Next Stop: Newport

May 21st, 2022 James Sailing

Many weeks later than expected, Scout finally hitches a lift in Southampton - and starts her 10-day trip across the Atlantic to Newport, Rhode Island.

Scout's ride: MV Spiegelgracht.
Scout's ride: MV Spiegelgracht.

We’re shipping her with Sevenstar Yacht Transport, and after Scout was bumped from the March sailing, the April sailing got heavily delayed following the forestry strike in Finland. It’s a long story.

Coming alongside.
Coming alongside.

But with that behind us, the Solent put on a beautiful spring day for Kevin, our man from Swiftsure Yachts, to load her, and send us the photos.

Attaching the straps.
Attaching the straps.

Once Scout was lifted up out of the water, her tie-down straps were installed. The bottom of the hull looks pretty clean despite being in the marina for two months - which might mean our Sonihull system is working well!

The highest Scout has ever been.
The highest Scout has ever been.

There’s a fun video of the crane turning to bring Scout onto the main deck. Don’t forget… she weighs at least 15 tons!

Accelerated highlights.

Here’s Scout being lowered onto the deck, shiny (or more likely ‘slimy’) in the English sunshine.

Settling in for the ride.
Settling in for the ride.

The boats are lashed from three points on each side of the hull…

Strapped in.
Strapped in.

…and the stands supporting the hull are locked in place so that Scout is rock solid for the forthcoming Atlantic swell.

Rock solid.
Rock solid.

Scout is going to share the ride with both sailing and motor yachts. On her starboard side, an Allures 40.9 and on the other, one of the first of the new J-45 boats. On the outside, another Garcia 45, Scylla - with her distinctive bare hull.

New friends.
New friends.

We’ll be heading to Newport next week to see Scout lowered back into Narragansett Bay, welcome her to the US, and finally get some nautical miles under the sails!

Read the previous post: Scout Sets Sail for Southampton

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