{"id":121790,"date":"2019-06-19T09:13:11","date_gmt":"2019-06-19T08:13:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/?p=121790"},"modified":"2019-06-19T09:17:00","modified_gmt":"2019-06-19T08:17:00","slug":"sailing-around-world-cruising-couples-top-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/practical-cruising\/sailing-around-world-cruising-couples-top-tips-121790","title":{"rendered":"Sailing around the world: Cruising couples\u2019 top tips for a dream voyage"},"content":"Cruising sailors who also call their boat their home usually give plenty of consideration to making life on board as comfortable as possible. The level of comfort cruisers and liveaboards<\/a> choose is, of course, entirely personal and subjective. Some consider a watermaker to be a luxury item; others regard it to be utterly essential. Some may draw the line at a washing machine, but can\u2019t contemplate life without their icemaker.\r\n\r\nOn larger boats with a high specification, the limitations of space and power generation may not be so restrictive. But for those who own smaller boats, perhaps contending with a more modest budget, some luxuries may have to be sacrificed or compromised.\r\n\r\nOf course, living a simple and minimalist lifestyle is part of the fun (and, for many, the entire point) of cruising. That said, turning your yacht from a series of minor discomforts into a home with a few onboard creature comforts will make cruising far more enjoyable.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_121361\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1200\"]\"sailing-home-comforts-terysa-vanderloo\" Terysa Vanderloo and her partner, Nick, are in their third year of sailing around the world on their Southerly 38[\/caption]\r\n\r\nMy partner Nick and I have been cruising Europe and the Caribbean for the past three years. We own a Southerly 38, the interior of which is given over mainly to living space rather than storage room: as such, we don\u2019t have a generator or particularly large water and fuel tanks.\r\n\r\nThe knock-on effect is that we can\u2019t have power-intensive items such as washing machines or separate freezers on board because we can\u2019t power them, plus we don\u2019t have anywhere to actually put them. Despite these limitations, we have a boat that is comfortable, homely and full of items that we love and wouldn\u2019t want to be without.\r\n\r\nPersonally, neither of us could function without coffee in the morning and we love our espresso machine. Another item we bought just before we made our Atlantic crossing<\/a> was a breadmaker. The power draw was less than we\u2019d originally assumed, and we kept the batteries topped up by running the engine while the bread was in the baking stage.\r\n

Fresh-baked aroma<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nKim and Simon Brown from Britican<\/em> are also firm breadmaker fans. In fact, Kim says: \u201cThis is mandatory if you\u2019re sailing around the world. Nothing is more spirit-lifting and comforting than the smell and taste of fresh bread.\u201d\r\n\r\nI couldn\u2019t agree more. Of course, it\u2019s entirely possible to make bread by hand, and many sailors do. However, we try to avoid having the oven on for too long as it not only uses up propane but also heats the boat up, so a bread machine makes sense.\r\n\r\nArticle continues below...<\/em>\r\n\r\n[collection]\r\n\r\nContinuing on the premise that if we\u2019re well-fed and caffeinated, we\u2019d probably be quite content, we decided to buy a pressure-cooker. We didn\u2019t purchase this until we\u2019d been cruising for almost a year, but it was a game-changer.\r\n\r\nIt lowered our propane usage by reducing cooking time and also prevented the boat from getting too hot. Another benefit was that it cooked the frozen, often quite tough, meat we usually found on the Caribbean islands in a way that actually made it tender and delicious.\r\n\r\nHowever, a pressure cooker isn\u2019t the only option. Behan and Jamie Gifford from Totem<\/em> use a far more self-sufficient alternative: a solar oven. Behan says: \u201cPoint it into the sun and during peak hours the oven heats up to 200-250\u00b0F (93-121\u00b0C). That\u2019s kind of like having a crockpot on deck which slowly turns out a delicious meal over the course of the afternoon.\u201d\r\n\r\nIt makes everything from slow-cooked meats, to cake, to sun-dried tomatoes. The only downside is its size. Behan says: \u201cIt\u2019s a big box, it doesn\u2019t collapse and it does take up a chunk of space. It\u2019s got a special corner on deck where it lives, and we\u2019d rather minimise what\u2019s on deck, but there\u2019s not another option.\u201d However, they reckon it\u2019s a reasonable compromise for a cooking method that not only makes delicious meals, but also uses no gas.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_121359\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1200\"]\"sailing-home-comforts-little-luxuries\" Clockwise from top-left: Sodastream, solar lantern, solar oven, Bluetooth speakers and a Nespresso machine[\/caption]\r\n\r\nBehan has another trick up her sleeve for provisioning<\/a> when in remote areas. She cans her own chicken, meat and pasta sauces, among other things, and maintains that homemade canned meat tastes far better than store-bought. \u201cI\u2019m a former vegetarian, but everyone else onboard Totem<\/em> are die-hard carnivores. Heaven forbid we have too many meatless meals!\u201d she says.\r\n\r\nThey also have what she calls a \u2018ridiculous little luxury\u2019 on board: a hand-cranked pasta machine. \u201cWe use it three or four times a year, usually for birthdays. It\u2019s like a part of our family culture, so it justifies the space it takes up.\u201d\r\n\r\nElena Manighetti and Ryan Osborn are currently sailing the Mediterranean on their catamaran Kittiwake<\/em> and have a number of onboard creature comforts. In the galley their luxury is a set of ceramic knives.\r\n\r\n\u201cCeramic knives are super sharp and simply cannot rust. All you need to do is handle them with care and keep them in a sheath so they\u2019re always safe in their drawer on passage. Make sure the whole blade is 100 per cent ceramic and there is no iron. And don\u2019t forget a sharpening stone,\u201d Elena adds.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_121360\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1200\"]\"sailing-home-comforts-pete-tracey-goss-garcia-exploration-45-pearl-saloon-credit-jason-pickering\" Pete and Tracey Goss live and work from the comfortable set-up of their Garcia Exploration 45 Pearl. Photo: Jason Pickering[\/caption]\r\n\r\nAnother much loved item is Elena\u2019s portable speakers. \u201cWe bought speakers that we charge via USB cable and connect to our phones via bluetooth or cable. Having portable speakers means we can listen to music or podcasts anywhere, even in our berth or on the beach.\u201d\r\n\r\nMatt and Jessica Johnson are cruising on a budget on their Trisalu 37 Elements of Life<\/em>, but are still able to have a few onboard creature comforts. Jessica says, \u201cWe\u2019ve learned to be pretty minimal and go without a lot of things due to space and cost.\u201d\r\n

Enjoying some fizz<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nBut sometimes it\u2019s the small things that matter: \u201cI just picked up a Sodastream,\u201d Jessica says. \u201cI really like carbonated beverages. I make a litre of sparkling water per day, and I love it!\u201d Jessica also listed her Sport-A-Seat (an adjustable and portable cushioned chair) as a necessary luxury: \u201cWe use them as cockpit seats, but can also move them around the boat and even take them to the beach.\u201d\r\n\r\nFor Mark and Jennifer Prince on Luna Sea<\/em> (a Beneteau 393) good bedding is a top priority. They have a gel-infused memory foam mattresses in both their cabins, and say, \u201cIt\u2019s like sleeping on a cloud. We bought a queen-sized mattress then modified it slightly to fit the berth. They\u2019re not too expensive, easily cut and modified, and usually come with a cover. Sleep is crucial!\u201d\r\n\r\nThe gel component is designed to disperse body heat, which makes it cooler than sleeping on traditional memory foam. It\u2019s also possible to get pillows and mattress toppers made with this technology. Another option is a latex mattress, which is also very comfortable and cool. We have this type of mattress in our main cabin, and it gives us a very restful sleep even in the tropics.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_121358\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1200\"]\"sailing-home-comforts-guitar-ruby-rose\" Nick Vanderloo plays guitar every day aboard his Southerly 38[\/caption]\r\n\r\nAnother key part of an enjoyable onboard lifestyle is keeping up with favourite hobbies. For us music is an important part of our cruising life. Nick plays the guitar daily, although he will bring out the banjo or harmonica when he\u2019s feeling particularly jaunty. Some evenings have been quite memorable with people congregating in the cockpit with their instruments and impromptu concerts breaking out.\r\n

Staying healthy<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nYoga has been particularly popular amongst the sailing communities we\u2019ve stayed in: you don\u2019t need any equipment, anyone can do it no matter their level of experience, and it not only provides a physical workout, but is a chance to meditate or have some peaceful time alone. Many cruisers are early risers and practice yoga on deck as they watch dawn break. It\u2019s hard to think of a better start to the day.\r\n\r\nFor more modern entertainment, internet connection is vital for many cruisers. Some feel that a lengthy break from technology and social media allows them to better enjoy all that the cruising lifestyle has to offer. On the other hand, cruising can be a lonely existence even in more popular grounds such as the Caribbean. Social media greatly helps to foster connections with other cruisers, which can ultimately result in close friendships on the water as you meet up with people you originally knew online.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_121355\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1200\"]\"sailing-home-comforts-childrens-entertainment-tablet-credit-netflix\" Providing entertainment for liveaboard children is a must. Photo: Netflix[\/caption]\r\n\r\nBesides the practical requirements of keeping abreast of the latest weather forecasts, boating forums<\/a> are also an excellent way of getting advice or information on all sorts of matters. For us, internet access is essential. We always buy a local SIM card with data, which we keep topped up until we leave the country.\r\n\r\nTo watch films or television; most cruisers have either a TV or laptop, along with a high-capacity hard-drive to store the movie files \u2013 which can be topped up whenever there\u2019s free or fast wifi connection.\r\n\r\nFor many cruisers, part of the delight of living on board is to enjoy a minimalist lifestyle. Nick and I get a huge amount of satisfaction from living self-sufficiently and sustainably. So for us, living without some onboard creature comforts is actually part of the fun. That being said, a bit of luxury goes a long way to making life on board more enjoyable.","excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you could choose anyone to go on a grand adventure with, would it be your life partner? For many couples that\u2019s the ideal. But what if you don\u2019t have the same level of experience, or one of you isn\u2019t confident to co-skipper? Perhaps you plan to take friends and family with you. But what happens if those plans change halfway round? I talked to World ARC crews near the finish of their circumnavigation to find out how different couples had answered those unknowns over their round the world voyage. Over the 2017, 2018 and 2019 World ARC rallies (the round-the-world rally organised by World Cruising Club) around 20-30% of yachts set off double-handed. But by the time the fleet reached Tonga or Fiji that proportion had risen to about 50%. Grenada was a homecoming celebration for the World ARC fleet. While St Lucia marked the end of the 2018-19 rally, Grenada signalled the fleet\u2019s return to the Caribbean. A full circumnavigation for most, 438 days sailing for those who\u2019d completed it in a single World ARC loop. Some 38 yachts started in St Lucia in January 2018, 16 were gathered in Grenada this March. Some had started in 2017 \u2013 or even earlier \u2013 but peeled off to linger in the Pacific or return to normal life for a while, then hooked into the 2018 rally on its way past. Others had diverted to explore New Zealand, Ascension Island, or another outpost, before rejoining their fleet. No matter how they\u2019d done it, all had sailed some 30,000 miles, crossed the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans, and lived at anchor for months on end. With very few exceptions, most of the boats belonged to couples taking on their first trip sailing around the world. Some had sailed the entire voyage jointly, on others one partner had flown home for a stage or two. Some had taken crew from day one, others had switched between double-handing and sailing with more aboard. Several started with one plan, and finished with a very different set up indeed. Article continues below… Personal space One such couple was David and Wendy Tipton. A former farmer from Staffordshire, UK, David had built up a recycling business that he sold, enabling them to buy Mischief, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 479, and sail around the world. There was only one problem: Wendy hated the water and considered herself an inexperienced sailor. Before they set off on the 2017 ARC transatlantic, Wendy had to learn to swim before she could even do a sea survival course. \u201cIt was never my dream to circumnavigate, it was David\u2019s. So I went along with it, but it was totally out of my comfort zone,\u201d she recalls. Wendy\u2019s initial condition of agreeing to do the World ARC was that they would take a crew to sail Mischief with them. They sent a round robin email to friends and sailing contacts to see who wanted to join them, and garnered an enthusiastic response, with …Continue reading »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1571,"featured_media":121769,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[977],"tags":[315],"review_manufacturer":[],"acf":[],"introduction":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121790"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1571"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=121790"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121790\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":121791,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121790\/revisions\/121791"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/121769"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=121790"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=121790"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=121790"},{"taxonomy":"review_manufacturer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/review_manufacturer?post=121790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}