We talked about sailing to the South Pacific on our very first date…  Perhaps we’d had one too many beers at the time, but the dream continued to grow! It manifested into lists – What do we need in an offshore boat? What do we need to save? Where? When? How? Five years of planning and saving and list-making followed. We were finally in a position to throw ourselves into the deep end back in 2012 – and bought our first boat in Mexico. We haven’t looked back since.

Now cruising aboard our second boat, Kaiquest, we’re totally hooked on the lifestyle: the experiences, people, places, moments (both high and low), and the freedom. We have jobs we love that tie us to the internet, so that’s always a big part of our cruising plans, but part of what makes the lifestyle work for us too.

Will Curry

Will had a better idea of what he was getting himself into. From sailing offshore with his family in his teens to running ‘Will’s Yacht Services’ and crewing in his 20’s – he’s had the boat bug for a long time! Will has many important jobs – including Captain  (only a Captain Crazy after many days at sea 😉 ) – and Bartender.

Sarah Curry

At the beginning of all this, my sailing resume was pitiful (non-existent).  I remember my first overnight sail – I was full of excitement and nerves. Will left me on watch alone, and I managed…  I’m a traveler and adventurer at heart, and that’s what has made all the  “What the hell are we doing out here!” moments so totally worthwhile.

Hugo and Kipp

Our twin boys were born summer 2019!  They spent time aboard in San Diego during the fall of 2019, and in February 2020 we set sail down the Baja peninsula for their first 1,000 nautical miles.

Winter 2022

Lessons learned

… aka Rules we’ll (be trying to) cruise by this time around)

“SLOWWW DOWN”

Yup, this is the name of our new game. Two years to buy a boat, outfit for offshore, and sail a good distance was pretty quick. We wouldn’t change a thing about Hydroquest’s ‘quest’, but we know Kaiquest’s adventures will at a far more leisurely pace.

“GET OUT THERE”

There are always reasons not to go, or to delay going.  We often pinch ourselves and say ‘Wow – years fly by – can you imagine if we’d never left!?!’ For us, this motto goes for getting out there again, and also for heading to those more remote or off-track anchorages, ports, or island groups… sometimes those places that are a little harder to get to are the most worthwhile.

“DON’T FREAK OUT!”

Cruising can be stressful. We’ve freaked ourselves out over engine issues, keel bolts (those are my personal favorite), tough projects, timing/schedules, etc, etc. I think not freaking out is either a lucky personality trait you’re born with – or a skill that comes with cruising experience and understanding of the lifestyle. Shit will happen. We hope to deal with the hurdles in a more relaxed manner this time around.

“DECIDE FOR YOURSELF”

So many opinions. We’d heard negative things about the Marquesas (actually, a favorite for us!), Papeete (we loved it!), and other places we ‘must go!’ or ‘Don’t bother!’  Everyone’s experience is different so it’s worth checking things out for yourself.

“BOAT PROBLEMS DON’T JUST FIX THEMSELVES”

Never Forget… Case and point.