Judy Waldman

After the first few trips to Bahamas, the family discovered that diving and fishing became journeys in themselves. Time for the first major refit on M/V Discover. They removed the mast with the crows nest, added a davit , installed dock boxes, added stanchions and railings to the upper deck, and made the swim platform more accessible for water play. The John Deere main engine was fine as was the Volvo get-home engine. There was minor tweaking and Discover  was ready to venture past the Bahamas to the fishing grounds off the coast of Central America. After enjoying the Caribbean waters, Discover returned to Florida. More diving and fishing, family and friends, Dry Tortugas and Bahamas, and time for Discover to discover home waters.

M/V Discover was shipped to Vancouver. She had already been proven as a serious passagemaker and the owners didn’t have the time for the trip once again to Central America, which would have been Discover’s third. As ideal as M/V Discover seemed to be for the Bahamas and Caribbean, she was perfectly suited for PNW. There’s a professional album onboard that shows Discover with family, fish, food and exemplifying all of the fun things that the cruising lifestyle offers. Pictures really can say a thousand words.

I got a call from the owner saying they are looking for a larger boat and want to put Discover on the market. I got information on the latest refit including complete Awlgrip paint job, new pilothouse helm. and so forth. But since I hadn’t seen this Cape Horn 55 in several years, I needed to see her condition for myself and take updated pictures.

And that’s how I came to fly from Ft. Lauderdale on a Monday, meet with the owner aboard Tuesday, and fly out from a snowy Vancouver morning early Wednesday. Being aboard a boat I had sold twice already, appreciating her upgrades and improvements, was like meeting with an old friend. And being with an owner who appreciates what his trawler is and has taken care of it demonstrating that appreciation, and well a client I have stayed in touch with for 8 years – it is being with old friends.