sailboat renovation is a great family project
Had someone told me 8 months ago that buying a sailboat to renovate would bring me closer to many of my family members I would have laughed … and maybe even said “you don’t know my family”. But I would have been wrong, and I’m glad I made the jump without the expectation, I could not have asked for a funner and more gratifying experience than what I have had renovating this sailboat.
Before I even took possession of the sailboat my brother-in-law started talking to me about things we could do to it. Having no real experience and not know my brother-in-law that well I didn’t take him completely serious. Even my brother (which has not been a real close relationship over the years) called me out of the blue and talked about the potential the sailboat had … I was getting a little excited about just having an experience that we could converse about. I had no idea what would transpire over the next few months.
So that was in January and now it’s August, are you ready for this?
Before I even paid for the boat my boyfriend, Darin, shared with me how excited he was to learn to sail with me, WOW! I had no idea, what fun that will be. I couldn’t have asked for more support than he has given me all these months, and I can’t wait to
install the beautiful new compass he gave me for the sailboat!
My sister was there with me when I took possession, in fact my favorite picture of that day was taken by her. She was amazing, geniunely interested and excited with me. Rumaging through the boat to see what treasures could be found, it was a blast! Later that day Mike (my brother-in-law from before) turned us on to a sign maker in Rockport that owed him a favor, Cindy and I made a trip over and she helped me select a fabulous font and layout for the boat name … and we both couldn’t wait to get it put on!
That first week of messing around on this boat Mike help start getting the electrical traced out (even brought in help), brought me and Cindy pizza and drinks to celebrate on the boat!! I could see his excitement as well … I was on top of the world to have these guys connected with me. Cindy even took a day off to help me tear out headliner!! That was the best birthday ever.
My Dad has been on board all along as well, supporting my decision, giving advice and helping me find additional resources to haul the boat and set up the gel-coat application. He gave me a gangbox (storage box for my boat stuff), helped move it into location and on Memorial Day morning even helped change out my dead bilge pump. I can’t even tell you all the conversations / dreams him and I have shared …
My visit in late July was the trip that solidified the connection everyone was starting have with Lady Iris … Mike took me under his wing and taught me a ton about some core mechanical elements of boats. He took on this task as if it were his own, and enjoyed it! I just found out he has even cut Lady Iris out of stainless steel for me … he never stops thinking of unique things we can do to this boat!
My sister made fabulous cushions for my settee’s … and I do mean fabulous! She had helped my pick out the fabric a couple months back, and what a great call on matching fabrics. Even though the inside is still kinda torn apart, I feel my sister when I walk down my companionway already. She was there for putting on her name, and even the christening … it is all more fun having my family a part of it.
My brother, Roger, has jumped in an creted a custom tiller handle! And it is absolutely beautiful, I can barely wait to get down there in September to see it installed and take her out on the water and wrap my hand around this piece of art my brother also put his heart in to.
I shared these few stories, out of many, to demonstrate how a project like renovating a sailboat can pull so many different people together and bond in the process. If you have smaller children it could be extremely powerful allowing them to learn as well as connect with both you and the sailboat. Watching the ideas and creativity of everyone involved has made what could have been an overwhelming experience – fun! Let go, and let everyone have a part!
There is still a lot of work to be done, and I now look at it all as an opportunity to continue to connect with my family and build a living vessel that when I step on board I feel the presence of them all … as I know you can too with your sailboat renovation project.
Thanks to everyone that has jumped in so far … you have made this experience life changing for me, mom would be happy!
~ emily
Do you have a story to share too? Leave me a comment
