So after nearly 20 years, and 53,000 miles under our keel, we’ve decided to swallow the anchor, as we say in the cruising community.
We feel all kinds of ways about it. Especially after wrapping up what might have been our favorite cruising season ever in British Columbia and southeast Alaska, it’s not that we’re sick and tired of our life on the water. It’s pretty glorious, in fact.
Yes, at 67 and 78 years old, we are getting a bit long in the tooth. But we’re both still in good health. It’s mostly that there are other things we’d like to do. Spending 6 to 8 months aboard the way we have been sort of gets in the way of that. We have a beautiful home and community in Bellingham, WA, and it would be nice to enjoy those outside of the winter months for a change! There’s lots of non-boat related travel on our list, along with time to spend with family and friends, and we are eager to get to that while we are still fit and active enough to make the most of it.
We’ve kicked around all kinds of options, but keep coming back to the fact that it just feels to us like it’s time! So we are going to go with our gut, as is our style, and open the next chapter.
The Buffalo is currently berthed in Coal Harbour Marina in Vancouver, BC. We’ve engaged James Nasen of Fraser Yachts in San Diego (who handled the sale of our FPB 64) and his partner Matthew Martin in Vancouver to market her. Here’s a link to the listing with plenty of pics, for any of you who are curious.
We’ve still got a couple more blog posts pending, to wrap up our season just ended. Also, we will continue to use this space to keep our friends, relations, and other well-wishers entertained when we embark on further adventures!
buffalonickelblog.com 
Congratulations for retirement lived well. Best wishes. DickSent from Dick Goebel’s iPhone 765-427-1816
Congratulations! And please do keep posting about future adventures.
How exciting to be moving to the next adventure. We look forward to those posts!
Virginia and Dennis Johns
s/v Libertad (currently splitting time with an RV and the boat)
i totally understand your decision. I am 81 and captain of our boat. My husband is 89. My gut told me a year ago it was time to sell our boat. That will happen this winter. Thank you for sharing!
It was not an easy decision, but once made, we could tell it was the right one!
I’ve never commented before, but I was re-reading many of your blogs while on vacation and thought I’d voice my appreciation for the many years of joy and excitement you have brought to me.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the Buffalo Nickel twice in person, and I must say it’s absolutely gorgeous!!
It’s highly unlikely you will remember this, but one of the times you were coming into Valdez, I believe it was June 27th, 2023, you were passed by a large tanker, the Alaskan Legend. I was on the bridge of that ship as a deck officer in training! As we were coming into Valdez Arm I distinctly remember noticing a vessel on our ECDIS with the AIS name Buffalo Nickel, and thinking to myself, surely not.
I cannot express the happiness and joy that filled my soul when I was looking ahead through my binos and saw not only the gorgeous shape of an FPB, but the Buffalo Nickel nonetheless!! I was highly tempted to call you on the VHF just to say I follow your blog, but I ran it by the pilot after getting the captains permission and pilot said he would prefer not having unnecessary radio comms not matter how brief.
The next morning while we were loading at the oil terminal I managed to get off the ship and catch a ride into town, where my one and only goal was to get a better look at and FPB, as I had never been able to get close to one before. I was hoping to run into you guys, but I knew it was a long shot and highly unlikely. I walked down to the dock and probably spent far to long ogling at your gorgeous Buffalo Nickel. I saw Crooked in the window beside your nautilus shells and couldn’t resist taking a picture of how cute she was.
With a heavy heart I knew I had to return to the ship for my cargo watch, but the world was a brighter place.
The second time I saw the Buffalo Nickel was at beth in Victoria in passing, I had come up to attend the Nautical Institute arctic shopping conference in the beginning of May in 2024 and I just happened to glance at the marina while driving past and saw and FPB!! I had a suspicion that it would be you guys, and a quick look confirmed it. I unfortunately once again was pressed for time, but it still brought me happiness to see a dream being lived like yours.
Enough reminiscing, I have lots to say but never know how to express myself in writing so here’s my best shot.
It has been my dream to own and live on an FPB from the day I learned about Steve Dashew and his FPBs. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading your blogs from when I first discovered this wonderful website. As a Bellevue native, it was thrilling to discover someone relatively close to me who was living a life of my dreams. You’ve let me live my dream through your writing and I cannot thank you enough.
I’m not yet sure if it’s in the cards for me, but I’m going to do everything I can to make my dream a reality. I’m now a licensed 3rd mate and starting my career in shipping, but I’m still hoping that one day I’ll have the opportunity to be on an FPB, either has a proud owner or a helping hand to split up watches. I’m not sure how I’d go about the latter, but perhaps you might have some insight?
Either way, I have lots more blogs to read and relive, although I’m hoping to find more blogs to follow, so if you have any recommendations please let me know!
Once again I cannot thank you enough for your faithful documentation of your journey, you’ve brought joy to my soul more times than I can’t count.
-Malcolm
Hi Malcolm,
Thanks for sharing, it made us both feel so good to read your story! And though I never pay attention to things like this, Stan definitely remembers your ship – the name Alaskan Legend stuck with him.
If your wanderings are ever going to bring you to Vancouver, then please let us know beforehand? Our home is not far away and if the planets align, maybe you can still get your boat tour!
Valerie
Hi Valerie,
Im glad I got to share my memories with you!
I’m not yet sure when my wanderings will bring me through Vancouver, but it’s normally a couple times a year. I’ll be sure to leave another comment when I’m more confident in my plans, and maybe I’ll get lucky! A boat tour would mean the world to me!
Safe travels
-Malcolm