Everyone dreams of that perfect vacation
home; the home away from home. For
Jeanie and Tim Shafer, that home away
from home is their 2004, 35 foot, Catalina
named Latis. What could be more perfect
than a “normal” vacation home? The
answer would be, one that can move to
wherever you want to vacation!
Latis, the name of their sailboat, is the
goddess of lakes, which seems fitting as
she is currently docked on Lewis & Clark
Lake. Jeanie and Tim have had a boat for
twenty-seven years, but they have only had
Latis for the past 5 years. They live aboard
most weekends and sometimes even stay
overnight throughout the week. Whenever
there is wind, the Shafers are trying to
take her out. The dock around Latis is
decorated as any yard might be. Flower
pots, a grill. Other docks have tables and
chairs out front. The dock is definitely a
community, everyone friendly with each
other and neighborly. They enjoy spending
time together and have get-togethers that
sometimes even happen outside of summer,
when they are back in their homes on
land. The grill boxes around where Latis
is docked were actually designed by the
previous boat owner.
They are such a community that Jeanie
has a side project of repairing sails and
making covers for things on the boats, such
as cockpit table covers. She has an industrial
sewing machine she can use and has done
55 jobs just for this marina. Tim and Jeanie
also help organize the yacht races.
The top of the boat sits 10-12 people,
and is spacious. There is a table so you can
enjoy snacks and drinks up top. Everything
is computerized, making it convenient to
find the speed of the wind and everything
else. Jeanie is the first mate. The boat has a
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