Covert Castaway Sailing with SV AWEN

Kids on Board with Anders & Heidi - S8E4

Mon, 06 May 2024 06:00:00 -0700

Get ready for a fun conversation with Anders and Heidi from Tempus. In this podcast, the couple shares their transition from land to a liveaboard cruising lifestyle with children and share their experience balancing school and fun on their catamaran.

Welcome to Covert Castaway, our fully uncut experience meeting new people and sailing as liveaboard sailing cruisers on our performance catamaran SV AWEN, our Outremer 52. Join us as we meet wonderful new people in this lifestyle.

⭐️Check out our new catamaran sailing blog! https://sailingawen.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@SailingAWEN/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sailingawen/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SailingAwen/

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sailingawen/

📧EMAIL US: sailingawen@gmail.com

🌎TRACK US on vessel finder.

⛵️AWEN will be featured at the MIAMI BOAT SHOW! Meet us there!! Learn more about the show dates: https://www.miamiboatshow.com/en/home.html

OUTREMER 52 OWNER’S REVIEW: https://www.katamarans.com/owners-reviews/outremer-52r/

🎶 MUSIC by Epidemic Sound

About us: Hello! We are Holly and Stephane 🇺🇸🇫🇷 We have made the transition from full-time software professionals from the SF Bay Area to liveaboard sailing explorers who always keep one eye on the weather and our hearts in a song. Our goal is to complete a circumnavigation and we recently transitioned to a performance catamaran and are madly in love with our Outremer 52. We are working with Outremer in France (with the help of Google translate) to launch our boat project and start our journey as sailing vagabonds. While it’s not a race or speedtest, we are doing our first Bluewater crossing this year and we are excited to see AWEN stretch her legs and dance on the water. Join us as we share what we’re learning living without Amazon, (but with Starlink), and attempt this new life of travel and adventure on the ocean. Please be patient with us as we continue to improve our YouTube vlogging skills. Our goal isn’t to make our life a movie, it’s to give back to what others have shared with us, which is why we don’t monetize our channel.

More about us here: https://sailingawen.com/about-us

#outremer #boatlife #catamaran #travelvlog #digitalnomad #lifestyle #sailboats #stayhealthy #learning #vlog #podcast #live #motivation #travel #nomad #boattour #sailingadventure #bucketlist #adventure #vlog #mediterranean #nomad #retirement #adventureawaits #ocean #learning

Sailing with Family - Brent and Tara's Journey on SV Ripple - S8E3

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 09:04:27 -0700

In this episode we talk to Brent and Tara from Sailing Vessel Ripple. We learn about their experiences in the enchanting Bahamian waters sailing with their children, and the life-changing decisions that motivated them to step aboard, this is a story you don't want to miss.

⭐️Check out our new catamaran sailing blog! https://sailingawen.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@SailingAWEN/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sailingawen/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SailingAwen/

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sailingawen/

📧EMAIL US: sailingawen@gmail.com

🌎TRACK US on vessel finder.

⛵️AWEN will be featured at the MIAMI BOAT SHOW! Meet us there!! Learn more about the show dates: https://www.miamiboatshow.com/en/home.html

OUTREMER 52 OWNER’S REVIEW: https://www.katamarans.com/owners-reviews/outremer-52r/

🎶 MUSIC by Epidemic Sound

More about us here: https://sailingawen.com/about-us

Kim & Mike's Transition to Full-Time Sailing - S8E2

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0700

In this episode of our spotlight on cruising couples, we share the unique journey of Kim and Mike who swapped their life in Oregon for the thrills of full-time sailing. Their decision to exchange land life for an RV led next to an oceanic adventure and serves as inspiration to fellow travelers who dream to learn how to sail the world.

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⭐️Check out our new catamaran sailing blog! https://sailingawen.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@SailingAWEN/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sailingawen/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SailingAwen/

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sailingawen/

📧EMAIL US: sailingawen@gmail.com

🌎TRACK US on vessel finder.

⛵️AWEN will be featured at the MIAMI BOAT SHOW! Meet us there!! Learn more about the show dates: https://www.miamiboatshow.com/en/home.html

OUTREMER 52 OWNER’S REVIEW: https://www.katamarans.com/owners-reviews/outremer-52r/

🎶 MUSIC by Epidemic Sound

More about us here: https://sailingawen.com/about-us

Tackling Life Onboard with Sarah & Ray of Kismet - S8E1

Sun, 14 Apr 2024 14:36:36 -0700

Join us, Holly and Stephane, in the eighth season of the Covert Castaway podcast as we talk about the liveaboard cruising lifestyle, directly from the stunning Bahamas. In this episode, we introduce you to fellow cruisers Ray and Sarah from Kismet, sharing their captivating backstory, sailing dreams, and experiences. This 'at anchor' podcast offers an intriguing dive into the world of sailing and life on water amid the gorgeous Bahamian setting.

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⭐️Check out our new catamaran sailing blog! https://sailingawen.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@SailingAWEN/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sailingawen/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SailingAwen/

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sailingawen/

📧EMAIL US: sailingawen@gmail.com

🌎TRACK US on vessel finder.

⛵️AWEN will be featured at the MIAMI BOAT SHOW! Meet us there!! Learn more about the show dates: https://www.miamiboatshow.com/en/home.html

OUTREMER 52 OWNER’S REVIEW: https://www.katamarans.com/owners-reviews/outremer-52r/

🎶 MUSIC by Epidemic Sound

More about us here: https://sailingawen.com/about-us

Passage Provisioning - S7E13

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0800

Food! Today we talk about how much food to bring and what kind and we share some of our cooking methods to minimize time, effort, and dirty dishes.

Welcome to Covert Castaway, our fully uncut experience making the transition to being liveaboard sailing cruisers on our performance catamaran SV AWEN an Outremer 52. Join us as we talk about what we‘re learning as we sell our stuff, quit our corporate jobs, say goodbye to our family and attempt a circumnavigation on a sailing catamaran.

⭐️Check out our new catamaran sailing blog! https://sailingawen.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@SailingAWEN/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sailingawen/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SailingAwen/

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sailingawen/

📧EMAIL US: sailingawen@gmail.com

🌎TRACK US on vessel finder.

⛵️AWEN will be featured at the MIAMI BOAT SHOW! Meet us there!! Learn more about the show dates: https://www.miamiboatshow.com/en/home.html

OUTREMER 52 OWNER’S REVIEW: https://www.katamarans.com/owners-reviews/outremer-52r/

🎶 MUSIC by Epidemic Sound

More about us here: https://sailingawen.com/about-us

#outremer #boatlife #catamaran #travelvlog #digitalnomad #lifestyle #sailboats #stayhealthy #learning #vlog #podcast #live #motivation #travel #nomad #boattour #sailingadventure #bucketlist #adventure #mediterranean #nomad #retirement #adventureawaits #ocean #learning

Fuel & Water on a Passage - S7E12

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 04:53:00 -0800

Do you leave with full tanks or not? Today we talk about transatlantic passage preparation and how much fuel and water we think we need and the different philosophies, pros/cons of each.

Welcome to Covert Castaway, our fully uncut experience making the transition to being liveaboard sailing cruisers. Join us as we talk about what we‘re learning as we sell our stuff, quit our corporate jobs, say goodbye to our family and attempt a circumnavigation on a sailing catamaran.

⭐️Check out our new catamaran sailing blog! https://sailingawen.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@SailingAWEN/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sailingawen/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SailingAwen/

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sailingawen/

📧EMAIL US: sailingawen@gmail.com

🌎TRACK US on vessel finder.

⛵️AWEN will be featured at the MIAMI BOAT SHOW! Meet us there!! Learn more about the show dates: https://www.miamiboatshow.com/en/home.html

OUTREMER 52 OWNER’S REVIEW: https://www.katamarans.com/owners-reviews/outremer-52r/

🎶 MUSIC by Epidemic Sound

More about us here: https://sailingawen.com/about-us

#outremer #boatlife #catamaran #travelvlog #digitalnomad #lifestyle #sailboats #stayhealthy #learning #vlog #podcast #live #motivation #travel #nomad #boattour #sailingadventure #bucketlist #adventure #mediterranean #nomad #retirement #adventureawaits #ocean #learning

Weather Routing, Starlink & Comms - S7E11

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 04:52:33 -0800

Today we talk about our transatlantic passage prep around weather routing and what we use for communication, including Starlink.

⭐️Check out our new catamaran sailing blog! https://sailingawen.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@SailingAWEN/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sailingawen/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SailingAwen/

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sailingawen/

📧EMAIL US: sailingawen@gmail.com

🌎TRACK US on vessel finder.

⛵️AWEN will be featured at the MIAMI BOAT SHOW! Meet us there!! Learn more about the show dates: https://www.miamiboatshow.com/en/home.html

OUTREMER 52 OWNER’S REVIEW: https://www.katamarans.com/owners-reviews/outremer-52r/

🎶 MUSIC by Epidemic Sound

More about us here: https://sailingawen.com/about-us

#outremer #boatlife #catamaran #travelvlog #digitalnomad #lifestyle #sailboats #stayhealthy #learning #vlog #podcast #live #motivation #travel #nomad #boattour #sailingadventure #bucketlist #adventure #mediterranean #nomad #retirement #adventureawaits #ocean #learning

Passage Prep - S7E10

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 10:18:49 -0700

Massive update in this week's episode, lot's to talk about as we prepare for our passage to...surprise reveal in this episode!

⭐️Check out our new catamaran sailing blog! https://sailingawen.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@SailingAWEN/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sailingawen/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SailingAwen/

FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sailingawen/

📧EMAIL US: sailingawen@gmail.com

🌎TRACK US on vessel finder.

⛵️AWEN will be featured at the MIAMI BOAT SHOW! Meet us there!! Learn more about the show dates: https://www.miamiboatshow.com/en/home.html

OUTREMER 52 OWNER’S REVIEW: https://www.katamarans.com/owners-reviews/outremer-52r/

🎶 MUSIC by Epidemic Sound

More about us here: https://sailingawen.com/about-us

#outremer #boatlife #catamaran #travelvlog #digitalnomad #lifestyle #sailboats #stayhealthy #learning #vlog #podcast #live #motivation #travel #nomad #boattour #sailingadventure #bucketlist #adventure #mediterranean #nomad #retirement #adventureawaits #ocean #learning

Sailing Stories with The Larsson’s - S7E10

Sun, 08 Oct 2023 05:51:00 -0700

We sit down with the Larsson's from Colorado to talk about sailboats and skiing as they wait for their new performance catamaran.

Note: this episode was experimenting with the DJI wireless mics and our headsets so the audio isn't perfect. We strive to improve and have different guest mics on order now.

Warranty Work Already? - S7E08

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 05:03:33 -0700

This week we talk about our sailboat warranty work and neuvage for our Outremer 52 catamaran.

It’s Windy! - S7E07

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 02:25:06 -0700

Let's talk about the Mediterranean wind; it's windy and unpredictable. We are learning a lot about trusting weather models and what we can do to stay safe in high wind conditions.

Boat Show Tips - S7E06

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 03:59:13 -0700

We are fresh from the Cannes Yachting Festival and wanted to share some tips since it's boat show season. We saw some amazing sailboats and yachts at this year's show and lots of changes in the new sailboat market. #boatshow

Sailing with the O’Kelly’s - S7E05

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 03:33:09 -0700

This week we are hosting the O'Kelly's during part of our sailboat shakedown. What wonderful guests!!! We sat down to chat over coffee and talk about boats!

Insurance - S7E04

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 05:48:13 -0700

Discuss the adventure finding and keeping sailboat insurance for cruising. It's not as easy or cheap as it once was so update your budget!

Working Out Kinks - S7E03

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 03:43:51 -0700

The not so glamorous side of getting a new sailboat is working out the kinks and shaking off the cobwebs as we finish getting our Outremer 52 ready for shakedown.

Learning AWEN - S7E02

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 12:41:13 -0700

First night at anchor unsupervised on our Outremer 52 catamaran after a week of learning the systems, the nuances of the sail plan and how she works.

Handover - S7E01

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 05:33:31 -0700

WE GOT OUR BOAT! Woo Hoo. We talk about our first day on the boat and how the initial handover went.

Final Options & Costs - S6E13

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 12:20:51 -0700

Well, we got the final invoice for our sailboat since handover is next week and wanted to go through all our final options and decisions.

Sails Up - S6E12

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 12:43:56 -0700

The new North Sails go on AWEN and we take our Outremer 52 out for the first test sail to see how she likes them!

Splash Day - S6E11

Sat, 22 Jul 2023 03:16:22 -0700

Splash day for our new boat! We were excited to see Awen in the water and getting her mast put on, it's starting to look like a real sailboat and we are just two weeks away from handover.

Welcome to Covert Castaway, our fully uncut experience making the transition to be sailing liveaboard cruisers. Join us as we share what we are learning as we make the lifestyle change to sell our stuff, quit our jobs, buy a boat and explore the world. Join the conversation on our Sailing AWEN facebook page or drop us a note at sailingawen@gmail.com.

Nomad Living - S6E10

Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:13:24 -0700

The joys of nomadic life include all kinds of unexpected surprises, we share some of them as we wait out the last few weeks waiting for our sailboat to be done.

What Families Worry About - S6E09

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 12:12:00 -0700

My mom has a lot of questions about offshore sailing and all the possible ways to die on a sailboat so I invited her on a podcast to ask me anything!

Sailboat Maintenance Tools and Parts - S6E08

Sun, 25 Jun 2023 15:02:53 -0700

Today we talk about our approach to sailboat maintenance, tools, spares, and parts and how we are accumulating and managing our equipment and making sure we set good discipline for maintenance longer term.

All Things Medical - S6E07

Sat, 10 Jun 2023 14:22:41 -0700

Medical preparation, training, insurance, telehealth, and what to know about marine medical packed into this episode!

Discovering Our Boat In Person - S6E06

Fri, 26 May 2023 08:21:00 -0700

We finally get to France and get to sail on the O52 catamaran live in the flesh! Not much wind, but definitely left an impression.

Sailing Healthy - S6E05

Fri, 19 May 2023 12:33:00 -0700

We chat with Catherine from Wild Travel Story about their sailing adventures and tips for living healthy and sustainably on a boat. Check out their book, The Hunter & The Gatherer. She shares great stories from their years cruising.

O52 First Impressions - S6E04

Fri, 12 May 2023 12:16:00 -0700

Our first impressions of the Outremer 52 now that it's been launched and sailing on the water!

Prepping to Leave - S6E03

Sat, 06 May 2023 12:07:58 -0700

We give an update on recent travel to Melbourne and Bali and now we're preparing to go sailing and get our new catamaran, the Outremer 52, which will be out of the factory very soon!

Making North Sails - S6E02

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 13:38:01 -0800

We speak to our neighbor Tom who works at North Sails and has the best job in the world. He shares about materials and R&D for 3Di sail building.

New Year New Boat - S6E01

Sun, 08 Jan 2023 11:59:41 -0800

Happy New Year everyone! We wanted to kick off the year with an update of what's been going on and share our plans for the year ahead.

Gday from Melbourne! - S5E20

Sat, 03 Dec 2022 18:56:55 -0800

Our Outremer 52 catamaran is in the mold! And other exciting sailboat updates as we explore Melbourne, Australia.

Coastal & Offshore Navigation - S5E19

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 23:45:41 -0800

Today we breakdown the major navigation options to consider between weather forecast, route planning and weather routing.

Coastal & Offshore Communications - S5E18

Sat, 12 Nov 2022 00:01:00 -0800

Today we cover communication systems and options for liveaboard sailing and circumnavigating, including Starlink.

Drawing The Line On Redundancy - S5E17

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 13:57:11 -0800

How much redundancy is needed to sail around the world on a performance catamaran? We explain our philosophy and the options we have selected as backup based on our cruising plans.

Learning Plan for Cruising as a Couple - S5E16

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 22:02:11 -0700

We share a summary of the training sessions we have gone through over the years and emphasize what we believe is useful in the context of a couple sailing together where one person has more experience than the other.

Our New Outremer 52 - S5E15

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 11:31:03 -0700

We're excited to talk about our new Outremer 52 Performance Catamaran. If you check our Sailing Awen YouTube channel you'll even get to see cool pictures and animations. We also share our experience from the Cannes Yachting Festival and from our first sail on an Outremer 55.

Home Base or Not? - S5E14

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 22:05:21 -0700

Life is a journey... You make decisions, you change your mind and you end up somewhere for reasons you had not thought about. We share our story about a 'home base' hoping it might help others.

What Defines a Performance Catamaran - S5E13

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 07:47:58 -0700

Today we share the factors that define a performance catamaran and what considerations mattered most to us in narrowing down what we wanted in our second sailboat. We spoke to a professional on the topic and describe our decision process. This episode is the audio-only version of our video on our Sailing AWEN YT channel, so you can check that out in all it's glory by heading over there!

Electric Propulsion - S5E12

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 08:00:00 -0700

Our friends from The Blue Saga share their electrical propulsion experience with their custom performance catamaran and what it's like sailing with an electric motor.

We Changed Our Mind - S5E11

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 23:00:00 -0700

In this episode, we share our full story, our sailing liveaboard adventure in the last two seasons and how changed our minds about our catamaran. This is an audio-only version of our story posted on our Sailing AWEN YouTube channel. Be sure to check that out and subscribe. We have exciting news to share in the coming weeks, so don't miss it!!!

Welcome to Covert Castaway, our fully uncut experience making the transition to becoming sailing liveaboard cruisers. Join us as we make mistakes, celebrate victories and transition to the sailing life to explore the world.

Living Light - S5E10

Sun, 07 Aug 2022 16:09:37 -0700

How do you pack light and live light on a sailboat when you plan to live aboard? This week we talk about the art of living simple and light.

More on Visas& Schengen - S5E09

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 16:40:00 -0700

This is an update on our previous podcast about visas, Schengen time and residency when it comes to traveling and sailing in Europe and the Mediterranean. You would think the rules would be straight forward, but really it's shades of grey.

Sailing Electronics Systems - S5E08

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 06:40:22 -0700

Warning: this episode gets a little geeky on electronics systems for sailing but wanted to share what we are learning about B&G and essentials for a new sailing catamaran.

Advice for Couples with Nikki Henderson - S5E07

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 03:20:43 -0700

Nikki Henderson, sailing instructor, team leader and Clipper Race skipper, shares advice for couples about how to work better as a team and set a positive culture on the boat. I was able to spend time with Nikki during Outremer Week in her classes and during the regatta days and her advice was remarkable!!! Thank you Nikki for sharing your experience and being a great source of inspiration.

Survival, Systems & Safety Training - S5E06

Sun, 12 Jun 2022 01:55:43 -0700

What learning and training is needed to safely sail and live on a sailboat and what do you need to know to diagnose problems and manage risk on the water? This week we summarize our 9 days of classroom and on the water training including diesel, electricity, weather, maneuvers and sail changes, celestial navigation, survival and safety - and a regatta during Outremer Week.

Sails & Rigging 2 - S5E05

Tue, 24 May 2022 08:48:27 -0700

Deciding on a sailing and rigging plan is one of the most critical and expensive decisions to make on a catamaran. We will share the different options and why making this choice can be so difficult.

Back to Sailing - S5E04

Tue, 17 May 2022 13:28:22 -0700

We are getting schooled on what it takes to sail a performance catamaran. Hear all about what we are learning and the training programs we are taking advantage of as we make the shift to sailing a lighter boat and deciding on our new sail plan.

Multihull Redux - S5E03

Sun, 24 Apr 2022 08:20:28 -0700

We get started with the team that will help us through the new production process and visit the International Multihull Show in La Grande Motte to meet our points of contact for electronics, sail plan and other major aspects of our new configuration.

Performance is the Wrong Word - S5E02

Sun, 17 Apr 2022 06:44:55 -0700

The boat switcharoo from a comfort to performance boat, how did we get here? It's not because we want a racing boat, it's for other reasons that we dive into further. Today, we do a summary of our revised sailing philosophy as we approach the build out of our new boat for around the world sailing - and it's not really about performance as it's currently defined.

Nomad Living - S5E01

Sat, 09 Apr 2022 12:22:52 -0700

We're back to kick off Season 5 living out of suitcases and without a boat at the moment! Lots to cover about our life on the road the last couple months and we are so excited to gear up to tackle the boat building process once again!

Welcome to Covert Castaway, our fully uncut experience making the transition to becoming sailing liveaboard cruisers. Join us as we make mistakes and celebrate victories while we sell our stuff, quit our jobs, buy and commission boat(s) and explore the world.

S4 Finale Massive Update - S4E25

Sat, 12 Feb 2022 18:48:17 -0800

TONS! That's how much we have to update you on in our Season Four Finale. And...we have a major update on our boat situation as we get ready to roll into Season Five.

Foreign Medical and Dental - S4E24

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 06:10:54 -0800

If you live in the US, this episode will blow your mind. We share our experience getting medical checkup and dental work done while sailing in Turkey and the out of pocket costs walking in off the street as a liveaboard.

Conversation with SV Bayti a Sailing Family - S4E23

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 01:32:00 -0800

Ever wonder what it's like to sail as a family? Today I sit down with Anwar, Sarah, Omar (11) and Tamara (15) to talk about their liveaboard cruising experience.

How Do You Sell a Boat? - SE4E22

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 23:01:00 -0700

We decided to list our catamaran while here in Turkey so we talk about the process of choosing a broker and other considerations on selling it now versus waiting. We also reveal a little more about our new boat!

Our First Haulout - S4E21

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 01:03:29 -0700

What a nail-biter it is to see your sailboat lifted high in the air in tiny straps, at least it seems that way. We share what that was like as we continue the wintering process and who got to do it.

Wintering Round Two - S4E20

Sat, 16 Oct 2021 11:19:10 -0700

It's time to tuck AWEN in for the winter and make sure she's got everything she needs to cuddle up safe on the hard in Turkey. You can check out our blog for the full checklist if you are interested as we do our first haulout and winter on the hard versus in the water. Send us a note if we forgot anything.

Link to full checklist can be found here: Sailboat Wintering Checklist - On the Hard

We Did What?!? - S4E19

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 01:55:25 -0700

We have some crazy news we are trying to fully understand ourselves. Rather than wait for months to share with you when we have all the details figured out, we decided we should just go with it and tell you guys and hope you don't think we have gone totally bonkers.

Part 2 Comfort versus Performance - S4E18

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 08:54:22 -0700

We cheated on our boat! In Part 1, we talked about the tradeoffs between a family cruising boat like ours, and a performance cruising boat, like an Outremer. We wanted to see the exact differences for ourselves so we took a trip to their factory in La Grande Motte and gave it a go. In this episode we share what we learned sailing an Outremer 51 in different wind conditions and our thoughts on the factory tour.

Roadtrip and Residency - S4E17

Sun, 03 Oct 2021 01:55:41 -0700

We hit the road to visit Antalya, Istanbul and a mystery destination we will reveal in this episode! We also give you an update on getting our Turkish residency and why we did it while sailing the Med.

Part 1 Comfort versus Performance - S3E16

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 08:50:00 -0700

A discussion about coming to terms with the trade-offs you're willing to make between comfort and performance. It's a process to come to terms to where you stand on the spectrum as a couple.

Boat Options Review 1yr Later - S4E15

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 04:03:23 -0700

What decisions on boat options do we regret and which ones are we still happy about making when commissioning our new sailboat? After sailing two seasons, we cover energy, electronics, anchoring, rigging and comfort and reveal some things we would do differently and unexpected items we just couldn't live without.

Meltemi - S4E14

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 06:19:42 -0700

We feature a special guest on our podcast to introduce you to as we sail further east to the Northern Aegean to escape the relentless wind gusts in the Cyclades Islands and head towards Turkey.

Nitty Gritty Living - S4E13

Sat, 14 Aug 2021 10:44:27 -0700

Listeners asked for more nitty gritty detail about living on a sailboat, how we explore places, our food experience, how we operate off the grid so we tried to answer many of those questions today.

Landing in the Cyclades Islands - S4E12

Sat, 07 Aug 2021 07:56:19 -0700

'Wow,' is all we can say about sailing in Milos, our first landing on the Cyclades. Join us as we share more about getting to this area around the Peloponnese with the closure of the Corinth Canal and the incredible anchorages this island has to offer.

Ionian to Peloponnese - S4E11

Sat, 07 Aug 2021 07:50:53 -0700

Join us as we share our adventure sailing through the Ionian leading up to making the turn around the Peloponnese on our way to the Cyclades Islands. We'll share hidden gems and epic visits to the top beaches in the enchanting islands of Greece.

Buddy Boating - S4E10

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 05:47:09 -0700

We have been buddy-boating with Vu & Bella over the last four weeks so we sit down together and talk about what makes buddy-boating work and possible pitfalls of trying to cruise with friends as a pair of sailboats. (This episode was recorded in our cockpit with lots of cicadas close by on shore so you get the full experience of their background singing.)

Enchanting Greece - S4E9

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 01:11:01 -0700

Stunning blue water in Greece and an amazing overnight road trip to the enchanting cliff monasteries of Meteora! This week, we talk about exploring this amazing country by sailboat and by foot.

Anchoring Madness - S4E8

Sun, 20 Jun 2021 09:08:14 -0700

Who knew that keeping a sailboat parked would take up so much space in our heads! What we’ve learned and observed so far about anchoring, med mooring and general practices in crowded anchorages.

Croatia is a Wrap - S4E7

Sat, 12 Jun 2021 15:20:51 -0700

This week we share overall impressions of our sailing experience in Croatia (based on the areas we were able to get to) and other high points before making our move to Corfu.

Going Slow - S4E6

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 01:22:20 -0700

The concept of time in this sailing lifestyle is completely different than it is on land, which is why we do it right? But wow, what a transition it is understanding how to take time as it comes and learning to slow down, versus what we are used to doing on land, which is finding ways to better manage our time to be more productive.

Getting Our Groove - S4E5

Sat, 29 May 2021 09:49:16 -0700

Big update on sailing in Croatia, learning the ropes literally and figuratively, and unexpected surprises along the way as we get our groove this sailing season in the Mediterranean.

And We're Off - S4E4

Sat, 15 May 2021 03:39:37 -0700

We finally left the docks in Porto Montenegro and arrived in Croatia on our catamaran. We are working through some technical problems with our watermaker but enjoying the early sailing season with virtually no crowds at all in Croatia...so far!

Unwintering - S4E3

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:29 -0700

It's been a busy couple of weeks here on AWEN as we unwinter the sailboat in preparation for leaving the dock later this week to start our sailing season in the Mediterranean. Lots of things to do to get the boat put back together and everything ship shape while we pray to Helios and Poseidon for warm weather and calm seas to arrive in the Eastern Med.

We're on a Boat! - S4E2

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 03:59:06 -0700

Back on SV AWEN and making the transition back to sailing life on our catamaran, and the anxiety of not getting hit at a boat dock again. It's really strange to wake up and realize we slept that night on a boat! So grateful to be able to be here staring at our long list of to-dos as we prep to leave for our sailing season in the Mediterranean.

Prepping for the New Season - S4E1

Sat, 03 Apr 2021 22:53:32 -0700

Just seven days and we will be back on our catamaran to start our Season 2 of cruising. Welcome to Covert Castaway's Season 4 as we make the transition to liveaboard sailing. Join us as we start 2021 sailing season in Montenegro - destination Croatia, Greece & Turkey.

Conversation with Alex Blue - S3E13

Sat, 06 Mar 2021 10:48:38 -0800

This coming week we celebrate International Women’s Day and I just love learning from all the women who sail about their experiences, what draws them to want to live on the ocean, learning to sail, dealing with expectations and small living spaces, and advice they give other women considering changing their lifestyle to live aboard a sailboat.

In this week’s Covert Castaway podcast I have the great pleasure to interview Alex Blue from S/V Delos. As it turns out at the moment, we live on opposite sides of Lake Tahoe and she was so gracious about sharing her experiences with us and what’s next for she and Brady as they transition to life on land.

Choosing Medical Insurance - S3E12

Sat, 16 Jan 2021 15:41:30 -0800

How do you handle doctor's visits or emergencies while traveling globally? Today we share what we learned researching international medical insurance plans while sailing and living abroad.

Gift for our Listeners - S3E11 BONUS

Sat, 26 Dec 2020 17:04:42 -0800

This week we include a special holiday gift for you for continuing to listen as we enjoy making room in our lives to learn and try new things. Just like sailing, anything is possible with a little practice but you've got to start somewhere! You can link directly to a higher quality version of the Le Bateau audio file at https://soundcloud.com/user-739904824/le-bateau.

Welcome to Covert Castaway, our fully uncut experience making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruisers. Join us as we talk about what we're learning as we make this lifestyle change to sell our stuff, quit our corporate jobs, leave our family and sail away on a 47 foot catamaran.

If you have any specific topics you want us to cover, please visit our FB page Sailing AWEN and join the conversation or reach out to us at sailingawen@gmail.com.

Marriage Saver - S3E10

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 18:57:45 -0800

Any sailing couple knows that your entire marriage is one display while docking a boat. In this week's podcast we talk about our ideas about how we can better communicate and all the dynamics while docking and anchoring as we prepare for next season.

If you have any specific topics you want us to cover, please visit our FB page Sailing AWEN and join the conversation or reach out to us at sailingawen@gmail.com.

Conversation with Vu & Bella - S3E9

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 16:18:57 -0800

In this episode we share our conversation with Vu and Bella from Seattle about their experience in their first season of liveaboard cruising, their quest to build an all electric catamaran they named Blue Saga, and lessons they have learned sailing so far. You will find their adventurous spirit and positive outlook contagious!

If you have any specific topics you want us to cover, please visit our FB page Sailing AWEN and join the conversation or reach out to us at sailingawen@gmail.com.

Rough Reentry - S3E8

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 18:37:42 -0800

Sorry, sorry, sorry this episode is so late. Our reentry back home to the US has been...well...a transition. We went from sailboat life to facing the devastating impact at home due to COVID and the economic and political situation. This week we get you caught up on what's been going on and what is next for us this winter.

If you have any specific topics you want us to cover, please visit our FB page Sailing AWEN and join the conversation or reach out to us at sailingawen@gmail.com.

Conversation with Aussies Kim & Steve - S3E7

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 03:57:56 -0800

We sat down with a couple from Australia who just started their first sailing season on their Moody 38 and got their perspective on making the transition. They share great advice and their adventures getting started cruising during COVID-19 lockdown in the mediterranean.

If you have any specific topics you want us to cover, please visit our FB page Sailing AWEN and join the conversation or reach out to us at sailingawen@gmail.com.

Hidden Costs of a Boat - S3E6

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 14:18:04 -0700

Find out what they don't tell you at the boat show...all the hidden costs of fully commissioning a new sailboat. In this episode we share what we spent money on after we took delivery. By adding up our post-delivery receipts I can give you an itemized view of things you may want to consider budgeting for.

If you have any specific topics you want us to cover, please visit our FB page Sailing AWEN and join the conversation or reach out to us at sailingawen@gmail.com.

Winterizing for the First Time - S3E5

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 13:00:53 -0700

How do you tuck the sailboat in for winter safe and sound? We had no idea either. This week we talk about our process winterizing our catamaran and what we discover in the process. Spoiler alert, it includes discovering five buckets of water in our bilge!

If you have any specific topics you want us to cover, please visit our FB page Sailing AWEN and join the conversation or reach out to us at sailingawen@gmail.com.

Keeping it Healthy - S3E4

Sun, 11 Oct 2020 09:37:28 -0700

Two vegans on a boat? In today’s episode we talk about what we do to try to stay healthy as we sail and enjoy the liveaboard lifestyle. We cover our general philosophy, eating out, shopping and preparing food and recipes. We also cover alcohol and exercise. Check out our blog for my recipe for Vegan Flapjacks at www.sailingawen.com.

If you have any specific topics you want us to cover, please visit our FB page Sailing AWEN and join the conversation or reach out to us at sailingawen@gmail.com.

Listener Q&A with Mark & Kathryn - S3E3

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 01:37:10 -0700

Our listeners Mark and Kathryn reached out to us with a bunch of questions about our journey to liveaboard cruising and our experience in the trough of despair along the change curve. They are also pursuing the dream and we thought it would be fun to record the conversation about sailing and lessons we have been learning. This one is a bit longer than normal but the chat was an honest take on what the transition is like for us.

If you have any specific topics you want us to cover, please visit our FB page Sailing AWEN and join the conversation or reach out to us at sailingawen@gmail.com.

How We Chose Our Boat - S3E2

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 01:20:15 -0700

We have been getting a lot of questions about how we decided on a catamaran versus a monohull sailboat, why new versus used or chartered, why a production boat and why we chose an Fountaine Pajot. In this podcast we sum up our own personal preferences and rationale but remember, buying a boat is all about personal tastes and preferences.

Welcome to Covert Castaway, our fully uncut experience making the transition to being liveaboard sailing cruisers. Join us as we talk about what we are learning as we make this lifestyle change, sell our stuff, quit our jobs, leave our family and sail away on a 47 foot catamaran, AWEN. If you have any topics you want us to cover, please visit our FB page @SailingAWEN and join the conversation or reach out at sailingawen@gmail.com.

OVERT Castaway - S3E1

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 04:51:48 -0700

In our premier episode for Season 3, we share more about us and how sailing started. Also, we find a naked man aboard our boat at 3 am!!!

If you have any specific topics you want us to cover, please visit our FB page Sailing AWEN and join the conversation or reach out to us at sailingawen@gmail.com.

Hope Says Goodbye S2 Finale - S2E23

Sat, 05 Sep 2020 12:55:20 -0700

Season Two is a wrap and we get ready for the next chapter now that we find ourselves all alone (together) on a sailboat.

Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share a candid journal about what we're learning as we make this lifestyle change to sell our stuff, quit our jobs and sail away on a 47 foot catamaran.

Sh!T Happens - S2E22

Thu, 03 Sep 2020 09:31:55 -0700

Now that we are left completely unsupervised on our sailboat, things get wobbly. We make some mistakes and learn a few things on our first double-handed passage to Sardinia, experience a scary docking incident and make a trip to the hospital...and we find Jesus, literally.

Sailing Across the Bay of Biscay through Gibraltar - S2E21

Sun, 23 Aug 2020 07:00:32 -0700

We debrief on our two-week sailboat migration across the Bay of Biscay, through Gibraltar Strait to Mallorca. Lots to learn about sailing our new catamaran, more things to fix and trying to complete our boat projects list. The lessons for us keep coming!

Engine Problems: The Sequel -S2E20

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 07:19:23 -0700

We discovered the problem behind water being in both of our Volvo engines, just before we begin our maiden sailing voyage across the Bay of Biscay. We are so lucky to get this resolve before we left, versus discover neither of our diesel engines working in a confused sea state.

Engine Problems - Bonus Quickie

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 02:29:33 -0700

Just before leaving the dock, we discover an unexpected surprise.

Preparing for Maiden Voyage - S2E19

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 12:59:29 -0700

The last two weeks of preparing the sailboat have been a blur, we update you on the shakedown, what broke, progress we've made and thoughts before setting sail for our maiden voyage across the Bay of Biscay.

First Sail & Shakedown Prep - S2E18

Sun, 19 Jul 2020 15:09:40 -0700

Our first sail! Well, sort of...it was with a sailing instructor who was teaching us the secrets of sailing a catamaran, but more importantly, how to maneuver in a tight, busy marina without ramming into other boats, people or docks. In this episode we share what it was like to finally sail our new boat and plans for the shakedown sail.

A lot to take in - Bonus Quickie

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 02:19:16 -0700

Why are we Refitting a New Boat? - S2E17

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 02:28:40 -0700

I once thought if you buy a new catamaran, it comes out of the factory and is sail-ready, which is not the case really. In this episode, we will share the changes we are making to make it easier to sail and other customizations before leaving the dock.

Impressions from our First Guest! - Bonus Quickie

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 02:01:43 -0700

Quick interview of our first guest. My DH's sister from Paris came to visit and gives her first impressions of the boat and her thoughts on our plans ahead.

Drama on the Docks - S2E16

Sun, 05 Jul 2020 14:05:12 -0700

Rumors proliferate and we get our first taste of boat drama only a few days into our arrival to finally take possession of our new catamaran sailboat. Four days in and it feels like we've had enough action to pack a month. It's official, our lives are no longer status quo!

What Have We Done?

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 14:14:07 -0700

Quick update from the sailboat in La Rochelle and very first thoughts. Surreal!

And we're off!

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 11:17:02 -0700

Quick update from the airport during our layover in Dallas.

Reality Strikes! - S2E15

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 21:15:55 -0700

I had to grab the mic tonight and record my husband as he started talking about what it was like for him since it was his last day of work as he fully makes the turn to a full time cruiser. In just two days we leave for France (hopefully) where I will meet our sailboat for this first time. I'll be posting bonus podcasts during the trip to update everyone real time on how our story unfolds.

One Week to Departure! - S2E14

Sun, 21 Jun 2020 21:05:32 -0700

Just one week left as we countdown the days to 'cast the lines,' though in reality that's really not how it works cruising on a sailboat. We reflect on what it's like being on the threshold of this major life event and dealing with all the last minute things to do before we head to the airport.

Two Weeks, Crunchtime! - S2E13

Sun, 14 Jun 2020 20:50:14 -0700

Just two weeks to go before we start the sailing adventure and everything has snuck up on us all at once. This week we talk about all the final details for home and for the catamaran as we move into crunchtime.

Our NEW New Plan - S2E12

Sun, 07 Jun 2020 10:08:57 -0700

We decided to go for it and booked tickets back to France for the end of June to try to take possession of our catamaran. In this episode we catch up on our new departure and sailing plan given the COVID situation and share an update on what is going on with our sailboat.

Telling Our Kids About Our Plans - S2E11

Mon, 25 May 2020 10:02:40 -0700

How do you tell your kids that you are selling all your stuff and planning to go live on a boat and help them through the change curve so you aren’t completely gutted with guilt before you leave. In today’s episode, you’ll hear from them directly about their initial reactions and what concerned them the most all in their own words. And stick around for next week where you will hear from my mom and sister as well.

Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share my candid journal about what I'm learning as I make this lifestyle change.

Dinghy & Outboard Decision - S2E10

Sun, 10 May 2020 21:08:43 -0700

I’ve had a couple requests from followers to talk about how we made our decision on our dinghy, or tender. In this week’s podcast we discuss how we made this choice, and how we balanced logic and passion when it came to getting an OC Tender.

Conversation with Megan O'Kelly - S2E9

Sun, 03 May 2020 18:00:59 -0700

In this week's podcast I share my inspiring conversation with Megan O'Kelly from Sail Clarity. She shares her experiences making multiple transitions to different forms of liveaboard sailing over the course of many years and three sailboats; and shares what it was like leaving her career and finding new adventures.

Welcome to Covert Castaway, my undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser on a catamaran. Join me as I share a woman's perspective in my candid journal about what I'm learning as I make this lifestyle change from land to ocean living.

Boarded, Pirated & Marine Security Systems - S2E8

Sun, 19 Apr 2020 22:15:17 -0700

During the COVID shut down our boat was boarded by some land pirates who decided to force the sailboat door open, party like rockstars and then made off with a bunch of stuff, but not before using all the heads on dry tanks. In today’s episode we’ll share what happened as our boat was waiting to complete commissioning, how it all is getting resolved and our crash course on marine security systems.

Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser on a catamaran. Join me as I share my candid journal about what we are learning as we make a lifestyle change from land to ocean living.

Our New Plan - S2E7

Sun, 12 Apr 2020 20:03:49 -0700

Plans change, especially when it comes to sailing, but COVID changes everything. Today we discuss how to continue our boat commissioning and what options we have for maintaining our goal for sailing in 2020 amid the COVID crisis. Neither of us could ever imagine the idea of push our plans out, but now it’s a matter of whether those plans push a few months or a full year.

Conversation with Terysa from SY Ruby Rose - S2E6

Sun, 29 Mar 2020 18:58:11 -0700

This week I have a conversation with Terysa from Sailing Yacht Ruby Rose. Terysa and her partner Nick have been cruising since 2014 in their Southerly 38 monohull, mostly around Europe and the Caribbean Islands. Learn how Terysa and Nick took their idea and made it into a plan, and what it was like to adjust to such a huge lifestyle change as a couple.

Plot Twist - S2E5

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 21:11:06 -0700

Major changes in just a few short days! In today's podcast we talk about how we dropped everything to get my husband safely home from France where he was busy trying to get our sailboat finished, and how we come to terms with a new set of decisions.

Separated and Socially Distant - S2E4

Sat, 14 Mar 2020 14:01:27 -0700

In today’s podcast I share my conversation with my husband about the initial sailboat commissioning going on in La Rochelle France...while I’m in the US. Just after recording it, the COVID-19 travel ban was announced and I’ll share our own personal dilemma for what comes next.

Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser and a 47 foot catamaran. Join me as I share my candid journal about what I'm learning as I make this lifestyle change.

Hurry Up & Wait - S2E3

Sun, 01 Mar 2020 21:39:43 -0800

Finally, there’s a catamaran sighting! This week my husband catches me up on what’s going on at the factory as the sailboat comes out, and what we can expect when we try to shop and commission a boat in France to sail around the world.

Giving Berth! Part 2 - S2E2

Sat, 22 Feb 2020 12:31:17 -0800

What do you look for when you take possession of a catamaran sailboat? In this week’s podcast, I share the second in a two part series about the sailboat handover checklist and all the things we need to be looking for as the boat exits the factory and gets handed over to the commissioning agent for final work to be completed.

Giving Berth! Part 1 - S2E1

Sun, 16 Feb 2020 21:35:18 -0800

NEW SEASON. Why? Because it’s time...the boat is ready. After over two years in the making, the real fun is about to begin. In today’s podcast I start the first of a two part series where I sit down with my husband as we go through the handover checklist and all the possible things to look for as we take possession of the boat in just one week!!!

Conversation with Sophie Darsy - 24

Sun, 02 Feb 2020 15:28:01 -0800

I recently had a chance to have a conversation with Sophie, from Ryan and Sophie Sailing - who I just adore. She gives great advice about making the transition to liveaboard sailing, what she learned navigating relationship dynamics on the sailboat and gives her thoughts about how to get the most out of the cruising lifestyle.

Flags, LLC, Registration - 23

Sun, 26 Jan 2020 13:46:37 -0800

So we were just told that our boat is coming out in just three weeks...WHUT?!? In today’s episode I’ll talk about our full court press to the finish line leading up to ex-factory handover and all the flagging and registration choices we have to now decide on.

D!H! - 22

Sat, 11 Jan 2020 22:13:17 -0800

Dear Husband, Darling Hubbie, Dork Head...or any other version of this handy acronym will do. In today's episode, real time relationship dynamics as we continue our transition to life at sea.

Schengen & Visas - 21

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 23:07:55 -0800

The Schengen Zone. In today's episode I'll share what we are learning about Visa gymnastics, where to go if we need to reset our time, and what this means to planning our first season in the Med.

Conversation with Emily Johnson - 20

Fri, 06 Dec 2019 12:43:35 -0800

Conversation with Emily Johnson about what her first year and a half has been like, what she's learning as she sails with her partner Matt on their Saba 50 catamaran. You can also visit their website at SVSeaOdyssey.com.

Drowning in Paperwork - 19

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 23:37:24 -0800

I’m a few days late on this week’s podcast because honestly, I’m completely overwhelmed. Trying to pull all the administrative aspects of this boat plan together is starting to feel like a second job so this is what I want to talk about today. All the administrative hullabaloo and everything that creates stress and needs attention when preparing for this kind of transition.

Getting a Risk Plan - 18

Sun, 03 Nov 2019 22:25:37 -0800

Let's get a risk management plan together for sailing...where do we start? We wanted to be prepared for how to anticipate situations and manage them effectively as a team, without the drama which could suck the joy out of any liveaboard experience.

Conversation with Amy Alton - 17

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 10:19:49 -0700

Amy Alton lessons she learned through her own transition to living on her catamaran Starry Horizons with her husband David. She shares advice and what she would have done differently. You can also visit her blog at OutChasing Stars.com, for additional insight.

Medical Matters - 16

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 11:30:12 -0700

Accidents, heart attacks, sepsis…these are things that terrify me when it comes to living on a boat. In today’s podcast I’ll talk about medical concerns and steps we are taking to be medically ready when we go sailing on a boat full time.

Wacky Warranties - 15

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 01:30:00 -0700

We are buying a boat that costs as much as a condo and the warranty part of the contract is literally one single page. In today’s podcast I’ll talk about what I learned about warranties, local laws and legal accountability, and what kinds of things to expect to fix that are covered under the warranty the first year.

Welcome to Covert Castaway, my undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share my candid journal about what I'm learning as I make this liveaboard lifestyle change.

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE so you won’t miss an episode. You can also listen anywhere you get your podcasts, on YouTube or stream directly at http://covertcastaway.podbean.com/

Choosing a Broker - 14

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 16:41:09 -0700

When you buy a new boat, it turns out that the broker you use you will be stuck with for a long time. In today’s podcast, I’ll talk about what we looked for in a broker, how we chose ours, and what we learned after the fact.

Outfitting & Commissioning Decisions - 13

Sun, 29 Sep 2019 16:10:55 -0700

Commissioning and deciding about options when buying a new sailboat is not a straightforward process and neither is getting answers to what we set out thinking were pretty easy questions. In today’s podcast I’ll outline our experience with outfitting and commissioning and what we are learning through the process.

Meeting Tracy Edwards - 12

Sun, 22 Sep 2019 21:41:41 -0700

In today's episode I’ll share what I learned from Tracy Edwards MBE, famed British sailor and social activist, after a unique opportunity to spend time with her and also learn about her new project, The Maiden Factor.

My First Ocean Passage - 11

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 09:30:45 -0700

In today's episode I’ll share my first passage experience as offshore crew with 59 North on their Swan 59 Icebear, and what I learned on my first blue water passage.

How a Boat is Born - 10

Sun, 08 Sep 2019 22:43:56 -0700

In this podcast, I’ll share how a new boat is conceived and born and what I learned that surprised me the most about the manufacturing, delivery and commissioning process. Just like labor and delivery of a new baby, it’s not something you are ever fully prepared for.

Power Struggle - 9

Sun, 01 Sep 2019 17:57:30 -0700

In today’s podcast I'll talk about the changing power dynamics and boat battles that are happening in our relationship as we make the transition from land to boat living.

Finding Money Part 2 - 8

Sun, 25 Aug 2019 23:09:33 -0700

Now that we have all of our budget, costs and basic assumptions agreed on, how do we put a financial strategy in place that will enable us to cast off without a ton of economic insecurity? And a bonus, find out one more reason post-its are awesome! This is part two of my podcast series about creating a financial strategy for cruising. If you haven’t read part one yet, this won’t make any sense so start there.

Finding Money Part 1 - 7

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 21:16:50 -0700

How are we ever going to be able to afford to quit our jobs to live on a boat? In the first in a two part series I’ll share the six steps we took to create a financial strategy to make our dream real!

Fear is My Friend - 6

Fri, 16 Aug 2019 16:57:12 -0700

The more I learn about sailing the more I learn all the ways the ocean is out to get me. In this episode, I’ll share my struggle with fear, and ways I'm trying to harness it to my advantage.

Earning the View - 5

Sun, 11 Aug 2019 15:50:15 -0700

Just before our move out date, my husband got an idea that would upend everything. I’ll share why I missed moving day, and how I spent Mother’s Day stranded on an island.

Changes & Mistakes - 4

Sat, 10 Aug 2019 20:54:03 -0700

Putting my house on the market was one thing, actually selling it happened while I was driving in my car alone to a Justin Timberlake concert. In this episode, I share what happened to get the house sold and the big mistake I made with my kids during that time.

It Gets Real - 3

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 20:58:51 -0700

It gets real. The decision to sell the house was a highly emotional decision and an has an impact on family who start to understand that the dream is a plan. In this episode, I’ll share the journey of deciding to sell the house and what I learned in the process.

Love the Boat - 2

Sun, 04 Aug 2019 21:28:05 -0700

Before a budget, before having a solid game plan, what did we do? We did exactly the opposite of what we should have done when deciding to commit to transitioning to the cruising lifestyle. In this episode, I’ll share my story about how got our sailing plan kick started and ignored every piece of advice anyone will give you about where to start - never fall in love with the boat.

How Sailing Began - 1

Fri, 02 Aug 2019 22:11:36 -0700

How did plans change from being a working mom to wanna be cruiser, with no previous sailing experience? Yes, it had to do with a man, but not in ways you might think. I’ll share my story about how liveaboard sailing went from an idea, to a dream, to a plan.

Introduction - Start Here

Wed, 31 Jul 2019 21:44:30 -0700

In this episode I put some context around this channel so you know what you can expect before we dive in. Please start here.

Are you dreaming of quitting your job, selling your stuff and sailing around the world as a liveaboard cruiser? Me too! Covert Castaway podcast is a fully candid diary of everything I'm learning to make the transition to life at sea, in all its honest glory. From creating a financial plan, boat buying and construction, secrets of commissioning, emotions of selling the house, the adventure of learning to sail, and telling your friends and family and all the mistakes I’m making along the way. This podcast is anonymous so I can be brutally honest, and keep my job to (you know) pay for the boat.

The goal of this podcast is to share my story in case it helps you on your own journey to becoming a liveaboard cruiser.