NOTES:

-- FAMILY TIES is the ultimate family cruising/sailing vessel. She has been in fresh water of the Great Lakes since 1999 (no saltwater corrosion anywhere.) Designed by famed Robert H. Perry, the hull we own has sailed along the West Pacific coast by its previous Las Vegas owners under the name Cool Change. She has been to the Caribiean via the Panama Cannal, and has rode at anchor at Catalina Island. We purchased her in San Diego in 1999 and trucked her to the Great Lakes where we have continually improved her sea worthiness. We have sailed her throughout the Great Lakes with small grandchildren aboard in all kinds of weather, including storms and high waves. We've always felt safe in her with her very heavy construction and 7,000 pound lead-encased full keel. She has 3 cabins and can sleep 6 adults. We've had extended families aboard for week-long cruises in the northern Great Lakes (North Channel).

Family Ties was manufacturered in South California by Islander Yachts in 1976. But she defies her age and is stronger and better equipped than when we purchased her. See notes below.

-- In October 2024, we finished a 5-year refit. The vessel is in better shape than when we purchased her in 1999. Beginning in 2017 we rebuilt her deck, refurbished or replaced all deck hardware, replaced the old teak railings with maintenance free Plasteak, rebult her hull to deck joint, re-cored her deck and replaced deck-mast steps with sold fiberglass. The dodger and bimini are new (2024). The sails are in Stakpaks and have been refurbished (little use over their life), new lifelines around 2015, making the ship capable of handling major Great Lake storms, which we've been in with grandchildren aboard, but don't recommend it. We were even hit by lightening once while in port and sustained no hull damage due to the boat's excellent grounding technology and hull plate. (We did lose our electronics on that one.) In a blow under full sail with capable sailors aboard, we've tried but never been able to bring water over the rail...she's that stable.

-- After the 2016 and 2017 surveys, deck was stripped, wet deck core removed and replaced, maststeps rebuilt with solid fiberglass & epoxy, and deck, masts, and booms were repainted. At the same time chrome was replaced or refurbished, all hand rails and desk rails were custom fabricated from Plasteak and installed.

-- Going back a few years, in 2012, the bottom was shaved, all blisters were removed, bow was rebuilt, entire hull was then hot vac'ed to treat uncured resin that caused blisters. Hull was then rebuilt with fiberglass and Sea Hawk Tuff Stuff Epoxy and then painted with Hawk Cukote. There have been no blisters since.

-- Boat was out of water during pandemic because we were not allowed access into Canada (where her deck was rebiult and painted) since we refused the C19 "vacinations." (3.5 years, 2019-2023)

-- Engine replaced with new Yanmar in 2005. 55 HP, Low hours. Works great. No leaks.

-- Fuel tank replaced in 2003. (115 gallons, stainless steel)

-- When deck was stripped for rebuilting in 2019, the interior headliner was removed to gain access to all hardware. A new headliner has been installed. See pictures. Zippers are installed in headliner to allow access to deck hardware.

-- Instrumentation and piloting control: Newer pedestal, throttle, and compass binacle. Boat speed and depth by Standard Horizon. Windspeed and direction will be replaced in spring of 2025. Autopilot ST6000 station keeps in waves and storms (Custom installation with independent, below deck electric drive and tiller and fluxgate compass).

-- We've kept a complete maintenance log

-- Two dinghies (4 & 6 adult) and a 8-HP Johnson Outboard available, not included in price.

Above pictures from Government Bay, Michigan UP

Sunrise at Harbor Island, North Channel, Michigan

Restored V-Berth 2024

Main Salon Panorama 1 2024 - 6'8" headroom

Main Salon Panorama 2 2024

Main Salon Dinning Table Open Full

Passage to Aft Cabin from Main Salon, and Foreward Head (Aft Head not pictured)

Aft Cabin

Crawl-In Engine Room off passageway between Main Salon and Aft Cabin

Captain's View from Cockpit looking foreward.

Captain's View from Cockpit looking aft.

Below are 4 links to Cruising World Article (January 2000) about how we trucked "Family Ties" (originally "Cool Change"), from San Diego, CA to Detroit, MI. Click on each small image to download full size, readable files. Article discusses packing, logistics, and costs (n 1999).