We did not want to invest all our money or have to make
payments on a new boat. If we bought a used boat we would want to refit and upgrade everything to make it new. This would
also let us know everything about the boat we would sail to far off lands. However, it seemed silly to spend the amount of
money good used boats sell for, only to throw much of it away when we did the upgrade and refit. Then there was a project
boat or a salvage vessel concept. We could get a bigger and better boat for less money. The cost of the upgrade and refit
would be more, but no money would be thrown away in old equipment removed. But, much more work on our part would be needed.
After looking at several boats, Kim agreed, for us a center cockpit was desired. Knowing we would want to sail the Keys and
Bahamas, a draft of no more than 5 ft. 6 in. was a must. As this would be our home for many years to come, and having a child
on board required some distance for privacy, we decided a boat of no less than 39 ft. would be desired. If given a choice,
I prefer a ketch. To me the ketch rig gives you more sail options. When it comes to hull, rudder and prop protection nothing
beets a full keel design. From getting a line fowled in the prop or rudder to grounding, a full keel provides the best chance
of the least amount of damage. So, for us and our indented use, a 39 ft. plus, center cockpit, ketch rig with a full keel
having 5ft 6 in. draft or less would be looked for. Now that we had a drawing rather than a picture in our mind of what your
dream boat should be, it was time to start looking. In this day of the internet it is now so easy to find anything you want.
With just a little “surfing the net” The only problem with using the internet for boat hunting is that when you
find a boat that you would like to look at, it could be 5 or 5,000 miles away. Days, weeks, and months went by with both Kim
and I looking at boats. Many times when we talked one of us would ask did you see this or that boat on such and such web site
today? The answer was usually, yes! What do you think? We did look at a couple of boats but for one reason or another they
were not for us.
A Vagabond?
One day, a 1976 47 ft. Vagabond showed up on the net.
As it happened it was located in Ft. Lauderdale just two hours away. Needless to say it was well worth a look see.
Arrangements were made to see the
boat. At first look we both liked the lines of the Vagabond. With the raised quarter deck and clipper bow she had that sailing
ship look to her. On boarding her we found the deck to appear sound. Going below was quite a mess. There had been an electrical
short and fire so there was some damage from that. But before the fire it was obvious she had suffered from poor upkeep. As
we looked through the mess and filth we found the haul to be sound and the fire had not caused any structural damage.
The
owner of the boat was a German business man who was working on the boat when he came to the US. His business had slowed down
so his trips to the US and time to work on the boat had also.
Kim and I talked and decide
this Vagabond was worth further looking into. As we had been allowed to view the boat by ourselves we spent quite some time
looking and checking everything we could. All the systems on the boat would need to be redone. Everything needed cleaning
and most needed painting or refinishing. It appeared that the boat was operational when the fire occurred but the condition
of the engine was unknown as it could now not be started. The rest of the boat looked sound with no water leak problems or
rot to the deck. As the mast and rigging were not located with the boat, the condition of them (ketch rig) was unknown. Because
the boat was in the water the haul could not be checked.
Over all Kim
and I agreed the work need was within our skills. So, back home we went to talk more.
Knowing little about Vagabonds
it was back to the internet for some research. There were about 30 Vagabonds listed on the net with 4 or 5 being close to
the same year. All were selling for over $150,000.00. This told us that after completion we would have about half to three
quarters of the value of the boat invested depending on the purchase price. That does not include our labor. Strong, stable,
and take anything go anywhere seemed to be the positive points claimed.
Being 47 ft. with a center
cockpit, ketch rig, full keel with a draft of 5’ 6” and fiberglass hull, we may have found our boat.
Arrangements were made to view the boat again and go over to the marina to see the masts and rigging in storage
there. On viewing the wood masts we found them useable but some rot would have to be repaired. A decision to repair or replace
would be made later. Kim and I placed a very low bid on the 47 Vagabond hoping to get a steal of a deal.
A couple of months later on December 15, 2001, after negotiations on a price and problems with the documentation
of the vessel worked out, Kim and I sign the papers and were the owners of our dream boat to be.
Arrangements had been made to move the boat to a marina
the next day. From there it was loaded on a flat bed and hauled to Key Largo were a crane lifted it off the truck and in to
our yard. I had checked with zoning to make sure this was legal and talked to our neighbors first.
One of the first things that needed to be done was the
documentation papers for our boat. As our Vagabond would be out of the water for some time and as a coin could be put under
the mast when stepped latter and as no sign of the previous name was showing or if found could be removed before renaming
and christening, we had little fear of reprisals from the mythical sea gods for changing the name. Basically as folklore has
it, to rename a vessel without upsetting “the gods” one must present the vessel to them without any chance of
it being recognized by its former name. One thing that helped us in deciding a name was the USCG web site were you can research
documentation of vessels by name or number. We had several ideas but decided on ISLAND SIREN as at that time there was no
other vessel documented under that name. The last time I checked there was still no other.
The 47 ft Vagabond
that we had purchased took on a new personality. As she now had a name and personality. ISLAND SIREN would be our home, companion
and guardian as we traveled.
It was time now to start looking at what had to be done to Island Siren.
Everything not attached to her was removed and either discarded or saved for later use. Over the months to come little by
little Island Siren was brought back to pristine condition.
