A glass of Merlot and a sailing challenge

It all began with an invitation to do a road trip along the east coast of the United States. When we finally met in person we didn’t expect our existing work friendship to spark an automatic connection. He poured me a glass of Obscura Merlot while we talked about life and then... the challenge had begun. He suggested getting on the road in search of the perfect sailboat to purchase and sail along the East coast of the United States

We decided to get on the road in search of a used sailboat we could later repair and redesign. We did our sailboat research and looked at sailboats throughout parts of Delaware, Maryland and as far as Massachusetts where we saw various boats we liked but finally discovered the perfect 1985 used sailboat

The purchase was made and then... the sailing journey began! we later made another trip to pick up the sailboat, and once it was ready we picked up a few supplies we would need for the three to five-day sailing journey we expected to make

We prepared by watching YouTube sailing videos and read various articles about sailing advice to begin our first sailing experience. We arrived at the marina to pick up the sailboat and from that moment on it was us on the sailboat out at sea with little sailing experience, and a goal of taking the sailboat throughout the East coastlines of New York, New Jersey, arriving at our destination in Maryland

What we initially thought would take only a few days at sea ended up taking well over a week with delays due to unforeseen weather conditions along the coast and further into the North Atlantic such as fog, lack of wind, storms, a broken engine that failed at the start of the sailing trip, as well as one torn sail that was damaged during the second storm

The challenge led to one unique experience that few people would dare to do with little to no sailing experience. Along the journey, we also experienced amazing sunsets, whale watching, dolphins, and a shark or two that would follow the boat

We came across other boat owners, and nice people along the coastline of NJ who seemed intrigued by our sailing story and even shared a few sailing tips and words of inspiration with us. We had a few random encounters with the U.S. coastguard along the way, and at one point they were helpful with towing the sailboat to a rest area where we could get supplies we needed and required

To survive the nearly nonstop sailing journey we made a few stops for supplies, some food, and to rest along a few of the beautiful coastline inlets between New York and New Jersey until we arrived with a little more sailing experience and many stories to share with family and close friends over Merlot wine and oysters

What happened afterward... is the continuation of a new journey

From researching and ordering parts to repair and redesigning the sailboat part by part and piece by piece. The entire process has taught us many things not only about the hard work it takes to repair and redesign a sailboat but also about ourselves and each other

We enjoy a glass of Merlot now and then when we have achieved a new goal or milestone, and we continue to strive for the ultimate goal of finishing the sailboat, and preparing it once more only this time with sailing tools, fishing gear, dry food, medicine, and of course bottles of Merlot are a must for the sailing journey that will take us into the vastness of the ocean through North Atlantic ocean toward Europe

We invite you to enjoy a glass of Merlot with us as we sail away this summer... through the deep blue seas.