The SS Silver Walnut takes its maiden voyage

I’ve got such good neighbours, both up and down the street.

And one family has a pool and didn’t mind letting me toss SS Silver Walnut into the briny seas this afternoon.

By gosh - I was elated! The cedar craft, with three coats of paint and three coats of spar varnish (Sorry. Super Spar Varnish!) sat up high in the water and floated almost a straight line before tilting to one side.


["It leans a bit, but that's an easy fix": photos GH]

Okay. The keel needs to be heavier and deeper. An easy 30-minute fix or add-on, in my humble opinion.


["Supportive neighbours. Not too excited maybe... but supportive"]

But... and this is the important part... it has a quality about it that will be appreciated by leading seaman the world over - it floats!! Just like it knows what it’s doing.

However, will SS SW cross the Atlantic ahead of the BP oil that keeps pouring into the Gulf?


["Last chance to hug a shoreline. Now... get out there"]

(The Gulf of Mexico is the source of the Gulf Stream is it not?)

Now, that problem I cannot fix. I’ll just have to get good weather and stay ahead of the slick.

***

Did you think the boat would float or sink?

Do we have some people of little faith out there?

.