GTFOplan #101: 2.5 Years at Sea - Hard Truths & 12 Pro-Tips!
Why They Chose the Cruising Lifestyle For Alicia, sailing represented freedom and adventure-the excitement of waking up in a new country every few days. Douglas, on the other hand, is a homebody who values community, stability, and creative work. Though he enjoyed the experience, he struggled with the transient nature of the lifestyle and missing his lifelong friendships and family connections. One major realization? Freedom at sea comes with limitations. While sailing offers the ability to move, it also means being at the mercy of the weather. At one point, they were stuck in a terrible anchorage for three weeks, just waiting for a weather window to travel east. Pro-tip #1: If you're considering the sailing life, get LASIK eye correction before you go-it's much easier than dealing with constantly dirty glasses on a boat! Challenges They Faced - The difficulty of returning home - Finding an island with a marina and an airport that aligned with their needs wasn't always easy. - Financial reality - They realized they didn't have the funds to sustain full-time cruising indefinitely. While remote work opportunities exist, reliable income was a challenge. However, Starlink has been a game-changer for those working remotely from a boat. - Boat maintenance fatigue - Douglas grew weary of constantly checking the weather and fixing the boat. He wished they had bought a boat already located in the Caribbean instead of sailing down from Wisconsin. However, his favorite part of the journey was traveling through the river system-something they would have missed had they started elsewhere. Pro-tip #2: For passages, have a third crew member. If one person gets sick, handling the boat becomes incredibly difficult. Pro-tip #3: Be self-sufficient with repairs-there's no mechanic on call when you're offshore! Scariest Moments at Sea 1 A boat dragging into them at night - They anchored in calm conditions but woke up to 50-knot winds in the middle of the night with torrential rain. The sudden change made even getting out of bed difficult, let alone dealing with another boat drifting toward them. 2 Alicia's allergic reaction to conch - She got incredibly sick, and if she had been on land, she would have called an ambulance. On the boat, she had to push through without immediate medical help. 3 Managing medical needs - Douglas relies on thyroid medication, and getting regular medical checks in the Caribbean wasn't easy. Pro-tip #4: Learn as much as possible and practice your skills before setting sail. Pro-tip #5: Stock up on regular medications-you won't always have easy access to a pharmacy. Pro-tip #6: Schedule regular visits home to see family and for medical appointments. They regretted spending the first year without leaving the boat. What They Would Do Differently - Choose a catamaran instead of a monohull - Alicia wonders if the boat's motion will impact the video, leading to a key insight:Pro-tip #7: If you don't like rocking, buy a catamaran! - Prioritize personal well-being over the boat - Sailing can be stressful, but at the end of the day, you are more important than your vessel.Pro-tip #8: Your health and sanity matter more than your boat. - Plan for the real costs - One of the biggest surprises? It costs more than you think! Food and laundry can be incredibly expensive in certain places.Pro-tip #9: Budget for more than expected-it will cost more than you think! - Stock up on spares - Whether it's boat parts or basic necessities, having backups is crucial.Pro-tip #10: Food and laundry are surprisingly expensive. Plan accordingly!Pro-tip #11: Stock up on spares-you never know when you'll need them! - Know your boat inside and out - Whether it's maintenance, repairs, or handling, a deep understanding of your vessel makes a huge difference.Pro-tip #12: Intimately learn your own boat-it will save you trouble in the long run. Final Thoughts Alicia and Douglas loved different aspects of the cruising lifestyle. Alicia thrived in the adventure, while Douglas ultimately longed for a home base with his family and friends. Their biggest motivator for returning? They now have their first grandbaby. Their journey was filled with unforgettable moments, invaluable lessons, and a deep appreciation for both the freedom of the sea and the comfort of home. Would they do it again? Maybe-but with a few adjustments. For anyone considering the sailing life, their advice is clear: plan ahead, know your boat, and be ready for the unexpected. CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com
