We moved back onto the boat Saturday, hauling boxes of books, clothes, extra cookware, my son’s birthday present, and little boxes with spare parts for the boat. Fortunately there’s a place for everything…NOT. I lifted up the hollow step to put away a bottle of wine, but there’s a box of tools in there. “Mark? … Read more

When we left the boat in Anacortes, Washington in October, I left a few food items on board that could make the long trip (by truck) to Mobile—nothing that would interest a cockroach or an ant. Checking those food items, I found instant coffee, tea bags, tight-lidded glass containers of flour and sugar, basic spices, … Read more

Last summer when we made a decision to move onto the boat, we knew our summer cruise to the Pacific Northwest would give us a good idea of what the boat needed. We ended the trip, sharpened our pencils and made a list. Then we shipped the boat to Mobile, Alabama to prepare for the … Read more

People always say you need a shakedown cruise before you take your boat on a long journey. They’re absolutely right. Our shakedown cruises were in and around San Francisco Bay in all types of weather. I learned a couple of things: first, our Nordic Tug 32 seems a lot sturdier than our Grand Banks 36 … Read more

Once upon a time I married a man with a dream. He wanted us to quit our jobs, sell our house, buy a boat and sail the Caribbean. I was young, in love, and terribly naive. I agreed to go. My practical side said, “What about the kids?” My romantic side said, “No problem. I’ll … Read more