Our motivation for this trip is to see new places. Warm places. Warm places with sandy beaches and palm trees. We should know better.
This isn’t our first boat. When our kids were young, we bought a boat in the Caribbean and sailed it for nine months.
My dad lived on his boat. I saw how much time he spent working on it so I should know better.
Cruising is about setbacks. It’s about things breaking. It’s about plans changing. It’s about being flexible.
Cruising has been described as working on one’s boat in exotic locations. It is a pretty accurate description of cruising.
Last July while in Comox waiting for parts for our raw water pump, we met Paul. Paul lives on his 50+’ Amel. Amels are beautiful sailboats. They are built to travel the world and do it safely and comfortably. They are well known for their seaworthiness and reliability. One of the most popular YouTube sailing channels is SV Delos–a 53′ Amel that has been sailing the world for over 10 years and filming their adventures as they go.
Paul has made several trips down the west coast to Mexico and back on his Amel. He and his wife bought their boat several years ago and began preparing themselves and the boat to live aboard and spend winters in Mexico. Unfortunately, during this time Paul’s wife was diagnosed with cancer. She passed away before they realized their dream.
I can’t imagine how devastating that would be. I can’t imagine doing this adventure without Sharlene–without her to share the ups and downs–but Paul persevered. He finished preparations and made the trip to Mexico. He made the trip alone and has now made the trip several times–alone.
A solo trip is a very different endeavour from a trip with a crew on board. Everything takes more careful preparation and more time. Simple things like raising sails or jibing are considerably more challenging.
Not only would the jobs on the boat be more physically and mentally challenging but there would be no one to share the experience with. No one to bounce ideas off, to share strategies–no one to commiserate with. On Cambria we follow the motto that two heads are better than one. We enjoy planning and strategizing together. We draw on our shared experience. Collaboration like this isn’t an option for Paul.
In my professional life, I have read a lot about the importance of developing resilience in people. There has been a lot written about it in recent years–a lot written about the importance of grit. The importance of developing an inner fortitude that if things don’t go as planned, one finds another way, another course of action. It’s like the saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” The quote makes it sound easy. It isn’t.
Cruisers need resilience. Things rarely go exactly as planned. Things break. The weather forecast is wrong. Government policies change. Borders close. Cruisers need resilience.
Paul has resilience. Paul has grit. He has it in spades.
Cruising isn’t all sandy beaches and palm trees and that’s okay.
Cormacks On Cambria 
Sad story about your new acquaintance. It resonates with me of course because I have gone through the tragedy of losing a mate twice. A boat is a tough and fickle mistress which will test your mettle and your patience. But there will be the little victories along the way and the reward of having “Done It Your Way” You will never be bored.
Bill M
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