TwentyEightFeet
News/Blog
Nicely, newly painted mast!
My uncle paul helped me build a beautiful spice rack, Doug and Robin gave us this gorgeous lantern. thanks guys!
Pat and Jess hauled Swamba out of the water in preparation for heading to Lizzy Belle.
Screen shots from our draft brochure... click on one to download the full brochure
Check out the interior layout of Sorca.... so much room!
Absolutely awesome shots of Sorca taken by Wendy Levy. Thanks so much!
All that work is paying off, Sorca is looking better than ever!
We can't change the direction of the wind...
yet we can adjust our sails.
Hello my friends,
I know, it has been a while and a lot has been happening over the last month. I apologize again and will now finally fill everyone in on the last month and a half on Sorca. There has been some incredible things happening over the past few weeks. As the summer winds die down and the brisk Fall air fills our sails we begin to prepare for the next chapter...first, lets fill you in on the last couple of weeks. After we brought Lowna aboard things changed rapidly, the cute little devil is growing quickly and as all dog owners know that means getting up multiple times at night, many energetic mornings and the beginnings of high vet bills. So worth it. Lowna has adapted to boat life and she maybe our toughest crew member onboard as she is the only one who gets seasick and would never waste a meal...eats it up again! A classy lady!
As for Sorca, we spent some time at the Port of Bridgewater flushing fuel tanks, painting masts, sanding and varnishing, installing updated electronics, and so much more. I can say that I am fully confident in how functional, Sorca has become, whether we are speaking about engine maintenance or refridgeration....she is ready!
Some other neat things have also been happening. Sorca has joined the Blue Dream Project which is becoming a fleet in the sailing community who, together have agreed on..."JOIN US IN THE STRUGGLE TO HEAL THE PROBLEM OF PLASTIC POLLUTION THAT IS DESTROYING OUR OCEANS". I will outline the pledge we took below and here is there facebook site i anyone has any further questions or wants to get involved: https://www.facebook.com/thebluedreamproject/info/?tab=page_info
This is a good chance to introduce Marie-Eve Levesque as a full time crew member on Sorca. Mev is learning the ropes and is looking forward to setting out on Sorca adventures. So far it seems as though she is getting along just fine as her aspirations are high and her attitude is nothing but positive. We all look forward to getting to know Mev a little more and although she says she doesn't like photos... I'm sure there will be many.
On another note: Pat South, Jessica Ali and their gorgeous dog Luka have safely made it to Isla Mujeres, Mexico and have met up with the star of the show, Lizzy Belle. We have spoken a number of times since their arrival and it sounds like they have taken her on a couple sails, made some upgrades to her electrical and as expected, are taking to the ideas of - Living life on a little wooden boat! You can check out their progress on their blog which is running parallel to ours on twentyeightfeet.com How cool is this?
I also want to introduce Sam and Will who were also part of the sailing community in Mahone Bay this summer. Together, they are currently carrying out maintenance on their C&C 32 at the Port of Bridgewater with huge aspirations to sail around the world. Good on them and we all wish them luck and will continue to help them out in anyway possible. Their blogspot is extremely creative and if you knew these two dudes personally,I guarantee you could not get through a conversation without laughing from the depths of your belly! Check out their Blog: http://sailingfort1d.blogspot.ca/2015/09/on-hard.html?spref=fb And their go Fund me Site: https://www.gofundme.com/teamtilikum
Bear with me as I have a couple more things to mention: We are playing with the idea of having guests join Sorca throughout the Caribbean this winter and building the concept as a weekly Bed and Breakfast styled sailing adventure. We have put together a draft brochure and we are sharing that below. We are building the idea around the concepts referred to in the video "Twenty Eight Feet: life on a little wooden boat" by Kevin Fraser . If you recall he created the awared winning video a number of years ago on Lizzy Belle. We invite everyone to check out our "brochure" and all feedback is welcomed. Here is a link to the PDF document: sorca_brochure
Last yet not least... and I am not sure how to say this as having your life documented on the internet and always public is difficult at times. Sarah and I have decided to end this chapter together for now and we have headed in separate directions. I will leave it at that out of respect for all those involved and wish Sarah the best of luck... everyone who has been a part of Twentyeightfeet loves you!
Looking forward.... our mid-Fall goal! BERMUDA! Talk soon, Dave
.She gets right into it!
Lowna is a huge help when it comes to working on Sorca...
Refitting at the Port of Bridgewater
A new Garmin VHF, Fusion Stereo...all the gear!
We installed a brand new electrical pannel...all the bells and whistles
Got the Old Espar heater up and running...
Pat working hard at it!
Jess, very concerned about the lift... :)
Lowna and Luka brawling and loving life!
A breezy Fall day in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
She will look good being towed behind Sorca
Restoring an old fiberglass Dinghy!
Introducing Mev! Welcome aboard!
Meet Sam and Will! Sailing around the world! Good luck friends!
Lowna's growing up!
Our New Crew Member!
...and probably the cutest Sorca has seen in a while...
"Hi guys, I'm Lowna, I'm really cute and I love chewing on things!"
Hello Friends,
We are very proud and happy to announce that a new Crew member has joined Sorca: Kelowna!
8 weeks young, she is a mix of a Brown Labrador and a Golden Retriever and she became part of our team last Sunday. She already is a great boat dog, she is very brave and loves exploring. Seems like she is always ready for adventure! There is a lot to explore for her in her new home; she is curious and learns quickly. With the help of Lulu, Daves parents beautiful black Lab, she had her first swim the very first day! Over the last week she has been part of several family sailing trips and has proven to be the perfect sailing dog!
Her name Kelowna, a town in the Okanagan , means Grizzly Bear. What a great name for a boat guard dog. However, with her soft coat, pretty eyes and all the cuteness a little 9 week old puppy can have, at the moment she seems more like a Teddy Bear...
We are all very excited for the new member or our family! Enjoy the pictures.
Talk soon,
Sarah
Heading out of Mahine Bay Harbour...
She is always ready to explore!
...and secretly she already is the captain of Sorca...
Chewing on anything she can find is one of her main activities, as for all puppies that age.
...which was very successful as you can see...
Dave bonding with our new family member on the first day!
Lowna loves playing....
...running...
...and helping on the boat!
And, as all babies, she needs lots of sleep!
Kelowna had conquered all our hearts within seconds.
Even Lulus, who is helping educate!
And, as all babies, she needs lots of sleep!
"Bye guys, see y'all later!"
Nova Scotia Schooner Race Week ... A week of races for the schooner community and a one day practice race for Sorca and her crew...
Heading out of Mahone Bay Harbour...
If you drove through Mahone Bay this past week you couldn't have looked out on the water and missed one of the most spectacular sites one may ever see. Beautiful, two masted, Nova Scotia Wooden Schooners and their crews cirlcing the starting line and counting down the seconds to be the first to cross. What a site! As for Sorca and her crew, we joined in on the fun last friday yet we spent our time mostly shadowing the race course. It was awesome, we started out with no wind what so ever and eventually as the wind picked up, we set all four sails...including our giant Genoa and averaged 9 knots for the second half of the race. What an incredible piece of artwork Sorca is to sail. All and all, it was a great introduction for us to see what it could be like in a real competition and while I was watching our crew, all spirits were high as we cruised by 5 of 6 schooners on our way to the finish line. Enjoy the pics!
A Beautiful, Tancook Island Built Schooner
I love this shot!
Wawaloon and her crew!
Uncle Gerry and Aunt Shirley joined us all teh way from Calgary
A fine looking crew aboard Sorca!
Johnathan Lewi and Jamie Renouef hanging on deck
A slick looking Schooner!
Here we are at 9 knots!
A couple beers of course...
Reminds me of the movie Master and Commander
Johnathan...Hydrating
Sorca has the biggest, heaviest Genoa Sail I have ever raised!
Halifax Busker Festival ... a wet yet scenic sail from Lunenburg to Halifax.
Matthias and Angelica enjoy their first time ever on a sailboat!
Good Morning Everyone,
We are safe and sound in Halifax Harbour participating in the well known Halifax Busker Festival. If you find yourself down on the waterfront this week enjoying the festivities stop by and say hello, we are berthed right in front of the Museum of the Atlantic with full signal flags flying high above our decks. We left Lunenburg around 9 am on Tuesday morning expecting some possible rain. The weather was excellent with a nice breeze until around noon where the everything died, except the swell from the south, and then the rain came out. We had hot soup and after about an hour of bobbing around we started up the Perkins, 4 cylinder and headed from Halifax travelling 6.5 knots. We were lucky enough to spot a few pods of whales, some porposes and of course a few harbour seals welcomed us upon our arrival. We have to thank the Museum of the Atlantic for hosting Sorca for the week and we are happy to be part of the festivities.
We had a few special crew members for this passage including Matthias and Angelica Schelbert all the way from Germany. Since there is not too much ocean surrounding Germany I believe this was the first time they stepped on a sailboat and although it was a little rough at some points, they said they had a great time. Also, Pat South and his father Shawn joined us and as expected were excellent crew.
Enjoy the pictures!
At the dock in Lunenburg, 9am departure...
Angelica on the main sheet!
Matthias learning the ropes!
All smiles from the Welsfords!
Even Katie is in the background hunting seals.
Checking out the rig!
Happy Sarah
Enjoying the sun before rain hit around noon
What do you think BURTON...future sponsor?
A couple beers of course...
Got a real smile!
Side scanners focused on the HMCS Saguenay sunk off Lunenburg Harbour
Matthias on the helm...and rain!
Heavey rain!
Where two systems collide!
Weathering the storm...
Old man pointing out the pods of whales surrounding Sorca
Our Chief Engineer
Golash and Sweet Potato Soup
It was a little woozy below decks... nothing we can't get used to
Lulu got out of bed as soon as the trip was over... not sure she has her sea legs yet
Drinks and the off to the Triangle Pub
Love to see the teak decks covered in salt water!
Come say hi, we will be around until Tuesday!
Introducing SORCA ... and Keeping Lizzy Belle in the Family
Our new "family" sailing adventure...
Sorca in Gaelic translates to "Brilliance"
Hey Friends,
As with everything in life, my sailing friends always told me, "Lizzy Belle is a stepping stone and it's okay when you are in a position to pass the torch and move on". Naturally, I resisted and reminded myself I would never leave Lizzy Belle as I felt as though it would take away from everything we had built up over the past 7 years... Then we sailed a few years singlehanded in the Carribbean.. Then we were blessed with Sarah coming into our lives... and of course the ball kept rolling until we found ourselves standing in the boat yard at the Lunenburg Foundry with my father introducing us to a giant, 76 foot, Classic Wooden Schooner. I guess we truly never know what will happen tomorrow!
Well, this of course had the "wheels spinning", the "what if's?" around every corner and the main problem being...what about the plan? And... most importantly what about Lizzy Belle? She is in Mexico, alone, waiting for us... It's kind of crazy what wooden boats do to their owners... :) so...
On the front page of this website there is a quote by Mark Twain, it reads: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." This has been what Lizzy Belle has been all about from the beginning and after many conversations, tears, doubts and emotions we decided that it has to be recognized that the name Lizzy Belle isn't just a boat that sailed around the Carribbean, she has become something that stands for so much more than that... A name surrounding doing something unique, encouraging positive growth, pushing comfort zones, taking safe risks and most certainly - bringing people together... So how can we create a solution and continue what Lizzy Belle started?...
Mahone Bay Harbour, Nova Scotia
Alright...here we go! My family is from Mahone Bay Nova Scotia which is a small town on the South Shore of the province. A lot of young people grow up here and some eventually feel forced to leave to find work elsewhere. Most of those who stay find themselves having to stand in the shoes of an entrepreneur... and as we know this takes creative thinking. There is a small group of young people living on the water in Mahone Bay harbour. Some live in rescued sailboats, repainted old fishing boats or homemade floating houseboats. Amongst them is a young couple who we have known for years yet most recently have become quite close to. We are excited to introduce Patrick South and Jessica Ali to Twenty Eight Feet...
Pat and Jess ... along with their 2 year old puppy dog - Luka
We have known for a while that Pat and Jess were interested in taking their Alberg 30, Swamba south to the Carribbean. Over a few beers at the Mug and Anchor Pub and many conversations later we proposed to them the idea in "adopting" Lizzy Belle. And I say adopting because as we all know, she is a responsibilty and labour of love rather than just a sailboat. They were ecstatic and we feel honoured and thrilled that we chose them. Many evenings since then we feel that we could not have found a more perfect family to carry on The Lizzy Belle story created over the past 7 years. We found out later that Pat partially credits Lizzy Belle for buying his sailboat Swamba which they live on in Mahone Bay. How cool is that? What a perfect team!
Beautiful boat. Steel hull with wooden spars and a square rig.
Jess, Pat, Sarah and I on the day of Sorca's Launch
So here is the idea: As Sarah and I, along with our families begin to take on Sorca as a project, Pat and Jess plan on taking Lizzy Belle on as their own. We think of it more as "passing the torch", yet for interest sake and paperwork purposes, Lizzy Belle was officially sold to Pat and Jess for one canadian dollar... remember we never set out to make money with her, only gain experience, thrills and adventure and... we got that ten times over. The plan will be to share this blog space which will allow us to keep each other updated on each boat's experiences while working as a "fleet" to accomplish our original dreams... Refer to Mark Twains quote above. Above all, we plan on eventually bringing Sorca and Lizzy Belle together in the Carribbean. We will always be open to visiting each other and sharing galley space. Absolutely perfect!!! Bringing everyone together as one crew and blending two stories into one!
Pat and Jess, we wish you guys the best of luck yet I'm not sure you will need it. Lizzy Belle is one of the finest little wooden boats we have seen and knowing you guys, we are sure together you guys will have nothing but success and great adventures. Be safe out there and always know that if you need anything, we are here to help!
Lizzy Belle, Grenada
Sorca, Mahone Bay
Who is Sorca?
As with any wooden boat there is a past... both historical and personal. Here is her historical side... Sorca was built in 1978 by Murray Stevens in Second Penninsula by Lunenburg and is classified as a Class 3 Tallship. She is a Nova Scotia Schooner that has an overall length of 76 feet. We understand she has crossed the Atlantic Ocean 12 times between Nova Scotia and Ireland by her original owner. In 2012 a company under the name of ThinkSail bought Sorca as her main asset with plans of developing a sail training program. In the winter of 2015 ThinkSail was purchased by the Welsford Family with ideas of continuing everything Lizzy Belle has built up over the past 7 years. We like to think big!
Sarah sanding and scraping...nice suit!
Sorca had been sitting on the hard at the Lunenburg Foundry for almost 18 months. It took Sarah and I, being overseen by the family and many boatbuilding friends, an exhausting yet impressive 2 months to get her in shape and ready to splash. We set our "Splash Date Goal" for June 1st and up to the very last minute we found ourselves deep in the engine room and putting finishing touches on the hull... and we did it! Once in the water, the upkeep is continuous. There will be electrical work, plumbing, sail repair, woodwork, deckwork, metal work and a never ending list of tasks to be completed. Absolutely perfect! This is why we love wooden boats! Sorcas new story has begun!
She is huge!
It took an entire day to scrape her hull...
Old fella and his sister Jill Welsford
Sanding work straight above you is hard work no doubt...just ask Sarah
Momsie checking in on the work load...
Nice suits and masks!
Alot of sweat and blood..
Oak ribs, planked with Mahogany
Even Ramrod showed up to help!
All new Seacocks..and thruhulls
We hate 5200!!!
Tired....yet happy!
Launch Day - June 1st, 2015
A Rainy and Wet Day!
We did it! Everyone came together and we were able to pull off what seem to be impossible. The boat is so huge and there was so much to do but we pulled through! For the launch we needed extra hands and found there were many people who were willing to join us. Pat, Jess, Rachel and some of the crew from Mahone Bay all joined us and everything went according to plan. Pat and I and the Old Man worked hard on the engine the night before and after bleeding the fuel lines she was up and running and we were able to get in the water and move around under her own power. Once on the wharf, everyone lent a hand in installing bilge pumps, working on electrical problems and cleaning her inside and out. What a day and thanks to everyone who joined in on the action!
Nice helmet!
Huge travellift to pick up Sorcas 28 tons!
Lindsay being an awesome Mom!
Family Photo! Love you guys and thank you to everyone for making it happen!
Belize to Mexico's Isla Mujeres
Translation: The Island of Women...
Good team!
Pat and Jess came to help!
Sarah putting on the last bit of undercoating.
Nice paintjob!
Mom came with gifts of coffee and pastries
A whole new world when she is in the water!
Refitting Sorca, Recomissioning Ceremony and Seatrials
A Rainy and Wet Day!
After the launch we had the pleasure of being hosted by the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic for the following two weeks. We were able to complete many tasks including rigging her with the help of Ann Louise, Kelly Walker and long time Lizzy Belle friend Gracie ( Seaweed ). We spent some time on the electrical work and fine tuning pumps, the hot and cold water systems and looking over the masts and rig. The museum held a Recomissioning Ceremony for Sorca naming me ( Dave Welsford ) the official Captain of Sorca and blessing us with safe sailing. Later in the week after the publicity slowed down we had our first sea trial and managed to raise 3 sails in 25 knot winds on a rainy day. It was a blast! Enjoy the pics!
At the wharf at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. Thanks for hosting us!
Mast and rigging inspections!
Putting her sails on!
Our official recommissioning ceremony!
Getting the Jib on! Not an easy task.
Mom, very focused on the helm!
Pretending we are in a race...or part of Master and Commander...
We think this is a smile! Ha!
Sarah and Momsie on the wheel...
Very patriotic!
After all that work...it is time to play
Heading to Mahone Bay Civic Marine
It was awesome being in Lunenburg for the past couple months. No doubt it is a great place to restore boats with lots of local knowledge and access to materials. Not to mention how beautiful the town is...yet when we left it felt like it was time to come home to Mahone Bay...and it was time to have some fun and get to know Sorca inside and out with both sails up and down. We once again were lucky to be hosted by another organization. The Mahone Bay Civic Marina invited us for a 3 week stay at the end of the Government Wharf with access to water and power to continue Sorcas upkeep. Thanks again guys for making it happen! In between cutting up rotten plywood under her teak decks and getting the electrical equipment in shape we had a chance to spend our weekends sailing and anchoring in any one of Mahone Bays 360 Islands. Also, we were lucky to have Rebeccas Resteraunt cater some of our expeditions which meant we were truly living large on the water!
Sunset on our second night at sea.
40 hours later docked at El Milagro Marina, Mexico.
Written by: Dave Welsford
Nice looking fella!
All sails up - In our first race...we came dead last! It was awesome!
Sebastien and Jen joined in on the fun! Yaya!
Luka loves Sorca...more than Jess!
Rebecca and Mev on a sunset cruise around the bay!
Our guard dog Katie...I wouln't mess around with this weiner dog!
Seems like we have been towing the Whaler around as a taxi in and out of the Islands
Good grub!
Our family dog Lulu is getting used to Sorca... she is not so much a guard dog..
Free range Bacon and Sausage on the BBQ!
Evening Light :)
Sorcas Galley is Gorgeous
Luka... She will be a great companion on Lizzy Belle for Jess and Pat!
Our racing team!
A couple red wines! Hmmmm
This what it looked like after we cut the deck up to get rid of the rotten plywood underneath!
Somay Paints is our Official Varnish Sponsor..the oldest paint company in Miami
It's nice stuff to work with!
Jess all geared up!
Four coats on all the brightwork...maybe should be five!
Looks great though!
Nice looking name plates on Sorca
I've seen that laugh in the Amos Pewter Catalogue!
Cider seems to be popular these days!
Happy Birthday Liam...my little nephew and future Sorca Captain Liams fourth Birthday! Enjoy your time little buddy... thanks for the cake Sarah!
Ha!
Rainy days are awesome!
Salus Gear for the dogs...makes it easier to lift them in and out of Sorca!
Lulu was born to be in the water!
Nice light!
Alright, everyone is up to date now.... It's been a crazy couple of moths and we are sorry about our lack of updating the blog...I guess soemtimes you just have to see what is going to happen next beforey ou can report on it. One thing is for sure...Sorca is heading south and we are working out to what to do with her next. We are gathering crew members as we speak.... Even our new little furry friend below will be joining us in August! Happy sailing everyone!!!!
Continue Reading...
November 16th, 2013
KEVIN & MEL ATTEND DOC NYC SCREENING OF TWENTY EIGHT FEET: Life on a little wooden boat
Kevin and Mel - Director and Producer of Twenty Eight Feet - spent the last weekend attending DOC NYC in the Big Apple. This documentary film festival is held in Lower Manhattan each year and has become the country's largest documentary festival - hosting over 130 films. Their mission statement includes: Curate: To guide audiences to inspiring work. Kevin mentioned, as he gave me the play by play of how the festival was going down via email, that this festival was, "a serious documentary film festival" and that it is exciting for us to be a part of it. Twenty Eight Feet: Life on a little wooden boat opened for a feature film; TINY: A story about living small which documents a couples journey building a home smaller than a parking space. Well suited for Lizzy Belle's adventure.
From my understanding through correspondence with Kevin is that the film was a success and the audience enjoyed the story. Kevin mentioned he had many compliments after the showing and that he valued his time attending the festival. I am happy that together, they had the chance to see their vision on a larger screen, in a humungous city. Good on ya guys!
November 16th, 2013
VIMEO REPORTS SAY OUR TWENTY EIGHT FEET TEASER HAS BEEN VIEWED IN 52 COUNTRIES
In two weeks time I am headed back to Lizzy Belle who has been patiently waiting for my return for over 7 months. Although she is currently dry docked her spirit continues to gain fame. Our Twenty Eight Feet trailer has gone global. Kevin mentioned just yesterday that Vimeo's Analytics ( online video hosting site ) have tracked views in 52 countries. I will say, we have not done it alone! Friends and family posted links on facebook, twiiter and other social media sites and we thank them for their efforts. Fran and Ron Himmelman ( and friends ) from The Mug and Anchor Pub hosted an an event to raise money to help submit the film to more festivals. Michele Stevens Sailloft has been sending out emails to clients and friends. Just recently, WOODEN BOAT MAGAZINE gave the film and Lizzy Belle's website a shout out on facebook and we have been receiving email feedback and congratulations from many latitudes and longitudes!
Enjoy the fim my friends and thank you again for your support!
September 13th, 2013
I'm always asked "why"... now even I have a clearer understanding. Twenty Eight Feet - Official Documentary.
Directed by Kevin Fraser
People always ask, "So what do you do again, sail around the Carribbean?" and what I hear most often is, "Well, why would you want to do that?" From there I believe many dream up the ideals that surround a five month vacation - sipping maragitas in a hawaian shirt while dangling my feet in the water. As much as I explain the concepts and challenges that drive the project I understand how difficult it must be to envision such an endeavor.
If you asked me 6 months ago while filming in the Caribbean what Kevin's final project or vision would look like? I couldnt even have guessed myself. I think more importantly if you asked me what the messages behind the film would be, I also couldn't have answered. That is the beauty of documentary filmmaking and creating works with such deep thought towards purpose. Kevin started with an idea, worked through it and now we get to truly understand the real beauty and messages behind the mystique Lizzy Belle.
I beleieve, Kevin Fraser, a long time friend and cinematographer recognized the potential Lizzy Belle and the impact the story could have on an audience - possibly long before even I had. For me, Lizzy Belle is an accumulation of challenges, sweat, blood and tears all amounting to meaningful, impactful experiences. Until now, it must have been really hard to comprehend... even for myself.
Twenty Eight Feet: Sample Clip
As of today Kevin has submitted the film to multiple film festivals around the continent. The film has gained multiple sponsors from all over the country and of course any support you can offer will be much appreciated. The film has an Indiegogo account where products are being auctioned off and donations can be made:
Support the Cause:
Final Thoughts:
One of my favorite pastimes while cruising from island to island whether in the middle of the night, while watching the sunrise in the east or set in the west is reflecting back upon how far Lizzy Belle has come and how she has impacted others. After coming across her sitting on the hard cement in Bridgewater, NS almost four years aga until now the one thing that stands out in my mind the most is - how much support and love everyone has offered Lizzy Belle and I. Whether that support has came from sanding and painting her haul, to donations of dockage fees, or having friends and family sit down and go over charts and share their personal sailing experiences with me, the support is what is keeping us going. And now, Kevin has found a way to share what Lizzy Belle means in an entirely new univerasl way. Although Lizzy Belle maybe a sailboat in most peoples eyes, she is far more than that. She shapes relationships, builds bridges and most importantly - brings people together. Thank you Kevin for all you have done for us!
One thing about owning a sail boat...
Those who know me well might say that I’m always working on being more patient. One of the best ways to practice patience, is has been owning a sailboat. Lizzy Belle has by far been one of the most rewarding investments of my lifetime so far. And every time I fix one thing, there are four more chores to add to the list. After installing a brand new engine and getting ready to head out on my next journey I was quick to realize that reverse on the transmission was actually forward and of course the opposite. It was a task to remove the old propellor and try and figure out the measurements to order a new one. One thing was certain, It needed to be a right handed prop vs a left.
We ordered the brand new propellor from our home community. The boys at the Lunenburg Foundry reshaped her for me and my parents eagerly arrived the day after Christmas prop in hand. It took only 45 minutes to install the new propellor and is working seamlessly with our new engine. Lizzy Belle has become a rocket ship.
Now Heading 90 miles East to St Maarten.
December 27th 2012
You never know who you are going to meet at the beach...
I was walking the beach and a woman and her daughter approached me asking why I was climbing to the top of my mast earlier that day. After meeting the rest of the family, Mike, Traci, Danielle and Mikaela all became very close friends quite quickly. We enjoyed talking over the film “Captain Ron” which we all agreed was a family classic. They even got into the spirit the day we went sailing to Buck Island exchanging my large collection of bandanas and rubbing white Zinc on our noses. At the end of the day I became their very own Captain Ron and sailing as a team will never be forgotten. Shout out to my friends in Orange County, California. Thanks for being my friend!
December 25th 2012
Tyler Hill Camps Siegel Famly join us
from the Oasis of the Seas
10:45am, New York Time, Lindbergh Bay: We headed South out of Lindbergh Bay towards the open ocean with Skipper Maddie on the tiller, Joey acting as First Engineer and Dylan running the ropes and organizing the deckhands. Andy grabbed the Jib Halyard, raised the sails and instantly harnessed the wind. As we picked up speed Joey killed the engine and we plotted our course towards Whistling Cay taking charge of the winds sweeping off the mountains behind us.
12:30pm, Whistling Cay: Maddie, Joey and Dylan all spit in the lens of their goggles and wiped them clean with their bare fingers. Like professionals on TV they held their masks in one hand and plunged into the depths of the Caribbean Sea off the stern of Lizzy Belle. Snorkelling around in 20 feet of water over a magnificient coral reef we dove, we explored and we discovered the creatures in the depths below. The colours were unbelievable. Andy, it being his birthday and realizing he had become one year older on the day decided to challenge fate and stare one of the largest Baracuda Lizzy Belle has ever come across straight in the eyes. Obviously, that fish backed down and we were happily sailing within the hour.
1:30pm, Preserverance Cove - We dropped the hook 500 yards from
our completely deserted beach. Maddie and Dylan took turns driving the dingy to and from the beach delivering our cooler, drinks and the BBQ. Andy jumped on the
BBQ and grilled up some skewers of all types. The girls swam, laughed and ran the beach as we moved slowly into late afternoon.
4:30pm - Beachcomber Hotel: We made it safely back to the Beachcomber Hotel with plenty of time to get everyone back to the Oasisi of the Seas and happily on their way to St Marteen. It was Andy's birthday, a great day of sailing and a moment that will most definitely be remembered. Thanks again Siegel family for joining Lizzy Belle and I on our adventure and continuing to have a positive impact on our lives.
December 18th 2012
"It's amazing to think that we have known each other for ten years".
Andy Siegel
See you soon,
Dave Welsford
Captain/Division Leader
Tyler Hill Camp
Siegel Family Portrait, Lindbergh Bay
"It's amazing to think that we have known each other for ten years".
Andy Siegel
Joey, Maddie and Dylan snorkelling for the first time. March, 2012 - Oasis of the Seas vs Lizzy Belle
