Mad Dogs & Englishmen

Hi Everyone

S/V Eclipse takes to the water for the first time in two years and I manage to catch the first snowfall in Annapolis for a sea trial. I spent my first hour aboard shoveling snow much to the amusement of the marina staff. But the crazy englishman went ahead with the sea trial and i am now the pround owner of a 1984 Vagabond 47. I am planning to sail back to the UK in May 08 and will sail locally for the next 2 years, then I hope that I can set out to join some of you in warmer climes. I would like to thank Al and Jean of s/v Ryen`s Quest for inviting me to join the Blog, and Ron of S/V Island Siren for putting me in touch with them and I look forward to keeping in touch with you all in the future.

Mick Fogarty S/V Eclipse

mick9565@btinternet.com

Hello everyone

Hi, this is Guy from Bay St. Louis, MS. I've own Trinity, a 1980 Vagabond 47 for two years. I bought her 7 months after the storm (Katrina) ended my 2 1/2 year stint building the original Trinity. A 48 foot wood motorsailer. My current Trinity was pretty much neglected by her former owner. Water up to the floor boards, teak deck deteriorated, sails in bad shape, standing rigging original. Running rigging was in bad shape as well as the canvas work. Both fuel tanks leaked. You get the picture. So I started addressing the problems as best I could. Its taken a long time since she is in TX (Kemah) and I work in MS. So I would drive over to see/work on her every other weekend. I did this for two years now. And you know what, I'm really starting to dislike the drive, imagine that! :) But I've hook up with a lot of great people who have worked on her and she is pretty spectacular now. So in about 3 to 4 week I should be bringing her to MS. I'll stay in a marina in Moss Point since there really aren't any marinas along the MS Gulf coast that I can stay at due to being a live aboard, draft and just plain availability. So anyway this is a short into and I look forward to talking to the group and learning more about these really cool vessels. The picture of her is while she was in the yard after being painted, before pulling the masts and new canvas.

Ron and Kim Mobley s/v Island Siren

Island Siren is a 1976 Vagabond47. We purchased her and did a complete refit that took 4 years. She is now our home as we travel. You can see photos of her at http://www.islandsiren.com/

Kris` Buzz LightYear Dome

Kris says this "Dome" is great when you hear a noise and can`t get out of the aft cabin in a hurry. Different, but it works!

Hello From Todd and Phyllis s/v Toucan Share

Todd and Phyllis are the very proud owners of a 1989 Vagabond 42 s/v Toucan Share. They have a wonderful blog at http://www.tripdiary.com/piratetnp/toucanshare There will be lots of helpful information coming from them, they have been through it all, and having a blast at the same time.

Al and Jean s/v Ryen`s Quest

Most of you already know our story. We have been pathetically looking for a 42Vagabond since forever it seems. Quite coincidentally we were contacted by a Michigan couple, who are the present owners of "STARDUST". After fifteen years of seasonal sailing through the Islands they have decided to see America by RV and sail the great lakes in a smaller boat. What GREAT luck for us!

Allan will be going to Florida on April 15th to bring her back to Halifax. Unfortunately, due to the rules of Transport Canada, we have to change the name of the vessel. So we have decided on "RYEN`S QUEST". Everything we have seen and talked about with the owner sounds as though she has been kept like a spoiled child.

This feels right, and we don`t expect any surprises with the survey that we can`t handle. We are both excited, to say the least. Thanks to John and Todd and Mike for all of their insight and answers to our many questions. Hope they can find the time to participate in this forum.

We can`t wait until our Vagabond is here in Halifax. I have started a blog for Ryen`s Quest so if you hve any interest http://42vagbondryensquest.blogspot.com/

Most everyone that we have talked to mentioned the benefits of having an "Owners Discussion Board". This is best I can do. This is for any Vagabond owner or wanna-be owner, or open to whoever you feel can benefit from it. Those folks that I emailed have access to post. Anyone else can just email me and I will be happy to add their name to the list who can post. Everyone can read it.

Fair winds, and be safe out there!

Greetings Various Vagabonds!

How fun - good on you Al and Jean...what's a group of Vagabonds called? A pod? A gaggle? A School? hopefully not a herd....ha ha

I think it is an excellent idea - especially as I had no handover from the previous owner and no ops manual aboard...five years later I have learnt a lot and made many 'improvements' but somehow it would have been best not to reinvent the wheel and ask someone else who had the same issue/problem. (Like where to put a wind generator, or a second battery bank etc much scratching of head and gnashing of teeth!)

'Valiant M' is lying in the Algarve, Portugal - anyone around there? Maybe we can cruise and meet up? If anyone is planning to cruise the Algarve I have a lot of local knowledge etc so feel free. Am actually planning a dive expedition to the Gorringe peaks ~1/2 way to Madeira and would like a support vessel.

Attached a couple of photos - inc. one of the most questioned feature - my Buzz Lightyear to "Infinity and Beyond!" domes - real handy when you hear a sound but can't see out fro the aft cabin.

Very best,

Kris