Met on Sailor Dating Site to Cruising Full-Time | Salty Podcast #91

In Salty Podcast #91, I sit down with Bill and Katherine of Mi Salida Sailing in Black Point Settlement, Exumas, Bahamas. They share how they met on a dating site for sailors, bought an Island Packet 465, and made the leap into full-time cruising. We talk about their origin story, why they chose this boat, what it’s really like cruising full-time as a couple, and the balance between caution, experience, and learning as you go. Katherine brings decades of sailing experience, Bill brings the dream and determination, and together they’ve built a life afloat with their dog Gracie. This episode also gets into the real side of cruising life — expensive repairs, boatyard time, breakdowns, heat, stress, and those moments where you wonder why you’re doing it — along with the freedom, beauty, community, and unforgettable memories that make it all worth it. If you’ve ever thought about living aboard, retiring to sail, or chasing a dream later in life, this one is for you. Salty Podcast Sailing Shirts: [https://saltypodcast.myshopify.com](https://saltypodcast.myshopify.com) SALTY ABANDON: Cap'n Tinsley, Orange Beach, AL Oct 2020 to Present: 1998 Island Packet 320 Nov 2015 - Oct 2020: 1988 Island Packet 27 Feb - Nov 2015: 1982 Catalina 25 Salty Podcast YouTube Playlist: [https://saltyabandon/SaltyPodcastPlaylist](https://saltyabandon/SaltyPodcastPlaylist) Capt Tinsley of Orange Beach Boat History: 2015 Feb-Nov - 1982 Catalina 25 2015-2020 - 1988 Island Packet 27 2020-Present- 1998 Island Packet 320 SALTY PODCAST is LIVE every Wed at 6pm Central and is all about the love of sailing! YOUTUBE PLAYLIST: [https://saltyabandon/SaltyPodcastPlaylist](https://saltyabandon/SaltyPodcastPlaylist) LISTEN TO THE PODCAST (Audio): Apple: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/salty-podcast-sailing/id1732800578](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/salty-podcast-sailing/id1732800578) Spotify: [https://open.spotify.com/show/1qUHKGBDJSiwEZUFiF6CwO](https://open.spotify.com/show/1qUHKGBDJSiwEZUFiF6CwO) And anywhere you get your audio podcasts! SUPPORT THE PODCAST: [http://patreon.com/SaltyAbandon](http://patreon.com/SaltyAbandon). ⚓ GEAR FEATURED IN MY UPCOMING VIDEOS 🛟 Boat Fenders [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08S1PXKKR](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08S1PXKKR) ⚓ Dock Lines [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS4BNYR9](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS4BNYR9) 🧽 Exterior Cleaning Kit [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BL533KR7](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BL533KR7) 🔧 OTHER BOAT GEAR Purisan Waste Filtration System [https://amzn.to/4eLZCQ6](https://amzn.to/4eLZCQ6) 🎙️ PODCAST & CREATOR GEAR (Affiliate Links) HP Thunderbolt Dock 280W G4 with Combo Cable [https://amzn.to/44c7IyG](https://amzn.to/44c7IyG) Shure Podcast Mic [https://amzn.to/49ndAoI](https://amzn.to/49ndAoI) Insta360 Link AI Cam [https://amzn.to/49IuKNb](https://amzn.to/49IuKNb) Instag360 GO3s [https://amzn.to/46aYUK6](https://amzn.to/46aYUK6) Mic Boom Arm [https://amzn.to/42iVDVN](https://amzn.to/42iVDVN) Elgato Prompter [https://amzn.to/3LHuS5L](https://amzn.to/3LHuS5L) Stream Deck+ [https://amzn.to/3zX3m1s](https://amzn.to/3zX3m1s) TeamGee Laptop Extender [https://amzn.to/3G8rocK](https://amzn.to/3G8rocK) DJI Wireless Lav Mic [https://amzn.to/3RPqAws](https://amzn.to/3RPqAws) DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone [https://amzn.to/45WQtjI](https://amzn.to/45WQtjI) Rodecaster Pro II Podcast Console [https://amzn.to/49nZ2o9](https://amzn.to/49nZ2o9) 🛠️ PODCAST TOOLS StreamYard [https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5430067749060608](https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5430067749060608)