ARE WE MAD? Embarking on a sailing adventure with zero experience

[msheridan69]

Ahoy, fellow cruisers!

We are thrilled to join this community of like-minded souls who share our passion for the open sea, boundless horizons, and the pursuit of a dream-filled life. Allow us to introduce ourselves and share our sailing vision with you.

We are the crew of S.V. Trinity. Martin (me, 54yy), Sharon (my wife, 50yy), and Taylor(our youngest daughter, 20). We are an Irish/Australian family who decided that life is too short and that we never wanted to be locked down again, so we sold up everything and bought a yacht, Trinity, a 50 foot 2008 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey. Our mission is to sail around the world over the next 5 years(and see where life takes us after that). We have about 3 weeks total experience sailing and 2 months stuck a the marina in Italy preparing and fixing LOL

We are eager to connect with fellow cruisers who understand the allure of living a free and sovereign life and the camaraderie that exists among those who call it home. Especially cruisers who have the patience to respond and support what might be considered silly noobies We look forward to exchanging tales of triumphs and challenges, to share invaluable insights, and to offer support and encouragement along the way.

So here we are… after watching sailing channels on YouTube during the lock-downs, to actually living onboard our own sailboat making our way to the Greek islands. We even started our own YouTube channel to document our journey – it’s nothing fancy, and definitely not full of tips and trick from seasoned sea dogs… more of a reality TV show, witnessing the funny side of being beginner cruisers with plenty of face-palm moments to boot..

[neilpride]

Welcome to CF family, enjoy and have fun!!

[boatman61]

Totally insane.. a vital ingredient for the lifestyle..

[mako]

You're out of your minds. I wish I knew more people like you

[Maviarab]

In at the deep end (literally lol)...best of luck and fair winds.

[George_SD]

Hi there,
Welcome to the forum and congrats on making the jump. This is super exciting to see folks going for it and trying something different. I love your emergency and excitement as they alone can take you quite far.

I hope everything works out for you and you have the time of your life.

One question - did you really sell everything off and got no home base to come to?

By the way - the vides are pretty slick for "nothing fancy" and I can imagine they will only get better

Good luck to you!

[msheridan69]

Originally Posted by George_SD

Hi there,
Welcome to the forum and congrats on making the jump. This is super exciting to see folks going for it and trying something different. I love your emergency and excitement as they alone can take you quite far.

I hope everything works out for you and you have the time of your life.

One question - did you really sell everything off and got no home base to come to?

By the way - the vides are pretty slick for "nothing fancy" and I can imagine they will only get better

Good luck to you!

Thanks for the positive feedback - a lot of work goes into making the videos, so it's great to hear such encouraging remarks... let's hope the sailing improves too LOL

With regard to your question about selling everything... YES, we sold everything in Australia... the big house, the fancy cars and every stick we've ever owned. We literally were left with two suitcases each... it was a humbling and freeing experience... the realisation is that we didn't need any of that STUFF... Australia is our home and we still have our older daughters living there, so we'll probably head back to that side of the realm when we're done

[bstreep]

Yes, you are truly nuts. After having cast off just a few months ago (with a zillion years of sailing experience), I wasn't quite ready for the week-long passages, that's for sure!



Congrats.

[nightowle]

You'll regret this, for sure. Just pack lots of hard liquor and a life raft.

[msheridan69]

Originally Posted by bstreep

Yes, you are truly nuts. After having cast off just a few months ago (with a zillion years of sailing experience), I wasn't quite ready for the week-long passages, that's for sure!



Congrats.

Hey - thanks for the encouragement LOL we're sticking to day sails for the moment we're leaving Salerno, Italy tomorrow on at 10 stop (15 day) voyage to Corfu, Greece. Wish us luck

[msheridan69]

Originally Posted by nightowle

You'll regret this, for sure. Just pack lots of hard liquor and a life raft.

hehe thanks - the bad news is that I gave up booze last year when I decided to take my family sailing around the world

Checked the life raft today - we're good to go! LOL

[Hudson Force]

I remember reading about a inexperienced group buying a sailboat in the Pacific Northwest and sailing to Hawaii. As I recall this was in the seventies. Without any navigation experience, they followed the commercial jet contrails and called for a tow for their final port entry. 'not for me, but they seemed happy with the outcome.

[Simi 60]

What could possibly go wrong.

[Fore and Aft]

Simi 60 with a 20 year old daughter onboard I am sure they won't be short of people offering to help.
Cheers

[Enfant Du Vent]

Ahoy msharidan69:
The Bad News:

As boatman61 said you're "totally insane"...
and since you've sold everything and moved onboard a boat it sounds like it's too late to try therapy. <grin>


The Good News:
Your "madness" won't stand out here, we're ALL a bit mad.
You say you gave up liquor to go sailing = I'm a bit concerned: don't think I've ever met a boat that didn't have a celebratory drink after a long, challenging passage.
So at least have some libation to pour over the bow to placate Neptune as you depart on your first overnight passage.


The high point of MY sailing was landfall of Bermuda, after an 8 day / 850 mile solo passage from the Bahamas....and this before the day of GPS. I bet you too will experience such "highs" in your quest.


Just Remember: To set out on a small boat for a long passage is to challenge the gods; but to arrive safely is to sit among them!