The minimalist sailor.

I like to think of myself as a minimalist sailor, however I am not. I do fit into the category of “Small boat Cruisers” with my 28’ Westsail, however I have many luxuries. The one thing I really need to get before any distance sailing (crossing the Pacific), are solar panels. I need solar panels to power all of my luxuries. I’ve kind of worked myself into this corner and I don’t know if I’d do it again.

My little “Namaste” is truly a well-fitted yacht as she boasts radar, depth, water speed, sea temp, wind instrumentation, 3 auto pilots, 3 GPS’s, a water maker, refrigeration, a wind generator, 1000 amp inverter, stereo system (External amp & CD), DVD player (Laptop computer & Printer), SSB & VHF radios, diesel heat, pressure water, furling gear, satellite phone & email, not to mention electronic lights, alcohol stove, and a diesel engine.

All of this stuff is really expensive and at the end of the day, doesn’t make a sailboat go anywhere. I set out to be a minimalist sailor, and I fear I have failed horribly.

I get hundreds (more into the thousands from the begging of my trip) of emails from you guys that are dreaming of doing the same thing I’m doing. The dream of freedom is a beautiful one, and doesn’t have to be expensive. The very boat you sail could cost you under 6, or 7 thousand dollars. We live in a society that keeps us working to buy new things, and to maintain the things we own and have become accustomed to needing. “Rubbish” I say. I forget who I need to credit for the quote but someone sad “Ask not how much we can acquire, but how little we need” something like that. Wouldn’t we (some of us) be happier with less?

If anyone’s really interested in turning your dream into a reality, I suggest the first step you take is buying Annie Hill’s book “Voyaging on a Small Income”, you can find a link on the BlueSphere site somewhere.

I’m also open to questions, and would GLADLY, help anyone through the process of unplugging from the system and following there dreams. And I don’t want to hear “But I have Kids”, the coolest, most well adjusted, and educated children I’ve met have been cruising kids.

All cruisers have different cruising styles. I’m anchored here in Isla Linton in Panama. My friend Jamie (Possibilities) is anchored next to me. He is in a small, fiberglass sloop, with an outboard that doesn’t work, and he’s sailed Possibilities here from Australia via Africa. Jamie has no electronics to speak of; however he may have a handheld GPS. There was also an American boat here that ran their generator all day & night because they needed full time air conditioning. Not a very nice practice for your neighbors, but that’s what made them happy, and that was their cruising style. I’m afraid to think of how much money they spend in diesel.

Anyway, I’m off to possibilities for pancakes & coffee. Cheers.

– Alex ” The non-minimalist sailor :( “