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Thanks sooooo much for posting this info. Tom is being transferred from Australia to France, then Puerto Rico, then the US. Thanks to your Web site - we can sleep easier knowing that Rory (the Irish Wolfhound) and Chi (the Bull Terrier X Heeler) won't have to spend any time in quarantine. The problem of getting them BACK into Australia one day is a bridge that we will cross LATER! Thanks again, so much.
Love Lee and Tom
PS. Enjoy your travels - you guys are great.
HI! I was just surfing on how to potty train dogs. We are getting 2 puppies this weekend. I stumbled on your site. I think I will try astroturf sounds good Thanks. http://www.svsu.edu/~rongo
I will be following you journey with the hopes of one day following in your footsteps!
ENJOYED YOUR COMMENTS.....WE HAVE GULFSTAR 50 IN NORTH MYRTLE BEACH SC "EASTERN POINT"
Nice website, very informative. Don't own a boat yet but looking. My fiance and I attended a J-World keelboat class back in July, it was great. We live on Long Island, NY.
great site - lots of interesting reading - coastal cruising live-aboard our dream next 2-3 years - who knows may meet you in Bay of Islands N.Z. good luck & thanks for helping with the dream
Still following your adventures.
I have the same dream but rather than retirement I have chosen to begin now, at age twenty. I am currently looking for an opportunity to crew as to gain experience prior to finding the means of ownrship.
My aunt emailed me from England telling me to look at your website; my cousin Paul and wife Kelly were on your site. Looks like a fantastic trip.
Do you know of any companies offering stock options so we can join you and cousin Paul on the high seas? (ha, Ha)
Best of luck, and ENJOY!
Peter.
I am Paul Watts cousin super photos. Denise
Great to see people living their dreams. Also great to see my cousin (Paul Watts) enjoying windsurfing. Please say hi to Paul and Kelly from his Canadian family and we will continue to follow your trip. Tony
Great site! So many tips and hints. Skipper and me (2IC) are heading off from UK to Mediterranean April 2004 and cannot wait. 807 days to go. House sold, garage sales successful. Pets chipped and jabbed! Medicals / teeth etc all in hand.
You two are doing what I am dreaming of and trying to persuade my wife to dream the same. I am retired and she is still working, maybe for another year. My first thoughts were for sailing but have decided on a power rig since I have no experience and my partner is wary about the whole idea. I think we will try to begin cautiously,a 26'-30' and cruise the ICW. Have fun.
Proud owner of IP-27-02. Great site--agree with everything you say about IPs and the factory. Sailing IP since 94--will eventually upsize to a 35/37. Good luck on your adventures.
Bill Daley Cranston RI
What a great site! My wife and I are considering a cruising retirement near the age of 45, and have loved the information on you site. Hope to see additional posts and hope all is well.
fair winds and following seas......
Ruth and I are still following your travels.. We are getting ready to sail some on Kerr Lake again in a few weeks if the weather holds and the lake keeps rising.. Fair winds and calm seas to you..
Richard & Ruth Pleasants Raleigh, NC
Hi, Blaine & Janet. We were introduced to you thru your great dogs at Rock Hall after you got struck by lightening. Remember, Bob asked "dot-com?" Your story is great, and I hope we will see you at North Point on your way north. We'll check in to see where you are. Your site is great. Anne
Hello! Love your site. As a teenager, I am starting my dreams early on livingaboard. All my plans are in my head and I am always looking for others who share my dream or are already living it. It can be done! It was great hearing about you all. Happy Sailing!
Excellent site, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Happy sailing.
Elaine retired 2/7/02 and I will retire 4/1/02. We started our house in St Aug. last week, and will be spending the monthe of April getting Excalibur ready for the trip South. Hopf you guys are well and enjoying the Islands---Hope to see you soon. PS Thinks of moving up to 40 plus IP.
Great Inspiration !!! Keep on Sailing!
Thank you for the wealth of information on sailing with pets. My husband and I are huge animal lovers and couldn't imagine leaving our babies behind. Your web site answered all of our questions and more! Looking forward to seeing Max and Bailey on a beach somewhere.
Hi.You are living my dreamI don t know if I will ever make my dream a reality.But I enjoy reading stories like yours.I admire the way you wokked and saved to make your dream come true.I love your boat .I t looks like the perfect boat.I liked the fact that you turned left,and trusted your experience.Well i don t know if this will ever reach you.Safe sailing . Don Eagleton Retired Montreal Policeman Montreal Quebec.HOME OF THE OLYMPIC HOCKEY CHAMPIONS
Great site! I enjoyed your evaluation of the TRUE cruising sailboat. I have long enjoyed the style and practicality of Island Packet Yachts. To hear some testimony of an actual owner/cruiser is encouraging. My girlfriend and I are 26 years old and have a 1975 Hunter 30. Although it has been a great boat for 2 years, we are considering our options on obtaining an IP 35. I've been sailing since I was 14. My dad had a 1982 Prout 50' until I was 23. I lived aboard and traveled with him for a couple of years until I got my first boat; a 1976 Hunter 27' for 4 years and then to the 30'. Now I desire for a serious cruising yacht such as the IP 35' or 350. Any comments or advice on this boat would be appreciated. Thanks again for your time and insight.
Keep it Mellow.
Sidney & Laura Key Largo, FL
I want to do what you are doing. I'm going to learn to sail!
Thank you
Thanks so much for gathering this information on places that allow dogs. I'm planning to take time next year to maybe work on a book, and just be but I want to be able to take my best friend, Bodhi, with me. This was a great help.
This is a great dream, glad you are living it.
Peace and Smiles,
Matt
You are living the dream that my wife and I are preparing for in four years , in the mean time we will live touring the chesapeake bay from our home base of herrington harbour south,in herring bay.
I stumbled on to your website by mistake. My Grandfather Bill Stone wrote "A Cruising Guide to the Carribean" and we were lucky enough to take the occaisonal visit down to the Abacos and stay on his 40' boat "Brer Fox". I have been to other islands in the Carribean, but I remember the Bahamas as the most beautiful. I can only wish that my stock options will be as fruitful as yours were!
OH, what a great web site you guys have!! I just had to write a note, because I have a pet named Bailey, who is also known as Pookie! Or sometimes even Poo for short! GREAT PICTURES!!
I envy you! I will probably never retire but I will always have my dog, my beloved Golden Retriever, Biscuit. The closest he has ever been to the ocean is a Lake in Colorado! But, he loves it.
Good luck to you!
Thanks for the tips on your website. You have a beautiful boat and wonderful stories. Hope your having a great time in the Bahmas...now that's living!!! Dee
I haven't been sailing since we got so far out of the Chesapeake Bay that we couldn't get back in!!! What a memory that is!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm. You inspire our dreams. We hope to become seaworthy with our 2 dogs in the near future.
Hi Folks, My compliments to you on a great web site with a wealth of content. I'll be using many of your ideas in my IP. I particularly like the "cafe" companionway doors and the instrument mount under the dodger.
If you're ever in the Mystic CT area please stop by for a visit. I'll take you out for the best lobster you've ever had!
Best regards, Jeff Small
s/v Aurora, IP38-82 Spicers Marina, Noank CT
Hello a voice from the past, I went to school with you back at Barbers Point Elem in Hawaii but now live in North Carolina. Glad to see you are doing well, for me I have been married for 13 years and have two kids. Hope things keep going well for ya and happy sailing.
Congratulations... not only on a most magnificent web page, but also making it to May/June Ocean Navigator in an article dealing with living with pets vis a vis reduced mobility. Pg 40.
Best
Bill Renascent IP 32-117
Hi there, have still to get into most of your site but it certainly looks as though it will be worthwhile. I have just recently started to concentrate seriously on the option of living aboard within the next few years, even if only off the West Coast of Scotland. No doubt I will pick up a few worthwhle tips from the site. Cheers.
I have been delighted with your various writings. My huscand, Ken, discovered you site and was most interested in sailing with dogs. We have a young (7 mos. old) female Rottweiler that we have been trying to get used to our boat. We have a 37' Tayana, old, as we are old and a house as well. I am 70 and Ken is 76 so we want to use every bit of time we can to sail our beloved "Magic Dragon." We sail in the Puget Sound area, gunkholing up through the inside passage into some pretty remote areas during the summer months. We wish we could go offshore but are a little too aged to start. Our Rottie, Emmy, is at the chewy stage and demolishes everything in sight. She just chewed through the dingy cover while I was at church this morning and Ken is ready to give her away ... or sell the boat. We have planned a three day trip out on the Sound for the week coming up. It will be Emmy's first trip. The interior of Magic Dragon is all oiled teak so you can understand our apprehension. What will Emmy do when we can't watch her every minute of the time??? We have sailed with a Rottie before but she was older before we started. Keep us in your good thoughts. Toilet training aboard is the least of our problems. Usually, we anchor at some quiet little bay every night so we can get ashore. But chewing??? Wonderful sailing to you both and your pups too. I envy you having gotten an early start on your offshore living. You will never regret it! Good sailing, Carmen
Great site!
We have just moved onto a boat and also have a golden retriever. Thank you for the input.
GREAT STORIES TOLD SO REAL FULL OF PASSION AND FRIENDLY ADVICE.I AM EXPLORING GETTING A LIVE ABOARD YACHT APPROX 45-50 FOOT. GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY SAILING TO BOTH OF YOU AND LETS NOT FORGET OUR KANINE FRIENDS.
you made me envious
Found your site looking for information on 12-Volts systems. Enjoyed the info and I'm alittle jelous as you sail and I'm stuck behind my desk hacking out code! :) I'm off to Key West in a week. Happy Sailing! Kevin
I forgot how I found your webpage, but the interesting thing is that I bought Brad Meilink's previous boat, Magdalena. Tell him Hi from Bob and Suzanne.
Blaine - I just had to check out your site as I recently got in touch with Maggie & Winne. It seems you're doing quite well and are very happy! Good for you! Be safe and write when you can.
GDHS class of 1971... You cashed in at the right time! I rode the .com wave into the .bomb phase. Such is life. I'm partners ibn a Tartan 34 here in lovely San Francisco Bay. Buena Suerta!
just looked up my name came across your site
Janet and Blaine I am Kathy Hart's mother. I have been visiting your site since the beginning of your trip. So sorry to hear about the death of father, but happy you were at a place you could get home quickly. Continue to have great sailing. Janice Brown
Dear Mr and Mrs Park, Congratulations for your excellent Website. I am mainly sailing around the Greek Islands. You do not know what you miss! best regards G. Pazionis
What a nice web site. We enjoyed seeing your photos of our family, The Triana Marie Crew. Looks like you had a great time on Long Island.Take Care..Enjoy the moments
Enjoyed your site. We are two weeks from moving aboard our Gulfstar 36 CC. We have a chow mix. We will travel the Bahamas and Carribean for the next ? years starting in May 2003. Thanks Again. Great site. Joy
Website is excellent - keep it up :-)
Hi, We are friends of Paul and Collette s/v Trinamarie. They included your site on their newsletter. Fair Winds, and Following Seas,
I am a (former) neighbor and friend of Colleen, Paul Taubner and the girls. They sent us your website in their last letter. I enjoy the pictures of them (and YOU!). Be safe. Michelle
I'm Robin's mother from Tower and I really envy you. Wish I was there. Good Luck to all of you.
Interesting, will tell all my canadian friends to look at your site.
Dear Blaine, Janet,Max & Bailey, Everybody has told me of your website, and especially today when someone found a picture of Wes driving the travellift with Charbonneau in her sling. The web site is terrific, and I'm glad to see that Janet got the Admiral position. We had some other cruisers on the yard, and they told me about Janet's father, and my heart went out to her, I also lost my father and was unable to be there. I think your website is terrific, and I see Oriental and Deaton's are on your list for this year. I look forward to seeing all of you. Linda DYS
WOW, this is the greatest sailing web site I have ever looked at! Your words and wisdom are really a joy to read. You should write a book. I have had sail boats most of my life and now will retire on a new Nordhavn 47 Ocean trawler. Sorry, but I waited till I was 60, so I have a lot of catching up to do. I have a question. I know you two are computer people and this web site comes easy to you. Is this a canned program tha I could buy? Did you write this your self in HTML? I would love to build a site exactly like yours. IT is so easy to navigate around and the pictures make it come alive. IF you can be of any help, I would really be greatful to you. Thanks, Bob Wilkins cell 856-207-1054 I live in Ocean City, NJ (just south of Atlantic City(
Thanks for sharing your adventures and live aboard tips on your wonderful web site.
Blaine, I was very impressed with your fishing exploits. Those were some pretty ones. Hope you guys are continuing to do well. Take Care. Bill Booth
CONGRATULATIONS ON FOLLOWING YOUR DREAMS! YOU GUYS MADE ME BELIEVE ON FOLLOWING MY OWN! THANKS & ENJOY YOUR GREAT LIFE...
your web-site is amazing! still planning the great escape! :-)
Thanks for sharing your beautiful cruise and adventures (via the 'internet web page').....From an "OLD SAILOR" who is now home bound with advancing age, but I relived adventure through your web page.......Never stop building your memories of the sea..........Thanks for refreshing the wonderful memories of the open sea that I have and will have forever.................. Jesse USA 37215
Hi Blaine and Janet, I'm at my parents house and checked out your web-site. I told them about you two and they are ready to "go sailing". Happy Sailing, Phyllis Royall
Just checking in again. I wrote you awhile back saying our sailing plans were put on hold because we had an unexpected turn in our lives. It is all explained in our book The Wicked Current. It'll be on amazon in about three weeks. I'd be glad to send you a free copy if you provide a mailing address, but I understand the hesitancy to do so. Happy sailing and stay outta those wicked currents! Ray and Amy self
I was doing some research for a battery bank and power inverter setup and came across your site. I read most of the pages and am jealous. What you have done (and are planning in the future is amazing to someone of my age (24). Good luck in the future!
Once again thanks a ton for sharing your information with us. Hope you continue to have fun cruising. Regards Mac (IP31 #23 "M&M Packet")
the fact that youre dream became a reality is an extreme inspiration. im about to graduate from college and having major fears about spending the rest of my life WORKING with no time to do anything i enjoy, reading your story makes it seem possible. especially since my boyfriend has asked me to accompany him on his dream to sail around the world. if all works out well then like you, blaine, he'll get he girl. :)
I'm not much of a sailor, due to a tendency to violent seasickness. But due to invitations from friends, my husband and I now find ourselves taking two cruises soon, one to the Carribean and Mexico, the other to the Galapagos Islands. With us will be our two Yorkies, who are equipped with their own PFD, Ruffwear, the best of the lifejackets I've seen. Your site is by far the most informative of the pet quarantine information sites I've seen. My dogs are frequent travelers, usually by plane, and we, too, avoid the countries where they are not allowed. Happy sailing!
Thanks for sharing your great adventures. Fair Winds..Jason
Hi! Great website and information. We're getting ready to take our dog on a 3-day sail and had no idea as to how to do that so everyone is "happy." Your site gave us some really good suggestions which we will try out. Thanks again for sharing the info!
Interesting and useful tips. Thank you. It can be done then and I am keen to give it a bash in the near future!
Talked with your father, H Parks, @ Goose Watch winery on Cayuga Lake, Romulus NY. I work there and am good friends with the owner so tend to drink there. They have a Golden Retriever and that's what started the conversation. You are living a dream for most of us!
Just tripped over your site and love it. My husband and I are having a 43' cat built in Australia - we expect to fly over to take delivery in January. How long we stay and what we do next, we'll just have to see. After ten years of talking about it, we finally said "we'll never have enough $, it'll never be the right time.....let's just do it". Sounds like you already did it - WAY TO GO!!!!!!!
Somehow I got to your site from the site of Tami Oldham Ashcraft. I will be 44 years old next week and I have never actually been sailing ... until now! I feel like I've been taken aboard your boat and traveled places I will never see with my own eyes. I loved that you added your pets, for they ARE indeed a part of our family. I'm from a family who has never been 'ocean oriented' whatsoever, but I have an enormous inner attraction for the sea, beaches, etc. Thanks for allowing me to spend some time with your family ... the only place I will ever be able to 'seas the day'. Awesome site! May God bless and keep you all safe. Happy Sailing!!! :)
Very nice and useful site. Found you on Yahoo dir.
I loved your web-site!! My boyfriend and I are in the process of purchasing our first sailboat and becoming live-aboards with our 2 cats! The yard sale is next weekend :) Thanks for all the wonder info!
Hello- I can't thank you enough for the information you've compiled about sailing with dogs. I was having a very hard time picturing how I'd do it. This has given me a really good idea of what it would be like. I haven't been able to find anything like this anywhere! Thanks! Lisa
Love your website. The information about sailing with the dogs is great. I've tried to email you, but have had difficulty, and I wanted to ask a question. How do your dogs handle the heat, and what do you do to help them cope? Thanks! Margarita
Excellent site - thank you! Planning to leave the UK in 2003 with Max, our yellow labrador dog, who loves sailing, to sail via France with the intention of reaching the Greek Islands. Yet to get Max into the dinghy from the stern of our Moody 31 - your steps idea could be the answer. We wish you great company & fair winds on your travels.
Hello, Congratulations on a very well set up Web site. I own the IP40 built one after you. We are currently living on board doing time, until we plan to set off on out travels next June 2003. As the owner of the boat next down on the production line i would be interested to learn how you have managed to service your Groco Sea Strainer assuming that is what you have. I found it a complete nightmare and IP didn't really have any other comment other than "Oh yes we hadn't thought of that". I am considering replacing it with a more accessible version. Also, I see from the pictures that it does not appear that you have any wind vane steering. Is this deliberate. Have you considered it. I would like to but the swimming ladder does cause a problem, although I'm sure an alternative position for that could be found. Any thoughts on either of these two subjects would be gratefully received. Hope to bump into you one day! Kind regards Paul & Amanda Pearson
Absolutely one of the best sites I ever visited. The information is tremendous and the pictures make many things much clearer. The links are also great. As a new boat owner and comtemplating the "dream", I cannot thank you enough. Keep up the great work.
Thank-you so much for taking the time to put your adventures into words & onto the net,the whole site is very inspiring. ive learnt a lot from your detailed explainations how you did things from a novices point of view. You both(& max & bailey),have helped me to keep 'my dream' more of a reality than ever before. maybe i'll see you in the Whitsundays,QLD, one day.
Loved your site! I am a devoted "Pet Parent" to a kitty "Chelsea" and a 10 year old Mini Fox Terrier "Pedro" . Pedro has travelled all his life. He flew from Australia with me back in 1993, and has done many road trips since, the longest and most recent was when the three of us drove from Florida to Arizona to relocate this year. Both kids love to ride in the car, on the parcel shelf, paws hanging over . For this big trip however, Chelsea had an open cage up high so she could look around and Pedro had his car seat next to Chelsea. I piled pillows up to make a staircase from the front seats thru to the back and up to their seats, - they did fine - 5 days of staying at motels, - both walk on leads. They made themselves at home - explored - ate, slept and bathroomed - no signs of stress. The car was a mess I can tell you- cat litter and cookie crumbs- but we all arrived safely and they were wonderful little travel companions. Pedro has been camping and canoeing -did jump out of the canoe onto a waterlillie pad! He only weighs 9 lb, but still sunk! I really admire you sailing with Bailey and Max - they look adorable in their ponchos. I do a lot of pet sitting and know many Goldens- I wish you four lots of safe and happy days on the water!
Thanks for sharing. Great Site!
Blaine & Janet Thanks for all your help at Royal Island . We looked for you in San Salvador , but see by your web site that you missed us . We'll be back in St. Augustine Sept & Oct , then back to San Sal. Look forward to seeing you as you come by on your way to the T&C . Michael & Carol SY Dolce Vita
GREAT WORK !!!good cruising info for those of us wanting to experience life on the water. safe sailing
What a surprise!!! While Išm looking for information of an offshore radio com system to cover 200 Km, I found your page. DonŽt worry and enjoy your boat, IŽll solve my long distance communications problem and IŽll tell you what to do!!!
I have enjoyed reading what you have on your web site. My wife and I are planing to make the switch to live aboard. A lot of the information that I can find deals with sail boats. We will be living on a power boat. Even though a lot of the information is nterchangeable could you tell me where I could obtain more information on power boat living and cruising? Thanks very much Don Yates
Future cruiser, still doing the corporate thing.... thanks for great info and encouragement!
Your site was wonderful and very enjoyable to read. My husband and I are contemplating on purchasing an Offshore 40' Luhrs and traveling the seas. However, we are not sure what to do for income, however, your site did give us some insite on what to expect. And I would have to bring our 2 dogs also. Your site was great reading. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.. JODY
Hello. I met Paul and Kelly in Charleston before they left when i was working with Kelly's step mom on some magazine shoots. I noticed that you are in the Chesapeake Bay area and I am in DC and was wondering if you need a hand with any work on the boat before you head out. I don't know a lot but i would like to learn since i hope to do a circumnavigation of my own some day. Let me know as my days are pretty free.
I bumped into your site at 10pm, and its now 12:30am.... you appear to have some excellent advice and some very scary stories! Our own adventure is due to start in October aboard Luna Azul, our Camper & Nicholson 35. She's currently berthed in Deale MD (on the Chesapeake), so we know for sure we'll be heading south for the winter. After that I guess it depends what takes our fancy! fair winds Graham & Trudy Norbury (ex & soon-to-be-ex-Cisco employees)
Hi folks. I enjoyed your site. Not really sure how I ran across it but it caught my eye and I read through almost the whole thing. Perhaps one day we'll meet up on the water! I work for Cisco now - in RTP - and my wife and I sail on a Bristol 29.9 out of Minnesott Beach. That is, when we find the time. Seems we rarely do. Someday! bye.
You guys are living my dream. I always dreamed to living out in the sea. I also work in IT, hopefully I will save enough to live out my dream. Happy Sailing
Great website!!! I always thought of doing something like that, but it was only a distant thought until I met my boyfriend last year. Now is a dream and if everything goes well, his dream and now mine too will start next year. We also have dogs, "Gina" a 9 yrs old (very lazy and spoiled) Rottie and "Lucky" a 1 yrs old (very playful) Rottie/Lab mix which is the new addition to the clan. I am not much of a sailor but after reading your website, some of the books suggested in your website and of course listening to my boyfriend's advice, I am sure I can do it! Thanks for all the great information, and for taking the time to do this. Best wishes to all of you! Happy Sailing!
You have a fantastic web site here. We just spend three months cruising from Maine to our home in FL. We're going to head to the Bahamas in October and hope to bring our dog with us. We applied for the permit, but where did you visit a Veterinarian once you arrived in the Bahamas (within 48 hours)? How did you find one? Thanks, Jeff
You four look soooo happy! I'm very envious! We have an old boat, and trying to sort out the engine. Planning to retire in a couple of years and get away for a month or so at a time. I'm in the UK.
Nice site,May God himself bless your plans ! Sonshine&smiles, LynnMarie
Wow do admire your courage to drop out of the rat race and live life the way it should be lived. My turn is coming. p.s. About the rat race, in case your wondering. The Rats are winning
Great information! Yes, keep paying for the Web site and keep the inspiration coming!
Good luck with the dogs.
Thrilled to find your site and learn from your experiences. We plan to start a year long sabbatical next June on our Endeavour 40, SABBATTICAL. We'll have our 31/2 year old Golden, Phoebe, in the crew. She's travelled overnight [20-24 hrs.]insisting on holding it. We even tried the astroturf mat[with less success]. Only time she's gone "outside" onboard has been after drinking too much salt water during a swim. Oh well, our vet said she's never seen a dog explode. We look forward to learning and sharing more with you and your correspondants.
Thanks for all the great pet info. We've just learned that our cat may need to accompany us on our trip to the Bahamas this winter and your pet info was soo helpful! Thanks for the great advice and links. Have saved your website to explore later! Hope to see you and Max and Bailey on the water! (The names really hit home! Bailey is my Dad's name and Max is my nephew!) Happy travels! Sue&Jim s/v Magic Moments
wife twin 14 year old girls and female golden leaving early dec for keys and bahanas great site dog at "43" hours with out going she gots to give in danny b south padre island tx 41 morgan classic "no mas"
Thanks so much for sending us your website. You have so many good ideas for sailing with dogs - can't wait to try some of them!
Stumbled on your sight after looking up IP's on a search engine. Out of all the boats at the Southampton (UK) Boat Show Sep 2002, the IP's were by far the best boats, but certainly not the cheapest. My wife said she will go sailing with me but only if we get one of them. Five years to go to retirement, doing sailing courses now. Sold all our shares and investing in land, much better returns. If you are around the Florida Gulf Coast next July drop us a line and we will call in for a yarn. Best Wishes
I have enjoyed reading what I have read thusfar. We hope to do the same soon. ss
Good Luck! -Hadas & Fred Thomson s/y Polonaise Currently @ Ashkelon Marina, Israel
I enjoy visiting your website. I'm an IP wannabe. Currently tied to the working world (Fed Gvt). Currently cruise on an old Columbia in the Chesapeake. In 3 to 5 years intend to chuck it all and move on an IP 380. Thanks for continuing to help keep the dream alive. Tom
Really enjoy your webpage!!
Stumbled upon your pages while looking for tips on "living aboard". Enjoyed your pages - I actually was wondering how my own dog would settle in a boat. Great tips. By the way - do dogs get seasick? Thks
Wish you well, really enjoyed your adventures pages
Hi, Jade is my 70lb. "fur child" by the way. All the names I came up with were taken when registering on sailnet. Anyway, just wanted to thank you for putting together such a great site. It seems as though from a general point of view, we have a bit common. I wish you the best in your cruise. Have fun! Pamela s/v Cassiopeia
It was a true joy reading of your adventures. God bless you brave souls and keep you dry. PS wish I could share it with you.
Great web site. I'm building a house on South Creek which is on the Pasquotank River just south of Goat Island. Stop by sometime. My boat, "One Fine Day" is a 30" Seidelmann and is easily seen from the river. Stop by and say "Hello". Best, Wes
Hey folks glad to see your still at it. We're still working stiffs with Jim at App State and Beth completing highschool. Since releaving ourselves of the "big boat" I've been doing more kayaking. But I did pick up an 83' Montgomery 15 that Kim and I actually can sleep on. We did a 4-day trip around Bath in Aug. Well, take care. Dave
I really enjoyed the comments about your SSB radio. I always try and make sure cruisers are fully up on SSB ops when I can. Dave
You can't know how much pleasure we have gotten from your wonderfull site. We have the bug bad, and are working on our own 2 year plan to retire at the ripe old age of 37 & 38. Nice to find someone that has paved the path so to speek! Hope to see you on the water and shake your hand some day. Smoth sailing. Dennis & Sherri McLin (Socks and Lady, cocker's) Tampa Florida
Enjoyed your website! We have quite a bit in common- raised in Portsmouth VA, college at East Carolina, class of 88. Lived in Rocky Mount (actually Sharpsburg!) and worked at Abbott. Used to drive by NC Wesleyan everyday going to work! I moved to Southern CA in 1991 to work for a little Biotech company named Amgen. I am leaving on Thursday to deliver my 1994 Morris 40 from Bass Harbor Maine to Ocean Marina in Portsmouth VA. My wife and I will move aboard sometime early '03 and shake things down on my old home, the Chesapeake Bay. After that we are going to cruise to Maine in the summer (and have any additional work perfomed on 'RIMFAXE' at the Morris Yard in Bass Harbor. From there we are looking south in the Fall and another year or two in 'retirement.' Keep in touch- maybe we will see you out on the Bay! Kind Regards, JD and Dale Davis RIMFAXE, Morris 40 thebigsail@yahoo.com
Great site! Thanks for a few new ideas! It seems you put alot of thought into your vessel! Fair winds & good sea!
Thanks for the wonderful time on your boat tonight. We enjoyed the tour and visit, and your website. Our whole family had a great time reading your articles and looking at your pictures. Good luck on your travels. We will keep in touch, and let us know where you are.
What a great resource you are providing. We have long been lovers of Island Packet boats (having chartered many of these fine boats from Yachting Vacations at Burnt Store Marina in Charlotte Harbour, FL) and have always thought that we might be able to buy one some day. We are preparing to do what you have done. We've made the decision to go sailing for as long as it feels right. Thanks for all the great insight into what it's like and what it takes to make it work. We'll keep reading, so we hope you keep writing and taking pictures. Now, there are just about a million questions that we have to answer before we can make it happen. The hardest one has been made though - yes, we can afford it, so let's do it while we can. Gail
Hello Blain & Janet, I found your site from the GDHS forum on Delphi. I am a Subic alumni from 77-82 (I lived in San Miguel in 1977 before moving to Subic). I'm currently living in San Diego and have an Eriscon 30. My partner, Paul, and I hope to one day be cruising through life as well. We are working towards a larger boat and bank roll right now. Your site is great - so much good information! I especially enjoyed the pet sections. Our australian shepherd, Magnum, has been stricken with sea-temper (similar to distemper, but curable by spending many hours sailing through ocean waters, watching sunsets and helping troll for fish). I'm looking forward to hearing more of your adventures and hopefully meeting you at a tropical anchorage in the future! Karla
Hi Blain & Janet I have just enjoyed reading your web page. i am writing to you from calgary in Canada froze north. But this will be our last winter here for a while we begin cruising on March 2003. Thanks again for a great read. Charlie Sinclair
Enjoyed your web pages and your dream. Will be leaving summer of 2006 for a 7-10 yr cruise. Visit us at www.freya39oriana.com Hugh & Diana
We too still have a Panda 4200 Genset purchased in 1Q1999 on a Westerly 39 Sealord. And, we too had a dismal experience on a problem they had never seen and had to put a new engine in and pay $5,000 + 2500 installation. It wouldn't start (Prime issue) and threw rod after 100 hours? Out of warranty and they said.. we will give you a discount on the replacement! Disgusted too...
Great web site. We too are in our mid 30's and are quitting our jobs the end of this year and setting sail for 6 months with our 12 year old dalmation. We are headed to FL and the Bahamas. Hope to see you out there!!!
I smiled all the way through your website. Came here by accident when looking for stackable cookware for a truck camper. Your hints are also useful for truck camping and we were planning on setting up a page like your for those who stay on land in confined spaces. This site of yours encourages me to do like wise. Thanks for your valuable tips.
Sounds like a great life, you are to be admired for following your dreams. We have looked and wondered what it would really be like, and looking at your site made it a little more real. Good luck with your dream!
Hi,we like the ice skating pictures. we are at Cocoa.
YOU'RE IT!!! Great site especially the pictures of me. Just kidding, your friend Ali.
Great seeing you last night. Have a wonderful 2002-2003 season. Will let you know when we leave Daytona for points south! Bill and Elaine
THE PICTURES FROM THE CHARLESTON AQUARIUM WAS GREAT I AM THINKING ABOUT TAKING MY KIDS IN THE SUMMER OF 2003 THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Loved your website. Sailing & Goldens - ahh, bliss!Visited friends pursuing their dream, living aboard a 42' Bennatau (sp) catamaran with their 10 year old son in the BVI several years ago. Will follow your adventure with interest. Thanks so much from Seattle. BTW, we have great sailing in the San Juan Islands here in the summer. Best, Jean
Did you ever get your F.P. fixed?
Great meeting you guys at Upper Matecumbe. Have a good trip to the Tortugas. Doug, Cheryl and Gunter S/V Lucky Star
Incredible! I'm Air Force, my wife is IT. We're working on the saving game and replacement of our boat so we too can cruise well we are still young...growing old sucks! I'll mark this site and visit often. Live the dream!
We also had the dream for many years and finally in March 2001 we moved aboard our new catamaran, Justduet, and have been enjoying living aboard and moving about from Maine to the Keys. Your website is awesome! We will be watching for you...Our Golden would love to play with your two.
Looks like a great time! Surfing the net and came across your site. Hope you had a great time.