The Boat's History
01 October 2008 | West Coast to the East Coast
Janice / Steve
We are trying to track the history of our vessel. Here is what we have so far:
She was purchased new in Oakland, California in 1978 by a Steve S. She was named Gitane des Mers which is French for Sea Gypsy. This was Steve's first sailboat and he sailed in for 3 years first in the Oakland area and then San Francisco Bay, at that time boat had a sitka spruce boom and spar. He sold the boat in 1982 to a gentleman in his 60's and Steve believed that he planned on taking her to Mexico.
We believe this owner had her for several years until he died of a heart attack while sailing her in a race that may have been all Tayana boats. The woman sailing with him did not know how to sail and they were rescued by the Coast Guard. We are not sure if there is another owner in this time frame.
Next the boat was purchased by Les D. in the last 90's and trucked to Maryland. Les owned the boat for about 3 years but did not sail much as his significant other did not enjoy sailing.
David C. purchased the boat in 2002 and sailed her down the East Coast, around the Keys and up to Tampa Bay. David started refitting her for cruising but health issues forced him to offer her up for sail, um, I mean sale.
This is where we come in. We purchased her in April '08 to begin our dream and take up where David left off. David is sending us a book written by a previous owner and we will have much more history then.