We located "Wind Wraith" in Muskegon, Michigan, in 1996. After some
discussions with the Broker, we decided to take a trip to see her, before we
made an offer. As it was the dead of winter, I asked if the boat was in a
viewable condition. The broker assured us the boat was well covered. When we
arrived in Muskegon, we understood what he meant. The Boat was covered... with
snow. After a few hours of clearing off the snow, we fell in love with
"Wind Wraith" #94. She had lived a hard life, and was in disrepair,
but the glory of the Roaring 40 was still radiating through. The
above Sales Pictures taken months before we arrived
A few negotiations and months later, "Wind Wraith" arrived at Cascade Yachts in Portland. There we spent a three months, along side "Firebird" a Cal 40 owned by Tim & Vicki Harmon. During this time we did a thorough check to make sure the rigging and through hulls were sound. Our goal was to do the Oregon Offshore, a race from Astoria Oregon, to Victoria, British Columbia, and then the Swiftsure, an International Race in Canada.
"Wind
Wraith" was updated to meet the offshore requirements, and renamed
"Victoria!" She was moved to Schooner Creek, and Launched July 3rd.
1997.
Constantly
updated, from a retired racer and live aboard in Michigan, to a reliable
offshore racer, "Victoria!" has been every bit up to the effort.
We've logged many miles in her, 6,000 miles this summer alone,
enough cannot be said about the Cal 40's performance and durability. This was
apparent in the delivery from Astoria, Oregon to 
San Francisco, California. We
met a weather system that built up to 50+ knots, and 25-30' seas. The Roaring 40
"Victoria!" sailed with great control, and surfed up to 19.4 knots.
Yes it was wet and wild!! Two boats making the delivery had masts damaged, and
at least one pulled in to get trucked to SF.
To date we've sailed "Victoria!" in Three Offshores, Three Swiftsures, and the 2000 Pacific Cup. Maybe we'll do the 2002 Pacific Cup Double Handed.... we'll see.
