WAVE ~ What WAVE did you generate?
Kathy ~I sailed the South Pacific for 3 years in a 36’ Columbia sloop named ‘Ramblin’ Rose.’ Then, I sailed around the world for 3 ½ yrs in a 45’ Passport ketch named ‘Kanani.’
WAVE ~ Had you wanted to do this for a long time, or was it impulsive?
Kathy ~ Impulsive! My husband and I had been powerboaters and switchrd to sailing by joining Dana Harbor Yacht Club. In August, halfway through his basic sailing lessons, Wayne called me… He wanted to sell the house and everything we owned and sail around the world.
WAVE ~ How much preparation did it take?
Kathy ~In October, we actually sold everything. Our house closed escrow in 15 days. We had an estate sale, at the end of that day, we had $22,500 (not including the house), NO STUFF and we had to buy a boat. So we moved in with friends and looked for a boat.
On November 11th, we bought the “Ramblin’ Rose,” refitted her and were sailing out of the harbor on January 4th.
We had little experience and learned heavy weather sailing on the way to Hawaii. Had we known what we were in for, it might’ve stopped us before we started. This way, we had an amazing adventure, even sailing through a hurricane! By the time we got to Hawaii, after seven major storm systems, the last one hurricane force winds, we were experts in heavy weather conditions.
WAVE ~ Did it cost what you expected it to cost? If not, did it cost more or less?
Kathy ~ We worked in various ports when we needed to. It was all part of the adventure.
WAVE ~ How old were you when you first did this?
Kathy ~ I was 33 when we sailed the South Pacific and 43 when we started our trip around the world.
WAVE ~ Did doing this thing impact other areas of your life? How so?
Kathy ~ Well, the first trip was fully-funded and we arrived home with $45 and upon arriving in Hawaii paid $35 in harbour fees so both got jobs right away. The trip strengthened my faith and we found friends all over the world just by looking for our local church congregations.
WAVE ~ What did you go on to do? Did you then (or do you plan to) make any personal or professional changes that will improve the quality of your life?
Kathy ~ Now, I love what I do. My greatest joy in life is to relieve people’s pain and massage is truely a passion of mine. I do moblie on-site massage so I am not tethered to a specific location and can be more flexible. I’m writing a book, too, ‘Cut the Dock Lines, Some People Only Dream,.’
WAVE ~ What recommendations do you have for anyone who is considering a similar sort of trip?
Kathy ~ Go! Do! So there are no regrets. This was the advice from the over 70 folks we counseled with before our first trip. It is the best advice I can offer, having done it.
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