Dan made a quick round trip to Portland to prepare True North for sale, and to complete the transaction. It’s funny that a trip that takes all summer on a sailboat can be achieved in several hours on a jet. But then, we don’t sail in order to get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible.
After several offers that fell through for various reasons beyond our control, True North was finally sold. It was bittersweet. Dan left Sandy and Fregata for a few days to commission True North, bend (put on) the sails, mount the canvas, clean her inside and out after sitting on the hard since September, and make sure everything was perfect for survey and sea trial.
She did us proud. The surveyor was so amazed at what good shape she was in that he sold her harder than the broker and Dan when the buyer arrived. This was the first time the buyer saw the boat, and he too was extremely enthusiastic and happy. She performed perfectly (as expected) during the sea trial, other than a hiccup due to the spinnaker halyard being on the wrong side of the genoa halyard (rigging error), that was fixed in 5 minutes back at the dock.
A boat is an object, but most sailors become sentimentally attached and that was most definitely the case, after thousands of nautical miles together. Indeed, we took very good care of True North and, in turn, she took very good care of us.
It was bittersweet to bid farewell to a good friend. We needed to sell her, but we will miss her, and we are happy that her new owners, Robert and his family, appear to us the kind of people who will get much pleasure from this great boat, and care for her in the manner to which she’s accustomed.
Fair winds, True North.
19 Responses
Robert indeed got a great boat. You both took such good care of her. Congratulations on the sale and on a very exciting journey north. Fair winds.
Thanks, Larry. Been following you two closely on QEII. Hope you’re enjoying the Gaspé region and get a chance to see Rocher Percé up close. Dan
Dan –
You (and Sandy) are exactly the type of owners from whom anyone would want to purchase a boat. Just as you experienced frustration with your sale (to other potential buyers), so too we have been frustrated with our purchase (from other potential sellers). Endless hours spent. as well as both emotional and financial resources expended, only to ultimately end in frustration from misrepresentations, material omissions, and even – at least once – plan old fraud. Once we located your boat for sale (which required us to expand our geographic search radius a bit), we knew pretty quickly it was different, and special. It checked all the boxes we were looking for, without a bunch of extra stuff we have no need for (water/dryer on a 41′ boat, really?) Every time we asked a question, you came back with the answer we hoped for – and in several instances, even better than we had expected. Our surveyor apologized to me that he could not find a single thing wrong with the boat upon which we could seek a price reduction! That said, she is worth every penny we have paid (and maybe even more). More important is the knowledge that she has been well cared for and well maintained since new. We can assure you that, as long time boat owners ourselves, we will equally take care of her (and I hope you won’t mind that we will be renaming her.) We absolutely cannot wait for our delivery captain to arrive with her at our dock in New York within the next week or so.
You and your wife are a few years ahead of us in the sailing timeline. My offer was genuine. When/if you are ever ready to move on from your new boat, I hope you will allow us an opportunity at “first refusal” before putting too much effort into finding her a new home.
If you are cruising through the New York City area, please be sure to reach out. Her new home port is a few miles up the Hudson from Manhattan. We would always be happy to host you at our club.
Fair winds.
Robert, Thanks for your kind note. We’re delighted you’re the new owner and look forward to following your sailing adventures. We’ll definitely pass through New York on our way to Maine, but unfortunately not on the Hudson side. Again, call with any questions as you get to know the boat and let’s stay in touch. Best, Dan & Sandy
Congratulations on selling True North! Sounds like she is going to a great home which may take some of the sting out of letting her go. Best to you and Sandy as you continue on your adventure.
Thanks, Alicia. Find your dream catamaran yet?
Yes we said a sad goodbye to our car top sail boat over 25 years ago. It was our pride of keuka
lake.
We know how it feels!
Though I never met True North in person, I learned a lot about her (and sailing) from you. A fond adieu and fair winds to True North.
Thanks, Larry. We hope to introduce you to Fregata in “person” when we pass by Boston. Currently in your old stomping grounds of Maryland (Solomons Island to be exact).
Hope to get together with you and Sandy (and Fregata) sometime in the next few weeks. Let us know as you near Boston.
More like August, Larry. We’ll be in the Chesapeake a few weeks before pushing up to New England. Looking forward to it. D&S
Félicitations pour la vente de True North, on en gardera que de bons souvenirs ❤️
Faudrait qu’on en fasse de nouveaux souvenirs ensemble. Vous nous manquez !
With a busy June behind us we have not had time to read or comment on your blog. Finally back home I have been binge reading your posts over the last couple of days. While not a sailor myself (!) it has been fascinating to read about your adventures, even the tech info, and admiring the beautiful pictures – sunsets. You and Sandy certainly have the right attitude to taking life easy. I have been in Geneva for a while; despite being ecolinters, as you say we sometimes have preconceived notions, so it was good to read about the friendly and charming folk you met in the south. Looking forward to when next we meet. xx.
Thanks, Meera. Did you make it to the 100 year festivities in Geneva ? We’ll be back in the Fall and look forward to seeing you there, or in Belgium. We want to see our new god-granddaughter (something like that). Bisous, D&S
Yes made the class dinner which was a lot of fun – but was tied up for the rest. Also had a nice quiet dinner at Bud’s with Cathy and Caroline. For the rest, a lot of family time and work – I haven’t yet found the key to full retirement. Maybe the fall in Coppet, otherwise always welcome here for moules – frites. Olivia would love to meet her grandgodfather – 🙂 xx
Robert mades a such good acquisition he can’t yet imagine. I’m sure Dan and Sandy prepared True North into an incredible way of perfection. Good winds to True North and his new crew.
Merci, cher ami !