Stonecutter II

In August 1997 Ernie launched Stonecutter II, the last Bayfield 36 to come out of the mold before the company's bankruptcy in 1990. It took awhile to find the pieces to complete it to a powered floating hull and I still have more parts to find; not all of the companies that supplied the yacht manufacturer are willing to sell to me Enough of what took me so long - we're in the water now! The winter of 1998 I installed a new custom interior. I will also be incorporating improvements provided by other "Bayfield 36" owners I've been fortunate to meet. Of course all that high-tech communication gear will be back onboard, as well as the latest software to help keep in touch and informed while off-shore. I miss our water-bound friends and I've been away from our favorite pastime too long - Crusing. The new boat has a bath tub I call it my floating 2 bedroom Apt. The Cruising life style seems interesting at first . When I explain the down sides of living on a boat ,some people think its sub-standard housing maybe I don't romanticize it enough . Others would have a difficult time getting around, size, weight, or strength not being on their side . I'm not the trim sailor I'd like to be but I will get there. In a few years I will leave Canada behind and sail . I will return on occasion to celebrate or to morn. I did it before and it is a great life style . I can't do it justice to just talk about it ,its not a never ending vacation . Its more of an adventure of life. New is the every day, new ports, new people, new cultures, new foods ,new attitudes and new is not always good ,new bugs, new sicknesses, new places to get sun burnt . Living in tight quarters is also new for most . There are soon few secrets left about each other's habits and quirks . You learn to depend on each other far more on a boat at sea your life is each others hands . Aboard a friends boat we watched a Space Shuttle launch in the morning sky and then explode …. That was new , too the world! . I've been in or near 3 Hurricanes , that not a lot of fun its not always easy to get out of their way they don't signal their turns. When your on the water you soon feel like an insignificant speck on the #*^%@* of the eternity and your belief in God and Gods are challenged (is there any one out there??) . Sailors are amongst the most superstitious and religious people , but they are not always traditional in their beliefs . Me I try to avoid Friday the 13th , black cats ,cracks in the sidewalk and using the wrong fork at dinner The view of my boat and other boats in the bay : I took a leave from (this)life and I'm ready to do it again . I looked at the charts ,shells, pictures of the island where ran out of clothes and I want to go back . Simplicity is the best way to live a life . You get up with the sun and don't need that first cup of coffee . You have it anyway its a treat .Maybe toast or some cereal . Then a swim to shore and a stroll along the beach to see what the surf washed in .. The view of my boat and other boats in the bay sitting on the water is calming ., Then the sound of engines starting and chains clanking as people up anchor and move on. You can hear the ocean surf on the far side of the island its a dull roar . I would wander into the bush pushing leaves and small trees aside and climb a steep hill to get a better look of the bay . The sun climbs into the sky with just a few clouds for company . The clouds are the only hint of the rain that will be here in the afternoon . Its a welcomed rain , you get a chance to wash the salt off yourself and the boat . The view from the mound would take my breath away. I would it come here everyday to recharge when I called that bay home . Back here in Toronto I keep my boat in the wild life reserve, Tommy Tompson Park . In the winter its at Bluffers Park Marina . I named my boats Stonecutter (that a story in its self) . As for the adventure the hardest part is just doing it. Sounds funny but I believe that anyone can have their adventure. Its just getting up and selling everything packing a house into a bag that you through over your shoulder and leave your friends behind . Maybe not so extreme in all dreams but it depends on how grand the fantasy is (I guess). It all seams so easy after you've done it ,and so hard to do it again . Just focus ! One goal one dream . I keep asking my self where do I want to be ? How do I get there ? What's stopping me? As each question is answered I work on its solution until I'm back in the Islands . My first problem was a bigger boat * **solved*** My next is getting out of debt. Not that far off I figure a year maybe two. Next is how do I support my self(income??) Some from savings other by acquiring the skills that are in demand . Since I work in a high tech industry maybe I could sell my services to people or Co that want to upgrade (consult or teach) . Do that for part of the year , teach a semester up here and sail the rest.. Sounds simple eh . Sometimes the solutions to the biggest problems are small step solutions.