Our Journey Begins!

After years of late night talks we finally firm up a five year plan to live aboard a sailboat!

Our journey began with a mutual dream that took root when Tyler and I were just dating, nurtured through countless late-night conversations and shared aspirations. It was during those moments that we first imagined a life beyond the confines of land – a life filled with adventure and exploration. We both grew up in the Puget Sound region of the Pacific Northwest where the allure of the sea was ever present. Tyler’s childhood adventures sailing dinghies and Hobie cats only deepened our connection to the sea and enriched our vision for the future as he shared his fond memories.

In 2003, we took our first sailing course in Commencement Bay, guided by our seasoned instructor, Mike, with Puget Sound Sailing Institute.  Our passion for sailing was fueled as we immersed ourselves in the world of sailing, devouring books and exploring local marinas and boat shows. Inspired by the challenge and allure of the sea we set out on a quest to find a sailboat of our own.  

After only a few months of searching, our efforts led us to the Tyee Marina in Tacoma where we discovered, Penneless, a well-maintained and well-equipped Catalina 25.  Tyler desired a larger boat, but I convinced him that Penneless was a good start.  Besides, at 25-feet it was large enough to explore the Puget Sound without the costs of a much larger boat. 

For over a decade, we sailed Penneless around Puget Sound and later Flathead Lake, Montana.  We embraced every opportunity to learn and grow, making mistakes and gaining invaluable experience along the way.  I delved into every sailing book I could find, including the somewhat nerdy but indispensable “A Manual of Sail Trim” by Walker.  We even participated in club races and regattas, enjoying the camaraderie and the spirit of competition.  

Yet, despite our love for sailing, the prospect of leaving behind our comfortable, land-based lifestyle always seemed daunting, until now. With a newfound courage and determination, we’ve decided to take the plunge and pursue our dream of living aboard a boat capable of carrying us across the world’s oceans.  It is a leap of faith a bold step into the unknown, but it feels undeniably right. This is our journey, our dream, and we are ready to embrace it with all the courage and determination we possess.

Setting Sail: A 5-Year Plan to Embrace Live Aboard Living

Embarking on the journey of live aboard cruising, where the ocean becomes your backyard and the horizon your constant companion, is a dream for many. But transitioning from land life to a life aboard sailboat requires careful planning and preparation. With a well-structured 5-year plan, we hope to turn this dream into a reality. Here’s the plan we outlined: 

Year 1: Research and Learning

The first year is all about starting the ongoing process of gathering the necessary knowledge and skills required to adopt a new lifestyle.    

• Dive into books, online resources, and sailing forums to learn about different sailboats and catamarans, maintenance, navigation, and safety.  
• Research advanced sailing courses
• Gain hands-on experience
• Obtain advanced sailing certifications
• Develop a comprehensive financial plan, including:
  • Make aggressive saving strategies required to leave our careers 
  • Cut unnecessary expenses
  • Create a budget tailored to our future lifestyle
• Start learning conversational Spanish and/or French

Year 2: Boat Selection and Preparation

With a better idea of what we will need and a realistic budget, we can turn our focus on the vessel.

• Choose the right boat for a live-aboard lifestyle. Areas we will be considering include size, layout, condition, and budget. 
• Attend boat shows and visit marinas to see vessels firsthand and talk to dealers/brokers.
• Research necessary upgrades and potential repairs to ensure a boat meets our needs.
• Acquire knowledge of diesel engine maintenance and repairs

Year 3: Downsizing and Simplifying

Transitioning to living aboard a boat will require downsizing our possessions and simplifying our lives. Use this year to declutter our home and adjust to a simpler lifestyle.

• Take inventory of our belongings to decide what to keep, sell, donate, or discard
• Sell our home or develop a plan as a rental asset
• Embrace minimalism and focus on essentials that will fit onboard our sailboat. 

Year 4: Practice and Preparation

With a boat selected, it will be time to start practicing for life at sea. 

• Get on the water.  Use this year to fine-tune our sailing skills and prepare for the challenges of living on the water full-time.  Gain confidence and experience handling a larger sailboat in different conditions.
• Take bareboat charters depending our where we are in the process of getting a boat.   Practice anchoring, docking, and maneuvering in tight spaces. 
• Acquire the necessary skills to document our journey to share with our apprehensive families.  Written and video documentation will require technical knowledge and skills such as video editing and creating a blog website while mastering social media for sharing our experiences.

Year 5: Launch and Live Aboard

The final year marks the culmination of our journey as we set sail on our live-aboard adventure.

• Tie up loose ends on land, notify employers of our departure, and finalize any necessary paperwork. 
• Plan out our routes and destinations for the start of our adventure, allowing for flexibility and spontaneity, Charts and provisions will be dependent on the location. 
• Embrace the freedom and simplicity of life aboard our sailboat as we navigate new waters, explore distant shores, and make unforgettable memories.

Transitioning from land life to living aboard a sailboat is a significant undertaking that will require careful planning and preparation. By committing to a somewhat structured 5-year plan, we hope to turn our dream of life on the water into a reality. 

With these goals in mind, we embark on the next chapter of our lives, ready to embrace the ever-present challenges and joys that await.  Our journey from dream to reality is just beginning, and we can’t wait to share this adventure with you.