The Final Push to LAUNCH | Sailing Florence Refit Ep.180

The Final Push to Launch | Sailing Florence Refit Ep.180

After 6 months of hard work, the moment of truth has arrived for us and our sailing yacht Florence. It’s been a tough journey but we’re now approaching our deadline to leave the shed and head back out on the water.

A Mixed Emotion

We’ve been inside this boat shed during winter, listening to the rain and wind while we put Florence through a massive overhaul. Leaving this secure environment isn’t easy – it’s where we worked day in, day out on our sailboat.

A Huge Milestone

The first milestone was getting Florence watertight. This is a crucial step to move her from the shed and have the hood removed.

Ready for the Mast

With Florence watertight, our next challenge was preparing the mast. The yard brought her mast inside where we had already replaced the wiring and installed a new steaming light and deck light.

Making Every Detail Count

We have done everything possible to make sure every last detail is perfect before launch, from new solar panels and a replacement stove to replacing machine’s bumper strip to prevent any damage.

Final Adjustments

In the final week, we made crucial adjustments to Florence. This includes the new radar installation, solar panels upgrade, and oven replacement. Despite our tiredness, these essential jobs kept us focused and determined.

Launch Day

We’ve been eagerly waiting for the tide to fill this narrow muddy creek enough to float Florence. It’s our deadline we can’t afford to miss.

First Steps

The first step was making sure all seacocks were fine – those are the valves that stop sea water coming in. We also needed the engine to start after being dormant for 6 months.

A Smooth Launch

With our nerves on edge, we carefully moved Florence from her muddy confines into open waters. Despite the challenges faced in getting her back floating and sailing again, this launch felt like a huge achievement.

Navigating Out

It took careful planning to exit the harbor under our own power. Thanks to some technical assistance, we made it successfully and continued to sail in the Solent. As the engine warmed up and we began to make progress, it felt like we’d finally completed our journey.

The Perfect Ending

The arrival at Premier Marina’s Port Solent marks the end of our time working on Florence. This place holds significance as we started our round-the-world voyage from here.

Despite the challenges and stress involved, this was an incredible accomplishment that brings us one step closer to embarking on our next great adventure.

The Future

We will be making final preparations while at the marina. Keep following our journey, as there’s more to come!