You'll note that, with no deck hardware on the boat, I had to tie a stern line with a bowline through the rudder tube and around the side of the boat.
I'm extremely pleased to report that the boat floated visually level, with no obvious need for significant trimming. Some additional weight (mast, rigging, and cockpit completion) remains to be added, so she may settle just slightly deeper in the water when all is said and done. I did leave my tools and such in the cabin over the mast step as a partial simulation of the mast's weight.
I'm also pleased to report that the boat is significantly lighter than before, and floats about 2-3" higher than the original waterline scribe mark at both ends. She should be a blast to sail. Finally, the true beauty of Alberg's counter is visible here; typically, the boats sit so much lower than the drawings show that the nice counter is substantially reduced.
With the boat floating free of the trailer, I marked the bow and stern waterlines with a sharpie marker taped to the end of a long stick. It worked extremely well. When complete, Steve hauled the boat back to the shop as if nothing had happened.
Now I can mark and paint the waterline and boottop, and really make the boat look more finished.
Here are a few pictures of the very incomplete boat in the water. Look for more details and additional photos in next Sunday's Daysailor log.
