Update on the Annabelle....Let's start by the seller's reconsidering the offer and selling her....So we are now the proud owners of a 35 foot Halberg-Rassy Rasmus called Annabelle.
The sale took place Saturday a big shout out to Rourke and Annie for selling this amazing vessel. So Saturday afternoon we loaded S/V Annabelle to start her voyage to her new home. We had perfect weather to start our destination although we had to motor out of Traverse City since we had no wind. We had a very pleasant first day. With the minor hydraulic leak she kept wanting to go to starboard, but was a very good first day. We motored into the evening until about 10pm. We ended up anchoring on the north side of Manitou not realizing we were on a bed of huge rock, but luckily dropped enough chain to wrap around it to keep us anchored. It wasn't until the next morning with crystal clear water that we seen this thankfully all went well since there was no wind there was no problems.
Second day of the voyage all started well we again had to motor all day as again there was no wind. The day was fairly pleasant until my sea legs drifted away with the tide as it was my first time on a large body of water and seeing nothing but water around I became paranoid and scared myself enough to want to get off the boat.
We made it into Ludington when we had three large ships pass making large waves which again freaked me out as I was sleeping when this happened. Then at 9:00 pm the Annabelle stalled, the captain of this vessel tried everything in his power not to have to call the Coast Guard to assist we ended up getting towed into the Ludington Marina to dock overnight and get fuel in the morning.
We fire Annabelle up the next morning after only needing 16 gallons of diesel in a 75 gallon tank. The captain (Kevin) found this to be very odd, we attempted to start out again pulled her out of the marina only for her engine to start acting up again. So we turned her back around just to be safe as there still wasn't enough wind to sail her home. When we got back to the marina, Kevin was back on the phone with Chris the guy who towed us in the night before, also on the phone with the broker Bill as they were trying to figure out the problem. After about two hours it was determined the fuel filter was the place to start. When Kevin replaced the fuel filter he also noticed there was no dipstick for the oil so with a little ingenuity Kevin and the mechanic came up with something that would work.
At this time my nerves gave out so we called his daughter to drive out to come get me. Two nights in Ludington and Annabelle, the captain Kevin and his daughter Becca are bringing her home. Will see ya here have a safe voyage.
A few shout outs to everyone involved. Again to Rourke and Annie for selling the amazing Annabelle...to Bill Allgaier the broker for going above and beyond to make sure this sale went through and for all his help and genuine concern about our safety. To Chris and the guys for getting us towed into safety. For Becca an amazing young woman who is always there for her dad and I when really needed. And finally to my Captain Kevin who even under stress kept his strength and composure you are the best.
Welcome home Annabelle
