She’s Afloat……..Properly!
It’s been a frustrating week one way and another, but today all of that was forgotten because on this mornings high tide, under beautiful blue sky and with hardly a breeze, ‘Gleda’ finally broke free of the land for good and floated serenely out into the river Tamar and was finally and properly afloat for the first time.
It’s seven years and seven months since I cut that first piece of plywood back in the landlocked Midlands and there were times when I wondered if this day would ever come. If seven really is a lucky number then we chose a good day.
It didn’t happen quite as I’d envisaged, we were pulled out to the mooring by the yards workboat but you know what? I don’t give a fig. We’re on the water and it’s salty! That’ll do for me right now and we’re opening a bottle of fizz tonight to celebrate.
Tomorrow I’ll start work again with new energy, engines, steering linkages and running rigging will be the focus over the coming days. I really really want to be sailing by the end of the month.
We had some very welcome guests on Friday, Adrian and Janine Hall came down to the yard and spent a few hours with us. As many of you will know they are building Tiki 38 ‘Kira’ down in the South East and I’m pleased to report that not only are they making good progress (both hulls pretty much finished) but that Janine assures me that their website will be back up and running soon. So check out ?????? for your fix of boatbuilding madness.
Tonight we splashed Cornish champagne on the bows and drank to the many years of adventure ahead………Cheers!
Congratulations and job well done! Three cheers for the Captain! Hip, Hip….
Congratulations Neil,
I’ve been following your blog since 2000 hrs, and it is great to see you in the water after all that hard work. Now we can all look forward to hearing about your travels, and tech tips on sailing as opposed to building!
Cheers,
Roger
Congrats!
HIP HIP HOORAY!!! I am shooting salute for you!
Enviable! All the best, have a great time and fair winds!
Dirk
Congratulations !
I reread all your blog over the weekend , what an amazing journey , well done Sir :o)
Congratulations Neil!
What a fantastic achievement!
Gleda looks fabulous and finally at home.
(Still hope to get to meet you one day!)
And Cornish Champagne? is that a posh Scrumpy?
Santé!
Bit further to the showers now!
Great to see her surrounded by water at last
Well done Neil! Absolutely fantastic job from a few sheets of ply to a wonderful ship. Fantastic!!
So glad to see a proper celebration! I’ve been wondering when you would reach the point where you feel like you’ve *arrived*. Though there’s still work to be done and I know you can’t wait to have her sailing, it seems like you’ve reached that point. You’re living properly on the water, and the rest will surely follow. A great milestone indeed!
As always, I’ll be eagerly anticipating updates!
Well done Neil. You’ll soon be there. I look forward to your first trip to the Exe?
Neil,
If I may be so bold as to ask , could we get a video of when you sail her for the 1st time (a fixed camera I think as you will be kind of busy :o) )
I really enjoyed the Vids you have done and it would be a fitting end to this marvelous build blog/Vlog.
Thank you !
She looks fantastic Neil. I saw Jacques “Pilgrim” slide into the water and at that moment she “came to life”. I’m sure that seeing “Gleda” floating gave you the same thrill- there really is a change when they get wet. Continued success!!
These things float??? I thought they just sit in cradles! I’ll make a note.
Hi Neil
Congratulations! What a fantastic achievement! I have followed your blog with great interest. Although not all of our trials and tribulations are the same, building a Tiki 38 is an adventure all of its own!
Gleda will fulfil every dream you have had and more!
All the best
Dave/Dragon
Can I just say, your deck pod looks inspired!
Congratulations Neil! Now you will enjoy your work.
Cheers
Rogerio
Well done Neil, she looked fantastic tied up alongside, even better out on the mooring!
It’s a good feeling isn’t it! After a grueling week of work for me, I’m about to step aboard and take off for a few. You you lucky sod live aboard-love it everyday.
It’s a good feeling isn’t it! After a grueling week of work for me, I’m about to step aboard and take off for a few. You you lucky sod live aboard-love it everyday.
Most Bitchin
Just Beautiful. Congrats!!!
Congratulations! The work will NEVER be done, get her rigged, trialed, then sail away. All of the little stuff can be done in the many scenic anchorages you will visit.
She looks great, you must be sooooooo happy and proud – deservedly so!