BS1 10 – Changes

Who knew that a boat could be so life changing? I know that sounds like a silly question because just the whole idea of living aboard is a major lifestyle change, but we expected all of that and really we haven’t experienced any surprises in that regard. No, I mean this boat specifically, has been life changing in other ways we were not expecting. So many ways. She has had an impact on our lives from the minute I found her ad.

 

The first example: because of where she was located when we found, toured, and first purchased her I was able to reunite and catch up with one of my closest friends whom I hadn’t seen in nearly 20 years. Words can’t express what this experience meant to me! It was as if time had stood still and my friend and I just picked up where we left off. It was surreal. I wondered then if it was some kind of sign. I still wonder now.

 

Wind Dragon II’s repositioning trip around Florida and up the East coast took us places that we would never have visited any other way, learning about people and history in places we never knew existed, and again we were allowed the fortune to reconnect with friends, some very close friends that we hadn’t seen or interacted with in many years. Friends we would not have had occasion to see, had it not been for this boat.

 

Even more recently, now that we are untethered to a land house and because of where we are hanging out on the East coast for this hurricane season, I was once again able to meet up with another friend I share memories with from over 30 years ago! Never could I have imagined any of these reunions, and certainly never could I have experienced any of them, if it were not for this boat!

 

We’ve learned so much about her, how to handle her, how to manage her quirks, and how to read her personality. Her refit has given us insight into her lineage and formed a bond between us that feels almost familial. We’ve traveled and shopped near and far for her benefit, and sacrificed sanity to ensure her well being without first questioning our own. The ups and downs of the hard work that she demands from us pales in comparison to the joys we’ve received from giving her even the smallest bits of new life again, and which in turn has given us a renewed purpose. A new life.

 

Wind Dragon II needed us as much as we needed her, there is no doubt. She had been worn down and neglected for some time, and she needed a great deal of work both inside and out, but don’t we all? She is (in 2022), a 36 year old catamaran, and part of the reason we fell in love with her to begin with is because we appreciated the character which is only found in yachts of an older age. We like that her interior is built from wood and not molded plastic or fiberglass, and we prefer the simple yet comfortable designs of yesterday with wide decorative trim, rounded doors, and easy access cubbies over the solid, sleek, veneer hardness of more modern yachts.

 

In the coming weeks we will start to share a lot more about the changes we have made (are making/are continuing to make) to Wind Dragon II, some of which we understand will not be popular with public opinion. Unlike many refits on boats of her age, we are not restoring her completely back to her original glory. Yes, between ourselves and the previous owner she has been re-masted and re-rigged, she has two new (to her) rebuilt engines, her wiring and plumbing have been completely updated, as well as her solar and many of her other mechanics, electronics, and systems the same as any other refit. However, the changes which express her beauty and comfort today are very different from how she appeared in her younger years, and thoughtful consideration should be given before judging appearances too quickly.

 

A quick note: many of the choices we make in our design process are limited due to the marine environment and/or issues caused by such. Also, due to the current environment there have been impacts due to product availability and time constraints (as well as costs in some cases) which have caused adjustments to be made which are not permanent but will be updated at a later time.

 

That being said, please, please, PLEASE don’t hold back and do feel free to let us know what you think! Know a better way to solve a problem? Let us know! Know something that would work better than what we’re using/doing? Tell us! Hate it, like it, love it? Tell us! Let us know what you want to say! Talk to us via email, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube, we’d love to hear from you!

 

Until next time friends, fair winds!