September & October 2013 - Sailing, friends and still more work!

Labour day weekend was all about stopping for a bit to enjoy the fruits of our labour.

What a glorious day for a sail! Good friends Jim & Bill take turns at the helm:

Can't wipe the smile off Paul's face...a well deserved break!

 Hello new hard-vang - goodnight topping lift!:

Excuse me, can you tell me where I might find some pavement?

Guard dog Hannah keeping an eye on our neighbours:

 Sailors delight!

 Sailrite sail pack project - took 2 days to cut, assemble & sew. Thank you to my mom Ollie for all your help.  I could not have done it without you! It took Paul & I a couple of hours to build the lazy jacks and install.  Next came the zippered cover that wraps around the mast.

Very quiet Rutland 914I wind generator, Simrad radar, AIS & GPS installed atop the arch:

Chef Paula:

Good friends Bogie and Christine join us for Thanksgiving dinner aboard:

Mast & boom rack complete. This will serve as the frame for shrink wrap for RKalliste's winter storage and will carry the boom and mast as we make our way through the Erie Barge Canal next September:

July & August 2013 - Restoration continues and we take some time out to enjoy friends, family and summer!

Rebuilt bowsprit installed:

Brightwork on the bowsprit completed:

 Cockpit cushions by Paul & Paula Inc  fit perfectly

 Atlantic Tower Custom Built Arch with davits installed. Paul's measurements were perfect!

Hannah inspects the new Garhauer traveller. I think she approves!

New Garhauer boomvang installed:

A welcome visit from our very good friends Rob and Ann. A few tears shed when we said good bye as they headed back to Bermuda. We are looking forward to seeing them again soon!

The girls are take a bit of a rest

Paul relaxing - yep that's relaxing for him, nice catch!

We had a great time with our daughter Jessica, Jess's boyfriend Ben and Gramma Mary. Looking forward to Jess sailing RKalliste!

Our First Sail on RKalliste

August 31st 2013 - There was absolutely no wind the day we threw off the dock lines for the 1st time. As we headed out we notice a whole lot of activity on the dock. We rounded the corner and saw a gathering of Erieau Sailing Club members with cameras ready to record the much anticipated event (yes we are finally away from the dock so you can stop teasing). We even got a few salutes as we floated by. Thanks guys, you made that very special.

What we thought was going to be a motor cruise turned out to be a lovely sail. Within minutes of passing the lighthouse the wind picked up and we hoisted the main and furled out the gib. To our delight RKalliste sails like a dream! Thanks to Dave and Heather for capturing this one:

Captain Paul happy at the helm

Co-captain Paula - yep I did get a tern at the helm!

June 2013 - R Kaliste arrives & launched in Erieau

 R Kalliste leaving Kanter Marine heading to her new home in Erieau.

Bottom paint applied (too bad no one took a picture of Paul - head to toe in green. 

He looked a bit like the incredible hulk)

Lots of elbow grease and a bit of stainless polish and look at the results below:

 Look at that shine!

Ready to launch 

 Careful with our baby, Dave!

 Gently placed! Dave Barnier, I think you've done this before - what a pro!

Launch Day June 23, 2013 9:00 am. 

Naming ceremony, a blessing by Rev Annalea Kerr and champagne shared with some fellow boaters.

Nestled safely in her new slip

Paul, taking a few minutes to rest and appreciate just how far we've come.