Quick update – Rush is nearing completion!

There are several key pieces of equipment that won’t arrive before mid January and we’ll head out in January to get under the skin of the systems, make a few last-minute cosmetic decisions and add the graphics before the boat is splashed.

The trailer used to transport the boat to the slipway will arrive at the yard a few days before launch and lift the boat under the bridge deck. Then the chocks can be removed giving clear access to the hulls for application of the Coppercoat – five coats in total, I believe.

The mast will be stepped after launch and we’ll get a hands-on understanding of the set-up. The plan is to do initial trials from Kynsna before sailing round to Cape Town where we’ll spend a period of shakedown sailing, living aboard and getting to know the boat. Key suppliers, such as North Sails (David Rae) and CYS (Clarence Hendricks) the electronics guru, are based in Cape Town so we’re hoping this will give a great opportunity for them to spend some time with us and we’ll learn a lot.

It all feels very real now. Counting down the weeks and not sure whether our pre-departure jobs list is getting shorter or longer…!