A look back at the launch and christening of Nusquama.
The launching of a boat is an event for the shipyard which sees the realization of a project approaching. For the owners, the launch represents the culmination of a collaboration and the realization of their dream. Whatever the case, a boat launch is always a great moment for everyone.
The launch
The boat is first transported by road to the launching area. The route is more or less delicate depending on the size of the boat. Here, the monohull passes easily between the fences on each side of the road (which is not the case for the Garcia Explocat 52). Then, the boat is strapped to the “travelift” which can support up to 300 tons.
Once the boat is lifted, the technical team makes the adjustments to the centerboard: first fully lowered for paint touch-ups inside the centerboard well, then fully raised to check its operation.
The travelift finally steers the boat towards the sea. When it progresses, the wheels on both sides of the basin, the maneuver is impressive of precision. All the people attending this spectacle have their eyes riveted on the boat until it finally floats.
The technical team then joined the boat to board it and moor it to the pontoon, before resuming the final checks.
A baptism done the right way
Patrick and Susannah, owners of Nusquama, were pleased to come to Cherbourg to attend the launch of their Garcia Exploration 45. Like many sailors, they couldn’t pass up a few obligatory rites.
They came from Great Britain especially for the event in order to see, in real size, the imposing maneuver. Naturally, they took the opportunity to baptize their boat in the proper manner, with a bottle of champagne that, hopefully, will have made Neptune magnanimous.
