Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Judi and I had been brought so close together; sharing this project was so real and so unit-
ing. It was a joyous time, along with the friends we had, the parties, the outings, the pets,
and even the sad times. When I think of the boatbuilding days, I think more of the people
than the boat.
The day finally arrived when we lashed down the long mast atop the boat and had our Ger-
man woodworker friend help us jack up Déjà vu on top of the low bed truck that would
take her down to the Vaal Dam for her first launch! We were breathless with excitement
and had driven on ahead to make launch plans with the owner of the marina we were to
keep her at.
The building of Déjà vu for me was the kind of challenge that is so engrained that at times
I could feel myself as part her. I strongly believe that somewhere along the line of my lin-
eage, there must have been a boatbuilder, and that I inherited a wealth of genetic memories
on boatbuilding. Perhaps, I will never know. Certainly the love for boats and sailing is a
long tradition in my family from which I was truly inspired to act upon. It was a marvelous
and rewarding challenge, and to date it was certainly one of my best building achievements.
I hasten to add that it was, without a shadow of doubt, due to Judi that I was able to pull off
such a lofty idea, and true is the saying, “Behind every successful man is a woman!”
