There’s nothing better than spending the afternoon out on the San Diego Bay, is there? Feeling the breeze in your hair as you enjoy spectacular views of both Coronado and San Diego, all is right with the world. Recently, Coronado residents Tim and Dana Allen, along with their three beautiful children, Abby, Sophie, and Timmy, invited my family and friends aboard their catamaran, a Gemini 37 Freestyle named THE LOUISE. Quite frankly, it was the best time I’ve ever spent “underway.”
How a First Kiss Led to a Lifelong Love of the San Diego Bay
Tim and Dana Allen met when they were just 18 years old, both freshmen at Point Loma Nazarene University. California native Tim hailed from Port Hueneme, while Dana was born and raised in Wisconsin.
“We met at orientation weekend, and I was quite enamored with him,” Dana recalls. As they started their first semester, they began spending time together. “Our first kiss happened while going under the Coronado Bridge,” Dana shares, still smiling all these years later as she recalls the exact moment Tim stole her heart. To this day, the couple, who are adorably affectionate, continue to share a kiss every time they sail under the bridge!
Last spring Tim and Dana Allen took the leap, and moved from La Mesa, California to the Crown City. As their oldest daughter Abby finished middle school, Dana says, “We realized we needed to simplify our lives.” The family, who had always enjoyed coming to Coronado to sail, surf, play tennis, and ride their bikes, recognized that Coronado has a community feel to it that Dana notes “most towns don’t have.”
Dana shares, “We sold our house, and sold off most of what we had, and moved here so Abby could start her freshman year at Coronado High School. It’s pretty humbling to be living here because we still remember that season of our lives when we didn’t even have a car, when we used to have to borrow a car just to come to Coronado. It’s surreal!” The young couple, who fell head over heals for each other, fell in love with Coronado back in the day when they still had to pay a toll to cross the bridge, never dreaming that one day they would be lucky enough to raise their family here.
Years ago before they even moved here, Tim, who works in downtown San Diego, found himself always watching all the sailboats with a sense of wonder as he was working. He thought, “I want to be out there with my friends and family.” Dana recalls, “He came home one day, and said, ‘I either need to learn how to fly or how to sail.’ I asked, ‘Do I get to help you choose?’ I preferred sailing because then the whole family could participate.'”
Tim began taking sailing lessons eight years ago, and the rest, as they say, is history! “I was hooked,” he says. Tim’s story is inspiring in that he didn’t just look at what others were doing, and wish he could do that too; instead he made a resolution to learn how to sail, proving that it’s never too late to pursue a new passion, never too late to find that which sets your spirit free!
He and the whole family fell in love with sailing, and when they moved to Coronado they were excited about the prospect of being able to sail more often. With a family of five, however, it was often difficult to find a boat large enough to comfortably accommodate all of them as well as friends and family. That’s when Tim and Dana decided to buy their own boat, a catamaran.
After sailing catamarans in various places around the world, including Greece and the British Virgin Islands, Tim and Dana came to appreciate all that catamarans have to offer. As they researched what kind of catamaran to purchase, an incredible opportunity presented itself to them – they found a Gemini 37 Freestyle, which is a new design just released last year. It’s the only one of its kind, not just in San Diego, but on the west coast. Dana says she and Tim knew, “This would be the perfect boat for San Diego because it’s designed for day sailing. It’s an absolutely amazing way to enjoy where we live.”
Wanting to keep the tradition of naming the boat after a woman, Tim wanted to name the boat after Dana. They decided to go with Dana’s middle name Louise, which is also her mother’s middle name. As a tribute to their love of Coronado as well as a special reminder of their first kiss, they included the Coronado Bridge in their catamaran’s logo.
“The best part about this boat,” Tim says, “is having the boat as a business, but also being able to take friends and family out, where I get to do something I love as I spend time with the people I love most. That’s my favorite part,” he says as he looks around THE LOUISE with great satisfaction and pride.
What do the Allens’ children think about the big move to Coronado and their parents buying THE LOUISE? Freshman Abby says, “I love living in Coronado and going to school here! I love to go on the boat because it’s a great place to be with friends and hang out.” Sophie, who’s in middle school, shares, “I like living here because it’s a simple life and fun. I love being on the catamaran. It’s the perfect way for my family to really spend quality time together, a great bonding experience for all of us.” Tim and Dana’s youngest, Timmy, who’s in elementary school, didn’t have to too much to say, but the smile he had on his face the whole time certainly said it all!
Specifics about The Allens’ Unique Catamaran, THE LOUISE
THE LOUISE is the quintessential sailing vessel, equipped with not one, but two heads (bathrooms for you non-nautical folk), a shower to rinse off after a day of swimming in the bay, and even a gourmet grill! One of the most impressive features is that the catamaran is accessible for wheelchairs and motorized scooters, designed with no step-downs whatsoever. Wow! Someone who requires the use of a walker would even be able to board THE LOUISE with ease! “We’ve had elderly guests sail with us, and they all enjoyed it. We love that this boat allows multiple generations to come together. It’s been a blessing,” Dana remarks.
Tim and Dana have added creature comforts to enhance their guests’ time aboard THE LOUISE, adding an upscale picnic table and benches, wicker patio furniture with comfortable cushions, waterproof deck storage boxes to protect valuables from the elements, and even a top of the line YETI cooler. Everything needed to enjoy the perfect day at sea is already on THE LOUISE, but, as Dana points out, if guests desire a different arrangement of the furniture, she and Tim are amenable to the furniture being rearranged. “You can even have the furniture removed in advance if you want to have an underway dance party,” Dana says, adding, “One group already did that. Whatever you want to do! We’re flexible.”
Another delightful feature of sailing on THE LOUISE is the shade provided by the roof. Guests who prefer not to risk sun exposure can still spend the afternoon at sea without worrying about burning, but for guests who want to soak up the rays, there’s plenty of room to relax and unwind, both forward and aft, with its open deck plan.
The kids who set sail on THE LOUISE with us were elated that that they were allowed to climb on the roof (with the exception of the glass portion) to take in the breathtaking scenery. What a cool view! The boat has plenty of space for people to spread out, and moving from one section of THE LOUISE to another was effortless.
The rooftop views while sailing aboard THE LOUISE are simply stunning!
Renting the Gemini 37 Freestyle – THE LOUISE
Sunset Sailing, Gatherings with Friends and Family, Company Team Building, and More!
The Allens’ sailboat, THE LOUISE, is docked at Seaforth Boat Rentals of Coronado at 1715 Strand Way right next to the historic former Hotel Del Coronado boathouse, Bluewater Boathouse.
THE LOUISE was purchased “fully with the intention of renting it,” Dana shares. “When we first came across this boat, we knew it could be a unique opportunity because this style of boat wasn’t anywhere in the San Diego area or even anywhere on the west coast. We approached Seaforth Boat Rentals, where we’ve been members for years, and asked them if they’d be interested in having THE LOUISE be part of their charter. They said, ‘Absolutely! We’d love it.’ With four locations, Seaforth Boat Rentals didn’t have anything like this. They manage the bookings so it’s a great partnership we have with them. We’re the owners, but Seaforth Boat Rentals handles the day to day operations.”
THE LOUISE can be rented for either 4 hours or 8 hours, and rentals may be booked online. Prices, which are listed on Seaforth Boat Rentals’ website, also vary depending on whether or not guests are club members.
For those people interested in renting THE LOUISE who do not have sailing experience themselves, captains are available for hire at an additional cost, and arrangements can be made through Seaforth Boat Rentals. (Captains, who are paid directly, charge $125 for 4 hours and $250 for 8 hours. Tim himself is not one of the captains available for hire.)
Interested in watching the sunset with friends? Seaforth Boat Rentals offers Private Sunset Sails, which depart from Coronado. Of its two hour Private Sunset Sails, Seaforth Boat Rentals advertise, “Watch the sun set over the ocean and capture breathtaking views of San Diego’s Skyline in full sunset color.” Having witnessed the sunset aboard THE LOUISE, I can attest, it’s the best way to end the day!
Additional Information:
For additional rental information, go to seaforthboatrental.com, or call at (888) 834-2628. To find answers to Seaforth Boat Rentals’ frequently asked questions about rental requirements, click here. Tim says that those people who choose to sail the boat themselves rather than hire a captain must adhere to Seaforth’s requirements, which require certifications and demonstrated experience. For additional photos and information about THE LOUISE, go to www.sailthelouise.com. Happy sailing!
