Launch Day

Steve and I arrive around 11:30 AM today to find the Capn Pappy in the slings and ready to go to the water. Keith and Mark from ESM had her up and ready and soon on the move to the launch bay. The transporter is a pretty impressive machine and Keith handles it like a true pro. Here we are on the move through the boatyard.

Then the moment of truth - as she was lowered into the water, Steve and I wondered what was next. Would she float? Would the engines start? Anxiety and excitement were at a high level at this point.

Well, she floated! But there was a good deal of water being pumped by the bilge pumps so Keith pulled her out of the water and moved back over the concrete apron at the launch slip. Luckily, the source of the water was easily spotted - the same person who had drilled the 1 inch hole in the transom had also drilled 4 small holes near the bottom of the transom and those were under the waterline. Bobby packed them, painted over them, and we were back in the water in 30 minutes.