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Repairs, a Dog, the Cote D’Azur and Brompton
We took two pieces of kit back from our training in La Grande Motte: a new topping lift line and a pin that connects the steering wheel to the rest of the steering system. The topping lift is a double-braided Dyneema line that keeps the boom at the right height when the main sail…
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Ercole, Inspira and Training
After leaving Rome, we spent almost a week at Porto Ercole, first at anchor and then three days in the Marina dei Presidi. Porto Ercole is on the south east side of the Argentario peninsula, another one of those picturesque places in the Toscana. We rented a Vespa to explore the place which was…
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On The Italian West Coast
We’ve spent the last couple of weeks on the Italian west coast between Porto Venere and Amalfi, including the Tuscan Islands and the Pontine Islands. Our oldest son Lucas and two of his friends joined us in Rome and stayed with us for 12 days. This stretch of coast doesn’t offer too many protected…
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On the Boat!
We have our boat and we’re “shaking it down” in the Med! The last weeks have been very busy. After taking possession, we spent several days with the folks from the yard who walked us through sail handling, plumbing, electrical and electronics. The boat is similar to many we’ve been on, in particular the…
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Splash!
Aquila went into the water for the first time on June 29th! We’re right on schedule for handover at the end of July. The boat is moored in the La Grande Motte marina where the final steps of the build process will take place over the next few weeks. Special thanks to Benjamin from…
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Construction – Part 2
Constructions proceeds as planned. Here are some of the latest pictures: Coppercoat bottom is on and so are the logos on the hulls! Cockpit coming together nicely. Galley taking shape as well. Sink is in. Also note the Outremer trade mark “bench” seat up on the port hull. Cabins starting to look like you…
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Construction – Part 1
Construction takes about 8 months. The boat is build using a vacuum resin infusion process designed to optimize the boat’s strength-to-weight ratio. The construction integrates glass reinforced plastic (GRP) mats laser cut PVC closed cell foam cores to form a rigid sandwich structure. Before infusion, an initial protective vinylester resin barrier is laminated into…