Finding the Balance at Sea

Guest Post by Brenda Webb, intrepid sailor and part-time freelance writer.

Six years ago I left behind a well-paid, secure job and comfortable lifestyle in Marlborough for an unpredictable life at sea.

My husband and I wanted to expand jaded horizons, explore the world and get some ocean miles under our belts.  We packed our belongings into a container, found homes for the animals and worked for 18months in the superyacht industry to earn the money to buy a boat.  Now we’re living the dream, sailing the world on our 46ft yacht Bandit.

Early this year we sailed across the Atlantic to the Caribbean two handed after five seasons in the Mediterranean.  We’re now about to sail down to the Venezuelan Island of Los Rocques, then Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba and Guatemala where we will leave Bandit for hurricane season.

But…back to the beginning.

After 30 years working fulltime as a journalist…..with just the odd year off to produce and raise two sons……I wanted a better work/life balance.  In essence, I was stale and completely over work – asleep at the wheel if you like.  A two month stint sailing from Italy to the Caribbean in 2004 convinced us there was a better life out there.

We dreamed, planned, schemed and worked our butts off until we felt ready to go. We rented out the house, put a manager on our small vineyard and headed off.  People tell us we are lucky but believe me, luck had absolutely nothing to do with it.  It was all about careful planning, making some sound financial decisions and most of all, having the courage to do it.

Don’t get me wrong - I still work.  I write for various publications and for the past five winters we’ve worked in England as animal and house sitters.  Work opportunities constantly arise.  For instance, this New Zealand winter we are heading to Golden Bay for three months to caretake a motel. 

Living cheaply on a boat is pretty easy – there are no cars to run, no rates to pay and our food bills are probably a third of what they were in New Zealand. We live on far less than ever before – our wants and needs are minimal, our lifestyle is simple and we’re both the happiest we’ve ever been.

Deep down I had a fear that I may go running back, cap in hand, to my former employers asking for my job back.  But you know what?  There hasn’t been a day go by when I’ve thought that.

My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.  Being a working solo mum was tough on my two boys and I missed out on precious time with them.  But there was a mortgage, school fees and bills to pay!

In the past few years we’ve made up a bit and had some wonderful times together.  In October I had a fantastic week in Thailand with my youngest son and my oldest is on board with us right now.

We’re often asked if there is anything we miss about our previous lifestyle.  As I write this it’s 30 degrees outside, the sky is clear blue and the Caribbean water crystal clear.  The answer is a definite no!

If you'd like to find out more about Brenda's travels check out her blog.