Ahhhh T, thanks for the comment! I really felt some breakthroughs writing this one, and it means the world that it resonated! I appreciate you reading :)
Thank you. Jeff! I’m so happy that you enjoyed it. And thanks! We’re still newbies, but we’re pushing through and going to build an excellent new life at sea
Good luck! Cruising is an incredible lifestyle, though not an easy one. Lots of good resources out there. (Comment posted from my 28’ sailboat, 23 days out of Panama bound for Marquesas. 1100 miles to go!)
Wow, that’s awesome Nica! Thanks for being a pioneer, and for the comment. We took our boat out yesterday for its first sail! Successfully done, too! Though coming back into the dock was a bit precious; we scratched some paint. Oops, lessons learned. But yesterday I had joy like I’d never experienced before, lying on deck, going 5 knots under sail, and watching the birds glide above the water. I thought I was in heaven, like I was flying. I can cry just remembering it. I’d be curious what your favorite parts & most challenging parts have been so far!
Congrats on the first sail. What fun! On pioneers: if you’re not familiar with Lin and Larry Pardey, get thee to a bookstore stat. Cruising in Serrafyn is definitely the gateway drug in that particular pharmacy.
Hell yea! Are y’all self-identified budget cruisers? I’m reading all their books. They are heroes of mine and I’m planning to write about them in my newsletter this week or next! I’m currently reading The Care and Feeding of Sailing Crew. Honestly, I think this book could’ve gotten interest beyond budget cruisers if it had a different title. lol it’s so good!
We’ve been cruising on and off since the early 1990s, in the same boat. All cruisers are budget cruisers. It’s just some people have larger budgets than others! We’re definitely more “free” with our money than we were in our 20s but are pretty careful. Lots of info on our blog (fit2sail) and on The Boat Galley podcast.
Wow your blog and podcast look incredible!!! And such an incredible resource. I’ll absolutely be checking it out.
We’re approaching all this very empirically, starting this summer in the Chesapeake without a fridge, shower, too much solar, or a motor on our dingy; and we’re planning to build up overtime based on our needs. I know cruisers who manage for years with none of this extra stuff, and others who swear you need all of it plus a water maker, etc. If I’ve learned anything so far, it’s that we have to find the right mix for us. We’re in this for the long haul, and we don’t have unlimited money, so we want to be smart but sustainable 🧘
Smart to start and build on what you need. What you need will change too, depending on where you’re headed. I joke in my classes that my favorite answer to any cruising question starts with “it depends”. Good luck!!
I’m so excited for you!! I didn’t know you can get a sailboat for the price of a sprinter van. That’s awesome! Have you already thought of where you’d like to sail to?
I sailed around Greece with friends I met traveling many years ago and remember we could visit islands and beaches you can only get to with a boat. Sooo beautiful, such great food, and real cheap compared to the US! Just magical!
Yea! There are people who buy & live on sailboats that are less than the price of a Hyundai sedan too. And some that are more expensive than an L.A. mansion! I didn’t realize it was within reach for us, though, until we started looking.
That sounds amazing about Greece! Like, wow! I’m so excited about a ton of destinations, honestly. Right now, exploring all the islands in French Polynesia is a very very enticing idea. But also, New Zealand, Alaska, Cape Horn (and southern South America generally), Thailand, India, and Norway. Hopefully we can keep going until we see it all! As long as we feel the vitality, that is.
It's a pirate's life for me... love this
Thanks, Josh! Indeed, the pirates know what’s up. At least the fun ones do.
Just amazing! Another great piece that speaks to my soul man
Ahhhh T, thanks for the comment! I really felt some breakthroughs writing this one, and it means the world that it resonated! I appreciate you reading :)
I really enjoyed this post. Wishing you guys the best of luck in this adventure.
Thank you. Jeff! I’m so happy that you enjoyed it. And thanks! We’re still newbies, but we’re pushing through and going to build an excellent new life at sea
Good luck! Cruising is an incredible lifestyle, though not an easy one. Lots of good resources out there. (Comment posted from my 28’ sailboat, 23 days out of Panama bound for Marquesas. 1100 miles to go!)
Wow, that’s awesome Nica! Thanks for being a pioneer, and for the comment. We took our boat out yesterday for its first sail! Successfully done, too! Though coming back into the dock was a bit precious; we scratched some paint. Oops, lessons learned. But yesterday I had joy like I’d never experienced before, lying on deck, going 5 knots under sail, and watching the birds glide above the water. I thought I was in heaven, like I was flying. I can cry just remembering it. I’d be curious what your favorite parts & most challenging parts have been so far!
Congrats on the first sail. What fun! On pioneers: if you’re not familiar with Lin and Larry Pardey, get thee to a bookstore stat. Cruising in Serrafyn is definitely the gateway drug in that particular pharmacy.
Hell yea! Are y’all self-identified budget cruisers? I’m reading all their books. They are heroes of mine and I’m planning to write about them in my newsletter this week or next! I’m currently reading The Care and Feeding of Sailing Crew. Honestly, I think this book could’ve gotten interest beyond budget cruisers if it had a different title. lol it’s so good!
I’m glad you know their stuff! Another one to look for is Annie Hill’s “Voyaging on a Small Income”. Dated but with still very relevant ideas.
I’ve heard about this one!! Thanks for the double rec
We’ve been cruising on and off since the early 1990s, in the same boat. All cruisers are budget cruisers. It’s just some people have larger budgets than others! We’re definitely more “free” with our money than we were in our 20s but are pretty careful. Lots of info on our blog (fit2sail) and on The Boat Galley podcast.
Wow your blog and podcast look incredible!!! And such an incredible resource. I’ll absolutely be checking it out.
We’re approaching all this very empirically, starting this summer in the Chesapeake without a fridge, shower, too much solar, or a motor on our dingy; and we’re planning to build up overtime based on our needs. I know cruisers who manage for years with none of this extra stuff, and others who swear you need all of it plus a water maker, etc. If I’ve learned anything so far, it’s that we have to find the right mix for us. We’re in this for the long haul, and we don’t have unlimited money, so we want to be smart but sustainable 🧘
Smart to start and build on what you need. What you need will change too, depending on where you’re headed. I joke in my classes that my favorite answer to any cruising question starts with “it depends”. Good luck!!
Thanks Nica!! Looking forward to running into you again in the future :)
I’m so excited for you!! I didn’t know you can get a sailboat for the price of a sprinter van. That’s awesome! Have you already thought of where you’d like to sail to?
I sailed around Greece with friends I met traveling many years ago and remember we could visit islands and beaches you can only get to with a boat. Sooo beautiful, such great food, and real cheap compared to the US! Just magical!
Yea! There are people who buy & live on sailboats that are less than the price of a Hyundai sedan too. And some that are more expensive than an L.A. mansion! I didn’t realize it was within reach for us, though, until we started looking.
That sounds amazing about Greece! Like, wow! I’m so excited about a ton of destinations, honestly. Right now, exploring all the islands in French Polynesia is a very very enticing idea. But also, New Zealand, Alaska, Cape Horn (and southern South America generally), Thailand, India, and Norway. Hopefully we can keep going until we see it all! As long as we feel the vitality, that is.
wow I did not know that. I always just assumed they're much more expensive than vanlife could be but glad to hear it doesn't have to be!
oh yea... so so many beautiful destinations!!