A launch date was fixed when the boat was nearing completion.  I had a few people meeting me at the marina area and therefore the deadline pressure was on for me.  I had purchased a second-hand set of roof racks with a kayak carrier included beforehand.  I had never loaded a kayak on a car before and only had plastic rope to tie it up with.  When driving down to the marina the boat was moving around on the roof so much that other cars were beeping their horns.  Unfortunately the paint would not dry to a hard finish for weeks after the launch and some of the paint came off the boat to the roof-racks on the way down to launching spot.  I did successfully get the boat to the water, however, without accident.  At the launch, I did not feel one-hundred percent sure it was going to float and take my weight when I sat in it; it was my first boat and the question of ‘will it sink’ is in the back of your mind.  The boat worked fine and it was complemented on.  You can see in the photos that Richard had his wooden kayak there too, a Cape Charles.  It was a big day for me and represented a lot of effort to get to this stage.  I did not remember it now, but the photos show I have not made the hatch covers yet.

Taking to the water for the first time: will it float?

In the water, Richard in foreground with his Cape Charles kayak.

First paddle.

First Paddle.

First paddle.  Notice the hatch covers are not made yet.