Nichols Bros Boat Builders

The Beautiful Cloud X

The $18 Million Cloud X is seen here about half way down the ways. In this case, the ways are a 550-foot bed of crushed rock, extending from the front gate of the Nichols Bros yard on Holmes Harbor in Freeland Washington. May Day 1995 brought grey and drizzly weather, not the best light to be taking pictures in. In this next photograph, we see the back of the crawler vehicle supporting the boat as it inches down to the water. This isn't a high-speed trip, and the tracks pop and groan under the weight.

Several hours later, the tide had risen and floated the boat off the crawler. A waiting tug towed the boat to Nichols' Langley dock for fitting.

The Cloud X will be outfitted as a casino, and will cruise the Florida keys.

Thanks to Brian Nichols and Mike Crotty of Nichols Bros for allowing me to get underfoot (and underboat) during this exciting launch.

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