transitions

  • Moving forward

     3 minute read

    I want to take a moment to say Thank You to the amazing people that have been following our adventure so far. It’s an overdue thank you triggered by the overwhelming response to our previous post. In reality, your encouragement has been ever present since our little blog debuted. We are grateful to all of you.

  • Reality, Check!

     4 minute read

    As of this week, we have decided to sell our s/v Rachel J Slocum and take a much needed break to recharge our weary selves. We are looking to enact this decision immediately.

  • Turkey Day

     3 minute read

    Happy Thanksgiving! Since it’s just the two of us this year and we have a teeny, tiny Force 10 oven, it’s time to get creative on how to cook a Thanksgiving dinner aboard. Here’s what we decided to have.

  • Impossible Tuna Tartlets

     5 minute read

    In the first few weeks aboard, we wanted to test all equipment to make sure we can address anything that needs fixing before we cast off. Today’s story features impossible tuna tarlets baked in our Force 10 oven.

  • Counting Chickens

     9 minute read

    Two weeks after moving aboard, we finally (touch wood) had refrigeration on our boat. Are we counting chickens before they’re hatched? Here’s a day-in-the-life account of tackling this repair.

  • Inaugural Dinner

     5 minute read

    Despite my best intentions for making our first dinner aboard to make it feel more like a home, it may have been a little premature and miscalculated.

  • New River Adventures

     6 minute read

    We’ve now spent one week living on a boat and thought it would be a good time to reflect on what it’s been like. What’s the same? What’s different? If you’re on the fence about whether a voyaging life is for you, perhaps a glimpse of our experience will inform your decision.

  • I’m a Tracer

     6 minute read

    We are getting to know our boat organically by listening to foreign sounds and investigating unusual smells, which in our case led to tracing boat systems.

  • All Aboard

     4 minute read

    Pick one room and make it yours. Go slowly through the boat. Be polite, introduce yourself, so she can introduce herself to you.

  • Minimalist Me

     9 minute read

    As we are flying across the country to s/v Rachel J Slocum, we wanted to share the final installment on how we became minimalists in less than 30 weeks.

  • Youtube or not Youtube

     7 minute read

    Should we start a Youtube channel? In today’s post, we talk through our strategy in light of our priorities and what’s going on in the world.

  • Farewell Harriet, Hello Rachel

     6 minute read

    When we returned from Florida, we spent an exhausting week packing and loading the POD. Why is it that when we had 20% left to go, it was so much harder than going through the initial 80% of our stuff? Here is an update on how we stand in the final weeks of our 30-weeks to minimalism plan.

  • Pantry Proteins

     11 minute read

    There is a vast world of canned proteins - roast beef, chicken, clams, shrimp, etc. - that I have avoided most of my life. In preparation for our voyaging life, I have decided to explore this world of pantry proteins now.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 2

     8 minute read

    We’re in Ft Lauderdale taking the next step of our due diligence process on s/v Rachel J Slocum. In Part 2 of the Survey & Sea Trial series, we cover some armchair sailing research on what’s involved in marine surveys and sea trials.

  • Join the Crew

     2 minute read

    We would like to invite you to join the Serenade Wind crew. In this post, find out what it means to be part of the crew, unlock the pirate’s booty, and receive other exclusive access and benefits.

  • Sleepless to Seattle

     6 minute read

    After a few months of planning and negotations, we finally have a chance to see our girls following a long roadtrip we are calling “Sleepless to Seattle”.

  • Lollipop Moment

     5 minute read

    Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. ~ Marianne Williamson

  • Beautiful People

     4 minute read

    Fundamentally, we are all social creatures and want to feel a connection to others and a sense of purpose. I found that connection based on social status, brands, what or who you know felt quite hollow. We are not beautiful people.

  • Second Language

     3 minute read

    Like many of you, I am inspired by ideas while in the shower. My latest came as I was puzzling over how to source certain products while we travel around the world. Seems like now’s a good time to level-up on a second language, but which one?

  • Hippo Book

     5 minute read

    A few months ago, Jan Wooller got in touch with us. Along with her sage advice, she sent along a copy of her book, “We Hate Hippos - Stories of a Sea Gypsy’s Life.” I take the Hippo book (which I have come to refer to it with Andrew) as knowledge dispensed from a friend who is looking out for you. 

  • Matching Gifts

     4 minute read

    How do you prioritize what to do when you downsize your home? We independently came to the same conclusion - to maximize matching gifts is our first priority, then speed and lastly value.

  • In the Arena

     7 minute read

    For those of you about to jump in the arena to begin a voyaging life, your critics will come from any (and all) directions. Depending on how much you value that relationship, you will need to come up with ways of dealing with this dynamic. Here are the five ways we handled this.

  • Philanthropy

     5 minute read

    One of the first posts we published on SerenadeWind talks about our relationship with money. When we began to dig into that topic, a natural extension to pursuing a minimalist life is a life of philanthropy. 

  • Lifecycle of Ingredients

     2 minute read

    If you’ve followed our Culinary Adventures, you’ll start to see a theme of no waste in this household. We love cooking and riffing off recipes and sometimes this will evolve over the lifecycle of ingredients to create some fun, novel adventures in cooking and help us when we live aboard RJ Slocum.

  • Yacht Club

     6 minute read

    A few weeks ago, Bill suggested we become a member of a yacht club to cut down on our cruising expenses. The image that I conjure up when someone mentions yacht clubs is an elitist club. However, we have come to learn that they come in all shapes and sizes.

  • Canned Food Recipes

     9 minute read

    During the pandemic, we’ve been having fun performing culinary experiments with canned food recipes and figuring out how to provision for offshore cruising. We hand-picked the tastiest recipes which are easy to cook while making passage or at anchor.

  • Ethical Sailing

     4 minute read

    A couple months ago, we decided to experiment with ways to go green. For us this means, living deliberately and raising our awareness about how we impact the world around us. Here are a few updates on our progress towards ethical sailing. Happy World Oceans Day!

  • Living Space

     4 minute read

    In part 5, we conclude our downsizing process that began with 30-weeks to minimalism. This beautiful living space conceals stowage for spares, spares and more spares.

  • Sea Foodie

     4 minute read

    In the 4th part of our 30-weeks to minimalism series, we tackle the galley. Once again, we will need to think critically about what items are used daily now and can still serve us in the future aboard a sailboat. Here is how a “sea foodie” would approach it.

  • Boat Head

     4 minute read

    30-weeks to minimalism launched our 5 part series on how to downsize for the rest of your life. We followed this up with how to tackle sentimental items as well as clothes. In part 3 of this series, we address the boat head.

  • Packing Light

     9 minute read

    How do you pack for the rest of your life in order to live full-time on a sailboat? Packing light becomes an imperative.

  • Happy Birthday

     7 minute read

    Staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic sure makes it hard to plan a surprise for Andrew. I am probably nuts to be posting a happy birthday blog weeks in advance, as it may tip my hand on my plans. But it sure is fun to see what will happen!

  • Project Slocum Update

     4 minute read

    For those curious, here is a Project Slocum update. We scraped all our pennies together and put a deposit on s/v Rachel J Slocum. We are officially in escrow… Time to celebrate!

  • Support Local

     7 minute read

    What are you willing to do to support local businesses? In our latest post, find out our approach. It may involve taking calculated risks in order to live a full life.

  • Lavender and Sage

     3 minute read

    Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, I would take along my current knitting project wherever I go. Sometimes while standing in line, I will pull out my project and begin to knit. Others look at their cellphone, I knit. 

  • Free will or fate

     11 minute read

    Free will or fate is about how Life sometimes throws you curveballs and gives you an opportunity to face adversity but also to grow closer together. In short succession, we had three such curveballs thrown at us and this is how we fared.

  • Water water everywhere

     5 minute read

    What else is there to do while you’re observing stay-at-home orders until May 15th during this pandemic? We performed a little experiment at home to measure the amount of water used while showering so we could figure out how long can we daydream in the shower.

  • Cook Now, Explore Later

     8 minute read

    Cook now explore later is the story of our pandemic life as we are all doing our part: to stay home and save lives. In this post, we feature tried and true recipes that we cook in our home throughout the year. We believe these recipes will transition perfectly aboard a sailboat.

  • 30 Weeks to Minimalism

     5 minute read

    30 weeks to minimalism begins with a game plan and time. Rather than replace a busy schedule with another busy schedule, give yourself time. Find stillness in the day for introspection and self-discovery.

  • Going Green

     5 minute read

    To us, sailing will bring us a life of adventure, and it will also bring us closer to nature as we witness that our choices will make a direct impact on the world around us. In this post, we talk about ways of going green.

  • Every 6 Weeks

     3 minute read

    With salons and barbers closed these days during coronavirus, you may also want to give DIY haircuts every 6 weeks.

  • Project Slocum Part 4

     9 minute read

    As we shared previously in Part 1-3 of this series, we didn’t take this trip lightly. We went ahead with it, and now in Project Slocum Part 4, we share our thoughts on the trip, much like a day-in-the-life.

  • Going with the Flow

     5 minute read

    At some point, Andrew asked the question, why don’t we just take it easy. We’ll play the weekend by ear and not decide now. Find out how a “recovering planner” would react to going with the flow.

  • Eye of the Storm

     4 minute read

    Although we are still in the eye of the storm, it feels like we are about to turn a corner.

  • Relationship with Money

     6 minute read

    What is your relationship with money? In this post, we explore this topic. At this stage in our lives, we are not compelled to accumulate money just as we are not compelled to accumulate possessions. Why? Because they end up owning you…

  • Past, Present and Future

     3 minute read

    After a couple weeks spent with ideas about the future pinballing around in my mind, I finally got some closure on a few things. The present is the only time that you actually have control…

  • Happy Anniversary

     4 minute read

    Happy anniversary! Andrew and I are unlike most couples. We celebrated by climbing and boat shopping on our anniversary. Since life is short, why not spend your time pursuing your passions?

  • Boot 2020

     8 minute read

    There’s no better way to shop for a boat than at the largest boat show in the world, Boot 2020, held in Dusseldorf each year.

  • When First We Saw Rachel J Slocum

     7 minute read

    There isn’t any one perfect boat for everyone. The boat you choose should be safe, comfortable, well built, and ideally capable of fast passages while proving to be a good investment. When first we saw Rachel J Slocum, we knew we found the perfect boat for us.

  • Sailing Around the World

     4 minute read

    Sailing around the world is bringing your home wherever you travel. To get started you need to learn to let go of living on land, move aboard a sailboat and find your dream job.

  • Time to go to the Whiteboard

     3 minute read

    We took a hard look at how we were spending our time each week. While we didn’t like what we were seeing, we also saw this as an opportunity to ask some hard questions. And to solve them, it was time to go to the whiteboard.

Back to Top ↑

sailinglife

  • Moving forward

     3 minute read

    I want to take a moment to say Thank You to the amazing people that have been following our adventure so far. It’s an overdue thank you triggered by the overwhelming response to our previous post. In reality, your encouragement has been ever present since our little blog debuted. We are grateful to all of you.

  • Reality, Check!

     4 minute read

    As of this week, we have decided to sell our s/v Rachel J Slocum and take a much needed break to recharge our weary selves. We are looking to enact this decision immediately.

  • Turkey Day

     3 minute read

    Happy Thanksgiving! Since it’s just the two of us this year and we have a teeny, tiny Force 10 oven, it’s time to get creative on how to cook a Thanksgiving dinner aboard. Here’s what we decided to have.

  • Tide and Current

     2 minute read

    Not too long ago, checking the weather used to be a 30 second affair, looking to see how hot the day would be and whether to bring a jacket or not. Now that we’ve moved onto a boat, it becomes much more involved, including watching for tides and currents among other variables.

  • Impossible Tuna Tartlets

     5 minute read

    In the first few weeks aboard, we wanted to test all equipment to make sure we can address anything that needs fixing before we cast off. Today’s story features impossible tuna tarlets baked in our Force 10 oven.

  • Counting Chickens

     9 minute read

    Two weeks after moving aboard, we finally (touch wood) had refrigeration on our boat. Are we counting chickens before they’re hatched? Here’s a day-in-the-life account of tackling this repair.

  • Captain Rich and Lyn

     5 minute read

    One of the key selling points of the voyaging lifestyle is becoming a part of the community of sailors. We know of no better way of being introduced to this community than to have as neighbors, Captain Rich and his girlfriend Lyn.

  • Inaugural Dinner

     5 minute read

    Despite my best intentions for making our first dinner aboard to make it feel more like a home, it may have been a little premature and miscalculated.

  • Pantry Proteins

     11 minute read

    There is a vast world of canned proteins - roast beef, chicken, clams, shrimp, etc. - that I have avoided most of my life. In preparation for our voyaging life, I have decided to explore this world of pantry proteins now.

  • Sailing Resume Sequel

     8 minute read

    The cover photo belies the truth about sailing through Greece. We encountered 3 days of storms during our ambitious passage from Corfu to Athens. This trip reawakened our interest in sailing. Two years later, we decided to go for it and buy our own sailboat!

  • Sailing Resume Prequel

     5 minute read

    Andrew got started in sailing well before Denise, and so here is the prequel to the Sailing Resume.

  • Sailing Resume Part 3

     5 minute read

    If you want to take your sailing education to the next level, how about chartering a boat?

  • Sailing Resume Part 2

     9 minute read

    Dinghy sailing and ASA courses are one thing, how about learning to race? Here’s part 2 of the Sailing Resume series.

  • Sailing Resume Part 1

     6 minute read

    How much sailing experience did we have before we decided to become full-time liveaboard cruisers? Find out in our 3-part Sailing Resume series.

  • Where and When

     5 minute read

    Do you know where you are or more importantly when you are? In today’s blog, we explore both questions. Honestly, I didn’t think such basic questions could become such a mind twist.

  • Fictional Prep

     7 minute read

    Recently we began to listen to audiobooks about various cruising grounds so we can get to know the geography, people and culture of the area. We thought it would be helpful to compile a more exhaustive list to share with you.

  • In the Arena

     7 minute read

    For those of you about to jump in the arena to begin a voyaging life, your critics will come from any (and all) directions. Depending on how much you value that relationship, you will need to come up with ways of dealing with this dynamic. Here are the five ways we handled this.

  • Lifecycle of Ingredients

     2 minute read

    If you’ve followed our Culinary Adventures, you’ll start to see a theme of no waste in this household. We love cooking and riffing off recipes and sometimes this will evolve over the lifecycle of ingredients to create some fun, novel adventures in cooking and help us when we live aboard RJ Slocum.

  • Yacht Club

     6 minute read

    A few weeks ago, Bill suggested we become a member of a yacht club to cut down on our cruising expenses. The image that I conjure up when someone mentions yacht clubs is an elitist club. However, we have come to learn that they come in all shapes and sizes.

  • Canned Food Recipes

     9 minute read

    During the pandemic, we’ve been having fun performing culinary experiments with canned food recipes and figuring out how to provision for offshore cruising. We hand-picked the tastiest recipes which are easy to cook while making passage or at anchor.

  • Living Space

     4 minute read

    In part 5, we conclude our downsizing process that began with 30-weeks to minimalism. This beautiful living space conceals stowage for spares, spares and more spares.

  • Sea Foodie

     4 minute read

    In the 4th part of our 30-weeks to minimalism series, we tackle the galley. Once again, we will need to think critically about what items are used daily now and can still serve us in the future aboard a sailboat. Here is how a “sea foodie” would approach it.

  • Boat Head

     4 minute read

    30-weeks to minimalism launched our 5 part series on how to downsize for the rest of your life. We followed this up with how to tackle sentimental items as well as clothes. In part 3 of this series, we address the boat head.

  • Packing Light

     9 minute read

    How do you pack for the rest of your life in order to live full-time on a sailboat? Packing light becomes an imperative.

  • Project Slocum Update

     4 minute read

    For those curious, here is a Project Slocum update. We scraped all our pennies together and put a deposit on s/v Rachel J Slocum. We are officially in escrow… Time to celebrate!

  • Water water everywhere

     5 minute read

    What else is there to do while you’re observing stay-at-home orders until May 15th during this pandemic? We performed a little experiment at home to measure the amount of water used while showering so we could figure out how long can we daydream in the shower.

  • Cook Now, Explore Later

     8 minute read

    Cook now explore later is the story of our pandemic life as we are all doing our part: to stay home and save lives. In this post, we feature tried and true recipes that we cook in our home throughout the year. We believe these recipes will transition perfectly aboard a sailboat.

  • 2020 Sailing Plan

     6 minute read

    During these times of uncertainty, it is helpful to sketch out a preliminary plan to feel like you have control over something. Also, it’s a pleasant distraction from the 24/7 coronavirus news. Here is our 2020 Sailing Plan.

  • Boat Purchase

     5 minute read

    Buying a boat can be overwhelming. Follow these 8 steps… and come up with a game plan that answers as much as you can before you make an offer on a boat. This will be an iterative process as you narrow down your preferences. We hope these tips and resources help.

  • Going Green

     5 minute read

    To us, sailing will bring us a life of adventure, and it will also bring us closer to nature as we witness that our choices will make a direct impact on the world around us. In this post, we talk about ways of going green.

  • Every 6 Weeks

     3 minute read

    With salons and barbers closed these days during coronavirus, you may also want to give DIY haircuts every 6 weeks.

  • Project Slocum Part 5

     11 minute read

    With the final installment, Project Slocum Part 5 reveals our second day aboard RJS, continued discussions with her owners, and our go/no-go decision.

  • Project Slocum Part 4

     9 minute read

    As we shared previously in Part 1-3 of this series, we didn’t take this trip lightly. We went ahead with it, and now in Project Slocum Part 4, we share our thoughts on the trip, much like a day-in-the-life.

  • Project Slocum Part 3

     5 minute read

    In Project Slocum Part 3, we provide updates on a few different topics since they all seem to interplay this week leading up to our trip to Ft. Lauderdale.

  • Project Slocum Part 2

     2 minute read

    In Project Slocum Part 2 of 5, we explore the following idea: Sailing on a boat really seems like a reasonable post-apocalyptic plan.

  • Project Slocum Part 1

     4 minute read

    Project Slocum Part 1 - due diligence on buying a boat is much like buying a house. Just as you may make an offer contingent on several variables, in the case of buying a boat it will be contingent on a marine survey and a sea trial.

  • Happy Anniversary

     4 minute read

    Happy anniversary! Andrew and I are unlike most couples. We celebrated by climbing and boat shopping on our anniversary. Since life is short, why not spend your time pursuing your passions?

  • Boot 2020

     8 minute read

    There’s no better way to shop for a boat than at the largest boat show in the world, Boot 2020, held in Dusseldorf each year.

  • When First We Saw Rachel J Slocum

     7 minute read

    There isn’t any one perfect boat for everyone. The boat you choose should be safe, comfortable, well built, and ideally capable of fast passages while proving to be a good investment. When first we saw Rachel J Slocum, we knew we found the perfect boat for us.

  • Sailing Around the World

     4 minute read

    Sailing around the world is bringing your home wherever you travel. To get started you need to learn to let go of living on land, move aboard a sailboat and find your dream job.

Back to Top ↑

instasailing

  • Tide and Current

     2 minute read

    Not too long ago, checking the weather used to be a 30 second affair, looking to see how hot the day would be and whether to bring a jacket or not. Now that we’ve moved onto a boat, it becomes much more involved, including watching for tides and currents among other variables.

  • Sailing Resume Sequel

     8 minute read

    The cover photo belies the truth about sailing through Greece. We encountered 3 days of storms during our ambitious passage from Corfu to Athens. This trip reawakened our interest in sailing. Two years later, we decided to go for it and buy our own sailboat!

  • Sailing Resume Prequel

     5 minute read

    Andrew got started in sailing well before Denise, and so here is the prequel to the Sailing Resume.

  • Sailing Resume Part 3

     5 minute read

    If you want to take your sailing education to the next level, how about chartering a boat?

  • Sailing Resume Part 2

     9 minute read

    Dinghy sailing and ASA courses are one thing, how about learning to race? Here’s part 2 of the Sailing Resume series.

  • Sailing Resume Part 1

     6 minute read

    How much sailing experience did we have before we decided to become full-time liveaboard cruisers? Find out in our 3-part Sailing Resume series.

  • Where and When

     5 minute read

    Do you know where you are or more importantly when you are? In today’s blog, we explore both questions. Honestly, I didn’t think such basic questions could become such a mind twist.

  • Fictional Prep

     7 minute read

    Recently we began to listen to audiobooks about various cruising grounds so we can get to know the geography, people and culture of the area. We thought it would be helpful to compile a more exhaustive list to share with you.

  • In the Arena

     7 minute read

    For those of you about to jump in the arena to begin a voyaging life, your critics will come from any (and all) directions. Depending on how much you value that relationship, you will need to come up with ways of dealing with this dynamic. Here are the five ways we handled this.

  • Yacht Club

     6 minute read

    A few weeks ago, Bill suggested we become a member of a yacht club to cut down on our cruising expenses. The image that I conjure up when someone mentions yacht clubs is an elitist club. However, we have come to learn that they come in all shapes and sizes.

  • Ethical Sailing

     4 minute read

    A couple months ago, we decided to experiment with ways to go green. For us this means, living deliberately and raising our awareness about how we impact the world around us. Here are a few updates on our progress towards ethical sailing. Happy World Oceans Day!

  • Living Space

     4 minute read

    In part 5, we conclude our downsizing process that began with 30-weeks to minimalism. This beautiful living space conceals stowage for spares, spares and more spares.

  • Sea Foodie

     4 minute read

    In the 4th part of our 30-weeks to minimalism series, we tackle the galley. Once again, we will need to think critically about what items are used daily now and can still serve us in the future aboard a sailboat. Here is how a “sea foodie” would approach it.

  • Boat Head

     4 minute read

    30-weeks to minimalism launched our 5 part series on how to downsize for the rest of your life. We followed this up with how to tackle sentimental items as well as clothes. In part 3 of this series, we address the boat head.

  • Packing Light

     9 minute read

    How do you pack for the rest of your life in order to live full-time on a sailboat? Packing light becomes an imperative.

  • Project Slocum Update

     4 minute read

    For those curious, here is a Project Slocum update. We scraped all our pennies together and put a deposit on s/v Rachel J Slocum. We are officially in escrow… Time to celebrate!

  • Free will or fate

     11 minute read

    Free will or fate is about how Life sometimes throws you curveballs and gives you an opportunity to face adversity but also to grow closer together. In short succession, we had three such curveballs thrown at us and this is how we fared.

  • Water water everywhere

     5 minute read

    What else is there to do while you’re observing stay-at-home orders until May 15th during this pandemic? We performed a little experiment at home to measure the amount of water used while showering so we could figure out how long can we daydream in the shower.

  • Cook Now, Explore Later

     8 minute read

    Cook now explore later is the story of our pandemic life as we are all doing our part: to stay home and save lives. In this post, we feature tried and true recipes that we cook in our home throughout the year. We believe these recipes will transition perfectly aboard a sailboat.

  • 2020 Sailing Plan

     6 minute read

    During these times of uncertainty, it is helpful to sketch out a preliminary plan to feel like you have control over something. Also, it’s a pleasant distraction from the 24/7 coronavirus news. Here is our 2020 Sailing Plan.

  • Boat Purchase

     5 minute read

    Buying a boat can be overwhelming. Follow these 8 steps… and come up with a game plan that answers as much as you can before you make an offer on a boat. This will be an iterative process as you narrow down your preferences. We hope these tips and resources help.

  • Every 6 Weeks

     3 minute read

    With salons and barbers closed these days during coronavirus, you may also want to give DIY haircuts every 6 weeks.

  • Climb until you fall

     6 minute read

    Climb until you fall is about dialing in sailing skills from a pro and learning Bill’s beta aboard a schooner to begin sailing around the world.

  • Project Slocum Part 4

     9 minute read

    As we shared previously in Part 1-3 of this series, we didn’t take this trip lightly. We went ahead with it, and now in Project Slocum Part 4, we share our thoughts on the trip, much like a day-in-the-life.

  • Project Slocum Part 3

     5 minute read

    In Project Slocum Part 3, we provide updates on a few different topics since they all seem to interplay this week leading up to our trip to Ft. Lauderdale.

  • Project Slocum Part 2

     2 minute read

    In Project Slocum Part 2 of 5, we explore the following idea: Sailing on a boat really seems like a reasonable post-apocalyptic plan.

  • Project Slocum Part 1

     4 minute read

    Project Slocum Part 1 - due diligence on buying a boat is much like buying a house. Just as you may make an offer contingent on several variables, in the case of buying a boat it will be contingent on a marine survey and a sea trial.

  • Happy Anniversary

     4 minute read

    Happy anniversary! Andrew and I are unlike most couples. We celebrated by climbing and boat shopping on our anniversary. Since life is short, why not spend your time pursuing your passions?

  • Boot 2020

     8 minute read

    There’s no better way to shop for a boat than at the largest boat show in the world, Boot 2020, held in Dusseldorf each year.

Back to Top ↑

coronavirus

  • New River Adventures

     6 minute read

    We’ve now spent one week living on a boat and thought it would be a good time to reflect on what it’s been like. What’s the same? What’s different? If you’re on the fence about whether a voyaging life is for you, perhaps a glimpse of our experience will inform your decision.

  • All Aboard

     4 minute read

    Pick one room and make it yours. Go slowly through the boat. Be polite, introduce yourself, so she can introduce herself to you.

  • Minimalist Me

     9 minute read

    As we are flying across the country to s/v Rachel J Slocum, we wanted to share the final installment on how we became minimalists in less than 30 weeks.

  • Farewell Harriet, Hello Rachel

     6 minute read

    When we returned from Florida, we spent an exhausting week packing and loading the POD. Why is it that when we had 20% left to go, it was so much harder than going through the initial 80% of our stuff? Here is an update on how we stand in the final weeks of our 30-weeks to minimalism plan.

  • Pantry Proteins

     11 minute read

    There is a vast world of canned proteins - roast beef, chicken, clams, shrimp, etc. - that I have avoided most of my life. In preparation for our voyaging life, I have decided to explore this world of pantry proteins now.

  • Lollipop Moment

     5 minute read

    Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. ~ Marianne Williamson

  • Peaches and Cream

     5 minute read

    It’s July and after celebrating Independence Day, I know no better way to enjoy the summer than with peaches and cream. 

  • Canned Food Recipes

     9 minute read

    During the pandemic, we’ve been having fun performing culinary experiments with canned food recipes and figuring out how to provision for offshore cruising. We hand-picked the tastiest recipes which are easy to cook while making passage or at anchor.

  • Happy Birthday

     7 minute read

    Staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic sure makes it hard to plan a surprise for Andrew. I am probably nuts to be posting a happy birthday blog weeks in advance, as it may tip my hand on my plans. But it sure is fun to see what will happen!

  • Support Local

     7 minute read

    What are you willing to do to support local businesses? In our latest post, find out our approach. It may involve taking calculated risks in order to live a full life.

  • Lavender and Sage

     3 minute read

    Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, I would take along my current knitting project wherever I go. Sometimes while standing in line, I will pull out my project and begin to knit. Others look at their cellphone, I knit. 

  • Water water everywhere

     5 minute read

    What else is there to do while you’re observing stay-at-home orders until May 15th during this pandemic? We performed a little experiment at home to measure the amount of water used while showering so we could figure out how long can we daydream in the shower.

  • Cook Now, Explore Later

     8 minute read

    Cook now explore later is the story of our pandemic life as we are all doing our part: to stay home and save lives. In this post, we feature tried and true recipes that we cook in our home throughout the year. We believe these recipes will transition perfectly aboard a sailboat.

  • 2020 Sailing Plan

     6 minute read

    During these times of uncertainty, it is helpful to sketch out a preliminary plan to feel like you have control over something. Also, it’s a pleasant distraction from the 24/7 coronavirus news. Here is our 2020 Sailing Plan.

  • 30 Weeks to Minimalism

     5 minute read

    30 weeks to minimalism begins with a game plan and time. Rather than replace a busy schedule with another busy schedule, give yourself time. Find stillness in the day for introspection and self-discovery.

  • Going Green

     5 minute read

    To us, sailing will bring us a life of adventure, and it will also bring us closer to nature as we witness that our choices will make a direct impact on the world around us. In this post, we talk about ways of going green.

  • Upcycle R Us

     4 minute read

    With few options to buy items in stores due to coronavirus, here is an opportunity to break a habit. Rather than instinctually ordering online, why not look around your house & create a solution based on what you already have?

  • Every 6 Weeks

     3 minute read

    With salons and barbers closed these days during coronavirus, you may also want to give DIY haircuts every 6 weeks.

  • Set your waypoint

     6 minute read

    Rather than overreact to coronavirus media hype, set your waypoint & maintain a steady course through these rough seas we call life.

  • Climb until you fall

     6 minute read

    Climb until you fall is about dialing in sailing skills from a pro and learning Bill’s beta aboard a schooner to begin sailing around the world.

  • Go/No-go Decision

     10 minute read

    Tumultuous would be le mot juste to describe the following week. As the week progressed, we would have to face a go/no-go decision to buy RJ Slocum.

  • Project Slocum Part 5

     11 minute read

    With the final installment, Project Slocum Part 5 reveals our second day aboard RJS, continued discussions with her owners, and our go/no-go decision.

  • Project Slocum Part 4

     9 minute read

    As we shared previously in Part 1-3 of this series, we didn’t take this trip lightly. We went ahead with it, and now in Project Slocum Part 4, we share our thoughts on the trip, much like a day-in-the-life.

  • Project Slocum Part 3

     5 minute read

    In Project Slocum Part 3, we provide updates on a few different topics since they all seem to interplay this week leading up to our trip to Ft. Lauderdale.

  • Project Slocum Part 2

     2 minute read

    In Project Slocum Part 2 of 5, we explore the following idea: Sailing on a boat really seems like a reasonable post-apocalyptic plan.

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leanintovalues

  • History Buffs

     6 minute read

    Perhaps when you meet a new boat owner who has invested in a 30-year old boat, it screams history buff. Perhaps it doesn’t. But Rich had us pegged for sailors who are nostalgic for a simpler life and can find value in learning from the pages of history.

  • Beautiful People

     4 minute read

    Fundamentally, we are all social creatures and want to feel a connection to others and a sense of purpose. I found that connection based on social status, brands, what or who you know felt quite hollow. We are not beautiful people.

  • Matching Gifts

     4 minute read

    How do you prioritize what to do when you downsize your home? We independently came to the same conclusion - to maximize matching gifts is our first priority, then speed and lastly value.

  • Philanthropy

     5 minute read

    One of the first posts we published on SerenadeWind talks about our relationship with money. When we began to dig into that topic, a natural extension to pursuing a minimalist life is a life of philanthropy. 

  • LinkedIn

     4 minute read

    If you tried to send me a Linkedin request over the past dozen years or so, chances are I didn’t see it. Apologies if you think I was ignoring you. Please don’t take it personally. I was ignoring Linkedin.

  • Living Space

     4 minute read

    In part 5, we conclude our downsizing process that began with 30-weeks to minimalism. This beautiful living space conceals stowage for spares, spares and more spares.

  • Sea Foodie

     4 minute read

    In the 4th part of our 30-weeks to minimalism series, we tackle the galley. Once again, we will need to think critically about what items are used daily now and can still serve us in the future aboard a sailboat. Here is how a “sea foodie” would approach it.

  • Boat Head

     4 minute read

    30-weeks to minimalism launched our 5 part series on how to downsize for the rest of your life. We followed this up with how to tackle sentimental items as well as clothes. In part 3 of this series, we address the boat head.

  • Packing Light

     9 minute read

    How do you pack for the rest of your life in order to live full-time on a sailboat? Packing light becomes an imperative.

  • Support Local

     7 minute read

    What are you willing to do to support local businesses? In our latest post, find out our approach. It may involve taking calculated risks in order to live a full life.

  • Lavender and Sage

     3 minute read

    Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, I would take along my current knitting project wherever I go. Sometimes while standing in line, I will pull out my project and begin to knit. Others look at their cellphone, I knit. 

  • Throw back

     7 minute read

    One of the hardest areas to tackle when downsizing and purging your belongings is figuring out what to do with sentimental items. I thought clothes would be tough. They were a breeze compared to this. Then, I discovered 3 reasons in their favor: learning tool, empathy and throw back.

  • Water water everywhere

     5 minute read

    What else is there to do while you’re observing stay-at-home orders until May 15th during this pandemic? We performed a little experiment at home to measure the amount of water used while showering so we could figure out how long can we daydream in the shower.

  • Boat Purchase

     5 minute read

    Buying a boat can be overwhelming. Follow these 8 steps… and come up with a game plan that answers as much as you can before you make an offer on a boat. This will be an iterative process as you narrow down your preferences. We hope these tips and resources help.

  • 30 Weeks to Minimalism

     5 minute read

    30 weeks to minimalism begins with a game plan and time. Rather than replace a busy schedule with another busy schedule, give yourself time. Find stillness in the day for introspection and self-discovery.

  • Project Slocum Part 5

     11 minute read

    With the final installment, Project Slocum Part 5 reveals our second day aboard RJS, continued discussions with her owners, and our go/no-go decision.

  • Going with the Flow

     5 minute read

    At some point, Andrew asked the question, why don’t we just take it easy. We’ll play the weekend by ear and not decide now. Find out how a “recovering planner” would react to going with the flow.

  • Eye of the Storm

     4 minute read

    Although we are still in the eye of the storm, it feels like we are about to turn a corner.

  • Relationship with Money

     6 minute read

    What is your relationship with money? In this post, we explore this topic. At this stage in our lives, we are not compelled to accumulate money just as we are not compelled to accumulate possessions. Why? Because they end up owning you…

  • Past, Present and Future

     3 minute read

    After a couple weeks spent with ideas about the future pinballing around in my mind, I finally got some closure on a few things. The present is the only time that you actually have control…

  • Sailing Around the World

     4 minute read

    Sailing around the world is bringing your home wherever you travel. To get started you need to learn to let go of living on land, move aboard a sailboat and find your dream job.

  • Time to go to the Whiteboard

     3 minute read

    We took a hard look at how we were spending our time each week. While we didn’t like what we were seeing, we also saw this as an opportunity to ask some hard questions. And to solve them, it was time to go to the whiteboard.

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boatpurchase

  • Huon Pine Dinghy

     5 minute read

    Only a one-of-a-kind Huon Pine sailing dinghy would suit a one-of-a-kind Kevlar staysail schooner, RJ Slocum. Here’s the backstory on this unique dinghy made of Huon Pine, the prince of timbers.

  • What’s next

     7 minute read

    Andrew and I have the best talks while we’re traveling, and our discussion while flying back from Ft Lauderdale was no different. We took stock of where we are and began to explore what’s next for us.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 5

     5 minute read

    After 6 long months, we did it. We turned over the largest check we’ve ever written, and s/v Rachel J Slocum is finally ours!

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 4

     6 minute read

    In Part 4 of the Survey & Sea Trial series, we describe what to expect from a sea trial and how RJ Slocum fared.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 3

     9 minute read

    What can you expect from a haul out for bottom paint and marine survey? Find out in Part 3 of the Survey & Sea Trial series.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 2

     8 minute read

    We’re in Ft Lauderdale taking the next step of our due diligence process on s/v Rachel J Slocum. In Part 2 of the Survey & Sea Trial series, we cover some armchair sailing research on what’s involved in marine surveys and sea trials.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 1

     5 minute read

    It’s been quite a year of transitions and so we wanted to do a round-up post of what we’ve done so far this year, introduce part 1 of the Survey & Sea Trial series and of course celebrate Denise’s birthday.

  • Happy Birthday

     7 minute read

    Staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic sure makes it hard to plan a surprise for Andrew. I am probably nuts to be posting a happy birthday blog weeks in advance, as it may tip my hand on my plans. But it sure is fun to see what will happen!

  • Project Slocum Update

     4 minute read

    For those curious, here is a Project Slocum update. We scraped all our pennies together and put a deposit on s/v Rachel J Slocum. We are officially in escrow… Time to celebrate!

  • 2020 Sailing Plan

     6 minute read

    During these times of uncertainty, it is helpful to sketch out a preliminary plan to feel like you have control over something. Also, it’s a pleasant distraction from the 24/7 coronavirus news. Here is our 2020 Sailing Plan.

  • Boat Purchase

     5 minute read

    Buying a boat can be overwhelming. Follow these 8 steps… and come up with a game plan that answers as much as you can before you make an offer on a boat. This will be an iterative process as you narrow down your preferences. We hope these tips and resources help.

  • Go/No-go Decision

     10 minute read

    Tumultuous would be le mot juste to describe the following week. As the week progressed, we would have to face a go/no-go decision to buy RJ Slocum.

  • Project Slocum Part 5

     11 minute read

    With the final installment, Project Slocum Part 5 reveals our second day aboard RJS, continued discussions with her owners, and our go/no-go decision.

  • Project Slocum Part 4

     9 minute read

    As we shared previously in Part 1-3 of this series, we didn’t take this trip lightly. We went ahead with it, and now in Project Slocum Part 4, we share our thoughts on the trip, much like a day-in-the-life.

  • Project Slocum Part 3

     5 minute read

    In Project Slocum Part 3, we provide updates on a few different topics since they all seem to interplay this week leading up to our trip to Ft. Lauderdale.

  • Project Slocum Part 2

     2 minute read

    In Project Slocum Part 2 of 5, we explore the following idea: Sailing on a boat really seems like a reasonable post-apocalyptic plan.

  • Project Slocum Part 1

     4 minute read

    Project Slocum Part 1 - due diligence on buying a boat is much like buying a house. Just as you may make an offer contingent on several variables, in the case of buying a boat it will be contingent on a marine survey and a sea trial.

  • Eye of the Storm

     4 minute read

    Although we are still in the eye of the storm, it feels like we are about to turn a corner.

  • Past, Present and Future

     3 minute read

    After a couple weeks spent with ideas about the future pinballing around in my mind, I finally got some closure on a few things. The present is the only time that you actually have control…

  • Happy Anniversary

     4 minute read

    Happy anniversary! Andrew and I are unlike most couples. We celebrated by climbing and boat shopping on our anniversary. Since life is short, why not spend your time pursuing your passions?

  • Boot 2020

     8 minute read

    There’s no better way to shop for a boat than at the largest boat show in the world, Boot 2020, held in Dusseldorf each year.

  • When First We Saw Rachel J Slocum

     7 minute read

    There isn’t any one perfect boat for everyone. The boat you choose should be safe, comfortable, well built, and ideally capable of fast passages while proving to be a good investment. When first we saw Rachel J Slocum, we knew we found the perfect boat for us.

Back to Top ↑

projectslocum

  • What’s next

     7 minute read

    Andrew and I have the best talks while we’re traveling, and our discussion while flying back from Ft Lauderdale was no different. We took stock of where we are and began to explore what’s next for us.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 5

     5 minute read

    After 6 long months, we did it. We turned over the largest check we’ve ever written, and s/v Rachel J Slocum is finally ours!

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 4

     6 minute read

    In Part 4 of the Survey & Sea Trial series, we describe what to expect from a sea trial and how RJ Slocum fared.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 3

     9 minute read

    What can you expect from a haul out for bottom paint and marine survey? Find out in Part 3 of the Survey & Sea Trial series.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 2

     8 minute read

    We’re in Ft Lauderdale taking the next step of our due diligence process on s/v Rachel J Slocum. In Part 2 of the Survey & Sea Trial series, we cover some armchair sailing research on what’s involved in marine surveys and sea trials.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 1

     5 minute read

    It’s been quite a year of transitions and so we wanted to do a round-up post of what we’ve done so far this year, introduce part 1 of the Survey & Sea Trial series and of course celebrate Denise’s birthday.

  • Talk Like a Pirate

     5 minute read

    On September 19th of each year since 2002, the world over celebrates international talk like a pirate day. Now that we are one signature away from becoming owners of a schooner, we thought we might get a little bit more into the spirit of things.

  • Living Space

     4 minute read

    In part 5, we conclude our downsizing process that began with 30-weeks to minimalism. This beautiful living space conceals stowage for spares, spares and more spares.

  • Sea Foodie

     4 minute read

    In the 4th part of our 30-weeks to minimalism series, we tackle the galley. Once again, we will need to think critically about what items are used daily now and can still serve us in the future aboard a sailboat. Here is how a “sea foodie” would approach it.

  • Boat Head

     4 minute read

    30-weeks to minimalism launched our 5 part series on how to downsize for the rest of your life. We followed this up with how to tackle sentimental items as well as clothes. In part 3 of this series, we address the boat head.

  • Packing Light

     9 minute read

    How do you pack for the rest of your life in order to live full-time on a sailboat? Packing light becomes an imperative.

  • Lavender and Sage

     3 minute read

    Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, I would take along my current knitting project wherever I go. Sometimes while standing in line, I will pull out my project and begin to knit. Others look at their cellphone, I knit. 

  • 2020 Sailing Plan

     6 minute read

    During these times of uncertainty, it is helpful to sketch out a preliminary plan to feel like you have control over something. Also, it’s a pleasant distraction from the 24/7 coronavirus news. Here is our 2020 Sailing Plan.

  • Climb until you fall

     6 minute read

    Climb until you fall is about dialing in sailing skills from a pro and learning Bill’s beta aboard a schooner to begin sailing around the world.

  • Go/No-go Decision

     10 minute read

    Tumultuous would be le mot juste to describe the following week. As the week progressed, we would have to face a go/no-go decision to buy RJ Slocum.

  • Project Slocum Part 5

     11 minute read

    With the final installment, Project Slocum Part 5 reveals our second day aboard RJS, continued discussions with her owners, and our go/no-go decision.

  • Project Slocum Part 4

     9 minute read

    As we shared previously in Part 1-3 of this series, we didn’t take this trip lightly. We went ahead with it, and now in Project Slocum Part 4, we share our thoughts on the trip, much like a day-in-the-life.

  • Project Slocum Part 3

     5 minute read

    In Project Slocum Part 3, we provide updates on a few different topics since they all seem to interplay this week leading up to our trip to Ft. Lauderdale.

  • Project Slocum Part 2

     2 minute read

    In Project Slocum Part 2 of 5, we explore the following idea: Sailing on a boat really seems like a reasonable post-apocalyptic plan.

  • Project Slocum Part 1

     4 minute read

    Project Slocum Part 1 - due diligence on buying a boat is much like buying a house. Just as you may make an offer contingent on several variables, in the case of buying a boat it will be contingent on a marine survey and a sea trial.

  • When First We Saw Rachel J Slocum

     7 minute read

    There isn’t any one perfect boat for everyone. The boat you choose should be safe, comfortable, well built, and ideally capable of fast passages while proving to be a good investment. When first we saw Rachel J Slocum, we knew we found the perfect boat for us.

Back to Top ↑

duediligence

  • What’s next

     7 minute read

    Andrew and I have the best talks while we’re traveling, and our discussion while flying back from Ft Lauderdale was no different. We took stock of where we are and began to explore what’s next for us.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 5

     5 minute read

    After 6 long months, we did it. We turned over the largest check we’ve ever written, and s/v Rachel J Slocum is finally ours!

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 4

     6 minute read

    In Part 4 of the Survey & Sea Trial series, we describe what to expect from a sea trial and how RJ Slocum fared.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 3

     9 minute read

    What can you expect from a haul out for bottom paint and marine survey? Find out in Part 3 of the Survey & Sea Trial series.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 2

     8 minute read

    We’re in Ft Lauderdale taking the next step of our due diligence process on s/v Rachel J Slocum. In Part 2 of the Survey & Sea Trial series, we cover some armchair sailing research on what’s involved in marine surveys and sea trials.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 1

     5 minute read

    It’s been quite a year of transitions and so we wanted to do a round-up post of what we’ve done so far this year, introduce part 1 of the Survey & Sea Trial series and of course celebrate Denise’s birthday.

  • Talk Like a Pirate

     5 minute read

    On September 19th of each year since 2002, the world over celebrates international talk like a pirate day. Now that we are one signature away from becoming owners of a schooner, we thought we might get a little bit more into the spirit of things.

  • Yacht Club

     6 minute read

    A few weeks ago, Bill suggested we become a member of a yacht club to cut down on our cruising expenses. The image that I conjure up when someone mentions yacht clubs is an elitist club. However, we have come to learn that they come in all shapes and sizes.

  • Free will or fate

     11 minute read

    Free will or fate is about how Life sometimes throws you curveballs and gives you an opportunity to face adversity but also to grow closer together. In short succession, we had three such curveballs thrown at us and this is how we fared.

  • Water water everywhere

     5 minute read

    What else is there to do while you’re observing stay-at-home orders until May 15th during this pandemic? We performed a little experiment at home to measure the amount of water used while showering so we could figure out how long can we daydream in the shower.

  • 2020 Sailing Plan

     6 minute read

    During these times of uncertainty, it is helpful to sketch out a preliminary plan to feel like you have control over something. Also, it’s a pleasant distraction from the 24/7 coronavirus news. Here is our 2020 Sailing Plan.

  • Boat Purchase

     5 minute read

    Buying a boat can be overwhelming. Follow these 8 steps… and come up with a game plan that answers as much as you can before you make an offer on a boat. This will be an iterative process as you narrow down your preferences. We hope these tips and resources help.

  • Project Slocum Part 5

     11 minute read

    With the final installment, Project Slocum Part 5 reveals our second day aboard RJS, continued discussions with her owners, and our go/no-go decision.

  • Project Slocum Part 4

     9 minute read

    As we shared previously in Part 1-3 of this series, we didn’t take this trip lightly. We went ahead with it, and now in Project Slocum Part 4, we share our thoughts on the trip, much like a day-in-the-life.

  • Project Slocum Part 2

     2 minute read

    In Project Slocum Part 2 of 5, we explore the following idea: Sailing on a boat really seems like a reasonable post-apocalyptic plan.

  • Project Slocum Part 1

     4 minute read

    Project Slocum Part 1 - due diligence on buying a boat is much like buying a house. Just as you may make an offer contingent on several variables, in the case of buying a boat it will be contingent on a marine survey and a sea trial.

  • Boot 2020

     8 minute read

    There’s no better way to shop for a boat than at the largest boat show in the world, Boot 2020, held in Dusseldorf each year.

  • When First We Saw Rachel J Slocum

     7 minute read

    There isn’t any one perfect boat for everyone. The boat you choose should be safe, comfortable, well built, and ideally capable of fast passages while proving to be a good investment. When first we saw Rachel J Slocum, we knew we found the perfect boat for us.

Back to Top ↑

minimalist

  • What’s next

     7 minute read

    Andrew and I have the best talks while we’re traveling, and our discussion while flying back from Ft Lauderdale was no different. We took stock of where we are and began to explore what’s next for us.

  • Shutterbug

     4 minute read

    Traveling by sailboat affords us the opportunity to capture the world through our eyes and to share them with you.

  • Hippo Book

     5 minute read

    A few months ago, Jan Wooller got in touch with us. Along with her sage advice, she sent along a copy of her book, “We Hate Hippos - Stories of a Sea Gypsy’s Life.” I take the Hippo book (which I have come to refer to it with Andrew) as knowledge dispensed from a friend who is looking out for you. 

  • Matching Gifts

     4 minute read

    How do you prioritize what to do when you downsize your home? We independently came to the same conclusion - to maximize matching gifts is our first priority, then speed and lastly value.

  • In the Arena

     7 minute read

    For those of you about to jump in the arena to begin a voyaging life, your critics will come from any (and all) directions. Depending on how much you value that relationship, you will need to come up with ways of dealing with this dynamic. Here are the five ways we handled this.

  • Philanthropy

     5 minute read

    One of the first posts we published on SerenadeWind talks about our relationship with money. When we began to dig into that topic, a natural extension to pursuing a minimalist life is a life of philanthropy. 

  • Lifecycle of Ingredients

     2 minute read

    If you’ve followed our Culinary Adventures, you’ll start to see a theme of no waste in this household. We love cooking and riffing off recipes and sometimes this will evolve over the lifecycle of ingredients to create some fun, novel adventures in cooking and help us when we live aboard RJ Slocum.

  • Canned Food Recipes

     9 minute read

    During the pandemic, we’ve been having fun performing culinary experiments with canned food recipes and figuring out how to provision for offshore cruising. We hand-picked the tastiest recipes which are easy to cook while making passage or at anchor.

  • Ethical Sailing

     4 minute read

    A couple months ago, we decided to experiment with ways to go green. For us this means, living deliberately and raising our awareness about how we impact the world around us. Here are a few updates on our progress towards ethical sailing. Happy World Oceans Day!

  • Living Space

     4 minute read

    In part 5, we conclude our downsizing process that began with 30-weeks to minimalism. This beautiful living space conceals stowage for spares, spares and more spares.

  • Sea Foodie

     4 minute read

    In the 4th part of our 30-weeks to minimalism series, we tackle the galley. Once again, we will need to think critically about what items are used daily now and can still serve us in the future aboard a sailboat. Here is how a “sea foodie” would approach it.

  • Boat Head

     4 minute read

    30-weeks to minimalism launched our 5 part series on how to downsize for the rest of your life. We followed this up with how to tackle sentimental items as well as clothes. In part 3 of this series, we address the boat head.

  • Packing Light

     9 minute read

    How do you pack for the rest of your life in order to live full-time on a sailboat? Packing light becomes an imperative.

  • Lavender and Sage

     3 minute read

    Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, I would take along my current knitting project wherever I go. Sometimes while standing in line, I will pull out my project and begin to knit. Others look at their cellphone, I knit. 

  • 30 Weeks to Minimalism

     5 minute read

    30 weeks to minimalism begins with a game plan and time. Rather than replace a busy schedule with another busy schedule, give yourself time. Find stillness in the day for introspection and self-discovery.

  • Going Green

     5 minute read

    To us, sailing will bring us a life of adventure, and it will also bring us closer to nature as we witness that our choices will make a direct impact on the world around us. In this post, we talk about ways of going green.

  • Upcycle R Us

     4 minute read

    With few options to buy items in stores due to coronavirus, here is an opportunity to break a habit. Rather than instinctually ordering online, why not look around your house & create a solution based on what you already have?

  • Eye of the Storm

     4 minute read

    Although we are still in the eye of the storm, it feels like we are about to turn a corner.

Back to Top ↑

bluewater

  • Counting Chickens

     9 minute read

    Two weeks after moving aboard, we finally (touch wood) had refrigeration on our boat. Are we counting chickens before they’re hatched? Here’s a day-in-the-life account of tackling this repair.

  • Captain Rich and Lyn

     5 minute read

    One of the key selling points of the voyaging lifestyle is becoming a part of the community of sailors. We know of no better way of being introduced to this community than to have as neighbors, Captain Rich and his girlfriend Lyn.

  • Hippo Book

     5 minute read

    A few months ago, Jan Wooller got in touch with us. Along with her sage advice, she sent along a copy of her book, “We Hate Hippos - Stories of a Sea Gypsy’s Life.” I take the Hippo book (which I have come to refer to it with Andrew) as knowledge dispensed from a friend who is looking out for you. 

  • Lifecycle of Ingredients

     2 minute read

    If you’ve followed our Culinary Adventures, you’ll start to see a theme of no waste in this household. We love cooking and riffing off recipes and sometimes this will evolve over the lifecycle of ingredients to create some fun, novel adventures in cooking and help us when we live aboard RJ Slocum.

  • History

     7 minute read

    We’ve been digging into a little history about RJ Slocum and her first chapter which spans over 30 years. Here’s what we discovered.

  • Yacht Club

     6 minute read

    A few weeks ago, Bill suggested we become a member of a yacht club to cut down on our cruising expenses. The image that I conjure up when someone mentions yacht clubs is an elitist club. However, we have come to learn that they come in all shapes and sizes.

  • Ethical Sailing

     4 minute read

    A couple months ago, we decided to experiment with ways to go green. For us this means, living deliberately and raising our awareness about how we impact the world around us. Here are a few updates on our progress towards ethical sailing. Happy World Oceans Day!

  • Living Space

     4 minute read

    In part 5, we conclude our downsizing process that began with 30-weeks to minimalism. This beautiful living space conceals stowage for spares, spares and more spares.

  • Sea Foodie

     4 minute read

    In the 4th part of our 30-weeks to minimalism series, we tackle the galley. Once again, we will need to think critically about what items are used daily now and can still serve us in the future aboard a sailboat. Here is how a “sea foodie” would approach it.

  • Boat Head

     4 minute read

    30-weeks to minimalism launched our 5 part series on how to downsize for the rest of your life. We followed this up with how to tackle sentimental items as well as clothes. In part 3 of this series, we address the boat head.

  • Packing Light

     9 minute read

    How do you pack for the rest of your life in order to live full-time on a sailboat? Packing light becomes an imperative.

  • Project Slocum Update

     4 minute read

    For those curious, here is a Project Slocum update. We scraped all our pennies together and put a deposit on s/v Rachel J Slocum. We are officially in escrow… Time to celebrate!

  • Free will or fate

     11 minute read

    Free will or fate is about how Life sometimes throws you curveballs and gives you an opportunity to face adversity but also to grow closer together. In short succession, we had three such curveballs thrown at us and this is how we fared.

  • 2020 Sailing Plan

     6 minute read

    During these times of uncertainty, it is helpful to sketch out a preliminary plan to feel like you have control over something. Also, it’s a pleasant distraction from the 24/7 coronavirus news. Here is our 2020 Sailing Plan.

  • Going Green

     5 minute read

    To us, sailing will bring us a life of adventure, and it will also bring us closer to nature as we witness that our choices will make a direct impact on the world around us. In this post, we talk about ways of going green.

  • Climb until you fall

     6 minute read

    Climb until you fall is about dialing in sailing skills from a pro and learning Bill’s beta aboard a schooner to begin sailing around the world.

  • When First We Saw Rachel J Slocum

     7 minute read

    There isn’t any one perfect boat for everyone. The boat you choose should be safe, comfortable, well built, and ideally capable of fast passages while proving to be a good investment. When first we saw Rachel J Slocum, we knew we found the perfect boat for us.

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lifereset

  • Moving forward

     3 minute read

    I want to take a moment to say Thank You to the amazing people that have been following our adventure so far. It’s an overdue thank you triggered by the overwhelming response to our previous post. In reality, your encouragement has been ever present since our little blog debuted. We are grateful to all of you.

  • New River Adventures

     6 minute read

    We’ve now spent one week living on a boat and thought it would be a good time to reflect on what it’s been like. What’s the same? What’s different? If you’re on the fence about whether a voyaging life is for you, perhaps a glimpse of our experience will inform your decision.

  • All Aboard

     4 minute read

    Pick one room and make it yours. Go slowly through the boat. Be polite, introduce yourself, so she can introduce herself to you.

  • Minimalist Me

     9 minute read

    As we are flying across the country to s/v Rachel J Slocum, we wanted to share the final installment on how we became minimalists in less than 30 weeks.

  • Youtube or not Youtube

     7 minute read

    Should we start a Youtube channel? In today’s post, we talk through our strategy in light of our priorities and what’s going on in the world.

  • Farewell Harriet, Hello Rachel

     6 minute read

    When we returned from Florida, we spent an exhausting week packing and loading the POD. Why is it that when we had 20% left to go, it was so much harder than going through the initial 80% of our stuff? Here is an update on how we stand in the final weeks of our 30-weeks to minimalism plan.

  • Join the Crew

     2 minute read

    We would like to invite you to join the Serenade Wind crew. In this post, find out what it means to be part of the crew, unlock the pirate’s booty, and receive other exclusive access and benefits.

  • Sleepless to Seattle

     6 minute read

    After a few months of planning and negotations, we finally have a chance to see our girls following a long roadtrip we are calling “Sleepless to Seattle”.

  • Lollipop Moment

     5 minute read

    Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. ~ Marianne Williamson

  • Throw back

     7 minute read

    One of the hardest areas to tackle when downsizing and purging your belongings is figuring out what to do with sentimental items. I thought clothes would be tough. They were a breeze compared to this. Then, I discovered 3 reasons in their favor: learning tool, empathy and throw back.

  • 30 Weeks to Minimalism

     5 minute read

    30 weeks to minimalism begins with a game plan and time. Rather than replace a busy schedule with another busy schedule, give yourself time. Find stillness in the day for introspection and self-discovery.

  • Upcycle R Us

     4 minute read

    With few options to buy items in stores due to coronavirus, here is an opportunity to break a habit. Rather than instinctually ordering online, why not look around your house & create a solution based on what you already have?

  • Set your waypoint

     6 minute read

    Rather than overreact to coronavirus media hype, set your waypoint & maintain a steady course through these rough seas we call life.

  • Eye of the Storm

     4 minute read

    Although we are still in the eye of the storm, it feels like we are about to turn a corner.

  • Past, Present and Future

     3 minute read

    After a couple weeks spent with ideas about the future pinballing around in my mind, I finally got some closure on a few things. The present is the only time that you actually have control…

  • Time to go to the Whiteboard

     3 minute read

    We took a hard look at how we were spending our time each week. While we didn’t like what we were seeing, we also saw this as an opportunity to ask some hard questions. And to solve them, it was time to go to the whiteboard.

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powerofwhy

  • Microplastics

     2 minute read

    We found inspiration in Ocean Research Project’s slate of activities and wanted to put a spotlight on microplastics, climate change and other research topics.

  • Youtube or not Youtube

     7 minute read

    Should we start a Youtube channel? In today’s post, we talk through our strategy in light of our priorities and what’s going on in the world.

  • Farewell Harriet, Hello Rachel

     6 minute read

    When we returned from Florida, we spent an exhausting week packing and loading the POD. Why is it that when we had 20% left to go, it was so much harder than going through the initial 80% of our stuff? Here is an update on how we stand in the final weeks of our 30-weeks to minimalism plan.

  • Branding

     6 minute read

    After revealing the website redesign and the Serenade Wind logo, we wanted to announce some more ways you can connect with Serenade Wind and show your support.

  • Sleepless to Seattle

     6 minute read

    After a few months of planning and negotations, we finally have a chance to see our girls following a long roadtrip we are calling “Sleepless to Seattle”.

  • Lollipop Moment

     5 minute read

    Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. ~ Marianne Williamson

  • Beautiful People

     4 minute read

    Fundamentally, we are all social creatures and want to feel a connection to others and a sense of purpose. I found that connection based on social status, brands, what or who you know felt quite hollow. We are not beautiful people.

  • Website Redesign

     2 minute read

    Over the past few months, Andrew has been working on redesigning serenadewind.com to make our lives easier when we’re offshore. We also took this as an opportunity to improve your experience - intuitive navigation, introduce more content, and pretty it up.

  • LinkedIn

     4 minute read

    If you tried to send me a Linkedin request over the past dozen years or so, chances are I didn’t see it. Apologies if you think I was ignoring you. Please don’t take it personally. I was ignoring Linkedin.

  • Project Slocum Update

     4 minute read

    For those curious, here is a Project Slocum update. We scraped all our pennies together and put a deposit on s/v Rachel J Slocum. We are officially in escrow… Time to celebrate!

  • 30 Weeks to Minimalism

     5 minute read

    30 weeks to minimalism begins with a game plan and time. Rather than replace a busy schedule with another busy schedule, give yourself time. Find stillness in the day for introspection and self-discovery.

  • Project Slocum Part 5

     11 minute read

    With the final installment, Project Slocum Part 5 reveals our second day aboard RJS, continued discussions with her owners, and our go/no-go decision.

  • Relationship with Money

     6 minute read

    What is your relationship with money? In this post, we explore this topic. At this stage in our lives, we are not compelled to accumulate money just as we are not compelled to accumulate possessions. Why? Because they end up owning you…

  • Past, Present and Future

     3 minute read

    After a couple weeks spent with ideas about the future pinballing around in my mind, I finally got some closure on a few things. The present is the only time that you actually have control…

  • Sailing Around the World

     4 minute read

    Sailing around the world is bringing your home wherever you travel. To get started you need to learn to let go of living on land, move aboard a sailboat and find your dream job.

  • Time to go to the Whiteboard

     3 minute read

    We took a hard look at how we were spending our time each week. While we didn’t like what we were seeing, we also saw this as an opportunity to ask some hard questions. And to solve them, it was time to go to the whiteboard.

Back to Top ↑

shelterathome

  • Turkey Day

     3 minute read

    Happy Thanksgiving! Since it’s just the two of us this year and we have a teeny, tiny Force 10 oven, it’s time to get creative on how to cook a Thanksgiving dinner aboard. Here’s what we decided to have.

  • New River Adventures

     6 minute read

    We’ve now spent one week living on a boat and thought it would be a good time to reflect on what it’s been like. What’s the same? What’s different? If you’re on the fence about whether a voyaging life is for you, perhaps a glimpse of our experience will inform your decision.

  • All Aboard

     4 minute read

    Pick one room and make it yours. Go slowly through the boat. Be polite, introduce yourself, so she can introduce herself to you.

  • Minimalist Me

     9 minute read

    As we are flying across the country to s/v Rachel J Slocum, we wanted to share the final installment on how we became minimalists in less than 30 weeks.

  • Farewell Harriet, Hello Rachel

     6 minute read

    When we returned from Florida, we spent an exhausting week packing and loading the POD. Why is it that when we had 20% left to go, it was so much harder than going through the initial 80% of our stuff? Here is an update on how we stand in the final weeks of our 30-weeks to minimalism plan.

  • Pantry Proteins

     11 minute read

    There is a vast world of canned proteins - roast beef, chicken, clams, shrimp, etc. - that I have avoided most of my life. In preparation for our voyaging life, I have decided to explore this world of pantry proteins now.

  • Sleepless to Seattle

     6 minute read

    After a few months of planning and negotations, we finally have a chance to see our girls following a long roadtrip we are calling “Sleepless to Seattle”.

  • Lifecycle of Ingredients

     2 minute read

    If you’ve followed our Culinary Adventures, you’ll start to see a theme of no waste in this household. We love cooking and riffing off recipes and sometimes this will evolve over the lifecycle of ingredients to create some fun, novel adventures in cooking and help us when we live aboard RJ Slocum.

  • Happy Birthday

     7 minute read

    Staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic sure makes it hard to plan a surprise for Andrew. I am probably nuts to be posting a happy birthday blog weeks in advance, as it may tip my hand on my plans. But it sure is fun to see what will happen!

  • Support Local

     7 minute read

    What are you willing to do to support local businesses? In our latest post, find out our approach. It may involve taking calculated risks in order to live a full life.

  • Lavender and Sage

     3 minute read

    Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, I would take along my current knitting project wherever I go. Sometimes while standing in line, I will pull out my project and begin to knit. Others look at their cellphone, I knit. 

  • Cook Now, Explore Later

     8 minute read

    Cook now explore later is the story of our pandemic life as we are all doing our part: to stay home and save lives. In this post, we feature tried and true recipes that we cook in our home throughout the year. We believe these recipes will transition perfectly aboard a sailboat.

  • Every 6 Weeks

     3 minute read

    With salons and barbers closed these days during coronavirus, you may also want to give DIY haircuts every 6 weeks.

  • Set your waypoint

     6 minute read

    Rather than overreact to coronavirus media hype, set your waypoint & maintain a steady course through these rough seas we call life.

  • Go/No-go Decision

     10 minute read

    Tumultuous would be le mot juste to describe the following week. As the week progressed, we would have to face a go/no-go decision to buy RJ Slocum.

  • Relationship with Money

     6 minute read

    What is your relationship with money? In this post, we explore this topic. At this stage in our lives, we are not compelled to accumulate money just as we are not compelled to accumulate possessions. Why? Because they end up owning you…

Back to Top ↑

gowiththeflow

  • Impossible Tuna Tartlets

     5 minute read

    In the first few weeks aboard, we wanted to test all equipment to make sure we can address anything that needs fixing before we cast off. Today’s story features impossible tuna tarlets baked in our Force 10 oven.

  • Counting Chickens

     9 minute read

    Two weeks after moving aboard, we finally (touch wood) had refrigeration on our boat. Are we counting chickens before they’re hatched? Here’s a day-in-the-life account of tackling this repair.

  • Inaugural Dinner

     5 minute read

    Despite my best intentions for making our first dinner aboard to make it feel more like a home, it may have been a little premature and miscalculated.

  • Pantry Proteins

     11 minute read

    There is a vast world of canned proteins - roast beef, chicken, clams, shrimp, etc. - that I have avoided most of my life. In preparation for our voyaging life, I have decided to explore this world of pantry proteins now.

  • Branding

     6 minute read

    After revealing the website redesign and the Serenade Wind logo, we wanted to announce some more ways you can connect with Serenade Wind and show your support.

  • Sleepless to Seattle

     6 minute read

    After a few months of planning and negotations, we finally have a chance to see our girls following a long roadtrip we are calling “Sleepless to Seattle”.

  • Sailing Resume Prequel

     5 minute read

    Andrew got started in sailing well before Denise, and so here is the prequel to the Sailing Resume.

  • New Logo

     8 minute read

    I must admit that I put the cart before the proverbial horse when I wanted to come up with a new logo for Serenade Wind. Andrew set me straight and we took the time to define our brand. Here’s how we approached it.

  • Second Language

     3 minute read

    Like many of you, I am inspired by ideas while in the shower. My latest came as I was puzzling over how to source certain products while we travel around the world. Seems like now’s a good time to level-up on a second language, but which one?

  • Website Redesign

     2 minute read

    Over the past few months, Andrew has been working on redesigning serenadewind.com to make our lives easier when we’re offshore. We also took this as an opportunity to improve your experience - intuitive navigation, introduce more content, and pretty it up.

  • LinkedIn

     4 minute read

    If you tried to send me a Linkedin request over the past dozen years or so, chances are I didn’t see it. Apologies if you think I was ignoring you. Please don’t take it personally. I was ignoring Linkedin.

  • Yacht Club

     6 minute read

    A few weeks ago, Bill suggested we become a member of a yacht club to cut down on our cruising expenses. The image that I conjure up when someone mentions yacht clubs is an elitist club. However, we have come to learn that they come in all shapes and sizes.

  • Project Slocum Update

     4 minute read

    For those curious, here is a Project Slocum update. We scraped all our pennies together and put a deposit on s/v Rachel J Slocum. We are officially in escrow… Time to celebrate!

  • Cook Now, Explore Later

     8 minute read

    Cook now explore later is the story of our pandemic life as we are all doing our part: to stay home and save lives. In this post, we feature tried and true recipes that we cook in our home throughout the year. We believe these recipes will transition perfectly aboard a sailboat.

  • Upcycle R Us

     4 minute read

    With few options to buy items in stores due to coronavirus, here is an opportunity to break a habit. Rather than instinctually ordering online, why not look around your house & create a solution based on what you already have?

  • Going with the Flow

     5 minute read

    At some point, Andrew asked the question, why don’t we just take it easy. We’ll play the weekend by ear and not decide now. Find out how a “recovering planner” would react to going with the flow.

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lifetransitions

  • Tide and Current

     2 minute read

    Not too long ago, checking the weather used to be a 30 second affair, looking to see how hot the day would be and whether to bring a jacket or not. Now that we’ve moved onto a boat, it becomes much more involved, including watching for tides and currents among other variables.

  • Sailing Resume Sequel

     8 minute read

    The cover photo belies the truth about sailing through Greece. We encountered 3 days of storms during our ambitious passage from Corfu to Athens. This trip reawakened our interest in sailing. Two years later, we decided to go for it and buy our own sailboat!

  • Sailing Resume Prequel

     5 minute read

    Andrew got started in sailing well before Denise, and so here is the prequel to the Sailing Resume.

  • Sailing Resume Part 3

     5 minute read

    If you want to take your sailing education to the next level, how about chartering a boat?

  • Sailing Resume Part 2

     9 minute read

    Dinghy sailing and ASA courses are one thing, how about learning to race? Here’s part 2 of the Sailing Resume series.

  • Sailing Resume Part 1

     6 minute read

    How much sailing experience did we have before we decided to become full-time liveaboard cruisers? Find out in our 3-part Sailing Resume series.

  • Where and When

     5 minute read

    Do you know where you are or more importantly when you are? In today’s blog, we explore both questions. Honestly, I didn’t think such basic questions could become such a mind twist.

  • Fictional Prep

     7 minute read

    Recently we began to listen to audiobooks about various cruising grounds so we can get to know the geography, people and culture of the area. We thought it would be helpful to compile a more exhaustive list to share with you.

  • Support Local

     7 minute read

    What are you willing to do to support local businesses? In our latest post, find out our approach. It may involve taking calculated risks in order to live a full life.

  • Free will or fate

     11 minute read

    Free will or fate is about how Life sometimes throws you curveballs and gives you an opportunity to face adversity but also to grow closer together. In short succession, we had three such curveballs thrown at us and this is how we fared.

  • Boat Purchase

     5 minute read

    Buying a boat can be overwhelming. Follow these 8 steps… and come up with a game plan that answers as much as you can before you make an offer on a boat. This will be an iterative process as you narrow down your preferences. We hope these tips and resources help.

  • Project Slocum Part 3

     5 minute read

    In Project Slocum Part 3, we provide updates on a few different topics since they all seem to interplay this week leading up to our trip to Ft. Lauderdale.

  • Eye of the Storm

     4 minute read

    Although we are still in the eye of the storm, it feels like we are about to turn a corner.

  • Sailing Around the World

     4 minute read

    Sailing around the world is bringing your home wherever you travel. To get started you need to learn to let go of living on land, move aboard a sailboat and find your dream job.

Back to Top ↑

svrjslocum

  • I’m a Tracer

     6 minute read

    We are getting to know our boat organically by listening to foreign sounds and investigating unusual smells, which in our case led to tracing boat systems.

  • Huon Pine Dinghy

     5 minute read

    Only a one-of-a-kind Huon Pine sailing dinghy would suit a one-of-a-kind Kevlar staysail schooner, RJ Slocum. Here’s the backstory on this unique dinghy made of Huon Pine, the prince of timbers.

  • What’s next

     7 minute read

    Andrew and I have the best talks while we’re traveling, and our discussion while flying back from Ft Lauderdale was no different. We took stock of where we are and began to explore what’s next for us.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 5

     5 minute read

    After 6 long months, we did it. We turned over the largest check we’ve ever written, and s/v Rachel J Slocum is finally ours!

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 4

     6 minute read

    In Part 4 of the Survey & Sea Trial series, we describe what to expect from a sea trial and how RJ Slocum fared.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 3

     9 minute read

    What can you expect from a haul out for bottom paint and marine survey? Find out in Part 3 of the Survey & Sea Trial series.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 2

     8 minute read

    We’re in Ft Lauderdale taking the next step of our due diligence process on s/v Rachel J Slocum. In Part 2 of the Survey & Sea Trial series, we cover some armchair sailing research on what’s involved in marine surveys and sea trials.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 1

     5 minute read

    It’s been quite a year of transitions and so we wanted to do a round-up post of what we’ve done so far this year, introduce part 1 of the Survey & Sea Trial series and of course celebrate Denise’s birthday.

  • Talk Like a Pirate

     5 minute read

    On September 19th of each year since 2002, the world over celebrates international talk like a pirate day. Now that we are one signature away from becoming owners of a schooner, we thought we might get a little bit more into the spirit of things.

  • Hippo Book

     5 minute read

    A few months ago, Jan Wooller got in touch with us. Along with her sage advice, she sent along a copy of her book, “We Hate Hippos - Stories of a Sea Gypsy’s Life.” I take the Hippo book (which I have come to refer to it with Andrew) as knowledge dispensed from a friend who is looking out for you. 

  • In the Arena

     7 minute read

    For those of you about to jump in the arena to begin a voyaging life, your critics will come from any (and all) directions. Depending on how much you value that relationship, you will need to come up with ways of dealing with this dynamic. Here are the five ways we handled this.

  • History

     7 minute read

    We’ve been digging into a little history about RJ Slocum and her first chapter which spans over 30 years. Here’s what we discovered.

  • When First We Saw Rachel J Slocum

     7 minute read

    There isn’t any one perfect boat for everyone. The boat you choose should be safe, comfortable, well built, and ideally capable of fast passages while proving to be a good investment. When first we saw Rachel J Slocum, we knew we found the perfect boat for us.

Back to Top ↑

diy

  • Counting Chickens

     9 minute read

    Two weeks after moving aboard, we finally (touch wood) had refrigeration on our boat. Are we counting chickens before they’re hatched? Here’s a day-in-the-life account of tackling this repair.

  • Captain Rich and Lyn

     5 minute read

    One of the key selling points of the voyaging lifestyle is becoming a part of the community of sailors. We know of no better way of being introduced to this community than to have as neighbors, Captain Rich and his girlfriend Lyn.

  • Branding

     6 minute read

    After revealing the website redesign and the Serenade Wind logo, we wanted to announce some more ways you can connect with Serenade Wind and show your support.

  • Shutterbug

     4 minute read

    Traveling by sailboat affords us the opportunity to capture the world through our eyes and to share them with you.

  • New Logo

     8 minute read

    I must admit that I put the cart before the proverbial horse when I wanted to come up with a new logo for Serenade Wind. Andrew set me straight and we took the time to define our brand. Here’s how we approached it.

  • Website Redesign

     2 minute read

    Over the past few months, Andrew has been working on redesigning serenadewind.com to make our lives easier when we’re offshore. We also took this as an opportunity to improve your experience - intuitive navigation, introduce more content, and pretty it up.

  • Ethical Sailing

     4 minute read

    A couple months ago, we decided to experiment with ways to go green. For us this means, living deliberately and raising our awareness about how we impact the world around us. Here are a few updates on our progress towards ethical sailing. Happy World Oceans Day!

  • Lavender and Sage

     3 minute read

    Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, I would take along my current knitting project wherever I go. Sometimes while standing in line, I will pull out my project and begin to knit. Others look at their cellphone, I knit. 

  • Going Green

     5 minute read

    To us, sailing will bring us a life of adventure, and it will also bring us closer to nature as we witness that our choices will make a direct impact on the world around us. In this post, we talk about ways of going green.

  • Upcycle R Us

     4 minute read

    With few options to buy items in stores due to coronavirus, here is an opportunity to break a habit. Rather than instinctually ordering online, why not look around your house & create a solution based on what you already have?

  • Every 6 Weeks

     3 minute read

    With salons and barbers closed these days during coronavirus, you may also want to give DIY haircuts every 6 weeks.

  • Climb until you fall

     6 minute read

    Climb until you fall is about dialing in sailing skills from a pro and learning Bill’s beta aboard a schooner to begin sailing around the world.

  • Go/No-go Decision

     10 minute read

    Tumultuous would be le mot juste to describe the following week. As the week progressed, we would have to face a go/no-go decision to buy RJ Slocum.

Back to Top ↑

bestfriend

  • Sailing Resume Sequel

     8 minute read

    The cover photo belies the truth about sailing through Greece. We encountered 3 days of storms during our ambitious passage from Corfu to Athens. This trip reawakened our interest in sailing. Two years later, we decided to go for it and buy our own sailboat!

  • Sailing Resume Prequel

     5 minute read

    Andrew got started in sailing well before Denise, and so here is the prequel to the Sailing Resume.

  • Sailing Resume Part 3

     5 minute read

    If you want to take your sailing education to the next level, how about chartering a boat?

  • Sailing Resume Part 2

     9 minute read

    Dinghy sailing and ASA courses are one thing, how about learning to race? Here’s part 2 of the Sailing Resume series.

  • Sailing Resume Part 1

     6 minute read

    How much sailing experience did we have before we decided to become full-time liveaboard cruisers? Find out in our 3-part Sailing Resume series.

  • Where and When

     5 minute read

    Do you know where you are or more importantly when you are? In today’s blog, we explore both questions. Honestly, I didn’t think such basic questions could become such a mind twist.

  • Fictional Prep

     7 minute read

    Recently we began to listen to audiobooks about various cruising grounds so we can get to know the geography, people and culture of the area. We thought it would be helpful to compile a more exhaustive list to share with you.

  • Beautiful People

     4 minute read

    Fundamentally, we are all social creatures and want to feel a connection to others and a sense of purpose. I found that connection based on social status, brands, what or who you know felt quite hollow. We are not beautiful people.

  • Happy Birthday

     7 minute read

    Staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic sure makes it hard to plan a surprise for Andrew. I am probably nuts to be posting a happy birthday blog weeks in advance, as it may tip my hand on my plans. But it sure is fun to see what will happen!

  • Free will or fate

     11 minute read

    Free will or fate is about how Life sometimes throws you curveballs and gives you an opportunity to face adversity but also to grow closer together. In short succession, we had three such curveballs thrown at us and this is how we fared.

  • Set your waypoint

     6 minute read

    Rather than overreact to coronavirus media hype, set your waypoint & maintain a steady course through these rough seas we call life.

Back to Top ↑

cultureofcharacter

  • History Buffs

     6 minute read

    Perhaps when you meet a new boat owner who has invested in a 30-year old boat, it screams history buff. Perhaps it doesn’t. But Rich had us pegged for sailors who are nostalgic for a simpler life and can find value in learning from the pages of history.

  • Beautiful People

     4 minute read

    Fundamentally, we are all social creatures and want to feel a connection to others and a sense of purpose. I found that connection based on social status, brands, what or who you know felt quite hollow. We are not beautiful people.

  • LinkedIn

     4 minute read

    If you tried to send me a Linkedin request over the past dozen years or so, chances are I didn’t see it. Apologies if you think I was ignoring you. Please don’t take it personally. I was ignoring Linkedin.

  • Ethical Sailing

     4 minute read

    A couple months ago, we decided to experiment with ways to go green. For us this means, living deliberately and raising our awareness about how we impact the world around us. Here are a few updates on our progress towards ethical sailing. Happy World Oceans Day!

  • Project Slocum Update

     4 minute read

    For those curious, here is a Project Slocum update. We scraped all our pennies together and put a deposit on s/v Rachel J Slocum. We are officially in escrow… Time to celebrate!

  • Set your waypoint

     6 minute read

    Rather than overreact to coronavirus media hype, set your waypoint & maintain a steady course through these rough seas we call life.

  • Selectively Social

     2 minute read

    Solitude is the key to creativity, to break-through thoughts, and to innovation. It is the birthplace of ideas. Here is the story of two selectively social introverts.

  • Past, Present and Future

     3 minute read

    After a couple weeks spent with ideas about the future pinballing around in my mind, I finally got some closure on a few things. The present is the only time that you actually have control…

  • Sailing Around the World

     4 minute read

    Sailing around the world is bringing your home wherever you travel. To get started you need to learn to let go of living on land, move aboard a sailboat and find your dream job.

  • Time to go to the Whiteboard

     3 minute read

    We took a hard look at how we were spending our time each week. While we didn’t like what we were seeing, we also saw this as an opportunity to ask some hard questions. And to solve them, it was time to go to the whiteboard.

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foodporn

  • Turkey Day

     3 minute read

    Happy Thanksgiving! Since it’s just the two of us this year and we have a teeny, tiny Force 10 oven, it’s time to get creative on how to cook a Thanksgiving dinner aboard. Here’s what we decided to have.

  • Impossible Tuna Tartlets

     5 minute read

    In the first few weeks aboard, we wanted to test all equipment to make sure we can address anything that needs fixing before we cast off. Today’s story features impossible tuna tarlets baked in our Force 10 oven.

  • Inaugural Dinner

     5 minute read

    Despite my best intentions for making our first dinner aboard to make it feel more like a home, it may have been a little premature and miscalculated.

  • Pantry Proteins

     11 minute read

    There is a vast world of canned proteins - roast beef, chicken, clams, shrimp, etc. - that I have avoided most of my life. In preparation for our voyaging life, I have decided to explore this world of pantry proteins now.

  • Peaches and Cream

     5 minute read

    It’s July and after celebrating Independence Day, I know no better way to enjoy the summer than with peaches and cream. 

  • Lifecycle of Ingredients

     2 minute read

    If you’ve followed our Culinary Adventures, you’ll start to see a theme of no waste in this household. We love cooking and riffing off recipes and sometimes this will evolve over the lifecycle of ingredients to create some fun, novel adventures in cooking and help us when we live aboard RJ Slocum.

  • Canned Food Recipes

     9 minute read

    During the pandemic, we’ve been having fun performing culinary experiments with canned food recipes and figuring out how to provision for offshore cruising. We hand-picked the tastiest recipes which are easy to cook while making passage or at anchor.

  • Happy Birthday

     7 minute read

    Staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic sure makes it hard to plan a surprise for Andrew. I am probably nuts to be posting a happy birthday blog weeks in advance, as it may tip my hand on my plans. But it sure is fun to see what will happen!

  • Cook Now, Explore Later

     8 minute read

    Cook now explore later is the story of our pandemic life as we are all doing our part: to stay home and save lives. In this post, we feature tried and true recipes that we cook in our home throughout the year. We believe these recipes will transition perfectly aboard a sailboat.

  • Go/No-go Decision

     10 minute read

    Tumultuous would be le mot juste to describe the following week. As the week progressed, we would have to face a go/no-go decision to buy RJ Slocum.

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tbt

  • Farewell Harriet, Hello Rachel

     6 minute read

    When we returned from Florida, we spent an exhausting week packing and loading the POD. Why is it that when we had 20% left to go, it was so much harder than going through the initial 80% of our stuff? Here is an update on how we stand in the final weeks of our 30-weeks to minimalism plan.

  • What’s next

     7 minute read

    Andrew and I have the best talks while we’re traveling, and our discussion while flying back from Ft Lauderdale was no different. We took stock of where we are and began to explore what’s next for us.

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 1

     5 minute read

    It’s been quite a year of transitions and so we wanted to do a round-up post of what we’ve done so far this year, introduce part 1 of the Survey & Sea Trial series and of course celebrate Denise’s birthday.

  • Sleepless to Seattle

     6 minute read

    After a few months of planning and negotations, we finally have a chance to see our girls following a long roadtrip we are calling “Sleepless to Seattle”.

  • Sailing Resume Sequel

     8 minute read

    The cover photo belies the truth about sailing through Greece. We encountered 3 days of storms during our ambitious passage from Corfu to Athens. This trip reawakened our interest in sailing. Two years later, we decided to go for it and buy our own sailboat!

  • Sailing Resume Prequel

     5 minute read

    Andrew got started in sailing well before Denise, and so here is the prequel to the Sailing Resume.

  • Sailing Resume Part 3

     5 minute read

    If you want to take your sailing education to the next level, how about chartering a boat?

  • Sailing Resume Part 2

     9 minute read

    Dinghy sailing and ASA courses are one thing, how about learning to race? Here’s part 2 of the Sailing Resume series.

  • Sailing Resume Part 1

     6 minute read

    How much sailing experience did we have before we decided to become full-time liveaboard cruisers? Find out in our 3-part Sailing Resume series.

  • Throw back

     7 minute read

    One of the hardest areas to tackle when downsizing and purging your belongings is figuring out what to do with sentimental items. I thought clothes would be tough. They were a breeze compared to this. Then, I discovered 3 reasons in their favor: learning tool, empathy and throw back.

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secondmountain

  • Join the Crew

     2 minute read

    We would like to invite you to join the Serenade Wind crew. In this post, find out what it means to be part of the crew, unlock the pirate’s booty, and receive other exclusive access and benefits.

  • Beautiful People

     4 minute read

    Fundamentally, we are all social creatures and want to feel a connection to others and a sense of purpose. I found that connection based on social status, brands, what or who you know felt quite hollow. We are not beautiful people.

  • Philanthropy

     5 minute read

    One of the first posts we published on SerenadeWind talks about our relationship with money. When we began to dig into that topic, a natural extension to pursuing a minimalist life is a life of philanthropy. 

  • LinkedIn

     4 minute read

    If you tried to send me a Linkedin request over the past dozen years or so, chances are I didn’t see it. Apologies if you think I was ignoring you. Please don’t take it personally. I was ignoring Linkedin.

  • Support Local

     7 minute read

    What are you willing to do to support local businesses? In our latest post, find out our approach. It may involve taking calculated risks in order to live a full life.

  • Set your waypoint

     6 minute read

    Rather than overreact to coronavirus media hype, set your waypoint & maintain a steady course through these rough seas we call life.

  • Relationship with Money

     6 minute read

    What is your relationship with money? In this post, we explore this topic. At this stage in our lives, we are not compelled to accumulate money just as we are not compelled to accumulate possessions. Why? Because they end up owning you…

  • Sailing Around the World

     4 minute read

    Sailing around the world is bringing your home wherever you travel. To get started you need to learn to let go of living on land, move aboard a sailboat and find your dream job.

  • Time to go to the Whiteboard

     3 minute read

    We took a hard look at how we were spending our time each week. While we didn’t like what we were seeing, we also saw this as an opportunity to ask some hard questions. And to solve them, it was time to go to the whiteboard.

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imonaboat

  • I’m a Tracer

     6 minute read

    We are getting to know our boat organically by listening to foreign sounds and investigating unusual smells, which in our case led to tracing boat systems.

  • Yacht Club

     6 minute read

    A few weeks ago, Bill suggested we become a member of a yacht club to cut down on our cruising expenses. The image that I conjure up when someone mentions yacht clubs is an elitist club. However, we have come to learn that they come in all shapes and sizes.

  • Ethical Sailing

     4 minute read

    A couple months ago, we decided to experiment with ways to go green. For us this means, living deliberately and raising our awareness about how we impact the world around us. Here are a few updates on our progress towards ethical sailing. Happy World Oceans Day!

  • Water water everywhere

     5 minute read

    What else is there to do while you’re observing stay-at-home orders until May 15th during this pandemic? We performed a little experiment at home to measure the amount of water used while showering so we could figure out how long can we daydream in the shower.

  • 2020 Sailing Plan

     6 minute read

    During these times of uncertainty, it is helpful to sketch out a preliminary plan to feel like you have control over something. Also, it’s a pleasant distraction from the 24/7 coronavirus news. Here is our 2020 Sailing Plan.

  • Boat Purchase

     5 minute read

    Buying a boat can be overwhelming. Follow these 8 steps… and come up with a game plan that answers as much as you can before you make an offer on a boat. This will be an iterative process as you narrow down your preferences. We hope these tips and resources help.

  • Going Green

     5 minute read

    To us, sailing will bring us a life of adventure, and it will also bring us closer to nature as we witness that our choices will make a direct impact on the world around us. In this post, we talk about ways of going green.

  • Boot 2020

     8 minute read

    There’s no better way to shop for a boat than at the largest boat show in the world, Boot 2020, held in Dusseldorf each year.

  • When First We Saw Rachel J Slocum

     7 minute read

    There isn’t any one perfect boat for everyone. The boat you choose should be safe, comfortable, well built, and ideally capable of fast passages while proving to be a good investment. When first we saw Rachel J Slocum, we knew we found the perfect boat for us.

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schooner

  • Talk Like a Pirate

     5 minute read

    On September 19th of each year since 2002, the world over celebrates international talk like a pirate day. Now that we are one signature away from becoming owners of a schooner, we thought we might get a little bit more into the spirit of things.

  • History

     7 minute read

    We’ve been digging into a little history about RJ Slocum and her first chapter which spans over 30 years. Here’s what we discovered.

  • Yacht Club

     6 minute read

    A few weeks ago, Bill suggested we become a member of a yacht club to cut down on our cruising expenses. The image that I conjure up when someone mentions yacht clubs is an elitist club. However, we have come to learn that they come in all shapes and sizes.

  • Ethical Sailing

     4 minute read

    A couple months ago, we decided to experiment with ways to go green. For us this means, living deliberately and raising our awareness about how we impact the world around us. Here are a few updates on our progress towards ethical sailing. Happy World Oceans Day!

  • Free will or fate

     11 minute read

    Free will or fate is about how Life sometimes throws you curveballs and gives you an opportunity to face adversity but also to grow closer together. In short succession, we had three such curveballs thrown at us and this is how we fared.

  • Water water everywhere

     5 minute read

    What else is there to do while you’re observing stay-at-home orders until May 15th during this pandemic? We performed a little experiment at home to measure the amount of water used while showering so we could figure out how long can we daydream in the shower.

  • 2020 Sailing Plan

     6 minute read

    During these times of uncertainty, it is helpful to sketch out a preliminary plan to feel like you have control over something. Also, it’s a pleasant distraction from the 24/7 coronavirus news. Here is our 2020 Sailing Plan.

  • Climb until you fall

     6 minute read

    Climb until you fall is about dialing in sailing skills from a pro and learning Bill’s beta aboard a schooner to begin sailing around the world.

  • When First We Saw Rachel J Slocum

     7 minute read

    There isn’t any one perfect boat for everyone. The boat you choose should be safe, comfortable, well built, and ideally capable of fast passages while proving to be a good investment. When first we saw Rachel J Slocum, we knew we found the perfect boat for us.

Back to Top ↑

itaintallaboutthemoney

  • Matching Gifts

     4 minute read

    How do you prioritize what to do when you downsize your home? We independently came to the same conclusion - to maximize matching gifts is our first priority, then speed and lastly value.

  • Philanthropy

     5 minute read

    One of the first posts we published on SerenadeWind talks about our relationship with money. When we began to dig into that topic, a natural extension to pursuing a minimalist life is a life of philanthropy. 

  • Boat Purchase

     5 minute read

    Buying a boat can be overwhelming. Follow these 8 steps… and come up with a game plan that answers as much as you can before you make an offer on a boat. This will be an iterative process as you narrow down your preferences. We hope these tips and resources help.

  • 30 Weeks to Minimalism

     5 minute read

    30 weeks to minimalism begins with a game plan and time. Rather than replace a busy schedule with another busy schedule, give yourself time. Find stillness in the day for introspection and self-discovery.

  • Going Green

     5 minute read

    To us, sailing will bring us a life of adventure, and it will also bring us closer to nature as we witness that our choices will make a direct impact on the world around us. In this post, we talk about ways of going green.

  • Relationship with Money

     6 minute read

    What is your relationship with money? In this post, we explore this topic. At this stage in our lives, we are not compelled to accumulate money just as we are not compelled to accumulate possessions. Why? Because they end up owning you…

  • Past, Present and Future

     3 minute read

    After a couple weeks spent with ideas about the future pinballing around in my mind, I finally got some closure on a few things. The present is the only time that you actually have control…

Back to Top ↑

philanthropy

  • Microplastics

     2 minute read

    We found inspiration in Ocean Research Project’s slate of activities and wanted to put a spotlight on microplastics, climate change and other research topics.

  • Minimalist Me

     9 minute read

    As we are flying across the country to s/v Rachel J Slocum, we wanted to share the final installment on how we became minimalists in less than 30 weeks.

  • What’s next

     7 minute read

    Andrew and I have the best talks while we’re traveling, and our discussion while flying back from Ft Lauderdale was no different. We took stock of where we are and began to explore what’s next for us.

  • Join the Crew

     2 minute read

    We would like to invite you to join the Serenade Wind crew. In this post, find out what it means to be part of the crew, unlock the pirate’s booty, and receive other exclusive access and benefits.

  • Matching Gifts

     4 minute read

    How do you prioritize what to do when you downsize your home? We independently came to the same conclusion - to maximize matching gifts is our first priority, then speed and lastly value.

  • Philanthropy

     5 minute read

    One of the first posts we published on SerenadeWind talks about our relationship with money. When we began to dig into that topic, a natural extension to pursuing a minimalist life is a life of philanthropy. 

  • Relationship with Money

     6 minute read

    What is your relationship with money? In this post, we explore this topic. At this stage in our lives, we are not compelled to accumulate money just as we are not compelled to accumulate possessions. Why? Because they end up owning you…

Back to Top ↑

tedtalks

  • Survey & Sea Trial Part 1

     5 minute read

    It’s been quite a year of transitions and so we wanted to do a round-up post of what we’ve done so far this year, introduce part 1 of the Survey & Sea Trial series and of course celebrate Denise’s birthday.

  • Lollipop Moment

     5 minute read

    Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. ~ Marianne Williamson

  • Philanthropy

     5 minute read

    One of the first posts we published on SerenadeWind talks about our relationship with money. When we began to dig into that topic, a natural extension to pursuing a minimalist life is a life of philanthropy. 

  • LinkedIn

     4 minute read

    If you tried to send me a Linkedin request over the past dozen years or so, chances are I didn’t see it. Apologies if you think I was ignoring you. Please don’t take it personally. I was ignoring Linkedin.

  • LinkedIn

     4 minute read

    If you tried to send me a Linkedin request over the past dozen years or so, chances are I didn’t see it. Apologies if you think I was ignoring you. Please don’t take it personally. I was ignoring Linkedin.

  • Throw back

     7 minute read

    One of the hardest areas to tackle when downsizing and purging your belongings is figuring out what to do with sentimental items. I thought clothes would be tough. They were a breeze compared to this. Then, I discovered 3 reasons in their favor: learning tool, empathy and throw back.

  • Selectively Social

     2 minute read

    Solitude is the key to creativity, to break-through thoughts, and to innovation. It is the birthplace of ideas. Here is the story of two selectively social introverts.

Back to Top ↑

nowildernessnorevelation

  • Microplastics

     2 minute read

    We found inspiration in Ocean Research Project’s slate of activities and wanted to put a spotlight on microplastics, climate change and other research topics.

  • Lollipop Moment

     5 minute read

    Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. ~ Marianne Williamson

  • Beautiful People

     4 minute read

    Fundamentally, we are all social creatures and want to feel a connection to others and a sense of purpose. I found that connection based on social status, brands, what or who you know felt quite hollow. We are not beautiful people.

  • Throw back

     7 minute read

    One of the hardest areas to tackle when downsizing and purging your belongings is figuring out what to do with sentimental items. I thought clothes would be tough. They were a breeze compared to this. Then, I discovered 3 reasons in their favor: learning tool, empathy and throw back.

  • Set your waypoint

     6 minute read

    Rather than overreact to coronavirus media hype, set your waypoint & maintain a steady course through these rough seas we call life.

  • Selectively Social

     2 minute read

    Solitude is the key to creativity, to break-through thoughts, and to innovation. It is the birthplace of ideas. Here is the story of two selectively social introverts.

Back to Top ↑

dreamers

  • Free will or fate

     11 minute read

    Free will or fate is about how Life sometimes throws you curveballs and gives you an opportunity to face adversity but also to grow closer together. In short succession, we had three such curveballs thrown at us and this is how we fared.

  • Set your waypoint

     6 minute read

    Rather than overreact to coronavirus media hype, set your waypoint & maintain a steady course through these rough seas we call life.

  • Going with the Flow

     5 minute read

    At some point, Andrew asked the question, why don’t we just take it easy. We’ll play the weekend by ear and not decide now. Find out how a “recovering planner” would react to going with the flow.

  • Sailing Around the World

     4 minute read

    Sailing around the world is bringing your home wherever you travel. To get started you need to learn to let go of living on land, move aboard a sailboat and find your dream job.

  • Time to go to the Whiteboard

     3 minute read

    We took a hard look at how we were spending our time each week. While we didn’t like what we were seeing, we also saw this as an opportunity to ask some hard questions. And to solve them, it was time to go to the whiteboard.

Back to Top ↑

unstructured

  • History Buffs

     6 minute read

    Perhaps when you meet a new boat owner who has invested in a 30-year old boat, it screams history buff. Perhaps it doesn’t. But Rich had us pegged for sailors who are nostalgic for a simpler life and can find value in learning from the pages of history.

  • Branding

     6 minute read

    After revealing the website redesign and the Serenade Wind logo, we wanted to announce some more ways you can connect with Serenade Wind and show your support.

  • Sailing Resume Prequel

     5 minute read

    Andrew got started in sailing well before Denise, and so here is the prequel to the Sailing Resume.

  • New Logo

     8 minute read

    I must admit that I put the cart before the proverbial horse when I wanted to come up with a new logo for Serenade Wind. Andrew set me straight and we took the time to define our brand. Here’s how we approached it.

  • Website Redesign

     2 minute read

    Over the past few months, Andrew has been working on redesigning serenadewind.com to make our lives easier when we’re offshore. We also took this as an opportunity to improve your experience - intuitive navigation, introduce more content, and pretty it up.

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shutterbug

  • Youtube or not Youtube

     7 minute read

    Should we start a Youtube channel? In today’s post, we talk through our strategy in light of our priorities and what’s going on in the world.

  • Shutterbug

     4 minute read

    Traveling by sailboat affords us the opportunity to capture the world through our eyes and to share them with you.

  • New Logo

     8 minute read

    I must admit that I put the cart before the proverbial horse when I wanted to come up with a new logo for Serenade Wind. Andrew set me straight and we took the time to define our brand. Here’s how we approached it.

  • Website Redesign

     2 minute read

    Over the past few months, Andrew has been working on redesigning serenadewind.com to make our lives easier when we’re offshore. We also took this as an opportunity to improve your experience - intuitive navigation, introduce more content, and pretty it up.

Back to Top ↑

climbing

  • Throw back

     7 minute read

    One of the hardest areas to tackle when downsizing and purging your belongings is figuring out what to do with sentimental items. I thought clothes would be tough. They were a breeze compared to this. Then, I discovered 3 reasons in their favor: learning tool, empathy and throw back.

  • 2020 Sailing Plan

     6 minute read

    During these times of uncertainty, it is helpful to sketch out a preliminary plan to feel like you have control over something. Also, it’s a pleasant distraction from the 24/7 coronavirus news. Here is our 2020 Sailing Plan.

  • Sailing Around the World

     4 minute read

    Sailing around the world is bringing your home wherever you travel. To get started you need to learn to let go of living on land, move aboard a sailboat and find your dream job.

Back to Top ↑

macguyver

  • Captain Rich and Lyn

     5 minute read

    One of the key selling points of the voyaging lifestyle is becoming a part of the community of sailors. We know of no better way of being introduced to this community than to have as neighbors, Captain Rich and his girlfriend Lyn.

  • Go/No-go Decision

     10 minute read

    Tumultuous would be le mot juste to describe the following week. As the week progressed, we would have to face a go/no-go decision to buy RJ Slocum.

  • Eye of the Storm

     4 minute read

    Although we are still in the eye of the storm, it feels like we are about to turn a corner.

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quietpower

  • LinkedIn

     4 minute read

    If you tried to send me a Linkedin request over the past dozen years or so, chances are I didn’t see it. Apologies if you think I was ignoring you. Please don’t take it personally. I was ignoring Linkedin.

  • Project Slocum Part 3

     5 minute read

    In Project Slocum Part 3, we provide updates on a few different topics since they all seem to interplay this week leading up to our trip to Ft. Lauderdale.

  • Selectively Social

     2 minute read

    Solitude is the key to creativity, to break-through thoughts, and to innovation. It is the birthplace of ideas. Here is the story of two selectively social introverts.

Back to Top ↑

instaknit

  • Branding

     6 minute read

    After revealing the website redesign and the Serenade Wind logo, we wanted to announce some more ways you can connect with Serenade Wind and show your support.

  • Lavender and Sage

     3 minute read

    Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, I would take along my current knitting project wherever I go. Sometimes while standing in line, I will pull out my project and begin to knit. Others look at their cellphone, I knit. 

  • Upcycle R Us

     4 minute read

    With few options to buy items in stores due to coronavirus, here is an opportunity to break a habit. Rather than instinctually ordering online, why not look around your house & create a solution based on what you already have?

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instaclimb

  • Climb until you fall

     6 minute read

    Climb until you fall is about dialing in sailing skills from a pro and learning Bill’s beta aboard a schooner to begin sailing around the world.

  • Happy Anniversary

     4 minute read

    Happy anniversary! Andrew and I are unlike most couples. We celebrated by climbing and boat shopping on our anniversary. Since life is short, why not spend your time pursuing your passions?

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senderone

  • Climb until you fall

     6 minute read

    Climb until you fall is about dialing in sailing skills from a pro and learning Bill’s beta aboard a schooner to begin sailing around the world.

  • Happy Anniversary

     4 minute read

    Happy anniversary! Andrew and I are unlike most couples. We celebrated by climbing and boat shopping on our anniversary. Since life is short, why not spend your time pursuing your passions?

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socialintrovert

  • Set your waypoint

     6 minute read

    Rather than overreact to coronavirus media hype, set your waypoint & maintain a steady course through these rough seas we call life.

  • Selectively Social

     2 minute read

    Solitude is the key to creativity, to break-through thoughts, and to innovation. It is the birthplace of ideas. Here is the story of two selectively social introverts.

Back to Top ↑

ethicalsailing

  • Microplastics

     2 minute read

    We found inspiration in Ocean Research Project’s slate of activities and wanted to put a spotlight on microplastics, climate change and other research topics.

Back to Top ↑