All good things must come to an end . . .

See listing: Lena Bea IP445

Wayne and I have decided that the time has come to part with Lena Bea.

We’ve finally faced the reality that we’ve lost interest in doing any more long-distance cruising, as we have become busy with our lives and friends in Punta Gorda and our family (GRANDKIDS! 💖) and friends up north and in Texas. And let’s face it: we’re getting older and the idea of scaling back appeals to us. Oh, sure, we’ll get another boat and continue to coastal cruise, but it will be a smaller boat, probably a trawler or tug. Lena Bea has been lovingly maintained and still has many good years ahead of her; she’s served us well and deserves a future that involves more than sitting at the dock in between not-frequent-enough cruises in Charlotte Harbor and occasional trips to the Keys or up the west coast of Florida. 

It’s someone else’s turn. Not that it will be easy to see her go, but we have wonderful memories of three adventures cruising the Bahamas from the northernmost point to the southernmost point, three or four trips to the Dry Tortugas, numerous visits to the Keys, and cruises along the west coast of Florida. And to think that it all started with a 5,000 mile trip from Bayfield, Wisconsin to Punta Gorda in 2007!

Yes, all good things must come to an end, but we are thankful for the time we’ve had with Lena Bea and would do it all over again.

If you know anyone who might be looking for a very well cared for Island Packet 445, please send them our way.

Many thanks to those of you who joined us on some of our journeys by way of the blog or on Facebook. You were an important part of our experience and we are grateful.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering . . . yes, Wayne knows that I’m posting this and I have his blessing. 😁

We wish you fair winds and following seas.

Wayne and Michele