Keewatin ~ North Wind

I have to admit that we are boat "heavy" at the moment. In addition to our Alberg 35, Mystic, we own two kayaks, three dinghies, a canoe and our 23' 1973 Coronado S/V Keewatin which means North Wind in Ojibwa. Our smaller sailboat has a rich history. Dave purchased her back in 1979 after finding her sitting at a marina in Afton, Minnesota  where she'd been left on the hard by her original owner. She was worth about $12,000 but Dave was able to get her for $5,000. Turned out, she was worth so much more to us over the years.

Our Canoe

One of three dinghies

When Dave was in his 3rd year of college, he found himself at a crossroad; pondering, should he finish college or go on an adventure! The adventure won out. He quit school, moved up north to his parents house and began a complete refit of Keewatin. His plan was to leave Minnesota and make his way to the Gulf of Mexico where his uncle had a beach house.

Little Gasparilla Beach House

The refit took all summer. Dave wanted to make her liveaboard friendly. His projects included switching out the alcohol stove for a 3-burner propane version, removing the dining table to make a third bunk, installing drawers and a hanging locker, repainting her bottom and adding bigger anchors. In addition, he gathered supplies and filled Keewatin's hatches with enough food to feed an army.

Dave working on Keewatin

Hard at work, in his parent's garage

Keewatin in Cass Lake, MN

Keewatin gutted and ready for refit

Installing New Windows

Provision List for the Keewatin Voyage

Dave asked around to see if any of his friends wanted to get in on his adventure. At first, no one was available but by the time he was ready to launch, he had three takers; his brother Lou and friends Jay and John. Together, the four friends trailered Keewatin to Detour, Michigan and launched her. It was  the fall of 1981.

Four friends leaving Detour Michigan

Keewatin in Kingston, Ontario

The crew made it to New York City where Jay left the boat to return to Minnesota. Lou and John continued the trip to Norfolk Virginia where they left Dave on his own. That's where I met him and where our life together began. We cruised aboard Keewatin from Norfolk, Virginia to Cocoa Beach, Florida together. Dave continued on, solo, until I joined him at Uncle Dan's beach house on Little Garsparilla Island. Eventually, we moved to Connecticut where we started our family.

Keewatin with mast down, Erie Canal

Watching the approach to New York City

John aboard Keewatin

Keewatin in Norfolk

Keewatin docked at the beach house

Fishing off the beach house dock

Catching dinner

Dave & Beth aboard Keewatin, Gulf of Mexico

Dave and Beth sailing on Chesapeake Bay

Our little sailboat, Keewatin, has travelled far and wide. In addition to cruising the eastern half of America's Great Loop before it was a thing that cruisers do, we sailed her on Fisher's Island Sound, Long Island Sound and Block Island. When we moved to Connecticut, we left Keewatin in Placida Florida. One year later, we hauled her all the way to New England behind Dave's big green truck. Several years later, Dave hauled her behind his van all the way back to Minnesota. While we were raising our kids, Keewatin sat in our backyard. During the late 90's we decided to clean her up and sail her again. We completely refurbished Keewatin and started taking her out on the beautiful St. Croix River. The kids loved it and enjoyed having their friends aboard. We took them sailing on Lake Pepin and Forest Lake. Our biggest adventure was a family cruise in the Apostle Islands; all four of us snuggled into our tiny vessel; the kids slept in the main cabin berths and we took the v-berth.

Keewatin in Florida ready to go to Connecticut

Anchored off of Stockton Island

Brie and David aboard Keewatin

David and Brielle on Lake Superior

Beth at the helm

Lake Superior Rainbow

Dave with the kids in Bayfield, WI

David and Brie aboard Keewatin

Beth, Brie and David on Lake Superior

David and Brie

David and friend Michael being silly

Brielle and friend Vanessa sailing Keewatin

David and Michael swimming on the St. Croix

Brielle and friend Brooke sailing Keewatin

We've been home all summer, waiting for hurricane season to pass so we can return to Mystic. We've been working on house projects, gardening and enjoying retirement. One day, Dave noticed that Keewatin's registration expired in 2013. That was the year we brought Mystic home. We never intended to neglect Keewatin but found we spent all our time on our new boat, Mystic. Keewatin sat in our driveway for the last 5 years, accumulating dust and dirt. We hadn't completely ignored her though. Each Christmas we decorate her with Christmas lights, creating quite the display. She even made the front page of our local newspaper! 

Keewatin is a solid little boat with a shallow draft that allows for exploring. She has plenty of room for weekend getaways, kind of like a floating camper. She was our first home together and we have cherished memories that make parting with her so difficult for us. For now, she will remain in our driveway.

Keewatin in our driveway where we'll refurbish her

2006 Front Page Photo, Stillwater Courier
Keewatin in our driveway