Boat Shopping

Green Brett

Most cruisers that I know love to "talk boat"—talk about your own boat, your friend's boat, that awesome boat in the harbor, something you saw on YachtWorld—you get the picture. I am no exception. I also love boat shopping (for myself or others). I'll use any excuse to spend some time
poking around a boat, new or old. And since I won't be in the market for another boat for a while, I thought that I would relive the experience and share what brought us to choosing our boat.

Waste Not . . .

by Jen Brett

I often think that the world would be a much better place if everyone had the opportunity to go sailing, the longer the better. After my husband and I returned from our own cruising adventure when we were in our 20s, I came home with a new set of eyes through which to see the world. If you've done any long-distance cruising, particularly to countries that are less developed than the U.S., you
know what I'm talking about. My first trip to a grocery store in Florida after being away for a while was overwhelming. I believe I actually choked up—we just have so much. Of everything.

Keeping Your Cool

by Jen Brett

Jen Brett

Like most South Floridians my age, I was raised in a very air-conditioned world. The thought of not having AC on a hot, muggy day in August (or even February for that matter- Florida weather can surprise you with crazy temps any time of year) just seemed awful. (Like I've said, I was a little
sheltered). When my husband, Green (yes, that's his real name), and I moved aboard Egret, our Pearson Vanguard, it didn't have AC, which we remedied by fitting a room air conditioner in the forward hatch while we were at the dock. We

On Hurricanes

by Jen Brett

Green Brett

Well, the Irene brouhaha has come and mostly gone here in Rhode Island, and we're none too worse for the wear and tear, for which we are very thankful. Being liveaboards who've had some experience with hurricanes, we take them seriously. Days before the storm, we moved Lyra from her mooring
and staked out our claim at our chosen hurricane hole. We took down all the sails and canvas and put out four anchors, and then the girls and I jumped ship. (I'll also be writing a future story on hurricane preparations for an upcoming issue of CW.)

Changes in the Weather

by Jen Brett

Jen Brett

"I'm dancin' in the clouds
With my feet still on the ground
I couldn't say a dream could get much better
And as you watch the sun go down
You wake up to the sound
Of changes in the weather"

- Barefoot Truth
So I'll admit that I've been a little lax on the blog posts lately. Blame the end of summer madness, vacations, school, kids, family visits, work, boat shows -- you get the idea. Life has a way of getting in the way sometimes, even—make that especially—when you live on board. But things are slowing down now, and for that we can blame (or thank?) the coming of winter.