Newbies first Cruise we survived!!!!

[Dulcesuenos]

Just a short recap of our Awesome trip we just completed. The wife and I sailed our 31 bombay clipper from New Port Richey to Key West and back. Our original plans were to also hit the DT's but the weather was not favorable. We had wind on the nose anywhere from 10-25 knots throughout more than half of the journey to say it was challenging would be an understatement. We had planned on taking 50 hours to get there and it was closer to 70. The 30 westerbeke ran awesome and sipped fuel!, the boat sailed great and we even hit 7.5 knots at times on broad reaches. We took tons fo video and pictures, and we fished almost the entire way down and back and caught fish non stop. We did sail through the night going down and it is not something I reccommend in rough weather. A better route would have kept us closer to shore and closer to anchorages to get some rest, but we learned many valuable lessons. It was magical sailing at night and the 6 day stay in KW was Amazing. We met many new friends, and had a blast. The return trip was great too, with a nice stay in Venice at the crows nest, and a night off Anclote, stopped by borderpatrol/ customs off KW. This trip was life altering for us as we werent 100% sure if we truly wanted to live aboard etc,,, This trip was one of the toughest adventures in stamina and patience and respect for mother nature that we have ever faced. It tested our ability to work as a team, and our ability to dig down deep to pull through some nasty stuff out there. This journey has helped us to decide to without any doubt to move aboard ASAP. We are sad to say we are going to sell our Bombay Clipper that we love and that has treated us so well, in order to move up to a larger vessel. To anyone that is hesitant in making a trip or taking that first step, I urge you to do so. We have not ever taking sailing classes, we are experienced power boaters who know how to sail. We love sailing it is more peaceful, relaxing, calming, thrilling, terrifying, and exhilirating then anything else we have ever done. Our place is on the water, if only we had known sooner.....

R&R, Dulce Suenos

[scook1]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing about your trip. The fishing looked great as well.
Spencer

[sww914]

You'e already done what so many people only ever dream about. I hope to be like you soon! Beautiful pics.

[Abaco]

That's what it is all about. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

[James S]

That's so wonderful....I think you win!
Congratulations.

[ASIMPLELIFE]

Thank you for your post. My wife and I live in Jacksonville, Fl. For the last eight months we have completely redone a 37 ft Irwin and planned on retiring at 46 and cruising full time. We are to experiened power boaters and new to sailing. This weekend we are having an esate sale and the home is sold...Thank God... July 1st we start our journer and start living the Sinple Life ( our boats name). I have been alittle concerned (lack of experience) . So your posting is reasurring, Thanks and hope to run into you,

[mjwarner]

Wow! What an adventure! I know exactly what you are feeling right now, it's a sense of excitment for living that most people will never have or understand. Congratulations on your decision to move aboard and continue cruising, I hope we meet "out there" someday. We will be doing the Bahamas and further south each winter, all it took was one trip across the gulf stream for us too.

[pillum]

Great post, thanks for sharing your experience. I'm taking my wife sailing to Key West in July, and she's real exited about it. I'll show her your story, I'm sure she'll love it.

Fair winds

[Bartlettsrise]

Thank you for your awesome story. We are off in three weeks for our first cruise. I can only hope we have as much fun as you did.

Jason and Fiona

[Pete7]

What a great adventure and thanks for writing this up, obviously lots more to follow

Pete

[imagine2frolic]

Congradulations,

It only gets more addictive the longer you are out there for those who love the adventure.

While rounding Point Conception single-handed in 50 knot winds. I was on the bow under the jacklines to keep me on the deck. With a waterfall coming off the bill of my cap changing the head sail. I felt so alive, and found complete beauty in it all. It's not for everyone, but then one can imagine how crowded it would get if it was.......i2f