Featured in the Covey Boatworks Newsletter - April 2003

From Tree of Life owner John Laramee (April 2003):

"My wife Sheri, our crew of six and I continue to follow the dreams of many, sailing around the world. "The Tree of Life continues to make friends and attract admirers throughout our ports of call on our circumnavigation, visiting islands in the South Pacific including the Galapagos, Easter Island, Pitcairn Island, French Polynesia, Niue, Tonga and Fiji in route to
Auckland, New Zealand.

"The 'Tree' was an ever present fixture out on the America's Cup race course for the Louis Vuitton and the America's Cup series. Newport [Rhode Island] being our home city and home port, we cheered Stars and Stripes thru to their elimination. Now with Alinghi hosting the next America's Cup challenge, we are planning our route to have us in the Med for that series.

"The 'Tree' is currently on the hard in Auckland, NZ, following our 18 month voyage that began in Newport, RI on October 17, 2001. She is undergoing general maintenance and getting a fresh coat of paint before our scheduled departure in early May for Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and on to Australia...

"I must say how grateful we are to Kelly [Kellogg, original owner] for not only selecting Ted Brewer to design the "Tree" but, for selecting Covey Island to build the ship...!! She carries with her the spirit of the craftsmen who built her and the respect of every sailor who ever had the "privilege" of sailing on her...!! And I mean "privilege"... Sheri and I feel it a privilege to now own her and share with her our six year circumnavigation."

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John and Sheri Laramee purchased Tree of Life two years ago from Kelly Kellogg, after Mr. Kellogg had completed the vessel's initial circumnavigation of the globe. The 'Tree' was launched by Covey Island Boatworks in 1991.