Turning Your Cruising Dreams Into Reality

 ‘Successful cruising is a matter of continual awareness’. This adage was not followed.  Sitting at a beach bar, boasting about crossing oceans to the only people who care to listen, other cruisers, is not awareness. With my back firmly placed to the worrying scene of two dinghies porpoising in their attempts to ride the increasing swell, I figured the ‘Ostrich Theory’ would work. Could we not relax now, tonight of all nights, after all we have just crossed the Atlantic? We deserve a break, do we not? The result answers the questions. The concrete wharf rips the large, sturdy rib to shreds as if it is paper thin, its’ 15 hp outboard drags what remains of the planning hull into the depths of swelling sands and coral sea. Our beloved servant from Aussie, ‘Penguin Jack’ aka ‘PJ’ is shattered, the remnants float off in the moonlight. 

We may not have the refinement of fine arts but what we have is so much better.  In a remote anchorage, with a welcoming beach and shady palms, where do we get our culture from here?  Well these can be the best spots.  Good anchorages will fill by the end of the day with Aussies; Pommies; Americans; Turks, Canadians, Dutch, Kiwis ad Infinitum.  A potluck will be organised.  We all take enough food for everyone on our boat only.  Putting the different dishes together, the feast becomes a banquet.  Not only sharing the food but stories, cultural differences and many laughs – tell me, where else would this happen?

Featuring just five of the many cities we visited - here are some unique escapades that make us smile - from mesmerising strangers in Paris, to Mad motorboat owners in America. Plus fun in Havana, Casablanca and San Juan, in Puerto Rico.

Recently, in the midst of teeth grinding fear I realised it was not the event itself causing my sleepless nights it was the lead up to it. It was the ‘what ifs’ that stirred up those little fear gremlins into a frenzy.

I know this because during the event as we surfed down waves at twenty knots in the blackest of black nights, I spread my arms and felt like I was flying. I loved it!

I’m not scared! I should be scared.

I pondered that for a moment as the boat whooshed forward.

Well, you are a maritime trainer with many miles of commercial and recreational boating under your belt, you know you are in safe water, and you are with an incredible skipper and super strong boat, you’ve rescued many boats in much worse conditions than this as a Rescue Skipper.

I reflected on that. We do get caught up with in the what ifs, don’t we? Well, I know I do. The myriad of thoughts helped me grow in so many different ways.

The ebb and flow of wants and needs alter unexpectedly for us all, we will deal with the quick-sand of life, but we think it'll be okay at Greenwell Point.

Nestled in the heart of NSW this lovely little village welcomed us in and allowed us to call it home for a brief time.

"It was wonderful to see Mariah sing along to the tune of her new owners." But before we reached the stage we had to weather the storm of time-wasters and dreamers... but then we are all dreamers...

Paradise - A word I try not to use often. Previously, we’ve visited a handful of islands without airports, cars, and supermarkets, but Suwarrow (pronounced sue-warh-row) has its own, unique, harmonic constant.

The north-facing entrance has a low reef extending east of the wide bar that does a fantastic job of fending off the deep rolling swells. These pulsing lumps of sea had grown into mountains during our five-day sail from Huahine in the Society Islands. The three o’clock sun was high enough to reveal the coral-fringed entrance; between the frothing white caps and scorched sand we puttered into a symphony of blues, to a life changing experience...

There is always something to fix, maintain, improve or add on. Once the boat is running smoothly, we do one main job a day, around the day-to-day chores. Then occasionally we can have a day off for sightseeing or simply enjoying swinging on anchor.

What does it take to load your family into a plane with masses of luggage to move onto a boat on the other side of the world! But, also, onto a boat which they haven't even seen yet (other than a photo!)

This extraordinary story of courage, risk, and adventure is laced with advice and tips that will show you that it is possible. And Erin, with Dave, and their three boys prove it.

Let Erin enlighten you to the secret of success and living your life on your terms.

Tanya Rabe lives onboard full time with her partner Anthony. Dogs and sailing are their passions and Tanya has combined both to bring you Dogs Who Sail. Her FB page and website are full of useful information, but this is different from the usual 'loving our pets' - it's all about the dogs!

People seeking advice can receive tough love with regards to taking their dog on their boat - but if it is all about the dog, then that's how it should be. If you following Tanya's advice then you will have a much better change of enjoying your watery lifestyle with your favourite pet and better still - a happy - favourite pet!

But it's not all been petals and roses, Tanya's faced her own battles.