Moving to Canada on relatively short notice made me lift my boat out of the water in the Netherlands. This will allow me to do some maintenance work, which is more difficult in the water. Moving the vessel to New Orleans and going up the Mississippi may be an option. So far, this is only an idea. It depends on whether the transport is feasible, and I need to do more research on the shipping conditions in Mississippi. The "Wanderlust" is only motorized with a Yamaha 9,9 High Thrust at 5,5 tons. That's very efficient with fuel consumption of only 2,5 litres at a causing speed of 6 km/h, and it gives me the thrust of about a 15 bhp engine. However, whether this is suitable and safe for going against the big river's currents and strong winds, at times, needs further assessment. A possible engine failure would render the boat uncontrollable. And what was a harmless surprise on the Dutch canals could turn catastrophic on the Mississippi with cargo vessels around. Furthermore, I have no feeling how safe it is to, at times, cross through industrial and port areas in the USA with a slow boat, which would be an easy target for any thugs. It needs more primary local intelligence to asses this in the end.
Before moving the boat to the crane, I still made a small turn on the Maas River and enjoyed it very much. I have fond memories of my boat; even though I could not proceed to take it through Belgium and the French Canals as planned. Let's see what life will throw at us and what the future looks like. Now, "Wanderlust" stands safely on land in the Netherlands at Van der Laan Yachting Marina. This is, by the way, a great marina. I like it: nothing fancy, but very well managed and everybody knows what they do. I always enjoy professionalism, and when "can do" is "done".
