Sometimes you have to be in good shape to sail a Cat!
Took quite the effort to get her out of the water in South Carolina!
We know Tradewinds is a 1913 Catboat. She clearly has had a long and fruitful life. We are looking for answers as to her lineage.
Nothing is ever as easy as it seems and the story of acquiring this boat and starting the process of restoration is detailed here.
If you like a story of intrigue, mystery, and working against all odds to save a boat- this one is for you. See Below
The desire is to restore Tradewinds to its original state as much as possible. Comments from the Catboat community are appreciated.
If you like a story of intrigue, mystery, and working against all odds to save a boat- this one is for you.
This log details the story of Tradewinds from June 25, 2017 when John started the process of trying to first purchase Tradewinds. It took months to discover the "Owner" did not actually own her, and that she was an abandoned boat.
The story continues through Johns struggle to keep Tradewinds afloat. This was a monumental task as the boat was in Hilton Head SC and John was working in St John USVI and Marthas Vineyard. What he lacked in resources, he more than made up for in tenacity and marine experience.
The story continues nearly a year later, in July 2018, when John, still without a clear title, hired a marine attorney, John Cooper, to determine ownership.
The story, rich with characters, shows how, against all odds, John persists.
Now with full title, the boat is out of the water and safe.