2021 Life Logs, Day 126: Saying Farewell to Windbird . . . Again
Date: Thursday, May 6, 2021
Weather: Sunshine; High 65, Low, 45 degrees F
Location: At Home in The Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
Sam and Dawn Weigel, the current owners of Windbird, purchased her from Mark and I in the summer of 2016. They were both in their mid-30’s and have spent the last five years living aboard a sailboat that I love with my whole being. They originally thought they would live aboard and sail her for three years, but that extended to five years. Sam is a pilot for Delta. Daddy D, as Sam sometimes refers to his employer, was kind to him and allowed him to fly June through October and sail from November through May for the past five years. I have known since January that they were putting her up for sale and moving on to a new chapter in their lives, but it was an Instagram post today that made it real. They left Miami three days ago headed to Lighthouse Marina in Little River (North Myrtle Beach). That is where Mark and I left her in February of 2016 and where they bought her five months later in July. Today’s Instagram post said, “What a passage! An incipient cold front forced us into Winyah Bay 55nm short of Little River, but we sailed 460nm offshore in only 57 hours, averaging over 8 knots (and sailing almost all of that) thanks to a free lift from the Gulf Stream and uniformly pleasant south wind. Dawn’s cousin Katana came with and had an excellent first sail, no seasickness and lots of dolphins. It was a nice way to say goodbye to Windbird; last night on our way into Winyah Bay we passed 12,000nm on her. She’s been a great boat for us, and I’ll miss her a lot. It’s time for the next chapter of our lives, though; can’t wait to see what the next adventure brings.”
When Sam and Dawn reach Little River, they will pack up their things and head west to Washington state. They bought a parcel of land on an air strip on an island off Seattle. Before Windbird, they owned a Piper Cub and once they build their new home, they plan to buy a new one. They have been wonderful owners of Windbird and she is a better boat for it. I have enjoyed sailing aboard Windbird with them . . . three weeks in the Bahamas in 2017 and in 2018, I joined them in the Dominican Republic and sailed the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico. I wish them the best and hope that John, the same broker and friend we used, will find new owners for Windbird that deserve her! She is a special sailboat who taught me so, so much. Thank you, Windbird. You deserve only the best.
Today was a beautiful day. I spent part of it outside and part of it inside. The morning started with the arrival of the plumber to install a new faucet in the kitchen sink. The old one had all kinds of issues and the new one is wonderful. Slowly, slowly I am getting the raised garden beds ready to plant. I hope to continue that project tomorrow.
