Travel

Couple paid $1 for a yacht in Connecticut and are now setting sail in it after fixing it up

  • A couple bought a yacht for $1 and some maple syrup
  • It was an Endeavour 32 found on Facebook Marketplace
  • The plan was to clean it and rectify any mechanical issues

 

Published on Jan 30, 2025 at 3:27 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones

Last updated on Jan 30, 2025 at 4:53 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Tom Wood

If you’ve ever dreamed about leaving it all and sailing off into the sunset you’ll love the story of a Connecticut couple who bought a yacht for virtually zero and set sail after an epic fix-up.

The cost of the boat? Just $1 plus a pint of homemade maple syrup.

However, the pair invested a lot of time and money into the Endeavour 32 sailboat to clean her up and rectify several mechanical issues.

Now she’s ship shape, they plan to sail her – but this isn’t the end of their boat restoration voyage.

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The Endeavor 32 yacht

Ian and Sydney are a young couple, who love travel and were looking to make adventure their lifestyle before starting up the YouTube channel, Sailing Gemma.

After considering other boats, including a concrete schooner and a 37ft ketch, they ultimately chose ‘Gemma’, an Endeavor 32, after coming across it on Facebook Marketplace.

To their surprise and delight, the previous owner offered them the vessel for just $1.

$1 yacht in Connecticut setting sail after major fix-up
Sailing Gemma

He said he didn’t need the money and took an instant liking to the ambitious young couple.

In addition to the tiny cost, they also gifted the seller a pint of homemade maple syrup as a token of their appreciation.

The fix-up before setting sail

Their dream was to live on the water and ‘cruise around the world‘ on the yacht but had lots to do before the yacht was ready for cruising.

They first moved the boat 5 miles to a new marina in freezing conditions, dealing with strong winds and a messy boat.

This short relocation uncovered the fact that the alternator wasn’t charging properly due to a broken bracket.

Thankfully Ian was able to weld and fix it with more electrical work needed to get it up to par.

Next, the pair organized their tools, greased the winch, and even lifted her out of the water to get ready for their first proper sail.

With Gemma now partially converted ahead of a refit next winter, the pair are looking forward to a summer of sailing before they move onto the boat and embark on more boat projects.

With a dual English and French degree and NCTJ diploma, Amelia began her career doing award-winning writing and editing for titles and brands spanning Women's Health, the Telegraph, Boots, and Vitality. Amelia joined the SB Media family in September of 2023, bringing her expertise in SEO and reader takeaway. As Lead Editor, her superpower is translating technical jargon about the mechanical workings of a supercar into a shareable story.