CAN 022 - Nov. 7 - 16

YEE HAA - Finally setting up & sailing our Charter Boat - CAN 022.

This boat is the Gold Medal Boat from Beijing 2008.  My friend Sarah Everhart-Skeels purchased this boat from Mary-Kate Scandone after Nick - Gold Medal winner - passed away in Jan. 2009. Sarah sailed this boat until Oct 2011 - then she kindly chartered it to me & Ken for our kick at winning the Canadian spot for London 2012. The boat is named "Nick's Karma" & we are soooooooo excited to be sailing this amazing boat with such an amazing history to it.

Brian Skeels

Brian - Sarah's husband & "Bosun Extraordinar" came out for the week to help me set up the new mast & learn the in's & out's of this boat.  FYI - this is a "one-design" fleet but we all joke about out each boat is as unique as the people who sail it!!!

Brian getting ready to "splash" Nick's Karma

Normally the keel bulb is red - we had some work done to the bulb & keel. I just happened to Ezra who was doing the work for us that I would like the bulb to be pink AND he did it. Got to love people who give the customer what they want. Seriously it is the only pink bulb in the World.  I think it might be called "go fast pink". 

Breast Cancer Pink Keel bulb - only one in the WORLD!!!!!

Just in case you don't know this - I am famous - well at least in Charlotte Harbor.  I made the front page of the local paper!!!! For the next number of days I had people come up & say "aren't you the lady in the paper?" Seriously.  I will try to get the link or a copy of the article - it was pretty good.

The Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club is where we currently sailing out of. Been difficult.  Big tides here. Our boat draws 6' & it is only 4' at low tide here. The channel leaving is extremely narrow.  We have to be towed out with the keel up. Makes it VERY difficult!!!! Not to mention the hard work on the crew.

Nick's Karma - notice the keel is 1/2 way up - for towing out the channel!!!

We managed to get out for the "shake down" sail while Brian was still in town. A few pics.

I need to mention that the people here have been great & very helpful.  We could not be doing all this with out them. I think they like us - but they can't like us too much as they have to cheer for the US teams - none of which are sailing here yet. 
 
Well off to bed..... I will get the last 2 weeks written soon.

Brenda