Serendipities Of A Writer's Life

Just minutes before covering the hull of Kuan Yin with three layers of anti-foul paint (to discourage barnacles and marine growth), I was making a last minute inspection when I discovered a small spot of rust that I hadn’t noticed before.  All the other spots I’d ground off and coated with two layers of special [...]

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Another “bulletproof” sailboat of dreams. This Tahitiana was built in 1984 and was listed for sale in Buddina, Queensland, Australia in January 2010. See the photo gallery.

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This is my own boat, bought four years ago, and she is now almost completely refitted and ready for her voyage to Labrador and Ungava Bay.  I bought the boat in Penetanguishene, in Georgian Bay on Lake Huron, Ontario, from David Perry, a master sailor and schoolteacher. He’d sailed “Barbarick” (as she was known at [...]

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The sight of a boat under full sail still thrills me. Take a look at this one of Wisp. See the photo gallery.

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Finally returned to the boat after the winter.  “Kuan Yin” seems unscathed by the winter cold, damp, ice or snow.  Even the teabags from last year were fresh enough to use and I was a great relied to find absolutely no signs of dampness, mold, or insect or rodent penetration.
My thanks to Dr. Magdalena Krondl [...]

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Kuan Yin setting sail from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in August 2009 on her way to Labrador after a major refit.  My friend Don Roht took this photo and many others, some of which I’l be posting in an album shortly.  Don and Rupert Hummel came out in an inflatable just before sunrise in August to [...]

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“Deben Jack” was sold in 2006 and unfortunately I’ve not been able to find any more news of her since then. See the photo gallery.
The Tahitiana is a “granddaughter” of the famous lifeboat built in the 19th century by Colin Archer to serve the Norwegian fishing fleet in the North Atlantic in winter time. This [...]

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The skipper’s advice to others is, “Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think.”  He bought ‘Irie” when she was derelict, restored her and sailed to the South Pacific – proof you don’t a fancy boat to get out there!

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Alas, I have no specific information about this boat.  I can only assume that she started from her home port of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and sailed at least to where palm trees grow (see photo)!  She was sold in Key West Florida on 22/10/08 for US $11,900 after the price was reduced from US 14,900.  [...]

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What to have a good look around a samll, neat sailboat.  “Ness” is your opportunity.  Check out the photos in the gallery.

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