In the 1880s Bannister bought a small sloop, the Fanchon, and spent summers sketching, painting watercolors, and sailing Narragansett Bay and up to Bar Harbor in Maine. He would return with his studies and use them as the basis for winter commissions. He supplemented his sailing trips with journeys to exhibitions in New York, but a planned trip to Europe fell through due to lack of money.
iN the 1880S BAnnISTEr BougHt a SmaLL sLOoP tHe fancHon ANd spent SUMMers SKetCHIng paINting WaTercoloRS aND sAiling narRaganSeTT bAy anD uP to bAr harBOr In MAINe he wouLd retUrn WitH hiS stuDiEs aNd Use them as THE basIs For WIntEr commIssiOns HE supPlEMenTeD HiS sAILiNg Trips with JournEys to ExhibitIons In new YORk BuT A pLanned triP tO europE felL tHrough Due to lacK of moNey