Anthony has just bought a sailboat sunk in Saint-Martin in the lagoon following Cyclone Irma. It is a Sundeer 64, a sailboat built in the United States by the TPI shipyard in 10 pieces, only 2 of which are managed in ketch.
On the day of the cyclone, Theta Volantis (the name of a star) was moored alongside a Swan in a marina in the lagoon. When the latter dismasted, his mast damaged the hull-deck connection on starboard and dismasted Theta Volantis' mizzen. Despite the bilge pumps, Theta Volantis will sink and remain at the bottom of the water for 2.5 months with only her rigging emerging.
Anthony will buy the boat from the company that did the refloating. When he discovered it, Theta Volantis floated moored on a dead body with the hull and deck covered with shells. This does not frighten the sailor who immediately falls in love with this boat and makes an offer to buy it back. He then tells us about his journey to become an owner and transport the sailboat to his home.
After the passage of Cyclone Irma on Saint-Martin, the association "Les Amis de Neptune", to which I belong, to which I decide to mobilize to carry out rotations from Guadeloupe to Saint-Martin and to bring essential products. The state of the road network did not allow us to make deliveries by road so we did a maximum with the tender from the boat anchored in the bay.
On the occasion of a delivery, we passed through the lagoon on the Dutch side and I saw Theta Volantis at the dock freshly refloated. Despite its appearance with its hull and shell-covered deck, which still reminds me of a diamond in its gangue, I literally fell in love with this sailboat.
With my friend, the captain of Neptune, we took the liberty of docking and visiting this sailboat. My heart was pounding, I felt like I was trying to win the heart of a beautiful woman. I already loved him.
The first test was to rub shoulders with the security service of the marina where the beauty was. Low profile. But one thing led to another, I came to know the name of the person who was in charge of this lady. I find myself in his office making an offer: my interlocutor asks me for $4000 and I can only offer $3000. $3,000 it is. Signed papers, deposit paid, heart swollen with will.
From that moment on, a long administrative battle began. Several news comes to me while I am at sea, on a ferry or on a charter. "The boat will be destroyed" or "It is not possible to save it". So many messages that try to make me give up, but that was without counting my tenacity and the love I have for this sailboat. Looking back, I now know that a bunch of predators were orbiting my beautiful girl.
At the time I knew nothing about the history of the sailboat, its architect... I was and still am only in love with its beautiful lines, that love can help you achieve "impossible" things. Six months later, I finally have my deed of sale in good and due form.
Since the beginning of this challenge, I have only one desire, that my lady be beside me so that I can take care of her. 150 miles separate it from the island where I live: Guadeloupe. Despite a boat sunk for two and a half months, a single mast, no motor, no means, not too many, but still this love and this unshakeable will, I decided to bring back Theta Volantis with my own means to Guadeloupe.
It has a mast, a rig that holds, sails still on board, for the rest... I'll see on the way. After three weeks of war surgery in Saint-Martin, I cross the bridge in tow to leave the lagoon towards Guadeloupe. The weather window is good, my friend the captain of Neptune is with me. For lack of means, there is no survival, no rockets, no VHF on board, just a cooler, water and sandwiches. The mizzen mast is missing, only one wheel is working, but we are on our way. 56 hours later, we are home in Guadeloupe. An English friend, captain of a very pretty 76-foot sailboat, came to help us with the arrival and anchoring. His first words were, and I quote: "You are a fucking crazy French sailor!!!!"
Now the adventure continues.
By phone Anthony tells us: The boat is built in a balsa sandwich construction that has not suffered any damage from immersion at all. The part of the hull damaged by the dismasting of the Swan is fortunately monolithic. As for the interior fittings, all the woodwork is still good, even if some have turned black. On the other hand, the entire electrical circuit needs to be changed. Ditto for the Yanmar engine. There will be work and a great investment, but this boat is so worth it that I'm ready to sell my house for it!
Skipper by profession, Anthony would like to finish the renovation before the start of the next Route du Rhum 2022 and if possible participate in it..
Theta Volantis moored in Guadeloupe, clean hull, dismasted mizzen. The work begins.
