Launching Amanda - April 2019

 

 

It's springtime in Netherlands and boating season is about to begin. Our new barge has been stored in this heated shed with about twenty other yachts for the winter. With tulips and jonquils blooming, it's time to think about boating.

 

 

We find our new boat lodged in the back of the storage shed so we will need to wait for several larger boats to be launched ahead of us.

 

 

Launching is quite an operation, much like working a puzzle. Yachts are first lifted via this special boat trailer. There is barely room to walk between the boats so it is delicate business sliding each vessel out.

 

 

Manuevering through the large doors at the end of the building is the next step of this operation. This boat does not have much room to spare.

 

 

Another coat of paint and she would not have made it through.

 

 

At last we are finally visible and will be the next out of the shed. We are looking rather small between all of these "Big Yachts".

 

 

Lifting trailer is heading our way.

 

 

Only that much room to spare.

 

 

Sailor's lore has it that it is bad luck to change a boat name unless one follows some pretty amazing and arcane rules.There are as many instructions and suggestions for a boat name change as the internet can provide.

 

 

As a practical matter, it will be easier to effect name and hailing port change while safely in the heated storage shed.

The old name comes off ...

 

 

And the new name is applied. And us with no champagne handy!

 

 

This is the first time we actually chose a boat name. This is one that sounds good to us and is the title of one of Jim's favorite country songs.

 

 

Name applied, she is ready to be launched.

 

 

Rolling out of the storage shed.

 

 

Then it's reverse down the driveway to the launch area.

 

 

Into the travel lift.

 

 

And off to the water.

 

 

Travelift and trailer are operated remotely. It takes a delicate touch to get it just right.

 

 

In the water at last. So far the name change gods have not frowned upon us.

 

 

New owners on board.

 

 

We get our first operating instructions from the previous owner..

 

 

We are off to the marina. And of course it is raining, so we are already enjoying driving inside. We even have windshield wipers! How decadent is that?

 

 

We make it just around the corner to the marina without mishap and are tied up safely for the night. Notice the windmills in the background, we are definitely in Netherlands now.

 

 

Time for the bubbly at last!

 

 

The two happiest days of a boatowner's life, the day you buy a boat and the day you sell it.