First Launch of our Macgregor 26M Bolgoda Lake May 7 2026
- sandre fernando
- May 9
- 3 min read
After 2 months of preparation, troubleshooting, rigging, and anticipation, May 7th 2026 finally marked the first successful launch and sea trials of our pristine MacGregor 26M at the beautiful Bolgoda Lake from the docks of the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club.
Towering over the marina with its 30-foot mast, the boat immediately drew attention from members and visitors alike. Its bright blue hull, crisp white accents, and gleaming white sails made it hard to miss among the other watercraft at the club. Members stopped by throughout the day to congratulate us, admire the vessel, and ask questions about the yacht.
The boat now occupies a prime berth directly in front of the club’s main floating dock — a location that many members jokingly compare to owning the property beside the 18th green at a golf course.
What makes this story even more special is the condition of the vessel itself. This particular MacGregor 26M had reportedly remained unused in storage since 2012 after being imported into Sri Lanka along with another identical model. Every original component is present and functioning beautifully, making the boat one of the finest examples of its type in the country.
Preparation for launch involved many helping hands and experienced sailors from the club community.
Special thanks go to Janaka, a Navy veteran and sailing instructor who was conducting a class at the club, who had previous experience sailing the exact same type of vessel. His guidance on rigging and setup proved invaluable during the commissioning process.
Veteran Bosun and yard foreman Jagath also played a major role in preparing the yacht for launch. Using the original mast-raising system supplied with the boat, Jagath helped safely step the mast and the unique two rudder system of the boat and was crucial in overseeing final preparations before launch day.
Early the following morning, Jagath connected the new battery system, fuel lines, and fired up the 40HP Yamaha two-stroke outboard motor. The engine had previously been serviced by master outboard mechanic Upali while the vessel was still on the hardstand and ran flawlessly from the very first start.
With preparations complete, Jagath expertly backed the boat into the water and we motored out toward the middle of the bay. Once clear of the docks, he handed me the helm for the very first time.
The experience was unforgettable.
The boat immediately felt natural and responsive — almost as if it had been built specifically for my style of handling. We motored several kilometers across the calm waters of Bolgoda Lake, testing steering response, balance, and maneuverability.
The only real challenge came during the return to dock. With the daggerboard raised and a light 4–6 knot crosswind pushing against the hull, maintaining alignment at very slow speed required concentration and teamwork. Fortunately, the incredible dock crew at the yacht club quickly came to assist, wading out from shore to receive the lines and help guide the boat safely back alongside the dock.
One thing that stood out throughout this experience was the professionalism and warmth of the staff at the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club. Their dedication to safety, seamanship, and hospitality is exceptional and reflects a genuine passion for what they do.
On May 8th, 2026, another milestone followed when Jagath introduced me to the club’s sailing coach and coordinator, Jayasuriya. Also a Navy Veteran, Under his calm and highly skilled instruction, we finally took the boat properly under sail. Kudos to the Sri Lanka Navy for producing these fine young men and equipping them with these extraordinary seamanship skills.
With steady westerly winds blowing across the lake, Jayasuriya demonstrated expert sail handling and line management while patiently guiding me through the process. We made several adjustments to the jib halyards while underway and soon had the rig working smoothly and efficiently.
Watching the boat come alive under sail for the first time was an extraordinary moment.
After more than an hour on the water, we lowered both mainsail and jib and motored back toward the floating dock where the yacht now rests proudly in front of the club.
Tomorrow, during the club’s Member and Staff Appreciation Sunday celebration associated with the traditional Sinhala New Year festivities, the boat will once again be part of the waterfront scene. We are especially looking forward to offering short family rides around the bay for some of the club staff and their families as a small gesture of appreciation for all the support received during this exciting journey.
This is only the beginning.
The adventures of sailing around Sri Lanka are just getting started.
Comments