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Whow floating…. Hurray ! but life was quite different now. We couldn´t stay at the little beach; no means of tools & the like and in the dry season it would 2 kilometers away. The state of Pará gave us a free spot and use of all machinery and equipment in port, that helped a lot. We suddenly had cranes, tractors and all sorts of “modern” tools, what a luxury !

During the period of finishing up, Canoa had made a lot of contacts in South of Brazil. After the successful launching, Vasco would hire us during the upcoming festivities of 500 year celebrations ! Sorry but again a “Joho”; even only the 50% down payment would be enough to finish her off !! YES !! BUT….. Oh oh, the sneaky “but”…. The remaining 50% we would only get when would arrive in time in Cabralia, Porto Seguro, state of Bahia. There the festivities started on 22 of April. That would give us exactly…. 10 months ! In a state famous for its wood but without any such thing as normal nautical equipment. That´s a nice challenge Sir !!

So, all hands on-deck and trying to figure out where all the equipment would have to come from. And if not, what alternative solution we had ? The “U-boat” was rented and laid aside the Tocorimé, that was our office where we could sketch, call, fax, use as a storage and fry an egg & make coffee. In hard times you drink coffee with “guarana em pô” – a double caffeine shot ! Lunch was a “PF” (dish of the day), daily arranged from Denise to keep us in shape: the basics were in place – now finish her off !!

Sails and Navigation equipment from the States. Roblon ropes from Denmark. Portholes, compass and other goodies from Holland (brought as hand luggage… bronze portholes weight quite a bit!!) and so goes on the list. From all parts we got the stuff, trying the make the best deals and avoiding import taxes. Bit by bit the gear started to come in and find its spot on the boat; yes it went well !

Craftmanship kept on going: Eric made all blocks and took care of interior design and furniture. He even made a compass standard in the shape of the old Parisiene garbage stands on the streets ! Will made the dining- & navigation table with the compass rose laid in….. what an artists they are !! Eric sill make wooden sculptures and Will became a well known luthier; we´re very proud we have their signatures on the boat !! The deck was another masterpiece of the guys; incredible what they had done !!

A big worry where the masts…. We couldn’t get the right wood ! Almost all wood is short grain: we needed long grain, as light as possible and reasonable straight for about 20 meters with a correct diameter. It was a pain in butt, pain in the head and pain everywhere. No luck at all !! After 4 months searching we had to take a decision: keep on looking and possibly delay or take something reasonable and see how it goes. We choose the latter: Muricatiara was tall, flexible and thick. But, it was a sweet wood and termites would love it. We impregnated it as good as possible (hot linseed with kerosene) and hope for the best. Maybe one day we would have enough to replace them…. The topmasts and all spars idem ditto. The electrical installation was done by a retired car mechanic but also this worked surprisingly well !

The engine and associated items was with Mr Gamboa, the biggest shipyard in town. He also made all steelwork for the standing rigging, what a guy: must have a Viking or Caveman in earlier lives… The only engine he found was a Yanmar form 1964 !! Holy Mo, what a monstrous thing, so big !! But, that was all we could find and HOP, in it goes ! We put the stern on the slip and the hole was drilled for the shaft, together with the installation of the rudder.

Being part of Brasil 500 festivities, the setting of the masts became a local public holiday. The entire town was present when the VIP´s Lars Grael and Captain Vasconcelos put the golden coins in the mast seats. What a huge party; can you imagine, we went totally insane…

We left Santarem on time but it was very strange. 6 six years… so many stories to tell; so many friends on the quay. The Capt Cold Beers steamed up with us for a few miles, threw his bottle of Antartica to us and turned around: we´re off !! W.E. A.R.E. O.F.F…… Huh ?? Say that again please !! We were about to start the maiden voyage !! After 12 years the dream came true……. WHOW !!!
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