(Podcast) Sink into Key West: Highlights in Paradise

Season 2, Episode 9.

While searching for a quiet place to go, we found PARADISE! Ocean’s Edge Resort and Marina on Stock Island is just the place — beautiful, full of amenities, and just right for relaxing and really enjoying Key West.

That is, until the boat started sinking! Okay, only very slowly sinking — but still. As the saying goes, “owning a boat is just boat work in exotic places,” so hey, this is just something else to learn. With repair facilities close by and fantastic customer service from Ocean’s Edge Marina, we’re able to get a repair time set, which lets us start really enjoying Key West.

And there is so much history! Key West has been the subject of books, movies, and songs, and its wild and wacky past provides plenty of fodder. We just scratched the surface in this episode, but don’t worry — we’ll tell more tall island tales in the next one. One of the most fun parts of Key West for us is getting to explore it with the Dude (our son), and one of our favorite places is the Key West Aquarium. What a ridiculously cool spot!

As always, be sure to subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss any episodes. Thanks for listening.

Referenced in this episode: the Key West Annual Calendar of Events; Ocean’s Edge Resort and Marina; 3D Boat Yard Key West; the Key West Aquarium; Mattheeson’s Ice Cream; Only Wood Pizzeria; Red Buoy Coffee; and the Funky Rooster Coffee House.

(Podcast) Sailing Overnight from Fort Myers to Key West, Florida

Season 2, Episode 8.

Have you ever wanted to sail at night? Offshore? Okay — maybe that’s not for you, but how about a trip to Key West? This episode covers that and a little more.

Key West has been a major sailing hub for hundreds of years, and to some it’s a country unto itself — yes, that would be the Conch Republic. We also get into our voyage-planning process, with links to the resources we mention in the list below. Safety, weather, route planning, standing watch, seasickness — we touch on all of it and much more.

Join our family as we discover some of the history of these famous pirate waters!

Referenced in this episode: Navionics; PredictWind; Windy; the American Sailing Association; Garmin inReach; the Astral kids’ PFD; and “A Brief History of Key West.”

(Podcast) Misadventures in Florida Sailing: When the Boat Bumps its Way to Anna Maria Island, Venice, and Boca Grande Pass

Season 2, Episode 6.

Wow — well, here we are, bouncing on the bottom near the coast of Egmont Key in Tampa Bay. Yikes!

Then we “camp” — anchor out — in a very pleasant spot at Anna Maria Island before heading back south for another visit to the wonderful coastal town of Venice, Florida, where we treat our adventurous guest (Lisa, from Episode 5) to a fantastic dinner at The Crow’s Nest. We keep the trip going the next morning, setting sail for the island of Cayo Costa and a bit of beach time on this remote barrier island of Charlotte Harbor — it can only be reached by boat or helicopter.

This uninhabited island is a state park and wildlife sanctuary with some of the best camping and shell hunting on the Florida coast. Boaters beware, though! The popular channel entrance to the Pelican Bay area on the east side of Cayo Costa, leading into a protected anchorage, is tricky, shallow, and not well-marked. We watched a few boats fail to find the right line and find the ground instead. The trick is to stay on the west side of the channel, very close to the island and the sandbar that runs along that side of the inlet. If you’re not feeling that brave — or, as in our case, it’s a very busy weekend — you can anchor on the east side of the northern end of the island. Just be sure to stay out of the Intracoastal Waterway and clear of Boca Grande Pass.

Once you’re safely anchored, you’re free to explore the island. They even have a tram that will take you to the Gulf side, saving you the walk across.

As much as we’ve enjoyed having Lisa onboard, her vacation time is coming to a close and we have to get her to an airport. Luckily, we know just the place: Burnt Store Marina (not sponsored) is only a short sail away. That works out in our favor, too, because on the recent leg our forward head (toilet) decided to become fussy — non-functional. And of course I picked the perfect time to do the repairs… you’ll have to listen to find out.

Jennifer (Cristen’s sister) arrives, and we set out on another day of sailing — which turns into a night of sailing…

Referenced in this episode: Cayo Costa State Park; Leave No Trace; Burnt Store Marina; and Mote Marine Lab.

(Podcast) Key West’s Wacky History: Tales of the Conch Republic and Sailing into the Sunset

Season 2, Episode 11.

From a modern-day naval battle to setting sail on our final voyage of the season — and figuring out what to do when hurricane season comes — we couldn’t help but enjoy every minute of this adventure.

Have you heard of the Conch Republic? There’s a great story there. On April 23, 1982, after a series of denials and rejections in the courts, the city of Key West took matters into its own hands. A Border Patrol checkpoint had been set up on the main route into the Keys, leading to long backups and hours of waiting while everything in your vehicle was searched. The city reasoned that if they were going to be treated like a separate country, they would just happily become one. And so the Conch Republic was born.

Spying a target of opportunity in the USCG Cutter Diligence, the wooden schooner Western Union, under the command of Captain John Kraus, attacked with water balloons, conch fritters, and stale Cuban bread. The Coast Guard responded with fire hoses, Prime Minister (Mayor) Wardlow surrendered — and then demanded foreign aid, which has not been paid to this day. A quiet victory was won, though: the checkpoint came down and the traffic jam was gone.

Our Key West story isn’t quite over, but it’s time to head back north and prepare for hurricane season (June 1 – October 31). That means sailing north overnight to our home port of Punta Gorda, in Charlotte Harbor, on Florida’s west coast.

This would be only our second blue-water overnight passage, and we felt much better prepared — even though we’d been hanging in the straps at the work yard just a week before. A full safety inspection, including the mast and rigging, a little provisioning, and all we needed was perfect weather.

When passage planning, we rely on a few different forecasts — Predict Wind, Weather Underground — and double-check against the National Weather Service. Lucky for us, the weather was spectacular: winds out of the SSE at 12 knots and a gentle following sea. We made great time on what was by far our most comfortable passage to date. This is why people sail — smooth seas, a good breeze, and the open-water experience. It was perfect: sailing into the sunset and arriving the next afternoon, happy and confident in our skills and in our beloved Moon Dragon.

Hurricane season — and preparing Moon Dragon to be on the hard (stored on land, strapped down on stands in a hurricane-approved marina) — was our next challenge, and I’m so grateful I had the help of my brother and father to get her all set up. We cleaned her out of food (donating everything they’d accept), stripped the sails, cleared the decks of gear and lines, and rigged a sunshade across the entire deck. We did a lot of work in a very short time!

Cristen took on the challenge of driving north with Eric and the dogs (who were super gassy) and all of our stuff, while Eric had a couple of yearly doctor checkups back in Missouri that we really didn’t want to miss. Needless to say, she’s amazing and really stepped up. (Matt is the author of this blog and her biggest fan.) I was able to join them back in Missouri a couple of weeks later… but that’s another story.

Now that we’re back in Missouri, we’re all set to take on new challenges — and, as always, we keep in mind that when facing the unknown, the keyword is ADVENTURE!

(Podcast) Hanging in the Wind on Stock Island, Key West, Florida

Season 2, Episode 10.

We’re hanging out in Key West — well, Stock Island, to be exact. There’s a natural tendency to focus all your attention on Key West itself, but Stock Island offers a great island experience of its own: fantastic local food at the Hogfish Bar and Grill, breakfast at the Dolphin Deli, botanical gardens, a zoo, and lots of local art.

We keep exploring on both land and in the water, including the Dude’s first snorkeling experience. All of this is happening around the leak repairs that are keeping us from island-hopping like we’d planned — but adventurers adapt and overcome. Who knows what we’ll get into next!

Referenced in this episode: the Hogfish Bar and Grill; the Dolphin Deli; 3D Boat Yard; and Diver’s Direct Key West.

(Podcast) Fun Sailing with Family in Florida: St. James, Pine Island, Fort Myers Beach

Season 2, Episode 7.

Sailing is fun — and sailing with family is even more fun. We’re having a great time doing all these interviews with family and friends, and this episode is a double-header.

Not only do we interview Jennifer (Cristen’s sister), we also get to interview Matt’s mom, Marilyn, and his stepfather, Ron, who came and spent a week with us aboard Moon Dragon as we sailed down the west coast of Florida.

Join us as we cruise down the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway) from Burnt Store Marina, across Charlotte Harbor, and down the west coast of Pine Island.

We explore the super cool town of St. James on Pine Island, where we luck into a boat-up restaurant that even has a pup menu. The Waterfront is a fantastic place to go, especially if you love good food and your pets. The dogs may have had their doubts about this whole sailing thing, but this adventure won them over for sure.

In this episode we also celebrate Cristen’s birthday with a spa day at the Pink Shell Resort and Marina on Fort Myers Beach. But to get there, we had to pass under our first bridge — a real test for Matt’s nerves. Once we arrive, we discover the Pink Shell has not only a fantastic spa but a huge pool area, with waterfalls and pools for the kids to play in. It’s right up the little Dude’s alley — he even got to check out his first video game arcade on a rainy afternoon.

Sailors, even if you skip the massage and the pool, you’ll love the bathroom and shower accommodations — they double as spa facilities, some of the best we’ve ever had the pleasure of using in our travels. Well done, Pink Shell!

Once the birthday celebrations wind down, we bid a fond farewell to Ron and Marilyn and prepare for our first-ever overnight offshore trip — to Key West. That is, until the weather and seas turn out to be not quite as forecasted.

Referenced in this episode: Burnt Store Marina; Pine Island, Florida; The Waterfront Restaurant; the Pink Shell Resort and Marina; and Euro World Design.

(Podcast) Florida Gulf Coast Sailing: Gasparilla, Cayo Costa, Charlotte Harbor, Egmont Key

Season 2 Episode 4. Things have been fixed, sails are raised, and off we go! Come along with us as we explore the heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast and check out some of the great sailing destinations along the west coast of Florida.

Having discovered what that crazy noise was (and the solution!), we’re starting to really get into the swing of cruising life as we head out of Charlotte Harbor after exploring some of the beautiful barrier islands like Gasparilla and Cayo Costa.

Then we head north to Venice, Florida, where we indulge our stomachs with a wonderful dining experience at the Crow’s Nest Restaurant and Marina. If you find yourself in this particular area of Florida, you really should stop in for dinner — you never know, you might spot Moon Dragon as we pass through!

From there we go north to Tampa Bay and drop anchor behind historic Egmont Key. Lastly, it’s north a little farther to explore along St. Petersburg Beach. There’s bound to be booty along the famed Treasure Coast, right? The adventure is just getting started as this new sailing crew explores the coast of Florida!

Referenced in this episode: Venice, Florida; the Crow’s Nest Restaurant and Marina; and Egmont Key.

(Podcast) Exploring St Pete Beach & Tampa Bay, FL, on a Sailboat

Season 2 Episode 5.

Sailing in a big city, just like traveling with an RV, has its challenges! Some are really familiar — crazy traffic and busy intersections, where to park or walk the dogs, and getting into and out of gas stations.

Join us as we figure out life in super-busy St. Petersburg Beach during its peak tourist season and have fun exploring the history of the area. What is the Gasparilla Pirate Festival? Where is Treasure Beach? Pirates, treasure, and some wild seas are just the beginning of this fantastic journey!

We also welcome our first “sailing” friend, Lisa, on board and go out for some coastal cruising while we explore around Tampa Bay. But an afternoon excursion to Egmont Key has us testing the nerves of the crew of SV Moon Dragon! Every time things don’t go as planned, that’s when the adventure begins… right?

Referenced in this episode: Lisa Ziebell (shamanic practitioner), the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, and Sweetwater Kayaks’ Kayak Symposium.

(Podcast) Going Overboard: Boat Projects, Leaving Dock, & Cristen Loses It!

Season 2 Episode 2.

So what do you do after buying a boat? Well, we hope this episode gives you a place to start — from making lists of upgrades, assessing your sails, and dealing with contractors, to realizing there’s always more work than you thought there would be.

Have you been to the top of your mast? We have! Getting to know your new floating home inside and out is important not only for safety but also for when you want to make upgrades or new purchases — it’s good to have your own set of measurements when ordering new items for your boat.

We’d like to emphasize once again that this process would not have been possible without help from family, friends, and Rodney and Cheri, who really worked with us to make this sailing dream happen. Also a shout-out to Mads from Sail Life over in the land of YouTube — without him and his cheerful approach to “Oh Glorious Sanding,” Cristen might have lost the battle with the amount of work she had to do.

Cristen would also like to give a special shout-out to SailRite and their fantastic videos and equipment, which literally put the wind back in our sails; and to Highfield, where we got our new dinghy — you made the decision easy, and we’ve loved exploring in our new ride. We hope this episode leaves you feeling that you too can take on a big, challenging project and overcome the obstacles that come up on your next adventure.

Oh, and one last thing… sometimes when you think everything is set and you’ve got it all figured out, the thing you least expect is just waiting for you. Listen to the end, have a laugh with us, and see why Cristen always latches the safety-line gates now before pushing off the dock (heheheh…).

(Podcast) Launching a Sailboat, a Woman, and an Adventure: Look Out Florida!

Well, that didn’t start out the way we had planned! Cristen went into the drink just as we were pushing off the dock. Sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned — and sometimes they really don’t! That said, everyone came out okay (maybe a little wet), and at least there were dolphins. Dolphins make every day better and remind us why we’re doing this.

Come join us in this cascade of firsts as we set off on day one and knock out a bunch of last-minute — but very necessary — jobs on our sailboat, named Moon Dragon. We finally get to spend the first night on our sailboat and learn about life in a marina (Burnt Store Marina).

We even welcome our first overnight guest, Rachael Dunville, who gives her perspective of life on Moon Dragon in her own voice! We interview her about her experiences coming and staying with us, including her impressions of Moon Dragon and boat life. There will be more to come from Rachael (who is fabulous) in our Adventurer Series, where we interview fellow adventurers and see travel through their eyes.

Now we break out of the marina and spend our first night anchored out on the Gulf Coast of Florida — but a mystery sound keeps us up before we’ve even gotten into bed, and we wonder how to pinpoint the odd ticking in the middle of the night.

If you’ve ever thought you might like to take your family sailing, here’s your chance to learn from our experiences — and, as always, feel free to reach out and ask questions!

Find Rachael at Aerosha.com and Rachael-Dunville.com.

(Podcast) From RV Life to Sailing: Have We Gone Crazy?

Season 2 Episode 1.

We caught the bug: it was slow, it was surprising, it was sailing!

Going from land travel-life to buying a sailboat can be a real challenge — especially if you really don’t know what you’re doing. We go from complete landlubbers to the owners of a classic 1975 Wellington 47 ketch sailboat.

Let us share our journey with you as we check out boats and spend a lot of time “researching” on YouTube. We learn to sail with the American Sailing Association on a lake in Missouri. Then we learn about brokers and navigate the way ahead when you find “The One.” Our sailboat-buying experience was definitely challenging at times, but in the end we found the one for us!

This new season is going to be exciting, and we’re thrilled to start sharing this story with you! After listening, let us know what you think — have we lost our minds?

A few resources we found especially helpful on our new journey (not sponsored): the American Sailing Association, Good Old Boat Magazine, and Pier One Yacht Sales.

23 Items to Take On Your First Bareboat Sailing Charter

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You’ve booked your first bareboat charter — that’s awesome! Now for the packing, and it can seem like there’s a lot to consider and to take. We’ve compiled a list of items for your trip, assuming you’re headed to tropical waters. Don’t worry: most of these are small, and planning now will save you money and space in your luggage.

Bareboat charter sailing has become a popular way for a small group to explore tropical places. It’s called “bareboat” because you’re hiring the yacht without a crew — that’s where you and your friends and family come in. These trips are normally booked by sailors with experience (though not everyone on board has to have any), and there’s also the option to add a skipper, a hostess, or a combination of the two.

The sailboat or catamaran typically comes fully loaded with sheets, towels, and kitchenware, but you’re responsible for provisioning food, beverages, and other personal items. Gear for fishing, diving, paddleboards, and more is sometimes negotiable for a price.

The big difference between a day sail — or even a weekend trip — and chartering a boat for a week or more is that you’ll be living and playing closer to the elements than you do at home. Sun, humidity, heat, rain, sand: they all become part of your daily movement, and a few comfort items will make the trip more enjoyable all around.

We’ve spent a lot of time on our boat in many different conditions, and here’s the list we pack to make our sailing adventures more comfortable and more fun. If you have room to bring these from the mainland, they’re much more affordable than buying them in the islands. Here we go.

Body/shower wipes. Fresh water is a limited commodity and showers become short. For getting by with a quick wipe-down after an easy day, a good body wipe (we like Yuni) is a lifesaver — and they smell great, too.

USB rechargeable fan. Many charter boats have air conditioning; some don’t. Even on a pleasant night, it’s nice to have some air movement in a humid environment. There are lots of small, travel-friendly options.

Travel towel. Microfiber towels hold many times their weight in water, dry quickly, pack very small, and don’t hold onto the musty smell as easily as cotton (OlimpiaFit is one option).

Reef-friendly sunscreen. A given any time you’re in a sunny locale — but choose a reef-safe option if you’re getting in the water. Sun Bum is easy to find, and many smaller companies make reef-friendly sunscreens now.

A sun shirt with sleeves and a hood. Check Title Nine or REI for great options, or any similar cover-up. Actually, make that two — even when you plan to live in a swimsuit, you’ll likely reach a point each day when you’re ready to give your skin a break from the sun’s intensity.

Motion-sickness medications and ginger treats. You just never know, and why suffer while hunting for these in a new place while feeling less than chipper? Dramamine, Meclizine, Bonine, acupressure wrist bands, or even a Scopolamine patch prescription from your doctor (if you tend to get seasick) are all options. The medications help prevent motion sickness; the ginger items help relieve symptoms if they occur.

Sunglasses — maybe two pairs. Give your eyes a break. (Backcountry has a great variety and good deals.)

Hydration tablets or powder. Something like single-serving Propel pouches or Nuun tablets to help you rehydrate on the really hot days. Water comes first, but you’re likely more active than usual in the tropical heat and humidity, and your body will crave that sodium, potassium, and magnesium — plus something besides plain water tastes good.

Lotion, after-sun moisturizer, and lip balm. You’re rehydrating on the inside; don’t forget the outside. No matter the humidity, sun and salt will start to dry your skin out, and adding wind makes a little daily self-care worthwhile.

A Buff and/or a hair clip. Speaking of humidity… your hair will take on a new level of freedom out here, especially with the wind. Keep it out of your eyes and off your neck — these also help avoid the dreaded, painful part-line sunburn.

A ball for your feet. Why, yes. This is purely a pamper item. If your feet have been in shoes and socks for months, transitioning to full-time sandals or barefoot onboard takes some getting used to. We keep a couple of tennis balls onboard to roll out our feet during that first sore week (a dedicated foot-massage set works, too).

A packable bag. We love our ChicoBags. We use them for everything: groceries, the shower house, the beach, souvenirs, laundry day. One packs down smaller than a baseball and hides in a purse or pocket.

A USB battery pack. Charters can charge the electronics you bring, but it’s nice to have a backup in case something doesn’t go as planned — which happens when you travel. With this small item, you stay adaptable.

Bug wipes. Mosquitoes are always a possibility, and no-see-ums are their aggravating little cousins. Lemon-eucalyptus spray is great, but if traveling with a liquid is tricky, OFF wipes work well.

Swimsuits — bring two. That could be two one-pieces, two bikinis, a combo, or one of those plus an alternate with more sun coverage like swim shorts and a long-sleeved rash guard. Plan not to get sunburned while snorkeling, but prepare for the chance that you do and still want to get in the water the next day.

A dry bag. Sea to Summit’s lightweight dry bags are our go-to. They pack small and keep things dry as a bone during the splashiest, rainiest dinghy rides.

A rain jacket. It happens. Depending on the season, you can almost time the brief daily shower — and a rain jacket is also a nice break from the wind when it feels cool. If a cold front rolls through, throw on an extra layer under your shell and you’ll be perfectly comfortable. Outdoor Research’s Helium series is affordable and very packable.

Body Glide. Lots of people have body parts that rub — thighs, underarms, and more. Body Glide helps them slip past each other without the friction that sweaty, humid conditions add. No more thigh rash in that cute skort, no more sore spots on the hike to the beach bar. Endurance athletes swear by it.

A hat. This could be a purchase on your trip — one of those nice, wide-brimmed straw hats would be lovely. Or something packable from Outdoor Research that tucks into small spaces and shades your face.

A sarong. Another option to buy on your trip. Sarongs are wonderfully versatile: a cover-up, something to sit on at the beach, a lightweight wrap-skirt, even a carry-all. If you’d rather come prepared, Back From Bali makes ethically produced ones through women- and family-owned businesses in Bali.

A headlamp. Anytime we travel out of the norm, we take a small headlamp (BioLite makes good ones). It’s nice for reading after the rest of the crew has gone to bed, and walking new streets at night is much easier with a little light.

Snacks. Pack ‘em if you’ve got ‘em! You’ll have plenty of chances to buy food, but if there’s a favorite chocolate you want to enjoy with a glass of wine one night under the stars, do it. Food and drink run higher out in the islands — it’s a necessary part of island life, and also an adventure in new culinary opportunities (try some guava treats!).

Bonus: a good book. Or a notebook and pen, a Sudoku book, or a pack of cards — how about a good story about sailing? Bring something to pass a quiet moment without electronics. Let your mind relax and enjoy the setting, the sounds, and the multi-sensory bath you’re getting to dip into without much distraction.

Throw in some clothing and a toothbrush and you’re nearly packed! How does our essentials list fit for you — is there something you’d add for your own sailing adventure? Fair winds and following seas on your journey!