Exploring the realm of bluewater cruising: 'Desire to witness the globe... and I merely persisted'
Self-Taught Bluewater Cruisers: Venturing into the Deep Blue Sea
Bluewater cruising – the exploration of the vast oceans on a sailboat – is a thrilling adventure that doesn't always require formal sailing lessons. Many seasoned sailors have embarked on this journey through self-teaching, hands-on experience, and a passion for the sea. Let's delve into the stories of a few self-taught bluewater cruisers who have successfully navigated the high seas.
Sandy and Scott Trevethan
Sandy Trevethan, a divorced mother of two grown-up boys, learned to sail on her boyfriend Scott's 34ft Lock Crowther Pocket Cruiser. After spending their first night at sea in 25-knot winds during a week-long Southern Ocean sojourn from Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne, they set sail on their Seawind 1160, Sea Moon, from Australia's Thursday Island to Eastern Indonesia, embarking on a planned five-year-long cruise through south-east Asia.
Baha Pelin and Kym Kierman
Baha Pelin, with a childhood filled with boating adventures, was already hooked on sailing. He spent US$4,000 on a 25-year-old yacht, took a Coast Guard Auxiliary night course, and started sailing around the North Atlantic. His partner, Kym Kierman, who had no prior sailing experience, thrived on the challenges of sailing and living off Eastern Indonesia's remote, idyllic islands. The duo are currently cruising in the Mediterranean, exploring Greece and Turkey where Tutkum's circumnavigation first began.
Kim and Dave Lewis
The Lewises, a New Zealand family, decided to sail around the world after their plans to move to France were affected by Brexit. With more than 20,000 miles left before they complete their circumnavigation, they have only a rough plan for the next few years. Their boat, a Lagoon 450, serves as their "floating apartment" and provides a safe means of transportation to the next anchorage. Their children, aged 10 to 3, have sailed more than 31,500 miles through the Pacific, south-east Asia, and the Indian Ocean.
Vernon Deck
Vernon Deck, a New Zealander, started bluewater cruising without prior sailing experience and learned through self-taught methods and practical experience. His YouTube channel, "Sailing Learning By Doing," shares his experiences of bluewater cruising and the cruising life. Marie Deck, Vernon's partner, initially had no experience with sailing or living aboard, but has become capable of handling their current boat.
These self-taught bluewater cruisers have relied on a mix of incremental experience, practical learning, community resources, and sometimes supplementary technical workshops to safely venture into extended offshore sailing without formal lessons. They learned essential knots, sail rigging, and boat handling from online resources, books, or informal mentors. They gained confidence and experience by crewing on charter boats or joining organized voyages offering hands-on sailing and training without requiring formal certifications upfront.
Slowly, they acquired technical skills related to the boat, such as engine mechanics and safety equipment management, sometimes through specialized training weeks or workshops offered by yacht owners' groups. They applied practical and scenario-based learning rather than relying solely on theory, learning their boat's limits, weather patterns, and safe navigation through real voyages rather than formal exams.
In conclusion, bluewater cruising is an achievable dream for many, even without formal lessons. With a passion for the sea, a willingness to learn, and a bit of hands-on experience, one can embark on a remarkable adventure across the world's oceans.
- This self-taught bluewater cruising lifestyle has even influenced other aspects of life, with Sandy Trevethan turning her passion into a home-and-garden blog, 'The Blue Water Life.'
- Between sailing adventures, the Trevethans also partake in sports like surfing and scuba diving, embracing the travel aspect of their lifestyle.
- Intrigued by their journey, some followers have even begun to explore education-and-self-development resources related to bluewater cruising, inspired by these self-taught sailors' stories. Others have even ventured into sports betting, placing wagers on sailing races around the world.
