The Story of Wendy Jo II
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“Wendy Jo II”
To tell the story of “Wendy Jo II”, I must start with the first “Wendy Jo”.
“Wendy Jo” was a 28′ ChrisCraft Amerisport that Walt and I had for a few years to enjoy Seneca Lake, which is just a few miles from our home in the Fingerlakes Region of New York. In fact we can see the lake from our house.
We spent many weekends on the lake with this boat and loved her (the boat and the lake)! But, like most avid boaters, we longed to travel on our boat to distant places and knew that the current boat would not meet our needs in order to travel affordably, safely, and comfortably.
And so the hunt began for Wendy Jo II…
The dream of living on a boat and cruising along the scenic East Coast had been percolating in my mind for years. The idea of waking up to the gentle lapping of waves, watching the sun rise and set over the horizon, and exploring charming coastal towns was alluring. I envisioned a trawler with a pilothouse, a vessel that would not only provide comfort and safety but also cater to my passion for adventure.
Like most in this day and age, our search began online. We needed to narrow down the list of boats that we wanted to go look at due to time (we both still work), and finances.
Our first stop was in Connecticut to look at a Bayliner 4788. I loved the boat, but Walt did not. It was in a sad state of neglect and disrepair, but the owner still viewed it as pristine, and therefore, was unwilling to negotiate on the price.
Back to the list.
Wildwood, New Jersey, a picturesque coastal town, was our second stop on this quest. The charming marina at Wildwood, nestled amidst a backdrop of vibrant fishing boats and sun-bleached cottages, held a promise of adventure. It was there that we discovered the boat that would eventually become our floating home. She was a 48-foot trawler with a gleaming white hull and a sturdy frame. The boat’s classic design and the pilothouse at the helm spoke of endless possibilities.
The boat had a history, and it whispered tales of past adventures. It was, in fact, a Goldenstar Nova, an uncommon make in the world of trawlers. The previous owner had taken meticulous care of it, and that’s precisely what we were looking for – a well-maintained, seaworthy vessel that would be a reliable partner on our East Coast journeys.
After weeks of negotiations and inspections, the deal was sealed. We had our trawler, a vessel we christened “Wendy Jo II”.
It was time to prepare her for the adventures that lay ahead.
We spent that first year with her in Wildwood getting to know the ins and outs of our new vessel, exploring the waterways, and learning how to navigate in tidal waters around commercial traffic. A very steep learning curve!
Our first big voyage took us from Wildwood, NJ to the serene waters of Chesapeake Bay. The boat handled beautifully, and the pilothouse provided not only an excellent vantage point for navigation but also a cozy place to relax and soak in the beauty of the Delaware Bay, C&D Canal, and the Chesapeake Bay.
The Chesapeake Bay greeted us with its tranquil bays, meandering rivers, and abundant wildlife. The journey was a mix of peaceful days and lively nights in charming stops along the way, filled with laughter and fresh seafood. This was the life I had always dreamed of.
We spent the night at a marina on the Chesapeake that we fell in love with and decided right then to secure a slip for the following boating season. The following Spring, we moved the boat again from Wildwood to the Chesapeake, but this time it was to remain at a marina on the Chesapeake. Walt piloted the boat solo while I drove our vehicle and met him at the docking locations we planned on and helped to get Wendy Jo II secured to the dock.
We arrived at our new marina and were welcomed right from the beginning. We met many wonderful people who have become lifelong friends. We stayed at this marina for 3 years and had many great adventures exploring the Bay with all of its tributaries, and anchorages that we used regularly. However, it was a long drive to get to our boat every weekend from New York, and we longed to have her closer to home.
The true adventure was still on the horizon.
We decided to bring her home to a marina which is much closer to our home. From Chesapeake Bay, we began our journey north, past bustling cities and quiet fishing villages, towards Sodus Bay, on the southern shore of Lake Ontario. The vastness of the East Coast became more evident as we traveled further north, encountering various weather conditions, having our first “emergency”, and experiencing the rugged beauty of the Hudson river. Wendy Jo II proved her mettle, and we grew more attached to her with every nautical mile.
It was such an adventure traveling by boat up the coast, into New York harbor and up the Hudson River, then through the Erie Canal to Lake Ontario.
Finally, Sodus Bay appeared on the horizon, a tranquil gem nestled within the dramatic backdrop of Lake Ontario. Sodus Bay was to be our new home base, a place to rest, settle in, and work on Wendy Jo II before embarking on further adventures. The picturesque town of Sodus Point and the welcoming marina community made the transition feel seamless.
With the boat now in Sodus Bay, it was time for the next phase of our journey. We decided to give the Wendy Jo II a series of refits and upgrades to make her fully equipped for full-time living and remote work. This part of the adventure was just as thrilling as the voyage itself.
One of the first tasks was by far, the most unpleasant!. We needed to replace the entire black water system. Our girl had a definite unpleasant odor that we could not get rid of and we finally decided to just replace everything. She now has a new tank, new head, and all new hoses. Most importantly, she no longer smells!
The exterior of the boat received attention too. Walt tore off the back deck and the top deck and rebuilt them. We compounded and polished the hull to get rid of any oxidation and return her to the original pristine appearance.
The Wendy Jo II was becoming the ideal vessel to fulfill our dream of living aboard and working remotely while exploring the East Coast. As the refits and upgrades continued, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation and excitement. The transition to full-time living aboard the boat was on the horizon, and I was determined to make it happen within the next year.
The boat, Wendy Jo II, has become more than just a vessel; it was our home, my office, and our ticket to a life of adventure. The bond between a boater and their boat is a special one, forged through shared experiences, challenges overcome, and the unending beauty of life on the water.
In the end, we realized that living aboard a vessel is about embracing a new way of life. It was a journey of self-discovery, a testament to the power of dreams, and a reminder that life’s greatest adventures are often found beyond the horizon.
Go chase your dreams, you won’t regret it…
And yes, I am a redhead on a boat!
