Kotona is a 1980 Ericson 31 Independence. You can find specifications online if you’re into that sort of thing. The boat was designed by Bruce King and built by Ericson Yachts in California. Only about 70 were built. According to the brochure, it was designed to allow a couple to cruise long distances in comfort and safety. We corresponded with an owner who sailed his down the east coast of Australia to Tasmania, about 900 miles, so we’re pretty sure she can handle herself well.

We don’t know all of her history, but from what we gathered from some postings on the Ericson Owners forum, she spent at least part of her life in Maine. The wood stove installed in the main cabin is a good confirmation of that. Sometime in the early 2000s, she changed hands and moved to an inland lake in Virginia. In 2010 she got new owners, who moved her to Lake Lanier outside of Atlanta. They took good care of her, made several upgrades and sailed her until sometime in 2018 or 2019. The new owner kept her on Lake Lanier, but became ill and passed away. His family put the boat up for sale in 2022 and we purchased her from that estate.

We did have the good fortune of meeting the previous owners who brought her down from Virginia to Lake Lanier. They shared what they knew about her history, but sadly, all of the documentation that they had passed on to the next owner was not passed on to us. Still, it was great to hear their stories and gain some insight as to what had been done and why.

She was in good shape structurally and mechanically when we bought her. The only two issues were some blisters below the waterline, that will be addressed when we haul her out this fall, and some wonky fiberglass around the chainplates. That project we’ll address in a blog post at some point.

Kotona will be our home for the foreseeable future. And so far she has carried us safely on our travels. She had a different name when we bought her, and other names before that one. We chose to rename her and invited family and a few friends to attend the ceremony. Below is a blessing Amy used, adapted from a similar one by well-known British sailor and author Tom Cunliffe.

Oh Lord of wind and water, skies and seas, we don’t know all the journeys this lovely boat has made, but we ask as she makes this new departure that you will look kindly upon her and grant her safe passage.

She has had many names, but now as we make her our home, we ask that she may warm to her new name, Kotona.

May all who travel within her protection find peace on their life’s voyage and come at last to the blessing of your safe harbor. Amen.