Sailing Olivia

08/10/2026

Well, Olivia probably thinks we’ve abandoned her. 😂 We haven’t! We’ve just been trying to get this house finished so when it’s time we can sell it, but also enjoy the remodel in the mean time.

Today’s project was tearing out the old tub/shower and putting in a walk-in shower. We agreed it was the right thing to do for resale.

Then we found ourselves busting concrete and fighting 30 year old plumbing… and I got this look. 🤣

He still agrees it was a good idea. He’s just not real happy with our decision right this minute. 😂

Poor Olivia. Hang in there girl, we’re trying to get back to you! ⛵️❤️

07/28/2026

⚓ Another custom project checked off the list for Olivia.

Because Olivia has a raised salon, leading the control lines from the mast back to the cockpit would have required some pretty severe angles at the mast base to clear the cabin top.

So… Shawn designed and fabricated a custom mast collar that will mount Garhauer turning blocks, allowing the lines to leave the mast at a much better angle before heading aft to the cockpit. The smoother lead will reduce friction and create a cleaner, more efficient line run.

It’s still in primer for now. Once Olivia is hauled out, the mast will be painted, the collar will be finished, and the Garhauer blocks will be installed.

Next up: Reinstalling the bow and stern pulpits, followed by the stanchions. We’re also replacing the lifelines with a solid stainless top rail.

One project at a time… she’s slowly becoming the boat we’ve been dreaming about. ⚓

07/25/2026

⚓ Well… it’s officially on Olivia!

Yesterday I shared the new gooseneck and backing plate Shawn made from solid aluminum. Today he got everything mounted on the mast and the boom back in place.

I knew it was going to be beefy, but seeing it actually installed is a whole different story. 😂

The backing plate is contoured to fit Olivia’s mast and gives the new gooseneck a much larger, stronger mounting surface. Best of all, the boom is now raised several inches and sitting where it should instead of starting low and angling upward just to clear the bimini.

Shawn seriously outdid himself with this one. What started as “I don’t like the way that replacement fits” turned into designing and machining the whole thing himself.

Big girl officially has her big-girl hardware. 😂⚓

07/21/2026

⚓ Another project checked off the list for Olivia.

The original gooseneck had the boom sitting at a weird angle just to clear the top of the bimini, so we decided it was time for an upgrade.

Shawn bought the best replacement gooseneck he could find, but once he mocked it up on the mast, he wasn’t completely happy with how it fit. The mounting surface only contacted part of the mast, and he wanted something much stronger for a boat the size of Olivia.

So… he headed to the shop.

Starting with a solid block of aluminum, Shawn milled a completely new gooseneck along with a custom contoured backing plate that perfectly matches Olivia’s mast. The result is a much stronger assembly designed specifically for our boat.

It also became the first completed project on his “new to us” lathe and milling machine.

Another big project behind us… and one more step closer to getting Olivia back where she belongs… on the water. ⛵❤️

07/12/2026

After more than a month without meaningful rain, we are finally getting it.

It’s coming with thunder, lightning, and a good soaking… and one very nervous Labrador glued to my side. ❤️🐾

Beau has decided the safest place during the storm is as close to me as he can possibly get.

After living through one of the most significant heat waves our area has experienced in well over 140 years, I don’t think anyone is complaining about the rain today. The thunder may be loud, but the sound of rain on the roof is something we’ve all been waiting a long time to hear.

Mother Nature decided to make up for lost time. The rain came down so hard that a tree came down, taking our power with it. I will admit it scared me so bad I heard it starting to snap and didn’t know where to run for safety.

Even sitting here in the dark, I’m grateful for the rain. Our yards, lakes, wetlands and wildlife have needed it for weeks. Hopefully this is the beginning of cooler days, greener landscapes, and a little relief for everyone.

As for Beau… he’d happily trade all of this excitement for a nice, quiet drizzle. 🌧️❤️🐾

06/30/2026

Some trips entertain you.
Some trips remind you what really matters.

Canada gave us mountains, glaciers, wildlife, quiet backroads, and peaceful places that made us slow down and simply take it all in.

The best moments weren’t the crowded tourist stops — they were the unexpected ones… a mama bear and her cubs, ancient forests, hidden trails, glacier water, and the quiet beauty in between.

And somehow… yes, even the toilets made the cut. 😄

Beautiful, exhausting, peaceful, and full of moments we’ll never forget. Our Canada 2026 video is now live on YouTube. 🇨🇦

Join us as we explore the breathing beauty of Canada - from towerin...

06/23/2026

Well… we’re back! 🇨🇦➡️🏡🐾

After an amazing trip through Canada, we made it home… and then immediately made a pretty crazy move. Instead of settling back in, we turned around and drove to Florida to pick up the newest member of our crew, Beau. 🖤

Beau is a 7½-year-old Lab who has already made himself right at home and quickly claimed the important role of shop foreman.

We’ve spent the last few days getting him settled in, reorganizing the shop, and setting things up in a way that better supports the next phase of Olivia’s refit. It may not look glamorous, but to us this setup is a huge improvement and has us feeling ready to move forward.

It feels good to be home, get our hands dirty again, and refocus on Olivia.

We’re officially ready to jump back into boat projects, and we’re excited to share the journey with all of you. Thanks for sticking with us while we took a little detour for mountains, memories, and one very sweet dog.

Now… back to work on Olivia. ⚓❤️

P.S. Beau has already implemented new shop safety rules: closed toe shoes are mandatory for all employees… even the four legged ones. 🐾👷‍♂️
Beau also came to us with a spot on his paw and has undergone surgery and is being cared for by our vet.

06/15/2026

Our last full day in Canada was slow and simple just the way we like it. We wandered through the woods, explored the riverbeds, and dipped our feet in icy glacier water.

This trip reminded us of something important for our Olivia journey: sometimes the best places aren’t the famous crowded ones, but the quiet hidden spots in between. Tomorrow we head home with full hearts and lots of gratitude. 🇨🇦⚓❤️

06/14/2026

Another beautiful day in British Columbia led us down the back roads to Findlay Falls.

Along the way, we found old pulleys, cables, and other remnants from gold mining in the late 1800s, plus an old cabin believed to have ties to the Ktunaxa Nation.

We also spotted mule deer in velvet and ended the day enjoying the peaceful beauty of Columbia Lake.

Sometimes the best adventures happen off the beaten path. ⚓❤️

06/13/2026

A good reminder from today: not every day needs to be full throttle.

Sometimes the best adventures are the quiet ones, a hidden trail, cold creek water, mountain air, and time to simply explore.

Today was a good day to slow down and just be. 💙⚓