Losing your identity after retirement is not just a japanese thing. Im a retired army officer, and I retired from the USFS as well. At 50 years old and recently divorced, i wondered around aimlessly for 2 years, lost and slowly pulling away from everything i knew. Sailing saved me. I bought a columbia 45 on an impulse buy... literally something to get me out of the house. I learned to sail and used the boat a lot in socal. I sold it and bought a trawler to explore the Pacific NW. I just sold it and bought a hunter 40. I am expanding my plan and hopefully sailing to mexico and on to the Caribbean eventually. Traveling by boat has literally given me purpose again.
Maybe you should take up an English language course and learn the difference between wandered and wondered. It might stop you feeling sorry for yourself and man up a bit?
Love getting to see you guys just enjoying life and spending it with friends and family. Every new video from you guys is a treat. Thank you for remaining true to yourselves and being genuine!
The story telling here is top notched. No one out there can compare. I would follow you on any adventure be it water, land or air. You see life in such a real way. Great job your two👏
My gosh, that losing identity thing hit hard. In 2020 when the world shut down I was climbing the career ladder and I was getting close to the top floor. Suddenly I was told that the best thing I could do for everyone was to stay home. After 4 months, I felt like a useless piece of garbage even though I had my beloved wife Kim, our three beautiful kids, and a home we worked our asses of for. I had pinned so much of who I was to what I could produce. Productivity and hard work had become who I was. I went back to work for much less money working with my own two hands, back where I had started. Ironically enough, 4 years later I make more money doing concrete demolition than I ever did in the corporate engineering world, and everything I had learned in engineering easily slid right into field work. Now I take time off…whole months…to find my identity in other things: sailing, backpacking, paddle boarding, and fixing up tiny old sailboats into pocket cruisers. It’s all about JOY.
I built our first boat using plywood and epoxy. I loved the process, and the end product was strong, reliable, had great performance, and was easy to maintain. We have owned production fibreglass boats, and we're now back to a plywood boat. She's an Australian designed cruising catamaran called an Easy Cat by Peter Snell. Ours is named Real Easy 😊. She is not a performance design, but she has been our home for four years now, and we can't imagine living any other way. May your dream boat find you soon so we can continue to see your wonderful adventures.
Easy Cat, not so eeeasy to build!, but a solid boat. Plywood definitely has it's place and is relatively simple to repair (all things considered). So good I am considering a 35 year old cold moulded west epoxy cat that was properly built and I cannot find a single hull defect or water stain discoloration after all the miles this boat has sailed.
Thanks for the episode. Its terrific that you went to visit Kev; It had to have have been a full-on blast of life-inspiration! He is an amazing fellow: boatbuilder, musician and humanist. I got turned onto his channel near the beginning and pretty quick, I was hooked. I hope everybody in the sailing world and beyond finds his channe, Salt and Light. Kev's commitment, skill, and humility is bound to teach you something about achieving your own goals and maybe even living your life. I'm building a plane and I find it daunting in a similar way although its physically demanding. When I get stuck (mentally and emotionally), I watch a re-run of Salt and Light Kev's perseverance stands out and lifts me up, I find.
Always great to see your shiny faces!!! Your videos are the benchmark for authentic vlogging. Beautiful to see your family and friends surrounding you too. So glad you're doing well. Take care of yourselves first, and when possible take us along with you. I wish you all the best.
3 minutes 54 seconds in, I have never commented, not a sailor, 69 years old, You guys helped to start my passion for sailing 1 year ago, Retired, Re-inventing, Business owner/Carpenter, I don't know where this video is even going but I dig it. Missed you guys...SO MUCH!
Glad to see you all back. When I saw your video in my feed, I panicked that I missed so much somehow. Glad I didn't. You all are one of my favorite sailing channels. I hope to see you all get back to regular videos some day. In the meantime, enjoy life. We'll still be here waiting for you!
He's building the same dinghy as me! Except mine is carbon fiber. I get stressed thinking about all I've still got to do to finish the dinghy. Can't imagine taking on the big one, but think for him and his buddies, it's more about the journey than the destination, which is wonderful! Good to see your smiling faces again!
Interesting his comment about men losing identity at retirement? After 44 yrs of global corporate life, my retirement 9 summers ago was my “best career move” ever! Now retired, we wonder how we ever had time to work! ⛵️🚴👣😎 Now devoting my time to sailing, cycling, boat projects, etc. Enjoy your next adventures ✔️
Japan is insane for having no work life balance. Imagine being used to 80hr work weeks for those 44 years, and then just packing up one day and never going back?
Great to see you covering Kev's mission, I met him a few years ago at my Catamaran Project Build and his project has been a mission for himself and Meg. Rossco
Great to hear two of the nicest Aussie cat builders out there know each other! After watching you plug away for 5 (6?) years Rossco and Kev the last few years, we’ve now started looking at the Dix kits as well… see you out there!
Well done! A lot of wisdom. At each stage of our lives, we really should ask "what is important!?" because it may not actually be important and, as the Buddhists remind us; "Life is change".
Dudley Dix!! 😍 Great episode, great themes, great insights. Good luck guys with whatever the future holds. Happy to see you both in good health and good spirits. cheers 🌴🍹
Your Dad looks like an impressive guy. I don’t like to talk about them in the past tense since they live on with us and through us. Keep the Torch burning! ❤
We are so pleased that, in the words of wisdom. Let it be! That you guys did a total, Decompression. Excellent to see yall again. Caladians!!. (Dune reference ❤️) This video. gave me such joy to watch. Especially when being with those who know you, love you, and can just let it be. ❤️ With them you can be totally yourselves. Epically well done, guys. ❤
Go for it. Live a life of color and sound. It may not be the common path, but, hey. everyone find your joy. The best inheritance you can leave your family is a joyful person to imitate.
so good to see you guys again, thanks for sharing what's happening in your life. You are both inspirational in so many ways. Keep smiling and laughing and finding a way to enjoy the process....life.
Welcome back. We missed you. Kudos to Kevin. A novice boat builder with such ambition is rare and he still has to learn to sail. I can envision you two on his maiden voyage and sail to Australia.
Plywood is such an excellent medium.....when the ultra light displacement designs began in the 70's, some of the great kiwi race boats of that era were ply and resorsicnol glue construction.....globe trotting and winning races.....and still going strong.
Sooo good to see you both again we’ve been missing your videos and warped humour :-) You guys rock the worlds a far better place with The O’Kellys videos in it!
Brilliant video. I love the way you tell the story of the cat build and intertwine your own lives. I really hope you stay with it and continue having fun.
14,897th tag-along looky-loo view happening. I like Kevin's enthusiasm and can-do attitude... he appears to be enjoying the journey; hope it's contagious for you two. 14:17 - now I can relate to THAT. Making music with your friends is a good retirement hobby to have. 17:37 - back out on the water is good, too.
Very interesting. I surely do respect anyone who can build, the way the fine chap does his boat there. It's really hugh, but It will be beautiful when it's finished. Be safe always, from the Philippines.
👍! It was time for a re-evaluation. An evolution of plans moving forward, finding a comfort zone based on experience and maturity. We commend you on your journey and the sharing of it. There was never any doubt... thank you :)
So happy to see you guys back! Looks like you had a wonderful time connecting with family so I don't blame you one bit for the absence. Looking forward to what's ahead, very excited for you both.
As I age, I think of my dad more and more. We had a great relationship, but my time - raising kids and work kept me focused. Now that I have more time, I wish I could just hang out with him. And keeping things fun takes a lot of work. Good for you guys.
I love that you guys are back, BUT.... Just write the check and make it your home. Just do it. While you have each other. It's wasted videography talent if you don't. I need to live vicariously through your adventures!
Absolutely agree 100% with all that. Let’s just not forget how privileged we are to be able to ask ourselves those questions and try to find the meaning of (our) life. Most people don’t have that luxury so it’s nice you’re not after YT subs and views. 👍
No worries. You guys are just chillin and enjoy your journey. I am grounded in West Coast Florida as a caregiver to my 98 and 95 years old parents. Then my sailing journey begins. Happy Sailing ⛵
For anybody considering building (or refitting), I would recommend starting with the best hull design and material that you can afford. The hull will ultimately determine the performance, durability, and resale value of the boat, even if it's not the most expensive part or hardest to do. You could put a $1M fit out on a Catalina 30, and you still have a Catalina 30. I built a 31' tri and was surprised how fast the hulls came together, and for only about double the cost of cloth/epoxy, I upgraded from glass to carbon (carbon didn't need as much epoxy). It was after the hulls were complete that the project bogged down with the fairing, painting and hardware installs. I doubt it cost me an extra $3000 to skin the core with carbon instead of fiberglass (I did get a very good deal on the carbon). For a boat with a total build cost of around $75,000, the carbon upgrade was miniscule. In reality, it's the parts you bolt onto that hull that's going to cost the lions' share of the budget so start with the best base you can. The Hull(s).
Very pleased you found Kevin in Japan. I've been following him for a while now, top bloke and his channel is a hidden gem. A very interesting build and looks like a good performance cruiser orientated design. I calculated the displacement to LWL ratio from numbers from the designers website and according to my calcs it's a respectable 124.
What a nice video, guys. Keep it up. In the end, when you look back at your lives and ask yourselves if by all you’ve done, you’ve made the world a better place: You can check that box.
We've missed you. But like all old friends, we understand the reason for your absence - sometimes you just need to focus on yourself. Welcome back, friends. It's good to catch up.
YOU returned with another video that seems to encompass vital crossroads in living a rewarding life. Interesting how we are drawn back to the beginnings, while formulating our future. I bet you guys felt YOUNG again!
Just a thought. Instead of building a bridge, would the existing RSJ steel beams handle the load with beam sliders, pullys and straps using dollys which can be moved where needed on each side of the gap?
I have missed your shows and glad to see you back, even if it is only temporary. Having owned a professionally built Piver Lodestar Tri that used the West system, I could not recommend it for the tropics. It can get dry rot and maintenance is a nightmare once it has a few sea miles. Tree spores in the tropics have a way to get intp the plywood and the outside may look ok but inside...
Losing your identity after retirement is not just a japanese thing. Im a retired army officer, and I retired from the USFS as well. At 50 years old and recently divorced, i wondered around aimlessly for 2 years, lost and slowly pulling away from everything i knew. Sailing saved me. I bought a columbia 45 on an impulse buy... literally something to get me out of the house. I learned to sail and used the boat a lot in socal. I sold it and bought a trawler to explore the Pacific NW. I just sold it and bought a hunter 40. I am expanding my plan and hopefully sailing to mexico and on to the Caribbean eventually. Traveling by boat has literally given me purpose again.
Sometimes getting lost is just what’s called for. Cheers!
I love that! Thanks for sharing. Sailing is a great way to connect with nature and regain our humanity.
It's good to have a purpose in life!
Maybe you should take up an English language course and learn the difference between wandered and wondered. It might stop you feeling sorry for yourself and man up a bit?
This was a great video thanks for coming back and sharing your journey.
Love getting to see you guys just enjoying life and spending it with friends and family. Every new video from you guys is a treat. Thank you for remaining true to yourselves and being genuine!
So relieved to hear from you again...... So happy.... World needs people like you...
The story telling here is top notched. No one out there can compare. I would follow you on any adventure be it water, land or air. You see life in such a real way. Great job your two👏
Wow, that’s high praise. Thank you.
My gosh, that losing identity thing hit hard. In 2020 when the world shut down I was climbing the career ladder and I was getting close to the top floor. Suddenly I was told that the best thing I could do for everyone was to stay home. After 4 months, I felt like a useless piece of garbage even though I had my beloved wife Kim, our three beautiful kids, and a home we worked our asses of for. I had pinned so much of who I was to what I could produce. Productivity and hard work had become who I was. I went back to work for much less money working with my own two hands, back where I had started. Ironically enough, 4 years later I make more money doing concrete demolition than I ever did in the corporate engineering world, and everything I had learned in engineering easily slid right into field work. Now I take time off…whole months…to find my identity in other things: sailing, backpacking, paddle boarding, and fixing up tiny old sailboats into pocket cruisers. It’s all about JOY.
I built our first boat using plywood and epoxy. I loved the process, and the end product was strong, reliable, had great performance, and was easy to maintain. We have owned production fibreglass boats, and we're now back to a plywood boat. She's an Australian designed cruising catamaran called an Easy Cat by Peter Snell. Ours is named Real Easy 😊. She is not a performance design, but she has been our home for four years now, and we can't imagine living any other way. May your dream boat find you soon so we can continue to see your wonderful adventures.
Easy Cat, not so eeeasy to build!, but a solid boat. Plywood definitely has it's place and is relatively simple to repair (all things considered). So good I am considering a 35 year old cold moulded west epoxy cat that was properly built and I cannot find a single hull defect or water stain discoloration after all the miles this boat has sailed.
Thanks for the episode. Its terrific that you went to visit Kev; It had to have have been a full-on blast of life-inspiration! He is an amazing fellow: boatbuilder, musician and humanist. I got turned onto his channel near the beginning and pretty quick, I was hooked. I hope everybody in the sailing world and beyond finds his channe, Salt and Light. Kev's commitment, skill, and humility is bound to teach you something about achieving your own goals and maybe even living your life. I'm building a plane and I find it daunting in a similar way although its physically demanding. When I get stuck (mentally and emotionally), I watch a re-run of Salt and Light Kev's perseverance stands out and lifts me up, I find.
Yeh, I hope everyone follows along with him. Excellent human being.
Hi Patrick, thanks for your kind words! Interestingly, my brother builds planes and I sometimes call him when I need some encouragement 😊
Kev
Thanks for bringing us along once more on your adventures and welcome back (not that you were ever gone)!
Always great to see your shiny faces!!! Your videos are the benchmark for authentic vlogging. Beautiful to see your family and friends surrounding you too. So glad you're doing well. Take care of yourselves first, and when possible take us along with you. I wish you all the best.
Thank you so much!
3 minutes 54 seconds in, I have never commented, not a sailor, 69 years old, You guys helped to start my passion for sailing 1 year ago, Retired, Re-inventing, Business owner/Carpenter, I don't know where this video is even going but I dig it. Missed you guys...SO MUCH!
We missed you too. Cheers
So glad to see you again. We've all been wondering what happened. You have been missed. Hope to see more updates soon.
19:32 minutes with a great big smile on my face. Welcome back and thanks for sharing your adventures. Cheers!
Cheers!
Glad to see you all back. When I saw your video in my feed, I panicked that I missed so much somehow. Glad I didn't. You all are one of my favorite sailing channels. I hope to see you all get back to regular videos some day. In the meantime, enjoy life. We'll still be here waiting for you!
He's building the same dinghy as me! Except mine is carbon fiber. I get stressed thinking about all I've still got to do to finish the dinghy. Can't imagine taking on the big one, but think for him and his buddies, it's more about the journey than the destination, which is wonderful! Good to see your smiling faces again!
Great video guys! Happy to see you back on the tube❤️ you’re always welcome aboard Sabado!
Interesting his comment about men losing identity at retirement? After 44 yrs of global corporate life, my retirement 9 summers ago was my “best career move” ever! Now retired, we wonder how we ever had time to work! ⛵️🚴👣😎 Now devoting my time to sailing, cycling, boat projects, etc. Enjoy your next adventures ✔️
Congrats
Couldn’t agree more!
What an amazing position to be in, enjoy.
Japan is insane for having no work life balance. Imagine being used to 80hr work weeks for those 44 years, and then just packing up one day and never going back?
Different culture has to be considered. Good for you. The project is filling a local need.
That was a great catch up episode. Thank you for returning. ❤
Great to see you covering Kev's mission, I met him a few years ago at my Catamaran Project Build and his project has been a mission for himself and Meg. Rossco
Great to hear two of the nicest Aussie cat builders out there know each other! After watching you plug away for 5 (6?) years Rossco and Kev the last few years, we’ve now started looking at the Dix kits as well… see you out there!
I'm glad to see you guys back, and I look forward to seeing what the ultimate decision will be on the boat search.
Very happy to have you back.hopefully you will find your dream. I will be watching.
What a great guy.Welcome back O Kelleys.
Well done! A lot of wisdom. At each stage of our lives, we really should ask "what is important!?" because it may not actually be important and, as the Buddhists remind us; "Life is change".
Truth. Thank you.
Best video yet. Wow.🔥The music editing takes it to a whole new level. Inspired and living in Japan. Thank you.🤝
Missed you both !! God Bless
Dudley Dix!! 😍 Great episode, great themes, great insights. Good luck guys with whatever the future holds. Happy to see you both in good health and good spirits. cheers 🌴🍹
Loved Nick holding his Dads hand❤
Quite the melange of content…and I’ve missed you…for the very essence of this episode. Keep living strong fellow travelers!
Welcome back guys. There's a wonderful refreshing new tone to your video & audio content. Spectacular.
bring a barge into the dock/lock and float it out.
dont need a trailer, use air filled rollers, and roll it out onto the barge.
good luck.
Yeah and an under the sheets too 🙂
Your Dad looks like an impressive guy. I don’t like to talk about them in the past tense since they live on with us and through us. Keep the Torch burning! ❤
Welcome home O'Kelly's⛵
The turtle says, "The slow is the way to go" Being in the moment and in the now is finding your real and that's the best deal.
Thanks for the super cool video. I've always enjoyed your creativity in story telling. Until next time, see you then.
Cheers, you inspire. Just chase your dreams and be present with yourself. Of course always follow the golden rule too.
Good to see y'all sailing. Missed the O'Kelly's.
Great to see you again! Always looking forward to the next time
We are so pleased that, in the words of wisdom. Let it be! That you guys did a total, Decompression. Excellent to see yall again. Caladians!!. (Dune reference ❤️) This video. gave me such joy to watch. Especially when being with those who know you, love you, and can just let it be. ❤️ With them you can be totally yourselves. Epically well done, guys. ❤
Go for it. Live a life of color and sound. It may not be the common path, but, hey. everyone find your joy. The best inheritance you can leave your family is a joyful person to imitate.
so good to see you guys again, thanks for sharing what's happening in your life. You are both inspirational in so many ways. Keep smiling and laughing and finding a way to enjoy the process....life.
A process alright. Thank you for the kind words.
It was nice seeing both of you again sailing with Holly and Ray celebrating one of your "Big O" Birthdays 🎈🎉
Whoop whoop
Welcome back. We missed you. Kudos to Kevin. A novice boat builder with such ambition is rare and he still has to learn to sail. I can envision you two on his maiden voyage and sail to Australia.
How cool would that be
@@TheOKellys- absolutely!
...what's more fun? finding your perfect boat or the searching adventure for your perfect boat
So glad you are back!
Welcome back! Missed y’all!!!!
So inspiring to see you both living this happy life! And such a great crew you have around you! Cheers! ❤
Plywood is such an excellent medium.....when the ultra light displacement designs began in the 70's, some of the great kiwi race boats of that era were ply and resorsicnol glue construction.....globe trotting and winning races.....and still going strong.
Sooo good to see you both again we’ve been missing your videos and warped humour :-) You guys rock the worlds a far better place with The O’Kellys videos in it!
Thank you my friend. Loving your vids as well!
I just did a search yesterday to see if you had posted any videos lately. I missed you. Glad to have you back.
Glad to be missed. better than the opposite! Thank you!
Missed you guys, hope to see you soon.
Glad you two are on the channel again! Hope you find a CAT soon and get back to making regular sailing videos!!
Brilliant video. I love the way you tell the story of the cat build and intertwine your own lives. I really hope you stay with it and continue having fun.
Great video and fun! Please keep it going!!
I love the way yall just tell stories.
Beautiful, gentle song by the band. Thanks for the video and the luck of the Irish to you all ☘️
And a good time was had by all. We also enjoyed what you enjoyed. Thanks!
14,897th tag-along looky-loo view happening. I like Kevin's enthusiasm and can-do attitude... he appears to be enjoying the journey; hope it's contagious for you two.
14:17 - now I can relate to THAT. Making music with your friends is a good retirement hobby to have. 17:37 - back out on the water is good, too.
So thrilled to see you back on the Tube here and wishing you only the best in your future endeavors. 🎉
Very interesting. I surely do respect anyone who can build, the way the fine chap does his boat there. It's really hugh, but It will be beautiful when it's finished. Be safe always, from the Philippines.
Great to see you guys.
MAN i MISSED YOU GUYS GLAD YOUR BACK
👍! It was time for a re-evaluation. An evolution of plans moving forward, finding a comfort zone based on experience and maturity. We commend you on your journey and the sharing of it. There was never any doubt... thank you :)
Thank you
The ending was so emotional-thanks for the family/friends reminder..
Good to see you guys, and what a great video this was! I hope to see you in an anchorage again sooner than later.
Us too! Thanks
So happy to see you guys back! Looks like you had a wonderful time connecting with family so I don't blame you one bit for the absence. Looking forward to what's ahead, very excited for you both.
This video was a joy!!🎉
As I age, I think of my dad more and more. We had a great relationship, but my time - raising kids and work kept me focused. Now that I have more time, I wish I could just hang out with him. And keeping things fun takes a lot of work. Good for you guys.
Best video in a while…
Loved it…
We’ll stick around…for sure
Glad to have you back really missed you guys!😊
Wow...what a pleasure to have watched this episode. What a feeling. All about humans and being together, and sharing good times. Merci beaucoup.
That's what it's all about.
I love that you guys are back, BUT.... Just write the check and make it your home. Just do it. While you have each other. It's wasted videography talent if you don't. I need to live vicariously through your adventures!
So good to see you are back, we hope, and healthy.
Catamaran building vids are the hot ticket right now. Ask Plukky.
So hot right now. Lol
Love this idea! Cannot wait to see what you guys do!
Welcome back
So happy to see you two back again. Have missed your smiling faces and great perspective ❤️
Absolutely, much respect!
Not going anywhere, sometimes you need a break! Also, I follow you two regardless of where you are of if you are on a boat.
Absolutely agree 100% with all that. Let’s just not forget how privileged we are to be able to ask ourselves those questions and try to find the meaning of (our) life. Most people don’t have that luxury so it’s nice you’re not after YT subs and views. 👍
We try to never forget that. And it is all luck.
Glad to have you back in my life!! When TH-cam stops being fun, take another break.
So nice to see you guys again. Please don't be strangers. ❤
Great to see you again!
such a joyy to see you guys so happy….enjoyed every minute of this vlog…
No worries. You guys are just chillin and enjoy your journey. I am grounded in West Coast Florida as a caregiver to my 98 and 95 years old parents. Then my sailing journey begins. Happy Sailing ⛵
Good on ya. Never get those days back
For anybody considering building (or refitting), I would recommend starting with the best hull design and material that you can afford. The hull will ultimately determine the performance, durability, and resale value of the boat, even if it's not the most expensive part or hardest to do.
You could put a $1M fit out on a Catalina 30, and you still have a Catalina 30.
I built a 31' tri and was surprised how fast the hulls came together, and for only about double the cost of cloth/epoxy, I upgraded from glass to carbon (carbon didn't need as much epoxy). It was after the hulls were complete that the project bogged down with the fairing, painting and hardware installs.
I doubt it cost me an extra $3000 to skin the core with carbon instead of fiberglass (I did get a very good deal on the carbon). For a boat with a total build cost of around $75,000, the carbon upgrade was miniscule. In reality, it's the parts you bolt onto that hull that's going to cost the lions' share of the budget so start with the best base you can. The Hull(s).
Very pleased you found Kevin in Japan. I've been following him for a while now, top bloke and his channel is a hidden gem. A very interesting build and looks like a good performance cruiser orientated design. I calculated the displacement to LWL ratio from numbers from the designers website and according to my calcs it's a respectable 124.
Should be a quick boat. Kevin is a gem.
What a nice video, guys. Keep it up. In the end, when you look back at your lives and ask yourselves if by all you’ve done, you’ve made the world a better place: You can check that box.
what a great guy and what a great contribution he is making, good luck to you sir
Thank you, I’m just trying to do my little bit where I can
Kev
We've missed you. But like all old friends, we understand the reason for your absence - sometimes you just need to focus on yourself. Welcome back, friends. It's good to catch up.
Old friends. Thank you. And old friends, you can just pick right back up...
Love watching Kev! We’re considering building a Dix as well and have been watching all of Kev’s episodes.
YOU returned with another video that seems to encompass vital crossroads in living a rewarding life. Interesting how we are drawn back to the beginnings, while formulating our future. I bet you guys felt YOUNG again!
It is really good to see you again I have missed you more than I can say.
We missed you
Glad to see you are back
This was great, I laughed and smiled so much that my face hurts! I hope you’re back, I’ve missed you both….
Awww, thank you for the kind words
So good to see you here again.
Just a thought. Instead of building a bridge, would the existing RSJ steel beams handle the load with beam sliders, pullys and straps using dollys which can be moved where needed on each side of the gap?
I have looked at that but it only gets me over the top of the canal, whereas I need to get to solid ground on the other side.
Kev
I have followed Kevin from the beginning. He's a legend! ❤
I hope you'll find away to new boat somehow through this...
in the truest sense of the word!
I have missed your shows and glad to see you back, even if it is only temporary. Having owned a professionally built Piver Lodestar Tri that used the West system, I could not recommend it for the tropics. It can get dry rot and maintenance is a nightmare once it has a few sea miles. Tree spores in the tropics have a way to get intp the plywood and the outside may look ok but inside...