Downsizing for Our Sailing Adventure: Moving from House to Sailboat

Moving can be daunting, but when you're moving onto a sailboat and embarking on a sailing adventure around America's Great Loop, it becomes a whole new level of excitement and adventure. We're currently in the process of packing up our home in Michigan and downsizing our belongings to make the transition onto our sailboat in Deltaville, Virginia.

Living on a sailboat was a goal that we dreamt up in 2019, and we wanted to embrace the opportunity to explore the world at our own pace. Sailing around America's Great Loop provides a unique perspective on the beauty and diversity of our country's waterways, and we're excited to experience it firsthand.

Ewan and the rest of the crew worked to sort through many of our books to decide what we could share with other families, what we should store away for now, and what should come onto the boat!

Downsizing is a crucial part of the transition to living on a sailboat. We're going through everything and deciding what to keep, donate, or sell. It's not an easy process, but we're finding that it's liberating to let go of unnecessary possessions and simplify our lives. Some furniture is being donated or sold. A few items are staying in the house for our renter to use. The cats have a potential family to live with. Our old boat and car still need to be sold, but hopefully, the spring weather will drum up some interest.

Our Catalina 30 is ready for new owners!

Moving from Michigan to Virginia, we're taking steps to ensure a smooth transition onto our sailboat. This will be our fifth year sailing, and we've done some traveling by sailboat to understand our needs as liveaboards. Many of our everyday things from home will come along: favorite books, bedding, art supplies, computers, and tablets. The boat is ready to go with most of our essential sailing gear and equipment. So we're reviewing the routes and areas of the Chesapeake as we prepare for the journey ahead.

The Beneteau 423 that we’ll be moving aboard April 17, 2023!

Once we arrive in Deltaville, we'll launch our sailboat and start our adventure around America's Great Loop. We're excited to explore the waterways, meet fellow Loopers, and experience the unique culture and beauty of each location we visit.

Chris enjoying the galley on an earlier shakedown cruise last fall.

Living on a sailboat comes with challenges, but it also offers many benefits. We'll be surrounded by nature, enjoying the peace and tranquility of life on the water. There will be challenges along the way; many things about living on a boat are not simple, and we'll venture through some high-traffic waterways. But we'll be free to explore new places, meet new people, and create unforgettable memories.

Moving onto a sailboat and sailing around America's Great Loop is a bold and exciting adventure. We can't wait to start this new chapter in our lives. We're grateful for the opportunity to simplify our lives and experience the beauty and diversity of our country's waterways.