Marionette is a wonderful pocket cruiser that spawned the start of the North Idaho Trailer Sailers Facebook group. Originally named “My Heart Is In the Wind,” she was purchased from a wonderful Montgomery 17 sailor from Reno, NV named Randy. Our family traveled to Reno and brought her to North Idaho in the spring of 2024 and began our small boat cruising life after many years of caretaking larger sailboats. She was christened Marionette in the early spring and she has been a joy! She makes regular cruises and appearances on the YouTube channel the Ruddy Duck Adventures. Our best cruise to date has been to upper Priest Lake with 4 other trailer sailors as documented on Brian’s channel and we plan to do the Salish 100 together in July 2025. Our experiences have not been without troubles with a lost propeller on the outboard, fuel issues requiring a tow, and trailer tire blow outs while on the road. She has been loved and has taken good care of us on our cruises. She has taught us a lot about being small boat sailors! The joy that comes when we set her tanbark sails in a gusty Lake Pend Orielle day increases when we know she will bring us home safely with stories to tell.