What if the hardest part of sailing away wasn't leaving everything behind, but realizing you never wanted to go back? Joe and Jada Smith of Sailing Telos spent four years preparing to trade their life on land for a cruising adventure with their four daughters. They sold their belongings, said goodbye to friends and family, and moved aboard a Lagoon 450 catamaran with a plan to spend two years exploring the world together. But somewhere between homeschooling at anchor, exploring the Caribbean, navigating the challenges of boat life, and finding an incredible community of cruising families, something unexpected happened. They fell in love with a life they weren't ready to leave. In Episode 35 of the Three Sheets Podcast, Latitudes & Attitudes Publisher Erik Kyle and Eddietor-in-Cheef David Levesque sit down with Joe and Jada to talk about the realities of raising four daughters aboard a sailboat, the challenges of their first cruising season, and the unexpected opportunities that are allowing them to keep their adventure going. From a frightening encounter with a tangled propeller to the friendships that turned fellow cruisers into family, the Smiths share the highs, lows, and everything in between of making a life on the water. And when their original two-year plan came to an end, the entire family had one thing in common: nobody was ready to go home. IN THIS EPISODE: ⛵ Trading life on land for a 45-foot catamaran with four daughters ⛵ Preparing for full-time cruising with little sailing experience ⛵ Homeschooling, family routines, and adjusting to life aboard ⛵ The challenges of their first cruising season and why they kept going ⛵ Finding an incredible community of cruising families throughout the Caribbean ⛵ The unexpected opportunities that are helping them continue their sailing adventure ⛵ Why leaving the cruising lifestyle behind turned out to be harder than leaving home in the first place Whether you're dreaming of cruising with your family, preparing to untie the dock lines, or already living the cruising lifestyle, Joe and Jada's story is a reminder that sometimes the life you set out to experience becomes the life you never want to leave. 👇🏼 MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Read Joe and Jada's article, "The Life We Didn't Mean to Love This Much," in the September/October 2026 issue of Latitudes & Attitudes Magazine. 🔗 Latitudes & Attitudes Magazine: https://latsatts.com/ FOLLOW THE SAILING TELOS FAMILY Follow Joe, Jada, and their four daughters as they continue their sailing adventures! ⛵ Sailing Telos on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailingtelos/ ⛵ Captain Joe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captain_joe_multihull/ ⛵ Sailing Telos on TikTok: tiktok.com/@sailingtelos 🎥 Sailing Telos | A Smith Family Adventure on YouTube: [www.youtube.com/@sailingtelos](http://www.youtube.com/@sailingtelos) 🌊 ABOUT THREE SHEETS Three Sheets is the official podcast of Latitudes & Attitudes Magazine, hosted by Publisher Erik Kyle and Eddietor-in-Cheef David Levesque. From offshore adventures and unforgettable cruising stories to the people, places, and experiences that make life on the water extraordinary, Three Sheets brings the cruising community together one conversation at a time. Subscribe for more stories from the sailors, adventurers, and dreamers living a life less ordinary. 🔗 Latitudes & Attitudes: https://www.latsatts.com/ 🔗 Subscribe to the channel: http://www.youtube.com/@ThreeSheetsPodcast-ui6jv 👍🏼 Enjoyed this episode? Give it a thumbs up, leave a comment, and subscribe for more cruising stories and conversations. CHAPTERS 00:00 The Hardest Part? Going Home! 00:35 Welcome to Three Sheets 02:15 How the Sailing Dream Began 05:45 Finding the Right Boat 09:15 Homeschooling Four Daughters 11:00 Learning to Sail and Preparing for Cruising 13:45 Raising a Family on a Catamaran 16:00 The Challenges of Their First Year 18:00 Finding Their Cruising Community 19:15 A Typical Day Aboard Telos 22:00 The Two-Year Plan Comes to an End 23:15 An Unexpected Opportunity to Keep Sailing 26:00 Boat Mamas and Supporting Cruising Families 30:55 When Things Go Wrong on the Water 34:20 The Moments That Make It All Worthwhile 35:50 Making the Transition Back to Land 38:30 Unforgettable Family Adventures 42:00 Balancing Work, Family, and Cruising 45:00 Advice for Future Cruisers 47:40 Final Thoughts and Farewell #threesheetspodcast #sailingtelos #latitudesandattitudes

What happens when a young couple decides not to wait for "someday"? Karly and Evan of Navigating Nietzels join Erik Kyle and David Levesque on the Three Sheets Podcast to share how a dream of completing the Great Loop became the beginning of an even bigger cruising adventure. From finding the right boat and working remotely underway to buddy boating nearly the entire Great Loop alongside Josh and Haley of CruisinCasa, they discuss the lessons they learned, the friendships they built, and why the cruising lifestyle has them searching for their next boat instead of returning to life ashore. Whether you're planning the Great Loop, dreaming about cruising full-time, or simply wondering if this lifestyle is possible, this episode is full of practical advice and honest stories from the journey. In this episode: • Why they chose the Great Loop • Buying the right boat for the mission • Working remotely while cruising • Buddy boating with Josh & Haley of CruisinCasa • Favorite stops along the Loop • Lessons learned after 13 months underway • What's next for Navigating Nietzels 🔗 Follow Navigating Nietzels YouTube: www.youtube.com/@navigatingnietzels Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/navigatingnietzels/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550850008997 Subscribe for more conversations with the people, stories, and adventures shaping today's cruising lifestyle. 00:00 A sailboater and a power boater walk into a bar... 00:40 Meet Karly & Evan of Navigating Nietzels 02:05 From Iowa to Florida 05:23 Making remote work fit the cruising lifestyle 07:54 Finding the perfect Great Loop boat 10:24 Planning a 13-month Great Loop adventure 13:01 Buddy boating with Josh & Haley of CruisinCasa 15:55 A typical day on the Loop 20:00 Favorite destinations along the journey 25:50 Selling the boat and what's next 28:28 Can you afford the cruising lifestyle? 32:09 Learning by doing on the Great Loop 33:29 SeaPeople, Young Cruisers & Logan 36:58 The scariest moment of the Loop 39:32 Why everyone should consider the Great Loop 40:19 "The hardest thing is to untie the cleats and just go."

What does it take to sail where almost no one else will? In this episode of Three Sheets Podcast, Erik and David sit down with legendary sailor Matt Rutherford, just one week into his attempt to become the first person to complete a solo, nonstop, unassisted circumnavigation of the Arctic. Matt shares what it takes to prepare for one of the most demanding sailing expeditions on the planet, from sleep deprivation and ice navigation to weather routing, risk management, and the mental resilience required to spend months completely alone at sea. He also reflects on the experiences that led him to take on one of the most ambitious sailing challenges ever attempted. Whether you're a bluewater cruiser, an armchair adventurer, or simply fascinated by people who push the limits of what's possible, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. This interview was recorded on July 1, 2026, approximately one week after Matt began his Arctic circumnavigation attempt. In This Episode • Why Matt is attempting a solo, nonstop, unassisted circumnavigation of the Arctic • Lessons learned from previous record-setting expeditions • Preparing for extreme cold, ice, and isolation • The realities of solo offshore sailing • Ocean Research Project and Arctic research • Matt's remarkable journey to becoming one of the world's most accomplished sailors Featured Guest Matt Rutherford Founder, Ocean Research Project 🌐 Ocean Research Project https://www.oceanresearchproject.org/ 🌐 Support the Mission https://www.oceanresearchproject.org/support-ocean-research Chapters 00:00 Intro & Welcome 02:58 The Impossible Arctic Voyage Begins 08:32 One Week Alone in the Arctic 15:06 Preparing for the Ultimate Sailing Challenge 24:18 Navigating Ice, Fog & Isolation 33:52 Why the Arctic Matters 47:41 Matt's Journey to the Sea 58:11 Ocean Research Project 1:05:32 Following the Expedition 1:08:00 Final Thoughts Enjoyed the conversation? Click Subscribe so you never miss an episode of the Three Sheets Podcast. For more inspiring stories, expert advice, and adventures from sailors around the world, be sure to check out Latitudes & Attitudes magazine. 🌐 https://www.latsatts.com 📖 Subscribe to the magazine: https://latsatts.com/subscribenow/

This episode, ahead of VIBE, the Virgin Island Boating Expo May 14-16, Erik and David sit down with a collection of professionals in the charter world of both the US and British Virgin Islands to talk boats, islands and experiences and how they work together to help create your vacation of a lifetime. In this episode: Kennon Jones, Director of the Virgin Island Professional Charter Association Hank Hampton, President of Paradise Yacht Management Jay Pennington, US Operations Base Director of Waypoints Yacht Charters https://www.vipca.org/ https://waypoints.com/ https://www.paradiseyachtmanagement.com/ https://vibe.vi/

This week, Erik and Dave sit down with Chris Landsea, Ph.D and Chief Tropical Analyst and forecast branch of the NOAA, National Weather Service, NCEP and the National Hurricane Center to not only dive deeper, but break some news on some of the new products out there with the NWC that can help mariners better prepare for hurricane season. Notable 'Quick Links' for this episode: Joint Typhoon Warning Center https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/jtwc.html Tropical Cyclone Products https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/cyclones/ Voluntary Observing Ship Program https://vos.noaa.gov/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJYFaPfJlW8 SOLAS https://www.imo.org/en/about/conventions/pages/international-convention-for-the-safety-of-life-at-sea-(solas),-1974.aspx Hurricane Preparedness Guide https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan 7-Day tropical weather outlook https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php Tropical Cyclone Danger Graphics https://www.weather.gov/gum/NewProbabilisticTropicalCycloneGraphics Ocean Prediction Center - Overview https://ocean.weather.gov/opc_overview.php Digital Weather https://digital.weather.gov/ National Hurricane Center Youtube - Weather Briefings https://www.youtube.com/@nwsnhc/videos Tsunami Safety & Warnings https://www.weather.gov/safety/tsunami What to do before the Hurricane https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan

This week, Erik and David sit down with legendary yacht designer and 2023 National Sailing Hall of Fame inductee Robert Perry to talk yacht design, his early rock-and-roll life, and his thoughts on the design industry now. Robert Perry is a Hall of Fame sailor and one of the most influential yacht designers of the modern era, widely respected for blending performance, seaworthiness, and practical cruising comfort. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Perry rose to prominence in the 1970s with designs that emphasized strong offshore capability without sacrificing handling or livability. His breakthrough came with the Valiant 40, a yacht that helped define the modern bluewater cruising category and earned a reputation for safety and reliability on long ocean passages. Over a career spanning more than five decades, Perry has designed hundreds of sailboats, ranging from high-performance racers to passagemaking cruisers and custom expedition yachts. Notable designs include the Tayana 37, Baba 30 and 40, Passport series, and numerous custom performance cruisers admired for their balanced hull forms and thoughtful deck layouts. His work is known for efficient sail plans, moderate displacement, and hull shapes that perform well across a wide range of conditions. Beyond design, Perry has contributed extensively to the sailing community through technical writing, boat reviews, and educational commentary, helping sailors better understand naval architecture. His induction into the sailing Hall of Fame recognizes a lifetime of innovation, craftsmanship, and lasting impact on offshore cruising worldwide. http://perryboat.com/

This week on Three Sheets, David and Erik sit down with Captain Kat and Kris from Seatrek BVI, a summer camp for teens that focuses on teaching, training and certifying kids in the 3 aspects of life on the water; Sailing, Scuba Diving and Marine Science. Joining the Three Sheets crew this week as well, is Erik's daughter Ella who is returning to Seatrek again this summer to dive even deeper into her marine education. "Whether you're interested in SCUBA diving, sailing, marine science or an all-around adventure program, you've come to the right spot" https://www.seatrekbvi.com/

This week on Three Sheets Podcast, Erik and David sit down with Amanda Haley & Maryline Bossar from Current Yachts, a company changing the traditional commission model, "putting more money back in your pocket" Diving a little deeper into the lives of yacht brokers, David and Erik get into some of the challenges of the industry, the boat shows, which MLS services are worth using and how Current Yachts works to stand out in the industry. https://currentyachts.com/

This week on Three Sheets, Erik and David sit down with Ben and MP from Sailing Yabá to talk about their plans, their boat and how a 3-month planned rebuild of their classic wooden sailboat turned into 4 years.

This week Erik and David sit down with Logan and Caroline Rowell, the Founders of the Young Cruisers Association and Co-Founders of the new Sea People App, diving deeper into how the search for a few beers with boating friends turned into 13,000 members worldwide. https://youngcruisers.org/ https://seapeopleapp.com/ https://latsatts.com/

This week Erik and David sit down with CRAB Sailing President and CEO, Paul "Bo" Bollinger Jr and volunteer skipper Steve Palmer to talk about their upcoming CRAB Cup, their new facility and how CRAB is excelling at allowing wounded veterans and other disabled children and adults to experience life on the water.

How a "Quarter Life Crisis" led to a superyacht reality TV show, life on the water & a Beneteau 510 Episode 24 - This week Erik and David sit down with Chase Lemacks of "Chasing Grace" to find out how a boy from Charleston, South Carolina, traded in his entrepreneurial land life for a career in yachting that led to superyacht reality TV, to buying his own 50' sailboat and venturing off into the unknown.

This week, Erik and David sit down with Captain Ken and Miss Kelly from SV The Crooked Anchor as they dive a little deeper into their cruising lifestyle, how it "nourishes their soul", and more about their "Fiasco of the year" winning moment when they woke up with a large python aboard their catamaran, ready for a sail.

This week, Erik and David sit down with Heather Lane & Brian Bosley from PHIBER Systems to learn more about how life on the water has shaped their lives over the last 30 years and how it led to two successful products, Solar Stik and the award-winning PHIBER Systems. https://www.phibersystems.com/ https://solarstik.com/

Episode 21 - This week, join Erik and David as they sit down with Aaron Stasiak from the Qualified Captain. From a Seatow captain to creating the "America's Funniest Home Videos" of the boating world, this week's podcast dives deeper into not only the origins of the Qualified Captain, but how they are transitioning into doing their part in improving boater safety.

Episode 20 - Join Erik and David this week as they sit down with Ryan, Brittni and Oakley from Sailing Sunday as they dive deeper into their 6 years of cruising through the Mediterranean and Caribbean with their sidekick Jackson rescuing animals, surviving covid and living life's adventure to the fullest.

Join Erik and David as they sit down with Cole and Emily of the Adventure Crews to learn more about their recent travels, why they decided to uproot their entire life for the cruising lifestyle and their philanthropic endeavours with Rise Grenada. www.theadventurecrews.com www.risegrenada.org

This week Erik and David sit down with Joe Rust, Founder of the Chasing Bubbles Foundation, and younger brother to Captain Alex Rust from the documentary, "Chasing Bubbles", an inspirational story of an inexperienced farmboy who spent 4 years sailing the world on a derelict sailboat on a quest for the ultimate freedom. In 2008, an Indiana farm boy named Alex Rust quit his lucrative job at The Chicago Board of Trade to chase a dream. Released in 2016, the Chasing Bubbles Documentary was released, highlighting the life of Captain Alex with a raw an honest look at his misadventures and exploits as he followed his burning desire to make a meaningful impact in this world in search of the ultimate freedom. Now, the Chasing Bubbles Foundation carries on his legacy with a mission to empower kids around the world to chase their dreams like Captain Alex did so boldly. https://www.chasingbubbles.org/ ~ Sign for the Regatta in the BVIs: www.chasingbubbles.org/regatta ~ Join us in India: www.chasingbubbles.org/india ~ Buy our book: www.chasingbubbles.org/book ~ Donate to help keep Bubbles Floating: www.chasingbubbles.org/donate

This week Erik and David sit down with Captain James from Sailing Zingaro. One of the OG's of the YouTube cruising life, Captain James dives into some of the adventures of his travels including a forbidden island, and what to do when your catamaran breaks in two in 20' seas. With over 20 years of living the cruising lifestyle, we reminisce on his experience, what he learned, and how he hopes to help new cruisers steepen the learning curve on bluewater sailing. https://latsatts.com/ https://sailingzingaro.com/

This week, join David and Erik as they sit down with James "the Sailor Man" and Rhonda from Sailing Triteia to talk about crossing the Pacific on his $2400 1965 Alberg 30', his time in the South Pacific, New Zealand, and where they are headed next.