Thursday 4 July
As many headed for the polls in the UK, we met on a blustery day to be introduced to the beautiful, brand new, blue La Bamba. She lay proudly on the dock at Uddevalla yard where tens of skilled craftsmen have painstakingly sculpted her for our pleasure. It was love at first sight!
The yard had put her North Sails on (from UK) and she was all ready to go. Normally they do the induction first then the test sail, but as the weather was pretty filthy and due to get worse, we set off immediately on the short trip to Henån where we are going to stay for the next few days while Simon, from SE Yachts UK, (who sold her to us) and the yard can walk us through all the systems and show us how to sail her.
I was delighted to be first on the helm and I immediately noticed how light she is and how responsive. The rain soon set in, reminding me of many a Solent sail, but with every shower came a burst of wind and I was soon touching 10 knots. For you non-sailors this is considered fast even though it’s only about 18kmh.
Jussi from the yard is a local and I was very glad to have him telling me where to go as we skirted quite closely round little islands and under 2 bridges, one that looked a bit too close for me!
This was the taller bridge, the second one looked closer!
We had 3 extra crew, Simon, Jussi and Marcus, also from the yard, who did nearly all the rope handling and leapt onto the dock when we came in so I was left wondering how we could manage without them! A bit like when your partner first goes back to work after your first baby!
We spent the afternoon going through lists with Simon and Marcus – there’s an awful lot to master here! Heating, plumbing, solar panels, nav station, engine, pumps, impellers etc and that’s before we go anywhere. Hopefully by the time we get home we will be pros!
Marcus from Arcona formally handed the boat over to us after we signed the dotted line and gave us a bottle of champagne to bless her voyage. We will await our crew, coming on Monday, to celebrate and give her the launch she deserves.
Despite the rain, gloom and cold we had a perfect introduction. It reminded me of our wedding day!
