How To Go Cruising... NOW! Get your boat, learn the ropes, cast off your lines, and sail away.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

Definition of Cruising: to live and travel aboard a boat for an extended period of time, usually at least one year.

Cruisers may be sea gypsies, but they do not have to be bums. You can be a respectable citizen of your country and a responsible human being as a cruiser. And this website will show you how...

Hey Y'all!
Captain's Log, July 19, 2008
Ocracoke Island, North Carolina is still treating us right. We heard this morning that a tropical storm may be headed our way. This is okay, we've been through this before. There were just a few added twists this time. First of all, we have been living anchored out, on the hook-as they say, in Ocracoke's gorgeous manmade harbour, Silver Lake. It has been fabulous. We have the best view of the lighthouse and all the magnificent sunsets. The breeze was constant and we had our privacy. However, we have no engine in Puff at this time, as her Yanmar diesel conked out on us back in Florida around late May. This left us feeling a bit vulnerable. Thankfully, we have very good friends on this island and we were able to secure a boat slip in Tony McGowan's Down Creek Marina and our friend, Jack Whitehead, helped Brian to move the engineless Puff into the slip earlier today. Brian then tied off Puff's lines to secure her for the coming storm and he even installed an AC, since we can't catch the breeze here at a dock and our cat likes to run away so we must keep the boat closed up when we're in a marina. So, all is well. I am baking a blueberry pie and we'll go out to dinner somewhere on the island tonight, because tomorrow we probably won't be able to get out much. Storms are pretty exciting on an island. You can only reach this island by sea or by air, and once the winds reach 45 mph or above, there will be no one coming to or leaving this island. The ferry's stop running. Sometimes the single gas station runs out of gas, but it nearly did that on the 4th of July. They were rationing, no more than $20 a pop. The stores might run out of certain foods or bottled water. The sound and the ocean levels might rise enough that they wash over parts of the beach, dunes, roads, and even people's yards. The whole island is only 7 feet above sea level, and it has been pretty much underwater before. Homes can flood, vehicles can flood. We've parked our cars on high ground because you never know. And then there's the surf... the surfers love a good storm, brings big waves. Yes, it can be exciting. But everything is usually just fine after it all blows over. The people here and the island itself have been dealing with this sort of thing for hundreds of years. Life goes on. Being so close to nature and humbled by the awesome elements of our planet is one reason we love living aboard our boat on different islands. You really feel alive.

Puff in Silver Lake

Updating the website always wears Jackcat out

Puff with the Ocracoke Lighthouse in the background

Welcome to a treasure trove of information to help you make your cruising dreams come true.

We offer free honest and informative articles chock full of valuable advice about the cruising lifestyle.

We also have a resources page where you can peruse, read our personal reviews, and purchase books, music and DVD’s to keep you knowledgeable, motivated and inspired to go cruising!
It is important to keep your dream alive while you plan.

And finally, we offer you the motherlode, the treasure of all cruising wannabe’s, the most valuable booty of all! Our Keys to Cruising Guides.

Dare to dream, dare to do!

Brian with Bull Mahi (caught aboard Puff while trolling offshore US East Coast)

The purpose of this website is to encourage you to live your cruising dream,
to do it now with whatever resources you have,
because life is too short for hesitation.

We hope this website will provide you with the inspiration, information,
and resources that you need to get moving,
and MAKE YOUR CRUISING DREAM HAPPEN!

See you in the islands!

Captain and his Ship in the Caribbean Sea

Most Recent How To Go Cruising... NOW! Article...
Most of us don't need reasons why we should go cruising. Right off the top there's traffic, crowds, the boss, smog, noise and rules, rules, and more rules. Click here to read more...

First Mate at the Helm

"A sailor's joys are as simple as a child's" - Bernard Moitessier

Here's What's New...

Our Caribbean 2006 Quicktime movie is now available for your viewing pleasure, click link below to see it.
Recent Blog Update
Check out CarolinaCurrents.com, Jeannette is writing articles for them now.