A new permanent crew member of Felicity II has been welcomed to the team.  The team baptized the new Raymarine Autopilot 'Filiberke'.  During the prologued weekend of May 1st untill May 3rd the Smart Pilot X5 Tiller was tested during the first sea trials.

Due to the light weather conditions on Friday and Saturday it was only on Sunday that the pilot was tested to its full potential.  That morning Felicity II left Nieuwpoort with a nice Soutwesterly wind at Bft 3 to 4.  The big spi was hoisted and the boat speed averaged about 7 to 8 kn.  The Raymarine pilot came into action and both Glenn and Bert were curious to see how the pilot would behave.  The spi was thrusting the boat over the waves and the boat was accelarating quickly.  The pilot did an amazing job, both in wind mode as in compass mode.  Felicity II stayed perfecty on course and was sailing fast.