After weeks of frantic activity aimed at finishing the boat in time, "Astrid" was eventually launched on monday 16th May, roughly 3 years after the build started.
The boat was launched in the waters of the Venice lagoon in Italy and the following day it participated to this year's VeLa raid a 5 days' sail around the famous lagoon.
Great satisfaction, lots of fine tuning, a few minor technical setbacks. All in all the boat performed up to the highest of expectations.
I am particularly pleased with its stability, sea keeping ability and shelter offered to its crew. On the first day of VelaRaid, we sailed a 22 mile stretch with our three and six year old sons in full safety and comfort.
More to come soon ....
Congratulations! She looks awesome on the water. You have done a superb job her. Venice has a beautiful new vessel on her waters. She is very stable indeed. I have yet to feel close to insecure in mine. She handles more than i dare.
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ReplyDeleteHope it's ok, I posted your blog on John Wesford's Falcebook page. Lots of very positive comment, including from John
ReplyDeleteLink here https://www.facebook.com/groups/440526479459574/permalink/549160951929459/
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, and sailing 22 miles for. First voyage is amazing, you clearly have done a fntastic job. Sorry I missed coming to Venice, I was in the wrong continent.
ReplyDeleteMax
Thank you Max, I counted on you until the very end! NExt time you come to France, please let me know and pass by Toulon
DeleteCongratulations. She looks fantastic. Look forward to more pics. How did you centerboard pulley system work out. Is it easy to use.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. She looks fantastic. Look forward to more pics. How did you centerboard pulley system work out. Is it easy to use.
ReplyDeleteHello Tim, thank you for your kind words. I will sure provide a more detailed account of the whole launch and first sail experience.
DeleteThank you for your intereset in the CB lifting arrangement; I am particularly happy with it. It worked like a charm, and trust me sailing across the Venice Lagoon you're pulling up and down the CB all the time! I will provide photos of the actual implementation soon.It's smooth and well demultiplied allowing ease of manouvering my 35 kg centerboard. And most importantly of all it doesn't occupy the fore bunkflat area.
I am working on a splash protection as some splashes of water occasionally found their way in.
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