Lessons Learned from a 6-Month Absence from Our Sailboat

Lessons Learned from a 6-Month Absence from Our Sailboat

Our six months in Alaska seemed to fly by, and we were excited to return to Washington, beating out the heavy snow of the Last Frontier. We cleaned up, cleared up, tied up, and hitched up our little Micro Minnie and set off to the ferry on September 27, 2023.

We planned to take the ferry to Homer and spend a couple of weeks driving through the Yukon, camping along the way. Once we were back in the Lower 48, we would take some more sailing lessons and start heading south, towards warmer climates, for the winter.

While we were in Alaska, Gypsea Explorer had to be taken from Lake Union to Anacortes and then from Cap Sante Marina to the boatyard, where she was currently being stored.

Cost to Transport: $2200.00

Although we hoped for the best, we had a feeling that, the best was not to be. When we had left six months previous, we were assured that there would be a prioritized ‘punch list‘’; what needed to be done, when, where and costs. That list never materialized, and soon, Chris’ calls, texts and emails, went unanswered.

After six months of busting our butts in Alaska, working 15-hour days, planning and hoping for our upcoming sailing adventure, doubt took a foothold.

We had no idea what we would meet upon our return, and I found myself playing Little Miss Sunshine.

“Don’t worry. Things work out as they are meant to.”

“If nothing got done, this will be a great opportunity for us to bond with our boat.”

“You are more than capable of getting her updated and refitted. You’re smart, likable, and will get to meet the sailing community and make sailor friends,” and so on and so on.

We exited the ferry in Haines, Alaska, and began our trek via the Cassiar Highway. The Yukon was so incredible that it deserves its own post, which I will write about soon.

But, first—-our Sceptre 41 Sailboat.

Lack of progress on our Sceptre 41 Sailboat

When we arrived in Anacortes, we visited Gypsea Explorer, and as suspected, nothing had been done during our six-month hiatus. The transmission remained where we had left it–in April. The hatches had not been replaced, the leaks still leaked d the sails remained untouched in their bags, and our spirits sagged.

When we first set eyes on the Sceptre 41, we were filled with excitement and enthusiasm. We had great plans to renovate the interior, improve the navigation system, and make our Gypsea a floating paradise.

However, the months rolled by, and the projects we had envisioned remained unfinished. Gypsea felt more like a stationary home than a vessel of adventure.

The lack of progress weighed heavily on our spirits. We had anticipated spending our days exploring the coastlines, but instead, we found ourselves faced with an endless list of repairs: working on the engine, fixing leaks, rebuilding the transmission, wiring bilge pumps, etc… The same repairs that had appeared on our Sailboat Survey in April remained. It seemed that every time we crossed one item off our to-do list, two more would take its place. Our dreams of sailing into the sunset felt further away than ever.

We sold our Mini Camper as planned.; but, the new problem was; that when you live in a non-traditional home–(bus/van/boat), and it is in the shop–or, ‘on the hard‘ as they say in boating lingo-you are homeless. And we felt it.

A) We paid rent for a slip at Shelter Bay in La Conner, Washington.

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B) We were paying rent at the boatyard where Gypsea was stored.

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C) Slightly over $1000.00/month, AND we had nowhere to stay.

What Do We Do Now?

As we sat in a cozy local bar—I drank bourbon, my Kiwi drank beers—we reflected on the reasons behind the lack of progress. Several bourbons and beers later, we made a plan.

First, we scouted out the most reasonably priced motel in Anacortes, which was no easy task. We landed at the Cap Sante Inn. The location was perfect, the room simple, and the staff accommodating and friendly. It was perfect for us.

Next, we went by and chatted with the people who we had thought were in charge of certain projects: rigging, electronics, hatches, transmission, etc… They each gave us the same blank look, shaking their heads apologetically and telling us that they had thought we were ‘just storing the boat.’ No one was aware that any work was supposed to be done.

There are many things we can do ourselves and many things that require professionals. We made a list with the goal of getting her into the water and getting us out of the hotel as quickly as possible. Once we landed in a home, we would evaluate how to proceed.

Our Gypsea was at North Harbor Diesel, and once they understood the situation, they were amazing. They made us a priority and went straight to work. Chris, who has a background in aviation, was able to join them and help out, pulling wires, changing out various components, etc… Together, they worked for two solid weeks–(including some weekend hours), helping us get Gypsea readied. Our experience with North Harbor Diesel turned out to be very good. They were cool guys, their work was great and their pricing was fair.

First Things First: Repairs

Certain repairs had to be done before she could touch the water.

The most pressing one was the transmission. After identifying the problem and discovering what was wrong, replacement parts had to be found, tools gathered, and the transmission rebuilt. It should have been done while we were in Alaska, but Chris and the guys at North Harbor got to do it when we returned.

Cost: Transmission Removal and Repair = $4400.00

Next were the hatches, which had been leaking during our sea trial in April. Since they had to be replaced, we also decided to upgrade them. We had the hatch holes enlarged and bigger Lewmar Hatches installed, which is quite a task; enlarging holes on boats requires extra maintenance and work to ensure they are airtight and no water gets in. It requires a lot of stuff: adhesive, caulking, denatured alcohol, rags, tape, and sandpaper- you get the idea. This upgrade is one of the best things we did. We LOVE it. Our salon is flooded with natural light, and the new wood hatch rings glisten.

Cost: Replace Hatches = $5600.00

Since Gypsea was out of the water, it was the perfect time for bottom paint.

Two weeks and $2000.00 in hotel bills later, the bottom of our Gypsea Sceptre 41 Sailboat got wet. It was a long wait and a momentous occasion for us. Although there is still a lot to be done, we are officially underway, with a new and long list of upcoming repairs.

Lessons Learned From Our Sceptre 41 Sailboat Dilemma

Our sailboat dilemma taught us valuable lessons about patience, resilience, and setting realistic expectations. For us, the biggest lessons have been personal ones. Chris has moved beyond the ‘we have a handshake‘ and ‘people will keep their word” mentality. And I learned to hold my tongue in the communities ‘where everyone knows everyone.’ It’s not in my nature, but sometimes it is the most effective practice. I was able to relinquish a little bit of ego so we could move along our way. The best-laid plans can crash when they hit reality.

Most importantly, we learned that sailing is not just about the destination but also the journey itself. While our initial focus was on reaching our desired result, we realized that transforming our sailboat was just as important. It taught us to appreciate the small victories and the joy of problem-solving–as a duo.

We also learned the importance of seeking support and advice from fellow sailors. The sailing community is a tight-knit group, ready to lend a helping hand or share their knowledge. Through online forums and local meetups, we connected with experienced sailors who guided us through the challenges we faced. Their wisdom and encouragement gave us the confidence to tackle tasks that seemed daunting at first. You know who you are–and THANK YOU!