Dear Cape Friends,
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Sarah G quietly resting in Pleasant Bay |
A Place Called Hope Town 🌴 Several years ago, Nan and I spent considerable time in Hope Town on Elbow Cay in the Northern Abacos. In fact, we were actively exploring the purchase of property and the possibility of building a small boutique fly-fishing lodge there before Hurricane Dorian forced many of us to recalibrate our plans. |
If you've never been, it's one of those rare places that somehow finds its way into your heart. Very close friends of ours introduced us to this special corner of the world many years ago and we were hooked, immediately. The water seems impossibly gin clear. Golf carts outnumber cars. The pace is slower. The people are genuine. It feels a bit like stepping back in time. We left exactly three days before Hurricane Dorian arrived. What followed was heartbreaking. Dorian stalled over the Abacos and delivered a direct hit. Entire communities throughout the islands were devastated. Homes were destroyed. Lives were changed forever. And sadly, many lives were lost. A Remarkable Schooner Sometimes when I think about the Abacos, I think about a remarkable boat that spends its summers right here on Pleasant Bay. Her name is Sarah G. At nearly 80 feet in length, with three towering masts and a sweeping bowsprit, she is impossible to miss. Built from a Tom Colvin design, she rests quietly at anchor on the Orleans side of Pleasant Bay, looking as though she belongs to another era. If you've driven Route 28 through Orleans, chances are you've seen her. Footnote: The linked article showcases a two-masted Tom Colvin design. Sarah G is a larger three-masted schooner, but both reflect Colvin's signature philosophy of strong, practical, ocean-going sailing vessels. But what fascinates me most isn't the boat - It's the family aboard.. My friend George and his wife are raising their two daughters aboard the Sarah G. They homeschool them while spending winters in the Bahamas and summers on Pleasant Bay. Having spent time with the girls, I can tell you they are among the most curious, thoughtful, capable, and well-rounded young people I have ever met. They carry themselves with a confidence and self-reliance that is increasingly rare. Several years ago, when Hurricane Dorian tore through the Abacos, the Sarah G was caught in the storm. The center mast snapped in half like a twig. The damage was extensive. Most people would have looked at the destruction and seen a lost cause. George saw a project. More importantly, he saw something worth saving. Piece by piece, he brought her back. Btw, If you know George, none of this will surprise you. He's one of those increasingly rare people who quietly listens more than he talks. He shows up when help is needed. He keeps his word. He'll go out of his way to help a friend and never asks for recognition. A Handshake Still Means Something. Interestingly, the longer I spend in real estate, the more I appreciate those same qualities. The best transactions I've been involved with are rarely the easiest ones. They are the ones where buyers, sellers, attorneys, lenders, inspectors, and agents communicate honestly, keep their commitments, and work through challenges together. Houses may be made of wood, stone, shingles and more, but successful transactions are ultimately built on trust. Last summer, Nan and I had the privilege of joining George (and his great fam) for an afternoon sail aboard the Sarah G. With a strong breeze filling the sails, we cut through Pleasant Bay with a combination of grace, power, and speed that is difficult to describe. The boat seemed alive, and I was completely in awe. Again, it's kind of hard to articulate, but feeling this magnificent schooner lean into the wind is something I will never forget. As beautiful as the sailing was, what stayed with me most wasn't the boat itself. It was the reminder that craftsmanship and integrity still matter. Over the years, I've learned that the people I admire most are never the loudest people in the room. They're the people who return phone calls. They do what they say they're going to do. They aren't looking over your shoulder for a better deal, a better opportunity, or a different path. They simply keep their word. Who the hell knows, but perhaps that's one reason the Cape remains such a special place. Beneath the summer traffic, beach stickers, open houses, and real estate signs are people quietly building lives, raising families, helping neighbors, restoring boats, and preserving traditions that still matter. A three-masted schooner resting peacefully on Pleasant Bay serves as a reminder. In sailing, in business, in real estate, and in life, some things never go out of style: Craftsmanship. Integrity. Resilience - And keeping your word. The older I get, the more I realize those may be the most valuable things we own. (If you're around Friday morning, I'll be holding court at Chatham Perk from 8:00–9:00 AM. As always, the coffee is on me. Feel free to stop by and say hello.) See you around the elbow (and hopefully Friday morning), Paul P.S. If you're thinking about buying, selling, or simply keeping tabs on the market here on the elbow- or if you know someone who is - PaulBorde.com is a great place to start. You'll find listings, market updates, past NEWSLETTERS, and enough reading material to get you through at least one rainy Cape Cod weekend. A few of the articles came dangerously close to Pulitzer Prize consideration. 😀 |