Six years of cruising in quick review – and future glimpse.

A good friend’s philosophical blog reminds me that I too once had a five year plan. And that life inevitably throws obstacles in our way. Yup, it’s happening all the time. We sail off, then pause, only to return to land briefly and reset. Not for lack of want or effort, but for continuously striving to attain a more exhilarating life. Our time is indeed short.

A person susceptible to “wanderlust” is not so much addicted to movement as committed to transformation. -Pico Iver

Our five year plan actually started in 2015. Almost eleven years ago! Regardless of how long we’ve been cruising, newbies we remain – as compared to many cruising veterans we aspire to and associate with. And for us approaching more than ten years later, I’m proud to say that our plan actually happened – sorta. In fact, we actually attempted to depart on a far-flung voyage earlier than planned.

We checked the boxes, sold the house in 2017 and ratcheted up the boat prep in 2018, in anticipation of an early splash in June 2019. We did manage to set off by mid-summer that year, but delays [by an obnoxiously inconsiderate marina manager] threw the proverbial wrench into our well-lubed winch gears. (Or took the wind from our sails if you choose). Excuses! Excuses!

So no worries; we shortcut those plans to simply head directly south, for a few warm months in the eastern Caribbean before pointing the bow toward Panama. We untethered and enjoyed a new freedom of wandering around balmy tropical islands, and anticipating circling the Atlantic. Nice to have freedom and options!

Then… as you know, a pandemic hit. Fear made visitors unwelcome at almost every island. Worried about family and friends, we sailed back to our hailing port of Newburyport, reconnecting as fear settled, before riding out the beautiful solemn quarantine of downeast Maine for the summer of 2020.

Uncertainty remained prominent in cruisers’ minds for the near future. Will the Canadian Maritimes, or the southern atolls reopen for visitors? Could we really be stranded? We opted to stay put and keep busy: which meant find a new project boat.

While intending to retire, I then found myself immersed in contract-work which supported the new project, and has vastly improved our cruising kitty (and various roofs under which to reside), and (gasp) to acquire wheels. (Weirdly we purchased autos twice-over!) We soon found that new “perfect” boat, sold the original Fayaway, and thus began another grand Fayaway refit.

With a fresh new floating home we extensively cruised New England yet again, shaking out the cobwebs aboard that summer of ‘21, while continually updating her original obsolete systems. We squeezed in a couple overseas vessel deliveries to the Caribbean, and planned our own next escape after living one more excruciating winter living on the hard.

“We’re really going this time!” I again repeated to friends and colleagues. And we did set sail again that following summer from Maine to Bermuda, aiming for Antigua, to the wonderful and luxurious eastern Caribbean, checking off several more unvisited islands and remote anchorages, leaving wide open, our future plans. Panama beckoned but… still wasn’t in the deck of cards, as important family matters prevailed yet again. We sailed back to Maine again the following spring and I renewed (gasp) another yearlong work contract – waiting things out. Yeah, we definitely kept life interesting, pouring more time (and money) into boat projects, splurging for scuba diving excursions, and visiting friends away on their own Caribbean cruising adventures.

Are we losing track of another year now? Here we are now at the ides of March. Snow is melting. Wanderlust is brimming over. Again.

With more updates, Fayaway splashed in Rockport back in May of 2024. And the years are becoming a blur. (Or is this a sign of aging?)

Quickly we sped north, off to Nova Scotia for a beautiful summer, and then chased by frost again south to exploring the Bahamas and another gorgeous three weeks in Bermuda amongst friends. Ah Bermuda!

Our aspirations have certainly evolved along with our age, but seemingly evermore focused on meeting up with, and making good memories with old and new friends, at old and new places.

We’d met so many happy cruisers during our past Caribbean and northern maritime explorations, with experience seemingly matching our zest for life and willingness to share a state of satisfaction.

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Many of you realize we’re presently halfway through exploring Canada for a year – immersion into a generally more relaxed culture. We’ve been learning why Canadians are this way, living amongst them for a while, while planning the next journey.

And now…

Kelly and I are sipping coffee, watching from our tenth-floor apartment windows, remnants of hearty northerners still ice fishing on the frozen lake this Saturday morning.

Yesterday marks a significant milestone with the signing of closing documents for the sale of our beloved Fayaway. Bittersweet indeed. She’s sure to be continuing merry memories with her new owners.

Excitement prevails. In a couple short weeks we fly to a place far away, for the start of our new vessel’s construction. Sorry, no details for you yet, as it’ll take several months for her construction, launch and shakedown. Her name hasn’t been fully decided upon, and neither has our sailing itinerary! But we can say we’ll begin together, another grand overseas (and blogging) adventure!

We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.
— Kurt Vonnegut

Thanks for reading, and please, please hug your loved ones!

Hoping to see you out here, anywhere amongst the peaceful in this wondrous world!