Help Unbeach “Lucky Us 2’’

We are just two childhood friends from Michigan who are on the adventure of a life time.

We were heading toward the backside of Egmont Key to safely allow some bad weather to pass, but could not make it. Unfortunately due to some very intense and inclement weather, our sailboat, “Lucky Us 2” has washed ashore on Anna Maria Island / Holmes Beach area.

Our mainsail became torn due to high winds, and greatly slowed our progress. The motor, original to the 1981 Young Sun 35ft sailboat, has also cracked due to failed motor mounts. Unable to move forward we decided to put out our over sized anchor, a 40lb Plow with a roll bar and ride out the storm. After several hours of violently shaking about due to crashing waves, our dinghy popped, and the decision was made to contact the coast guard who rescued us off the boat. Three hours after rescue our snubber, windless, extra rope, and clevis that holds the anchor chain in place broke free, causing our boat to become beached. Four layers of protection had failed.

We have spent nearly all of our funds on the sailboat, parts, repairs, and preparations for the trip.

We are in a situation where if we can’t come up with the funding to remove our sailboat from the beach, the city will take ownership of our boat / home.

To add insult to injury, when we arrived back to the boat for the first time we had discovered several items were stolen. A spare dinghy motor belonging to a friend, and a Magma boat grill.

We are nearly 400 miles into our journey with 49 miles to make it to a destination where we can properly make repairs.

We are both 37 years of age, and are not even close to being defeated. The quote to unbeach the boat is $15,000. Any extra funds not used to unbeach the boat and ensure our safe arrival will be donated back to the Anna Marie Island community. Please help us to unbeach and save our boat!

Thank you and God Bless!