Saturday, August 07, 2010

Tillie 2 is launched!

It's true. There's more than one Tillie in our lives. John's new boat, a Tomcat named Tillie 2, sailed for the first time today!

It's especially exciting because John built the boat himself... the hard way, i.e. he used plans from a book and didn't build it from a kit. If that wasn't challenge enough, much of the lumber came from cousin John & Judy's trees. John & John cut down the tree and helped saw it into planks. Impressive to my way of thinking.

Exciting because John & Terry report it sails nicely - an unknown until today. (What? Me? Go out on that thing first thing? You must be nuts!)

Exciting because I made the sail (which proved to be the right size thank heavens!!!). I hope NEVER to make another! However, it does look impressive don't you think?

And best of all, the launching was exciting because the boat didn't sink!!! Admittedly there's a minor leak... somewhere, but nothing that will take it to the bottom. (You might remember that happened to a Comet sailboat we launched a few years ago.)

I know, you're still reading because you want to know the dirt. Didn't something go amiss that would make this launching really exciting? Well... it seems there's still a learning curve when it comes to docking. Coming straight in with the sail not completely down is not really recommended. John & Terry are down there now epoxying and screwing the nose back on.

For those of you who want to see more photos compliments of Bruce... http://picasaweb.google.com/pattyjohng/10BoatLaunchingBruceSPhotos?feat=email#
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2 comments:

Debby said...

Avast, maties!!! She looks quite yar.

Anonymous said...

Patty, I read with interest about your trip in the VW to Seattle. So glad to know y'all and Tillie made it there safely. Great boat and sail! Gee, aren't you 2 adventurous. Frances H. (Mason '10)