We deliberate the purchase of an interim boat
The pandemic left a profound mark on every facet of our lives. As you can imagine, our professional careers in the healthcare field became even more stressful. Furthermore, workforce short falls and supply chain issues were affecting Seawind as well, delaying the projected completion date of our new catamaran. To alleviate the interminable wait, we immersed ourselves in YouTube, researching our options, and engaging with other sailors and newly acquainted liveaboard cruisers. The most impactful of these was the time spent with fellow cruisers. During a lunch meetup in Port Townsend with newfound friends Mark and Isabel Hardesy on Jolly Dogs, and Louise and Steven Dews on Wolfhound a pivotal conversation unfolded. One which challenged the plans we had been so carefully crafting around our future floating home.Â
During this casual conversation, Louise posed a candid question: Were we truly committed to our sailing dreams, or content to merely spectate via YouTube? Isabel and Louise, both earnest in their encouragement, advocated for seizing the moment by purchasing an interim boat. They underscored the affordability of cruising in Mexico and beyond, urging us to embark on our journey now.
Isabel further spurred me on by introducing a boat her friends were selling in Mexico, albeit already under contract. Nevertheless, she assured me that similar opportunities would arise. Describing the Hunter Legend 45 as a “fantastic plastic,” Isabel’s endorsement, grounded in her extensive sailing and living aboard experience convinced me this vessel or one similar was suitability for gaining experience for honing our skills. She painted a vivid picture of the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific coast of Mexico as the perfect training grounds.
The boat Isabel showed me lingered in my thoughts, and I earnestly implored Tyler to give the idea serious consideration. Taking a leap, I reached out to the boat’s owner, hoping against hope that the sale might not materialize. To my surprise, Tyler not only entertained the idea but also initiated an inquiry.
And thus, the concept of the interim boat was born. Liahona, as the boat was named, emerged as a viable option. Having sailed in Mexico for decades, she was equipped for off-grid cruising with amenities like a watermaker, solar power, and Lithium batteries. Her owners, Bret and Marne, shared a deep passion for seasonal living aboard Liahona in Mexico while running their business in Oregon.
After a thorough Facetime walkthrough, we decided to make an offer on Liahona and schedule a survey. As consummate planners, this decision was entirely uncharacteristic for us, pushing us far beyond our comfort zone. Yet, we understood that if we ever hoped to live aboard a boat and explore the world, we needed to take decisive steps forward. The timing would never be perfect, but we couldn’t let that deter us from pursuing our dreams.
After a successful survey we moved rapidly forward on acquisition of our new to us interim boat. The biggest selling point was the willingness of Bret and Marne to ease our transition by spending a week with us during the seasonal recommissioning of Liahona in the fall and their agreement to provide ongoing support and mentorship as we embarked on our new endeavor. In in early summer, Tyler flew to Guaymas, Mexico to complete the handover of Liahona. Unfortunately, I was unable to join him due to work commitments and I would not physically see Liahona until the Fall. I only had pictures and videos of the boat so I had to trust Tyler’s belief that this was the right vessel for us.
