Fair enough. My plan was to have her here in Austin where I could sail her often and make a few improvements while my kids were finishing school, then relocate her to the sea. Life developments (good ones) dictate a change of plans, and so it is time for her to meet her next owners who will hopefully allow her to do what she was always meant to do – voyage far and wide.

I had my sights set on the Robert Perry-designed Babas for years, having concluded through a lot of research that they were pretty much perfect. I looked at the very few that hit the market but when I found this one I jumped. Previously named “Duck Soup” she was christened by her original owner in the fresh waters of The Great Lakes where she spent all of her years until I found her in Chicago. What attracted me most was her mostly original condition. She hadn’t been messed with much, had been well cared for by a reputable yard on Lake Michigan, and only sailed in fresh water during the summer months. Sadly, the previous owner died suddenly and so there is a lot I still don’t know about her history.

I’ve adored this boat and tried to be a good steward, but I haven’t done much in the way of modernization – she still has her original electronics, autopilot, etc. I just haven’t needed them, and every year I’ve waited the options for better and more cost effective solutions keep hitting the market.

The last survey done is the one completed when I bought her in 2019. I can send that to any interested buyers. She performed well in that survey, and was rated “Average Condition – ready for sale requiring no additional work and normally equipped for her size.” She has received several improvements under my watch, including a new custom bowsprit, new mast step, new canvas, sail refurbishments and many aesthetic touch ups. I believe that these improvements would meet the “above average care” required for her to be rated “Above Average Condition” though she hasn’t received the “extra electrical and electronic gear” to meet that definition completely. Her new owners can take advantage of the recent developments in navigation electronics and make her as whiz bangy as they like. Or just sail her like she is. She sails beautifully.