OnBoard Magazine - Issue XVII - 2025 Season

A NEW BEGINNING Liliana selected the name EOS fromGreek mythology. According to Kevin, “EOS was the ancient Greek goddess of the dawn, symbolizing new beginnings, light, and hope. We felt it was the perfect fit for the exciting new adventures on the water!” The first trip aboard EOS was nothing short of adventurous, as Kevin hired Scott to serve as the captain on their month-long voyage from Maryland to northern Mississippi. They set off on January 19, 2025, heading south through the Chesapeake Bay, and eventually to the ICW. Kevin recalled some of the early stops in Eastern North Carolina, saying “One day we were battling three-to-fourfoot seas near Belhaven… In Morehead City, temperatures plunged to 14 degrees, icing the entire town and leaving our cockpit buried under four inches of snow.” After the front passed, Kevin and Scott experienced a nice break in the weather giving themtheopportunity torunoutside through portions of South Carolina. Some nights they visited marinas, while other nights they anchored out along the way. One night they dealt with such strong currents that holding anchor was a struggle, and they were forced to set alarms in case they started dragging away. “It kept me on high alert through the night,” said Kevin. Another highlight during this time was witnessing a Cape Canaveral rocket launch from nearby Titusville Marina. The next leg of the journey brought them to the Okeechobee Waterway, where they split the state of Florida, thenmoved along the Gulf ICW to Mobile Bay in Alabama. Near Florida’s Big Bend in Steinhatchee, they faced fog so thick that they had to turn the boat around and wait for skies to clear at a local marina. Once in Mobile, they picked up the Tombigbee River and moved north towards the Tenn-Tom Waterway and finally to the Tennessee River. Despite being much closer to their home port, Kevin and Scott were far from being home-free. “In Demopolis, AL, pounding rain and a tornado watch kept us pinned down, and the next day we faced a strong 2-knot current heading up the Tenn-TomWaterway, dodging floating logs and branches the entire way,” Kevin recalled. The weather and current slowed their progress, but EOS finally made it home to Safe Harbor Aqua Yacht on Pickwick Lake on the twenty-eighth day. EOS performed remarkably well during the long voyage with no mechanical issues along the way, which gave the owners complete faith in their new boat. The trip also bolstered the relationship between Kevin and his broker, Scott. “I’ll never forget my experience with Scott over our 28-day trip—it was truly oncein-a-lifetime. Beyond helping with the purchase, Scott was a fantastic teacher throughout the delivery, constantly sharing tips, insights, and hands-on knowledge, making me even more confident and excited to own the boat.” EOS now resides on Pickwick Lake in a covered slip near the border ofMississippi and Tennessee. Taking delivery of their new boat in the winter gave Kevin and Liliana ample time to research destinations and plan trips for the boating season. Their first trip is planned for May, and includes a run down the Tennessee River to Florence, AL, along with some extra stops around Pickwick Lake. When asked about their summer plans, Kevin said “From Pickwick Lake, we can easily reach various destinations— places like Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville via the Cumberland River, and Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky. Plus, since Pickwick Lake is part of the Great Loop, the destinations don’t end with just the ones I mentioned — the possibilities are endless!” The couple is also not afraid to venture out of the river. Liliana has her sights set on a trip to the Florida Keys, and Kevin wants to visit the Bahamas and possibly even a trip far north to Canada. With one extended trip already under his belt, the opportunities truly are endless. 37 2025 SEASON

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