Our Logo consists of 3 images, our boat, Manukai, the world, and the sun… So, why did we pick them and what do they mean to us? Well, after losing two boats in the unprecedented hurricanes of 2017 that struck the Caribbean, two Category 5 hurricanes back to back within 2 weeks of each other, we very much value our vessel. Especially Manukai, as she ended up being our dreamboat.
After losing everything, and then some, we went back to the mainland to re-group and figure out the next step. Our very dear friend and fellow Sailor, Captain Joe, told us to write down everything we wanted on our new boat, from the type of vessel to the configuration and the style of sinks; so we did.
Nicholas and I sat down together listing off everything we wanted on a small piece of paper, we folded it into a boat and put it on the bookshelf. I went and visited my Grandfather, who was a long time sailor on the East Coast and he wrote down all the places where we should look for a new vessel.
From that handwritten scrap of paper we found Manukai; in a small New England boatyard under dirt, grime, grease and with her engine completely torn apart. We had seen several boats up and down the coast but as we drove up to Manukai and before even stepping out of the borrowed car we were driving, Nicholas and I looked at each other and simultaneously said, “I think this is our boat.”
We climbed aboard and despite the entire engine being in pieces, the floorboards being ripped apart and everything in complete disarray we knew she was ours. And, yes, she had everything we had written down. It took 6 months longer for us to get any money from our horrible insurance company and we almost lost her not once, but twice to two other people, yet somehow we still acquired her and for less than we had initially offered.
So, Manukai is the forefront of our Logo because she’s our dream vessel, and sails like a bird in the wind. We wanted the world in our logo for the same reason we chose Latitudes instead of Latitude because we would like to eventually sail all around the world and yet also be reminded that no matter where we are it’s still a beautiful world and we’re fortunate to be here regardless of where we end up.
The sun peeking over the horizon is there to show that even if all seems dark and terrible, the sun’s around the corner and if we can just hold on long enough it’ll come out…
The words Let’s Go Sailing! are at the top because if you’re sailing, you’ve already arrived; just keep going. And the name…. Grateful Day Charters… Well, that’s a story for another time…
Whatever you do, don’t forget to go sailing, and no matter what, don’t quit your daydream!
