I’m going to give you some insight into how our brains work.
On Sunday, March 27th, Ali sent me the listing for a catamaran a friend of ours is selling. It’s a nice boat, but I was still gobsmacked by their asking price. I often am—this isn’t a unique reaction specific to their boat. I went online to look up similar boats and found one in Guatemala for 1/3 less. It wasn’t fully kitted out, but after this long on boats I can do just about any of that work by myself, so that isn’t a huge concern to me.
At this point I have to confess that Ali and I tend to communicate via Slack… a lot. Ali works for our business, Wanderer Financial, handles all the e-mail, all the accounting, all the reminders of what has to get done and when, and basically every other vital function necessary to keep the business running. So, even when we’re sitting at the same table, we’ll carry on conversations this way. In part, it’s also because the kids are sitting at the same table. A boat is a small space, and the kids don’t need to be privy to every thought that runs through my scattered brain.
Too much stuff. haha.
You’re probably thinking, “Then what did she say?” But that’s it. We knew what the rest of the conversation was without having to say it. In fact, we didn’t say another word about it that day. Or the next.
On Tuesday we talked (like actual spoken words). I said, “We should probably talk about that Guatemala boat. If you’re up for sailing around the world again, you know I am.” The conversation went on, we talked about how we really had no more plans beyond Panama for the current boat. We could take it through the canal and up to Mexico, but if we did that we both knew it would likely end this chapter of our lives. We might cruise a season in Baja, but for the most part, living on a boat in one place, with no big adventures planned, just isn’t a goal we would ever purposefully strive for.
We talked about how old the kids are getting. Ouest is twelve. If we are ever going to run off on another four-year circumnavigation, that time is clearly upon us.
We discussed a lot of things while the kids laughed and played, swimming off the back of the boat and diving off the front, happy, care free, the way we like them.
So, here we were, it was Tuesday, we had a boat picked out, and we were going to sail around the world again.
Wednesday was logistics. Figure out flights, contact the broker, and ask if some friends in Guatemala could visit the boat and get us some pics before we spent the time and money going all the way up there.
Thursday came, the broker never replied to e-mails or phone calls. Honestly, imagine listing a boat with someone, agreeing to pay some 10% of your sale price in brokerage fees, and then find out they don’t even bother to reply to inquiries? We know, have met, or have worked with dozens of brokers through the years, and the number of them that are good at what they do is… let me count… two.
With our Guatemala boat attention lost, we turned to the internet again. On a Facebook group Ali follows she spotted a boat that had been for sale, privately, for two weeks…
Sorry, I hate the whole “cliffhanger” thing. I actually have this whole post written—including discussing this idea with the kids—but I can’t post it yet. That story has to wait for me to fly out, inspect the boat, and sign on the dotted line. That’ll be done soon. In the meantime, a deal has been struck, Bitcoin has been sold, marinas have been contacted, haul-out has been scheduled, and flights have been booked.
Exciting times for us. We live for these moments in life. Course changes are exciting. They are what makes life interesting. For us, they are sort of like chapters in life’s book. I don’t want to live a book with a Table of Contents that fits on one double-spaced page.
Which brings us to what we’ve been up to the past two weeks. Madness. When we decide to do something like this Ali goes full burners right into her element. Lists are made, and from that moment on there is no rest. Anyone who has bought a boat or motorhome from us knows that they get that thing in the absolute best condition that it has ever been in.
We’ve been cranking away non-stop, emptying the boat, donating stuff to a local school, cleaning every nook and cranny, and finishing countless small items from the ever-present boat to-do list.
And with that, the Grand Banks, our Caribbean home for the last five years, is for sale.
It’s priced right. We aren’t ones to fiddle around trying to squeeze out the top market price. It’s in Aruba, which is out of the hurricane belt, and is also a country that doesn’t care if you are here one month or ten years. Boat was just hauled, no issues, fresh paint, new swim platform, hulls buffed, the list goes on. Anyway, if you’ve been eyeing Bumfuzzle, move quick. Our last boat sold in a day, in Mexico, and our motorhomes never last more than a couple of hours on the market.
Not a lot of other “fun” stuff happening around here. We’ve moved to the marina in Oranjested where we can crank away on getting the boat ready to sell. That’s included a lot of donating. A local school has gotten a bunch of toys and an entire bin full of books. Every locker has been gone through, cleaned, and emptied of any detritus that has managed to avoid getting tossed out earlier if it hasn’t been used in all this time.
Lowe working away on his latest song. My favorite one so far.
We got out of the marina for a few hours, back out to the beach we were anchored at for a couple of weeks. The week before Easter Arubans have a tradition they call Campamento. Basically, everyone heads for the beaches and camps with their families for the week. Tents are everywhere, and surprisingly to me, quite a few Arubans have even gone to the trouble and expense of importing trailers. No shiny Airstreams in the bunch, but clearly some people wanted a step up from tent life. If you look closely in this picture you can see the tents over on the left, and a trailer towards the middle. I was told a lot of families have had their spaces reserved for the past 40 years (surely the prime shady spots) which makes it a little tough for new arrivals to get in on the action. No problem finding a spot out on the water, though.
40 Comments on “Course Change Part I”
Are you buying the Wynn’s catamaran?
Whatever you do, have great travels!!
Wow. Hot action. I had a feeling of ennui or maybe the loss of momentum from you guys after the long Covid lockdown. Watching your travels for over a decade after met a Marina Palmira in La Paz, makes me excited for you and I look forward to your next adventure. I am surprised at the Cat, after the Grand Banks, tho’ I wasn’t aware of your circumnavigation jones. Bon Voyage!
SECOND circumnavigation, Jon . . . call it the Family Plan Circumnavigation. 🙂
You have my utmost respect. It takes my husband and I longer to decide where we’re going to go to eat than you to do a complete 180 with two kids in tow. I can’t wait for this new adventure. If it’s four years, Ouest will be 16 when you’re done. How can that possibly be? God speed!
A new way forward! Good luck, and I know it will be FUN💕
I knew it the minute you bought the trailer. It might last awhile, but it’s always been too limiting, especially for the Bums. You guys are offshore adventure people, and it’s a limited coastal boat. Sort of like rock climbing versus golf with I’m sure similar age dynamics.
Plus, as you said, the kids are older. Time to provide them with the adventure of their lives. And there’s no time like now, trust me.
So go out there and freaking do it again. Just watch out for those cigarette pirates!! 😀
Galileo 41?
“”trawler!! Freaking autocorrect!! 🙂
So exciting. Thanks for pumping us up vicariously. Something in the air, for sure.
I’m thinking the Wynns too. With them you know what your getting💕
Exciting times for the Bums. Best wishes from a long time follower.
Can’t wait to read about your newest adventures! Safe, healthy travels to you all.
I read the Wynn’s post and now yours. Good luck with your new adventures!
WOOT. And the adventure continues.
WOW! I am so excited for you all (and us, who follow you!). What a fantastic adventure to go on. I can’t wait 🙂 Seriously, really happy for you all.
Great age for the kids to do the circumnavigation. They will take it all in, be somewhat helpful, and you obviously have homeschooling all worked out. The only downside to cruising now is the insurance situation, they have really hiked up the prices.
Naw, Catherine . . . self-insurance is surprisingly affordable!
Great decision Bums, you belong on the water….Enjoy!!!
Wow! Excited to follow along g again! This will be an epic adventure!!
Lorraine and Mike
See you in early October! Congrats on all the changes!
https://www.silent-yachts.com/
OH, the places you will Go! Goodonyas! Lucky children! GREATonyas!
How exciting! Looking forward to reading about the new boat and the big move!
For a sec we thought you and OKelly’s had struck a deal. But their boat wasn’t on market for 2 weeks. Thanks for keeping this blog. We have looked to you for direction in our own lives since 10 years ago. Now over half way thru a circumnavigation.
“Anyone who has bought a boat or motorhome from us knows that they get that thing in the absolute best condition that it has ever been in.”
Same for Platano. 🙂
Ha, that’s true, Blizz! So happy you are still trucking around in that old gal. I suspect there is going to come a day when I come back to you and ask if you’re ready to sell her back to me. 🙂
Wow, good news. Frankly, the GB was starting to seem a little too cozy for your family as the kids progress into adolescence. Hope the surveyinspection of the prospective new catamaran goes well.
Great price on the GB. If I wasn’t 81 I’d have a check in the mail. I’m sure that you are aware it’s not as safe a world as it was the first time you did it. Good luck and get lots of books for the kids also some good fishing lures. Robbie
Right on Pat, and I bet you don’t crash the Sailnet site this time around 🙂
(All, said with full support. It was a crazy time with some naysayers on the Sailnet site back then during BumRTW1)
I think you may need a second line on your vehicle header. Your kids are in for a life treat.
I loved following along on your first circumnavigation, I believe it was right around your Panama Canal passage that my wife and I “joined up”. There were so many armchair naysayers back then! It’s been a blast and we look forward to this new adventure. Best wishes to all of you!
You just gave me whiplash! I’m so looking forward to your new adventure!
So cool, Im glad for your guys. New adventures. Sounds exciting.
Yay! So excited for your newest adventure!
When I grow up, I want to be Pat.
But only if you’re lucky enough to be married to Ali! 🙂
My * World Cruising Routes * book gift was a good prediction maybe?
Hi,
absolutely stunning!
Looking forward to read new adventures.
LG
Holger from Germany
One of these days your header will become so long that it will no longer fit the page at this rate. Looking forward to the photos of your next adventure.