End of an era, Start of an era

 
Sans Souci
 
I have some very bizarre news. Roberta and I have listed Sans Souci for sale !

Why? you might ask…

The quick answer is that after completing a semi-circumnavigation we’ve been struggling to think of where we want to go next. We’ve cruised our way through over twenty-five countries and have come very close on a couple of ideas. We joined the Waikiki Yacht Club in anticipation of taking the boat to Hawaii, and then had trouble finding moorage. Weird as it sounds, a marina in Hawaii accepted us, and then rejected us at the last minute. We felt burned by the whole situation. We then got serious about Ireland, but were having trouble making it fit our schedule.

Ultimately, the idea that excited us most became (drum roll please) … America!

 
The great loop
 
Three hundred or so boats attempt a journey each year called The Great Loop that runs around Florida, up the east coast, into the great lakes, down the Mississippi and back to Florida, a journey of roughly 5,000 miles.

The reason we are selling Sans Souci is simply that we are thinking about getting a smaller boat with which we can do Florida’s Intercoastal Waterway (the ICW), and the Great Loop. We thought about buying a small boat just for the Loop, but don’t really want to own two boats. Plus overall, the truth is just that we’ve been in the mood for change. Every few years we like to shake up our lives and do something radically new. Part of being a boater is being a person who likes new adventures. As part of this, last year we sold our home in Mexico after living there for twenty-two years. We still love Mexico and highly recommend life in Cabo, but it was starting to feel a bit like “been there, done that”. Maybe it’s a mid-life crisis. I don’t know or care. I just know that the time had come for new horizons and new experiences and that is what we do best.

This has been an unbelievably tough decision. Sans Souci has been more than a boat to us. She has guided us safely around the world and taken us places that no other form of transportation could have reached. We’ve been on a campaign to make Sans Souci better year after year and can’t think of any way or option that would make her better. Our next boat may take us new places, but we will ever own another boat that provides as much comfort.

 
Boats come in different flavors
 
Different kinds of cruising require a different kind of boat. Boats come in a wide variety of types, each of which targets a different purpose. There are sport fishers, sailboats, fishing boats, trawlers, ski boats, catamarans, semi-displacement boats and probably more other kinds of boats than I could possibly list. Nordhavns are the best there is for the kind of cruising we’ve been doing. I can’t imagine another brand I’d be willing to take across the Bering Sea. Nordhavns are off-grid, heavy sea, serious world cruising machines.

 
Sans Souci teaching the Bering Sea who is the boss
 
But, although a Nordhavn will cross any ocean, our Nordhavn can’t get to Chicago and a smaller boat can. To do the Loop you need a draft under five feet, to be no higher than nineteen feet, and capable over going five hundred miles between fuel stops. Sans Souci only meets one of those requirements (fuel). The Great Loop is primarily run on rivers, some of which are shallow. The bigger problem are the locks (think of them as boat elevators), many of which are not very deep, and the bridges, many of which are fixed in height. Sans Souci has an over-seven foot draft and is forty-feet tall! All of Sans Souci’s size translates to comfort and safety at sea, but in this case it works against us.

So, what are we buying?????

We are in the final stages of working on a purchase order for a Grand Banks 60.

Many of you may know Grand Banks as a company that has been around for a while making trawlers.

 
Old Grand Banks Trawler
 
The Grand Banks we are looking at is not the same Grand Banks your grandpa might have purchased.

Grand Banks took on new management a few years ago. They acquired a small Australian boat builder named Palm Beach, and through the transition the CEO of Palm Beach became the CEO of the consolidated company.

Grand Bank’s CEO is a gentleman named Mark Richards who has quite a sailing reputation:

 
From Wikipedia:

Mark Richards is an Australian sailor and boatbuilder, best known for his achievements as skipper of Wild Oats XI, 8 times line honours winner of the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht race.

In 1995, Richards founded Palm Beach Motor Yachts in Australia, which was acquired by Grand Banks Yachts in 2014. Richards is currently CEO of Grand Banks as a result of the acquisition.

As a professional sailor, Richards has sailed in 2 Americas Cup challenges, has achieved World Match Racing victories, has won the Sydney to Gold Coast yacht race, the 2003 Admirals Cup, and has taken out line honours and handicap honours in the prestigious Rolex Sydney to Hobart races.
 
I confess to being prejudiced towards the Australians and New Zealanders as boat builders. They take their boating seriously in that part of the world, and Mark’s Palm Beach line of boats has quickly built quite a reputation.

He has been revolutionizing Grand Banks and whereas there are some long-time Grand Banks owners who are sad to see long-marketed models go by the wayside, he has restored momentum and profitability to the company via some bold moves.

 
Grand Banks 60
 
The boat we are buying, the Grand Banks 60 (GB60) is roughly the same length as Sans Souci, while weighing only one quarter as much. This is through two things: 1) The GB60 uses carbon fiber to reduce weight. And, 2) It’s a smaller boat. It isn’t as tall or as deep. Roberta and I will have to adjust to giving up some space, but ..really … it won’t be bad. I’ve been frustrated more by the smaller equipment spaces than the smaller living spaces. The GB60 has lots of space for a boat of its type, but .. we’ve been very spoiled on Sans Souci.

 
Category A – Ocean: covers largely self-sufficient boats designed for extended voyages with winds of over Beaufort Force 8 (over 40 knots), and significant wave heights above 13 feet, but excluding abnormal conditions such as hurricanes.
 
On the positive side, we hopefully aren’t giving up much on the seaworthiness side. Even for coastal and river cruising, seaworthiness is not optional. We are big believers in having maximum safety, and the GB60 is CE Ocean A rated.

And, a couple of other things that helped make our decision … The GB60 can run at over 30 kts, and cruises comfortably at 20kts (two to three times Sans Souci’s speed). And, at ten knots it claims to have an over 2,000 mile range!

Anyway.. this is just a short burst to let everyone know what is happening. As I get time I’ll post more about the equipment decisions I’m making and why.

As always, thank you!

Ken and Roberta Williams (and, our faithful crusing companions Toundra and Keeley)
Nordhavn 68, Sans Souci
www.kensblog.com

29 Responses

  1. SUBJECT: Re: End of an era, Start of an era

    Sorry to hear you are selling. I think I enjoyed reading about your repairs and problems more than the scenery. Our friends Ron & Vicky Montgomery, who live on Orcas Island, wa, did the great loop about a year ago. Let me know if you want to contact them. They bought a boat just for the trip which sounds like what you plan. I don”t know the end of the story when they sold the boat. I think it took a while. Gail Gilman.
    ________________________________
    From: Passagemaking with a Nordhavn
    Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2018 3:33 PM
    To: dinghy27@[…]
    Subject: End of an era, Start of an era

  2. SUBJECT: Re: End of an era, Start of an era

    Hi Ken
    Been reading Passagemaking since you crossed the Atlantic with the Nordhavn crowd.
    That’s quite the number of years ago.
    On your Great Loop Adventure when you get to Georgian Bay/North Channel give me a shout and I’ll help with the sightseeing.
    A word of warning…. you may want to stay a summer or two to really explore this area. It’s that beautiful.
    Looking forward to seeing which cruiser you decide on.
    Enjoy the rest of the day
    Cheers Bob Wilson

    PS We have a mutual acquaintance, Georgs Kolesnikovs who, a few years ago, penned for Nordhavn.

    From: Passagemaking with a Nordhavn
    Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2018 3:32 PM
    To: bobwill@s…
    Subject: End of an era, Start of an era

  3. Ken;

    I’ve always read that Volvo diesel engine replacement parts and supplies are expensive.

    Are you going to join America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association?

    https://www.greatloop.org/

    Chris Byer

    Cathedral City, CA

    The next town over from your new home.

    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/26/2018

    Chris:

    I already joined and have been going to their site daily plus reading all the forum postings. I still have 18 months before the new boat arrives, so .. lots of time to spin up to speed (too much time!)

    As to Volvo.. I’m trying to make that decision now. I definitely will NOT do the IPS/Pod drives. The shafts are a more reliable and simpler system. I could opt for Cats, but they are more expensive, heavier, bulkier, but certainly easier to obtain maintenance for (at least in the US). My guess is that I’ll go with the Volvo engine, but no decision has been made. I have heard that Volvo parts are expensive .. but, generally speaking the main engines are not a huge maintenance item. Perhaps I’ve been spoiled by the Luggers in my Nordhavn, but I’ve really never had to think about my main engines. They just keep chugging along.

    -Ken W

  4. Hi Ken!

    Did y’all look at the Nordhavn 59CP (with a folding radar arch) for a Loop boat? If so, I’m curious why y’all went with the GB60. Both are CE category A (I believe). Seems either boat would work great for the Loop. BTW, when I saw this blog’s headline, I thought you might be ending your blog! So glad that’s not the case!

    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/28/2018

    We did look at the 59cp and were impressed. It’s less expensive than the GB60 and a lot of boat for the price.

    For us, it came down to the look and layout, plus extra speed, of the GB60. 

    It was a tough decision and could have gone either way

    Ken W

  5. SUBJECT: Re: End of an era, Start of an era

    We have been following your Passagemaking blog for quite some time and have
    enjoyed vicariously sharing your adventures. Now we”re excited and quite
    pleased at your decision to do America”s Great Loop Cruise, an experience
    well worth your time and effort, and one that we accomplished in 2011
    aboard our 47” Marine Trader, “Docker”s Inn.” This trip (and others) was
    documented in our own blog: http://www.dockersdiary.blogspot.com. Our
    boat had a draft of about 3.5”, with a height of 18”. This worked out very
    well for us. Our only concern about a 60 footer would be that you might not
    be able to navigate the “small boat channel” in Georgian Bay, Ontario,
    which was our favorite part of the whole trip. Of course, you have the
    option of skipping that and cruising up Lake Huron in open water instead,
    which is what some cruising friends of ours did.

    Good luck and safe cruising,

    Sharon and Ken Vogel
    krvsav@[…]

    On Wed, Oct 24, 2018 at 3:33 PM Passagemaking with a Nordhavn < blogcomments-O4IRU@[...]> wrote:

    >

  6. SUBJECT: RE: End of an era, Start of an era

    Hi Ken,

    I’ll raise a glass to your success and good times aboard Sans Souci. May your next nautical endeavors be as interesting and enjoyable as previous ones! If you end up stopping in Peoria, IL on your new route look me up; some good places to eat over there, albeit not much in the way of scenery compared to your previous locales.

    Best,

    Doug Kinzinger
    Illinois

    From: Passagemaking with a Nordhavn >
    Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2018 2:33 PM
    To: doug@[…]
    Subject: End of an era, Start of an era

    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/25/2018

    Is Peoria on the loop? I still haven’t done any trip planning. We have lots of time between now and when the new boat gets built. And, even when we start cruising I probably won’t think more than a few days into the future.

    This is going to be FUN!

    Thank you,

    Ken W

  7. SUBJECT: Re: End of an era, Start of an era

    Tough decision Ken, I know it was tough for me too. We just down sized to a Selene 60. I, like you was emotionally attached to my Nordhavn but change is one constant in life and we are now happy with our decision. The smaller boat is all we need to do BC and Alaska. Maybe one day I will again buy a Nordhavn and go offshore. Congratulations on your new boat and adventure.

    John & Tina Philippson
    M/V White Spring

    > On Oct 24, 2018, at 12:33 PM, Passagemaking with a Nordhavn wrote:
    >
    >
    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/25/2018

    John:

    Wow! You had a Nordhavn 75. That’s quite a change.

    It’s going to be tough for us to give up all the comfort of Sans Souci, and I’m definitely not looking forward to nights at anchor bobbing like a cork. All of that Nordhavn weight makes a big difference. 

    Best wishes!

    -Ken W

  8. A new boat and a new adventure, I think you both made a great choice.  I will look forward to reading about it.  Safe Travels.

    -TJ

    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/25/2018

    Thank you!

  9. SUBJECT: Re: End of an era, Start of an era

    sad news,
    ken and Roberta might be giving up globe trotting and down-sizing? to a
    GRAND BANKS 60.
    as a grandbanks 36 and 48 trawler lover for many years they are doing
    themselves a dis-service while a good boat nothing is in the same class as
    a Nordhaven but if you don”t need the benefits of a Nordhavn give the
    wallet a break and keep cruising on something almost as capable????
    the very best of luck ken and Roberta and what ever dog gets to go along
    tee/hee.
    xx
    please video ”new adventures” as some of us only get to sea in your vids.
    very best luck for the future
    and safe sailing.
    roy palmer London. England GB

    On Wed, Oct 24, 2018 at 8:33 PM Passagemaking with a Nordhavn < blogcomments-O4IRU@[...]> wrote:

    >
    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/25/2018

    Greetings Roy! 

    Agreed. The Nordhavn and the Grand Banks are completely different animals. It was part of the appeal and also a very scary idea.

    The GB60 is branded as Grand Banks but derives more from the Palm Beach Yachts heritage.  

    The Palm Beach boats are fast and for the category very seaworthy. It’s not a Nordhavn, but for coastal cruising we should be fine.

    Don’t be surprised if we are back in the Nordhavn family someday… But for the next few years, going fast and exploring rivers will be something new and exciting.

    -Ken W

  10. SUBJECT: Re: End of an era, Start of an era

    Followed you guys from day one, good luck on your new Journey!

    On Wed, Oct 24, 2018, 3:33 PM Passagemaking with a Nordhavn < blogcomments-O4IRU@[...]> wrote:

    >

  11. SUBJECT: RE: End of an era, Start of an era

    Wow, what a change !

    Are you gonna go through the St-Lawrence Sea Way ?

    De : Passagemaking with a Nordhavn
    Envoyé : 24 octobre 2018 15:33
    À : Nicolas Mailloux
    Objet : End of an era, Start of an era

    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/25/2018

    Nicolas: 

    As you know, I am a hard core francophile. Part of the appeal of the Great Loop is being able to reach Montreal by boat. It will be at the top of our planning and one of the first places we head. My guess is that we’ll be there July of 2020. It’s so far into the future nothing is certain, but that’s the goal.

    See you soon!

    -Ken W

  12. SUBJECT: Re: End of an era, Start of an era

    Hi Ken and Roberta.

    I will give you some of my thoughts about the loop. I have never had the desire to do the entire” Loop”…but I have done over half of it, plus some. Part was in the 62 foot Ketch which we took Calif to Europe and back (plus some other adventures)—with 62.5’ air draft and 7’ water draft even in the 1980’s the ICW was a challenge as we went Key West to Canada. We have done other parts in a 42 foot sundeck motor yacht—which I feel is ideal for a “bigger boat” for doing the “loop”. 60’ is possible and a friend’s son just bought a 56’ boat for the Loop….But finding dockage for larger boats can be a challenge also maneuvering and locking is far more difficult in a larger boat.

    The GB 60 is a beautiful and very efficient boat. She would run well for the trip. I would much prefer an air draft of less than 15’6”, which accesses all of the waters. s If I was ordering a GB 60, I would want a far bigger water tank. Much of the trip you will not use a water maker (fresh water, contaminated water). At least 500—maybe 800 gallons for that size boat.

    The last few years, we have taken the opposite tact ( and one I suspect you would never consider)—a trailerable cruising boat. Currently we have a C Dory 25—goes past the less than interesting parts at over 60 mph on the trailer. We came choose the time of year and weather. We have very shoal draft and get places many others cannot go. We never have problem finding dockage. I am now 82, and no longer had the strength or stamina to deal with the larger boats.

    The loop should be savored—you will find a lot of non boaters doing the Loop. In this Sept. we covered about 800 miles on the Mississippi, Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. (2 years ago we did the Navigable St. Croix and upper 400 miles of the Mississippi). We found that half of the “loopers” we met had never owned a large boat prior to the Loop trip, and they were not going to continue to boat after the “loop”. We have been spending several months on the St. John’s river each year. We pick and choose the best fruit on the vine! Hopefully you will also do New England to Maine—worth at least a summer. Talk to Milt Baker!

    The people, and the towns are the essence of the Loop. Almost all of he “loopers” go way too fast. They don’t take the time to get to know the middle of America…and that is what the Loop is about. Ideally one would take several years to do the loop. One would leave the boat at one place and come back the “next season” to continue.

    Issues we dealt with on our most recent trip: Lots of debris in the water (more than we ever saw during our 5 years cruising the PNW. We had to deal with lock “maintenance” where the lock was closed for a few days. We dealt with flooding—river came up 5 feet in 24 hours. We dealt with high current velocity. Floating docks were not a primary issue—getting on and off the dock was when the ramp to the shore was under water. Fixed docks were definitely an issue when flooded!!

    When you get to any of the area between Mobile, AL and Pensacola, FL send us and e-mail or IM. We live on the upper Perdido Bay (Alabama/Florida Border). We would love to meet and host you in person!

    Bob and Marie Austin, Pensacola, Fl.

    > On Oct 24, 2018, at 2:33 PM, Passagemaking with a Nordhavn wrote:
    >
    >
    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/25/2018

    Bob:

    Had I spoken with you six months ago, our history may have been very different. I like your thoughts!

    I’ll speak with Grand Banks about the water tank. Good idea. I had assumed we’d make all our own water, but I had forgotten how cruddy river water can be. Yuck. I’ve never wanted to put dock water into the boat but I may actually look forward to plentiful dock water on this trip.

    And .. agreed on height. 15′ would be much better than 19′, but we didn’t see a boat we thought would be comfortable enough for us in the smaller sizes. Arguably we should have searched harder. We started the process by looking at 40′ boats and the size boat we were looking at just kind of crept up over time.

    Thanks! – Ken W

  13. SUBJECT: Re: End of an era, Start of an era

    Congratulations, good choice.  

    —–Original Message—–
    From: Passagemaking with a Nordhavn
    To: dp1rw
    Sent: Wed, Oct 24, 2018 12:33 pm
    Subject: End of an era, Start of an era

  14. SUBJECT: RE: End of an era, Start of an era Wow, I didn’t expect this ! That said, “Seasons change”, don’t they? I look forward to hearing as much from this new chapter as did the last. Thanks Ken; -Howard. H.S. Wright III | 

    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/24/2018

    Thank you! Although .. you win the prize for most exciting adventure. I’m looking forward to your second attempt!

  15. SUBJECT: RE: End of an era, Start of an era

    Congrats agree 100% with your decision, I have been reading about the grand banks and cant believe the cruise speed and the ability it has to put you where you need to be with its performance and ability to do the loop. Cant wait to hear about how you configure the electronics and such.

    doug

    From: Passagemaking with a Nordhavn
    Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2018 3:33 PM
    To: dougpaper@[…]
    Subject: End of an era, Start of an era

    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/24/2018

    Thank you! Now comes the hard part; waiting and waiting and waiting for the new boat to be built. We kind of like the delay because it gives our current boat time to be sold .. but, the long delay until the new boat will be painful.

  16. SUBJECT: Re: End of an era, Start of an era

    Congratulations on the next chapter of your cruising life Ken and Roberta.
    If I can be if any weather assistance let me known

    Bob/OMNI

    Sent from my iPhone

    > On Oct 24, 2018, at 3:32 PM, Passagemaking with a Nordhavn wrote:
    >
    >

  17. SUBJECT: Re: End of an era, Start of an era

    Enjoy your new journey and home on the water. Best of luck to you
    Best wishes

    Pauline Tusher and Tom
    PO Box 8930
    Incline Village, NV 89450
    bronzebypauline.com<http://bronzebypauline.com>

    On Oct 24, 2018, at 12:33 PM, Passagemaking with a Nordhavn > wrote:

    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/24/2018

    Thank you! And, we miss you! Hopefully we’ll get down there this year. We’re moving into a new home at Christmas .. so, this year may be a bit busy..

    You had to be pleased that our new boat hails from your part of the world. I hope someday New Zealand gets a little less picky on dogs so we can come visit you…

  18. SUBJECT: RE: End of an era, Start of an era Great news! I have been following you for years. I am looking forward to the Loop blog for sure. Thanks! Guy Puckett| 

  19. SUBJECT: Re: End of an era, Start of an era Great news, now you will be able to visit your namesake island and eat at its famous Fish & Chip restaurant. http://henrysongeorgianbay.com/ Best wishes for the new boat and looking forward to your blog of the trip. David David Francis 

    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/24/2018

    Grin! Thanks for the link. Hopefully we’ll make it there someday.. 

    Not only are we selling the boat, but we are thinking about a name change for the new boat. 

    I know what the new name will be, but will save it for the next blog entry…

    -Ken W

  20. SUBJECT: Re: End of an era, Start of an era

    Where”s the Hot Tub going?

    Sent from my iPad

    > On 24 Oct 2018, at 21:32, Passagemaking with a Nordhavn wrote:
    >
    >
    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/24/2018

    Fun question! 

    The sad answer is, nowhere. I’d find a way to put a hot tub on the new boat, but Roberta says “no” 

    Our goal with the new boat is to keep it as simple as possible, and also as light as possible.

    So .. crap!

    -Ken W

  21. Ken and Roberta, congrats on the next phase of your adventures. I hope you keep us updated on the process from the beginning. I have enjoyed reading all of your travel blogs and all of your books. I have learned a lot from you guys. 

    Safe Travels,

    Tony Esposito 

    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/24/2018

    Tony — thank you!!! – Ken W

  22. Ken, Roberta, even though I kinda new this was coming its still amazing and a bit of a shock to actually see the blog come out. Congratulations on the new adventure planned as I am sure it will be fantastic. As you say, Nordhavn’s are perfect for crossing oceans but wouldn’t work well attempting the great loop. I am sure that San Souci will sell very quickly as she has been looked after superbly over the years by yourself, Roberta and Jeff’s team a Pacific Yacht Management so no doubt there will be a very lucky buyer out there for her in the near future. 

    Take care, talk soon

    James

    (formally Pendana)

    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/24/2018

    James — what is happening here??? First my GSSR compatriots sell their boats, then you, and now me! 

    Oh well .. very sad. 

    But ..we shall be back! There will be a delay as we build the new boat, but our cruising days are far from over. And, I bet you’ll be back too!

    -Ken Williams

  23. SUBJECT: RE: End of an era, Start of an era

    Ken and Roberta

    Sad to see Sans Souci going its been fantastic following her around the world but I am more upset by the news you are not going to get over to us here in Ireland , some stunning cursing here especially the south and west coast maybe some day you could drop in you would be most welcome.

    Looking forward to the next Series trials and tribulations.

    Thank you

    Tony Mc Evoy

    Sent from Mail for Windows 10

    From: Passagemaking with a Nordhavn
    Sent: Wednesday 24 October 2018 20:33
    To: tmce63@e…
    Subject: End of an era, Start of an era

  24. I’ve sensed more than a little ebbing enthusiasm on your part for big passages and managing the complex Nordhavn. You’ve had your fun with it and used it a lot. As you say, time for a new challenge.

    Great idea to do Great Loop and ICW. Hope you also consider using the GB 60 for the Bahamas — one of the most incredible boating areas on Earth. I’ve done the Erie Canal and Hudson River — really beautiful waters, fun experience. Georgian Bay is supposed to be incredibly scenic.

    I’ve seen a GB 60 scooting around my local waters — I live near GB headquarters in Stuart — and it looks terrific barreling along at 20 knots or more.  It’s a big boat for the loop — managing it in  big, turbulent locks may be a handful — but it is beautifully made. A family member owns a Palm Beach — also made by GB — and the after-sale service has been great. Good organization.

    Can’t wait to read about your new adventures. Good luck!

    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/24/2018

    Amusingly …  we’ve never seen a GB60 in person! We flew back to the Norwalk show to look at a Palm Beach 55 and when the salesman tried to up-sell us to the GB60 we refused to look at it. Our goal was something small and simple.

    But .. as we started outfitting the boat, while flying home from the boat show to Seattle, we realized the PB55 was too small and wasn’t going to work.

    We messed up! We’re buying a boat we’ve never been aboard.

    We’re not worried. It will be fine .. but, don’t tell anyone our secret!

  25. SUBJECT: Re: End of an era, Start of an era

    Great news, now you will be able to visit your namesake island and eat at
    its famous Fish & Chip restaurant.

    http://henrysongeorgianbay.com/

    Best wishes for the new boat and looking forward to your blog of the trip.

    David

    David Francis
    10, Hickory Court
    Tottenham, ON, L0G 1W0
    Tel: (905) 936 4446
    Mobile: (416) 579 5432

    On Wed, 24 Oct 2018 at 15:33, Passagemaking with a Nordhavn < blogcomments-O4IRU@[...]> wrote:

    >
    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/24/2018

    Grin! Thanks for the link. Hopefully we’ll make it there someday.. 

    Not only are we selling the boat, but we are thinking about a name change for the new boat. 

    I know what the new name will be, but will save it for the next blog entry…

    -Ken W

  26. Hi Ken, been following your travels on San Souci for years and always look forward to seeing a new post from you detailing your adventures.  I felt a bit disheartened to hear that Pendana recently sold, so when I read your blog today with the caption “sold” I was a bit shocked/down (I read all of the Nordhavn blogs on their website, but always am troubled by the “inactive” blogs that typically end with the sale of a Nordhavn after years of adventure).  Needless to say, I was very happy to read further to find out that you are a new (soon-to-be) owner of a Grand Banks 60!  Hope to see the blog continue (with lots of tech-boaty stuff).

    I’m a Nordhavn dreamer, but have about 30 years left in my relatively new career as an patent attorney and my more important new job as a dad-to-be, before I transition up from my 35 Tiara to a Nordhavn.

    When you near Long Island, NY at the tail end of your Great Loop trek, stop by Montauk or Southampton for a drink.

    Safe travels and happy adventures,

    -Chris

    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/24/2018

    Congrats on the upcoming addition to the family! 

    We looked at Tiaras. Nice boats, but we needed something larger and ocean capable. 

    You’ll know via the blog when we will be on the east coast. I look forward to collecting all the drinks I can along the way.

    -Ken W

  27. SUBJECT: RE: End of an era, Start of an era

    Great news! I have been following you for years. I am looking forward to the Loop blog for sure.

    Thanks!

    Guy Puckett| President
    Phone: 310.618.0550
    Address: 2909 Oregon Court, Suite B3, Torrance, CA 90503
    E-mail: Guy@[…]
    [Archive IT]

    From: Passagemaking with a Nordhavn
    Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2018 12:33 PM
    To: Guy Puckett
    Subject: End of an era, Start of an era

  28. Congratulations on making a big change!  I’ve enjoyed reading about your world travels on San Souci, and look forward to your posts on the new GB60 and the Great Loop.  We’ve been around the Loop twice, once on a 43′ aft cabin trawler, once on a PDQ 34 catamaran – loved it both times.  Compared to what you’ve done, it’ll be a walk in the park – but a very FUN park.  So much to see, so many side trips.  If I can offer any advice, it’s take your time.  The Loop doesn’t have to be done in one year, which is how most people do it.  Our first Loop was done in a year, our second Loop was done over three years.  We saw a lot more on the second Loop, and greatly enjoyed the slower pace and the chance to extensively explore the northern portions of the route, which you just can’t do it you’re trying to get it done in one year.  We ended up storing the boat in heated storage for two winters, the first winter at Winter Harbor in Bremerton, NY (on the Erie Canal), the second winter it was stored by Bergmann Marine in Charlevoix, MI.  Anyway, that’s my two cents.  No matter how you do it, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it immensely.  Congratulations, again!!

    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/24/2018

    Thank you! I was just checking, and even with the GB60 I suspect the Erie canal will be impossible for us. I can see trip planning is going to be a big deal.. 

    We looked at lots of catamarans and came very close. It was ultimately the ocean rating that convinced us we wanted the GB60. 

    See you on the loop!

  29. SUBJECT: Re: End of an era, Start of an era

    Congratulations and good luck!
    Mike and Caprice

    Sent from my iPad

    On Oct 24, 2018, at 12:33 PM, Passagemaking with a Nordhavn > wrote:

    —Reply posted by Ken Williams on 10/24/2018

    Mike — thank you! Say Hi to Caprice. We’ll be in the desert all winter. Shout if you get anywhere nearby…

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Credits     |     Video produced by: Rock Steady Media     |     Teletype photo: Arnold Reinhold     |     PDP-11 photo: Trammell Hudson