New pilot gig hits the water

I've always wondered exactly what Samuel Pepys meant by 'betimes', as in 'Up betimes to the Duke of Albemarle'. If he meant 'at half past five in the bloody morning', I was up betimes to Hayling Island today, to join Reivers12 in their new pilot gig.
The gig is a stunning creation in bright yellow plastic with orange interior, and the Reivers will row her from London to Paris and back next month. She is fitted with holes for the traditional thole pins, but the Reivers are wisely using crutches instead.
We took her out under a cloudless sky and she rowed very nicely indeed, though the oars are clearly a bit short. A new set is on the way, apparently.