We departed Mystic, Connecticut, on June 3, 2023, heading for Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. After final checks with Captain Josh Metcalf, we set sail at 5:45 PM. By morning, we passed Stamford and spotted the New York skyline. Navigating the Hudson took nearly 12 hours. Midway, the engine overheated due to a cracked hose, which we quickly repaired at anchor. By evening, we continued toward Castleton Boat Club to unstep the masts.

Returning to Aries was exciting but overwhelming. The boat was still winterized—no water, little power, and a cold interior. We kicked off with a trip to Sift Bake Shop before diving into cleaning, airing out cushions, and fixing the water system. A missing PEX coupling delayed hot water, but by week's end, Aries felt like home again and we were ready to depart for the Great Lakes.

After months away, we returned to Aries in Noank, Connecticut, on May 28, 2023. Our plan: sail her to Wisconsin with a hired captain, turning the journey into an educational adventure. Opening the boat after winter revealed peeling varnish, mildew, and a damp smell. The bilge held more water than expected; a blown fuse and faulty float switch were to blame. We performed a quick systems check and basic cleaning before calling it a night.​ Mysti

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