It’s often been said that cruising plans are written in sand . . . at low tide. Or in Jello . . . in the tropics. Or in invisible ink.
In other words, don’t plan on the plan.
Before we started cruising – and even in the first year or two of our own cruising – we took that to mean that we might change our mind about what we wanted to do. Hear about a fantastic anchorage. Stay a few extra days because the fishing was so good. Avoid a place that was over crowded. Time our stay to coincide with a great band playing at the beach bar.
In other words, we saw ourselves as being in control. The plan might change, but we’d be the ones changing it.
HA!
We soon realized that outside forces were far more likely to cause changes in our plans. Weather. Health. Politics.
Some things that we thought were “out of our control” turned out to be largely in our control. Boat repair doesn’t throw as many monkey wrenches in plans when you are a fiend for preventive maintenance and can fix most of your gear yourself – or do without. Money is always an issue, but having a realistic budget that includes maintenance, repairs, upgrades and a little fun helps.
At the same time, we learned that some things were plain and simply out of our control . . . at least if we weren’t reckless.
- Politics can make a certain location off limits, unsafe or prohibitively expensive. The places will vary from year to year and what seemed great when you planned your route can suddenly turn dangerous and cause you to change the itinerary.
- Weather doesn’t always cooperate. Anchorages can become untenable or passages virtually impossible. Windows can slam shut and stay that way for weeks. If you’re aiming for comfortable cruising, schedules are out of the question.
- Health overrides everything else. A simple cold may not keep us in port but we don’t leave a locale with good medical care when there is an ongoing issue. We do our best to live a healthy lifestyle, but sometimes issues arise. What’s a relatively simple medical issue in a city with doctors, labs, pharmacies and hospitals can turn into a life-threatening crisis in a remote area. And frankly, illness can lead to cloudy thinking and bad decision-making, as well as poor reactions to emergencies.
I origninally wrote this in the spring of 2016, when we had hoped to be heading to the Bahamas. But Dave hadn’t been feeling great and it was finally diagnosed as a prostate infection. Nothing life threatening if treated, but can be stubborn to eradicate. Doctors were able to get it under control and we spent four months over the summer in the Bahamas.
In December, we were within a week of taking off for the Virgin Islands when the infection reared its ugly head again and made it impossible to think of leaving. So maybe we’re not quite living our dream right now, but there are far worse things than staying in the Florida Keys . . .
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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.
Chuck Weldele says
Hope all goes well. We are just beginning our Crusing adventure. Hope our paths cross in the Keyes.
The Boat Galley says
That would be fun!
Frances Liz Fernandez says
I trust Dave’s condition will improve in time for a perfect window of opportunity to travel.
The Cynical Sailor & His Salty Sidekick says
Hope Dave’s infection clears up soon. Glad you were someplace where he can get care and treatment. I’ve been lamenting the fact that we’re not out cruising this season, but just had a medical issue come up that makes me kind of glad I’m “stuck” here in Florida for the time being. Funny how things work out.
The Boat Galley says
Sorry to hear that but as with us, glad it’s in a place where it’s easy to get the services you need.
Janice says
Prayers for better health Dave and wind behind your sails when the right time comes.
Mark & Cindy - s/v Cream Puff says
Our best to Dave and a speedy recovery.
Mark and Cindy
s/v Cream Puff
http://www.creampuff.us
Jessica Heinicke says
Thanks for sharing! Your positive attitude is admirable and will no doubt improve Dave’s health as well. Salud!
Kimberly Fain Ward says
A very wise friend of mine say, “Make plans, don’t plan the outcome.” Words to live by out here!
The Boat Galley says
Great quote!
Keith & Nicki, s/v Sionna says
What a good reminder, and super timely as I lay here on the couch, laid low by the nastiest cold I’ve had in ages! Not much boat work getting done here.
And who knows, if our plans work out (HA!) , we plan to be cruising the Keys ourselves sometime between January and April – maybe we’ll meet up? That’s something to look forward to! Best to Dave going forward.
Annual Salvador Rally says
We have no plans and we are sticking to them.
Jim Allen says
sorry to hear bout Dave – speedy recovery. The Bahamas are not going anywhere
Anne says
Hope Dave has a steady recovery. Thanks for sharing the issues that we, as future cruisers, will be taking under consideration more often in the future.
Eric Hendricks says
the sailor plans, God laughs.
The Boat Galley says
Oh yeah.
Anonymous says
This is the topic of an upcoming blog post of mine, all about Panama!
The Boat Galley says
It’s the story of every cruiser’s life <3
Lisa Colvin says
Thanks for all you great posts. This post strikes a cord. I feel like it has been one of the most challenging things to get used to. Just made it through year one on Clarabella . We have had a great time but our “plans” have changed over and over again. Hope all is well in Boot Key and your enjoying life.
Carolyn Shearlock says
It is one of the hardest things to get used to, especially if you’re the type that always has a plan.
Anonymous says
The hubby and I always say that when we make plans, God laughs!
Anonymous says
You definitely have to be flexible, that’s for sure. An emergency 9 day closing of a RR bridge has totally wrecked our cruising calendar. It is what is, though, so shifting things on the calendar has landed us in TN for a couple weeks taking care of personal business, with 2″ of snow outside as I type.
Anonymous says
Wow on the snow!
Anonymous says
Did you not get snow Nica?
Anonymous says
Diane Elmore Eggers a couple of hours worth, then it melted.
Anonymous says
Surprising as you are further north than I am.
Anonymous says
Diane Elmore Eggers I know!!
Anonymous says
I always say “plan on your plans changing “