This website is about S/V Saretta's Dream.  She prefers to speak for herself (do not most sailing yachts and ladies?)  Her current owners (Bob & Tania Pleischl) have a dream of someday crossing the Atlantic with her...and on to ports unknown at this time.  They are not being overly ambitious as some but will take things "as the wind blows".  Here is her story;

S/V Saretta's Dream:

     Hello my name is Saretta's Dream and I am from Ft. Myers, Florida (even though my hull says I'm from St. Louis...quite embarrassing as I have never been there.)...

     My owners are Bob & Tania Pleischl...which is also embarrassing I think for Tania as people are always asking her if Saretta is her name..."no...not the girlfriend or any former wives...I was named for my previous owners."

     I am a 1985 Taiwanese built 33' Hans Christian sailing yacht. I have been under reconstruction and in the Glades Boatyard near Lake Okeechobee and LaBelle, Florida, USA for over 2 years now..."it's starting to feel like home here".  Initially I was there in order for my hull to dry out from over 18 years of being in the water, take care of some blisters/de-lamination, etc. and to give Bob a chance to cross the Atlantic with his friends Manny, Tom, and Joe in "Moonraker", a 44' Morgan in 2002.  However...the best laid plans with a boat involved...

            I think this is the way Bob & Tania picture me these days...  

     Especially after my first lightning strike...   Oh Boy did that hurt!  I was in my home slip at Gulf Harbour but being in the "lightning capitol of the world" finally caught up with me.  As a result my electronics got a good upgrading and I was ready to go (except for some other problems that a girl my age needs attending to like hull blisters, etc.) So off to Glades Boat Yard outside of LaBelle, Florida ( on the banks of the Caloosahatchee ) Bob and his friend Lance Rogers took me.

     First I had all the hull work that needed to be completed as well any new equipment that was to be installed for the crossing and cruising.  (Probably best to see Bob's log for all that technical stuff...I just know when it feels goooooood!)  Anyways, while still in the yard being prepped for the good stuff......

     OH NO!  Not Again!  This time was VERY painful as the bolt came through my hull in several small places.  So back to the drawing board again!

     Eventually I was put back together and upgraded (a good thing) and once again readied for departure.  You can view my departure pictures here: "Back in the Water Again!"

     We just lucked out with Hurricane Charley who struck SW Florida just two days after I returned home to Gulf Harbour Marina. Whew!

     However, For those who say "Lightning never strikes twice" well....I'm here to tell you it strikes THREE times for some of us! OUCH! This time back at home in Gulf Harbour again.

  So it was back to the drawing board again...so to speak. At least my electronics get an upgrade each time (nice to stay up with the trends!).  But finally the day arrived and "YES" it was time to leave!

Launch DATE:  04:28:06

 "Gulf Harbour to Key West"