| February, 2001: Our new boat arrives from Shanghai |
| When we left Shanghai in November, we knew it would be awhile before the yard would finish with the shipping arrangements for our new Outbound 44, which we would name "Sequoia." The right ship had to be found, with the right deck space, travelling from Shanghai to Seattle. We finally received word that it would be the Zim Vancouver (an Israeli ship) arriving late January or early February. |
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| We tracked the ship's progress on the internet, and learned that it would arrive the evening of February 1, for unloading the next morning. Unfortunately I couldn't go up to Seattle, but Craig arranged his schedule so he could be there to watch and assist Phil Lambert, of Superior Yachts West. We enlisted assistance from our son Ian, and his friend Jesse Doscher, who agreed to take the launch crew on his 27 foot sailboat to meet Sequoia as she unloaded. |
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| Above (L to R):The launch crew: Phil, Jesse and Craig. Photo by Ian Johnston |
| The evening of February 1, Craig and Phil went aboard the freighter in Seattle's Duwamish Waterway to check everything out. Fuel in the tank, batteries topped up, correct valves open, through-hulls closed or open, as necessary, the engine runs...Then at the crack of dawn on February 2, they set off to meet Sequoia as she was unloaded from the ship. Here are some of Ian's pictures from the launch sequence |
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| In the water, and under power, Phil at the helm -- setting off for Canal Boatyard |
| Click here to see some interior photos taken the next day. |