Life Aboard: 14 Weeks on Our Floating Home
It’s official—we’ve been living aboard our 32-foot catamaran for 14 weeks! What started as a big leap into something new has quickly become our “normal.” We’ve learned to adapt, laugh at the challenges, and soak in the moments that make this adventure so worth it.
Yes, there are times we feel a little cramped. But whenever the walls feel like they’re closing in, all we need to do is step outside. The horizon stretches out before us, and suddenly we remember: our home comes with unlimited waterfront property!
“Our ever-changing backyard.”
Favorite (and Not-So-Favorite) Things
One of the best parts about this adventure is hearing how each of us experiences life aboard a little differently.
Derek’s Highlights:
✅ Sleeps better than ever
✅ Loves how this lifestyle has brought us closer as a family
✅ Wherever we go, home comes with us
Derek’s Challenge:
🌬 Getting slammed into the dock on windy nights
Trygg’s Highlight:
✨ When our boat moves, our house moves because we live in it!
Trygg’s Challenge:
📦 There’s not much extra space!
Jillian’s Highlights:
💛 Growing closer as a family
🧹 Cleaning the boat takes way less time than a house
🏡 Feeling at home wherever we go
Jillian’s Challenge:
🍳 Not a lot of space for food prep
Sailing Adventures
In July we set out for Silver Bay with friends and family. The trip there was… let’s just say “character building.” Think rain, gray skies, and lightning right before we made it to the marina. We arrived safely, but I quickly confirmed what I already suspected: I am a fair-weather sailor!
Thankfully, the sail back was dreamy—calm winds, smooth water, and sunshine. Just the kind of day that makes you forget the stormy ones.
This is the kind of sailing I signed up for!
August brought our annual trip to Cornucopia, WI. We had hoped to sail, but with zero wind, we ended up motoring five hours instead. From Corny we continued on to Little Sand Bay, with a forecast that promised perfect sailing conditions. Reality? Not so much. We battled 3–4 foot waves at first, and I’ll admit, I had a moment (or ten) of questioning all our life choices. Halfway across, though, the wind shifted, the waves eased, and suddenly it was smooth sailing again. Just like that, I remembered why I love this life.
Proof that smooth seas do follow rough ones.
A Day in the Life
Life aboard may sound exotic, but most days have a simple rhythm:
- Morning: I sneak out early for a workout and a walk while Derek and Trygg ease into their day. By the time I return, Derek is already working, and Trygg is reading or watching a show. I brew the coffee, make breakfast, and get us moving.
- Midday: In June and July, Trygg attended an incredible outdoor camp four days a week, which freed up time for Derek to work without interruptions and for me to dive into projects—planning Vacation Bible School, organizing a silent auction fundraiser, and tackling boat and RV to-dos.
- Evenings: Swimming lessons, beach walks, board games, or just quiet family downtime before dinner.
Summer days well spent!
Looking Ahead
With summer winding down, our focus has shifted to prepping the boat for winter. That means:
- Building a frame to support our winter cover
- Clearing out anything that can’t stay aboard
- Winterizing the engine and water lines
Boat life isn’t all sunsets—sometimes it’s elbow grease.
As bittersweet as it is to wrap up this chapter, I have to admit—I’m beyond excited to move into our RV! We’ve already started mapping routes, planning stops, and dreaming about our trip out west.
Living aboard has been both challenging and rewarding, pushing us to grow in ways we never imagined. And while moments of doubt creep in, they’re quickly outweighed by the memories we’re making.
As we continue this journey—whether it’s out on the water or down the open road—we’re reminded that every challenge brings growth and every adventure adds to the story we’re writing together. In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.
This view never gets old — sunsets, sails, and simple living.