My journey of living full-time aboard a sailboat has hit the 7th month – how does it feel?

As we approach our seventh month of living full-time aboard a sailboat, I find myself living with yet another set of circumstances, in new surroundings, with yet another ‘routine’ to figure out.

We’ve decided to winter ourselves and the boat in Marina di Ragusa, Sicily

That means that we’ll stay in the marina all winter waiting for the summer season to start so we can get out sailing once again. Our original plan was to sail across the Atlantic and spend the winter sailing amongst the Caribbean islands but neither the boat nor my hubby, Simon, and I were ready for the crossing.

This was the very 1st day we took command of the boat in Palma, Mallorca – we were excited but scared to death!

What has our first season with our new boat been like?

The first few months were spent feeling a bit bewildered, numb, delighted and scared. We simply didn’t know what we didn’t know and boy, we didn’t know anything. And that’s not to say that we know a lot now…we just know much more now.

After the newness wore off a bit, things like plotting our next destination, mooring in a marina and anchoring become easier and less intimidating. I remember when we first started off…I puked 3 times after we left a marina as I was so nervous about taking the boat out without a professional skipper. Now I know longer feel any anxiety about arriving or leaving berths.

By the time we hit month five we realized that there was a massive amount of servicing required to get our boat up to spec

We discovered that our engines were highly neglected and in need of a pull apart and rebuild. We came to the conclusion that our genoa and main sail needed replacing. And we also realized that our rigging was going to have to be replaced before we set off around the world.

We knew that our sails and rigging would need replacing but we didn’t think that everything needed to be done before we set off across the Atlantic. Sure…we can wait until our kit dies but chances are that we’ll be somewhere where the work can’t be done or the quality of work won’t be of a high standard. Heck – even in the Mediterranean it’s potluck if you get good service or not so the idea of being in the Pacific looking for quality craftspeople seems daunting.

Fortunately, we met an amazing guy – Andrea – who helped my husband take apart both our generator and engine, service all the parts and then put it back together. The guys spent 3 weeks in the bilge’s cleaning, repainting and fixing every issue they could find. The picture above is a before and after picture of our generator.

Our time spent with Andrea gave us the confidence that we were lacking. He explained that it’s crazy to be afraid of our systems – we need to learn about them, understand a schedule to service them and then stick to it.

I’m proud to say that we have the nicest, cleanest, smoothest running engines in the Med and they’re going to stay that way

During our sixth month of cruising we started to come to the realization that our summer season was about to end. Both hubby and I wanted to continue sailing but the Mediterranean is not a kind sea to sail in over the winter months. Furthermore, nothing is open. Facilities and tourism shuts down so even if we wanted to sail, we’d be going it alone.

After looking around at the various wintering spots, Simon and I choose Marina di Ragusa (Mdr) in Sicily over marinas in Turkey, Greece, Malta, Italy and Spain. One of our main contacts that helped us through the summer, Willett Marine (soon to be renamed Stella Maris), had a presence at MdR and the marina wintering prices seemed reasonable in relation to the other areas.

As we sailed into MdR I had a lump in my throat and felt deflated

After spending six to seven months getting into the groove of sailing we had to stop. I felt as if things were really starting to flow for us and a six-month break was rain on my parade.

We’ve been at MdR for two weeks now. I recently wrote an article about Living aboard a boat in the Mediterranean during the winter – what’s the scoop? Read that for more information on wintering and MdR.

The marina staff and its residence (60% live on board over the winter) are amazingly kind, generous, knowledgeable and helpful.

The surrounding area is gorgeous. We have beaches, a lovely boardwalk leading the town center and all the important shops close by. The grocery store, hardware store, bakery, butcher and all the restaurants are in walking distance.

The weather has been great and I’m told that throughout the winter we’ll experience quite a bit of sun and good temperatures.

Furthermore, we’ve been able to get our daughter into a local Italian pre-school. My husband and I thought it would be an excellent opportunity for her to learn a new language, integrate with local children and give us a bit of space to work on the boat.

Sounds like paradise – doesn’t it?

And it is. MdR is amazing. On our first few days I walked around dazed thinking, ‘wow – we’ve landed on our feet.’

But after the initial introduction to our new ‘home’ I felt a bit gloomy. Living full-time aboard a sailboat has it’s challenges…

What’s been difficult for me is the change in routine (again)! I felt as if I finally had a handle on how my day would play out. If we were sailing, I had a set plan. If we were anchored, I had yet another plan. I felt comfortable with the flow of my life.

Since getting to MdR that’s been shot out the window

Part of me wanted to curl up into a ball and just hibernate. It’s hard to change so often and upon arrival I felt overwhelmed by not only the change in my daily routine but all the new stuff I had to learn. I felt like I wanted to yell at the universe to just stop for a few days so I could equalize.

Our walk into town from the Marina

Thankfully, however, we’re now going onto our third week and I’m feeling comfortable once again. We have a basic routine that removes my fear of waking up to a day full of unknowns.

For example, when I wake up I know that Simon’s going to make the coffee and I can read for a bit. I know that we’ll get our daughter, Sienna (age 4), ready for school and Simon will take her. I then have the morning to do my writing. Simon and I will enjoy lunch together and then I pick Sienna up from school. My daughter and I then enjoy an ice cream, play at the playground or go to the beach and then Simon takes over in the later afternoon playing a bit more with Sienna. We all eat dinner together and either watch a movie or go out to one of the many social functions around the marina.

On the weekends we’ll plan various activities

Last weekend, we rented a car, went bicycle shopping and met our good friends in a city close by. We had a great time.

And it helps that I now know the surrounding area. I know where all the supermarkets are and the various opening hours. I’ve made friends with several boaties and locals that have been amazingly helpful. And I’ve seen my daughter embrace her new school with much enthusiasm.

The lesson I’ve learned is that it’s okay to feel scared, overwhelmed and deflated when new life circumstances present themselves

The key is to keep in mind, as always, that it’s only temporary.

As it stands now, not only do I feel like I’m in paradise but I’m enjoying it too ☺