For Steven Mesia, sailing is a great activity involving both leisure and adventure.
Old waters meet new adventures…
As a child, Steven Mesia admired the adventures held in the currents carried by the waters near his home. His family owned a canoe which saw the Boundary Waters Canoe Area as its home. He fondly remembers traversing winding streams with his mother, father and siblings. Some of the best summers of his childhood were spent canoeing, hiking and camping. Embracing the beauty of the great outdoors was, and still is, very important to him.
In his adulthood, Steven Mesia has revitalized his love of navigating waters in the form of sailing. Recently, he purchased what he deems a “project vessel.” The sailboat is a 42 foot wooden Ketch with a William Garden Porpoise design. Built in 1963, the Ketch had certainly racked up a list of accomplished adventures — and it showed. To say the boat was unprepared for the elements would have been an understatement, according to the amateur sailor.
Nevertheless, he proudly took on the project. Over the course of a year, Steven Mesia embarked on a journey of restoration of the boat. The fruit of his labor has proven glorious! Peeling back layers of history (and grime), the sailor revealed the secret beauty of his 42 foot Ketch. Digging deep to highlight the boat’s lost beauty was extremely rewarding. He now honors the sailboat (as well as his admirable handywork) by regularly setting sail. He sets sail on fishing adventures on the boat, often inviting friends, family members and coworkers to join him in the fun.
Some of Steven Mesia’s absolute favorite waters to sail his restored masterpiece include:
- Port Angeles
- Puget Sound
- Deception Pass
- Strait of Juan De Fuca
- San Juan Islands
When the boat is not in use, it seeks refuge at a slip in Port Angeles.
The success of the restoration project has encouraged him to pursue similar ventures in the future. Even while enjoying his hobbies, Steven Mesia is a champion in embracing and developing on his expertise. Crafting something truly gorgeous from an otherwise overlooked structure is a process he fondly admires. In the future, he hopes to take on more sailboat restoration projects, perhaps even as an independent consultant. Check out his restoration and sailing lesson services available on the Bartering Exchange Network: http://barteringexchangenetwork.com/service/sailing-and-sailboat-restoration-with-steven-mesia/
