We heard of many people being separated from their sailboat for months and we’re hoping to get back to ours. So we were scared not to be allowed back into the USA because the borders with Canada were only opened via air. Early January 2021 we boarded our first flight out of Ottawa, Canada in hopes of making it back to Florida without any hassle. There was a lot of questioning at the US border and customs in Toronto airport. After what felt like forever we were finally released from the officer and we caught our next flight just time. When we finally landed in Jacksonville I was so excited and felt like a huge weight was lifted.
We had made it back into the United States and could finally reunite with our small sailboat Wildly Intrepid. Shortly after we drove over to Green Cove Springs marina to go inspect our small sailboat. It had been left alone for 4 months during hurricane season and we didn’t know in what state we would find it. She was still standing up and at first sight didn’t show any signs of damage. Unfortunately being left alone in a humid environment and without being used we started finding some bad surprises. Those which would cost us more money then expected.
Make sure to head over to our channel to watch the full video and follow our adventure.
2 thoughts on “Returning to our small sailboat with bad surprises”
We’re looking at re-fitting an early 80’s Cherubini 33 Hunter and ran across your vids. Been sailing a Columbia C28 for the last 24 years with two kids and a dog aboard and have some very insightful lessons we learned vis a vis size of boat and the tradeoffs thereof. Loved your 70 mph squall as it reminded us of a 60 Kt. one we rode out at Block Island about ten years ago (you can never have too many friends or too much ground tackle – Dad). It takes from 3 to 5 years to really get to know a boat.. both what we want from it, and what it want’s from us. Would love to gam some more technical stuff with you when you’re connected. PS Hard dinks for the win if you’re going to row.
Welcome to the Hunter world! Sounds like you know what it’s like to go through those kind of squalls. And you are absolutely right how it takes a few years to really know your boat. What kind of questions did you have? Cheers to you both.