Catamaran Project Aug 19th 2007

"Well" you say, "it's about time you guys started to write in your log again..."

You're right, we're back, with more adventures of the Free Radicals.... It's been tough being land dwellers again and working to boot. We're a little more settled on the job now and so it's time to start writing again. Initially we came to Roatan to help out at Mango Creek Lodge as the managers. We also wanted to cruise the western Caribbean. We had heard good things about it and were ready to explore again.

Somehow managing a small Fly fishing resort didn't seem to be that big of a deal. We would have employees to do all our cooking and cleaning for us and it would be all laid back and blissful. With 20 staff to cook and clean for you, how hard could it be, right? Wrong. Within a few weeks our slumbering "Type A" personalities took over.  There just seemed to be so much to do to get this place motivated.

And as we could see the results of our efforts we became motivated ourselves.... soon we were working 12 hr days and 7 days a week. Free Radical bobbed for months on end on her lonely mooring. Cruising for us is an endless type of thing, so sailing around for a few days to the close islands wasn't all that appealing, if we knew we had to come back to our management jobs. Anyway we didn't really get around to much sailing. We still don't know much about the Western Caribbean.

Suddenly were all excited again. We have been working at closing a deal on an old catamaran since last November. Julie & I finally managed to get everything done a few weeks ago.

Yea you guessed it another big project. The boat is a 1988 Privilege 47 that needs a lot more than a little TLC. We swore that we would never take on another project as big as Free Radical but here we go again. Never say never!

The price was right and labour in Honduras is about $80/week. The boat really needs a lot of labour and there are enough skilled workers here to get it done. So we jumped in with both feet.  Here she is in all her glory.

The picture doesn't show it but the hatches have cracks and are totally crazed. The decks are chalky and have some delamination. There are no sails and one of the motors needs a rebuild. Inside is a disaster.

The hatches leaked so bad the hulls filled with water eventually rotting out the floors. Everything else was a write off....including refrigeration, heads, galley etc..... Here's some more pics...

Now that's ugly. So why bother? Well it simple... The Cat is about 1200 sq ft of deck area and sleeps 10. She is a very strong ocean going cat and has lots of room for visitors. So on we go. As we progress through the restoration of the boat we will continue to post updates.....

We're back!!!!! Stay tuned!