hi i just read this and was wondering if your cruising this winter or last i mean 09 2010.it sound like a blast ta me iam from stignace wish i could have meet you
If Ben is your boyfriend, why dont you guys share the cruising experience in one boat , rather that two, and share upkeep, and watches, expenses ,on one boat?, sorry, i am confused
Mark,
Certainly it would be cheaper to sail one boat together and that his very enticing, but there are many reason’s Ben and I sail our own boats. However, when we are sailing together, we do share upkeep and watches! Ben and I often help each other with boat projects and when cruising overnight, we make sure that we are in sight of each other in order to stand watch while the other naps. The system is working out perfectly right now.
Teresa
Teresa, Very good article. Just wondering how you like that rear cabin. do you use it much or is it mainly for storage? Does it protect you from following seas? I noticed that Ben’s BCC is rear cockpit and he traded his Norsea for it. I guess I should ask him way he traded… Have a great New Year.
Rick,
The aft cabin is fantastic! I love it that my sleeping space is separate from my living space. Its tough in snowy, rainy and cold weather though because things get damp as I’m trying to go from one cabin to the other. But I do use it for storage too. There is plenty of room to stow some sails, pfds, cloths, and still sleep athwart-ships.
Benji’s dream boat was always the BCC, so even when he bought his NorSea, he intended to buy a BCC when he found one. But he likes the aft cabin too. There are pros and cons to each.
I just read the article about you and your journey, Follow the Wind, in the Northern Express, Vol. 19, No. 51. Sailing my 23″ O’Day on Lake Leelanau is one of my joys, and sailing it on Lake Michigan in the future, after retirement, is one of my dreams; however, I assumed it would take more than one person. The article shows several photos of you standing on the bow of the Daphne. How do you manage to sail without being in the cockpit? Obviously, you must have some kind of “automatic pilot” system in place. Also, do you have an auxiliary motor on board? Best wishes in your adventures during the new year.
Ken, I have a Monitor Windvane. Its a mechanical steering gear that works with the wind, requiring no electronics or battery power. It has a wind vane that you set according to the apparent wind, and a pendulum paddle in the water. These work together to adjust the rudder, keeping the boat sailing on a particular angle to the apparent wind (run, reach, broad reach, etc). If I’m tacking a lot, then I’m in the cockpit more. But for long passages, on one heading, the Monitor WIndvane is fantastic! It takes a bit of learning. The boat must be balanced, with almost no weather helm. But I couldn’t, or wouldn’t want to single-hand for 24+hrs (like I have) without one! Its my crew!
Teresa
Teresa, Your response made me laugh!!!! I’m retired Air Force not Navy. I did put rear cabin on purpose and loved the Aft cabin response. I did however have to look up athwart-ships. I appreciate the teacher in you. Looking forward to reading the next chapter in your adventure.
Thanks for the detailed explanation, Teresa. I am impressed by your system, especially its capability even without electronics, it is ingenious and makes perfect sense!
You would be a fantastic resourse for me before I launch my plan to set sail to, and explore, the Beaver Island archipelago someday. I’d love to see the inside of your boat.
Teresa, with all your documentation, can we look forward to a book on your adventures someday?
Ken, You can see the inside of the boat with my Flicker Photostream. Just click on “Photos of Daphne” in the right sidebar of this blog. You’ll also see a photo of the Monitor Windvane steering gear.
Teresa
As the girlfriend of a maritimer I’m happy you have a boyfriend! Other wise these cadets at Northwestern MI College would be looking for you out in the ocean! I LOVE that you are doing this “alone” with Ben somewhere around you! Any chick can get on a sailboat with her boyfriend & sail, it takes a whole other kind do do it on her own! Screw saving money by being on 1 boat, it’s saving face to say YOU did this on your own! I am so proud of you & when you get back to MI, if you come back to MI, let us know I know some cadets that will buy you all the beer you can drink!
Stella and Mark…what an interesting debate!
On one hand, Stella, you are right, “any chick can get on a sailboat with her boyfriend and sail.” Ben and I are both equally skilled. Even Ben and I can’t decide who is the better sailor!
But, Mark, its true that one boat would be significantly less expensive for the both of us. However, the freedom part, I have to disagree. I have much more freedom on my own boat. Not just freedom to go where and when I want to go, but also the freedom to decide how the boat is run (as Ben and I have different opinions).
The sailboats are our homes. We aren’t just cruising, we live-aboard full time. We have sailed together on short cruises many times, but to reduce to one shared boat would be a different kind of cruise! Besides, we can’t decide which boat is better!!
Teresa
You are living my dream! I just read the article “Follow the Wind” in the Northern Express. You are doing what I never had the guts to try. Maybe someday I will? Always seems like life gets in the way of hopes and dreams. I hope you continue your journey and wish you safe travels. Peace be with you!
I was a school teacher who gave up a great deal; my career, my home, and most of my things, to chase a dream. Now I seek to cradle a more authentic relationship with nature. I live on a 27ft sailboat, named Daphne, with only my cat, Dory, for company.
It's not a house, but it is my home. It is not a car, but I travel a blue road. Follow my journey as I sail, explore, and discover what simple living means to me.
December 26th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Loved the article. Great to hear how you’re doing. I had lost track for awhile. The simplicity you’re living and experiencing is inspiring.
December 27th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Nice too hear a N MI girl “living the dream”
Hope christmass found you well and the new year
even better
December 27th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
hi i just read this and was wondering if your cruising this winter or last i mean 09 2010.it sound like a blast ta me iam from stignace wish i could have meet you
December 27th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Jim, I am currently cruising, but no longer in MI.
Teresa
December 27th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Really nice write up.
I have been reading your blog for many months. I enjoy your blog and admire the freedom you have in your life.
December 27th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Love the part about Boyfriend Ben!
December 27th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
If Ben is your boyfriend, why dont you guys share the cruising experience in one boat , rather that two, and share upkeep, and watches, expenses ,on one boat?, sorry, i am confused
December 28th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Mark,
Certainly it would be cheaper to sail one boat together and that his very enticing, but there are many reason’s Ben and I sail our own boats. However, when we are sailing together, we do share upkeep and watches! Ben and I often help each other with boat projects and when cruising overnight, we make sure that we are in sight of each other in order to stand watch while the other naps. The system is working out perfectly right now.
Teresa
December 28th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Teresa, Very good article. Just wondering how you like that rear cabin. do you use it much or is it mainly for storage? Does it protect you from following seas? I noticed that Ben’s BCC is rear cockpit and he traded his Norsea for it. I guess I should ask him way he traded… Have a great New Year.
December 28th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Rick,
The aft cabin is fantastic! I love it that my sleeping space is separate from my living space. Its tough in snowy, rainy and cold weather though because things get damp as I’m trying to go from one cabin to the other. But I do use it for storage too. There is plenty of room to stow some sails, pfds, cloths, and still sleep athwart-ships.
Benji’s dream boat was always the BCC, so even when he bought his NorSea, he intended to buy a BCC when he found one. But he likes the aft cabin too. There are pros and cons to each.
Teresa
December 28th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Hi Teresa:
I just read the article about you and your journey, Follow the Wind, in the Northern Express, Vol. 19, No. 51. Sailing my 23″ O’Day on Lake Leelanau is one of my joys, and sailing it on Lake Michigan in the future, after retirement, is one of my dreams; however, I assumed it would take more than one person. The article shows several photos of you standing on the bow of the Daphne. How do you manage to sail without being in the cockpit? Obviously, you must have some kind of “automatic pilot” system in place. Also, do you have an auxiliary motor on board? Best wishes in your adventures during the new year.
Ken
December 28th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Ken, I have a Monitor Windvane. Its a mechanical steering gear that works with the wind, requiring no electronics or battery power. It has a wind vane that you set according to the apparent wind, and a pendulum paddle in the water. These work together to adjust the rudder, keeping the boat sailing on a particular angle to the apparent wind (run, reach, broad reach, etc). If I’m tacking a lot, then I’m in the cockpit more. But for long passages, on one heading, the Monitor WIndvane is fantastic! It takes a bit of learning. The boat must be balanced, with almost no weather helm. But I couldn’t, or wouldn’t want to single-hand for 24+hrs (like I have) without one! Its my crew!
Teresa
December 29th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Teresa, Your response made me laugh!!!! I’m retired Air Force not Navy. I did put rear cabin on purpose and loved the Aft cabin response. I did however have to look up athwart-ships. I appreciate the teacher in you. Looking forward to reading the next chapter in your adventure.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Hi Teresa:
Thanks for the detailed explanation, Teresa. I am impressed by your system, especially its capability even without electronics, it is ingenious and makes perfect sense!
You would be a fantastic resourse for me before I launch my plan to set sail to, and explore, the Beaver Island archipelago someday. I’d love to see the inside of your boat.
Teresa, with all your documentation, can we look forward to a book on your adventures someday?
Ken
December 29th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Ken, You can see the inside of the boat with my Flicker Photostream. Just click on “Photos of Daphne” in the right sidebar of this blog. You’ll also see a photo of the Monitor Windvane steering gear.
Teresa
December 30th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Teresa,
As the girlfriend of a maritimer I’m happy you have a boyfriend! Other wise these cadets at Northwestern MI College would be looking for you out in the ocean! I LOVE that you are doing this “alone” with Ben somewhere around you! Any chick can get on a sailboat with her boyfriend & sail, it takes a whole other kind do do it on her own! Screw saving money by being on 1 boat, it’s saving face to say YOU did this on your own! I am so proud of you & when you get back to MI, if you come back to MI, let us know I know some cadets that will buy you all the beer you can drink!
December 30th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Hey Stella, More money=more cruising=more freedom, !
December 31st, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Stella and Mark…what an interesting debate!
On one hand, Stella, you are right, “any chick can get on a sailboat with her boyfriend and sail.” Ben and I are both equally skilled. Even Ben and I can’t decide who is the better sailor!
But, Mark, its true that one boat would be significantly less expensive for the both of us. However, the freedom part, I have to disagree. I have much more freedom on my own boat. Not just freedom to go where and when I want to go, but also the freedom to decide how the boat is run (as Ben and I have different opinions).
The sailboats are our homes. We aren’t just cruising, we live-aboard full time. We have sailed together on short cruises many times, but to reduce to one shared boat would be a different kind of cruise! Besides, we can’t decide which boat is better!!
Teresa
December 31st, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Happy New Year Lady!!! Keep sailing SSW. See you in the Canal.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
..never a fool…a bit naive at times perhaps…but never a fool…..
January 8th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Teresa,
You are living my dream! I just read the article “Follow the Wind” in the Northern Express. You are doing what I never had the guts to try. Maybe someday I will? Always seems like life gets in the way of hopes and dreams. I hope you continue your journey and wish you safe travels. Peace be with you!
Take care,
Brian
Traverse City, MI