W. Grebe Returns to the Sea - Final Prep and First Splash!

After a couple of weeks of boat work on the hard, our wooden sailboat W. Grebe finally returns to the Pacific. In this episode, we wrap up the last jobs before launch: fresh bottom paint, checking and replacing zincs, and testing the electrical bonding system. These are the unglamorous but essential parts of owning a classic boat — the work that keeps her safe, sound, and ready for sea. This video covers: - Applying new bottom paint to protect the hull - Inspecting and replacing the zincs (sacrificial anodes) - Testing the electrical bonding to make sure the system works properly - Final checks before the launch - The big moment: W. Grebe’s first splash back into the water For anyone who’s owned or loved a wooden sailboat, you know the mix of nerves and joy on launch day. She’s been blocked up on the hard for weeks, maybe months, and suddenly she’s rolling toward the travel lift. The straps tighten, the boat rises, and then — she’s floating again! For us, this isn’t just another maintenance job. W. Grebe is part of a much bigger story. She’s a classic wood gaff-rigged sailboat, built here in British Columbia. Mary and I are preparing her for the voyage of a lifetime — to sail her from Canada across the Atlantic Ocean to Scotland. Every bit of sanding, painting, and testing brings us closer to that horizon. We’ve learned that the romance of wooden sailboat life is built on days like this. It’s not all sunsets and sails — it’s also antifouling paint, zinc dust on your hands, and double-checking wires in the bilge. The truth is: without these small victories, the bigger adventures never happen. If you’re new here, welcome aboard. This channel is where we share the real process of living with and sailing a wooden boat — the work, the adventure, and the dream of crossing an ocean together. If you love: Classic wooden boats Gaff-rigged sailboats Restoration projects Real sailing life in the Pacific Northwest Stories of preparing for amazing adventures …then you’re in the right place. We’re based now on Vancouver Island, Canada, and every video adds another piece to the journey. Whether it’s sanding and painting on the hard, rigging the sails, or setting out into the Pacific, this is all part of the same story: keeping W. Grebe alive, seaworthy, and moving closer to Scotland. 👉 If you enjoy this video, hit subscribe and follow along as we prepare W. Grebe for her voyage. Each week we’ll share the next step — sometimes it’s hands-on restoration, sometimes it’s sailing, sometimes it’s just us figuring out how to live this life afloat. ⚓ Thank you for being here and supporting this adventure. We don’t take it lightly. Every comment, like, and share helps keep the momentum alive as we work toward that bigger crossing. Chapters: 0:00 – Bottom Paint 04:25 – Replacing the Zincs and Bonding 05:36 – The Travel Lift 08:14 – First Splash: W. Grebe Back in the Water 10:30 – Arriving at Her New Berth About W. Grebe: Type: Wooden gaff-rigged sailboat Built: Denman Island, British Columbia, Canada Design: Harrison Butler Khamseen Mission: Sail her across the Atlantic to Scotland Crew: John & Mary, sharing the reality of wooden boat life Follow the Journey 📸 Instagram – [link to your IG] 🌊 More videos – [link to playlist] ⚓ Support the voyage – [Patreon or Ko-fi if you set one up later] #WoodenBoat #SailboatLaunch #SailingVancouverIsland #BoatRestoration #BottomPaint #Zincs #SailingLife #PacificNorthwest #ClassicBoat Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6diCN-nm_nUS-BS-hJHTA/join