Dream Catcher: Good-bye Makai!

First Family

We first met the Mears in June 2013, shortly after moving onto Dream Catcher, which was docked at Brewer’s Marina in Stratford, CT. At that point we were merely testing out the waters, seeing what it was like living on a boat, and still formulating our dreams for cruising. Makai passed our boat while on the way up the Housatonic River and immediately dropped by to say hello. They had just completed their first season in the Caribbean and had plans to spend the summer cruising Long Island Sound and the Chesapeake. They were the first real cruising family we had met and we were eager to soak up their stories, advice, and encouragement. The fact that they had 3 children, 2 of whom were girls around Jeanette’s age was a definite plus. When they left the area a week later, we promised to hook up that summer, somewhere along the way. Little did we know, the universe was conspiring to push us off the dock and accelerate our cruising plans, and that our upcoming rendezvous with Makai would be just the first of many.

Makai and Dream Catcher at Dennis Point Marina

First production: Director Genny and cast members Marie, Jeanette, and Octopus

Jackie and Eric join us for sundowners

Makai kids' party boat (Warderick Wells)

Block Party

Each year, in Connecticut, we would go on an extended sail for a couple of weeks. That summer, we met up with our next-door neighbors, also boaters, in Mystic for the Fourth of July. Makai was in Block Island and we decided to join them there before heading back to Stratford. We entered the harbor in fog and wind and managed to squeeze into a spot not too far from them. The next couple of days were spent dinghy sailing, sharing meals, and creating at least one play that was written and directed by the kids. The laughter, fun, and companionship we shared at Block Island was to set the tone for our future visits, from the Chesapeake to the Exumas, Washington, DC to Duncantown.

Roy getting ready to catch crabs at Dennis Point

Fast friends (Block Island, RI)

Genny and Jeanette - Museum of Natural History

Marie, Genny, and J at the National Zoo

When a shark keeps you out of the water....

... you need to improvise

Roy practicing his James Bond move on The Mermaid

Ken and Eric - a typical visit (hence the need for rum)

Makai follows us through Hog Cay Cut

Homeward Bound

Makai now sits in Panama, waiting to transit the canal and return home to California. Over the past year and a half, they’ve been our buddy-boat, support team, and friends for some of the best times we’ve had on board. We’ll miss them and look forward to hearing about their Pacific adventures for years to come. Fair winds and following seas, Makai!