I got to meet so many readers and podcast listeners at the Annapolis Sailboat Show this past week. Thanks to everyone who stopped by! We talked about so many different things, from cruising with diabetes to composting toilets.
Over and over, though, the big topic was making the leap to full-time cruising. On one hand, it’s a dream. On the other, it’s scary to do something so different from what you’ve done all your life.
It can be hard to make that leap to follow a dream. While some of us thrive on the unknown, far more people like security. I get that. And it’s a risk to decide to go cruising. The reality will almost certainly be different than the dream.
When I first thought about cruising, I thought of beautiful sunsets, perfect sailing days and snorkeling in clear blue water. The reality is all of that but more importantly, learning that I can do all sorts of things I’d never done before.
Some days it’s overwhelming but success at each new endeavor gives me confidence to try the next one. And believe me, sometimes success doesn’t come easily. Sometimes it takes multiple attempts. But that only makes it all the sweeter.
The more I go out of my comfort zone, the bigger my comfort zone becomes.
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
John Jordan says
Solo cruising on a $5K trailerable sailboat! I visit the Napa Valley in my West Wight Potter P19, departing from Santa Cruz, going via the Golden Gate Bridge, and have made some videos.
This is the first one of three:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp8s7tVeoqw
Please watch it if you’re interested. Give it a “thumbs up” if you like it. Apologies for the poor audio, shaky camera, etc. Filming is tough to do while sailing solo!