Background Information
As an introduction, we are Kathleen and
Roland O'Brien, both grandparents looking forward to a new
adventure. Our current residence is in the Buffalo, NY
area. A little over three years ago we decided to purchase a
larger sailboat, quit work, and travel the United States east coast,
the Caribbean, and perhaps beyond. As many before us have said,
"We're going to sail until it stops being fun"!
We're not the first to have accomplished
this, however, we unlike others are accomplishing it on a minimal
budget through frugal purchases, largely on eBay, and similar
sources. It is our hope that this website will be of interest to
others who wonder if they can afford to just quit work and cruise on a
sailboat, in addition to helping us stay in touch with our families and
friends.
Here we are
on April 26th, 2005, just 3 weeks away from becoming
fulltime liveaboards. The time since we first
decided to cruise portions of the world has really slipped
away. We purchased our boat, a Coronado 41, early in 2002,
having found her in Winthrop Harbor, IL. Apparently there have
been several owners, with the first owners ostensibly sailing the
Caribbean for a couple years after retiring from the
military. Then, she was moved to Lake Michigan, where she sailed
in freshwater for the remainder of her life.
M'Lady Kathleen (previously named
Isabella, Tristin-Jan, and perhaps others) was manufactured
in 1973, likely in the Coronado facility in Portsmouth, Virginia and is
considered a sister ship to the Columbia 41, both having identical
hulls. The Coronado has a center cockpit and flat deck, while the
Columbia has a raised deck.
Our boat has a 1986 50 horsepower
Perkins diesel, model 4-108, which is one of the older popular models
still in common use today. Parts are readily available and many
marinas have experience with the model. We are unsure of the
original engine, however, in all likelihood it was a Palmer gasoline
engine.
The first year we owned M'Lady Kathleen
we didn't sail her as we had a Columbia 28, which we planned to sail
while working on the larger boat as time permitted. We found this
impractical, so in the Spring of 2003 we sold the Columbia 28 and
concentrated on only the larger boat. We sailed 76 times during
the 2003 season, primarily out on Lake Erie, wanting to familiarize
ourselves with the boat in all kinds of weather. We actually
lived on the boat from about the end of May until Mid-October, when we
put her "on the hard" for the winter season.
We did the same the 2004 season as we
continued the transformation into a true "bluewater boat". In
later chapters we'll go into many of the items we've purchased, by
model, price, where located, and how to buy them inexpensively.
We'll also discuss the work we've accomplished thus far and hope to add
new information in the coming years. Latebreaking News:
Both of us have achieved the 100-ton Master's License (Captain's
License) with Towing Assist and Sailboat Addendum!
We've
purchased health insurance through Golden Rule's Saver 80 Plan, which
really is a catastrophic coverage with high deductible. This
effectively means we are self-insured for the first few thousand
dollars.
Prescriptions
are going to be purchased in volume and using generics where
possible. Roland's physician has been kind enough to provide
large quantity scrips, with 11 months of renewals, so we're covered for
at least the first year or two. Dr. Bogner has also been a great
assist when discussing things like tetanus and Hepatitis A & B
shots, and what type of antibiotics, etc., should be contained in our
medical kit. Roland's daughter Karen, who is a Nurse Practitioner
has been most helpful providing gifts for the kit and reviewing our
lists.
Boat
insurance will likely continue to be provided by National Marine
Underwriters, our current company, while we're in the US. When
heading for the Caribbean we may need coverage from another
company. This is TBD.
