Sarah through the years...

[Concordia...41]

I'd warn you that this thread will be picture heavy, but you should expect picture-heavy threads from me at this stage.

When I got a digital camera, I made a habit of creating folders by subject and date. As I was uploading the pictures I took tonight of SARAH's Christmas lights, I realized I have four consecutive years - "Sarah Dec 04", "Sarah Dec 05", "Sarah Dec 06", Sarah ... well you get the point so here goes:

From the December 2004 collection:

For those new to the Forum, my husband and partner, Dave, died in July 2004. We had something like 6 named storms between August and October. The once exquisite work area at the boat yard was in shambles:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc37b3127ccec5b590beeaa100000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

The interior was gutted and a dozen planks below the waterline were off.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc37b3127ccec5b4c0834bc800000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

I had the good fortune to hire James that October and he was getting things back together. Here my grandson and his mom "help" winch the ballast keel back into place.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc37b3127ccec5b473db8a6100000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Ballast keel back in place, the last ten or so floors roughed in, new deadwood and stern knee in place.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc37b3127ccec5b589392b8200000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Sarah's interior was in piles in my garage

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc37b3127ccec5b4698a8a3d00000070O18BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D1/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[Concordia...41]

December 2005:

We'd gotten moved to the warehouse and James was working on rebuilding the cockpit.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc37b3127ccec5b4aad04bae00000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc37b3127ccec5b4ff480b8400000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Sarah's interior pieces, her rigging, and our wood stock are all neatly organized

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc37b3127ccec5b4e9048af300000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

December 2006:

James had pretty much completely rebuilt the cockpit from this:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc37b3127ccec5b5ce23ea1300000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

to this:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc37b3127ccec5b488ff4b9000000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[Concordia...41]

December 2006 continued:

The cockpit exterior is completed and painted and I'm working on the bridge deck. You can also see the new frames and planks back on:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc37b3127ccec5b42c8d4bb000000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Frank Wentzel and Hugh Lane stopped by: :)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc37b3127ccec5b423f40b5600000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


December 2007:

SHAZAM! We're in the water!

Howard and Donna Ray (with Storm and Zephyr) were my first Forum guests aboard :)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc37b3127ccec5b543482b9600000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc37b3127ccec5b491928a5900000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[Concordia...41]

December 2008:

Another SHAZAM!

Masts stepped, new sails, new roller furling, new canvas, and Christmas lights! :D

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cc37b3127ccec5b53458ea1500000040O08BYtG7lsxbg9 vPhA/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Who'd a thunk? ;) Just goes to show what various ungodly amounts of time and money can do... ;)

[J. Dillon]

You've come a long way Margo. Congratulations and many more years of sailing.:D

JD

[John B]

Who'd a thunk?
I did, and so did many if not everyone here. A great testament to determination and vision Margo. Merry Christmas.;)

[Jay Greer]

No one, but those who have done it before, know of the extreme effort and dedication it takes to bring an ailing boat back to the world of the living!
Bravo!
Jay

[Mrleft8]

How come it was never that neat and tidy when I was there? ;)
Merry Christmas Boss! You've done a hell of a good job! (Now just remember to leave the bilge pumps switched on! :D )

[The Bigfella]

There was never a doubt in my mind.

Fabulous.

[JimConlin]

Nothing that's worthwhile is easy. Well done!

Jim

[Bob Triggs]

Sarah, This is really something to be proud of. Congratulations!

[Bill R]

Thank you for posting this Margo. I started lurking on the forum in 2004, and have followed Sarah's progress with great interest, and learned a lot from your documenting her story. It has been amazing to watch.

[hokiefan]

She's quite the beautiful lady, both in person and in pictures. Well done, Margo.

Bobby

[rbgarr]

Nothing that's worthwhile is easy.

I don't know about that Jim! :D I've got a week of vacation coming up in a few days and I'm looking forward to taking it easy, enjoying my family and feeling that that's worthwhile.

Margo,
It's so nice that you kept the original sheeting arrangements when you went to loose footed sails. I love the distinctive bridle arrangement on the main boom and the 'pulpit mounted pulley' on the mizzen's.

The gunwale guards accentuate the sheer more than I thought they would, too!

[Tar Devil]

Margo, you are of several here that truly inspire me.

Continue, M'lady!

Phil

[Lew Barrett]

Hoorah! A great record of achievement, a great boat, and a greater lady.

[paladin]

I'm glad ya remembered to put the bottom planks back on.....

[nedL]

:) She looks wonderful Margo!

[NYCKiwi]

Your story truly is inspirational, Margo. You overcame some really significant obstacles; it would have been so easy to give up. Congratulations!

[Duncan Gibbs]

No one, but those who have done it before, know of the extreme effort and dedication it takes to bring an ailing boat back to the world of the living!
Bravo!
Jay

Tell me boot it!!!:eek: I'm just doing up a wee Mirror dinghy and THAT is a real commitment of love and labour.

Well done Margo!!! :cool:

[Thad]

Three Cheers!!!

[Winsome]

Beautiful. Somewhere The Skipper and Waldo are smiling approvingly.

[Chris Coose]

Awesome Margo.

[HR]

You must be very proud, and should be! You've done a wonderful job.

After visiting "Sarah", Storm and Zephyr were a bit embarrassed to get back aboard "Malolo" :).

Howard

[HarryH]

Awesome testament to stick-to-itiveness....it sometimes takes heart to keep plugging on a project like that....Now you have the wonderful outcome.

Congrats!

[westinghouse]

I can't believe how much you've done since '04. This post should be a sticky so we all have a place to go when we need to be reminded that anything is possible...

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

One of the great stories on this forum.

[River Sailor]

Truly an inspiration, Margo. Congratulations. Quite the job well done on many, many levels.

[rufustr]

Margo, you and Sarah have been integral to this forum ever since I started lurking.

You provide inspiration to many of us here who would love to undertake a fraction of what you have achieved.

Thank you and congratulations.

[kayakn]

nice work!!! my favorite pic was the last one with the aft view.