WIND DREAMER: LIFE ABOARD
2 JULY’S HAVE COME AND GONE.
Since our purchase of #winddreamertheboat in October 2017 post nuptials pre-minimalism, we have spent almost two full summer seasons living aboard. The interior livable space is 137 sqf.
Here is what has happened over the last two seasons.
Starting with post purchase.
NOVEMBER 2017
We stored our boat on the hard at McDonald marine. We kept it on the hard with two 15 x 30 ft tarps purchased at our local Canadian Tire. We checked on it regularly. The engine had been winterized by the previous owner Mr. Peter Dawson Esquire. She suffered the winter graciously.
MAY 2018
We had a late start due to the local port authority of Hamilton who had decommissioned our harbour masters lift and mast crane. This was all remedied before May 24th 2018. We had a brief engine issue keeping us at the wall in Macasa Bay, Hamilton @ McDonald Marine, a fine establishment that had been servicing the community for decades. Our time there was short but pleasant, Sandy the owner was extremely helpful and had tons of sailing stories and general boat ownership information.
Shortly after #winddreamer was launched we replaced the exhaust line, a 90 degree tappered threaded pipe to a ”Y” connection with a 1.5” and 1/4 hose connection. Then a quick adjustment to the distributor points and cap was made readying us for the journey to PCYC.
JUNE 2018
We left Macasa Bay at 12:00 PM.
We motored for 5HRS at 4.6 knts
As we arrived our brand new exhaust hose caught on fire and was burning for the last 1 hr of the trip.
We arrived at PCYC and found a vacant Dock to land on and stayed there for several days. After moving all of the interior items down from Brampton we moved #winddreamer to C8. (dock C8) (C DOCK)
We have been there ever since.
SUMMER 2018 @ PCYC- IN A FEW PICS
PCYC GAVE OF US THE MOST AMAZING SUMMER. WE ENJOYED THE SUNSETS, ENTERTAINMENT, EVENTS, FOOD AND ALL THE AMENITIES THAT THIS CLUB HAS TO OFFER. WE TOOK SAILING LESSONS WITH A LOCAL FEMALE INSTRUCTOR WHO JUST HAPPENS TO BE ONE OF CANADA’S TOP FEMALE SAILORS. WE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN OUR THEMED DOCK PARTY. WE COOKED SIMPLE MEALS, DIFFICULT MEALS AND ENJOYED MAYBE A FEW TO MANY AT THE CLUB HOUSE(NEVER). WE CHOSE TO NOT STAY THE WINTER, BUT WE STAYED INTO THE LATER MONTHS IN THE FALL. WITH A BIG TRIP PLANNED FOR OCTOBER, WE PREPARED #WINDDREAMER TO BE HAULED OUT AND WAITED OUR TURN.
FALL 2018
After a very extended trip to Ireland for all of October we came back to haul out #winddreamertheboat. We landed on October 31, haul out was November 3. We were notified by our previous marina that our cradle was scheduled to be cut up for scrap if we didn’t remove it. We called a few flatbed towing companies in Hamilton and found one that was reasonable. We had it picked up and delivered for $320 CAD. We were then in need of a final pump out and ready for “winterizing” to begin. These are the pics from the day.^ The harbour staff at PCYC lead by Mike & Mark were amazing and we were soon put on the hard for the winter season. We visited three more times to cover and winterize #winddreamertheboat. We made it a point to check on her a few more times over the winter and enjoy some of the food at the club house.
LIVING ABOARD, LIKE ACTUALLY COMMITTING!
So a lot of our first season was spent traveling, visits to cottages, Pelee Island, a trip to Newfoundland and a late start to the season left us with less then 6 weeks of actual live aboard experience. Our mission this year was too spend as much time as possible aboard and considering Melissa would be 3 months to full term with our much anticipated new arrival through this season, some nesting was required. We got settled and spent our time creating more of a home than a sea worthy ship. Here are the livable areas, our organizational ideas and the different uses for those spaces.
BELOW A MORE COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OF THE INTERIOR
GALLEY (OUR KITCHEN)
The best part of #winddreamer is probably the galley, it’s where we work together, dream up some wild meals and it’s also the main entrance and heart of the boat. Here is a few pics of the details.
HEAD (OUR WASHROOM)
For a tight space, she packs a lot in. Full Vanity sink, dual his and hers cupboard doors, a toilet, custom mirror, extra hooks and a bright LED task light. It also serves as our walk in closet.
HANGING LOCKER (OUR CLOSET)
Living on a boat doesn’t mean not having anything to choose from when picking your next outfit, it just means you might only have a few choices. On the upside, we own quality clothing and believe in a multiple-wear-before-wash system. We have also managed to squeeze in all of our outerwear and umbrella’s to boot.
V-BIRTH (JUSTIN’S) ROOM
A large birth, king size in width across the beam. And 6’4” from bow to door. This space is used for sleeping, temporary storage and midday naps.
BIRTH#2 (MELISSA AND HUNTERS BED)(CURRENTLY)
The charting table, dinner table, mess hall, birth #2, board game central, a sewing studio, arts & crafts space and of course a movie night lounge.
BIRTH#3 (ELLA’S BED)
Settee, auxiliary couch, storage, fresh water supply, birth #3 and where we put things while we shuffle other things around.
INTERIOR STORAGE (IN ABUNDANCE)
All of the nooks and crannies have interesting and very usable space.
POWER SYSTEM (UTILITIES)
All of the mechanical parts apart from the engine.
LOOK FOR MORE VIDEOS ABOUT #WINDDREAMERTHEBOAT COMING SOON.
SEE YOU NEXT TIME!