For 28 years Pat Nolan of Sistership Sailing School has been empowering women, helping couples and families realize their dreams and changing lives through sail training. 
(Seabiscuit, Antigua Race Week 2005 - we won!)
(Seabicuit - sailing smartly in better days)
For that long she ably rode out whatever Mother Nature cast her way until September 2017 when back- to-back hurricanes Irma and Maria came howling through the BVI wreaking catastrophic devastation,
(This scene repeated in nearly every BVI Marina)
claiming not only the boat she and her husband lived aboard but also Pat's Beneteau 445 “Seabiscuit”, her ‘workhorse' for teaching since her purchase in 2002. Seabiscuit is floating but minus mast, all standing rigging, pulpits, stanchions, lifelines. The toerails are bent from stem to stern compromising the integrity of the hull and deck joint.
(My old girl - trashed...Large long gash on stbd side not visable here.)
The time, huge expense and impossiblity of getting any parts or boatwork done at this time in the BVI precludes any attempt to resurrect the boat.
(Nanny Cay boatyard. Martin's office is the rubble you see on top of the yellow building. Luckily, his shop survived)
Pat has had the good fortune to find an Oceanis 440 (exact same hull as Seabiscuit) in Antigua in very good condition for a fair price.
Look familiar??
(Two double cabins forward instead of one princess suite. Upside? We can fit more peeps!)
She has made an offer on the boat which was accepted by the owner. All that's left now is to fund it. The survey, test sail and balance of payment is to take place the first week of February. Pat has raided her retirement account for 1/3 of the price, found an angel investor for 1/3 and is asking for your help funding the remainder. Your support will help her get sailing again to continue bringing the joy, beauty and adventure of sailing to those seeking it. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated. In fact, donors will receive an 'appreciation discount' on any future sails booked with Sistership:)
All the best to you in the new year; let’s hope it is a kinder, gentler one than the last.
Fair winds and following seas,
Captain Pat
Pat Nolan
Sistership Sailing School
www.sailsistership.com
(Seabiscuit, Antigua Race Week 2005 - we won!)(Seabicuit - sailing smartly in better days)For that long she ably rode out whatever Mother Nature cast her way until September 2017 when back- to-back hurricanes Irma and Maria came howling through the BVI wreaking catastrophic devastation,
(This scene repeated in nearly every BVI Marina)claiming not only the boat she and her husband lived aboard but also Pat's Beneteau 445 “Seabiscuit”, her ‘workhorse' for teaching since her purchase in 2002. Seabiscuit is floating but minus mast, all standing rigging, pulpits, stanchions, lifelines. The toerails are bent from stem to stern compromising the integrity of the hull and deck joint.
(My old girl - trashed...Large long gash on stbd side not visable here.)The time, huge expense and impossiblity of getting any parts or boatwork done at this time in the BVI precludes any attempt to resurrect the boat.
(Nanny Cay boatyard. Martin's office is the rubble you see on top of the yellow building. Luckily, his shop survived)Pat has had the good fortune to find an Oceanis 440 (exact same hull as Seabiscuit) in Antigua in very good condition for a fair price.
Look familiar??(Two double cabins forward instead of one princess suite. Upside? We can fit more peeps!)She has made an offer on the boat which was accepted by the owner. All that's left now is to fund it. The survey, test sail and balance of payment is to take place the first week of February. Pat has raided her retirement account for 1/3 of the price, found an angel investor for 1/3 and is asking for your help funding the remainder. Your support will help her get sailing again to continue bringing the joy, beauty and adventure of sailing to those seeking it. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated. In fact, donors will receive an 'appreciation discount' on any future sails booked with Sistership:)
All the best to you in the new year; let’s hope it is a kinder, gentler one than the last.
Fair winds and following seas,
Captain Pat
Pat Nolan
Sistership Sailing School
www.sailsistership.com