Main fundraiser photo

Wilson's Legacy Trimaran

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Thank you for all your support raising funds to help move Wilson' s 34 year dream  to the sea! We are so excited to finally see this happen!
David, Court and their team are committed to the completion so any donations go directly to Wilson's Legacy Trimaran and are greatly appreciated as this is a huge project. (estimated to take about 2 years and cost between $50,000.00 & $75,000.00)

How the story began...

Have you ever seen the landmark on Lowell Street in Peabody, MA?  If not, it is the pure definition of dedication, art and love. Wilson J. Lobao, Jr. began working on this 45-foot Roger Simpson Liahona Trimaran with his father in 1984, it has been an iconic landmark along Lowell Street in Peabody MA for more than 30 years.


The exterior looks almost finished (except for the nets,  mast, sailing hardware, cleats, windlass, lights, antennas, and such).


 The interior has a LONG way to go!

Wilson tragically passed away in August 2017 in a freak accident when a retaining wall on Lowell Street collapsed on him, less than 30 feet from his dream boat. When he passed, we lost the “Boat Builder” of Lowell Street and within months of Wilson’s passing; his wife (Peggy) lost her battle with brain cancer.  


Wilson and Peggy

They both continue to live on in the hearts of family and friends who have taken on Wilson’s dream, to see his boat sail! “It’s important to get it finished because it’s Wilson’s legacy".  “It was his dream to sail the boat and, with his passing, it became our dream to see it sail," said Carl Hanselman Jr., Lobao’s stepson. This has become not just a hope or a dream, but an event that family, friends and complete strangers intend to see through, to see this boat breaking through the waves with wind in its sails would be, as Wilson often said, “Simply Marvelous!”
 
The house on Lowell Street has been sold and, as part of sales agreement, there’s a stipulation that the Trimaran must be removed, either in whole or (God forbid), piece-by-piece.  We have had a number of Captains step up to take on the project but timing, cost and life circumstances have just not worked out.  We appreciate all the work they have done.

The boat itself still needs an estimated $50,000.00 - $75,000.00 worth of work, with the new owner doing most of the labor.  If the boat doesn’t get moved, it will be destroyed.  “You just can’t fathom the thought of taking a chainsaw and starting to cut that boat up,” said Hanselman.  Carl has taken great care to ensure that the boat does not deteriorate while attempting to find someone to complete her.

After months and months of searching for a captain to take on the 45-foot Trimaran and see it to completion, a Team has been found!
"We refuse to see such a beautifully constructed trimaran built with so much love and heart be consigned to a landfill when we can already envision her sailing the globe. We have the combined knowledge, experience, and desire to make this a reality where most people could only dream of making it actually happen. We are extremely grateful to Wilson's family and all the contributors for this opportunity."

~ Court & Dave

With all the changes with captains and dates since May, we thought it best to introduce ourselves and reassure you that your efforts and donations have been worth it! We are on our way to finally putting Wilson's Legacy in the water!

Dave and Court are a great team in everything they do - it's DREAMWORK!

For 27 years Dave has practiced extensive fiberglass repair. He has built one trimaran from scratch, rebuilt 3 others, and saved countless monohulls.

As he started sailing at the age of 3 1/2 on a trimaran his own father built, Dave has developed a lifetimes worth of marine and woodworking skills. He's only been able to tolerate 13 of his 54 years living on land. He belongs on the water!

Most recently Dave has been involved in vessel recovery following Hurricane Irma, been a tugboat captain, and completed the process for obtaining his 100 ton masters license with towing and sail endorsements.

Court spent well over 25 years in the construction industry. She's covered everything from remodeling and repair, cleaning and detailing multi-million dollar residential new build homes, to restoring and maintaining a high end exotic auto dealership. Court has an advanced knowledge of woodworking and custom carpentry. She has broad range digital skills as well. From research, publishing, and photography to building and repairing computers.

Court was raised being a traveling 'Gypsy' from the age of 2 1/2 covering 46 of the United States and Mexico

As an adult, she fell in love with sailing and boats and is determined to spend the rest of her life living on the water.

After her 1st crossing from Mobile, AL to The Florida Keys full of mishaps and misfortune - she quickly decided to learn everything she could to be safe on the water, She has since hired on for delivery jobs and completed the captains course for proper licensing. Court has made a life living on a boat ever since.

Court & Dave

Court putting the name on “Wilson's Legacy”

"Carl is absolutely correct, this sailboat is truly a work of art and definitely needs to be saved, completed, and sailing!”  “I’m sure if word gets out about the moving of the boat, people that have been in Peabody for years, watching that boat being built, will want to come out to be a part of the story.  I’m sure it’s going to be a big event,” said Hanselman.

A 100 ton crane will lift the 45-foot boat and place her on a specialized hydraulic trailer from Brownell Systems out of Mattapoisett, MA and  haul her 3 miles down the road . This requires doing it in the early morning hours when traffic is minimal and street signs can be lowered. They will launch her at Popes Landing where she will then be motored to Florida.   The total estimated cost is Fifteen Thousand dollars just to get her in the water!

Court & Dave will work on the boat from there.  In honor of Wilson’s hard work, love and dedication, we have changed the name of the boat from “Foxy Lady” to “Wilson’s Legacy.”  

The family is NOT profiting from the GoFundMe account OR, as previously stated, on the boat itself.  As a matter of fact, they are GIVING the boat to its new Captain, with a vivid dream of seeing “Wilson’s Legacy” sail.  Court & Dave will fund the other half of the moving expenses in addition to their time, talents and the funds needed to get it seaworthy (estimated  between $50,000.00 & $75,000.00). 

5% of EVERY donation and 100% of any donation above our goal will be given to the Disabled Veterans of America (DAV)!  Wilson was an Air Force veteran and the DAV has been very helpful to all veterans and we want to give back.

Your donation can be private or you can give your name.  Just know that any amount is very much appreciated.  If you would prefer to just give the funds without logging on to this GoFundMe site just contact the originator, Lisa Hanselman through this site.

Wilson and Peggy’s family will be posting updates, including pictures and video as the boat gets moved and as progress occurs!  Please be part of seeing “Wilson’s Legacy” come to life!  

To help us get the word out, please share this link on your Facebook Timeline and join the Wilsons legacy Facebook page to see more updates.

For more information about the landmark on Lowell Street in Peabody, MA, or the passing of Wilson Lobao, Jr., please see the links below:

* https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody/family-late-peabody-man-finds-sailboat-savior
 
*     Facebook page: "Wilsons Legacy" Trimaran         https://www.facebook.com/groups/1560974034046556/  

*      https://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/authorities-peabody-man-killed-in-tragic-accident/article_416ab9b1-46b0-521c-afc8-b0042442be27.html 

*       https://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/08/76-year-old_wilson_lobao_ident.html 

*     Wilson's obituary   https://ccbfuneral.com/?p=5756 

*      https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody/sale-famous-peabody-boat-astonishing-price-0"> www.nbcboston.com/news/local/Peabody-Boat-to-be-Given-Away-490518791.html  https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody/sale-famous-peabody-boat-astonishing-price-0 

*    Brownell hydraulic trailers    https://brownellsystems.com 

*     http://obituaries.salemnews.com/obituary/peggy-lobao-1940-2018-1061581816#guestbook 

*     Disabled American Veterans    https://www.dav.org/


Please help spread the word!
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Donations 

  • Cheryl Katzen-McCuen
    • $25 
    • 4 yrs
Donate

Fundraising team: Save Wilson's Legacy (2)

Lisa Hanselman
Organizer
Raised $325 from 4 donations
Peabody, MA
Court Taus
Team member
This team raised $1,800 from 35 other donations.

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