Waiata Launch # 2

While the boat was already launched weeks ago without us present, it was really special to be here for the formal launch and test sail earlier this week. Once we were freed from our 10-days quarantine, Sonia collected us and drove us to Marina dei Cesari, Fano, where Waiata currently lives. The whole team from ITA Catamarans were there to greet us and it was a spine-tingley moment to say the least. She is grander than we’d imagined, impeccably turned out inside and out. They turned on a delicious spread of lunch and we enjoyed a tipple or two as well. It was fun to meet all the team who worked on the boat, even if the language prohibited deep conversations!

The time came to head out and what was instantly apparent is that she is a techy mistress. There are loads of systems and processes to learn and understand, not least of which are the electric motors and multi-function displays that control everything - from the lights to the anchor windless and more. She is light to the touch, quiet, sensitive and highly responsive.

Once the sails were up we were off! The breeze was around 10 knots and Waiata was comfortably cruising at 8 knots. She accelerates smoothly in the gusts and it’s clear she will fly given the opportunity. We both felt intimidated which, quite frankly, you’d expect from me, but even Gavin was a tad blown away. The first time with the Code 0 was exhilarating. It’s a big rig and the power and size of the sails are a significant step up from our previous boats. There’s loads to learn and experience and we’ll get started on that as we sail up to Venice with the ITA team, where Waiata will be featured at Salone Nautico Venezia, aka The Venice Boat Show, 29 May - 6 June.