OuR Story
It is said that the call of the sea is strong. I personally believe that the call is only sent to those that can accept the challenge. Life on the water is not for everyone, but to those who answer the call, there is a feeling that mere words on paper could never describe the sense of peace and tranquility that it brings.
Dave and I met at a bar on spring break in Daytona Beach, FL in 1979. I had just turned 18 and he was 20. I still remember the moment that our eyes met. Our first conversation was about a 1958 Chris Craft wooden boat that was on barrels in my backyard. Dave did not live far from me in Louisville, KY, and he knew where my house was the instant that I mentioned the boat. Later that evening, when the partying and dancing was a memory, we went to where he and his friends were staying. Because it was a perfect night and I never wanted it to end, we decided to walk on the beach. We walked on the beach to the sun came up. We talked about many things but mostly how much we loved the ocean and boats. That was day one in our relationship.
How do you know when you are 18 that you have just met the most perfect man in the world and your soul mate? My heart said yes, but my logical brain said slow down. When we said our good-byes and were heading home, Dave asked if he could call me up when we got home. It was awkward because we both were dating other people. I told him, “Dave, how could we have a serious relationship? How could we ever trust one another?” So much for teenage logic. Funny how the heart always wins.
We dated for 7 years before we got married in 1986. During those years, we spent our summers boating. Dave’s first boat was an army green 16’ Silverline tri hull. That boat was the ugliest boat we ever had but I believe one of the most fun. We water skied and tubed (in old truck tire tubes) until our arms were ready to fall off. Those were the days. From those humble beginnings, we had so many boats that I have lost count. Each one a step up from the one before. When I graduated college, my first large purchase was not a new car as my classmates purchased. It was a 1978 24’ Sea Ray Sundancer. We had her on Lake Cumberland. Goodness, we had fun. As we both were in full time positions with our careers, we longed for something a bit more shiny. We traded the Sea Ray in for a 1983 22’ Formula named “Hydromaniac”. What a blast that boat was. We had our first daughter during this boat ownership, and she slept her first full night on board when she was 5 weeks old. But, with having a baby on board, we needed more space. Our next boat was a 26’ Holiday Cruisers Inc. We kept her until 1992 when we found out baby #2 was expected.
From 1992 – 2005, we were busy with raising our family. Live aboard boats were not in the equation so we had a series of small crafts: two Sea Doos, a 17’ Cape Horn Center Console, repowered my Dad’s 1964 22’ Lone Star, a 23’ Sea Ray cuddy and a 16’ Boston Whaler Dauntless (which we still own).
During those years we also chartered 2 power boats in the BVIs. Those BVI charters were like candy to a to our ocean loving souls. The seed was firmly planted. Dave became obsessed with learning everything there was to know about cruising boats.
Not long after those trips, low and behold, Dave brings home a picture of a 24’ Larson Aft Cabin and the big boat game was on again. We had her for 2 summers and then inherited my Dad’s 28’ Cruisers Inc Express Cruiser. At this point, Dave was planning for retirement and there was no turning back. We started living vicariously through anyone we could find that had a “big boat”.
Though Dave’s nightly careful and detailed research (I called it boat porn), he decided that a trawler was the best boat for us. The fuel efficiency and seaworthiness of the trawler were his chief decision filters.
In 2011 we began our search in earnest. We attended the Trawler Fest, the Miami Boat Show, the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show and read everything we could. We narrowed our choices down to a Kadey Krogen Manatee or 42’. I was not a fan of the KK Manatee because they were only single cabins and I wanted the ability to bring my family and friends along. In 2012, we travelled to Florida to look at two 42’ KKs. One was just old and tired, and one was in great condition. Ultimately, the one in great condition was sold before we were ready to purchase. Then a few months later, Dave said that there was another 42’ KK for sale in Maryland so we went to look at. It was not in very good condition and we were disappointed. That evening, when we were lamenting our boat search woes over some adult beverages, Dave said there is this nice looking 49’ Defever down in North Carolina that looks pretty good. However, it was more than what we wanted to spend and it was seven hours away and we needed to be home in two days. What the heck, we called the boat’s broker, he hopped on an airplane and we hopped in our car and went to North Carolina. At this point, destiny took over and we became the new owner. The deciding factor for me on the boat was the two cabins and Portuguese bridge (a walkway from fore to aft with waist-high bulwark). In my mind, the Portuguese bridge is necessary to keep my dogs from falling overboard – priorities! Not to mention, the 49’ Defever Raised Pilot House it is a cult classic of a trawler styles with roots going back to Pacific Coast fishing trawlers. Click here to read an interesting article on the 49’ Defever Raised Pilot House. By the way, the 13’ Boston Whaler mentioned in the article is also a cult classic and we just happen to own one as well.
In July 2012 we became the proud owners of Miss Magic. My hands were shaking when I signed the ownership papers. Not because I was nervous about the decision, I was so excited for what was to come. The name we selected for the boat was from the song “Little Miss Magic” by Jimmy Buffett. We used to sing to that song to our daughters when they were babies. Dave danced with our second daughter to that song at her wedding. Not to forget Dave and our first daughter’s dance song was “Drive” by Alan Jackson. (See a theme here?)
From 2012-2020, our lives got interesting. Dave had just lost his Dad, and I had lost both my parents. We got custody of my 56 year old mentally challenged sister, our careers were going full speed and we were parents to two daughters in college. We had a goal to travel upon the water, so we needed to adhere to a strict project plan. Just so happens, that is my forte or as Dave would say, my problem. My motto was “put one foot in front of the other”. Our oldest daughter graduated as a nurse, got married, and we became grandparents to 3 handsome grandsons. Our youngest daughter graduated from college as a veterinarian and also got married. My sister moved to a group home, attends a day facility and is thriving and loving her independence. In 2014 Dave retired and we moved to Florida and he was finally able to pilot Miss Magic from North Carolina to her home port on the St. Johns River.
During the time we have owned Miss Magic, we have fixed and upgraded almost everything on her. She has a rebuilt port engine (from a cracked exhaust manifold), new peeled bottom (took 1 year to dry out), new paint job, new batteries, 3 new air conditioner units, new galley, new salon furniture, and too many miscellaneous repairs to list. It has been a full-time job for Dave, and he has enjoyed every moment (well, most of it). I have continued working to support his other girlfriend (Miss Magic 😉 and maintain my sanity). In fact, I started a consulting business and will be working from my floating office while we cruise.
So, here we are – July 6, 2020 beginning the next chapter of our lives. We don’t have a strict itinerary; we only know that we are heading north along with our 3 dogs (Dani – 9 year old Golden Retriever, Lacy - 15 year old Maltipoo and Sailor Rose – 1 year old Toy Poodle). We know that it will be an adventure of a lifetime and thank God each day for allowing us to pursue our dream.
Thank you for following us and we hope you enjoy the journey as much as we do.