Q: My wife and I are at present planning a round the world
trip on a yacht we intend to purchase. As we have little experience we are
currently researching the appropriate level of experience, courses and
knowledge/qualifications we will need to embark on our dream. We have done
much research and put a great deal of thought and detail into how we
should go about this. We feel that doing the relevant RYA courses is the
first step, and also building on to this training the day to day life of a
live aboard / cruising lifestyle – such as maintenance, health and
safety, weather planning, communications, laws and regulations, licenses,
insurance, visas, boat suitability and purchase etc. We are fortunate
enough to be selling up and hopefully fulfilling our dreams abroad and are
now writing to people who are currently cruising to ask for any advice,
suggestions or general feedback on the way of life and any further
preparations we should consider. We are also considering routes to follow
that will build our experience as we travel and suitable types and size of
boat for such a trip. Heartsong3 looks fantastic although unfortunately
probably out of our budget, but perhaps you could recommend a similar, or
smaller vessel. We are both 27 years old, have a strong ambition to
achieve our goals and are very adventurous – maybe you could suggest
places to visit or factors to consider. Upon reviewing several websites we
have found that expenditure and budgets vary dramatically, and to quote a
phrase – “you will spend all you have…” Any advice or
approximations on costs incurred such as day to day living, insurances,
licenses etc would be very useful. Any help or advice you could offer us
would be greatly appreciated… We hope to hear from you very soon, Many
Thanks Andy and Louise
Q: Hello and thank you for such an honestly informative sight. I
have also read several of your other published articles. This may be a bit
off beat, but I will give it a shot. My partner of twenty years and I are
planning our own around the world adventure and are currently in the
planning stages. We have read many many internet accounts of the cruisers
out there and have noticed that no one ever mentions couples such as us,
both guys in our late forties. Did you run across any, or do you think
that there will be a lot of prejudice towards us by the cruising community
or some of the more remote areas of the world? Your honesty would be
greatly appreciated.
Q: I am a navigation student and wonder based upon your worst
experience, what tips, tools or knowledge you value most highly.
Q: Have you met many families cruising? We want to start and
have a boy aged 3 and girl 5 and want to find other families to ask
questions.
Q: My husband and I are about to start a similar cruise in a
new Swan 56. We are currently awaiting completion of the boat in northern
Finland, and will depart from here and head south, in the general
direction of New Zealand. Love your website, and would like to learn how
you set this up and updated so we can do similar for our friends and
family. We can be technical, so don't be shy.
Q: We have been following your adventures for sometime now
and love your website and hearing of your adventures. We would like to
have your sailmail address. We are currently negotiating with Kyle and
Richard to buy a new Hylas 54 and your information is extremely helpful as
a decision making tool for us (we first met the Jachney's at the Alameda
boat show three years ago and soon after chartered a Hylas 54 in the BVI
for 10 days to try one out). The only complaint I (Glenn) had was it felt
a bit to small. Most of the time it will just be the two of us. However,
we have lots of family and friends who will visit us during our planned
circumnavigation. We are also considering a used Farr 63' with a 9 foot
draft vs. the Hylas 54 with its 7'2" draft. Have you guys been to any
locations in the Carrribean or South Pacific where you could not go with
the 7'2" draft? Would a 9 foot draft have eliminated any anchorages
you've used anywhere on your journey?
Q: Hi Guys. We are a couple of Aussies currently
planning our future trip. Your video footage and photographs actually
brought a tear to our eyes, as they inspired and excited us. I am 30 and
my wife 28 and if all goes to plan with finances and boat we will be in a
position to set off in approximately 18 months. We hope to give you an
update as we get closer to setting sail. In the interim we will keep
watching your site with great interest and admiration. Congratulations on
living the dream and who knows we may catch up with you on the seas if
you're still sailing around.
Q: Have been following you since you started. I, a 35 year
journalist and hubby, ex-New Zealand Navy Officer, are ready to follow in
your footsteps. Thanks for your site, and be careful.
Q: One really important question: In all this voyage, where
is the Lord God on the throne of Your life? What is your
relationship with Him. "One life You have, it will soon be past, only
what's done for Christ will last". With no offense, just a
question for you! God bless you.
Q: Seems cruiser spend 90% of the time living on their boat,
5% sailing, and 5% motoring. How do you feel about your choice of a
sailing yacht for your trip? Seems to me people over-emphasize the sailing
part and underestimate the motoring (range) and living (large pilothouse)
part. Would it not be better to have a large motorsailor and be able to
bash to weather and still stay warm and dry?
Q: Are you into web design or is it run by a commercial
outfit? This message is from the Administrator of www.aussiewinlink.org -
lobbying for the establishment of the Winlink Amateur HF email service in
Australia to serve cruisers in the southern hemisphere.
Q: Who is the man or artist what painted the big up eternity
saying on the bridge?
Q: How would I go about determining which US naval assets were in
Indonesian waters at the time of the Bali bombing?
Q: What exactly do you need when you are traveling with a
voyaging club,
and what did the late Polynesians
take with them on their trips?
Q: Hello, great
website. My question is who watches the boat when you go on land
excursions for weeks?
Q: Great
videos. Can you hear the groundswell for
more -- preferably better quality.
Q:
I am interested in contacting [a] couple [who previously sent in a
question]. My wife and I are interested in the same purpose.
This was their question: "Q: My wife, our two youngest children and
myself are likewise trying a circumnavigation doing humanitarian and
missionary work along the way, although we are primarily just having fun
and wanting to see the world. We left just over a week ago from Ft.
Lauderdale as well. We would love to have a web site. How did you do
it and keep it up while underway?"
Q:
Did you use an agent for the panama canal? Can you recommend one or two?
Q:
We followed you travels through the Red Sea and wished you luck all the
way. So happy to read that you are safe in Turkey. We are an
American boat currently in Australia with plans to head through the Red
Sea in Feb. 2005. A lot can happen in 18 or so months, but we will
take all your advice and pointers to heart. Again, congratulations
on your journey.
Q:
How many plastic fantastics (older boats) do you see out with people
cruising and what is the average length?
Q:
I am trying to get a picture of a Quarantine Flag. Does there exist any
downloadable picture of this flag on the Internet?
Q:
My wife and I just agreed to purchase a New Hylas 54, and she will be
delivered in Dec this year. My Question is: Are there any two things
you would have different on YOUR Hylas?
Q:
So glad to hear you are all well, amongst the world problems. Have been crossing our fingers for you and a happy sail since Iraq blew
up.
Q:
Congratulations on getting through a tough geographical geopolitical area
and arriving safely in the Med. I cruised extensively in the Med with my
parents when I was younger when my father kept a 40-footer in the South of
France, and so I will be reading your upcoming posts with great interest.
(My family is from Vancouver, B.C. by the way, home to some of the most
beautiful cruising grounds on this planet). My question/comment is this: I
note you plan on completing your cruise in December of this year. Any
plans to extend? Also, I really hope you will keep your site active
with regular updates for a while after you finish your trip, as I am
curious to hear how you reintegrate into life ashore. All the best and
enjoy your summer in the Med.
Q:
Just wanted to know how you like your Shadetree awning. We are
considering buying one.
Q:
Hello, I saw your site because I am completely infatuated with sailing
around the world, or simply sailing -- although I have never sailed
(managed sails) on my own before. Just wondering if you guys could give me
some tips on how to get started or how you got started sailing. Or how I
could get connected as crew on a sailboat and learn that way.
Q:
Hi, first just a word of appreciation for all of the information that you
are providing- it helps us "wannabees" get through the day. I
was recently (July) in Turkey sailing for two weeks around Gocek/Marmaris.
Beautiful as it was, even the small "isolated" bays were busy.
While it is tough to generalise, how "busy" have you found the
route that you have been following. Is it typically tough to find an
anchorage that is not crowded? Thanks again for all of your insights.
Q:
We will be leaving HHI, SC on our new Hylas 54 #31 on or about
the 18th of Nov. heading to Bermuda then to USVI. Would love to meet
and talk also maybe buy some things you may not need anymore, i.e. paper
& c-map charts, flags, spare parts.
Q: I accidentally came
across your website. Thanks for sharing your beautiful journey. I
would like to ask you a question or two. How did you do it? Where did you
get the courage to follow your dreams? What about career, money to pay for
the trip, 401K , retirement etc. etc. Surely the boat cost a lot. How many
years did you spend learning to sail before you were able to sail the
world ? How easy was it for Alan to leave medical practice in Dallas? I
will appreciate if you can respond.
Q: Hi guys, I hope my email doesn't cause you any inconvenience
jamming up your internet time, but I have previously written to you and
you were kind enough to respond. I just read your recent update and once
again was truly inspired. Thank you so much for sharing your adventures
with the world. My wife and I have started to look at boats and we are
getting one step closer to living our adventure following in your
footsteps. Our entire life and lifestyle is now geared around fulfilling
our dream to set ourselves up for the future. Thanks again for the
inspiring website.
Q: Where do you get all the money it takes to
travel like that?
Q: We are considering going into the Pacific and
would like to know how long it took you to get to the Med, barring long
stopovers as in Australia. Also would like to know what you did concerning
rifles and shotguns and declaring them.
Q: Love your website,
love your boat, love what you are doing. I am a long time sailor planning
a passage to Hawaii (from Oregon) in 2005, in my Robert Perry designed
custom 26 foot full keel cutter. WOW! I love the fact that you are keeping
a website updated along your way. Isn't technology cool! Fair winds and
calm seas friends!
Q: Hi Liza, I stumbled onto your website and
enjoyed reading especially after I figured out who you are. I am a native
of Belton and still live in Northcliff on the lake. I have a Aerodyne 43
at Kemah that is slowly being transformed from racer to cruiser and hope
to do some serious cruising in the future. Congrats on a great adventure.
Q:
I just came across your site and admire how detailed and complete your
information is. Having done the Mallorca to New Zealand route
(10/2001-1/2003) with my girlfriend in our 50ft Beneteau (Blue Marlin),
your information would have helped us before we went on our trip
tremendously. I wish our paths would have crossed - maybe when we head out
the next time. For now, we are landlubbers again and Blue Marlin is for
sale in Auckland NZ (www.out2sail.com). As a site like this is plenty of
work, I thought a little "thumbs up" might keep you motivated -
Thanks!
Q: Thank you for a great and complete site. My wife and I
are planning a departure date of end 2005 for our trip. We have the boat,
are sailing often, and both eager to go. May you enjoy Turkey and the rest
of the Med. Soon (too soon?) you will be back home. Safe winds and happy
sails.
Q: What did it cost you to go through the Panama Canal?
Q:
Who was responsible for the interior cabinet
work, especially in the Galley area.
Q: I
have been following your trip for only a short time and REALLY thank you
both for sharing it with me and all who are interested. I envy you the
life that you're living. I'm a sailor, for sport, but have never
experienced anything like your trip or more aptly saga.
Q:
My wife and I have no experience in offshore cruising of the type you
relate but are planning to cruise for at least two years and maybe longer
after we retire. Right now we're looking at tons of boats, specifications,
reading reviews, etc to decide which will be right for us. I realize that
even after we buy a new boat additional equipment will have to be added to
make it safe and comfortable for offshore/live-aboard cruising. That's
what I wanted to ask you. What equipment would you say was mandatory to
outfit a boat with? What isn't mandatory but you wouldn't wish to be
without. Oh yeah, I guess I should tell you that we're looking at boats in
the 42' to 48' range. Thanks for your time , have a safe and happy sail.
Q:
We are about to buy a Hylas 54 and sail around the world we would love
some input on your boat and service you may have gotten from Hylas thank
you fyi we are about to sign the contract on 1/6/03 we would appreciate a
response asap.
Q: Hi guys, I have
previously emailed you with some questions (which you have kindly
answered) and just wanted to let you know how fantastic and inspiring your
site is. It is a real treat to get an email from you notifying me your
site is updated. It probably seems a bit odd to you, but I (and Im sure
others) who follow your trip feel like I'm getting a letter from a couple
of friends, because we see so many photos of you and read your letters
etc.. plus the fact that you're doing something I dream of doing soon, so
it must give us something in common. Thanks again for your great site and
I wish you the safest voyage home. I recently heard a quote that sums up
my dream. "A goal is just a dream with a deadline" , and my
deadline is rapidly approaching so I am back to the mundane life sitting
in my office 14hrs a day. Take care, safe passages and if your ever in OZ
I'd love to take you both out for a sail.
Q:
Thanks for taking the time to put [this website] together. I am
planning a trip in the next year or two on a 43' CT-43 (similar to a SWAN
43).
Q: Thanks so much for the photos
and videos. I love traveling and diving, and have been to some of these
countries, Maldives, Thailand, Panama, most of Europe, Egypt, but not
all the places, and just loved watching it (except chasing a manta, even
though I'm sure you'd never intentionally harm any sea life :) ) Have a
great 2004 and lots of happy travels. Where was your favorite best
diving for life/big sea life?
Voyage of Heartsong III