John Herlig revisited. Moving from land to sea – a fascinating insight into the process. We spoke to John Herlig for an edition of The Life Aquatic a few weeks ago. His story is terrific. It’s a tale of rebirth and reinvention – of both a boat and a man – and it is inspiring, albeit in an understated way.
Since that first interview, John has travelled south, leaving the Chesapeake Bay for the warmer waters of south Florida and settling – for a few months at least – in a spot not too far from the home of Boat Radio’s own Sarah O’Kelly.
We did not want to miss an opportunity to tour Ave del Mar – the 1967 Rawson cutter we learned so much about in that first interview – so Sarah went along to meet John and to see for herself the results of all his hard work.
Here he explains how he transformed himself from a land-dwelling, cool-dude-around-town former Washington DC restaurateur into a live-aboard sailor, restoring, repairing and maintaining Ave. Hear how he taught himself to sail, to read charts and to dock. Hear also about the setbacks and mishaps.
If you’ve ever dreamed of buying an old boat and sailing off into the sunset, then this interview is essential listening.
Sarah O’Kelly visited John aboard Ave del Mar at West Palm Beach, Florida.
If you enjoy this interview, then you’ll love John Herlig’s edition of The Life Aquatic.
Sarah is the creator and owner of Skipper’s Review, the marine leisure industry review and recommendation website where boaters know best.
Scroll down to see John’s Facebook LIVE appearances before, during and after the arrival of Hurricane Matthew in West Palm Beach.
