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My name is Randy Cole. I’m a 67 year old retired musician, boatbuilder, and boat restorer. I have this wonderful sailboat, Cloudbuster. I built it in the early 90’s and sailed for years, but lost it a few years ago due to financial hardship, then got it back last year through coincidence and serendipity.
I’m retired on Social Security, which simply won’t allow me to buy a new outboard motor. The boat needs nothing else, and is ready to get underway. But I cannot repair the 25 year old Honda… it has served well, but is done working.
I want to sail again, and take friends, family, acquaintances, and anyone who donates, on some Puget Sound and Canadian adventures again. So I’m looking for a little help to continue my dream deferred. Thanks for taking a look. More of my story below.
As I said, I lost the boat due to financial hardship. After a lifetime of working hard, I found myself with serious health issues. I was 61 at the time and waiting to get my early Social Security. The injuries I received during my boat working days had stopped me from earning and I couldn’t pay moorage and rent, so keeping my boat became impossible and I let it go for next to nothing. It was very sad and heartbreaking to lose my wonderful creation. I had literally put so much blood, sweat, and tears into it. I had sailed all over the NW and in Southern California. I had so many great experiences on Cloudbuster. But I moved on thinking that part of my life was finished.
Then in late 2023, through a series of coincidences and some serendipity, I met the last owner who offered her back to me. Not having the $2000 she was asking, I started a fundraiser. From generous people like you, the fundraiser received enough to buy her back and pay the back boatyard storage fees. My early social security kicked in and I have free moorage now. So Cloudbuster is just waiting to sail with a new motor.
Since I got her back in February 2024, I have been slowly getting Cloudbuster back in sailing condition. My goal is to once again see the wonders of nature upon the water and visit the amazing places only a boat can take you to. And to share that experience with friends, family, acquaintances and donors who are or find themselves in the Puget Sound area. This boat is perfect for Puget Sound and nearby Canadian waters. It has been a dream deferred.
I’m a very capable person still and a good mechanic, in spite of physical challenges. But the outboard is an essential piece of equipment that I cannot repair, though I put a lot of effort into it. Sailing is the goal, but the motor is needed for safely docking and undocking, and for those times when the wind is down, or I need to motor through bad conditions.
I did everything within my abilities to get the 25-year-old Honda running again, but it was abused by the interim owners and has to be replaced. To have it rebuilt would cost nearly as much as a new one. But a 10 or 15 HP Honda or other brand is now over $3000.
Without the motor, the boat sits at safe anchor going nowhere.
My personal needs are met… I get my Social Security and Medicare now, so this fundraiser is not for anything else. I will not use any donations for personal needs.
I just want to sail again, and take others on adventures while I still have the ability to captain the boat.
This seemingly indestructible boat itself is intact. I built her strong, and she is capable of taking on extreme weather and seas. She has sailed in the Pacific Ocean, and all over the Northwest and Canada. So here’s the link if you want to help this old sailor’s dream succeed.
I know this is not a life threatening or personal tragedy situation. It is a personal plea by someone who wants to spend his waning years on the water aboard my wonderful boat.
Thanks for your kindly consideration.
With love and respect - Captain Randy
Organizer
