It Swims!

Boatbuilding is an art and a science; even when carefully designed and planned, sometimes a boat just won't stay on the surface of a pond.  So whenever a new boat is launched and it floats, there is cause for celebration.

I suppose that's why we are moved to bless the boat with celebratory libations. Hail Spawn, Spawn of Frankenscot! May you go fast and bring home your cargo safely!

photo credit: Penny Ruark

It's also handy to have a group of friendlies to help when the main halyard slithers up the mast and then snakes itself out again (argh!)  so that the sail has to be lashed into place:

With sails up, life-jackets on, and the wind puffing in the high teens, it seemed like an ambitious sort of day to test the boat.  Still, why not, as EnsignRumsDown said, why not take off on an unknown boat into a crowded harborage on a day like this?

Thanks to Brent B. and Wendy L. for chasing Spawn around Tampa Bay –– just in case. Here's a quick video of the performance.  Sadly, I did not get footage of Morsailesed's trapeze letting go ––either time –– but I assure you there was a mighty splash when it happened.

Work on the boat will continue, of course.