“There’s good news and bad news.” When someone says that, is it ever really good? 😂

Time travel with us in this episode to NOW! -- April 2021 -- for a real-time update, and to meet our lil' babe, Renata!

As liveaboard cruisers, we’re forced to learn how to do new things all the time, whether we want to or not. Luckily for Kirk, he thrives on figuring things out for himself. Then our chosen lifestyle must mean he’s found fulfillment and happiness for life, right!?

Some projects are fun, and some are a slog. What’s always fun is checking a completed task off the list — and if you use the right type of list, it can be magical. 

We’re makin’ moves. The mast goes up, the engine gets a checkup, as does the rudder assembly.

Maintaining a 40-year-old sailboat can be mentally draining. To be successful, not only do you need be a good electrician, diesel mechanic, plumber, seamstress, cook, project manager and sailor, it also doesn’t hurt to be a good bartender.

It seems ridiculous, but it’s the reason we worry so much about our boat. It’s the reason we agonize over every little decision about maintenance and upgrades. Our boat is too nice.

It’s tempting to think we’re cursed. After our boat was struck by lighting, we thought Mother Nature might go easy on us for a while. No such luck.

If lightning hits your boat, hope Zeus zaps it lightly, like he did Soulianis. After a thunderstorm rolled through St Augustine, Florida, we weren’t even sure if we’d been hit.

Just as we’re about to tuck Soulianis away for the summer season, our good fortune with Mother Nature runs out. Did we really expect to get through of all of these storms scot free?