Training session....

Light winds, but we got some settings done for those conditions....

Logo ready!

We finally agreed on a logo for Silverminken that somehow communicates what we feel about the 310. After struggling a bit about fonts, sizes and color, this is the final result. It looks stunning!!

Holmsbu Hi-res video

Here's a high-res movie from the shorthanded training in Holmsbu:

Holmsbu 2010

Shorthanded training session last weekend at Holmsbu, here is a low-quality edit of the light-weather portions of the weekend. Expect an HD cut soon.

Elan 310 number three on its way to Norway

Last week we had another testsail on Silverminken, and this time it actually led to ordering the third 310 to Norway. Cool!

Here is a short clip from that day....great weather, nice conditions in the Oslofjord.

Sorry about the low quality, didn't have time to make the HD version.

Shorthanded training in Holmsbu

We were at Holmsbu this weekend for the annual training session for shorthanded sailors. Great event, although the first day culminated with a 30 knot headwind. Got the sails down with no damage in the nick of time. Phew.

Here's a short video of Silverminken sailing in the beautiful weather the next day....

Testsailing the chute!

Another testsail, this time with shorthanded expert and distributor Tor. Excellent testing conditions - not too much wind, but enough to get the smiles out with the chute up!

Out sailing again....

Went out today with my brother in the Oslofjord. Was blowing a bit more today, instruments said 10-12 knots in this video, though it probably was a bit more...max speed on video was just over 8 knots, and right after we stopped filming we hit 9. Nice!

...and she sails

I went out on the fjord today in the beautiful weather. Thought I'd motor off to meet up with the Formula 18 guys having a training weekend, and then attempt my first singlehanded sail with Silverminken back.

Here's a video of what it looked like. Awesome. Just have to gradually build shorthanded boathandling so that the assymetric comes out next time!

First videos of Silverminken

Testsail yippee....but no wind

Ugh. We got ready to take Silverminken out yesterday, had about 3-4 knots of wind, but when we attempted to hoist the spinnaker it all but disappeared. Disappointed, but then again - I got to take her out for the very first time! Fog, rain, no matter - this is awesome!

She was parked in her new berth next to an Elan 380, and let me just say that looking at the 310 from the stern is awesome! Hit the title for more.

Ready for testsail!

Today we finished everything necessary for delivery (but some more stuff needs to be done after that), but we didn't have time for a testsail, so that happens tomorrow. These things were (amongst other things) done today (hit the title for more):

Rigging today

I went to check out the progress on Silverminken, and there she was with the mast up!

The boom is not yet on, but here she lies. Slender profile on the Selden rig.

Rigging....

Kjell Inge is busy rigging right now, so I went down to have a look.

Silverminken Launched!!!

Silverminken was launched today!!! Woohoo!!

First images of her on the water:

A proud soon-to-be owner!

Here she is in the water next to a 340. The bow is completely vertical, and she somehow manages to integrate power and elegance in a very compact package!

Look at that hull! Those lines! Amazing how that chine is done!

To the right is a Sun Fast 3200. I'm not suggesting anything....

The cockpit, mainsheet traveller and tiller.

You can also see the AP control to the left.

Great working area!

Seeing things like this just really makes the whole project more "real". It's like a dream, and then you see these things that make you realize it is actually real!

Category A!

Kjell Inge and Tor have been busy mounting leads and other extra deck equipment for the ASOP system.

Bad picture, I know - had to use what's available (the phone). Peeked inside - here you can see the instrument panel, stereo and below the panel is the heater control. Harken gear waiting for mounting on the chart table....

Interior. The whole family was there today and all was approved. :)

Just look at all that great running rigging!

....self-portrait.

Now she is waiting for rigging - the rig is arriving today, so in a couple of days she'll be ready for the first sail tests.

Wooohooo!

Sanding, antifouling and deck equipment

....looks like silverminken will sail sometime during easter!

Got a few more pics from what is going on right now...forgive the poor quality, these are straight out of my HTC Hero....

Silverminken is now inside, and after sanding the hull the antifouling is now being applied. Looks pretty slick!

Still not complete, though, so she will stay inside a few more days while the rig and sails are being transported.

North are transporting the sails for Silverminken as we speak, so they will be here in time.

From astern, the underbody looks sexy!

I got to take a quick tour in the cockpit. This is looking good!

The running rigging looks fantastic! Real, high-quality stuff.

A snapshot of the interior. Can't wait to go down there!

Note the seawater pump - useful when cruising.

Tor and Kjell Inge working to get everything ready.

Also, here you can see the compass was moved down in order to get three ST60+ instruments above the hatch.

Starboard side, showing the AP control, engine throttle and speaker.

That's it for now....more pictures to come!

Silverminken has entered the building....

The very first Elan 310 in Norway has arrived.....