8 years of living aboard & travelling full time in 30 seconds. Where are you currently sailing and what are your dream cruising grounds?
Posted by Godzira-r32@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 189 comments
Fornicate_Yo_Mama@reddit
Epic!
Never stop. Once you live this life, you will never feel truly free anywhere else doing anything else.
I’ve been at it 35 years (about 25 as a pro captain. The rest cruising/living aboard my own boats) with a few years ashore scattered in between. I regret every one of those land-based years. Wasted in my opinion… along with a lot of money. Anyone who thinks cruising is more expensive than a land-based life is doing one or both with the wrong perspective.
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
I fully agree with both of those things! We have no plans to stop unless it's no longer fun or feasible.
We fly back home to visit family once in a while and I always joke how we can't afford to go back to land life with the cost of gas and groceries now. It's also chaotic when we go back, people are grumpy and busy... It's a breath of fresh air when we get back to the boat after being gone for a week.
Fornicate_Yo_Mama@reddit
May the wind and sea always be at your back and your skies always fair above your trucks.
You found the secret to happiness and fulfillment. We are blessed, in a world of the damned. These gifts are hard to bestow upon one’s self, but worth every ounce of effort for the lifelong rewards.
The ocean is the source of all life. It holds our salvation in its mysterious depths. I found mine on its mercurial surface.
ecounltd@reddit
This was beautiful, u/Fornicate_Yo_Mama.
Willbraken@reddit
How long did that South Pacific crossing take?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
35 days. We left from Panama, altered course to head more North before turning so we could try to catch better wind. Our guage is wrong so we ended up running out of fuel and landing in Nuku Hiva exactly 5 weeks later :)
pyroracing85@reddit
Wow 35 days in the open ocean! Wow what was your contingency plans?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
We have a life raft, multiple ditch bags (for us, for the pets, and a small one with all of our important documents) multiple devices and options for communication & a series drogue
A lot of things we hope we never have to use!
TwiceBakedTomato@reddit
Just curious, do you have to worry about things like this as much when sailing around the Caribbean? I'm taking my first sailing lesson next week with my eventual goal to be able to rent a boat in the Caribbean with just me and my family. I don't know much about the dangers of sailing but it seems rather safe if I'm not crossing any major seas
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Anything can happen anytime, anywhere on the ocean. Our friends just had to abandon ship near Panama right near the coast because they lost their rudder. Luckily there was a cargo ship nearby that helped them.
We had some truly awful passages in the Caribbean. We rode out Hurricane Beryl in Guadeloupe at anchor while others set sail for Grenada and Trinidad. If you're sailing with your family I would take proper precautions no matter where you go. You can't always rely on others to save you if something happens.
TwiceBakedTomato@reddit
The idea would be to fly down and rent a boat eventually. I did it when I was younger with a family friend and it was the best trip of my life. I'd love to give my kids a similar trip when they're older. We have a house near the Chesapeake Bay where I'd love to start day sailing for the time being.
Thanks for the info!
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Great way to spend a vacation! Enjoy!
pyroracing85@reddit
Right!!! Would a rescue even happen out there and by who?? US coast guard? No? I wouldn’t even know who to call!
I’ve sailed all my life (dinghy’s) and that’s all I know this is another world!
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
There are cargo ships and other sailors that have rescued people out here. The mayday call goes out to all mariners nearby and they alter course to help.
DalaiLuke@reddit
We were getting grief for taking 24 days!
Drifter747@reddit
Why’d you stop at Gilligan’s Island?
FalseEvidence8701@reddit
I want to visit the north most waterway. Not sailing yet, but making plans for a boat that can handle the cold.
tumamaesmuycaliente@reddit
Crossed the Panama Canal twice in what seems like such little time. Where to next?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Yeah we wanted to do a quick Caribbean loop before we crossed the pacific.
Our 2025 plans:
Currently in the marquesas
Tahiti > Tonga > Vanuatu > Indonesia > Philippines
Sfangel32@reddit
I heard Tahiti is a beautiful place!
tumamaesmuycaliente@reddit
Sounds amazing. Bon voyage!
ObiWanBonobo@reddit
What about pirate or boat thugs? Have you had any problems? What kind of animals?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Were really cautious and give pirated areas a wide berth. We have 2 friends that have been pirated - one ended really badly the other was able to fight them off.
We have 2 cats and a dog, Shiba Inu, British Shorthair, and a Tabby that followed us home in mexico
ObiWanBonobo@reddit
Do you get your information on areas to avoid from anywhere specific?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Cssn and noonsite, also just from fellow cruisers through WhatsApp/Instagram/etc
ThatLove3894@reddit
Is that a stop in Puerto Jiménez I see before the first canal crossing?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Yeah we spent a couple of days there
ThatLove3894@reddit
What a perfect anchorage that is. I’m jealous!
Morall_tach@reddit
You skipped the Galapagos??? We went Panama to the Galapagos to Fatu Hiva. 23 days for the main passage.
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
We have 3 pets and couldn't stop in the Galapagos unfortunately
Traditional_Law_397@reddit
Do you mind sharing a bit about checking in and out with pets? We are starting our journey soon with cats on board and very little is shared about it. I know leaving the US we need current rabies and certificates of health to get to the Bahamas. Then we will keep looking ahead but do you have a specific resource that you use for information on the next country's pet check in laws?
Morall_tach@reddit
Ah, fair enough.
Other_Cantaloupe3414@reddit
What kind of boat do you have?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
1980 Gulfstar 44 ketch
zombie_pr0cess@reddit
This is awesome. I have a few years left in the navy, which means a few years left to finish my boat and then I’m following in your footsteps.
Mister_Ticklezzzzzz@reddit
This is so cool. Out of curiosity, did you use ever have a day where you were caught in bad weather and thought to yourself, “maybe I will go back to living on land?”
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
I grabbed my cat and was ready to jump ship when we hit a poorly marked reef in the pnw lol. It sounded like whole boat blew apart.
We're lucky we have such a solid boat, we had an emergency haul out 3 days after hitting and there was pretty minimal fibreglass repairs! If we had a newer boat with a bolt on keel it would have been a total loss.
Mister_Ticklezzzzzz@reddit
Crazy! What an awesome adventure.
RyanTylerThomas@reddit
What app are you using here? It's a real delight?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Travelboast
RyanTylerThomas@reddit
Nice! Thanks!
woodworkingguy1@reddit
I have sailed to Bermuda and would do it again in a minute and my "Everest" is sailing across the Atlantic to Europe.
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
I hope you get to experience that one day!
JimboTheSimpleton@reddit
I love how you went north to Alaska and were like, "nope too cold. Beautiful but not for us.". Haha.
DrSlugworth@reddit
Hell yeah dude also did a similar trip but including the Virgin Islands and have a similar “Everest” for now. Also like the username
Federal_Aide7914@reddit
There are other continents…
Nervous-Priority-626@reddit
You missed the Galapagos, wtf
thqks@reddit
Ah, the ol' amelia earhart
usernamesarehard1979@reddit
Sorry you died in the middle of the ocean.
jeffofreddit@reddit
Where was the end?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
It amazes me how many people don't know geography.
theheliumkid@reddit
How did you earn money while travelling? Or did you have a large fund before you left?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
We made a 10 year goal in our 20s, budgeted, sold all of our stuff, paid off debts, and saved up. After only 5 years of that we were able to leave. My husband is able to work remote as an accountant so that keeps us going.
Despite what people probably think, you really don't need much living at sea, expenses are pretty minimal, & groceries, etc. are much less expensive than Canada and the US. We have friends that cruising full time in Latin America on a 10k USD/year budget. We spend more than that obviously because we have steady income but it's not necessary and many many people do it without having a job. It just takes planning and work.
We don't have rent or a mortgage, no car payments, no cell plans, no Netflix, no monthly haircut or colour, no new work clothes or shoes, etc. You don't need to be rich to do this you just need to choose what you spend your money on.
MangoShadeTree@reddit
Whats his computer setup like? Is it hard to get work done while underway?
I want to do this and WFH, but I do CAD and drawing stuff while rolling and pitching might get kinda difficult.
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
He usually just sits at the table or has his laptop on his lap, it's really not an ideal set up. He doesn't work much on passages
MangoShadeTree@reddit
Thanks,
How much time do you spend in port vs sailing?
Do you typically anchor out, or pay for a slip?
What do you use for a dingy when you do anchor out?
I see a cat, how do litter boxes work on a sailboat? Any tricks to keep what belongs in the box, in the box?
I see a dog too. Did he come on the Panama > Nuku Hiva? If so, how's bathroom breaks for him work?
Sorry for all the questions, just super interested in how it all works out.
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Np, happy to answer questions :)
Were about 80% at anchor 20% on the move
We prefer to anchor, but if we have friends or family visit it's easier if we're in a marina - or if we need to fly out.
We have an octender with a 15hp motor
We have 2 cats and we use the breeze litter system - I don't use the pads I just clean the tray everyday and the pellets get recharged with salt water so I can get months of use out of them.
Ricky has a grass pad on the deck he goes on and we wash it off after he uses it.
120decibel@reddit
and no kids...
HoustonWeAreFucked@reddit
Yep. Kids are a terrible financial decision.
nihilationscape@reddit
Dolphin daycare is outrageous!
PTMorte@reddit
Why not post how much your expenses are per month / year instead of all these abstract answers.
Eg. You answering about how much some other people you met spend. Or how much a Mexican starlink pack is while docked when you are not docked, or mexican.
Do you actually know what your expenses are, or just let your other half worry about that?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Why is it any of your business?
PTMorte@reddit
Its up to all of us how much we share. But you came to a public forum, posted, then deflected multiple questions from people instead of answering directly.
waff1eman@reddit
Not sure what your issue is. By that same logic it’s up to all of us how we deflect. OP is doing a fine job answering questions, hence all the down votes you’re getting.
PTMorte@reddit
I don't have any issue. I agree that we can all respond to each other however we feel like.
I asked them why not be more truthful in their answers to people who asked several times what their expenses are.
I don't think the people asking about costs were jealous. I think they were genuinely interested in knowing more about the life that OP is posting.
If OP decided to not answer, that's their prerogative, and also fine.
waff1eman@reddit
Asking them to reformat their answer in expenses per month / year insinuates you take issue with how they answered the question. Asking somebody to me more truthful in their answer is insinuating they are hiding something. OP is answering in their own way, you are the one taking multiple issues with it.
PTMorte@reddit
I comment and respond in good faith with all people. I haven't taken any issues with anyone. Maybe there is a clash of culture here?
I think that if you walked into any marina pub on earth and started talking to people you would hear questions like this.
capitali@reddit
And I bet you can’t read the room when you are clearly not fitting in there as well. Pay a little attention to the wake you’re making and self correct.
waff1eman@reddit
You keep saying you don’t take any issues but you clearly are, per my last comment. This does not constitute good faith. Full circle now.
PTMorte@reddit
I raised questions about their statements and then knowledge of boat running finances, based on their comments in an open forum.
waff1eman@reddit
Yes.
capitali@reddit
Some people strive to be jerks. It’s their goal in life to generate conflict and appear superior through offensive tactics. They are just jerks. They are inferior because of their actions regardless of their own self importance.
the_fresh_cucumber@reddit
They aren't obligated to answer ANY questions about their personal life just because they made one post in a public forum.
Financials are a personal issue and most people aren't interested in doing a full dissection of their finances.
Just because someone makes a post doesn't mean you can ask them about their sex life or anything else.
PTMorte@reddit
I agree, and wrote that in the first line of the comment you replied to.
mianao@reddit
It’s easier to find scapegoat for your excuses. It’s harder to just try it on your own. You missing the point seems to indicate some level of jealousy…? Or just bad at communication?
PTMorte@reddit
I don't think this person sees the finances of their bost because $10k is $27 per day and most people spend more than that just on diesel.
mianao@reddit
I think his focus is less on the $ but the journey of it. You may be fixating on the wrong thing.
the_fresh_cucumber@reddit
What? Many cruisers barely use any diesel because they are moored most of the time and because they barely use their motors.
There are people who launch and dock by sail
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
That's quite an assumption to say I don't know something about my own life but you seem to?? I made a post to show my travels not share personal finances with a bitter armchair sailor.
Also it's a sailboat you can wait for a weather window and you don't have to use $27 of diesel everyday.
PTMorte@reddit
I was giving you the benefit of the doubt in suggesting you may not know your finances. Because the other alternative is that you were intentionally misrepresenting them to people who were asking you questions about the lifestyle in good faith.
Instead of just answering, you're getting kind of nasty and personal now so fair winds and tight lines.
DalaiLuke@reddit
Dude have a Snickers and try to digest the irony
PTMorte@reddit
I have heard of that brand before but I don't understand what you mean.
macandcheesehole@reddit
Wouldn’t you need to spend $10,000 a year just maintaining a sailboat? $800 a month covers their entire lives?
theheliumkid@reddit
Thanks, this very helpful!
numberzguy84@reddit
What type of Accounting gig?
rouxgaroux@reddit
reminds me of Sid Meyer's Pirates, I can hear the sailing around music
jefsontex@reddit
What was the cost of the canal passage?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
$4000usd for any vessel under 60ft
codeisart@reddit
Non sailing, wanna-be sailor here. My neighbour recently told me when I explained my dream was to sail down to California and back (from Vancouver) that I "clearly didn't sail". He went on to explain that there's no winds coming back up and is why there's so many sailboats for sale down in Mexico (from people making the same mistake). Is this in anyway true? Trips like this one wouldn't be attempted surely if this was the case?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
It's called the Baja Bash - it's not comfortable, but it's doable! You can time it right and motor your way back up.
We have a few friends that have done it - check out tulas endless summer on YouTube they documented it but they were in a motorboat at that time.
codeisart@reddit
Thank you and I still hope to keep the dream alive. Your trip looks fantastic and very inspiring.
Gavitir@reddit
Does it get lonely?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
No we meet a lot people along the way and have made lifelong friends out here. It can be as isolating or as social as you make it!
We do a lot of happy hours and beach potlucks
frodosbitch@reddit
So close to the Galapagos!
NotInherentAfterAll@reddit
I want to do a circumnavigation on a tall ship so bad, but it’s a long time commitment and I’d need licenses to do it.
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Do it!!
NotInherentAfterAll@reddit
I’m working on it - currently I am working stints on tall ships to accrue sea time. I think there are a few which do circumnavigations that only ask for an AB, so that’s my goal for now!
blahblagblurg@reddit
Looks like you started in the PNW? I'm currently moored on the Sound and trying to plot a route to Hawaii without having to go too far down the west coast.
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Yes, still some of the best cruising grounds up there! We spent 3 years exploring the pnw. If it wasn't so cold and wet we wouldn't have left lol.
I know a lot of people leave from AK, are you planning to head north first? It's truly beautiful up there. Same with Haida gwaii.
blahblagblurg@reddit
I just assumed the regular route of heading down the coast to San Francisco/LA and then go right? It's that leg that seems to make the trip difficult time-wise. If there is a way to, say, go south past the Columbia and then head SW it'd be money. I'm pretty new and just starting to really look at is seriously. Lots to learn and love any thoughts you have to share.
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Sorry, I don't quite follow what you're asking.
(I'm a bit sleep deprived)
blahblagblurg@reddit
No worries! What I mean is that the common route seems to be to travel down the west coast to the \~34th latitude and then head west to Hawaii. I can't get the time off work to make that happen. So I'm looking at if it's doable to travel to, say, the 46th latitude and then head SW. Cut the corner so to speak.
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Ah gotcha! We have friends that are leaving from 48° I think it's totally doable from where you're at.
blahblagblurg@reddit
That's great to hear. Do you know id they have a channel/page that they update?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
They don't sorry
blahblagblurg@reddit
Guess I'll have to go see it/ figure it out myself!
blogito_ergo_sum@reddit
Not the previous poster, but I'd be very curious to hear more about your early experiences in the PNW and the practicalities of cold-weather liveaboarding. What did your boat-heating strategy look like? Did you head south or to shore-based accommodations in the winters?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
We have a webasto diesel heater that blasts throughout the boat and we used it everyday, sometimes in the summer months too. We lived aboard full time in the winter months, we shoveled snow off of our decks a few times but winter sailing had its moments too! We had anchorages all to ourselves and it was extremely peaceful and cozy.
xxSpeedsterxx@reddit
So close to all that Caribbean goodness and you chose to go back through the PC and make a passage?
manzanita2@reddit
Damn, were you really feeding the birds the whole way ?
MathematicianSlow648@reddit
Am not currently sailing. Spent 27 years living aboard from 1973 doing 2 extended voyages south from the PNW. First as far as Tahiti & back via Hawaii. Refilled funds and then back to Mexico for another 3 yrs again returning via Hawaii. The rest was exploring the PNW of the US & Canada. Now in my 83rd year I am sure glad I did it when I was young. I wish you fair winds & following seas.
blogito_ergo_sum@reddit
That's a long time in the PNW! Do you have any advice on living aboard comfortably through the relatively-cold and wet winters?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
We have a webasto diesel heater that blasts throughout the boat and we used it everyday, sometimes in the summer months too. We lived aboard full time in the winter months, we shoveled snow off of our decks a few times & sailed through blizzards, but winter sailing had its moments! We had anchorages all to ourselves and it was extremely peaceful and cozy.
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Amazing! I'm sure you have some great stories to tell. It's hard enough with our 30 year old bodies I give major credit to those still doing it later in life.
CatThatCATs@reddit
Congrats guys! All good with the furriest on the passage?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Thank you. They're living their best adventure filled little lives with many nautical miles under their paws.
Akushin@reddit
This is literally my plan for the next couple years. Sailing out of Blaine and exploring BC this summer
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
BC is beautiful, so much wildlife and nice well maintained walking trails Enjoy!!
boydernest@reddit
How was nuku hiva? We’re arriving in a couple days! So excited to walk again lol
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
I had full body goosebumps and tears in my eyes. Congrats on almost making it, go get an ice cream and enjoy walking on solid ground!
Upset-Market-6664@reddit
Wow
probablyaythrowaway@reddit
If I may ask how do you fund that?
abqhost505@reddit
How much money do I need to do this?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
As little as $10k USD/year and the sky is the limit.
We've met people on both sides (yes they've been cruising for 20 years and $10kusd is their budget)
People always assume we're rich because we prioritized this over the luxuries of land life. We don't have rent, mortgage payments, car payments, phone bulls, Netflix etc. I don't get my hair done or buy work clothes... Instead we travel.
It helps obviously if you can have some income, some people cruise half the year and work the other half, some people work remote using starlink, some people set out with savings and a budget.
forkcat211@reddit
How much is that per month, and is it unlimited?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
38/month with our Mexican dishy it's unlimited high speed unless we're offshore then priority data gets toggled on and it becomes very expensive.
madworld@reddit
Is that $38 USD for a Mexican roaming plan? It's closer to $85 for us for the same thing.
forkcat211@reddit
Ahh....Thanks for the info!
thecountnotthesaint@reddit
10k sounds very doable. Glad to hear that.
ThraxiosFartKing@reddit
Id bet they saved like $300k for this
browneyesays@reddit
Right this animation is sweet! Must have cost a fortune!
floppalocalypse@reddit
Yes.
Commander_Lion88@reddit
Did you sink at the end!?!
ThatLove3894@reddit
They got to French Polynesia!
mr_muffinhead@reddit
What do you have against Oregon!?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Lol we spent enough time in the cold and we had a friend on board that needed to get back to work so we straight shot it from Victoria to San Francisco.
mr_muffinhead@reddit
Makes sense! It was funny to see, just looks like, "whoop, stay away from this place!" wide berth
Looks like an awesome adventure. I just got my first boat at the end of last season, something like this is only in my dreams.
Have a YT channel?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Awesome, having a boat is a good first step! Fair winds :)
No we don't, just instagraminstagram.
ryanmh27@reddit
How was the Haida Gwaii? Heard there's some rough fucking tides around there
cookigal@reddit
Thank you for sharing this amazing adventure ! It sounds idealistic- I realize there's maintenance etc to take care of, but it's wonderful to read about someone fulfilling their dreams ! ☺️
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Thank you I appreciate you saying that :)
Secret-Research@reddit
Cool, how do you make an animation like this?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Travelboast
iSkiBC@reddit
How do you like your Gulfstar? Ketch or sloop? What kind of speeds do you make?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Gulfstar is known for some really awful boat builds. But the 44 and the 50 were designed by the son of the owner and these 2 models specifically are as solid as they come. It's a great design for comfort and cruising. But it's a heavy ish boat so we need at least 12kts to sail.
We average 6.5kts the highest we've hit was 13.8 surfing down a wave on our Pacific crossing.
toothless_budgie@reddit
Please can you do us all a favor and 'draw' a gigantic smiley face with your track while in the Pacific?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Best I can do is a dick.
Asum_chum@reddit
This is the best anyone can offer.
olddoglearnsnewtrick@reddit
I have sailed the Mediterranean, crossed the Atlantic and lived in Panama for a while and also delivered a sailboat from Rome to Madagascar with father so have some experience but am still envious of your journey :)
I read you have pets on board and am curious on how do they handle long crossings. I now have a large energetic Labrador and no boat and one of the things that keeps me from going back is my beloved dog. He NEEDS to run a couple of hours a day to be in good physicial and mental shape.
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
I love Panama! San Blas is one of my favourite places that we've cruised.
It's definitely more difficult with a dog, it's more expensive, and there are lots of places that we can't go. But I can't imagine not having him on this journey. He has an ever changing backyard with an unlimited swimming pool.
Passages are usually only a few days to a week, other than the Pacific crossing. He settles in on passages and he definitely got a little bored on the 35 days but it's worth it to have entire beaches to himself to run on and swim to and play with coconuts. It's an amazing adventure filled life for our pets and I think they would be bored going back to land life.
olddoglearnsnewtrick@reddit
Awww so sweet. I lived 6 months as a kid on an island with the Kuna people. Nalunega was its name. It was not allowed at the time (1975) but the chief invited us there. Great memories. Fair winds my friend you’re living something we only dream about.
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Amazing!! They really are some of the kindest people. We felt very safe and welcomed there.
PerritoMasNasty@reddit
Is that where you sunk?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
What do you mean
PerritoMasNasty@reddit
It just ends abruptly in the middle of the ocean
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Ah, it's French Polynesia.
Eightstream@reddit
Marooned then? Stuck with a bunch of frogs, commiserations
Tavrabbit@reddit
The motu's where the people coo to each other in a language that sounds like singing. (Spent 3 months in Fakarava)
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
We keep hearing great things about Fakarava, I can't wait to check it out
DalaiLuke@reddit
So you are still east of there? Take your time and put in at some of the smaller atolls.
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
We left Nuku Hiva today for the Tuamotus - were on a time crunch this year to get to the Philippines by January so we have to skip alot and cut our time short unfortunately.
But we'll be back and we'll see it all properly.
miguegrCR@reddit
I saw an episode of gone with the wynns diving in Fakarava, impressive!
browneyesays@reddit
So not sunk, but run aground. Makes sense.
SmilingZebra@reddit
I thought the same thing…sunk
Preachwar@reddit
Lmao
PineappIeOranges@reddit
I'm getting ready to quit my job next to move aboard my 35-footer full-time. My first boat, and aside from motoring all of 12nm it'll be my first time solo. Very limited recreational boating experience. My goal is New England to Florida, by year end or there about, to start.
This is more of a trial by fire to see if I even enjoy cruising, and definitely not the way to go about it. I don't feel the boat is ready, and I'm not ready. I'm going to try to spend the next few months getting it there and gaining experience locally. Who knows, I may end up calling in quite before I start.
I don't currently have a dream destination in mind, just playing it by ear. Aside from Florida, the Bahamas seems like the next logical step and Caribbean thereafter. I'll have to see how my funds are. I think I could manage at least a year before needing to work, as I still have some debts.
While I'd like to make this boat better than she's been, I also think she may just be a starter boat for what I imagine I want to do. If that is the case, I don't want to keep sinking more, and more, money than I already have. I also acquired a neglected project steel boat months before this boat, and I have trouble not dreaming about restoring it despite it being financially irresponsible. Storage fees for it are just slowly burning a hole.
It ought to be an interesting experience nonetheless.
toothless_budgie@reddit
35 feet is the perfect sweet spot for a solo sailor. Small enough to be fairly cheap, big enough to live in.
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
If you wait until you and your boat is 100% ready you will never leave the dock.
The hardest part is going for it, you'll figure the rest out as you go! The sailing community is full of some of the best people in the world, always willing to lend a hand, a tool, or a beer.
You've got this, & maybe we'll cross paths out there some day!
PineappIeOranges@reddit
That's what everyone tells me. Now I just got to get out there and do it!
Perhaps we will. :)
millijuna@reddit
I’ll admit… my dreams are pretty simple. To me, the waters of the Salish Sea and points related are cruising paradise.
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
I agree with you, the pnw is still some of my favourite cruising grounds. The anchorages are calm and beautiful, we spent 3 years up there and didn't even scratch the surface. But we prefer warmer climates.
millijuna@reddit
Ahh, see, for me if it's over 25c, it might as well be a sauna. Much prefer sailing in the winter. :)
Stoic_Nut@reddit
I want this life
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Do it!
A_brand_new_troll@reddit
What kind of boat?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
1980 Gulfstar 44 ketch
redaction_figure@reddit
Nuku Hiva is a beautiful place. Go take the hike back to the falls and fill up with the drinking water over in Daniel's bay (Hakatea bay).
mikeysz@reddit
And I thought my boat was slow ;-)
DW-64@reddit
Siiiiiiiiick
No-Top-2736@reddit
Can anybody say how was the animation made?
pablox43@reddit
How did you start? I mean If I wanted to get into sailing, what do you recommend I could do? Where to get some classes?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Watch YouTube sailing channels, delos, nandji, parlay, tulas endless summer just to name a few!
Reach out to your local yacht club, they're always looking for extra hands on race nights.
We started with a 29ft sailboat and then moved onto our 44ft.
pablox43@reddit
Thanks!
mianao@reddit
What’s the roughest/toughest patch of the journey
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
We hit a poorly marked reef at the lowest tide and needed an emergency haul out 3 days later in the pnw- that was pretty terrifying.
We got caught in a blizzard sailing from Vancouver to Vancouver island because we had to be at the office the next day.
And moments on our 35 day passage were pretty miserable, we had a week of relentless squalls, everything was wet and breaking, we were exhausted and just feeling defeated.
It's not always bikinis and cocktails, sometimes it really tests you and has moments of really low lows, but it's still worth it!
kcmike@reddit
Which video editor did you use to make this video?
Godzira-r32@reddit (OP)
Travelboast
kissmewatson@reddit
Did I see French Guiana for a hurricane season?
ChiRealEstateGuy@reddit
How do you fund your expeditions and lifestyle?