Community Of Kindred Spirits

I'm not sure if it's the type of people out here cruising and living aboard, or if it's the life here and the struggles we share that make people treat each other with such kindness and concern. I have seen people launch their dinghy and race to help a total stranger without a second thought. People do not think twice about loaning out or giving away a piece of valuable equipment, knowing that one day the favor will be returned by someone, somewhere. We all come from different walks of life, cultures, backgrounds that vary as much as the types of boats we sail. Yet we are all drawn together by the one thing that binds us, makes us kindred spirits, our love of the sea. 

Now personally, I am a hopeless romantic about the ocean. Maybe because I've read one to many Bernard Moitessier books, but there is a special connection between man and the sea. (women too!) It draws men to it, to live near it and on it's waters. The ocean is the ultimate provider, it gives life, and if not careful washes it away. Maybe I'm drawn to the amazing power that the ocean holds, I have the upmost respect for it's wrath and the upmost appreciation for it's beauty. Either way there is something about the people that dare to live on her that gives me a sense of community like I've never felt or seen, it's good for the soul and it renews my faith in humanity. In a world that seems like everywhere I look I see society appear to be crumbling, it gives me hope. This is part of the reason my family and I are here, part of the reason we want to sail away and explore this last bastion of freedom, the last sense of adventure that can be had in an ever shrinking world. While we build our sailing kitty, finish preparations and get ready to head out, I honestly can't think of a better community to be in. 

While the rest of the world runs off to work in a car that's not paid for to keep up with a mortgage on a house they hardly get to enjoy, I get to spend every single day with my family and my children. The amazing thing is we are saving more money and financially more stable making 1/4 of the money we were making when we worked our "professional jobs". Working less, living in paradise, spending more time with my family, seeing my children grow up and being more financially sound. I'm doing the exact opposite of what society in this country teaches, thankfully I'm trying to break the cycle of consumption and debt with my kids. We use less, are completely self sufficient on our floating home, yet we don't sacrifice comfort. We make our own power,  soon we will have the ability to make our own water, and the ocean provides an abundance of food. Living simply hasn't restricted us, it has freed us, we are free to enjoy life. I know this isn't for everyone, but I hope just one person reading our blog will have the courage to break away. The only thing that really stops us from doing what we dream about is fear, once you realize the real fear should be in the above life of debt and mindless work until you die, you can be free. Even if it's just for a few years, every person should feel what it's like to be truly free. 

It's all of this I'm convinced brings us as liveaboards together, molds us into better people. Understand I don't say better to mean better than anyone else who chooses to live differently, I mean better with our own self improvement. I can honestly say I am a better person, more thoughtful, mindful of my footprint and place in the world. The sea constantly reminds me of my place in the world, daily it reminds me of the beauty around me and my own mortality. I think people need that reminder once in a while. Things that would have been an afterthought in the world around me become important, things like weather. 

Today I feel an overwhelming appreciation of the world and people I'm am surrounded by, the friends we have made and the ones we have yet to meet. I am thankful, humbled and honored to be part of this very large community of people that choose to live on the sea. 

Day To Day, Until We Sail Away.

Since our last post, we have taken "Thin Line" out several times and even though we have found a few problems, they haven't stopped us from having a blast. Our first time out we had our friends Alex and Andrea come along. The day started out a little behind after some roller furling issues. Now I know that a roller furling is a huge convenience while cruising, but every one I've ever had has been a royal pain in the.. Somehow the car that takes the sail up on the halyard jumped the track and was stuck at the top. Colby had to be hoisted to the top of the mast to try and get it down, no luck, but we did at least manage to get the sail down. For those that don't know what a roller furling is, basically it's a drum with a line that can roll the headsail (jib) up. This is useful because you don't have to go to the foredeck to hank on or take down a sail, you can normally do it right from the cockpit. We are working on getting some parts and we will be back in business soon. I had to do my cruisers net in the morning and we were ready to go by the time I was done at 10am. Even without a headsail I figured we could get a little sailing in with just staysail and mainsail. 

We fired up the Yanmar diesel and putted our way out Boot Key channel. When we passed the last marker I turned into the wind and up went the main sail for the first time, then raised the staysail and cut off the engine. There wasn't a ton of wind but there was enough to set us off on a beam reach at 6kts. Just shy of 15 kts of wind and we were able to do 6kts without a headsail! The motion of this boat was smooth and she cut through wakes and waves like a hot knife through butter. I had often compared this  first sail to consummating a marriage, we had already bought the cow so we were hoping it would be as good as we imagined. Lets just say we are in love with this boat. The living space, the size, the maneuverability, motion, I honestly haven't found a single thing to complain about (except that damn roller furling!)

For a couple hours we sailed along at 5.5 to 6kts, the highest I saw that day was 6.2, but again we didn't have a headsail and I can't wait to see how she does then. After coming about and heading back in the general direction of Marathon we decided to anchor on a small patch reef that showed on the map and ended up spearing a couple fish that would later end up in my homemade Thai ginger soup along with a lobster tail, my mouth is watering just talking about it. I dove on the anchor that rested in about 25 ft of water just to see how it set, as expected the huge Rocna was buried deep in the sand with it's all chain rode absorbing the up and down motion of the boat in the swells. I am now a firm believer in all chain rode, though I still put 3 strand at the end, however it's normally never seen and stays down in the locker because I never get that far. The sail back was absolutely perfect and we picked up the mooring and relaxed after a fun day. 

On Sunday and Monday we had guests coming, it was Dan and Linda Lacey, a couple we had met in Indiantown when we bought our last boat. They happened to be RVing this year and were in Key Largo so they drove down with two friends to say hi. The weather was beautiful, there wasn't much wind, well none really, but we decided to go out on the boat anyway. Jess, Colby and I tied the dinghy to the mooring and took the boat to the water dock here at the city marina, we figured we would fill up the 150 gallon tank while we waited for them to arrive. They brought the beer and wine and we pushed off. There was no sailing really to speak of, it was more like a controlled drift and after about 4 hours we dropped them back off at the water dock and said our goodbyes. Jess and I had talked about going out and staying the night at Sombrero reef. Sombrero reef is just under 5 miles offshore and the sun was going down quickly, I pushed the diesel Yanmar and wanted to see how she would do at higher RPMs and we moved through the water at 6kts racing to get there before dark. The view on the way out was amazing as the sun was setting just to our starboard side. 

We got all settled in just as the sun set and the reef came to life. The previous owner had installed these underwater blue LED lights, when I turned them on I think every fish at the reef came to check it out. Then we went inside to cook dinner, where Jessica whipped up some breaded pork chops with jasmine rice and we settled in for a night alone on the reef, miles from anyone. After dinner we shut off the underwater lights and went outside where the stars literally almost took your breath away. You could see them all the way down to the horizon and the milky-way was easy to spot. We got another surprise when we looked over the side of the boat, not only could we see the bottom in 25ft of water by starlight but everything was lit up with bioluminescence. Fish would swim up lit like neon lights, seagrass would float by and you could see small organisms swimming inside like little fireflies, and every wave that rolled by left a blue swirl as it lapped on the hull. It was the best display I've ever seen so far here. We settled in for the night and tried our best to get some sleep. As magical as the night sounds, it was rough as hell out there. The water goes from 100 ft or so up to 20 in a short distance, the waves were coming out of a direction that caused some big swells that sent us rocking and rolling all night. I knew staying out here wasn't going to be as smooth as the harbor, but the weather looked good and I figured "how bad could it be?" Well a couple times during the night it felt like the boat was in a washing machine and at about 4am we all woke up after one huge set of waves and were laughing as things popped open, things fell and we just about got thrown on the floor. It wasn't the best sleep, but it was hilarious ;-)

The plan was to wake up early, eat a little breakfast and then go diving all morning. We woke up just before sunrise and went on deck with our coffee and waited for the warm ball to rise up in the sky. For some reason it's just always comforting to see the sun rise and start another day and this day was no different. I got out my Nikon instead of the Ipad and took some shots of the morning sun. 

After breakfast we got our gear on and hit the water, we were rebels and didn't wait a full 30 minutes either! (living on the edge) The water was a little chilly but it was a sunny day and the visibility was at least 50 ft if not more. There was so much to see and so many different fish, rays and crustaceans came out to say hello. I had a couple really good long drops, diving the 25 ft into caves of coral and tongue and groove structures. Sadly my underwater camera was out of commission since I forgot batteries and didn't get any shots. The barracuda were thick and they were big ones, harmless for the most part but menacing looking to say the least. We got underway around 3pm and made our way back to Boot Key. Overall it was an amazing two days out away from the harbor. 

Spearfishing

The weather has been unusually good this time of year and the diving has been far better than normal. Most times it's just Colby and I or I'll go with Alex. We went out with our friend Joel and had a great day exploring some new reef I picked out off the charts. We were diving in 35 to 40ft of water and ended up coming home with fish and lobster. During the course of the day we saw 5 sharks, mostly small that included a hammerhead, a couple black tips, an unknown and a nurse. We also watched a large moray eel devastate a lobster right as we were diving down to get him. The fish on the right I got at about 35 ft, a large mutton snapper and then a very decent sized hogfish on the left. They were both eaten along with the couple lobster acquired that day. 

Life is good, still loving the job and reaping the benefits of all the boat handling experience I am getting.  We have a few projects coming up including teak varnishing, re-bedding chain plates, fuel filters, wiring etc, other than that just day to day living in Boot Key. The only way we really know what day it is, is by the social event being held that day. Tuesday is taco Tuesday at Hurricane, Wednesday is meet and greets, bocci ball and a small jam session, Thursday is wing night, Friday is our potluck, Saturday our tiki hut jam session, then Sunday and Monday are our dedicated family days. The clock is ticking and we are planning, dreaming and working towards our goal while we watch the days tick till we sail away. 

Crew

S/V Thin Line

  

Reflecting On 2013 & Planning For 2014 (Long Overdue Update)

Well here we are 2014, a whole new year of excitement and adventure. I wanted to recap 2013 a little and reflect on where we have gone and where it looks like we are headed as a family. I also wanted to address a nasty comment or two directed my way because of the choices we have made, and finally I wanted to give anyone following the blog a glimpse into what might be in store. 

First let me say this blog is for my friends, family and whoever else wants to follow along. I have received a couple messages that were off color to say the least if not just plain rude. 

jackJanuary 1, 2014 at 6:01 AM

I dont get it. You tell us all to sell out,go cheap,go cruising ect... and you trade up..........have to work again..............delay cruising...........and stop posting. Should I go with my small boat or trade up and keep working or go cruising and not worry about having the best boat ?   

Jack sorry to disappoint you. Go with what you've got, however if someone drops a great deal in your lap don't turn it away! For me I'm already out here "doing it" I am cruising in every sense of the word. I am living on my boat in some of the best cruising grounds, learning trades and building my knowledge base. Cruisers work, they cruise and they learn. Cruising doesn't always mean retired and living high on the hog. (half the retired cruisers I know here are working)

The decision we made as a family to upgrade to our current boat was just that, a family decision. We had to decide between going right now way ahead of schedule with Kainoa, (years ahead) or simply putting it off one more season and leaving next year with even bigger plans than before.  Kainoa was a fine boat, but she had her limitations and there were a few things I wanted to do that she might not have handled so well. You see with Kainoa we were thinking in terms of Bahamas, Virgins etc. She was the most we could afford at the time, she would get us there just fine and we liked the boat. However Jess describes it best "Kainoa was like an arranged marriage", we liked her, but we never fell in love with her. 

When I first found out Jeff was selling "Thin Line" I thought, "wow maybe one day I'll have a boat like that" and then I started remembering all the Fatty Goodlander books I read and figured I'd give it a shot. When the smoke cleared we were the proud owners of a 37 CSY Plan B. A boat capable of any dreams or aspirations we had or will have in the future. I then sold Kainoa for a price that was very fair considering the work I put in her and changed our focus from leaving this season, to outfitting the new boat for bigger dreams. 

With Kainoa I used words like "cruise for a season", "Bahamas", "Virgin Islands", "gunk-holing". Words that just about any boat could do with no problem. However our Dry Tortugas trip raised several questions about the long term dream and bigger goals that were developing. You see with our new boat we are using words like "circumnavigation", "trade wind route", "Suez & Panama canal". We are thinking more long term, and officially we are finally in love with our boat. Every person in our family is excited to wake up on Thin Line every day, and we are thankful beyond words we have been blessed with the opportunity to own her. The decision was not made lightly, it was mutual and made as a family. 

The other choice we made when we left Nashville was to work here and get ready instead of there. There are more opportunities here to learn skills that will help us out there on the open ocean. From heavy weather tactics, anchoring, diesel mechanic work, outboards, and most recently canvas, sail repair sewing. We chose not to work for years and then leave, we chose the pay as you go plan. Jessica is bringing home the money that fills the sailing fund and I am working both to pay the day to day expenses and also gaining valuable experience in the harbor. We both only work 3 days per week and it's hardly slave labor. My boat handling skills have improved drastically working and driving the boat in all conditions, today I was rafting up to boats in 30+ kt winds and having a blast. 

Typical day at the office

In summary I am sorry if I let some of you down by not leaving this season, but I did what was best for my family and for our long term goals. I could think of worse places to get stuck than Boot Key, surrounded by friends and tons of old salty captains with advice and skills to give. 

Moving on...........

Family News

My Grandmother is doing much better. She is in a rehab and though it got off to a rocky start it seems like she is moving forward. There was a small issue with her insulin and blood sugar that caused quite a scare, however I made a phone call and it got taken care of. They removed her from the sliding scale and are now doing it as needed. The problem was she wasn't eating much, so the insulin was dropping her blood sugar far to low, she had several "spells" and the final one she was unconscious and unresponsive for 45 minutes. Not sure when she will be going home, but she is at least headed in that direction. Talking to her on the phone she seems to be in good spirits most of the time, her leg is healing and she sounds much better. 

Colby is still dating his first real girlfriend ( over 3 months ), he has been working every now and then with Jessica bussing tables etc. He is the first one to help if anyone needs it and has also been working odd jobs in the harbor installing batteries, watching pets and whatever else he can. 

Peyton and Colby both had a great Christmas and there are a ton of kids in the harbor. There were over 17 stockings hung in the marina office for the kids. The kids (and some parents) spent a Saturday decorating them, building gingerbread houses and then going to Peyton's 9th birthday party. Peyton has been working here for almost a year now. Every Monday she sweeps the floors, cleans the laundry room and picks up trash. The Harbormaster pays her 5.00 out of his own pocket and I'm sure he would triple her salary if she asked, she has him wrapped around her finger like she does me. The staff at the city marina had a couple shirts made for her that say "Boot Key Harbor Junior Assistant" and she wears them with pride!

Peytons other gift from City Marina

BOAT STUFF

I have finally finished converting the boat from Fluorescent lighting to LED, which is a project I did on Kainoa. I learned a few things the first time that helped me make some different decisions. Our main lighting consists of 4 of these fixtures and our berth lights, reading lights and other lights are all Sensibulb LED's. The reduction in power consumption is amazing! I have been fixing wiring and small things throughout the boat as well as making lists, yep back to list making! New boat, new projects.

The new boat was in desperate need of sail covers for our main and staysail, not a cheap thing to buy, canvas work is expensive. I found (thanks to a friend) a Sailrite zig zag sewing machine on Craigslist hardly used for only 400.00. I was less than 24 hours away from buying a new one for more than twice that when this one came up. The machine is capable of repairing not just canvas, but also zig zagging for sail repair. They are a HUGE tool in the arsenal of a long term cruiser, my sail cover project alone will more than pay for the cost of the machine. Sew (haha) I am learning as quickly as I can how to run the machine as well as the craft of working with canvas. The first day I had the machine out there were no less than 3 people all jumping in to help me get started, sure makes the learning curve easier! (another reason Boot Key is a great place to be while getting ready)

There hasn't been much to report as far as sailing goes, the weather has been less then stellar. Boats waiting to leave for the Bahamas have been stuck here for quite a while. One boat headed to Guatemala has been here almost a month past the time he wanted to be, due to weather. The past couple nights have been gale force winds (over 40mph) and cold. Now while you may not feel sorry for me dealing with 55 degree weather, realize that even if it's 5 degrees outside where you are chances are it's not that cold in your house. If you cut off your furnace and let the inside temp drop to 55 you'd be cold too, problem is I don't have a furnace so I'm just SOL. Keeping that in mind yes I'm complaining about being cold at 55 degrees, I don't have any escape from it. (or pants!)

REFLECTING ON 2013

A lot has happened in the past year and almost all of it was good. We made it to Boot Key on a new boat, renamed the boat, did a ton of work, learned as we went and then sold it. I've picked up several new skills either from working on Kainoa or from hanging out in the work room. Looking back on what I knew one year ago, today I can see how little I knew last year at this time. It's amazing when you use immersion to learn, just how quick things happen. This is one of the reasons we wanted to build the sailing fund here, instead of doing it in Nashville. 

Best of all we now have "THE" boat, the boat we will go to sea with. She is strong, capable (more-so than us) and will carry us safely wherever our hearts desire. It is far nicer than I would have ever thought I'd own and I feel blessed everyday to be her captain. It's been a great year, a year of growing, learning and dreaming bigger dreams. 

PLANS

As I mentioned above our plans have changed as the time has passed. We started small but things have grown as our little adventure progresses. We are now looking at leaving next year and instead of a season spent cruising through the Bahamas, we are trying to plan for a bigger trip. I am about to use the C word,  keep in mind it's a big word with a lot involved, but we are going to give it a shot. 

Circumnavigation

We are in the beginning phases of working out how to make this happen. We have the boat, we have the desire and we will see how things develop. This is a whole new ballgame when it comes to our plans and we might be bitting off more than we can chew, but we are going to try and make it happen. At a minimum we will be doing the Bahamas and down the entire southern island chain this year, or we might give a trade wind circumnavigation a shot if we can make it happen. This is no small undertaking, however none of this has been. I am trying to cram a lot into the next year and it's also another reason we chose to stay this year and also purchase "Thin Line" The thought of attempting this scares me just as much as excites me. I don't believe it's a matter of if, but when it will happen.

Growing, learning and dreaming bigger dreams, that is our goal for 2014. 

Happy New Year (A week late) ;-)

S/V Thin Line Crew