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July 04, 2008
Prana Launch
I didn't quite make it to Huntington in time to see Prana launched. I hired a driver to take me, and the 6 million bits and pieces we packed for the boat, some if which emerged from hibernation in our storage locker, to Huntington. On the Thursday before a long weekend, we got completely snagged in traffic, first at the Midtown tunnel, then, giving up there, on the FDR and Triboro Bridge. By the time we got to Queens, I had to pee something fierce.
When we were in La Rochelle, France, we contacted the boat builder and asked if we could watch Platina's launch. They found this to be a rare and odd request. They obliged. We watched, despite the cold, wind and rain on that January 20, 2005 morning. I must have taken 30 photos just as her keel kissed the sea. To me, that legendary moment is a show of respect for the sea. To be there for it, and connect with it, is important. A little histrionic, I know, but I'm like that. I'm okay with that.
I arrived yesterday too late for that monumental moment. I was a little sad to have missed the launch, but thrilled that she was in the water and the guys were working hard to get her up and running. Very exciting. We head back up to Huntington today, the 4th of July, to begin putting our personal touches on her and getting to know her.
This is a different experience than Platina. Platina was a big, blue-water, ocean sailboat. Before we left the dock in La Rochelle, we had read every manual, scoured every nook and cranny, understood every little thing about her before setting off on what became a 22-day voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. It was very emotional.
This is emotional in a different way. I can't really describe it. I guess it's a bit like having the second baby. You know what to expect.
Posted by dave at July 4, 2008 08:02 AM