Sunday 7 February 2016

Gjoa is Sold!

It is with somewhat heavy hearts that we are announcing today that Gjoa has been sold!

Gjoa in her element, Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, September 2014.
 It may seem like a sudden decision, but, after completing the North West Passage this past fall we were in a quandary about what to do next. We'd been so focused on a year of planning, including acquiring Gjoa and two years execution of our North West Passage expedition that, all of a sudden, we were faced with new decisions. Where to go and what to do next?

Our full-time cruising life started in June 2010. Since then we haven't sailed south of 50 degrees North latitude and have spent two winters aboard north of the Arctic Circle. Patagonia definitely and strongly beckoned. It seemed a logical next step, but, to be honest, after almost six years north of 50, we've seen enough cold, snow, rain, fog, ice, mountains, fjords, glaciers and low pressure systems to last a lifetime. We'd now like to experience some of those azure blue seas and white sand beaches that exist in the lower latitudes.

Gjoa is a great high latitude boat, but, lacked desired attributes for more tropical climes, so, although we weren't actively looking for a buyer, when one appeared it seemed to make sense and Gjoa is now in new hands. We met her new owner, Randall Reeves, in Nuuk, Greenland in 2014 and at various places in the NWP thereafter. He indicated an interest in acquiring her at that time, but, we weren't ready then.

Randall is planning an ambitious expedition voyage of his own. You can read all about it and follow along with him at  http://figure8voyage.com/. We wish him every success.

We are now 'boatless' and probably will be for some time to come. This blog will no longer be a sailing blog, but, more of a general travel blog. We are busy planning the year ahead and have lots of ideas. We are planning a three month road trip north to enjoy another Canadian summer followed by a 'busman's holiday' aboard a cruise ship in September. We will be aboard for 43 days and travel from Vancouver to San Diego, then Hawaii, visit a number of the South Pacific islands and Australia before ending up in New Zealand. A once-in-a-lifetime voyage. Upon arrival 'downunder', we'll have a look at what tropical boats are on offer, so, stay tuned! Could there be a multihull in our future?

2 comments:

  1. Hello,
    I am a long time friend of Randall's, and am pleased that Gjoa has been passed along to him for the Figure 8. The more I read and know of Gjoa, the more I like her. If you know Randall as I do, I know you must be happy that she will be in good hands. Fair well in your adventures. I will follow along from time to time. Who know, perhaps someday our paths will cross, as they have with You and Randall. Cheers!

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