The Stage

The Stage:

When we first bought Kintala we were on Carlyle Lake, IL, the details of which are below. It was our 2-year training simulator, very similar in depth, contour, weather, etc., to the Chesapeake where we finally launched the boat in October of 2013. Our stage now is the East Coast, wherever we can find 70°.

Carlyle Lake, IL. The largest inland lake in the state of Illinois. Not quite the ocean at an average of 16 feet deep, but deep enough to teach us how to be better sailors before we make the leap to the ocean! 

Boulder Marina, Kintala's Home and the best marina on Carlyle Lake:


January 2014 Update: We are currently in Florida and plan on staying in the US this year, maybe as far as the Keys. Next hurricane season we will probably head back North and hopefully to the Bahamas next winter.

February 2014 Update: As they say, cruiser plans are written in sand at high tide...We're headed to the Bahamas now.

May 2014 Update: Family plans have us returning to the states and will keep us in Florida over hurricane season. We are scrambling to find insurance that will let us do that.

November 2016 Update: After a couple years of cruising we've had to tend to our depleted cruising kitty. The summer of 2016 was spent working at Snead Island Boat Works in Palmetto, FL, me working on Kintala and Tj working as a boat mechanic. We still plan to travel to the Bahamas this winter and may return to Snead next summer for more work, although hopefully the last.

July 2017 Update:  The summer of 2017 saw a return to Snead Island Boat Works for the crew of Kintala. We have been joined by our eldest daughter and family for three months. Our plan is to work for a few more months before heading out. Update: Our daughter and family bought their own boat and plan to head out with us early in 2018.

October 2018 Update: After a delightful summer spent with grandkids in Beaufort, SC, we are each going our own way. Tj and I are heading back to St. Louis to work for a few years so we can go cruising again. The kids are off to a new job.

December 17, 2018 Update:  Tj starts his new job at Flight Safety International to refill the cruising kitty

April 1, 2019 Update: We move into the "Granny Flat" above the garage on Daughter Middle's property

June 3, 2020 Update: Kintala changes hands to her new owner

September 22, 2021 Update: First Light joins The Retirement Project and plans are initiated to try a six-month-on, six-month-off cruising schedule.

November 4, 2022 Update: First Light is launched at Duck Creek Marina and the following day is moved to the Oriental Harbor Marina in Oriental, NC

April 2023 Update: First Light  will start the northern half of the Great Loop to bring her back to the Alton Marina north of St. Louis.