Unwrapping our New Training Boats

First Class Sailing got a pleasant arrival in the ‘post’ this week… Batida and Manhattan, our two new Sun Odyssey boats, have arrived safe and sound at First Class Sailing’s Shamrock Quay base.

The boats were delivered to our door ‘gift-wrapped’ in a protective film, which kept them safeguarded during their journey of over 500 miles from the Jeanneau boatyard in Les Herbiers, France.

Unwrapping the new boats felt like Christmas 2014 had come early, or we’d been given an extra present for 2013. And now they’re here, the significance of the purchase really sinks in, making us a little apprehensive about all the costs involved!

The First inspection

One thing we have noticed is that they are definitely bigger. As you’ll hear in the video below, it doesn’t seem like much but those extra centimetres add quite a lot to the size of the yacht.

You might be surprised to know that the boats smell like a new car. Or does a new car actually smell like a yacht?

Either way there’s a bit of work to before they can take to the water and begin their mission as living, breathing classrooms for our sailing courses.

How to Prepare a New Boat

At the time of writing we have already given the hull one coat of primer. A 2.5/3 inch hole has been drilled in the bottom of the boat for the transducer which will give the crew give speed and depth measurements. The masts have been dressed and radome (essential for the radar system) fitted.

On Tuesday one coat of antifoul was applied to both boats and we began the start of heating installation, chart plotter/radar and nav instruments. This will continue until Friday’s launch.

On Monday we step the masts and connect up the electrics. The following day fire extinguishers will be fitted and then the gas man comes to fit the gas alarm. The next three days will be spent preparing the boats for coding inspection on 4th February.

Saturday 1st is the launch ceremony and then the instructors go on test sail. On Monday 3rd the compass adjustor comes to swing compasses and write the deviation card.

The first trip is on the 6th February and there are still some spaces on the Competent Crew – full details here can be found here.

Posted by: First Class Sailing