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sunset on a sailboat

First Trip as Sailboat Owners – Logistics & Cats On Board

Each morning we wake up and I look over at Jason and whisper, “we live on a boat”.  I’m so excited I almost can’t stand myself lately.

Everything around us is so intoxicatingly different.  I hear water lapping and barnacles tapping.  The air smells moist and I can feel the coarse grains of salt as I run my hands along the railing.

sailing as a couple

Everyone keeps coming over and asking “where will you go”?  Which sends my head spinning with far too many possibilities?  I slip into a blank stare imagining an open ocean with no land in sight and dolphins playing in our wake.  I dizzily slip back into the conversation with, “we have some learning to do before we go anywhere”.

That’s where we are now.  Somewhere between elated in a dream-like state and inundated with the realities of boat ownership.

Our days here at the previous owners slip in Vero Beach have flown by.  We’ve been busy cleaning, organizing and getting familiar with all the systems.  Much to the disappointment of the B dock crew, and ourselves, we only made it to one of the daily 4:30ish Happy Hour gatherings.

I don’t fully know how to describe the comradery that exists here.  Motor boaters, sailors, couch surfers, full timers, part timers, in betweeners…none of it matters as long as you are on something that floats.

Everyone offered up some piece of advice, shared their favorite anchor spot and generally assured us with enthusiasm for our choice of their beloved on-the-water lifestyle. “We’re so excited for you!  You are in for such great adventures.  Remember, it’s clothing optional in the Bahamas”.

We could have used a few more of those happy hour hang out sessions before heading off. The dock was loaded with old salty dogs eager to share their tips and tricks, but alas, it was time to move along.  You see, we aren’t on our own time yet.  Our spot is actually pre-paid for another few days but our insurance requires us to have someone knowledgeable on board while the vessel is underway.

We’ve guilt tripped Kent (our broker) into sailing down with us.  Fortunately it appears he works for high quality coffee and yummy food, which we have plenty to offer.  It was sad to say goodbye to our new friends so quickly but we have a long list of things to attend to in Ft. Lauderdale and we’re itching to take our new digs out for a stroll!

The Cats First Sailboat Outing

It was nice, slow, and calm conditions for the cats first boat ride.  Both Singa and Cleo are adapting to boat life as if there really is no transition. The six years of RV travel might have a little something to do with that. We didn’t let them out a lot or for very long.  We’re taking it slow and don’t want them getting too comfortable until we have done some cat overboard training exercises.  They are both great swimmers (I won’t say they liked it, but we have tested their swimming skills several times throughout the years) but we would rather not practice our first man overboard drill on the cats.

Cleo is far more comfortable while under way in the boat than she was in the RV.  She is happy to simply sit inside by the door or in the cockpit and roll around in the sunlight. Singa, on the other hand, is his typical must be involved in everything going on self. They are already loving the extra freedom and outside time they get when we are at anchor.

To be perfectly honest it think they will like the boat life way more than the RV life.  When the boat is going fast it’s only doing a whopping 10mph equivalent.  While under sail it’s quiet and there’s a breeze always coming inside the cabin.  When we’re anchored out they can sit outside with us off-leash and enjoy the outdoors in peace.  It’s a far cry from the 60mph, pot-hole laden roads, semi trucks flying by at 80mph, always have to be on a leash, watch out for dogs, no windows open while driving life they’ve led in our motorhome the past several years.  Don’t get me wrong, they loved the RV too but this will be a nice change for them.

cats on a sailboat

Learning and Logistics

Every day we’re learning so much and trying to soak it all up like sponges.  I think our heads might explode at any given moment.  Even still, we’re having a hard time trying to focus fully on learning. There is too much background noise going on in our heads about all the loose ends we need to tie up.  We still have the RV and things in the RV to deal with.  Plus, we want to film everything while we learn so we can share and help other newbies like us.

Logistics is a word we keep repeating followed with a sigh.  There are soooo many logistics to figure out while were in this awkward transitional period I like to call life-in-limbo.

We realize everything may come off as rainbows and unicorns sometimes on our site, in our videos and across our social media accounts…but in an effort to be transparent we want you to know this transition is HUGELY overwhelming, exciting, scary and frustrating.  We may get around to a post one day about it, but writing out the negatives can be tricky, if done incorrectly it’ll just come off as complaining…and we definitely don’t want that.  There are always challenges in life and being a full time traveler comes with it’s own set of challenges.  So if you’re currently in a life-in-limbo period, know that it happens to all of us and the beautiful thing is there is light at the end of this tunnel, no matter how dark it may seem.

cruising lifestyle

A Big Shout-Out to Kent

We didn’t pay him to join us on this two day trip.  He’s not charging us the captain’s going rate of $350+ per day.  He’s just a good guy that wants to see us become successful sailors.  We’re not the first ones he’s done this for either, Pat & Ally of Bumfuzzle said he did the same for them way before they were famous bums.  He’s not sponsoring us, he’s not making us do anything behind the scenes to pay him back, or anything like that.  Sure he made decent money off the sale of our boat and he’ll continue to make money off of the service we’re getting done at Just Cats, but without him we’d have spent $600+ just getting our sailboat down to Ft. Lauderdale.  We’ve told him thanks in private many times, but I feel its important to share our gratitude publicly too.  So Kent, if you’re reading this: Thanks…but know when you start charging me for help the free fancy coffee fountain will dry up 🙂

Thanks For The Love!

Thank you!!!  I have to tell you, all of your positive and helpful comments have been keeping us going!  We read every single one of them.  We appreciate each one of you and love that you are a part of our journey.

If you’re in a Life-in-Limbo transition yourself, or you’ve just made it over that hump, feel free to share.  I know it sounds like an oxymoron coming from a traveler but…I am ready to be settled so I can get to the learning and adventure part!

Hello there! I honestly don’t know what to say, so I am going to tell you a bunch of random facts instead. I'm a fish eating vegetarian who hates spiders and loves snakes. I almost never took vacations growing up. I wanted to be Pippi Longstocking (still do). I misspell about every other word I write and still struggle with grammar. I love splurging on a good high tea (which is really hard to find these days). And whatever you do, don’t tell me I can’t do something, because then I'll HAVE to do it!

Comments (88)

  • Paul

    Watched your RV videos 3 years ago and been full time for 2. Always dreamed of sailing around the world and this gives me hope I can do it too.

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  • phil w

    love the vids from here in the uk,with regards to the fishing if you catch a tuna turn it upside down
    it goes docile so no harm to you or the fish,sail on
    uk phil

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  • Judy Friend

    Ahoy, I just found your YouTube channel and I am very jealous. Although I am a power boat person, or was, sailing seems pretty awesome. We did our boating on the Chesapeake Bay before selling her. I work and live on Florida while my husband lives in Pennsylvania (he doesn’t like the heat). He joins me throughout the year and spends the winters in FL.
    Love that the cats are enjoying sailing! Looking forward to watching more if your adventures.

    Judy Friend
    West coast of Florida

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  • Brian Stewart

    hi, doing the wind at your back thing, so good to see (sea) and read. Life on the ocean waves is certainly wonderful, challenging, rewarding and salty of which you will experience to be called a SALT. lol its great and your friends on land will never want to talk to about what you have done because they will never do it themselves. They will hear for a wee while, then turn off never to speak of it again, but i am sure you know this. Anyways I hope to catch up with you in four years or so as my plans of buying my boat are on the slow go but it will happen.
    May the winds be strong and the seas be kind. Nag mini map ra NZ

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  • Anthony Moore

    Hey folks, It’s great to see your transition from land to sea. I have looked through the comments in an effort to not duplicate questions. I was wondering if between hiring a captain from time to time, if you guys were working on getting your six-pack or 100 ton license? Hope you guys got rid of (sold/donated) all the unnecessary gear from the camper! Adios

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  • John

    Seen a lot of sailing channels and I really think you guys are the best! You guys are going through exactly what my wife and I want to do so thanks for sharing! By the way, Singa … Where did that name come from? Any relation to Zinga?

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    • Thanks John,
      As for the name Singa I think it means “tiger”

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  • cindy

    you guys continue to surprise me!!! I’m so proud of all you have accomplished in just a short time! Hugs and prayers as you move forward into your new adventures!!!

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  • Just found you guys online recently and I saw your little car in front of the boat store at Dania. I’m taking delivery on my brand new Leopard 44 currently. Been working on it a couole days and some friends fly in from Mexico today (we live in Mexico most the year kitesurfing, mtn biking, climbing, SUP, etcetc). We shove off Sunday to the Bahamas never to return. You guys should come by our slip Sat night if you’re in the area. We’re the 44 on the far end of all the Leopards. Join us for the christening if you’re around!

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    • Oh my! It sounds like you’re people we should know! We love doing all those things. We’ve left the marina and won’t return till June 1…after you’ve departed. Dang. We won’t be in the Bahamas till Fall/Winter, if you’re still around keep an eye out for us. Are you in Bilando?

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  • Jeff

    Can’t wait to hear of your travels such an inspiration you guys are. How much fun have you had in researching where you can dock and which course to take.

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  • Rick L.

    Kent is funny! “Not my boat” … very funny!

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    • He’s a trip. From everyone we’ve spoken to about South Africans we’re told “they’re all crazy!” 🙂

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  • Barry

    I have been following your adventures for a while. Always entertaining, thank you for taking the time to share. There is lots of time to read when you are are on a boat. Here is one that will keep you entertained. It was written by the sister of a really good friend of mine. 4 years in a sailboat circumnavigating the globe. https://www.amazon.ca/Voyage-Northern-Magic-Family-Odyssey/dp/0771082630

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  • David

    Nikki,
    Just read your Bio above… I bet I can think of something you can’t do…
    I bet you can’t sail across the South Pacific to New Zealand, hire an RV and then tour the country for a few months…

    I hope that your transition to sailing is getting a little easier as the days go by and you continue to get done all those things that need to be done in transition like yours…

    (Once I get a job and have some money, I’ll sign up on your Patreon. I want to support you, it’s just that things are rather tight financially for me at the moment.)

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  • Mike Powers

    Good Luck on your new adventure. I would only ask that you be careful when sailing and “trolling” with a fishing lure offshore. Be aware of other boats in the water offshore displaying “diver down” flags. I believe the rule is you must stay 300 feet away. That’s 100 yards…or the length of a football field. I cannot tell you how many times I have been diving offshore in open water 30-40 ft. deep and suddenly saw a big ole shiny fishing lure go by me at under 6′ away. Remember, you are in stealth mode to a diver when you are under sail. Happy Sailing, be safe.

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  • Perhaps you’ve already seen this, but I soon as I saw it I thought of you two.
    https://youtu.be/VPpBKn–BuE

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  • Julio

    Congratulations on your progress! A fun and cool resource to practice knot tying is Animated Knots by Grog: animatedknots.com Not only for sailing knots but also for many other activities. Looking forward to your next adventure!

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  • T C Spencer

    Are you continuing to send video notices to E-mail subscribers?
    Do you send video E-mail notices to YouTube subscribers?
    Do you send video E-mail notices to Patreon substibers?

    reply
  • So many reasons to stay on board with you guys even though you are not on the road you are on the road overcoming the big waves of life. I find it inspiring. The writing talent is inspiring, the transparency you are expressing is great because “real” is really the best. I will never be a boat owner. I do find your content goes beyond owning a boat.

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  • Steph

    Hello Wynns!!!!
    I say more Kent in the videos!!! He cracks me up 🙂 AND Get those KATZ some lifevests :D!!!

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  • illya

    Hello Captains 🙂

    That looks like a wonderful time! amazing how well the cats do with it. One thing i have learned is that no matter what the words that are coming to me from another person if they give me frustration they are based in lies. Sounds like you guys have been dealing with this accepted practice of doing business these days. As long as you can recognize them as for what they are accept them for it and don’t let them take your happiness.
    They will always be there to deal with and will only get worse. Kinda like when you go to McDonald’s and the shake machine is broken, they just take it apart early before closing. It’s a simple lie but regardless i would prefer to have a kid in the drive thru window tell me that they do that so he can get home before 3 am because he has class at 8 am. I would understand, may not fill my heart with joy but at least it won’t leave me frustrated. Not that i even go there anymore lol.
    I have had my moments as im sure we all have but usually a walk thru the children’s hospital at MDA gives me a whole new perspective. It would be a good resource for people to know what they will run into if planning an adventure like this if you write about the roadblocks and troubles you’ve encountered. Like the shady guy not telling the owner about your offer.
    You guys are awesome and will do great in every way, especially financially.

    Thanks, illya

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    • John S.

      Hi Illya,

      You say “Hello Captains” but, as a retired Captain, let me tell you that once underway there can only be ONE Captain on board.

      In my humble opinion that person just has to be Jason. He already has the Captainy look about him and even knows how to open a bridge using a radio.

      So let’s all agree that it will be Capt. Jason from now on when we are talking about anything relating to boating when the boat is under way. Is that okay?

      Of course Nikki is still (and always) the Admiral. 😉

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      • As long as I’m lower on the food chain than Nikki…that’s all that matters!

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        • David

          Commodore Nikki!

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  • Anne winning

    Good morning,
    Great to see you are finally underway on your next adventure. You 4 have persevered and I can’t wait to journey with you on the water…..
    Awesome video as usual, now the fun begins

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  • Shelly Sizemore

    This is all so exciting! The only word that comes to mind when I think of being out on the open water is PEACEFUL.

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  • JOHN T WHITE

    Remember,Kids, the 3 R,s ie: Red,Right,Returning!

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  • kevin hurd

    You guys are having such an adventure . I am addicted !! When I get some spare money I will send you some. Fair winds and following seas my friends

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  • Jody

    I am just so excited for the 4 of you!

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  • Richard

    What a great introduction to your new life. I’ve read nothing but good things about Just Catamarans and, from your video and text, well deserved. Don’t shut off the coffee. You two will have no problem adapting and enjoying and going with the flow. I have no idea how you handled the transition, but… well done. Take care and smooth sailing.
    Richard
    ps. Jason, you’re beginning to look tanned (from the Keys video)!! Just keep turning:) In all seriousness, you would be a joy to share an anchorage with. You are so going to enjoy this new tack.

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  • JL

    I’ve been showing videos of you to my college writing classes when we do segments on economics, life, the American dream, and housing. Needless to say, you’ve inspired quite a few of them to enlarge their dreams a bit. Transitions are a pain in the rear, but once you are through them, there is so much wonderfulness happening on the other side of things. fair winds! I look forward to showing the students some of your new adventures.

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  • George Procyshyn

    Congratulations guys … this will be SUCH an adventure for you. One thing though, with pets aboard, make sure you have two things, carriers for each, folding ones for cats are nice and easier to stow, but MOST important is a large net. There are aluminum framed ones with telescoping handles … buy the one with the longest handle. Good for fish of course, but also absolutely necessary if one of the cats happen to slip and find themselves in the water. You said they were good swimmers, but the net makes retrieval so much easier.

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  • Jonathan & Wendy Hays

    Hey Jason and Nikki,
    My wife and I need to buy you both some drinks and have a nice long conversation some time in the near future. We are in Miami and starting the ball rolling on our own adventure, just struggling pushing that last little bit. Love the stories and can’t wait to hear what’s next.

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  • We are definitely in the middle of a huge transition right now and completely overwhelmed by the logistics of it all. So much to do, I don’t even know where to start.

    Which is why I’m reading your lovely blog instead of actually getting things done.

    Oops.

    🙂

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  • Nancy Fernandez

    Awesome! So excited for you. Can’t wait for more. Safe Sailing!

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  • Just wanted to tell you how much I love the sunset and sunrise views. What a treat to be able to see that so often – it’s good for the soul!

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  • Krislee

    Congratulations! We are so excited for you and this new chapter in your lives. Thanks for taking us along on the ride. My husband and I bought our first 5th wheel last year. Don’t know if full time travel will ever work out for us, but we are able to leave for about a week a month and camp with our dogs while hubby works while camping. Your advice and videos have been so inspiring. Your product recommendations have been spot on. We appreciate all you have done for the RV community. You have helped us in so many ways and we are very grateful!

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  • My wife and I are excited for both of you on your next adventure, sailing the high seas! Good luck with the captains school, but I am sure you will both do well.

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  • Butch.

    My congratulations! It’s funny you should mention transition period, I just accepted the offer on my house and I’m trying to close the deal on my next floating house or a condo with a sail I should say.. you are so right all the logistics involved are just crazy closing the deal on the house then trying to make the deal on the boat all the same time ,oh my gosh what a mess! I am a first-time sailboat owner and I will be traveling to Maryland to pick up the boat to bring it back to Florida so I can relate to all you are going through and I can’t wait to be where you are……

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  • Since I grew up in Palm Beach County, FL, your catamaran videos have been like going home for me. We lived on the Intercoastal Waterway, and didn’t get to see many”cats” going up or down in the 60’s. I know you’re going to have some adventures living on the water, and I’m looking forward to your vids. Also, I’m a cat person. Is Singa a Savannah or a Bengal?

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  • Rex & Cindy Jennings

    We are really excited to see your Patreon support go up so quickly!

    When we signed up about 5 days ago it was about $135 & now it is over $300!
    Way to go!

    Your story telling abilities will have a huge impact on getting others into sailing and living their dreams.
    Well done Wynns.

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  • Dennis

    Congrats Nikki And Jason
    Hope you have a fantastic adventure and will be watching now and again. beautiful boat for sure and good luck on your captain’s school. I have wanted to do that for several years now, whether i ever bought a big cat or not. My friend said it was quite an experience.

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  • Bill W.

    I signed up for Patreon, so I am eagerly awaiting some awesome videos from you guys !

    reply
  • Joyce Gouge

    Jason and Nikki,
    You my not know who I am, but I am Cassandra’s aunt. Just wanted to let you know that I am totally excited for you in your new adventure. Jon (husband) and I have done some sailing ourselves, and understand the pure joy of being under sail. The peace and tranquility that comes with it is indescribable. May God be with you on your journeys. We will be watching for your post.

    Sincerely,
    Joyce Gouge

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  • Doug

    Wow! I love the Indian River what beautiful views! Here just above Vero in Brevard County and just downsized from a big farm to a little condo and what a pain. I can’t imagine downsizing to fit on a boat even though I have been looking at sailboats lately. Love watching your journey. Fair Winds!

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  • I’m going to miss your rv posts but the sailing posts are pretty great too. I’m in FL today shopping for a used rv. We plan to hit the road full time this fall. You’ve been a big inspiration for us to make the leap. Thanks for sharing all the great information you’ve posted this far. Who knows, a year from now you may have convinced me to live on a boat! Happy sailing.

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  • Hey Guys!
    Congrats on your new purchase and lifestyle change!
    I just wanted you know that when I read – “So if you’re currently in a life-in-limbo period, know that it happens to all of us and the beautiful thing is there is light at the end of this tunnel, no matter how dark it may seem.” – I literally started tearing up. My husband and I are in the home stretch. We have about a week and a half until our home closes. This week we are moving everything into our RV, which is currently sitting in the driveway, and trying to sell all of our furniture other stuff we won’t need. It’s been crazy and stressful, but it’s nice to know that we aren’t alone, and that awesome things are waiting on the other side. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and your lives with us!

    Happy Sailing!

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  • Sarah

    I’ve learned so much from you guys, and I’m so excited to follow your new adventures! I love seeing people be brave and live life on their own terms! We are in that limbo stage, we’ll be FT rving with our littles. We are learning about our rig and outfitting. It’s a stressful stage to be in, can’t wait to be on the road (well, I really just can’t wait to be in the Florida keys ?).

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  • Ken

    Hello Jason and Nikki, thanks for sharing these experiences with us. I wish you guys the very best in your journeys. I seen greatness in both of you and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you.

    I have always enjoyed you writeups and videos. Just a thought, you may consider putting all these in a book form for posterity.

    Regards

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  • Al McGillivray

    If you are interested in sailing and travel videos you should check out http://www.distantshores.ca and https://www.youtube.com/user/distantshores1/videos . Paul and Sheryl Shard are award-winning filmmakers and hosts of the Distant Shores sailing adventure TV series. They are currently sailing and filming in Antigua. They also have an active Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/DistantShoresTV/?fref=ts

    It was in part through their inspiration that we took our own boat from the Great Lakes to the Bahamas for a couple of years.

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  • So excited for you (and for us as we follow you) and a might bit jealous. All I can say is fair winds and following seas and if you ever need the Coast Guard and the USS Legare comes to your rescue say hi to my niece Ensign Sara Cantrell. BTW I read this to our cat, Cadbury, and he’s now angling for us to move onto a boat.

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  • I guess where in the same boat, relatively speaking “Life-in-limbo” We’re going though the same emotional roller coster ride as you guys are, but we’re downsizing to a trailer, we have no home (we’re homeless) and the trailer isn’t finished yet!! I’m excited for the two of you, plus the cats. These moments of life changes is what being a nomad is all about—gets the adrenaline and blood flowing—the feeling of alive.

    Recently I found that young people are excited about our new adventure, middle aged folks are concerned for us—more than we are of ourselves, and the elder generation, well, they think we’re nuts!!

    Jason your videos are fun, well produced and I’ll be linking (sharing) to them when I need to show examples.
    Love you both.
    PS, motorboats and sailboats are just RVs that float… unlike land yachts—not maintained they sink!!

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  • Lawrence

    Your new blog – Cats On A Cat (I figured Cats on Cats was probably a little too suggestive of something else).

    I’m waiting for the first time the kitties see you catch a big fish off the back of the boat – “Hey now! This giant floatie RV thingie comes with fresh fish? These new digs are looking up already! Can we get them to just jump on board?”

    That all comes with an idea!
    When we get our cat, even tho we’re mostly dog lovers, we’ll get a cat and we can name the boat ‘Cat Box’ lol. No?
    Thing is we’re kinda clean freaks, so I’m not sure the name fits.

    Loving the new adventures gang. I think boating is a bit more logistical and complicated in general, so there will be an adjustment period to just sometimes having more to do, but look at the gain, right?
    Warmest <3
    –LD

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  • Brian

    Love your videos, really appreciate you two sharing your world. I do have a question about Patreon. I basically know nothing about Patreon, but it appears you’ll have videos on there? Will you still have videos on your site here? If so, what will be the difference between what we see on Patreon and here?
    Happy Sailing.

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    • Mark of SJC

      Brian, I had the exact same question!

      reply
  • Cokie Lewis

    I want to thank you for being part of our lives. My partner, Kae, & I traveled the U.S. for 4 years in a small Roadtrek 210 Popular. We’ve been “settled” for about 7 years now renting a house but still taking short trips. We have 101,000 miles on our RV and have just had it serviced for a trip to Alaska that we’re going to take starting 7/1/16. We plan to be there for 3 months. I’ve read everything on your blog about your Alaska trip and it’s so helpful. We have visited a couple of places, Alabama Hills & Trona Pinnacles, because you liked them so much. We love boon docking too. We’ve taken your advice and have bought some products you recommended and this week we’re having ReLion lithium ion batteries installed replacing lead acid coach batteries. Expensive but well worth it. We also bought Pedego electric bikes which help us manage steep hills. Kae & I are 75 and 70 years young and hope that we can still be driving as long as the lithium ion batteries last; 10 years I hope and maybe longer. I have to say I’m sorry you’re not still RVing but I wish you happiness and great adventures in your new life. I would like to support your video post but I’m not sure they would be relevant to our RV lifestyle. What do you think?

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  • Mike

    After 3 months of looking, we found a farm near Fair Haven Marina in Central New York. Closing took another 3 months. Now I am back near Salem, Oregon, packing with my sweet wife, so we can move when all the kids get out of school –June 17. Then it’s a 5 day trip with a Penske and a mini van. Feelin some limbo, if I do say so myself..

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  • Lankster Price

    The dream has started and in no time you’ll leave FL and find yourself with no land and open water. You’ll see things we can only wish we where with you.. You’ll run to get the camera so you can share it with us later.
    Hope you have a Fish book, you may need it for all that Sushi your going to have…

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  • Debbie from Illinois

    I’ve been following you guys since the beginning of your RV adventures. I’m so thrilled for you! I know these videos are A LOT of work but your fans really appreciate it. 🙂

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  • Lisa B

    Hi Guys,
    I really appreciate your candidness about “limbo”, when you say that it’s not always easy. It is so reassuring! I’m STILL in the
    pre-phases; STILL trying to sell off all my “stuff” in a big city, where yard sales aren’t possible and offers through apps are beyond low ball. Your honesty is super encouraging and keeps hope alive that I really can get to a more sustainable and simple lifestyle! Thanks for all the generosity!
    Lisa B

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  • Sally & Ben

    Ben and I are so excited for you both, loved the video and can’t wait to see more…Happy Sailing!!

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  • Chip Southerland

    Just a couple of observations. Bridge height is NOT usually posted on the bridges. A so called “Datum” bridge height is posted on all navigation charts. That is the posted height of the bridge above the surface of the water at high tide. There is SOMETIMES a height caliper at the base of the bridge, which shows the level of the water on a sort of ruler type scale, but it is often occluded by sea weed and easily misread. The Chart Datum is by far the most valuable reference for bridge height. If you don’t already have it, you may want to put a sticky label on your navigation pane, which posts the clearance height of your mast as well as your draft (depth of the boat hull below the water line). Your “datum” numbers on any nautical chart will list ocean depths at low tide and bridge heights at high tide.

    Another thing you guys should look in to is becoming “LOOPERS”. You may know this already, but there is a waterway, referred to as the Great American Loop, which spans the entire East Coast Intercostal waterway, then tracks through the Erie Canal to the Great Lakes, then comes out on the Mississippi and traverses all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. From there it is a short hop along the West Coast of Florida back down to the keys. This is usually started from Florida in the late winter so that by the time you get to the Great Lakes, it is summer and you are missing Hurricane Season in Florida. There is one fixed bridge in Chicago that will be too low for your Catamaran Mast, but they have a service available, which will unstep your mast for the bridge transit and reset your mast on the other side.

    You should look in to it. REALLY enjoying your travels… Thanks for the memories!!!

    Chip Southerland

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    • John S.

      Chip, one of my co-workers did part of the loop and said that very few sailboats do the inland portion. He gave given the impression that there are several train bridges, car bridges, wires and pipelines that are too low for most sailboats with the mast up. But there are lots of sail boats on the Great Lakes.

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  • Debbie Green

    Congratulations! This video was so much fun to watch. Looking forward to many more.

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  • Larry G Himes

    Hey! Thank you, you two, for all of your previous work. It IS quite a legacy for future generations!
    Due to yourselves & others out there on the web/YouTube, etc. My wife & I are currently full-timeers in a class-A motorhome. We are at the point where finances are rearing their head… We “feel your pain” but, sadly, cannot help at this time w/YOUR financial “journey”. 🙁
    Thanks again! We are enjoying following your life-changes & travels! 🙂

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  • I’m so excited for you both! I’m looking forward to following this phase of your adventure as this is on my list of things I’m going to do!

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  • Guy

    Enjoying your posts! Looking forward to more. =) I have a question: I know you probably have your composting toilet on your ship now but what about the cats? disposing of cat litter and I guess humanure while on the ship. Was just thinking on dry land it would be easy but the open sea a different story.

    Have an awesome time!
    Guy

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  • Jason and Nikki.
    Congratulations on finally getting settled in your new home. If I find anymore seafaring songs I’ll send them your way. You both seem genuinely excited and all smiles. That’s so nice. I’m hoping to get started on the RVing myself soon. Hopefully before I’m too old to drive. Singa and Cleo do seem happy. But I’ll be honest, I’m still so very nervous about those cats being too near the water. I wonder if there is such a thing as a Kitty Life Vest. I’ll research it.

    Bon Voyage!!
    All the best to you,
    Smokin Jim

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  • John S.

    People have been RV’ing across the continent for the past fifty years and there are a few books and tons of how-to videos for beginners to watch.
    People have been boating across oceans for the past four hundred years and there are tons of how-to books for the keen and interested, but not many videos.
    So it’s a pleasure to watch as you change the boater’s book to video ratio.

    With all the time it takes to edit and process even a five minute video I’m impressed that you can keep up your one-a-week goal.

    P.S. Would love to have a “Nikki’s kitchen” series to watch.

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  • Lindalee and Mike

    We are over the moon happy for you both! Thanks, in part, to y’all we are taking 6 months to RV travel (with our 87lb Izzie doggie – yea, a third adult in a tiny RV) before heading back to Hawaii! Remember we have a spare room and heck, we know you so well (having read and watched every single blog post/YouTube you made – about 100 times each!) we’d love to have you visit!! Good luck and Godspeed and we’re excited to read/watch all about your newest adventures!

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  • Ruth

    I was just wondering if you had life jackets for the cats? I know people who sail with their dogs and the dogs have their life jackets on while under sail. Is there such a thing as cat life jackets?

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  • I love your cats. Our cats do not travel particularly well, especially one of them. On our way home from our only real RV trip with them our more adventurous kitty came out and laid on our daughter’s lap so I’m pretty sure she’d adapt quickly, but the other is a special case of terrified. So cool to see yours enjoying themselves.

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  • Andrea Lawson

    I am so excited for you guys! We are also at the Life-in-Limbo stage. We are waiting for our house to sell so we can begin full-time rving. Let me just say patience is not my strong suit! ? However, I just retired this month and I’m taking advantage of the extra time I have to gather together what I think we will need for the RV and purge the rest.

    I’m sure it will be a while before I stop saying “we live in an RV” with a huge smile on my face. I can also relate to the quizzical looks we get when people ask us “where is the first place you will go” and I reply “wherever we want”! I would love to say we have a destination in mind but I know there will be that learning curve in the beginning. So we will just take it one day at a time.

    We have followed your RV adventures for a while now and will continue to do so, as you sail away into the sunset.

    Bon voyage my friends, or should I say Captain and First Mate.

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  • Bruce Kane

    So Happy for you Guys, wishing you gentle winds and smooth Rum,,,,safe sailing

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  • Brad Twiest

    Awesome, Can we get a few facts on the boat. How much fuel, water does it hold? What do you do with black and grey water? etc. Good luck and I can’t wait to see where you go.

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  • Vincent (Flightdoc) Lugg

    Hi guys. Been following you for several years and have appreciated all the knowledge you’ve given me. I’m a full time/part time Rv’r because of it and will continue to follow you during this adventure. I was wondering have you tackled the subject of solar installation on the CAT yet and if we’ll being seeing any videos on the subject soon?

    Sail safe

    vin

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  • Roy vannoy

    I learned to tie the Boleyn knot with one hand back in my Navy days. Enjoy the journey.

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  • mary

    That was tight going under the bridge. I am curious, how do you know the height of a bridge (do you Google it each time?) and the depth of the water to be sure you don’t hit the bridge?

    Good luck!

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    • There is supposed to be a sign that states the height…this is where a good pair of binoculars will come in handy.

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  • Mark

    Congratulations on your new purchase. I envy you guys. Looking forward to your future posts. How are you guys going to publish your videos regularly if you are out on the water? Honestly I would love to see 2 or even 3 videos from you guys a week. If you could do that I would for sure support you on Patreon. Casey Neistat publishes a fairly high quality video every day and he has around 3 million subscribers which he mostly attributes to his decision to publish daily. See his video here where he talks about this decision https://youtu.be/-lDQc1mGAvY

    Fair winds,
    Mark

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    • Yea…Casey is a maniac. He sleeps, eats and breathes work, we just sleep and eat it. Who knows how things will end up, but for the time we will keep trying to do 1 per week.

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