Spokane, Washington based sailors Dave and Rae Ann Duer are loyal to the Hallberg-Rassy brand. They purchased a new HR 34 from Pete McGonagle in 1999 and had it shipped to Singapore where Dave was working. They sailed this boat in SE Asia and then shipped it to the USA and sold it soon after their son was born. In 2007, while living in Switzerland, they ordered a new Hallberg-Rassy 40 and took delivery in Connecticut. They sailed Nikita with their son and daughter from Connecticut to New Zealand. A delivery crew then sailed Nikita from New Zealand to Seattle nonstop, arriving in a November gale. Swiftsure Yachts sold Nikita in Seattle.
When another window of time to cruise opened, Dave and Rae Ann again enlisted Pete to help find the right boat. A 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 53 located in Jersey City, NJ turned out to be the best choice. Pete and Dave did two trips to New Jersey for the survey and handover of Tenacious. Mike McGonagle (Pete’s brother) and Dave then sailed Tenacious to Annapolis where she will receive new standing rigging and bottom paint before Dave, Rae Ann, and daughter Isabelle start cruising full-time in October.
We wish them many happy miles and interesting port visits on their third Hallberg-Rassy!