Saying Goodbye To Tickety Boo | A Sad Farewell To Our Moody 346 Sailboat

Yep, it's true. We're saying goodbye to Tickety Boo, our Moody 346 sailboat. It's a very sad farewell on our part. This isn't the way we thought our future would be unfolding, that's for sure.

You might remember that about a year ago, we hauled Tickety Boo out at Indiantown Marina in Florida to check her bottom. We had leak in the bilge by the compression post which was discovered during a rigging inspection. Once the boat was out of the water, you could see that Tickety Boo had a crack in her hull by the keel stub - a pretty serious issue.

That put an immediate halt to our plans to head to the Bahamas. Instead, we headed to the workyard for repairs with the hope that we'd be back out on the water in no time.

Things didn't turn out as we hoped. We spent all of last year trying to get things sorted. The insurance process took a while to work through. Once that was finished, we lined someone up to fix Tickety Boo.

All good, right?

Nope. He bailed on us.

Then we lined someone else up. He flaked out on us.

Then we lined another person up. Yep, you guessed it . . . that didn't work out either.

Turns out it isn't easy to get someone experienced and reliable to fix your boat.

We toyed with the idea of fixing it ourselves, but decided it wasn't a project that we wanted to take on.

There we were - stuck with a broken boat that we couldn't get fixed and faced with a tough decision. An emotional roller coaster ride ensued. What to do, what to do . . . indecision took over our lives for quite a while.

By the time the end of 2019 was nearing, we were no further forward. In fact, it felt like we had moved backward. Because we wanted to make sure that we could get our boat fixed, we had put all our other boat projects on hold last year. So even if we could have managed to find someone to fix Tickety Boo in the end, we'd still have lots of other work to do on her.

Finally, we said enough is enough and we made the tough decision to say goodbye to our sweet little sailboat. Life is for living and hanging around on a broken boat in a workyard isn't our idea of living.

We're currently going through all of our stuff and deciding what to sell, what to get rid of, and what to keep as we prepare to downsize and move into our tiny camper once we've found Tickety Boo a new owner. Then we'll probably head out west. That's the extent of our plans for now. We need time to regroup and decide where to from here.

For those of you who have followed us for a while, you might remember our tiny camper. Her name is Scamper and she's a 13' Scamp travel trailer. Yeah, I know, her name isn't all that clever. Curious what she looks like? You can see pictures of her HERE.

We originally bought Scamper in 2015 and traveled around the States before buying Tickety Boo. She seemed roomy enough at the time, but after living aboard a 34' sailboat for the past four years, this is gonna involve some serious downsizing. But it will be fun. And it will be an adventure, something we've been sorely missing for the past year.

We'll be putting Tickety Boo up for sale soon and I'll post all the details here and over on our Facebook page. I'd love to get your help spreading the word when the time comes. She'd be a great project boat for someone with fiberglass skills (or who wants to learn about fiberglassing). Maybe she'd be the perfect boat for you or someone you know? Feel free to contact us if that's the case at thecynicalsailor (at) gmail (dot) com.

As for what's happening with this blog, I'm not sure yet. But, in the meantime, you can find me over at my writing blog. And if you're a Mollie McGhie fan, no worries, I still plan on writing my humorous sailing mysteries. If you want to be notified when I have new releases, please sign up for my newsletter and/or follow my Facebook author page.

Books About Sailing

It's crazy busy right now for me in the run-up to the publication of the next book in my sailing mystery series, but I wanted to take a break and share some great resources for finding sailing-related books that you might want to check out. Even if you're not a boater yourself, you'll still probably find something you enjoy whether it's a travel memoir, historical fiction, thriller, kids books etc.

Charlotte Kaufman has lists of sailing-related books broken down by age groups. If you aren't familiar with Charlotte and her family's experience losing their boat, Rebel Heart, check out this essay she wrote for HuffPost. Charlotte has written a memoir about this tragic event which I'm looking forward to reading when it's published.

Sailing Book Suggestions for Adults
Sailing Book Suggestions for Tweens & Teens
Sailing Book Suggestions for Children


Check out SisterShip Press for another great list of sailing-related books written by women, including books published by their press. The team behind this organization--Shelley Wright and Jackie Parry--are responsible the relaunch of SisterShip Magazine and the annual Women Who Sail Australia Gathering on the Bay.

SisterShip Book Club


The Boat Galley has a podcast on books for people who are getting ready to cut the dock lines and head off cruising. If you're not familiar with The Boat Galley, it's a wonderful resource about all aspects of boating. And if you don't already have a copy of The Boat Galley Cookbook, that's well worth checking out. I can't imagine cooking on our boat without it.

Best Books for Soon-To-Be Cruisers


The American Sailing Association (ASA) has a list of books about sailing voyages and adventures.

8 Great Sailing Books


If you're looking for books to do some armchair sailing during the off-season or to stock up your floating library Waterborne has you covered.

20 Sailing Books Every Sailor Should Read


Thinking about cruising? Cruising World has a list of books to read to get prepared.

Top 10 Books to Prepare You for Cruising


What have you been reading lately? If you know of any other lists of sailing-related books that you think I should add, leave a comment below with a link to it and I'll check it out.

Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - pop by and say hi!

The latest Mollie McGhie cozy sailing mystery is coming soon! Pre-order >>Poisoned by the Pier<< on Amazon.

Find out more at ellenjacobsonauthor.com

Other eretailers and paperback / large print coming soon.

Dinghy Sailing | Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday is supposed to be about posting a photo(s) without any words. But, I'm a rule breaker, so here are a few words:

1 - When we were in the Bahamas, Scott took our Walker Bay dinghy out sailing.

2 - It's a miniature sailboat! I love tiny things. I was one of those girls who had a dollhouse and could stare at the tiny furniture and accessories for hours.

3 - Scott won all of the regattas he entered. Of course, he was the only participant, but why make a little think like lack of competition take away your glory when you get first place.

What words does this picture(s) bring to your mind when you look at it?

For more Wordless Wednesday fun, click here and here.

Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - pop by and say hi!

The latest Mollie McGhie cozy sailing mystery is coming soon! Pre-order >>Poisoned by the Pier<< on Amazon.

Find out more at ellenjacobsonauthor.com

Other eretailers and paperback / large print coming soon.

Every Sailor's Worst Nigthmare | Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday is supposed to be about posting a photo(s) without any words. But, I'm a rule breaker, so here are a few words:

1 - Every sailor's worst nightmare is hitting a reef. This has happened to people we know. Fortunately, it's never happened to us. But, as we know, fortune is a fickle thing.

2 - We saw this shipwreck at the West End settlement in the Bahamas. There's a reef around here which you need to be very careful of. But even if you're careful, weather, engine failure, an issue with your sail, and other unforeseen issues can cause something tragic like this to happen.

3 - It's always sad to see something like this. It leaves me wondering about the story behind the wreck. What happened? Was everyone okay? Did they quit sailing after this incident or did they get another boat?

What words does this picture(s) bring to your mind when you look at it?

For more Wordless Wednesday fun, click here and here.

Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - pop by and say hi!

The latest Mollie McGhie cozy sailing mystery is now available! Pick up a copy of >>Bodies in the Boatyard<< at:

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Paperback available at: Amazon

Find out more at ellenjacobsonauthor.com

Random Pictures From The Conch Inn Marina, Bahamas | Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday is supposed to be about posting a photo(s) without any words. But, I'm a rule breaker, so here are a few words:

1 - When we flew into Marsh Harbour, our friend was staying on his boat at the Conch Inn Marina. These are some of the random pictures Scott took while we were there.

2 - I think I like the bird one the best.

3 - See that fish in the foil? There were a bunch of Boy Scouts at the marina. They had just gotten back from a week-long sailing trip and caught some mackerel. We got some of their extra.

4 - Can you imagine being on a relatively small sailboat for a week with a group of teenage boys? I would think things would start to get smelly pretty quick. Hats off to the adults who went with them.

What words does this picture(s) bring to your mind when you look at it?

For more Wordless Wednesday fun, click here and here.

Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - pop by and say hi!

The latest Mollie McGhie cozy sailing mystery is now available! Pick up a copy of >>Bodies in the Boatyard<< at:

Amazon (US) | Amazon (CA) | Amazon (UK) | Amazon (AU) | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Apple iBooks | Google Play

Paperback available at: Amazon

Find out more at ellenjacobsonauthor.com

Scott's First Sailing Adventure | Cruising From Majorca To Portimao

The postcard Scott wrote to me from Cabo de Gata. Notice how he didn't address it? Rather than post it, he handed it to me when he got back.

Did you ever find something when you were tidying up that brought back a flood of memories? Well, Scott found an old postcard that he had written to me from Cabo de Gata in Spain when he was on his very first sailing trip back in 2005. The trip that got him hooked on sailing and led to us eventually buying our first boat in New Zealand in 2012.

I thought some of you might be interested in hearing more about Scott's very first sailing adventure, so I decided to share a little interview I did with him. Well, it was actually less of an interview and more of the two of us lying in bed trying to decide what to watch on TV. I peppered him with questions while he tried to convince me that watching a WWII documentary would be a good choice.

* * *

1 - How did you get into sailing?

Back in 2005 when I was living in Glasgow, I had contacted a friend to see if wanted to go to an archaeology conference. He wasn't able to because he had plans to help bring a friend's boat back to Scotland from Majorca (aka Mallorca). I told him to let me know if his friend ever needed extra crew as I'd like to try sailing one day.

Little did I know that "one day" would turn out to be sooner than I thought. The fourth crew member had just dropped out and they had a plane ticket from Glasgow to Majorca if I was interested. I was working in Edinburgh at the time and had to make arrangements to take time off, but once that was sorted I packed my bags and left a couple of days later.

Port Andratx in Majorca - the start of Scott's sailing adventure.

 
2 - Where did you go on that first sailing trip?

We sailed from Majorca (one of the Spanish Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea) to Portimao in Portugal where the boat (a Westerly Oceanlord 41 named Dragonfly) was laid up for the winter. The trip took over two weeks, we covered around 800 nautical miles, and by the end I was hooked on sailing. Actually, I was hooked on sailing on day one.

The sailboat Scott sailed on - s/v Dragonfly, a Westerly Oceanlord 41

3 - What was your first overnight sail like?

My first overnight sail took place when we left Majorca and sailed 180 nautical miles to Mar Menor, a salt-water lagoon on the Iberian Peninsula near Cartagena. We had a great sail, averaging 7-9 knots. I thought it would be like this all the time - always under sail going along at a good clip. I later learned that's hardly ever the case.

My second overnight sail was quite different with gale force winds and thunderstorms. We inched close to the shore to try to avoid being struck by lightening.

Going through the drawbridge at Mar Menor

4 - What was the food like?

When I first got to Majorca, we didn't arrive at the marina until after ten that night. We met the captain at a restaurant that had just stopped serving food so we headed back to the boat to find something to eat. The choice was limited to out-of-date canned food. We opted for a can of salmon which we washed down with plenty of San Miguel beer. The beer definitely helped.

The food on board got better after that and we also had some great meals on shore with a lot of seafood and local wines.

Sailing along the Algarve

5 - What are some of your favorite memories from this trip?

I really enjoyed anchoring in the Guadianna river between Spain and Portgual. It was a calm evening with a full moon and we all enjoyed having drinks in the cockpit and taking in the views. That was when I decided cruising full-time was something I really wanted to do with Ellen.

A view of the Guadianna river from the boat.

Another favorite memory is when we were going around Punta de Tarifa, which is the southernmost point on the Iberian Peninsula. We had been motoring most of the time and we had finally got a bit of wind so that we could put out the headsail. By the time we got to the point, we had 55 knots sustained. Being a novice, I didn't realize it was that big of a deal and I really enjoyed helming through it.

When we finally got to the marina, it was completely full (everyone else seemed to have known about the storm and sought out shelter) so we had to tie up to the visitor's dock. We certainly got a lot of questions from folks about what it had been like to sail in those conditions.

Sailing past Gibraltar Rock was pretty amazing, as was seeing the old Phoenician city, Cadiz, from a distance. One thing I wished we could have seen was Morocco, which you can see on a clear day. Sadly, the weather didn't cooperate.

And then of course, the sea life was fantastic - dolphins and whales including an orca with a floppy dorsal fin. One of the dolphins even spyhopped in front of our boat. Pretty cool.

Sunset at Portimao, Portugal

6 - What did you miss the most when you were away?

You, of course. {Editor's Note: That was the correct answer.}


Is there anything else you want to know about Scott, like what his favorite cookie is or how people survive the cold in North Dakota? Put your questions in the comments below and maybe we'll have another interview with him.

Saturday Spotlight | Jinx Schwartz, Author Of The Hetta Coffey Mysteries

In addition to the usual blog posts every Monday and Wednesday about our travel adventures and day-to-day life living aboard a sailboat, I also occasionally post on Saturdays, focusing on things related to writing such as cover reveals, book launches, reviews, interviews with authors etc. So if you're a bit of a book nerd like I am, check in on Saturdays - you never know what might pop up.

Today, I'm featuring an interview with Jinx Schwartz, USA Today bestselling author of the Hetta Coffey Mysteries. I first discovered Jinx and her books through the Women Who Sail Facebook group and quickly fell in love with her main character, Hetta, a sassy woman with a snazzy yacht who isn't afraid to use it.

Jinx has a great sense of humor and her books have me laughing out loud from start to finish. The fact that they have a boating focus is the icing on the cake (and we all know how much I like cake). When I set out to write my own sailing mystery series, Jinx was one of my inspirations and she was incredibly encouraging to me when I was first starting out.

So, without further ado, let's hear what Jinx has to say about writing, cookies, and penguins.


1 - What inspired you to write your books?

Freedom. After dropping out of the rat race to cruise, I suddenly had time to jot down things I wanted to say, et voila, books!


2 - Do you have any writing rituals?

Not really. If I get stuck, I go back to the beginning and start editing and it usually jump starts me again.


3 - What's more important - character or plot?

In my series, I already have Hetta. She's a character, as we say in Texas, and the plot just follows.


4 - What do you like best about being an author? What do you like the least?

I love the creative part, and editing. Just kidding, I hate editing! Oh, and marketing! Love book signings, though.


5 - What's your favorite cookie? If you don't like cookies, what's wrong with you? Oops, sorry scratch that. My follow-up question was meant to be more polite - "Why don't you like cookies?"

I never met a cookie I didn't like!


6 - A penguin walks through your front door wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why did he come visit you?

Donde esta el pez? (Where's the fish?)


7 - What else would you like us to know about you?

I've never been in jail. And I once got drunk with Judy Garland.


Thanks for the interview, Jinx! Anyone who says that they never met a cookie they didn't like is a gal after my own heart. :-)


AUTHOR BIO

USA Today Bestselling author, Jinx Schwartz, has written fourteen books, including ten in the Hetta Coffey series. Hetta is a sassy Texan with a snazzy yacht, and she's not afraid to use it! A ninth-generation Texan, Jinx has lived and worked all over the globe, and much like the protagonist in her Hetta Coffey mystery series, she's a woman with a yacht and not afraid to use it!

Connect with Jinx on Bookbub, Facebook and Twitter and sign up for her newsletter on her website.

You can find Jinx's books on Amazon, including her latest release, book #10 in the Hetta Coffey series - Just for the Birds.


Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - pop by and say hi!

The latest Mollie McGhie cozy sailing mystery is now available! Pick up a copy of >>Bodies in the Boatyard<< at:

Amazon (US) | Amazon (CA) | Amazon (UK) | Amazon (AU) | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Apple iBooks | Google Play

Paperback & large print available at: Amazon

Find out more at ellenjacobsonauthor.com 

Saturday Spotlight | "The Essence" By Deb Akey

In addition to the usual blog posts on Mondays and Wednesdays (and the occasional Friday) about life on a sailboat and other oddities, I also occasionally post on Saturdays, focusing on things related to writing such as cover reveals, book launches, reviews, interviews with authors etc. So if you're a bit of a book nerd like I am, check in on Saturdays - you never know what might pop up.

* * *

Today, I'm featuring Deb Akey's wonderful book, >>The Essence: Short Vignettes on Moments that Define my Life with the Sea<<.

I found The Essence to be a really unique book full of beautiful photographs accompanied by short vignettes about the author's reflections of her life living on a boat and her relationship with the sea. Deb has a lovely way with words - her honesty, sense of adventure, and wonder and curiosity about the world shine through.

Deb dreamed of escaping a life of unsatisfying work by selling everything and sailing off into the sunset. It's the kind of dream many people have, but few actually achieve. This book explores the "why" behind that decision - what compelled her to live a meaningful life with the sea.

Perhaps one of my favorite vignettes was the one which described the parade of boats that heads down the Intracoastal Waterway each year to Florida and beyond. I loved Deb's curiosity as she passed each boat, trying to imagine everyone's backstories and what led them to this life on the water.

"As we pass each boat, I like to imagine the story of the person manning the helm who waves. Was she a corporate manager? Was he an accountant? Do they have eleven grand kids like we do that makes it hard to leave? Did someone break his heart and he's seeking solace in the quiet of the water? Did she suddenly realize, while doing a load of laundry, that life was passing her by?"

As I turned each page, gazed at the next photograph, and absorbed Deb's words that the image sparked for her, I found myself reflecting on my own life choices and search for meaning. And that's what makes this book so special from my perspective. Deb shares her thoughts, but they're just a springboard for your own contemplation and meditations.

You don't need to be interested in sailing or cruising for this book to resonate. It's about common human experiences - major life changes and their consequences, the importance of family, fear of the unknown, chasing your dreams, and our connection to nature.

You can pick up a copy of >>The Essence<< on Amazon in both ebook and paperback format. I think that it would make a wonderful gift for someone who is thinking about the cruising lifestyle, for friends and family of cruisers to give them an insight into what life on the water is like, or for anyone who is curious about one woman's experiences living a life connected to the sea.


ABOUT DEB

Deb Akey is a former pilot, motorcyclist, and computer guru. In 2013 she and her husband T.J. sold everything, moved onto their 42-ft sailboat and left to cruise the East Coast and Caribbean waters.

Deb also writes children's books under the pen name Dema, a name given to her affectionately by her nine grandchildren. She is currently working on book two of the Maryssa Mayberry series, a series of children's books which deal with the ocean and how we can all help to sustain its viability for many centuries to come.

Deb and her husband spend much of their time writing about their experiences on their blog, The Retirement Project. They have also written a indispensable guide for anyone thinking about buying a cruising boat, >>How NOT to Buy a Cruising Boat<<, in order to help others with the dream of cruising succeed.

NOTE: I was given an advance reader's copy (ARC) of The Essence by the author and voluntarily chose to write an honest review.

When you think about the sea, what comes to mind? Are you going to pick up a copy of Deb's book?

Wordless Wednesday | Talk Like A Pirate Day

Wordless Wednesday is supposed to be about posting a photo(s) without any words. But, I'm a rule breaker, so here are a few words:

1 - Ahoy, mateys! It's "Talk Like a Pirate Day"!

2 - We're not big on dressing up, but I know people who take every opportunity they can fin to don their pirate apparel.

3 - Did you know that the term "filibuster" has pirate origins? It must be true - I read it here.

What words does this picture(s) bring to your mind when you look at it?

For more Wordless Wednesday fun, click here. 

Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - pop by and say hi!

Murder at the Marina - a lighthearted & humorous cozy sailing mystery - available in ebook and paperback format at:

Amazon (US) | Amazon (CA) | Amazon (UK) | Amazon (AU) | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Apple iBooks | Google Play | Book Depository | Books-A-Million

Find out more at ellenjacobsonauthor.com 

What Will Sailing Be Like In 100 Years?

 

Do you ever wonder what life will be like 100 years from now? Or do you want to know more about what happened 100 years ago? If someone offered you a ride in their time machine, would you go forward or back in time?

These are the types of questions I ask myself over my morning coffee. I also ask myself why anyone would have a peanut butter sandwich without jam. Then my mind works its way back to wondering what life will be like in the future and, on this particular morning, what sailing will be like.

People have used the wind to power their boats since the dawn of time. Sure technology has played a role in modern sailing, but the basic principle is the same - take a piece of fabric, hold it up, and let the wind push it.

It's kind of neat to think that at its core sailing probably won't change that much over time, but the experience of sailing might. Will there be more people out on the water, either voluntarily embracing a nomadic lifestyle or because they were forced to abandon life on land due to economic and other pressures? What will the oceans look like from an environmental perspective? Will the kraken get tired of all of our boats and take back the sea?

What do you think life will be like in 100 years? What do you think will change? What do you think won't?

Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - pop by and say hi!

Murder at the Marina - a lighthearted & humorous cozy sailing mystery - available in ebook and paperback format at:

Amazon (US) | Amazon (CA) | Amazon (UK) | Amazon (AU) | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Apple iBooks | Google Play | Book Depository | Books-A-Million

Find out more at ellenjacobsonauthor.com 

Saturday Spotlight | Sailing Book Reviews

In addition to the usual blog posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday about our eccentric travel adventures and day-to-day life living aboard a sailboat, I also occasionally post on Saturdays, focusing on things related to writing such as cover reveals, book launches, reviews, interviews with authors etc. So if you're a bit of a book nerd like I am, check in on Saturdays - you never know what might pop up.

* * *

Today, I'm featuring three sailing-related books focusing on quitting the rat race for a simpler existence living aboard a boat. Even if a sailing and cruising lifestyle isn't for you, you may find inspiration in these books to make changes in your own life and lead a life less "normal" and more fulfilling.

LEAP OF FAITH: QUIT YOUR JOB AND LIVE ON A BOAT by Ed Robinson

The author describes himself and his wife as carefree boat bums and beachcombers and in this book he tells you how they went about achieving a simpler life. He walks the reader through the process of getting rid of all of their stuff, his approach to debt, buying a boat, and living aboard full-time. Throughout the book, he spells out what he thinks is wrong with today's society and why living a “normal” life doesn't necessarily bring one happiness. His anecdotes and reflections provide compelling evidence that working hard to amass possessions, gain a certain social status, and achieve the “American dream” isn't the right path for everyone. His story may provide the inspiration you need to achieve your own dream, whether it's living a nomadic life on a sailboat or in an RV, getting out of debt and not worrying about making ends meet, or just choosing a simpler lifestyle.

Interestingly, I believe the author has just put his boat up for sale. I'm curious to see what new adventures he and his wife have planned.

Find out more about Ed and his book on Amazon | Facebook | Blog | Twitter


KEYS TO THE KINGDOM by Annie Dike

After spending six years as a lawyer, the author turned her back on a lucrative career and the potential of making partner at her firm, instead embracing the freedom of life living aboard and cruising on a sailboat. Dike interweaves stories of her former professional life and childhood with accounts of the her sailing adventures. And she's not afraid to share her misadventures as well and what she learned from them. Whether or not you're interested in a cruising lifestyle, if you're stuck in a career that doesn't bring you joy and are dreaming of a simpler, more fulfilling lifestyle, this book may inspire you to make changes of your own.

Find out more about Annie and her book on Amazon | Facebook | Blog |

OFF THE GRID by Mark Reinhardt 

Off the Grid is an account of one man's journey from working 60-hour weeks and getting nowhere to living life off the grid and finding fulfillment and freedom in a simpler way of life. The author shares how he bought and outfitted a relatively inexpensive sailboat, cleared his debts, and his adventures cruising in Florida and the Bahamas.

One of my favorite sections was about an encounter with a powerboat at night in the Bahamas which had run out of fuel. The author tells us how he towed their boat to the nearest port, but what makes this even more interesting was that he also shares accounts from both the husband and wife on the powerboat where they share their views about what must have been a very stressful experience. I also really enjoyed the diary-style entries where the author shares sections of his Captain's Log in between chapters. Throughout the book, he shares his personal philosophy – the importance of a positive attitude, the law of attraction, and simply having gratitude for all that life gives you. It's these kinds of personal insights which makes this book such an engaging read.

Find out more about Mark and his book on Amazon 

Note: I won copies of all three of these books courtesy of Saving to Sail (a site dedicated to learning how to make money online, while sailing the world) and voluntarily chose to leave honest reviews. 

* * *

What books have you been reading lately? Have you read any of the books featured here today?

Thanks for stopping by our blog - we love it when people come visit! We're also on Facebook - pop by and say hi!

Murder at the Marina - a lighthearted & humorous cozy sailing mystery - available in ebook and paperback format at:

Amazon (US) | Amazon (CA) | Amazon (UK) | Amazon (AU) | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Apple iBooks | Google Play | Book Depository | Books-A-Million

Find out more at ellenjacobsonauthor.com 

Provisioning For A Voyage | Modern Sailboats vs. Whaling Ships

See that list above? It's from a list of "Stores and Outfits for a First-Class Whale Ship, For a Cape Horn Voyage." {You can see the full list here.} My mom is really into genealogy and does a lot of research on our seafaring ancestors who hailed from New England and made their living on whaling ships. So, from time-to-time, she sends me little tidbits about what life might have been like for them.

I love food. I love thinking about food. I love daydreaming about food. And I really love eating food. So this particular tidbit about the food provisions they would carry was right up my alley.

My great great grandmother gave birth on a whaling ship in the Marquesas Islands. Her husband was the captain, and one of the perks of being the captain is that you got to take your wife on long voyages with you. I'm not entirely convinced that that would have been a perk for the wives. Years onboard a boat as the only woman, hoping you wouldn't be attacked by sea monsters and sink to the bottom - no thanks.

I used to wonder how my great-great grandmother could have lived such a life, but then I saw that one of the provisions they stocked was 50 pounds of chocolate. I'm pretty sure that was intended entirely for the captain's wife's consumption.

It's interesting to compare the whaling ship list of provisions to what we take when we're out cruising. In many ways it's similar - chocolate, coffee, canned meat, flour, sugar, onions, rice etc.

But there were a few things I don't have a clue about. What is saleratus? And what do you do with a bottle of essence of spruce? If you know, leave your answer in the comments. Even if you don't know the answer, have a guess.

Are you interested in genealogy? Would you have voyaged on a whaling ship around Cape Horn? Know anything about saleratus and essence of spruce?

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Murder at the Marina available for pre-order at:

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T Is For "Timonel" {Helmsman} | A To Z Challenge

As part of my ongoing efforts to learn Spanish, I'm highlighting a Spanish word each day as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I'm also sharing the random thoughts that pop into my head when I try to pronounce them.

* * *

Today's Spanish word is >>timonel<< (helmsman). And now for some random thoughts.

1 - The helmsman is the person who is steering the boat. A pretty important job, cause crashing your boat into another boat or a reef, rocks, the shore, a shipping container etc. would kind of spoil the day big time.

2 - Machines can steer your boat too. We have autohelm steering which does the work for us. Yes, the robots are taking over the world, but in some ways, won't life be so much easier?

3 - Some robots are good (like Rosie the Robot Maid on the Jetsons), others not so good.

Have you ever helmed a boat? Do you worry about robots taking over? What's your favorite word that starts with "T"?

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Check out the other folks participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge here.

S Is For "Soga" {Line} | A To Z Challenge

As part of my ongoing efforts to learn Spanish, I'm highlighting a Spanish word each day as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I'm also sharing the random thoughts that pop into my head when I try to pronounce them.

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Today's Spanish word is >>soga<< (line). And now for some random thoughts:

1 - What a "normal" person might call a rope, a sailor calls a "line." There's a saying that the only rope on a boat is the one attached to the ship's bell.

2 - Sailors like to speak in a secret language, which can sometimes be confusing to landlubbers. I call it Nauticalese.

3 - I'm not very good at throwing or catching lines. More often than not, they end up in the water.

Are you good at throwing things? What's your favorite word that starts with "S"?

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Check out the other folks participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge here.

R Is For "Rizos" {Reefs} | A To Z Challenge

In my ongoing efforts to learn Spanish, I'm highlighting a different Spanish word each day as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I'm also sharing the random thoughts that pop into my head when I try to pronounce them.

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Today's Spanish word is >>rizos<< (reefs). And now for some random thoughts:

1 - In certain conditions, you need to reef your sails, which involves reducing the amount of sail you have out so that you're not overpowered. For our mainsail, we use reefing lines to fold the sail down on the boom.

2 - >>Rizos<< can also mean curls, which makes sense as when your sail is reefed, it's curled up in a way.

3 - When it's humid out, my hair gets curly. When it's super humid out, I get little ringlets. If you're not sure what the weather is like outside, just have a look at my head.

Do you have straight or curly hair? What's your favorite word that starts with "R"?

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Check out the other folks participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge here. 

Saturday Spotlight | Sailing Book Reviews

In addition to the usual blog posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday about our eccentric travel adventures and day-to-day life living aboard a sailboat, I also occasionally post on Saturdays, focusing on things related to writing such as cover reveals, book launches, reviews, interviews with authors etc. So if you're a bit of a book nerd like I am, check in on Saturdays - you never know what might pop up.

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Today, I'm featuring reviews of three sailing-related books. Two were written by fellow members of the Women Who Sail Facebook group - Jackie Parry and Daria Blackwell -  and recount their adventures crossing oceans, exploring new countries and cultures, and connecting with fellow cruisers. Chris DiCroce's book is jam-packed with information about the ins and outs of traveling along the Atlantic ICW (intracoastal waterway).

THIS IS IT: 2 HEMISPHERES, 2 PEOPLE, AND 1 BOAT | by Jackie Parry

>>This is It<< is a wonderfully well-written memoir of the author's adventures buying a sailboat in San Francisco with her husband, and then sailing it across the Pacific back to their home in Australia. The author has a beautiful voice and way with words which effortlessly draws the reader in and makes them feel like they're part of the adventure. 

During the course of the book, we follow the crew of Pyewacket from San Francisco on the first part of their journey through Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama and then across the Pacific with stops at fascinating places like Pitcairn, the Gambiers, and Suwarrow. The descriptions of the highs and lows of cruising are fascinating. I loved reading about their experiences immersing themselves in local cultures, and the friendships they made with fellow cruisers. There were also times when I was sitting at the edge of my seat with my pulse racing as the author described the treacherous conditions they faced during their journey.

Bonus material is provided at the end of the book with information about buying a boat in a foreign country, the areas where they cruised, and the process of importing a boat into Australia.

This book is far more than a travel memoir about sailing; it helps you understand the restless spirit that drives and inspires people to lead a nomadic life in search of their next adventure. A great read for anyone who is dreaming about cruising, as well as those already out there living the dream. 

>> Find out more about Jackie and her books at Amazon | Website <<


THE NAKED TRUTH: A NAUTICAL MURDER MYSTERY | by Daria Blackwell

If you've ever wanted to know what it's like to cross the Atlantic on a sailboat and cruise in the Caribbean, then this book is for you. >>The Naked Truth<< reads like a fictional travel memoir with a “murderous” twist.

The two main characters, Xander and Jessica Lynch, are exploring the Canary Islands on their Oyster 47 ketch, Arcadia, when Jessica witnesses a brutal murder. Unfortunately, the murder remains an unsolved mystery when they depart the Canaries and sail to Barbados. Other mysterious events take place during their time in the Caribbean which turn out to have a surprising cause.

This nautical murder mystery is set against the fascinating background of living aboard and cruising on a sailboat. Throughout the book, the reader is treated to descriptions of various Caribbean islands, their people, and history. Different aspects of life aboard a boat are shared in an engaging way – including provisioning, communication on passage, clearing into different countries, the deep connections one forms with fellow cruisers, weather forecasting, seasickness, and watchkeeping. The author also describes Xander and Jessica's desire to write a book on anchoring, something the author and her husband have done in real life.

Whether you're a fellow cruiser or an armchair sailor, >>The Naked Truth<< will be a fascinating read and may inspire adventures of your own.

>> Find out more about Daria and her books at Amazon | Website <<


WHAT'S UP DITCH!: THE INS AND OUTS OF CRUISING THE ATLANTIC ICW | by Chris DiCroce

The author and his wife have traveled up and down the ICW numerous times. He provides his views, based on their experience, on a range of topics including preparing your boat (focusing on what's essential vs. nice-to-have); holding tanks and pumping out; navigation and weather; navigation and charts; currents and tides; bridges; engine issues; dinghies; having a dog onboard; anchoring; connectivity; going aground; and the importance of being courteous to your fellow boater.

As the author states, >>What's Up Ditch!<< isn't meant to be a guidebook or a “how-to-sail” book. Instead, he provides his personal perspective on traveling on the ICW and shares the things that they've learned and the misadventures they've had in order to ease fears and help “nudge” people into exploring this waterway. I enjoyed his humorous, light-hearted approach to the subject matter, which made it feel like he was sharing stories about his experiences over a cold beer at anchor.

This is a great introduction for people who are considering cruising on the ICW. Even if you're an experienced boater and have traveled the ICW before, you're bound to pick up some new insights.

>> Find out more about Chris and his books at Amazon | Website  <<

Note: I won a copy of >>What's Up Ditch<< courtesy of Saving to Sail (a site dedicated to learning how to make money online, while sailing the world) and voluntarily chose to leave an honest review.

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Image courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

Have you read a good book lately? One of the best ways you can thank an author is to leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. One of my New Year's resolutions is to try and be better about leaving reviews, especially for indie authors.

What books have you been reading lately? Have you read any of the sailing books featured here today? Do you leave book reviews?

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