” I of course like the look, she has a nice profile no matter from what angle you’re looking.“
Dream of Freedom, Gulet 98’
Interview with the Captain – Marc Vagabond
About the Boat
Why did you choose to buy a Gulet?
Never had a wooden boat before, the opportunity came up for this particular vessel with some storm damage (side, railing, nothing substantial) and a few years of failed maintenance, so I went for it. 😊
What other kinds of boats did you consider before buying this particular model (and how did they compare)?
None really, I always am looking to buy something that interests me, I’ve had monohulls 40’ fiberglass, steel motor sailor 75’ built in 1958, Steel Motor-yacht 130’ built in 1982, and in between a fiberglass catamaran and some other mono-hull sailboats.
How did you come to find/locate her before purchasing (and what’s the boat’s history if you know it)?
I found it on Yachtworld, I know the boat was in chartering business in Spain up until a few years before I bought it, it seemed that business had been unused for the last 1.5 or 2 years.
What features/improvements have you added or do you plan to add?
Well of course we repaired the damage using normal carpentry skills. The deck was in a bad state so we fibreglassed it, figuring we could always rip that out and redo it at a later stage. We installed a brand new autopilot, solar panels on the roof, AIS radar, wind speed electronics, and VHF. We painted….. a lot…. 😊 added washer in the hold under the floors, and we installed a newly overhauled engine. Planning to repair/replace sails still, and fix the bowthruster and watermaker.
What are the features you like most about your boat?
I of course like the look, she has a nice profile no matter from what angle you’re looking. She’s heavy so very stable underway, and using it as a private vessel I have enormous amounts of space inside for all my nicknacks and brickebrack. 😊
Who first introduced you to boating/sailing?
My father warmed me up to boating, then I took a weekend introduction to sailing with a private boatowner in the Netherlands, and the addiction was set.
Do you belong to a yacht club or other boating/sailing organizations?
Not that I know of, maybe just Trans Ocean. A German organization for trans ocean crossing sailors.
What boats have you previously owned?
First a Flying Junior to practice, then a small cabin sailor which I have never been able to sail. Then a 40’ Fibreglass Endeavour Sailboat, a 75’ Steel Motorsailor from 1958, a 130’ Motoryacht from 1982, a 41’ Islander Freeport Sailboat, 47’ Robertson and Caine Catamaran, and in between there somewhere I had a 58’ Hatteras Yacht Fisherman from the 70’ era.
How do you typically use your boat over the summer, and where do you go?
I use my boats year around usually, as I try to stay in warmer climates (didn’t work this year, ended up in Greece, and Greece is cold from December til March). I live on it basically, usually hopping from island to island every few months.
What is the biggest challenge you have in servicing your boat?
Keeping up with the paintwork and woodrot.
Do you have any notable boating resources you use?
My trusty deckhand Kuri fixes and paints everything, biggest and only resource I’ll ever need on a boat.
Do you have any advice for those looking to buy a Gulet like yours?
Don’t be scared by what people say about wooden boats. Yes, wood rots, and needs upkeep, but having owned steel and fiberglass boats too, I can honestly say it is sooooo much easier with wood. A few basic skills are easy to learn and you can do pretty much all of it yourself.
What’s the story behind the boat’s name?
Don’t know, it came with the boat, although I’d like to change it, since it’s more of an ‘Illusion’ of Freedom. 😉
Click the gallery below for more photos and information about Dream of Freedom!
