There’s just one thing I don’t like about catamarans with saildrives, and that is the fact that they have oil seals that are only accessible underwater. When those seals leak, which they seem to do once a year, the only way to replace them is to get the bottom of … Read More
Leaving Savusavu
We didn’t want to leave Savusavu without doing at least a couple of dives. Unfortunately, heavy rains day after day had kept us out of the water around our normal haunts, and I wasn’t sure it’d be better anywhere else, but we decided to go out and try diving Natewa … Read More
More of Our Savusavu Life
Rain, rain, and more rain. And the locals tell me this has actually been a dry cyclone season here. Looking back, we probably should have spent another month finding something fun to do in the States or somewhere else, rather than getting back to the boat when we did. We’re … Read More
Bubble Rings
A few months ago we took a freediving course here in Savusavu to learn a few tips/techniques for going deeper. On our last day we were all hanging out in the water when the instructors dove down and tried to blow bubble rings. Neither one of them could get it. … Read More
The Savusavu Routine
Cyclone season in a brand new marina is quiet. Only a couple of boats have people on them. We thought we’d be in a bigger hurry to leave, but it’s actually a pretty nice chill place to spend some time. We’re slowly getting things together, and will move on soon … Read More
Beating the Heat
Ali got back and dove straight into doing what she does best—deep cleaning. There is little that is more satisfying than a spotless boat. What can’t be cleaned onboard gets sent out to me. I had thought I’d be able to replace the gas regulator and solenoid here in town. … Read More
Fiji Reunited
Welcome back to Fiji during cyclone season. Hot, humid, and a breeding ground for mold. Friends who live here assured us that if you stand still for five minutes, you’ll need to use a Clorox wipe to get the mold off your skin. Most of the boat had a green … Read More
MSP to PDX to SUV?
A snapshot of the true boat life. A return to the States from the islands always means a bit of a boat-bits shopping spree. Even things like a Fiji flag are easier to get off of Amazon than they are in Fiji itself. Usually when we travel to the boat … Read More
Afton Alps
It had been thirty years since I skied, and I’d forgotten how enjoyable it is. The kids and I got out for the second time on a gray, but warm day, and it was awesome to see how quickly their skill level jumped. Our first visit they took a lesson … Read More
Icing Up
This is Charlotte. She loves me. Why? Because I’m the only one in this family who is allergic to cats. Shouldn’t be that exciting, but we are really looking forward to installing new trampolines on the front of the catamaran. Boat bits and bobs are starting to arrive at the door pretty … Read More
First Time for Everything
It’s a weird winter in Minnesota. There is just no way we should be able to go for a walk in the woods with tennis shoes on in January. Ouest and I have been doing a few miles a day out here. After spending every waking minute outdoors on the … Read More