The Launch

Afloat at last! Toucan Tango was splashed into her new home, the Mediterranean Sea, at 11 o'clock on Tuesday, July 10, 2001. Her Catana skipper, Franck, drove her from the launching ramp around to her Med mooring, where we stepped aboard for the first time as owners. It was a special moment.

TT nearly in the water (163983 bytes)
TT hulls in the water  (171064 bytes)
TT with her proud owners  (164435 bytes)

TT nearly in the water

TT hulls in the water

TT with her proud owners
04_TT_under_her_own_power.JPG (162167 bytes) TT with skipper Franck  (163177 bytes)  

  TT under her own power

TT with skipper Frank

  

Later that evening, in the tradition of yacht launchings, Ann cracked the champagne on her bow, and offered the following words:

"I name this ship Toucan Tango. May God bless her, and all who sail in her."

At that point, the champagne began to flow!

TT motoring away from launch  (136769 bytes)
TT turning to head to berth  (138433 bytes)
TT heading away from launch  (136189 bytes)
TT coming round to her Med moor  (141064 bytes)

TT motoring away from launch 

TT turning to head to berth

TT heading away from launch

TT coming round to her Med moor

In addition to the launching, the pictures also show David Renouf, our excellent Catana dealer from San Diego, and Franck, our local Catana skipper and teacher who will help us to get to know TT during commissioning.

We also want to thank all the rest of the Catana crew who built our lovely ship for us, including most importantly Christophe Gallot-Lavalée, Catana's project director who made it all happen for us.

TT backing into Med mooring  (162859 bytes)
David - our great dealer  (171852 bytes)
Toucans now emblazoned on each cabin-top  (176405 bytes)

TT backing into Med mooring

David - our great dealer

Toucans now emblazoned on each cabin-top

13_TT_is_officially_christened.jpg (174836 bytes) Good luck - the first boat bite  (184051 bytes)  
 TT is officially christened Good luck - the first boat bite