There are four cranes to handle the 12 yachts. Scotty Sandford tells me that all four are 250 ton capacity or more. One was found here in Malmoe, but the other three had to be brought in from Finland. They not only lift the yachts in and out in lieu of travellifts, but they step and unstep rigs, put support boats in and out of the water, etc. So they are busy and scheduling can be a bit of a mission.

Last evening, for example.


Why was our shore team standing around well into the evening?


Because our neighbors had some trouble undoing the nuts that connect the starboard V1 (sidestay holding up the mast) in the yacht.


This tied up the crane that services our end of the paddock. And since 76 was still in the water, our guys had to wait a bit. But it works both ways -- probably we have inconvenienced our neighbors once or twice as well. Such is the cooperative spirit in the "AC paddock."


After 90 minutes or so they got their nuts off, and the rig was pulled out.


Then the crane was swung around to lift out 76. Tim, Scotty and Trevor looking flash in their flourescent-green, locally-mandated (and no doubt a good idea) safety vests .


76 lifted out...


...and swung toward the cradle.


ACM's operations manager and paddock boss, Rene "Fluffy" Holliger, stops by to be sure all is in order.


76 over her cradle, the front end of which is about to be raised so the yacht can be lowered to her nighttime resting spot.