Date: 24 May 2017. On Island Time (Schucker 440 Motorsailor)

© janice142

A couple years back I met via email a wonderful gal named Cheryl. She and her husband Fred cruise aboard a Schucker 440 motorsailer. Their vessel is named Island Time. She is a comfortable home. There are a lot of personal touches and gear additions that I am considering for Seaweed as a direct result of viewing their boat. It's little things that create a unique live-aboard.
 

Making a boat your own is one of the joys of boating. Aboard Seaweed I drill holes in bulkheads, attach doodads, hang lights, and more. I'm at an age where "saving things" because they are valuable makes no sense at all. I'm using stuff up because if I don't my heirs will!
 

Island Time is a gem, and boy oh boy,
there's a lot to like about this boat for certain!

Island Time is anchored on the left.
The catamaran Soggy Paws is to the right.

Cheryl and I are both members of a Schucker yahoo list.  We became friends via email first. Later we met in person. She's fun, funny, talented and best of all, she likes thrift shops. It is such a pleasure to have someone who likes to shop discount stores with me, when she's not sailing that is!

Island Time is a 440 Schucker motorsailer.  This
vessel is one anyone could be happy to call home.
 

Schucker is a brand of boats built here in Florida. Primarily sailboats, the builder Jim Schucker also made motorsailers and a few trawlers including my Seaweed. I love my miniature Schucker.
 

On a tight budget a Thrift Store can be a real benefit. I can find things I could not afford a full retail prices. Plus there is the thrill of the hunt too. Not a lot of folks understand the joy that can be found in discovering a jar to put soup crackers in, or a new nightie for these warm summer evenings at anchor. Cheryl "gets" that.

Plus, we shop at about the same speed. It's great to find a friend too.

Cheryl says "We have owned our Schucker for 10+ years and lived aboard full time for last 4...our Island Time is just as you described, a good strong boat, comfortable, economical and protects us from the elements! We have looked at many sailboats and trawlers and for the money the Schucker wins every time for us!"

Riding in their go-fast dinghy is a blast for Cheryl and Fred.

Having an outboard that gets up and goes means
 far off diving spots are a short dinghy ride away.

Enjoying the adventure with
someone you love doubles the pleasure.

Of course you may just have an escort as you cruise along.

Arriving in Marathon, dolphin came out
to play in the bow wave of Island Time.

Being on the water is fabulous. Of course coastal cruising means that there will be bridges. Living on a sailboat means that those bridges will have to open. Still, it's mighty pretty out here. I love it.
 

 
When underway it is a good idea to check for bridge openings. Sometimes the bridge will only open on the hour and half hour. You will find that in larger metropolises quite often, especially during commuter rush hours.
 

Sailing is one of the true pleasures in life. A boat such as Island Time is a safe, secure platform to cruise aboard. She won't go fast but then again, boaters are already where we want to be!

At the end of the day anchoring offers a time to relax and enjoy life. Stepping ashore in far off places offers the opportunity to meet locals. Learning about a new culture is a gift most folks do not have the opportunity to enjoy. As a cruiser we are uniquely able to spend time in places others only read about.

Here's Fred in Jamaica:

Having a boat capable of taking you anywhere is the dream of many. There is an appeal to island hop down through the Caribbean islands. Crystal clear waters, plentiful fish, beautiful sunsets and more can be yours too.

As for comfort, Island Time has that in spades. She's beautiful inside and out. The personal touches make this boat a gem. What cruiser wouldn't like seeing dolphins greeting them when they arrive?!?

Cheryl and Fred were escorted into Boot Key
Harbor, Marathon by a friendly pod of dolphin.
 

MARATHON is in the FL Keys.
Coming ashore, Fred surveys Marathon from the landside. ↓
It's always fun to re-visit familiar places. You might see a boat that you knew way back up the coast. Then it's time to socialize, catch up on old friends, share the newest cruise details, and reminisce.
Life is truly wonderful afloat.

Cheryl and Fred have a very nice Schucker 440. What makes her so special though is the personal touches that have made the boat even better. A boat is a boat is a boat. It is how we outfit and decorate that differentiates between two identical vessels.

Fred installed temperature gauges for
both the refrigerator and freezer boxes.

Being able to monitor the coolness in the refrigerator and freezer without opening the lids is helpful. If there were a problem, Fred or Cheryl would be able to recognize it because the temperatures would be going up. I have a similar system on my boat too. This  one with the large easy-to-read gauges is mighty spiffy.

Cheryl has an expanse of counter space that I wish was possible aboard Seaweed. Covered in Formica, it is easy to clean and super for fixing those yummy treats from the galley. Having a decent workspace when preparing food is important especially when the gang's coming over for dinner!
 

The steps into the galley have one addition that I found comfy.

Tucked away and only brought out for visitors, Cheryl
has a cushion that snuggly fits onto the galley step.
 

Having a place to sit comfortably while chatting was very nice. I've perched on steps before. Trust me when I say Cheryl's solution is the one I wish was aboard all boats! She's a smart lady.
 

The former crew quarters/second stateroom is now a cabin for stowing gear, parts and more.
When you're off for months at a time, having a place to tuck aside supplies is critical.

A friend of mine is shopping for his Last Boat. Having adequate space to store gear is very important. That is one of the advantages of a larger boat. Longer, beamy (wide) boats have more room to stow safety equipment and spare parts. Those storage areas also can hold important things like chocolate, DVDs and ginger snap cookies by Nabisco.
 

The head aboard Island Time has a cool nautical motif that I liked a lot.
	Dolphin stickers add a touch of whimsy to the head compartment. The decorative porthole with a mirror insert is nifty too. It reflects light well.

A scarf with palm trees becomes a nifty cover for the
 windows. Light comes in while privacy is ensured.

Cheryl is growing aloe too, all
thanks to my friend Kim in Carrabelle.
 

Cheryl and Fred have a big bed. Their cabin is
on the starboard side just forward of the galley.

Cheryl's monkey has been many places over the decades.
 It's a treasured reminder from her childhood.

Cruising means visiting new ports and remote spots too.

Island Time is anchored just behind Jessie's ketch Gypsy. Getting together with friends is always a pleasure.

Visiting is just a dinghy ride away!

Securing a dinghy with a bicycle cable
and lock is a good idea in many areas.
 

CABBAGE KEY is on the west coast of Florida.

Visiting Cabbage Key requires a boat. There is no land access. I enjoy it because this is the Florida I knew as a child. It's informal and friendly. Cabbage Key is like stepping back in time fifty years. I treasure that sort of experience.

Island Time went to Cabbage Key last year.

Of course life afloat is not all cruising.
 Sometimes there is fishing too.

Guess what's for dinner tonight?!?

Visiting aboard Island Time is always a treat.

Fred is on hand to take a line when I arrived via Algae.

A large fully covered cockpit serves as an additional
 seating area. Fishing poles are stored above.

On misty rainy days you could sit out
 back enjoying the view of the anchorage.

The best place to be is inside on the comfortable couch.

Thanks for the visit Fred and Cheryl.
Island Time is a wonderful and so too are you both.

For those undecided about life afloat I would encourage you to consider all boats. There are a ton of used and new vessels for sale right now. One is perfect for you. Of course it may require some imagination. Cheryl and Fred have spent years making their boat into a true gem.
 

Seeing beyond the here-and-now is not always easy. Give it a try though. The almost perfect boat could be close by. I just needs your tweaks.
 

Happy cruising. And thanks again for the visit on Island Time.

Comments welcome and encouraged on the On Island Time (Schucker 440 Motorsailor) page.

Categories: Anchorages, Boat Talk, Boats, Characters, Comfort, Fishing, Galley, Gear, Locations, Relationships, Security, Sojourners Saloon,

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