We’ve been living aboard Kismet, our 36′ Gozzard sailboat for two weeks now. Is it what I expected? Is it a challenge? Is it all I’d hoped for and more? Yes and No, on all counts.  

When we began packing for this adventure, we filled 2 rooms with our “stuff” that we couldn’t do without. Stuff we knew, at one time or another, we would need. After re-examining the storage capacity of our Prius, we culled about half of it. Would we really use all those beach towels? Was a dog bed necessary? And seriously, a BLOW DRYER?? HA! Cull that shit, I need room for all the new bikinis, sundresses and hats I’ve been purchasing.

Two weeks. And I have yet to don a sundress, or a new bikini, for that matter. Hats? A must, since I left behind the hair dryer. The humidity on the East Coast, combined with salt spray and sweat, has self-styled my golden locks into an electrified Bischon Frise, and I now rival Chance for the “Nappy-Head” award.

The two, yes, TWO beach towels we brought are now covering the ultra-suede setees in the boat’s cabin, since that is where the dogs insist on lounging, given that we left behind the dog bed. For reasons unknown, we didn’t bring the binoculars, which are necessary to spot markers and obstacles, but we brought floats and water toys, which aren’t. Not given that while on anchor we have been surrounded by Cownose Rays the size of baseball diamonds. When HK filled the majority of the hatchback with his tools and maintenance/repair supplies, I was adamant that he leave room for more important stuff. Like decorative candles, books, and games. When the head malfunctioned three days into our trip up the bay, guess who ate her words? I can buy candles at the local Target, but I cannot, I Will Not, live on a boat that has raw sewage leaking into the bilge. Thank god HK doesn’t mind getting his hands a little dirty. OK, a LOT dirty.

But along the way, on the Bay, we have met some of the nicest people. People who share the love of the water and sailing. People who love dogs. People who just want to chat. Or pass along tried and true tips. Stackable cookware and storage containers are the bomb. The microwave is a great place to store vitamins. Don’t flush toilet paper.   The scenery, too, is different from what we are used to when sailing. Instead of endless sandy beaches or miles of dense tropical vegetation, there are quaint villages and draw-bridges. Massive homes of moneyed retirees and second homes of city-dwellers sit alongside weathered cottages of the crabbers, oystermen and others who make their living off of this treasured body of water. So yes, it has been a challenge, but only in the sense of being inconvenienced a bit. It is what I expected—in its diversity, making it an unexpected treat. And is it all I’d hoped for? Only thus far. There is plenty more to come! Stay Tuned!