After years of planning and saving and working, we finally slipped the COLUMBIA III into her new home!!!!!!!

Two days ago after our delay with the shipyard haulout, we were eager to get back to work. The fabric was stretched out . . .

. . . the ends were laced tight . . .

. . . the masts were removed for future hinging . . .

. . . and lowered onto a workfloat for modification and overhaul . . .

. .. and then we gently pulled her into place!

Then it was time for photos. As I said to Tavish, “This has been an insanely big project for our small team.”

I don’t usually put in a plug for another company, but Coverstar Structures Ltd. of Vancouver, B.C. certainly provided detailed and consistent design and support for me and their product and service has exceeded my expectations. Thanks to Dale in Engineering and Raymond in Sales!!

Each spring it is one of our “traditions” to run the mothership 12 hours south to the nearest marine haulout for our annual inspection and painting of the hull. Here Peter, the yard foreman greets us early in the morning on the high tide and helps us get positioned correctly on the cradle

Here we are just starting up the railway tracks as the winch pulls us out of the water.

While the crews were working below the waterline, Tavish and I were working on the roof. We unstepped the forward mast in preparation for installing hinges. We need to be able to lower the masts to get the boat into the new boat shed.

Here are a few shipyard shots.

A clean bottom is always a good thing.

Good for another year!

Every five years our insurance company requires a complete survey by an independent surveyor. Gord Morrow, came again this year and it is his 3rd inspection of the COLUMBIA III (2001, 2005, 2010/11). We all appreciated his written evaluation,

“This vessel continues to receive the highest level of maintenance available and is in better condition than when surveyed in 2005 and 2001.”

Just what I like to hear. I sleep better this way!