Sailing Ohana

We returned to the US from the Bahamas in May of 2022, intending to sell the boat and return to life on land, with some wonderful memories and new perspectives. However, the universe had other things in store for us. After two failed sale contracts on the boat, she was struck by lightning at the dock in Fort Lauderdale. We were shocked and saddened, knowing that even after all the repairs – which were covered by insurance – the boat would be stigmatized and much harder to sell. There is a long and complicated story about the insurance coverage, so to make that long story short:  We had just switched insurance companies when the lightning struck, and the day it happened was likely the first day of coverage with State Farm.  Fortunately after lots of research, they were able to confirm what happened and covered our claim with no problem. Tommy immediately got to work with the insurance company and setting up the repairs in Fort Lauderdale with some very reputable companies there. We got all the systems repaired and/or replaced, and while we were at it, did a lot of improvements that we wish we had had when we were living aboard.

We decided to go back on the boat for one last time… It was a difficult decision that took a long time. Jackson had a very different attitude about it this time, not that he didn’t love his experience in 2022, but that it had been hard for him to transition back to middle school life and he didn’t want to have to go through that again. Tommy and I struggled with the feeling that we never had a chance to fully reconnect with work and our community at home, and then would just leave it all again. However, it was clear that this last opportunity would be either now or never, and we decided to go for it. We promised Jackson that when we return home, we will stay put at least until Spencer graduates from high school.

Returning to the boat is a little like scratching an itch… We get to do it better this time, now that we know better. The boat has new sails, electronics, solar, navionics, radar, Starlink internet, generator, batteries, refrigerator, and much more. We even added a water maker which is a game-changer as far as being self-sustaining. The Starlink is allowing us to do an online schooling program in which the boys have real teachers (instead of Tommy and me!) and one-on-one teacher access when they need it. They took placement tests before enrolling, so that the school can identify and fill in any of the gaps from COVID school, last year’s boat school, and any other areas needing improvement. We can log in and do lessons anytime, and set our own pace, moving through some topics quickly and spending more time on others that need attention. We provisioned the boat better this time as well, making a spreadsheet of what supplies and food stores we have, and where they are stored. Also, our Zoolander dinghy now turns left just as well as it turns right!

A spectacular trip to Universal Orlando which was a gift from Noni and Pa, made the prep process less tedious than last year. We even got to watch a glorious sunset rocket launch from the boat.

We made the excruciating decision to leave Morris in Colorado with our dear friends Jo and Mike, who are kind, generous, amazing humans. Needless to say, it was HARD. After a lot of thought and conversation, we all came to the realization that Morris really didn’t want to go back on the boat. He is a Colorado Mountain Dog, which is where he should be in the winter. We miss him desperately, but are reminded many times a day that he would not enjoy a lot of what we’re doing, and that he’s in a loving home with a wonderful pack.

We will surely make mistakes this time around, and still have SO MUCH to learn, but we’re building on a more solid foundation. I am looking forward to this second round, and I am hopeful that we have, as our dear friend said to us when we sailed away, “Fair winds and following seas.”