A Mixed Bag...

So I am sitting in the airport in Panama City, waiting for the flight that will take us to DC. Liberte is now in the capable hands of Tom and Kathi. We are headed "home." I put that in quotations, because who knows what that really means. We are headed back to where we grew up, and many of our family members live, so that feels like home, but we haven't lived there for years. We are leaving our "home," Liberte, here in Panama. We're not returning to California, which felt very much like home for the last 5 years. So, it's a little mixed up.
I think it's still a little early to be able to process a lot of the emotions that go along with this. I am excited about the future, I am sad to leave this amazing adventure behind. I am grateful for all the support we've had, both from people we just met and those who have known us our whole lives. I am worried, I am relieved. I am really concerned about the weather where we're headed.
We have had a lot of adventure packed into the last seven or so months. We have weathered storms and seen incredible sunsets. We have laughed and shaken in anger. We have made fools of ourselves, and felt like we've conquered the world. I beat Chris at chess at least once. So that's an accomplishment.
One thing that Chris and I would often say when headed into a new port was, "We've never been this far before." It feels more true than ever now.

Busy in Panama

Sailing by the stern of a giant tanker just south of the canal entrance.

Selling the boat was something that I never thought very much about before a few weeks ago. At times we had ideas of holding onto her after we were settled on the east coast. Trips to the Caribbean, up and down the coast; we were going to share our love of sailing with our family onboard Liberte. It's going to have to be on another boat though.

We have sold Liberte to a great couple, Tom and Kathi. They are retired, living on a small mountain northeast of Panama City. They've owned boats before and really love sailing. They don't have any deadlines or busy schedules. They've been looking for a sailboat for a year and finally found the right one. I'm a bit jealous of them, actually.

The past week was a bit of a whirlwind. Our brother in law, Brad, flew down to lend a hand. We got the boat prepped for showing off. Liberte was spic and span, neat and stowed. As we were waiting for our first appointment to show her I wondered why the boat isn't always this neat. Luckily the week wasn't all work and we made it to Isla Taboga for an overnight and up to the Miraflores canal locks. I've never had an eye for business, so Brad's advice on selling was invaluable.

Brad's first fish on the spear.

Jerry, Amanda's father, flew in on the 7th, so we all had one Super Bowl of an evening together. Brad flew home the following day. So right now we are going through the process of accepting payment for the boat, going through her from stem to stern, introducing the Tom and Kathi to the workings of Liberte. We might have a ticket through the canal as line-handlers for a sailboat from the Netherlands. We'll know for sure whether it's a sure deal in a day or two.

Right now I know we're making the right move. We've come up with a plan for the near future and are both excited about it. But, I know that on some breezy, sunny day a few months from now I am going to ache for the chance to toss off the dock lines on my very own sailboat and go for a jaunt.

Liberte for Sale

We've thought long and hard about our current situation and have decided we would like to sell the boat and head home. It's been an amazing trip, but a few things have brought us down recently. Our first mistake was attempting too much distance in too little time. It's been forever since we stopped somewhere and had the time to take two weeks and relax for a good spell, enjoy ourselves thoroughly. Knowing what we know now, I would have stayed in Mexico. I loved Mexico, the food was amazing, the surf was excellent and there was wind for sailing. Second, we've had too many repairs to handle in the past month and are out of patience for it. Third, I think I might be giving my wife an early head of gray hair. Amanda is a worrier, and I think she's starting to worry a tad too much. Forth, we miss our people, our friends, our families. I never had a doubt that Amanda and I would be able to spend this time together without strangling each other, actually I think it's brought us together more. But, we miss the rest of the people in our lives.

So, Liberte is for sale. We're at the BYC in Balboa. Below is the For Sale posting. Anyone interested feel free to comment with contact info.

1975 Formosa Ketch. 38' LOA. Kept in SF Bay for the past 6 years and cruised for the past 6 months. Full keel, heavy, safe, ocean-going design. 28 hp Universal 5424 diesel engine with 850 hours. New alternator, and 3 year old Hurth transmission. 12 gallon tank with 3 jerries on deck, room for more. Recently repaired flywheel casing, no oil leaks. Furuno 1623 radar up to 16 NM. 80W BP solar panel charges 3 house batteries, a 31 group and 2 brand new 24 group lead-acid. 1000W inverter. 2 Garmin handheld GPSmap 76s for navigation. Full set of charts of American and Central American Pacific coast and Panama to FL via Yucatan. Two anchors on bow, one 35# plow with 80' 5/16 chain and 300' of 1” double braid and one 33# claw with 70' of 5/16 chain and 300' of 5/8” three strand nylon. Spare 45# danforth, 7# Fortress and 15# fisherman style anchors with spare rodes. 3 headsails, 2 mains and one mizzen sail. Sails in used but good condition. Standing rigging replaced in 2008. Running rigging 1 year old. Installed and handheld VHF radios. 9'6” Achilles wood bottom tender with beach wheels, with 6 hp 2009 Tohatsu outboard. Waeco Coolmatic refrigerator.

Cruised for 6 months, ready to return to States, eager to sell. Vessel is valued in survey and insurance at $33,000 USD, asking $15,000. ALL offers considered.

Update. Just arrived in Panama City, at BYC. Engine is having problems, bogging down. Might be problem with injectors or dirty fuel. Currently seeking mechanical help in Balboa.