Life on the water
Since we began cruising full time in November 2019, we’ve sailed to The Bahamas; Port Antonio, Jamaica; and Santiago de Cuba. The Covid-19 pandemic delayed our plans to traverse the Panama Canal, explore the Sea of Cortez, and perhaps cross the Pacific.
Neither Allan or Lavonne grew up sailing; we came to it in our early- to mid-50s, starting out on sturdy, sailing school Rainbow 24s, before moving on to Mestiza, a well-loved Catalina 27 that we bought rather impulsively one freezing February morning in the upper northeast corner of the Chesapeake bay. We purchased our forever-boat, a Catalina Morgan 440, in Florida from afar, and renamed her Vinyasa. Allan’s love for the water inspired him to earn his U.S. Coast Guard 50-Ton Master Captain’s License in 2021.
There is so much we love about sailing: the exhilaration of movement over water on sunny days with only the sounds of water and wildlife, the serendipitous joys—and challenges—of altering plans based on weather, the mental engagement of constant learning, and the satisfaction of seeing our skills steadily improve as we practice. The highs are accompanied by plenty of challenges: sailboats require vigilant care, consistent maintenance and frequent repairs.
We have learned from and been inspired by those who have generously shared their sailing experiences, challenges and adventures, and we aim to encourage others to explore, enjoy, and ultimately transform dreams into reality.