For almost two months now, Kismet has been out of the water in Cambridge, Md. awaiting a new engine. During that time, Jeff and I have been living in a state of limbo, moving around, waiting until we can get back to our home aboard and finish our trip to South Florida.

Initially, we were told that the engine would be delivered in mid-October. Then we learned there had been some sort of “miscommunication”, and it would be mid-November. Thanksgiving has come and gone and still no engine. So we wait, and wait and wait. Very frustrating. I am NOT a good waiter!

In the meantime, we have some exciting news-we have purchased a new-to-us catamaran sailboat!

We’ve known for a while that in order to continue this live-aboard lifestyle with two dogs that we needed a bigger boat. We have been researching and visiting marinas and boats for sale ever since we returned from the Bahamas last Spring. And finally we found a close- to-  perfect fit.

She is a 2007 44-foot Antares catamaran. A catamaran, we figure, will be a wonderful live-aboard vessel for the 4 of us. (Yes, I am counting our “fur-kids”). She has 3 berths, 2 heads, and a generous-sized galley.  And lots of outdoor living space, which is where we spend most of our time.  Here are some photos.

Our New-To-Us-Boat

cockpit

Salon

galley

The initial dilemma was that the new boat is located on the Left Coast- in San Diego. We have assumed that our cruising grounds for the next several years would be the East Coast and the Caribbean. So we tried to figure out how to get her over here.  Too wide to truck her, and the price would possibly run well-over $20,0000 to have her shipped, so we decided, “What the Hell, we’ll sail her over.”

After more research, reaching out to other sailors and reading numerous cruising guide,s we have concluded that it would not behoove us to rush through Mexico and the Sea of Cortez.

So after we get Kismet to South Florida and put on the market, (that will be after the holidays at the rate this is going), we will drive to San Diego, move aboard, and head on down the Pacific Coast of Mexico, where we plan to spend several years exploring a whole different way of life.

I am beside myself excited to begin this new chapter. In the meantime, I will practice my patience for waiting, and enjoy spending some time with friends and family.