Wading Into Deep Water
Hurricane Barl tore through the southern Caribbean islands, leaving behind piles of debris and wrecked boats. Among the casualties was a Lagoon 450S catamaran stranded in the mangroves near Caraku. Enter Sasha and Raf, who saw not just a wreck, but a chance to snag their dream boat for a fraction of the price. Their story isn’t just about buying a sailable home—it’s about risk, sweat, and relentless determination.
The Price and the Gamble
Negotiations were anything but smooth. The seller, known as the “Big Shot,” had cold feet and even threatened to pull out after a week of back and forth. The deal was sealed at $110,000, which included a $30,000 crane flip—making the boat’s price around $80,000. But there was a catch: Sasha and Raf had to assume full liability before the flip, which meant paying $70,000 upfront without a contract or official ownership transfer. It’s a massive gamble, especially when the boat had once been purchased for just $25,000 from insurance. But the pair shook hands, wired the money, and braced for the work ahead.
Stress, Sweat, and Salvage
With only two days before the crane arrived, the duo went into overdrive. They stripped the boat of stanchions, hardware, and trash to lighten the load and protect valuables from local looters. Their prep involved cutting fiberglass ceilings to pump out muddy water and checking for hidden mangrove roots poking through the salon roof. Every minute was crunch time, with late nights and busted hands marking the pace.
Messy Interiors and Structural Challenges
The inside of the catamaran looked like a tornado wrecked it—flooded floors, damaged doors stuck under collapsed ceilings, and stolen appliances. Despite the grim state, Sasha and Raf saw potential: a floating condo that might have taken them years to afford otherwise. Still, the project wasn’t for the faint of heart. Removing sail drives, patching holes temporarily with makeshift plywood and fiberglass, and rigging the bent cross beam in the mangroves tested their ingenuity and patience.
The Emotional Roller Coaster
This was not a hobby; it was a massive undertaking that pushed them to their limits. With patches of diesel-soaked flooring discovered and looters having devastated parts of the boat, doubts crept in. But their dedication was unwavering. They openly shared their fears, frustrations, and hope, supported by their community and patrons who helped film and spread the story. It’s the kind of project that’s as much about mental grit as mechanical know-how.
Why They Keep Going
The dream of sailing around the world on a catamaran kept Sasha and Raf rowing through the storm. They admitted the last project—refitting a monohull—was no walk in the park, and this one promised to be even bigger. But sometimes, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes wrapped in mangrove mud and chaos. They’re betting on this battered beast becoming their next “Spirit Animal.”
Final Thoughts for the Skeptics
So, would a grizzled sailor with a few sea miles under their belt risk diving headfirst into a hurricane-wrecked catamaran? Maybe not. But their story is a reminder that the boat you want rarely comes clean and perfect—it’s the hustle and heart that makes it yours. Sasha and Raf’s journey is a wild mix of calculated risk, sheer stubbornness, and a passion for the sea that’s hard to quash. Whether it turns into a triumph or a cautionary tale, it’s one hell of a ride.
