Sailing SV CUBA

Life on a sailboat must be confining

Added 2022-10-04 14:05:39 +0000 UTC

When you live and travel full-time on a sailboat you meet many people along the way. Usually, we get asked a lot of questions as this kind of life, after all, is still a little out of the ordinary.

When this picture was taken, we had only just moved onto CUBA and one of these questions kept me occupied while I gazed out into the distance. “How do you cope, being so confined on a sailboat?”

Yes, we travel sometimes for days, without ever going on land. During this time, our entire live happens in this tiny capsule on the ocean we call home. This is where we cook, work and sleep. Only a few inches of fiberglass separate us from the relentless sea and wind. Yes, during passages our world becomes very small. For days and days all we see is the sea and clouds.

Yet, instead of feeling confined, it gives us a sense of empowerment. Being able to look at the horizon and follow our own chosen path while the wind propels us forward is a very special feeling.

Instead of a barrier, the sea becomes a playground, our very own highway to choose a direction and a canvas that gifts us with ever-changing sights to enjoy.

Instead of closing up, the world seems to open up itself to us when we sail. And when we have found our next anchorage and a place to be safe and at home for some time, we can enjoy the freedom to explore the biggest swimming pool anyone could ever wish for, right from the comfort of our “frontdoor”.

No, life on a sailboat does not feel confining to us. It can be tough and it can challenge you in ways you didn’t expect, but at least for us, the world has opened up since we call CUBA our tiny home on the water.