Iva W. is a custom refitted and restored 1929 Chesapeake Bay Buyboat. She started her life shorter vertically, and as a workboat hauling crabs and oysters in the bay.
In 1998, the IVA W was converted from her original low-slung, efficient workboat into a floating Bed & Breakfast. The original pilothouse was lifted off the hull, and a new galley level was added, before the pilothouse was installed above, and forward of her original position. The original, sleeping quarters / galley which was directly aft of the pilot house, was extended to create a larger space. After 6 years of modification, followed by 2 years In Florida, she returned home to the Chesapeake Bay, where she spent the next 4 years idle, and falling into disrepair.
In January 2010, the Current Owner stumbled across a Craigslist listing for a vintage buyboat in need of serious attention and repairs. His first Impression upon seeing her, was that it would simply be too much work, too many dollars, and would require a skillset way above that which he possessed. But then he began to see the potential, and within 2 months, he was starting work on her. Over the years, she has been completely refit, and outfitted to make her the most comfortable boat possible. The systems the current owners have implemented have been designed to make her operable by a single sailor. Every comfort has been added to ensure that when their family is on board, it is an amazing experience. All systems have been replaced, A/C and heat have been added throughout, and she is quite easy to operate. She has been completely restored to the highest standards of comfort and safety, while maintaining the integrity of her honorable past. The current owners recognize they are merely the latest in a very short line of stewards who have had the privilege and honor of working her, enjoying her, sharing her, and most importantly, protecting her.
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Learning the Lines is a channel about us, an average couple in our 20's, with big dreams to be sailing the world by the time we're in our 30's. We're not afraid to jump into anything, put in the work, and learn as we go. We started out with Somnium, an O'day 272, moved onto Freebie, an Endeavour 32, and now are focusing on sailboat tours and working full time as teachers while we save up for our next boat.
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