Some might have given up or thought maybe that was not the way things should be. Instead we have looked at every obstacle as a learning tool. Looking back it most likely would have been catastrophic if our plans would have worked out. We needed to learn how to live simply in close quarters and be at peace with that. We really needed to work on our sailing skills and the British Virgin Islands are a perfect place to get your feet wet.
We started out on a 34 Morgan which was a great starter boat. We had a wonderful time on her and great memories but it really was tight for a family of 6. We than moved onto a Downeaster 38. She has a lot more room than the Morgan. It seemed like a luxury to be able to close the bathroom door without smashing your knees. We thought that she would be the boat. She is a great boat but again with 6 people it is a bit tight.
We really thought she would be the boat we would fix up and sail around on.
A month ago a boat came up for sale that was our "dream" boat. It is a 49 foot Gaff Rigged Schooner. It was owned and put together by a friend of ours. He sailed her around the Caribbean and Europe (engineless) with his family. He had sold her to somebody else who than put her up for sale. When we went onto the boat we knew we really wanted her. Tim calls her the Waldorf Boat because of the pine and simplicity. I find her to be like a cabin on the water. Down below she is huge! There is room for everybody: a huge galley, a dedicated work space for Tim, and the kids have their own area .
So things have fallen into place and we will be moving onto her in a couple of days. We have sold the boat we are on and have purchased Ushuaia.
Now right now she needs some cosmetic work.
We are going to haul her in a couple of weeks and get her back into fighting shape. As much as we would love to be purists, we are going to install an electric engine.
So if all goes to plan we will be heading down island in a couple of months!
