Two Years at Sea
Two years ago we left the Seattle Boats Afloat Show and started the greatest adventure of my life. Since then I have logged over 20,000 miles, 3000 engine hours and twelve countries. Each new place is an unexpected adventure and each new friend a cherished gift.
It was not without trepidation that I cast off for so many places unknown and to make historic passages for Selene. “What am I doing?” What if something breaks?” What if I make a crucial mistake?”, “Do I really know enough to make this trip?”,“Have I thought of everything and made every preparation?” and of course “What have I forgot?” all ran through my worried head night after night.
I learned quickly that preparation is the key to success and I also learned that you will never be fully prepared. There will always be one more job, one more part to pack, one more book to read. You have to draw a line in the sand, mark your calendar and cast off no matter what. This goes for boat preparation as well as life preparation. There is NO time better than now to set your course for adventure. Remember there is no “someday”. There is only Monday, Tuesday, and the rest so pick one and stick to it. I used the Boat Show as my go date; party planned and no escape, I had to go. We were working on the boat and loading supplies right up till we waved goodbye.
While waiting for the FUBAR to start in San Diego I visited another Selene, Pax Nautica. They were sorting out mountains of supplies to be packed and had been in the preparation phase as long as I and were at the end also. I suggested Stan take a break and we went for a walk around the marina. Hundreds of sailboats were also preparing for their event, the famous Baja Haha. These were folks we would meet in Mexico and beyond so the socializing had become important. As we strolled along we met a chap I had already come across, he was inspecting the anchor gear on a vintage 30ft Columbia which was doing the Ha Ha. The anchor rode was on the dock and being eyeballed, it was 30’ of rusty chain and a patchwork of different sized rope spliced together in 50’ sections. I looked at Stan and said, “I think we will do just fine.” I later saw the Columbia safe and secure in Mexico and I think it did the Puddle Jump too.
The point here is that if you have a well tested and well maintained Selene you are far above the curve of boats the wonder the world and will do great. On the personal experience side, if you have made it to San Diego from Seattle you will see everything you need to get to Australia and beyond.
The one long crossing, the 2850 miles of Pacific Ocean, is as much a mental test as a boat test. It will cause you to panic before you leave for sure. The idea of being out of touch and out of sight for a few weeks will wreak havoc on your serenity, expect it. Once you leave the sight of land and the routine sets in it is bliss, a bit boring, but bliss. We did not see another boat after we left coastal Mexico, we were alone. We did partake in the Puddle Jumpers radio Net and it was great to hear other voices twice daily. We could also send and receive e mails literally in the middle of nowhere so technology aided in the angst. The middle of the ocean is a place of peace, inner reflection and serenity.
The remainder of the Puddle Jump was one fantastic mystical place full of wonderful people after another, all covered well in this blog.
So two years later I am more committed to the cruising life than ever. My plans are less certain as world events turn so will my direction. I am far less in need of hard plans now and know where ever I go will be great. Or I may not go far in the next year. It will be great to slow down and spend time in SE Asia, a place I have already learned to love.
I do know this is how I want to live. I have no pull back to the life I left, no regrets and only high hopes for new adventures.
Two years ago we left the Seattle Boats Afloat Show and started the greatest adventure of my life. Since then I have logged over 20,000 miles, 3000 engine hours and twelve countries. Each new place is an unexpected adventure and each new friend a cherished gift.
It was not without trepidation that I cast off for so many places unknown and to make historic passages for Selene. “What am I doing?” What if something breaks?” What if I make a crucial mistake?”, “Do I really know enough to make this trip?”,“Have I thought of everything and made every preparation?” and of course “What have I forgot?” all ran through my worried head night after night.
I learned quickly that preparation is the key to success and I also learned that you will never be fully prepared. There will always be one more job, one more part to pack, one more book to read. You have to draw a line in the sand, mark your calendar and cast off no matter what. This goes for boat preparation as well as life preparation. There is NO time better than now to set your course for adventure. Remember there is no “someday”. There is only Monday, Tuesday, and the rest so pick one and stick to it. I used the Boat Show as my go date; party planned and no escape, I had to go. We were working on the boat and loading supplies right up till we waved goodbye.
While waiting for the FUBAR to start in San Diego I visited another Selene, Pax Nautica. They were sorting out mountains of supplies to be packed and had been in the preparation phase as long as I and were at the end also. I suggested Stan take a break and we went for a walk around the marina. Hundreds of sailboats were also preparing for their event, the famous Baja Haha. These were folks we would meet in Mexico and beyond so the socializing had become important. As we strolled along we met a chap I had already come across, he was inspecting the anchor gear on a vintage 30ft Columbia which was doing the Ha Ha. The anchor rode was on the dock and being eyeballed, it was 30’ of rusty chain and a patchwork of different sized rope spliced together in 50’ sections. I looked at Stan and said, “I think we will do just fine.” I later saw the Columbia safe and secure in Mexico and I think it did the Puddle Jump too.
The point here is that if you have a well tested and well maintained Selene you are far above the curve of boats the wonder the world and will do great. On the personal experience side, if you have made it to San Diego from Seattle you will see everything you need to get to Australia and beyond.
The one long crossing, the 2850 miles of Pacific Ocean, is as much a mental test as a boat test. It will cause you to panic before you leave for sure. The idea of being out of touch and out of sight for a few weeks will wreak havoc on your serenity, expect it. Once you leave the sight of land and the routine sets in it is bliss, a bit boring, but bliss. We did not see another boat after we left coastal Mexico, we were alone. We did partake in the Puddle Jumpers radio Net and it was great to hear other voices twice daily. We could also send and receive e mails literally in the middle of nowhere so technology aided in the angst. The middle of the ocean is a place of peace, inner reflection and serenity.
The remainder of the Puddle Jump was one fantastic mystical place full of wonderful people after another, all covered well in this blog.
So two years later I am more committed to the cruising life than ever. My plans are less certain as world events turn so will my direction. I am far less in need of hard plans now and know where ever I go will be great. Or I may not go far in the next year. It will be great to slow down and spend time in SE Asia, a place I have already learned to love.
I do know this is how I want to live. I have no pull back to the life I left, no regrets and only high hopes for new adventures.