After 5 years out of the water including my 3-year renovation that took all of my free time balanced with running my own business, Challenger was ready for launch. Launch day was August 2007 at the Sussex Yacht Club in Shoreham. I closed all seacocks, removed all electrical items, cushions and perishables as I expected some flooding. When lowered, the volume of water entering her hull became a torrent; all the seams opened as the yacht entered the sea and the level of water came above the port & starboard bunks. I froze with horror. Challenger was being overwhelmed with water and about to founder. I'd expected some flooding but I wasn't prepared for the quantity that was pouring in. Challenger sank as fast as the hoist lowered her. I shouted for the hoist to stop, just in time to save the inboard engine, inches from the air intake but fully covering all the bunks inside. The 5 years out of the water had shrunken her hull and opened her seams to a much greater degree than I had expected. It took some time to gather my thought. I was determined not to give up and optimistically felt all she needed was time. I decided to prop Challenger on legs (Wooden steaks & angled chocks) on the slipway and allow her to flood at high tide. This worked to a degree and Challenger's seams began to close over a period of 4 days. I repeatedly checked the hull and still found no defects.