Launching Nano. Sea trials

Finally came the day when ice is gone and we can attempt launching Nano!

It was sunny but chilly, with heavy wind which made Vätö channel dark of wind and stirred the sea into fast, short waves. Gusts reached 20 m/s. What not to like for sea trials of a new boat?

I arrived first and assembled the boat within few seconds. Only then I realised that I forgot to take oar locks!

I called reinforcements and shortly after my girls came with missing parts. We were ready for launch!

The boat is very lightweight so moving her on shoulders to the water was no issue. Once in water she graciously floated, tight as she should be - allowing no Mother Ocean inside.

First tour was short, just to feel the boat and see if I can manage to come back against the wind. No problem!

Nano behaved very responsively but she is steady and keeps direction very well. Unlike on Glypto here I was never afraid of flipping the boat, even when I leaned to the sides.

Fighting with choppy sea was no problem.

I wandered around the harbour feeling joy and liveliness of this tiny boat. This is a perfect yacht tender for us!

Folding and unfolding the Seahopper takes no time at all. Nano is the smallest model, Scamp, and she fits station wagon car without needing to put her on roof.

After short lunch we headed for home where I unfolded Nano again to let her dry before putting her into storage.