Trawler Life

"Molly"

September 2017

Background history

Captain Dave (US Coast Guard Licensed Master): His love of boats began in 1966 when he bought his first sailboat, a wooden 18' daysailer, from Ernest Hemingway's nephew. He called her, "Old Timer" and learned to sail her on Skaneateles Lake, one of New York's Finger Lakes and his home town. He continued his sailing through the years on various sailboats and on many bodies of water, from the BVI's to Michigan's Great Lakes. His longest sail was roundtrip San Francisco to Hawaii on a 32' Westsail,  "Pygmalion," in 1985. The largest vessel Dave captained was a 72' Catamaran, "Canvasback," which he captained in the Marshall Islands. Canvasback was used as transportation for medical/dental personnel as they went from Island to Island offering free clinical services to those living on these islands.

First Mate (or galley slave, depending on who else is onboard) Chris: Learned to sail after marrying Capt. Dave. Her first sail was on a little Sunfish on Skaneateles Lake in 1974. It was a cool day on the lake and Capt. Dave thought learning by experience was the best way to teach her sailing skills. After taking the tiller, she overcorrected, capsizing the boat, and fell overboard into the freezing cold lake (did I mention she was 6 months pregnant?). She was terrified of sailing and had no desire to ever go again! Alas, she did go again, on a bigger boat, just a few days later. She stayed away from the tiller, she survived, and she decided maybe she could learn to tolerate this water sport. It took awhile, but, long story short, she now loves sailing. And today...her 43 year old, the one she carried in her womb on her first sail, is an avid, very experienced, sailor, canvas-work expert, and boat restorer.

We (Captain Dave and Chris) have now been sailing together for 45 years. Through the years motorboats were always referred to as "stinkpots" and not on the radar screen of possible means of water travel for us until just a couple of years ago. It happened one summer when we had sailed up Lake Michigan and were tied up at a marina for the night. We met up with a group of great people on a trawler rendezvous. While speaking to the captains and the captain's wives of these trawlers, we learned that most of these trawler captains used to be sailors. They had learned, as they advanced in years, that the stability and ease of trawler travel better suited their aging lifestyle. Visiting with these trawler owners began to bring motorboat travel into a new light. Over the next two years we casually began looking at trawlers and talking to trawler owners. The benefits suited us well. Retirement was coming quickly and our two fur babies, that found sailing less than desirable, made the idea of adding a trawler to our mode of water transportation desirable.

We decided a trawler would be a great addition to our growing family. Trawlers provided more space and stability for our pets and our young grandchildren, but as we began our search we quickly found the size and style we preferred was way out of our price range!  Until one evening when Dave was casually perusing the web and came across a trawler that was just what we were looking for, price included! Within 2-days we had called the broker, set-up an appointment, gathered our family of 11, and headed to NY! (It helped that it was Labor Day weekend)

It was raining when we arrived, but we eagerly headed down the dock and climbed aboard. Our 4-year old grandson quickly found the aft head and, without telling anyone, had given it a try! Finding out that the aft head worked well, we spread out, searching every nook and cranny, locker and cabinet. We liked most of what we saw, but we needed a sea trial to make a decision. So, we headed back to Michigan and then back to NY for sea trial a week later (10 hours each way)! This time there were only 3 of us, my husband, Capt. Dave, myself, and our son, David. We went out for about an hour and afterward had a much smaller family gathering in the cabin to talk. Captain Dave made the final decision when, after much discussion, he said, "I think we should buy her." We decided that a family vacation on a commercial cruise ship, with all 11 of us, would cost almost the same as buying the trawler. We also decided we (Dave and Chris) would come back before her haul-out and get her ready to cruise. The family would all plan to come back in the spring, cruise the 1,000 Islands, leaving Dave and myself to head down the Trent-Severn waterway on her final trip back to St. Joseph, MI. If we still loved trawler life after our long trip home, we would keep her. If we decided trawler life was not for us, we would sell her for what we had paid. So...Dave cut off the "For Sale" sign on Molly's bow and took it to the broker's office. Plopping the sign on the broker's desk Dave announced, "We'll take her!" After signing the bill of sale, we became trawler owners!

Once back in Michigan, we gathered supplies, loaded up our two fur babies, and made the very long trip, once again, back to NY. We cleaned up the cabins, making several trips to the trash bin, town, Home Depot, and the Salvation Army. Dave climbed around in the engine room, tried to follow a multitude of colored wires to their source, and learn how the mechanical devices worked. We emptied every locker and scrubbed every surface. We found living aboard her, even in the marina, to be a delight! Molly slowly began to feel like home. She began to feel like a member of the family. Even the two dogs were eventually able to cross the ramp onto the dock and find their way back into the cabin when they needed to potty. They enjoyed chasing each other around the deck and picked their own sleeping spots for the night.

On the day we finally felt confident enough to take Molly out on our own, we did a few practice drills at the dock before leaving. She handled very nicely, the sea was calm, the weather perfect, and the trial could not have gone better. Molly maneuvered like a dream! We tried out the anchor windlass and took a break sitting up on the flybridge enjoying a cold drink. Surrounded by the beauty of Sodus Bay, we soaked up the view, the sound of the birds, the lap lap of the water against the hull, and the warmth of the sun. Yes, trawler life looked very promising! Cruising back to the marina and into the dock to tie up went smoothly and seemed to be easier than docking our 36' Cape Dory sailboat.

Preparations completed and running out of time, we said "Good-by" to Molly and headed back to Michigan, to plan and learn, and plan and learn some more, before summer cruising. Since we have returned to Michigan, Molly has been hauled out and put in the barn where she will rest until the days get longer and the sun gets brighter. Until then, Molly, Rest well!

 Michigan to NY: A long trip, made several times in just a couple of weeks.

First trip and first view of Molly by the whole family. A cold, rainy day.

 Granddaughter playing in the car after she looked through the boat.

 Unplanned stop to see Niagara falls. Son, David, with wife and their youngest son.  

Chris and Dave also enjoying a road trip break!

Bear is keeping watch at the dock

 Visiting one of the local locks on the Erie canal

Bringing our supplies aboard 

 Lots of work to do getting Molly ready, but having fun in the process!

 The sunsets at the marina were awesome every evening! 

 The main cabin, looking aft 

 Visiting a local state park: Chimney Bluffs

 Another sunset as we arrive for our live aboard week

 Dave on his ipad with his coffee pot beside. Doesn't get much better!

Enjoying the view from the flybridge

 Aster loves snuggles 

 Dogs both took to trawler life like champs!

 Sodus Point lighthouse

 Dave's birthday present lantern looks like it was made for Molly's salon!

 Cleaning all the lockers

 View of the flybridge

 Old lighthouse of Sodus Point

 Taking Molly out for the first time (alone)

 I could get used to this view!

 Humming along nicely

 Boys decided to climb on our bed while we were underway 

(I think the engine sound scared them)

Up to the flybridge

Good night, Molly, see you soon!

December 3, 2017

Today's agenda was to decorate the tree (it's been 8 days since we put it up!) We found a really great tree farm last year and decided to make it our tree cutting destination and new family tradition. 

 Horse drawn carriage and hot chocolate and a huge selection of trees!

 Dave and I picked a Fraser Fir! I love that they last so long and are just begging to be decorated!

 Grandson #2 carrying grandson #3

 Daughter-in-law, Amanda, with our only grand-daughter

 Brother and sister 

Finally a tree in the cottage waiting to be decorated.

But...tree did not get decorated. I did something more productive instead. I studied for (and passed) the Canadian pleasure craft operating exam! I may now legally operate Molly in Canadian waters! My license should arrive in the mail shortly. Next step: renew my passport (much easier). I am becoming more and more excited as we plan our summer cruise from New York to Michigan (through the Canadian waters of Lake Ontario, 1,000 Islands, Trent-Severn waterway, Georgian Bay, and Bay of Quinte)! Maybe I'll get to the tree yet! If you're interested in our route, follow the red line on the picture, staring at Sodus Point, NY