Kids in high gear

This video was taken last summer as we raced to get the boat ready for our summer cruising around Lake Ontario. I sometimes watch this video when I feel overwhelmed and need to get moving again.

John in the closet

Once a hanging locker, we now have shelves for more storage.

We are definitely going to need it.  I just looked at how much Lego the kids want to bring...

Time is ticking...must work faster

After re-wiring the aft cabin, John is re-installing headliner of our sleeping cabin.

Man, look at him go!

The Back Story

So, how did this family sailing adventure come to be?

It all started in 1997 when John and I decided to sail away together.  The dream had been percolating in John's mind for years. So I learned to sail. We worked, saved money and refit our 35 foot sailboat Spartina. In 2000, we got married in our backyard surrounded by 150 wonderful guests. Two days later, we moved aboard Spartina and sailed away for four years.

Our travels took us on a circumnavigation of the North Atlantic including Ireland, the French Canals, the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

Sailing mid-Atlantic

 Testing the harness

 Anchored in the Caribbean

 "On the wall" in Honfleur, France

 Wintering in Paris

French canals

Spain

Our voyage

Four years later, we found ourselves back in Lake Ontario happily reunited with our loved ones. However, the desire for ocean travel lingered. 

First, we decided to make some crew.

Soon came Simon, who quickly walked and talked his way into adventure. He lived aboard with us on Spartina for several months during his first year. He got his sea legs early.

Simon bathing aboard Spartina

Sailing with friends in Nova Scotia

Then came Wavey. She completed our little family with a sweet voice, a sense of balance and a tenacious spirit.

Sailing in Nova Scotia with friends

With our finalized crew list, we purchased Nahanni V in July 2009.

New owners!

The massive refit of Nahanni V started in 2009 and is wrapping up, well, um...soon.

Details to follow...

A Family Sailing Adventure

This journey started more than a decade ago. For a long time it was invisible to most people. This plan to sail away simmered while our babies grew into little sailors. Steadily, we parented, worked, cared for others, and slowly refit our sailboat Nahanni V for a family adventure.

Finally, after years of preparation, we are almost ready. We are packing, sorting, varnishing, reassembling, attaching, studying, sewing and, yes, at times freaking out.

Life is good. We feel lucky.

The countdown to departure is on. Please stay tuned...