Trilogy will soon emerge from the Beneteau factory and is to be trucked across France to Canet en Roussillon on the Meditteranean (Canet en Roussillon is a relatively new marina development about 10 kms from the medieval Catalan town of Perpignan, near the Spanish border). Sailing Atlantic Services is to prepare the yacht (eg antifouling, rigging the mast, bolting the keel on, putting her in the water and taking her to the marina berth) for handover on 29 March.

Trilogy is a 3 cabin Beneteau Oceanis 54, sloop rigged but able to be converted to cutter rig for long passages. We have specified the tall rig for light air sailing, with jiffy reefing for the main and a genoa and Code zero on furlers. She will have the new dock and go system (bow thruster and 360 degree rotating sail drive controlled by a toggle at the helm) allowing easy maneouvering in marinas and electric winches for easy sail handling. The yacht will also have the full Raymarine electronics - radar, auto pilot, chartplotters at nav station and helm and VHF radio with remote mike. Below decks, in addition to the standard freezer, fridge, oven, gas stove, microwave etc, Trilogy will also carry air conditioning, water maker, combo washer/dryer and internet/wifi connectivity - and a big generator to power all the goodies.

For those with an interest, more information on the Oceanis 54 boat specs are available at http://www.beneteau.com/Sailing-Yachts/Oceanis/Oceanis-54

Garth and Ros are making their way to Canet en Roussillon via Paris, Rick via Perpignan and John and Myra via Barcelona in time for the handover. Susan will make her way to Trilogy mid April when school holidays commence in Canberra.

In the 10 days or so after handover we will be shopping for such things as crockery, cooking implements, cutlery, linen, tools and spares and stocking her with food (and possibly drink). During these few days in the marina Trilogy will also undergo sea trials and the crew will familiarise themselves and test all the systems on board. The crew will be staying in an apartment in Perpignan for a few days before moving onboard.

We plan to start our cruise up the French coast towards Italy as soon as we have finished preparing Trilogy, probably early to mid April.

Our post tomorrow will outline in a little more detail Trilogy's likely cruising route through the Mediterranean in 2012