A lifetime of cruising will build a wealth of knowledge and experience; however, there is always more to learn. Thankfully, the boating community is as tight as they come for sharing information and looking out for one another. Most adventures and travel aspirations begin as a dream and are fulfilled throughacombinationof careful planning and the thoughtful input of others with firsthand experience. After years of cruising sailboats throughout the Chesapeake Bay and Mid-Atlantic, Jack and Caroline Helmly decided it was time for a powerboat. At the time, they were able to secure hull 1 of the Grand Banks Eastbay 49—a sporty downeast style cruiser from the iconic pleasure trawler builder. “We spent over seven years cruising up and down the East Coast in our Grand Banks,” Helmly says. Through the years theymodernized and updated the boat, installing a bow thruster and new electronics. “We cruised from Nantucket to Key West and popular destinations in between.” Helmly continues, “We would stay two to three weeks on the boat at a time and we were able to work while on the boat as well, running a business together.” BECOMING WELL-EQUIPPED Aside from upgrades to their Grand Banks, the Helmly couple acquired equipment to make their cruising lifestyle easier and more enjoyable. One notable piece of equipment was a pair of folding bicycles that would stow easily on board and make for great exercise and touring of new places while traveling. Another equipment upgrade is comically referred to as the ‘marriage savers’ by Jack. He explains: “One day, while tied up at a marina, we watched an 80-yearold couple come in with a trawler and they slid into a dock slip so perfectly and calmly. We were astonished at their skills and poise, but then we realized they had headsets on and were communicating with one another from different parts of the boat. We got ourselves a set of marriage savers [headsets] and we can talk in a low voice without any running around or panic. One of us can be at the helm and the other is watching our approach into the slip and setting lines.” The ‘marriage savers’ and folding bikes will be put to good use on their newest boat, making their cruising lives more enjoyable. Another great asset they found in the boating community was a strong friendship with Bluewater’s Chuck Meyers. “We first met Chuck back in 2013. In December of 2019, we listed our Grand Banks with him,” Hemly says. “Our original intention was to sit out of the market for less than a year and then come back to buy another used boat, but of course 2020 changed all that.” BUILT ON TRUST With unprecedented pricing and supply issues in the used boat market, Jack and Caroline decided to go the new route and Meyers was there to help them every step of the way. “Chuck is a fantastic advocate all the way around,” Helmly proclaims. “He always has our best interests in mind, goes above and beyond and knows the boating industry in and out. Our trust in him has been a key part of this whole adventure!” AVID CRUISERS GO ISLAND HOPPING IN THEIR NEW SABRE 48 ENJOYING THE COMMUNITY 7 2023 SEASON
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