Log of Robinetta: Re-launching

Friday, 11 April 2014

Re-launching

Earliest launch time was at 0950 according to the yard, so I made an effort and got there by 0900. There did not look like there was nearly enough water to launch, but almost as soon as I arrived and got on board Ollie was in the bosuns chair being hauled aloft by the crane.

The rigging was soon sorted out, and then Robinetta was hauled away by the tractor to let the crane reach a twin keeler that drew 3'6". The depth of water available still looked dodgy, but they put her in and she floated. The skipper and mate were both there, and they motored out under their own power to their mooring while the yard's work boat headed off to collect a small motor boat that needed hauling out.

I went to the chandlers and bought 3 metres of 4mm soft rope to use as frapping lines. Julian had used the old ones for something else, and the last thing I want is the rigging banging against the still soft varnish! (although its a lot harder now than at the weekend).

The water still seemed too shallow for Robinetta when that had been dealt with, and the tide was beginning to ebb, but the yard decided to put her in anyway. They had a very full launch schedule for the next week and she could stay in the mud in the dock until we collected her on Sunday. They got the strops on her and lifted her out of the cradle, then I rushed round slapping anti-foul on the cradle support patches. It's not an ideal way of doing it, but a lot better than nothing!

Robinetta settled slowly into the water beside the work boat, and floated! Suddenly the idea of getting back on board in a relaxed way and frapping the halyards, while checking to see if she would take up, went by the board. if they could get her onto a mooring, then they would!

The work boat was facing the opposite way to Robinetta, but never mind, they backed out of the dock, then turned to go forward, but that meant that Robinetta was being moved stern first. As a long keeler with a big rudder she is very hard to steer back wards, so it was an interesting voyage across to the Thorn Fleet where they planned to put her.

I paid very little attention, as I was rushing round frapping lines and tying the boom into its cradle (which I'd forgotten yesterday). I also pulled up a floor board just to check there was no water flooding in. Everything seemed okay, but I would have quite liked to stay on board for a while. The work boat had other work to do, so once Robinetta was safe on the buoy I had to leave her there. Here's hoping the float switch activates the bilge pump if needed, and that the engine works when we go on board on Sunday to head for Tollesbury!