WE HAVE TAKEN DELIVERY
Today we took the final brief from Chris at Sunbird Yachts, filled in the Beneteau check list and set up the final payment. We now have the keys and have started the loading of goods and equipment, which constitutes our whole life's belongings from now on.
We are a bit worried about stowage space, so will make the aft port cabin into a storage room. Here we will store the tools, bikes, spares, extra clothes, Heathers shoes etc. The wine will have to go into the bilges. The fishing rods, dive cylinders, kedge anchor and spare chain and rope will go into the lazarette lockers.

LAUNCH !
On the 2nd April 2013 KWANZA was put in the water.
She was moved by cradle hoist from her on-land stand to the marina launch area. As she was slowly lowered into the sea at high tide, four of the marina staff held her off the wall. She was then moved to the visitors berth just in front of the marina office building.
Great day for a launch. Sunny and calm but very cold......

KWANZA was rolled out of the hangar on Monday 25th March 2013.

Weather in Ardrossan was very cold but they were not under snow as Aran was (and still is..) just across the sound. So the roll out of Kwanza was done on schedule.!
The mast was mounted but the rigging not set up yet.
And the Arch was installed.
Lets hope no damage sustained and that everything done with care and attention...

Next waypoint on the schedule is the launch due to take place on the 4th April 2013.
We will then accept the yacht on the 10th April. At which point we will Christen her. Two bottles of Luxembourg Cremante, one for her and the other for us...

At this point I should mention that I have bought the following equipment:
A dinghy. Waveline 270 inflatable rib.
A 6 hp Yamaha outboard, with external tank, and lock
A 6 man offshore Life Raft
An "A" sail or Spinnaker with a Snuffer.
Complete set of cockpit cushions.

We still need:
Life vests. We are looking at the Spinlock or Kru vests, and would like personal AIS and PLBs.
Complete Safety Kit, including flares etc.
Grab bags.
Wet gear and footwear. Probably the Musto MPX.
Personal VHF sets that are small enough to fit the pocket and that can float.

VISIT TO CLYDE MARINA AT THE END OF NOVEMBER 2012

I flew over to Clyde Marin in Ardrossan Scotland on Monday the 26th November and came back on Friday 30th November. The intention was to check on the yacht to see if all was in order and to discuss additional equipment and the status of the retrofit modifications.
I actually organised my flights with Cargolux since they stop in Prestwick Westbound and Eastbound to the USA. So the flight into Prestwick on Monday evening was on the brand new B747-8F registration LX-VCG (delivered two weeks prior to my trip). On arrival into Prestwick I walked into the town and stayed in a beach front hotel. The next morning I picked up my hire car and drove up to Ardrossan where I met Chris and Simon and another person (Garth..). I spent the whole morning with them looking at the boat and the mast which was lying outside, then we went for lunch at the Marina, then continued some discussion on sails and signwriting.
On Wednesday I went back to talk to Chris after which I set out to explore the coastal area. On Thursday I made my way down the coast towards Prestwick. In the meantime I had been dumped from the flight (waitlisted) and reinstated. I dropped the car off at the airport at about 14.00 local ready for a 16.45 departure..HOWEVER I was then informed that the flight was 12 hours delayed, so I reluctantly settled in to a night at Prestwick airport trying to sleep on an arrival lounge seat...And it was very cold.

Items discussed:
-Asymmetric Sail or Code 1> I chose the A sail with snuffer and asked for the light blue stripes
-Dinghy and outboard > will probably opt for a 2.7 Waveline tender
-Signwriting the yacht name > selected dark grey and the font
-Antifoul type and colour > selected black over the present white
-Status of retrofits particularly the washing machine
-Launch dates > decided protem on end of March 2013

Some pictures:


Clyde Marina view

Yacht covered in plastic sheet

Water tank removed for access to install fwd aircon system

view of bowthruster with 4 batteries



Starboard side of cabin panels removed for aircon fit

Cupboard that will be demolished for wash machine

THE TV..

WE BOUGHT THE FLAGS
Since Kwanza is registered here in Luxembourg we have to abide by the rules and fly the Luxembourg Red Lion (in place of the Ensign). So we found a shop in Lorentzweiler that specialises in flags, and bought a 50 x 80 cm and a 70 x 100 cm flag.
They are super cool. Almost as nice as the Welsh Dragon. See below:

This is the official Luxembourg Maritime flag. Red lion overlayed on background of blue and white horizantal stripes.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION
After our application to the Maritime ministry, we have now received our Registration Certificate.

Her name is KWANZA which means 'first' in Swahili.
Registration number is: LG-6610

SOME MORE PHOTOS
Chris sent me some more photos of the yacht in the shed at Clyde Marina. Apparently they are starting to cover various parts of the yacht to prevent damage by workers who will install the retrofits (aircon etc).