later in the afternoon, but whatever...

The vinyl name didn't arrive in time, so the name is on there, printed on a piece of paper and taped on. Hey, you do what you gotta do.

**Alan H** · 9th January 12, 09:57 AM

Getting Vingilothiel to the Port was easy, no problem towing behind the truck....

**Alan H** · 9th January 12, 10:00 AM

This shot is later in the afternoon, since this particular photographer arrived a bit later, but she's quick to get her pictures up on FaceBook! ANY-way, Yours Truly takes Vingilothiel out for a spin.

The only other boat I ever row, much, is this 250 pound aluminum bombshell that we have at my in-laws house up on Puget Sound. My FIL set up the oars with the "oar-dealies" WAY too close to the handles. I made sure not to replicate this error, and actually the oars overlap a bit...about 3 inches. It was suggested to me that this would be the way to go. I think it is, but after rowing for years with my hands 2 feet apart, it takes some getting used to.

Happy dude? OH yeah! And the oars are gorgeous...laminated spruce, they don't weigh anything. I'm used to the Caveness oars that West Marine sells. They weigh a ton!

**Alan H** · 9th January 12, 10:03 AM

Everybody took a turn rowing her around the harbor. Here's Highland Games throwing friend, John, having a good time. He commented on how well the boat tracked..

Johns girlfriend, Becky takes a turn. I picked up her camera and got this shot.

My bestest friend and sailmaker, Synthia takes "Girlfriend" (her dog) out for a paddle. Synthia was the race chairwoman in 2008 when I did the Singlehanded Transpac and has been a good friend for the better part of two decades.

Even Girlfriend had a good time! (OK, she looks a little concerned in this picture!)

I'll add a few more to this thread as people send me pictures. My camera batteries died after the shots in the parking lot!

**MT4Runner** · 9th January 12, 10:13 AM

Congratulations on the launch!
The bright interior and painted exterior look great!

The first sea kayak I built was a CLC Chesapeake 17.
Careful....you can't build just one boat. Welcome your newest addiction.

Fair winds and happy seas!

**Alan H** · 9th January 12, 12:03 PM

In the parking lot, beforehand...

Skerry with three....

Joan rows. Wow, it's a lot different from the aluminum skiff!

LeAnne goes for a spin...

And finally, Yours Truly glides by...

**Panache** · 9th January 12, 01:39 PM

She looks yar Alan!

Cheers

Jamie

**Alan H** · 9th January 12, 01:55 PM

We'll do a Nor Cal Rabble paddle party sometime in the Spring, if y'all want.

**Jock Scot** · 9th January 12, 02:01 PM

Wow what a trim craft! Is the design common your way of the world? I have not seen the like over here. Watch out for icebergs!

**Panache** · 9th January 12, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

We'll do a Nor Cal Rabble paddle party sometime in the Spring, if y'all want.

Sounds like a grand idea (we also need another trip to the shooting range and it is high time we return to the St Georges distillery! )

Cheers

Jamie