Purely on a whim, in September 2008, we decided to purchase a 1988 28-foot Carver Montego. We knew nothing about boating. Over that winter we took the 13-week Canadian Power Squadron boating course and in May 2009, with trepidation, put our newly named boat ‘Gyp C’ in the water. The winter months were also used to come up with a name for the boat – we met and married in the boondocks of Manitoba at Canadian Forces Radar Station Gypsumville – fondly called ‘Gyp’ by all and a name was born.
As chance would have it July 2009 was one of the wettest on record with rain practically every day, but we quickly fell in love with boating anyways. And we were really hooked the next summer when there was sun. Alas, we quickly caught that dreaded boater’s disease ‘two-footitis’ and for more creature comforts we decided on a 1989 35-foot Formula PC for our second boat. Soon after we learned about America’s Great Loop and in 2013, we actively started looking for our Looper boat.
After two years of searching all over Ontario, we decided on a 1988 43-foot Marine Trader located in Penetanguishene. It was definitely not boating weather when we first looked at it as it was in February, outside under tarp, and cold! However, we had an inkling it might be the one and after a survey and a sea trial we took possession in July.
Newly retired, we are now planning to set out on our Great Loop adventure – a year early due to the 2020 closing of the Illinois River, but we think we are ready!
Jacques and Karen on Gyp C 