Covert Castaway Sailing with SV AWEN

Sailing Across the Bay of Biscay through Gibraltar - S2E21

We debrief on our two-week sailboat migration across the Bay of Biscay, through Gibraltar Strait to Mallorca. Lots to learn about sailing our new catamaran, more things to fix and trying to complete our boat projects list. The lessons for us keep coming! Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share a candid journal about what we're learning as we make this lifestyle change to sell our stuff, quit our jobs and s...

Engine Problems: The Sequel -S2E20

We discovered the problem behind water being in both of our Volvo engines, just before we begin our maiden sailing voyage across the Bay of Biscay. We are so lucky to get this resolve before we left, versus discover neither of our diesel engines working in a confused sea state. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share a candid journal about what we're learning as we make this lifestyle change to sell our st...

Engine Problems - Bonus Quickie

Just before leaving the dock, we discover an unexpected surprise.

Preparing for Maiden Voyage - S2E19

The last two weeks of preparing the sailboat have been a blur, we update you on the shakedown, what broke, progress we've made and thoughts before setting sail for our maiden voyage across the Bay of Biscay. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share a candid journal about what we're learning as we make this lifestyle change to sell our stuff, quit our jobs and sail away on a 47 foot catamaran....

First Sail & Shakedown Prep - S2E18

Our first sail! Well, sort of...it was with a sailing instructor who was teaching us the secrets of sailing a catamaran, but more importantly, how to maneuver in a tight, busy marina without ramming into other boats, people or docks. In this episode we share what it was like to finally sail our new boat and plans for the shakedown sail. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share a candid journal about what we...

A lot to take in - Bonus Quickie

Why are we Refitting a New Boat? - S2E17

I once thought if you buy a new catamaran, it comes out of the factory and is sail-ready, which is not the case really. In this episode, we will share the changes we are making to make it easier to sail and other customizations before leaving the dock. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share a candid journal about what we're learning as we make this lifestyle change to sell our stuff, quit our jobs and sai...

Impressions from our First Guest! - Bonus Quickie

Quick interview of our first guest. My DH's sister from Paris came to visit and gives her first impressions of the boat and her thoughts on our plans ahead.

Drama on the Docks - S2E16

Rumors proliferate and we get our first taste of boat drama only a few days into our arrival to finally take possession of our new catamaran sailboat. Four days in and it feels like we've had enough action to pack a month. It's official, our lives are no longer status quo! Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share a candid journal about what we're learning as we make this lifestyle change to sell our stuff, ...

What Have We Done?

Quick update from the sailboat in La Rochelle and very first thoughts. Surreal!

And we're off!

Quick update from the airport during our layover in Dallas.

Reality Strikes! - S2E15

I had to grab the mic tonight and record my husband as he started talking about what it was like for him since it was his last day of work as he fully makes the turn to a full time cruiser. In just two days we leave for France (hopefully) where I will meet our sailboat for this first time. I'll be posting bonus podcasts during the trip to update everyone real time on how our story unfolds. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing crui...

One Week to Departure! - S2E14

Just one week left as we countdown the days to 'cast the lines,' though in reality that's really not how it works cruising on a sailboat. We reflect on what it's like being on the threshold of this major life event and dealing with all the last minute things to do before we head to the airport. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share a candid journal about what we're learning as we make this lifestyle chan...

Two Weeks, Crunchtime! - S2E13

Just two weeks to go before we start the sailing adventure and everything has snuck up on us all at once. This week we talk about all the final details for home and for the catamaran as we move into crunchtime. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share a candid journal about what we're learning as we make this lifestyle change to sail away on a catamaran.

Our NEW New Plan - S2E12

We decided to go for it and booked tickets back to France for the end of June to try to take possession of our catamaran. In this episode we catch up on our new departure and sailing plan given the COVID situation and share an update on what is going on with our sailboat. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share a candid journal about what we're learning as we make this lifestyle change....

Telling Our Kids About Our Plans - S2E11

How do you tell your kids that you are selling all your stuff and planning to go live on a boat and help them through the change curve so you aren’t completely gutted with guilt before you leave. In today’s episode, you’ll hear from them directly about their initial reactions and what concerned them the most all in their own words. And stick around for next week where you will hear from my mom and sister as well. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a...

Dinghy & Outboard Decision - S2E10

I’ve had a couple requests from followers to talk about how we made our decision on our dinghy, or tender. In this week’s podcast we discuss how we made this choice, and how we balanced logic and passion when it came to getting an OC Tender. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share my candid journal about what I'm learning as I make this lifestyle change.

Conversation with Megan O'Kelly - S2E9

In this week's podcast I share my inspiring conversation with Megan O'Kelly from Sail Clarity. She shares her experiences making multiple transitions to different forms of liveaboard sailing over the course of many years and three sailboats; and shares what it was like leaving her career and finding new adventures. Welcome to Covert Castaway, my undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser on a catamaran. Join me as I share a woman's perspective in my candid jo...

Boarded, Pirated & Marine Security Systems - S2E8

During the COVID shut down our boat was boarded by some land pirates who decided to force the sailboat door open, party like rockstars and then made off with a bunch of stuff, but not before using all the heads on dry tanks. In today’s episode we’ll share what happened as our boat was waiting to complete commissioning, how it all is getting resolved and our crash course on marine security systems. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sail...

Our New Plan - S2E7

Plans change, especially when it comes to sailing, but COVID changes everything. Today we discuss how to continue our boat commissioning and what options we have for maintaining our goal for sailing in 2020 amid the COVID crisis. Neither of us could ever imagine the idea of push our plans out, but now it’s a matter of whether those plans push a few months or a full year. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I s...

Conversation with Terysa from SY Ruby Rose - S2E6

This week I have a conversation with Terysa from Sailing Yacht Ruby Rose. Terysa and her partner Nick have been cruising since 2014 in their Southerly 38 monohull, mostly around Europe and the Caribbean Islands. Learn how Terysa and Nick took their idea and made it into a plan, and what it was like to adjust to such a huge lifestyle change as a couple. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share my candid jour...

Plot Twist - S2E5

Major changes in just a few short days! In today's podcast we talk about how we dropped everything to get my husband safely home from France where he was busy trying to get our sailboat finished, and how we come to terms with a new set of decisions. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share my candid journal about what I'm learning as I make this lifestyle change.

Separated and Socially Distant - S2E4

In today’s podcast I share my conversation with my husband about the initial sailboat commissioning going on in La Rochelle France...while I’m in the US. Just after recording it, the COVID-19 travel ban was announced and I’ll share our own personal dilemma for what comes next. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser and a 47 foot catamaran. Join me as I share my candid journal about what I'm learning as I make this lifestyle ...

Hurry Up & Wait - S2E3

Finally, there’s a catamaran sighting! This week my husband catches me up on what’s going on at the factory as the sailboat comes out, and what we can expect when we try to shop and commission a boat in France to sail around the world. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share my candid journal about what I'm learning as I make this lifestyle change.

Giving Berth! Part 2 - S2E2

What do you look for when you take possession of a catamaran sailboat? In this week’s podcast, I share the second in a two part series about the sailboat handover checklist and all the things we need to be looking for as the boat exits the factory and gets handed over to the commissioning agent for final work to be completed. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share my candid journal about what I'm learning...

Giving Berth! Part 1 - S2E1

NEW SEASON. Why? Because it’s time...the boat is ready. After over two years in the making, the real fun is about to begin. In today’s podcast I start the first of a two part series where I sit down with my husband as we go through the handover checklist and all the possible things to look for as we take possession of the boat in just one week!!! Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share my candid journal ab...

Conversation with Sophie Darsy - 24

I recently had a chance to have a conversation with Sophie, from Ryan and Sophie Sailing - who I just adore. She gives great advice about making the transition to liveaboard sailing, what she learned navigating relationship dynamics on the sailboat and gives her thoughts about how to get the most out of the cruising lifestyle. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share my candid journal about what I'm learnin...

Flags, LLC, Registration - 23

So we were just told that our boat is coming out in just three weeks...WHUT?!? In today’s episode I’ll talk about our full court press to the finish line leading up to ex-factory handover and all the flagging and registration choices we have to now decide on. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share my candid journal about what I'm learning as I make this lifestyle change.

D!H! - 22

Dear Husband, Darling Hubbie, Dork Head...or any other version of this handy acronym will do. In today's episode, real time relationship dynamics as we continue our transition to life at sea. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share my candid journal about what I'm learning as I make this lifestyle change.

Schengen & Visas - 21

The Schengen Zone. In today's episode I'll share what we are learning about Visa gymnastics, where to go if we need to reset our time, and what this means to planning our first season in the Med. Welcome to Covert Castaway, an undercover diary of making the transition to being a liveaboard sailing cruiser. Join me as I share my candid journal about what I'm learning as I make this lifestyle change.