How a Hurricane Led to a Wild Boat Deal
After Hurricane Barl tore through the southern Caribbean islands, we found ourselves in Caraku lending a hand when fate dropped something unexpected in our lap—a battered Lagoon 450S catamaran tangled up in the mangroves. It was a wreck, sure, but it was also the first catamaran Sasha and I could actually afford, and that was a game-changer.
Crunching Numbers and Taking the Risk
Buying the boat meant staring down financial and practical challenges that could easily sink us faster than the boat itself. We’d just spent two years rebuilding a monohull for around-the-world sailing, so we knew full well the blood, sweat, and tears needed. But as much as that project wore us down, the allure of a cat was too strong to ignore. After some back-and-forth with the seller, who was stressed and hesitant, we struck a deal at about $110,000—including a crane flip valued at $30,000—which effectively meant paying $80,000 for the boat.
Prepping a Beast Under Pressure
With only a few days before the crane team from Martinique was due, we dove into prep mode. Removing hardware, cutting through fiberglass, and untangling mangroves—all while racing against time and a looming financial gamble. The boat’s state was rough: waterlogged ceilings, cut wires, missing appliances, and diesel leaking under the floor panels. But we didn’t just throw a hose in; we tore out ceilings and pumped out muddy, diesel-laced water to see exactly what damage we were dealing with.
Challenges that Would Make You Question Your Sanity
Every step revealed new headaches: stuck doors warped under the boat’s weight, corroded bolts on sail drives, and a cross beam so twisted we had to lash it with scavenged 2x4s and rope. The looters had stripped what they could, including underwater lights and appliances. By day’s end, exhaustion hit hard, and doubts crept in. But with each challenge, ideas formed, and optimism—though occasionally battered—kept us going.
Why We’re Committed Despite the Chaos
Honestly, there were moments we wanted to turn back. The material costs were skyrocketing, and the project was shaping up to be another long-term grind. Yet the prospect of a fully prepped, sail-around-the-world catamaran at a fraction of the usual cost kept our spirits up. Sasha’s optimism grounded me when reality got too heavy, and together we decided to power through, one fiberglass cut and one bolt at a time.
Next Steps and a Shoutout
With the crane delayed, we gained a crucial extra day to keep prepping and fixing. There’s still a mountain of work ahead—from patching holes and removing rigging to prepping the interior and structural elements—but we’re all in. We also want to thank our patrons whose support keeps this madness documented and alive. For anyone interested in boat rehab chaos, stay tuned. This Lagoon is going to morph from mangrove mess into a floating condo—promise.
Watch the Original Video
Original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0IkaRuzLmU
