Publish Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Coordinates: 26° 07.006′ N 80° 08.382′ W
Three@Sea certainly spread her water wings during this past year, cruising more than 9,500 nautical miles. We began in Florida, and moved up to the Chesapeake Bay; we then cruised south to The Bahamas, and then north to the Great Lakes; we continued around the Down East Circle, and now we’ve returned to Florida. Considering we had never owned a boat as a family, it has been quite an adventure. 🙂 For those who have been following along, you know this first year was all about gaining experience, from boating, cruising, and living aboard, to learning to capture and share the journey through videos, photos, and blogs. Our learning curve has been steep and challenging, and we enjoyed every moment.
The next phase of our journey is a three-year circumnavigation. Our experience this past year reinforces our belief in the value of sharing the world with others, bringing people together through new understanding, and educating young people about how to help protect our oceans. Unfortunately we have yet to secure the financial support necessary to complete the circumnavigation, so we are going to pause our active cruising for a year to raise funds. We will be based in Florida through the Spring, and then move up to the Chesapeake Bay for the Summer and Fall. David will rejoin the team at Composite Software full time (to pay the bills!), while I work on securing financial partners to allow us to continue our voyage. Our target date for departure is December 2010.
We have no doubt this year of pause will fly by: Along with David working, Ayla continuing her home-schooling, and me working to secure funding, we will also be coordinating the plethora of details involved with a circumnavigation (e.g., route planning, visas, Panama Canal transit); and continuing our education, from diesel engine mechanics and medical preparedness, to Spanish and weather forcasting. We also plan on keeping our boating skills honed with smaller trips here and there, and we have every intention of continuing to share those adventures with you via our website. There may be a pause in the cruising plan, but there will still be plenty of action.
Without a doubt our greatest gift on this voyage has been the new friends we have met, both in person and as “virtual voyagers” (those who have joined us via our blogs and videos). Each of you represent the very heart of what we believe: although we live in different places and come from different experiences, there is more that unites us as people than divides us. These connections happen in a variety of ways, whether it is through a common interest, like travel or boating; or a shared set of values around education and family; or just a sense of adventure, and a good story. We have genuinely appreciated the ideas, support, and humor you have provided us along the way — your friendship continues to inspire us.
Best of luck to you during the next year. I met you briefly in PEI, Canada and have been following your family’s blog since then. You and your family are an inspiration. Please keep you site active as this “pause” is just another leg in the journey of reaching your dream. Again, best of luck and take care.
Happy Thanksgiving and Christmas from PEI . Have a great winter and please keep us up to date with frequent blog updates.
Hello Kathryn; Happy Thanksgiving to you and the family. I hope and pray that you are able to secure the funding that you need to carry on the adventure of “Three@Sea” Have a great day, and it’s good to know that your website will continue to distribute information on your progress. Blessings
Happy Thanksgiving and happy holidays from Henry and Charlie in Longmont. Your “pause” sounds like a very good idea. Best of luck.
Happy Thanksgiving. You all have great spirit .WEwill be watching and staying on board as the adventure continues. Good luck Sharon & Tom.
While this temporary setback in your plans is certainly a disappointment, please remember that it is only temporary. When we met here in Waterford, NY at the start of your trip over the Erie Canal, we sensed your strong commitment to the environmental and human values we share. Thus we have faith that you will find the support that you need and be able to continue at the end of next year. You, Dave, and Ayla are called to be ambassadors for our shared values as you pass through the lives of so many people and remind them of what is right with the world and what they can do to make it better.
Hey Guys,
First, Merry Christmas! Please keep the blog up. Part of what makes these journeys so interesting is the actual living on the boat. While you might not blog about far destinations, living on a Nordhavn is still a story in itself!
Hi Kathryn! Sorry that your dream has been postponed due to finances. It isn’t surprising given the state of the economy right now. Could you give me and idea what the cost of owning a boat like yours is? I don’t mean boat price but a ball park figure for dockage, repairs, and other costs associated with living aboard? I live north of David’s parents in Port Huron and have been looking at exploring all of the Great Lakes during the summer months and then returning to work in the fall and winter. I travel the country in my job but miss the lakes while out on the road. Any idea of the total cost in circumnavigating?
Tough call ! But of course there is NOW the opportunity to come back up to the Great Lakes for the summer and just spend more time in select locations (cough, cough). Good luck in your perseverance !! Deac and Jane
Hi while you were here in Key West it was on Christmas Day we sailed past you the two sail boats tied together we got a laugh from your whole family i noticed you took some pics of us could you send them to me thanks and good luck to the three of you in 2010
Kathryn,
This may seem a silly question from obviously an arm chair sailor, but where does the Bahama Bank start, where did you first encounter the Bahama Bank and was this strictly thru your depth guage. By the way, what was the reading of the depth gauge before entereing and then after entering?
Thanks, John