Are We Really Doing A Reality TV Show? Episode 46

In this episode of Sailing Banana Pancakes, we wrap up our unforgettable time in Martinique, start major sailboat repairs, and head off on an epic sail toward Grenada-complete with a dolphin encounter that blew our minds! After spending weeks sailing through the Caribbean, Martinique gave us a chance to slow down and focus on the nitty-gritty of boat life-maintenance, repairs, and the daily reality of living full-time aboard a sailboat as a family of six. Life on a Sailboat Isn't Always Paradise-Sometimes It's Scrubbing Rust Until Your Hands Bleed With Malia off the boat that day, Steve and I (Kami) had to dock the boat without her. Tight squeeze between two other vessels-but Steve handled it like a pro. Once safely docked, the real work began. We dove headfirst into boat projects. Steve tackled the big stuff-fixing the engines, the rigging, and diagnosing all the electrical issues. Meanwhile, the kids pitched in big time. Our boys took over scrubbing the hull and deck, getting rid of built-up rust and grime. Easton went so hard his hands literally started to bleed. The commitment was real. While the guys handled the boat's exterior, I kept things going inside-homeschooling the kids, meal prepping, and organizing our floating home to stay sane in the chaos. It's not always glamorous, but this is what real family sailing looks like-everyone pitching in, learning responsibility, and growing stronger together. We Got Contacted by a Reality TV Producer? Seriously Amidst the chaos of repairs, something totally unexpected happened-we were contacted by a reality TV producer who had been following our journey along with a few other sailing families. They were interested in putting together a show based on real families living the cruising lifestyle, raising kids while exploring the world on sailboats. The producer interviewed all of us-Steve and I, the boys, Malia, and even a few other sailing families. It was wild to see how our story resonated. They created a reel and pitched it to a network. In the end, it didn't get picked up, but the experience was surreal and honestly kind of magical. We especially loved hearing our kids' thoughts during the interviews-unfiltered, honest, and full of heart. Just another reminder that this journey is shaping all of us in beautiful ways. The Reality of Boat Repairs (Still Not Done) Between interviews, we kept chipping away at the never-ending list of repairs. From engine issues to wiring frustrations, nothing gets resolved quickly on a boat. But we made serious progress, and even had time to socialize-because cruising life isn't just about fixing stuff. We met new friends, Rob and Shelly, and shared dinner and stories ashore. Our kids got invited aboard a neighbor's monohull sailboat that had an entire gaming setup inside-it was heaven for them. We love seeing them make friends from all over the world and adapt to this unconventional lifestyle. Steve's friend Kasey also flew in to tour a boat-after watching our adventure unfold for the past year, his family decided to take the leap too. There's something special about inspiring others to chase their wild dreams, and it reminded us why we share our journey in the first place. Casting Off from Martinique | Tight Dock Maneuvering and a Golden Sail to Grenada Eventually, it was time to say goodbye to Martinique and get back on the water. But pulling away from the dock was nerve-wracking-our catamaran was sandwiched between two other boats with barely a sliver of space to spare. Steve maneuvered like a total legend and got us out clean. We anchored on a mooring ball for the night, soaking in one last Caribbean sunset before an early departure. At sunrise, we hoisted the sails and pointed our bows toward Grenada. The conditions were perfect-calm seas, steady winds, and stunning views. As we sailed past the iconic Pitons of St. Lucia, the beauty of the Caribbean coastline left us speechless. But then it got even better? DOLPHINS! A Whole Pod Joins the Journey Suddenly, out of nowhere, an enormous pod of dolphins appeared beside our boat. It wasn't just a few-it was a full-on dolphin family, leaping and gliding right next to us, riding our bow for what felt like forever. It was one of those moments that made everything-every repair, every hard day, every long night-absolutely worth it. Just pure magic on the open sea. What This Journey Means to Us This episode is a true slice of our liveaboard family sailing life-the highs, the lows, and the stuff in between. From hard work and big dreams to unforgettable moments with the ocean's wildest creatures, we're reminded again and again: this life may not be easy, but it's rich, raw, and deeply rewarding. We hope this video inspires you to chase your version of freedom-whether that's casting off to sea, starting something new, or simply choosing a path that feels true to who you are.