The Making of BlueQuest714

In 2016, recovering from another shoulder surgery, I had a vision — coffee at sunrise, a marsh at low tide, wading birds working the shallows, and a life built around the water. That vision became The Low Tide Chronicles. Six years later I bought the boat: a 1994 Carver 390 Cockpit Motor Yacht named BlueQuest714.

What followed wasn't simple. An old friend I trusted took nearly $6,000 for engine work and never did it. Eight of us filed a criminal case against him, he took a plea deal, and restitution was ordered. By the time I could get back to the boat, she needed far more than she should have. Then came the harder losses — both of my parents, and then my dog Pally, within a short and brutal stretch of time.

But the work continued. Chris Prince at Extreme Custom Marine in Leland, NC has been transforming BlueQuest714 into a vessel that meets today's standards — and then some. Here's exactly where things stand.

What's already done:

  • Twin engines rebuilt and going in now

  • Two new toilets and Raritan waste treatment system inside and ready to install

  • Full Garmin electronics suite — navigation, radar, autopilot, stereo

  • New generator

  • New yacht tender (Highfield)

  • Full hull and bow repaint — striking blue violet with glossy black and silver accents

  • Custom back windows

  • SeaDek decking installed throughout

  • Podcast recording gear in hand

  • Flybridge enclosure completed by Craig at High Tide Canvas

This isn't a project starting from zero — it's one crossing the finish line.

What's still needed:

  • 110V AC wiring overhaul — $12,000–15,000. Full system replacement for fire safety and code compliance. Wiring has begun — $5,000 already paid to get started.

  • Hull foam filler — ~$2,000. A modern epoxy foam product now used in new boat construction, injected into the open hull space to improve flotation and structural integrity. Must be completed before engine and fuel tank installation.

  • Fire suppression system, engine room — ~$400.

  • 6-person offshore liferaft — $2,000. Essential safety equipment for offshore passages, including the Bahamas crossing.

  • Engine hoses, clamps, and hardware — ~$800.

  • Upper deck enclosure — $6,500. An outdoor room with a grill, sink, fridge, fish-cleaning station, and seating — matching the existing flybridge enclosure.

  • Salon helm station — ~$1,000. So the boat can be operated from inside.

  • Starlink kit and plan — ~$2,000 kit + $250/month. Reliable connectivity on the water for the podcast and vlog.

  • Living costs while the refit finishes — ~$3,075/month for 2–3 months. Slip and studio until I'm back aboard and generating income.

Where I'm keeping costs controlled: logo, boot stripe, and name application will go through a single source. Flooring and cosmetic touches I'll handle myself. Safety and structural work comes first; everything else follows.

The goal: $30,000

If you'd like to help get BlueQuest714 back on the water, every contribution makes a real difference.

Support the Voyage