WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU
I know this is against the norm in the blogging world but, I try to keep the site clean and easy to read for our reader’s enjoyment. For this reason, I opted to keep comments to one page. We would love to hear from you. Do not let my wacky thought process deter you from expressing your feelings regarding our postings or another items of interest you want to share.
- Thoughts on the cruising lifestyle?
- Do you have an favorite sailing destination or a place you think we should avoid?
- Send us your favorite recipe.
- Have you read any good books lately?
- What would you like to know about us?
Please include your e-mail so we can write back to you (email addresses are kept private)
Thanks for connecting to us!
Mark and Cindy
I read with interest your latest on being confined on the boat. I’m sorry to hear that people there have not taken to getting vaccinated and are now reaping the costs of that. It’s hard to understand the mentality of the current anti-vaxxers here in the US. And you and I agree about the US healthcare system. Mike and I, too, consider living in another country because although we have “great” insurance, we cannot trust them to do their part and pay the bills. Having healthcare issues here makes you feel like you are in some big machine from which there is no way out. Anyhow, I also read with interest your decision to move your corp to another country and will look for further updates on that. We are looking at creating a corporation to hold our assets before we take off again.
Melissa,
Thank you for your comment. It is always good to hear from you guys.
We do not use the corporation to hold assets. It is strictly for registration of the boat. Since we were citizens of different countries, it was the only way for joint ownership at the time of purchase. Things have changed a bit since.
Hello Mark and Cindy,
It is late, well past my bedtime so I am keeping this short-ish. I have just stumbled across your blog via ‘unwrittentimeline’, while doing my research into owner’s experiences of living on catamarans. It is my dream but my wife is getting around to it, but there is still some work to be done on that front.
I am guessing here but think I should be speaking to Mark now ?
Thank you mister for “The Downsides to Living on a Boat” section, excellent and O so true stuff! I do not know if it was your intention, maybe it is just my warped brain, but I had a couple of good laughs and some ‘sad’ realisation (yep, been there) moments, reading it. I have been following . . . . . well not really following, more popping in and out of different vlog-s jumping on to the next for around 5 months now. I am trying to get a feel for this living on-board malarky.
As someone that like to make friends, I will stop to talk to a lamppost, show interest in other people and yes, did I mention I like to stop and talk to anybody and everybody. Well based on my own experience on land herein the UK (Scotland), the cliques system is a national occupation. People on land also do not like making new friends. If you did not go to school together or support the same football (soccer) team, forget it. As an ’incomer’ from a culture where we invite and get invited, and can’t be bothered going nuts over any professional sport, this is a strange place to me. I find it sad.
So I find it interesting you find the same (people not wanting to make friends) in the sailing community because when we had a 37 footer as our learner yacht many years ago here in Scotland, I made friends (or maybe better to call them friendly-s) wherever we stopped. But sadly, people moved on although, we exchanged contact details with many but lost contact. I (like you) went over and well, introduced myself and started talking to anybody with a pulse. Or when I saw someone needed help, I’d go over and offer to help without being asked although, I was twice told to . . . . . how can I put it, not be there. So I stood back and enjoyed ‘the show’. But mostly, people were more than happy to accept my help.
I think as we get older, our characters are entrenched and come out. I am a helper and a talker, but if I “read the tea leaves” that I am not wanted around, I will move on.
Thank you for the excellent eyeopeners, it is good food for thought and heads-up. Just to make you feel better so you do not lose sleep over my response, it is not putting me off my dream, which I know is not your intention.
I will be back to read the rest of your website, I like your style. I am not on Facebook so your website and e-mails will have to do for me.
All the best to you both,
Andre
Hi Andre. Wow! Thank you so much for the kind words. So glad you find some of the content here helpful. I wish you the best of luck in planning your own adventure. Cindy said if your wife has specific questions she is more than happy to answer them. Just put a note on here and we’ll email you back. I am glad I’m not the only one who talks to lampposts 🙂
Mark
Hello Mark and Cindy, me (Andre) again.
Thank you for the kind offer to answer questions, it is as if Cindy read our minds or is it just experience.
First let me say. I have now read more of your blog and it is as if I am there with you. I am not a big reader but your blog, got me reading. Trust me, when you think/say it may just be you that think something, count me in. Also, I found the section about questions woman ask, it is as if you heard my wife! Now I know someone is listening in on our conversations here at home. :-O 😉
As I said, we are planning on getting a cat, to be precise, at the moment a second hand Antares is at the top of our list if I can find a viable solution for replacing the aluminium (a no-no for me) water tank. But a quality yacht like your Amel or a HR, is not out of the question. We have questions specific to the Amel (same feature on an Island Packet) and about sailing long distance leaning on one leg, or do you just stand straight up on the yacht and accept looking at the world at an angle for three weeks as you cross an ocean. %-)
I also would like to know how you find that strange propeller drive on the Amel, what is involved regarding maintenance.
If you think other people may find me sucking your brain interesting, I don’t mind posting here, but other wise, please drop me an e-mail so I can send you our questions.
Thank you for a not just entertaining but also informative blog, it is a wealth of useful information.
All the best,
Andre from a cold and very very windy Scotland
Guys – congrats on any awards you receive for your blog – it is a ray of sunshine to everyone who reads it. The writing of experiences, the awesome photography, and the quirky commentary creates hope. My only caution is to make sure Bernie uses plenty of sunscreen, and may need a cool drink to keep him hydrated wearing coat and Vermont made mittens sitting on Cream Puff.
Hi Bob, Thanks for the great comment.
Mark
Glad to see your journey is going well! We emailed each other several years ago when you were getting ready to set off. Since then, we have retired and also doing more sailing – but 2020 was a bad year for us. Of course the whole Covid thing, but also a direct hit from Hurricane Sally to our home and boat, and some family illness to deal with. But we are getting back up and running and will be back on the water within a couple of weeks hoping to get to either Mexico or Bahamas in March.
I love your photography! Galapagos is one of the places on my bucket list!
Cheers!
Neil and Janet
SV Midnight Sun III
https://midnightsunii.blogspot.com/
Hi Neil,
Dang! That really stinks. Sorry to hear of your woes. Cindy’s parents go hit in Texas and are still digging out a couple of years later. Get out here when you can. Thank you for the kind words.
Mark
Hey Guys, Found your Blog by googling Amel Pape’ete, because we were looking to see another and feel the layout again. So glad I did. We’ve been enjoying reading blogs and seeing your pictures. We were walking along the quay today and saw Cream Puff docked front and center. We are in town through the 29th. May hail the boat if we wander by again. Also just finished reading “The long way” and walking along the water front, you can imagine the way it was before the 5 lane highway went in. Anyways, Thanks for posting and keep up the travels!
If you see us, please say hi 🙂
Hi Mark, we’ll be applying for FP long stay visa from Panama. Having heard that many health insurance plans are not accepted, what do you use for insurance? Well likely have a United PPO plan until the time we depart Panama. Would you direct me to a good checklist for the application and any potential snags. Some of these things we may be able to do now as we’ll be departing Panama Feb of 22. Definitely want to plan ahead
Charlie
svTracenJ
Beautiful pictures! Enjoyed them. its damp and cloudy here! Your views are much better!
Good morning, It is 7:30am in Michigan, google tells me that you are still sleeping. You are six hours behind us.
Today it was 34 degrees when we got moving. Your beautiful sunny pictures and colorful clothing look so lovely. We are rapidly moving to the bundled up winter coat, boots, hats and gloves look. Our boat came out of the water last Wednesday; she is up on the hard for the winter and waiting for her winter coat. (Shrink Wrap)
I read with interest your take on the Corona Virus, Covid 19. I like the odds posted; I will be betting on you! We are a divided household when it comes to the virus. My husband believes it is all pretty much overblown and the statistics are fudged, faked and or collected poorly. One would think the death rate would tell the story; but he swears he hears tales of deaths that were not Covid; being attributed to that. He hates wearing a mask and feels he should have a choice; he does tend to hyperventilate. I have been doing ALL the shopping; (Home Depot, Kroger, etc) because Dan hates the mask. Until today; we were mandated in Michigan to wear one. Our state supreme court just struck that down. So we will see what we see.
I on the other hand believe as you do. I believe my odds are good; I wear a mask in public; always. I think it is a matter of respect for others. I am careful about washing hands and using sanitizer. I am awful about touching my face however. I really try; but it is a very unconcious thing.
We don’t go out much. We eat an occasional meal in a restaurant. We have not been in any big groups. Our circle is pretty small. Hubby is not back to work; and it looks like he is now retired. I am working; masks are not required here and I am in a cubicle with tall walls and we are 8 feet apart. We do have to wear masks when someone from the big three comes in. They are mandated to do so by their companies. We have two employees here that wear a mask at all times by their own choice.
Enjoy the day!!
Burrrr! 34. No thanks!
I think the truth on the numbers is somewhere between you and your husband. There is only one cause of death allowed in the USA. If someone dies of a heart attack and they happen to be positive for the virus, it is mandated the virus must be reported as the cause of death. The real number that matters is the number of deaths over and above the normal deaths. It is not small but certainly not as large as the media is claiming. Here is a really good read about how Sweeden handled the virus: https://www.ft.com/content/5cc92d45-fbdb-43b7-9c66-26501693a371?fbclid=IwAR2KW7C4YQjrhmzCb2dTB5cpTS2gcWW42pLrWG-3oaHfFlSWzf75aueMiXM
The Finacial Times is usually a paid subscription but this particular article is free. IMO – The FT is one of the few news reporting agencies left without a political agenda or bias. Personally, I think the lockdowns and government intervention in most countries have prolonged the virus as it can spread unchecked. It needs either a herd immunity or vaccine strategy to crush it. Of which, right now there is only one option.
Well what fun! This post makes me miss cruising all the more. However, now I won’t be able to sleep not knowing how much that interesting looking boat hybrid costs for their adventures at sea.
Hi Melissa, here is their site: https://www.aranui.com/en/why-choose-aranui/ However, they do not advertise any pricing on their site. You have to send them an email. It is a sorta cool approach for some travelers wanting to see very remote places and not having access to their own boat. They are really struggling for business due to the virus. I would have thought they’d offer discounts to people to fill the cabins. They do, but only to island residents. They can pay half-price. I would tell you how much it is, but I deleted the email knowing it was waaaaaaay beyond anything we’d consider paying.
On the VHF problem. Check your anchor light. Some models have such terrible interference it makes the VHF essentially worthless – took us a long time to figure this out with ours. Easy enough to check by turning the anchor light on, then trying to transmit – then checking the same range with a handheld. If the handheld works and the ship’s radio does not, then it’s likely the anchor light. Good luck.
Hi Nica, Thanks for taking the time to help. We have swapped the cable in the back of the VHF radio between the main mast (the vhf antenna) and the mizzen mast (AIS antenna). This would eliminate the possibility of anchor light interference. I am pretty certain the problem is the VHF radio itself. It has been intermittently problematic for some time. I plan to upgrade all the cables while installing the new radio.