It’s so easy to get trapped in the mindset of doing “just a couple more things” before heading out on an extended cruise. I hate to say it, but the fact of the matter is that the boat will never be 100% perfect and ready. At least ours never has been.
A couple of days ago, Brittany of Windtraveler posted a fun piece on her blog — The Best Cruising Advice in Six Words. I love the quotes there from a wide range of cruisers — some with thousands of miles under the keel and some just starting. And that got me thinking about what my six words would be (we’d been out of internet range so I missed Brittany’s call for quotes).
My six are something my mom told me numerous times: You’ll never be ready. Go anyway!
In other words, saying you’re going to do something is easy. You can prepare without fully commiting to the plan. The tough part is that transition from preparing to doing. It’s a lot easier to keep “preparing” — doing what’s familiar — on the grounds that things aren’t perfect yet.
Taking that next step is scary. If you’re not super-adventurous, how do you do it?
Taking baby steps helps. You don’t have to cross an ocean the day you launch. There’s time to figure things out. Start simply. Go for a single night. Travel just 5 miles. Go a little further next time. But above all, start.
Another big help for us was having a bail out plan. When we bought our first cruising boat, we kept our apartment and everything in it for nine months, until we were comfortable with the transition to our “new life.” This time, we began as snowbirds and at the end of the winter, realized that we wanted to stay on the boat . . . so we sold the house. Both times, knowing that we weren’t making an irreversible commitment made it a lot less intimidating to start.
But there were still things we wanted to do to the boat. Things we wanted to learn. What about those?
Probably everyone has heard that cruising is “fixing your boat in exotic locations.” There is a certain amount of truth in that, whether it’s a repair or an upgrade. But what it really means is that no, everything doesn’t have to be perfect when you leave one place for another. Work can be done wherever you’re going. You can (or maybe I should say will) learn as you go, as things arise.
We found that we still have to overcome the “not wanting to leave” syndrome every time we settle into a new cruising area. Once we get used to it and it feels comfortable, the tendency is to find reasons to stay in the area.
On one hand, we want to explore new places. Really, we do. But it’s just so much easier to go where we’ve been before. Where we can follow our previous track. But we know we’re most alive when doing something new. So, it comes down to do we want to take it easy or challenge ourselves? It’s easy to say “challenge ourselves,” but harder to do it. Are we really ready for that new experience?
There’s only one way to find out. Go anyway!
NOTE: I’m not saying to head out in a boat that’s not seaworthy or if you don’t have the basic skills necessary for what you’re planning to do. But you have to push the envelope a little, too. If you don’t try new things, you won’t realize exactly what skills you do have. We’re still doing baby steps with our boat and in the new-to-us cruising grounds of the Florida Keys. And hopefully — probably before we feel totally ready — we’ll go further afield, too.
Quickly find anchorages, services, bridges, and more with our topic-focused, easy-to-use waterproof guides. Covering the ICW, Bahamas, Florida, and Chesapeake.
Explore All Guides
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.
CJ Schnier says
Timely post as I’m finalizing my boat for a cruise. I had to set a hard date to leave or I’d be preparing forever. Even if I have to just leave the slip and anchor in the basin for good weather, I’ll get underway.
The Boat Galley says
Good for you!
Colin Leake says
That’s my plan, so many things that need to be done, but the can be done when I have left. Hard date is the go 🙂 I have done a few local cruises that started with the first night 1NM from my slip
Kathy says
Have the basic skills like docking using a radio reading a chart a 24 hour sail… The best USCG post I know is USCG defying natural selection since 1792…
Nita Haas says
Such a great read! To me, you seem to have an endless supply of tips, ideas, and recipes. I’ve often wished I could have all the information in your head. And, as one still land based in Chicago, I very much appreciate all the information you’ve made so readily available. It’s a different world, so much easier to learn, so much support out there, than when my dad would eagerly await Cruising World, hoping to learn more about his heroes, the Pardeys. Sadly, he never saw blue water but he loved his wooden Seabird yawl.
The Boat Galley says
Thanks! Yes, the internet makes it so different. When we started cruising, we got some user manuals and so forth online, but there weren’t blogs and the real-world experiences. I love reading all the different things online — makes you realize that there are all sorts of ways to be on the water. Some have a blue water dream, some want to coastal cruise and others want weekend jaunts near their home. It’s all good!
Paul Smith says
Just do it.
John K says
Here’s good link from another Gemini owner:
http://www.jfaughn.com/crew_boat_projects/anchordinghykeys/anchordinghykeys.htm
He’s got some good projects too:
http://www.jfaughn.com/crew_boat_projects/projects/gemini_105_projects.html
Debbie Bowen Crawford says
We are only doing weekends at this point. Maybe after Christmas we might try a week. There is nothing like casting off and being on your own.
Eric Hendricks says
do it while you can. health can be a fleeting thing.
The Boat Galley says
Truly.
Lynn Clough says
Very timely post for me! We are currently in Herring Bay on the Chesapeake. I had hoped to be on our way south over a week ago. But life got in the way and my DH is still feeling more systems need to be checked out before we leave the dock. I do feel I cannot push until he is not overly stressed by his worries.
Devon J Liles says
Thats what ports are made for…..
Renee M Klapper says
Where in the keys are you? I’m near key largo ocean side mm 92.5
The Boat Galley says
We’re in Boot Key Harbor at Marathon. We’ll be basing ourselves here for the next several months and doing multi-day trips out. Are you based there or on the move?
Renee M Klapper says
Based here until February when we head to the Bahamas.
The Boat Galley says
If we get up that way we’ll try to look you up!
Sarah H says
We have done just that ? as we were in Spain and Portugal for quite a few years and probably spent much more time repairing and upgrading than sailing. We decided it was getti g to the point were we really had to do more as all we had done to the boat would have just been in vain really. So we sailed the boat down to Gibraltar to buy and install electronic equipment and gain some much needed experience. After 3 months there we set sail 2 weeks ago, we completed our first ocean passage and after 7 days and 12 hours. We are now in Lanzarote in the Canarie Islands. So I totally agree with your tip it worked for us ?
Carolyn Shearlock says
Yay! Sounds like you’re really on your way!
Paul Lambert says
Todd Hoevel , nuthing wrong with keeping an apartment for 9 mo.
Todd Hoevel says
I’m thinking a storage unit and my truck/enclosed trailer to start, maybe a condo I can rent as well, ether way the hardiest part is setting a date, I’m close to setting that date, at least to start the boat search…8 to 12 months from now.
Cory Nickerson says
I think I’ll take this advice. 🙂
The Boat Galley says
Twelve days to go!
Cory Nickerson says
I’m so freaking excited it makes me sick to my stomach!
Kathy Bishop says
Good read and all very true. Sailing the Bahamas now for a few months, new cays new adventures, big winds lately also. Always seem to find reasons at home to put the trip off …the biggest…4 grandkids! We love sailing SV Dogs For Sail
Bill Dixon says
Amen. You need to decide if you want to do boating or work on boats.
Angie Morales says
Just do it!
Maggie Tregembo Ricker says
Lorana Laliberte do you read this column? I find it very interesting. You can like it on Facebook.
Lorana Laliberte says
It is a good article. O had not seen it before
AF Holiday says
Noelio Abrunhosa, see….just do it!
Renee Lindsay says
I love the new logo!
Erika Redling says
Is that a solar panel?
The Boat Galley says
Yes, it is . . . 345 watts. Read more here: https://theboatgalley.com/solar-upgrade/
Erika Redling says
I’m ready BUT need a good✝️ man with a boat. ⚓
Kathy Perkins says
So true! There will always be that thing you wish you brought or did, and a lot more that you really could have done without. Drop the lines and go!
Katrina Rytter says
Wonderful read, Love your posts!
Keith Davie says
See, Brenda G. Thomas? It’s not just us!
Julie Strickland says
Yes!!
Kate Bird says
Good advice. It worked for us.
Chrystal Lakeway Henthorne says
This is exactly what we did last weekend, just went and it was wonderful
Geoff McClure says
Great article. We’re only 6 month into cruising and have found everything to be a little more challenging than we expected because they are all “firsts”. It has gotten easier over time and we still marvel over all the sunsets/sunrises but that learning curve can be tough!
The Boat Galley says
Glad to hear that it’s getting easier . . . and I’ll bet that it continues to.
Kevin Baerg says
Our philosophy exactly!
Johanna Allen says
Jim Allen
Larry Blankenship says
“Perfect ….never sails”
Susan Kam says
We were actually ready before we left in 1995. It did help that my husband had worked full time on the boat for an entire year prior to leaving! All we did extra was buy a hooka diving rig in San Diego. I do agree though that you really just have to pick a date and do it!
Julann Cather says
“Just do it” is what we finally decided to do – we leave 4/16/2018. Finally realized everything will never be perfect. Looking forward (anxiously) to this adventure!