Since I unplugged in 2003 I’ve learned so much of the world. The heavy fog of judgment & ego has slowly given way to peace & understanding. The deafening voice of the system has quieted over the years and I was finally able to find what I was looking for!
The pursuit of Love is the only reason for living!
I’ve made so many mistakes in my life. I’ve had to learn each one first hand, It hasn’t been easy. I’ve never been one to take advice or the easy path. I’ve never been obedient, or followed the herd. Nor has Carla.
Carla was a math olympian, punk bass guitar player, linguist, traveler, teacher, and tango dancer. She is a rebel to the bitter end and the only woman I’ve ever been able to trust with my heart. So I gave her the key and made her my wife.
I’ve cut my feet many times walking the jagged road. It has taught me so much over the years and ultimately lead me where I needed to go. The road is now my friend as I walk 
upon her as two. Her rewards are overly generous for lessons learned, thank you.
Finding my way is something I’ve always wanted to share. I believe inspiring my fellow man is my responsibility. I obviously don’t do it for money, I do it because it is my way of fighting a system that I don’t believe in. Love is the system I believe in, and is a fuel that should be burnt from both ends.
Even though we can’t yet measure Love as we do the temperature, it is the most 
powerful energy on earth. More powerful than the ocean or the wind. It is the song of life itself, 
and we should all dance to its music with our very last steps.
Carla and I just got back from our adventure in Argentina. We traveled many miles together and I return with so much more in my heart than when I left.
I not only return with a wife, but a family. Carla is surrounded by so much Love in Argentina. Her mother and father are truly amazing people as are her 
brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews and nieces.
Family is not something I know much about. After my mother passed my family evaporated as she was the glue that held it together.
Unfortunately my father and I could never make it work, but these are the jagged 
stones that have cast me into the world on a small sailboat, searching for something else. That “something else” is Love, and I am very grateful to have found it.
Carla and I are going back to work on Splendid. The tools & paint brushes are coming out and we are going to set upon the world in our beautiful home as soon as we 
can make her ready.
Every horizon forthwith will be a bit more colorful. Every beach a little whiter, and the sun a bit warmer. I truly am the luckiest man in the world. I get to sail into the sunset with my wife.
I’m digging as deep into my repertoire of 
words as I can trying to explain how happy and grateful I am for the Love that has been bestowed upon me. The truth is I don’t have words to even begin to touch upon the tip of this iceberg.
The only word I have is Love.
Peace, Love, and my wife.
-alex
Published in Alex Dorsey
Welcome home my friends…
What a ride huh? You guys make me smile and I think that’s what it’s all about.
With Love.
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
You´re really a special human being and I’m very happy to see my daughter so happy at your side. Alie up with the sails of your marriage and have a long, long, happy trip!
Congratulations Carla and Alex.
So very happy for you both, May the feeling last forever
Love
Sharne
Capt. Paul,
It has been a ride for sure and had brought me places I never thought I’d go :)
Rudi,
Thanks for making Carla, she is a unique woman. Sails are going up soon. We were talking last night and we are going to prepare Splendid to go through the Canal as soon as possible. The pacific will set us free!
Sharne,
Thanks for the words M8.
Today is another mad throwing/giving away day. I’ve accumulated too much crap & weight. Our first order of business is to lighten our load. Then we are going to paint the hull. I found an alternative to the interlux 333n brushing liquid (Wayyyy too expensive) and we have decided to roll & tip the hull as opposed to spraying it. It’s just to hard trying to find the right weather conditions to spray, especially in Panama.
I also found a home for my motorcycle.
I had wanted to bring it with me at one point but it has suffered the salt air on shore over the past few years and was not running. Also, I just don’t have the time for it. I traded it (+$400) for a Mase (yanmar engine) 3.5kw diesel generator. The Mase will run the watermaker at 1/4 the diesel consumption. I don’t know if you remember but when I designed the water maker i mounted the HP pump next to the main engine so I could either put a belt on the main engine, or the electric (110) motor which is mounted on the opposite side. I feel it was a good trade.
peace.
Congrats Alex! I wish the best for you both. The adventures are so much better with someone there to share them with.
congratulations to both of you, especially U….like winning the lottery, huh?……do you have a plan for the canal? Hawaii/Canada?
PS……Procreation has always seemed (since my daughter’s birth) like the reason for my existence…….Alex G Dorsey Jr has a good ring to it! lol
Gary,
We are hoping to get through the canal in 3/4 months. Id really like to see the sea of Cortez, possibly via hawaii or at least 1/2 of the trip so we don’t have to motor.
Congratulations Alex & Carla.
Great words and I totally agree with you about whats important in life – sounds like youve found it.
BTW – Love the Tango face in your dancing photo.
Look foward to following the next chapter
Wow Alex – You look incredibly happy. Very happy for you and Carla, and wish you both the best on the next leg of your journey. I really liked a lot of what you had to say in this post Alex – Love, that is really what it’s all about. I’m glad you and Carla have found it.
As to your comment “I believe inspiring my fellow man is my responsibility.” All I can say is you have most certainly done that for me. I use to think sailing was just something to do once in a while in the summer. Now I envision the whole idea you have created of the minimalist sailor as something I can strive for, and long long for in my life. And I want to thank you for that Alex. You have been a true inspiration for me. Please continue to blog and keep us informed. I love reading about your journey, and hope to join you some day in this way of life you have found.
Peace brother!
It is an Irwin, but it is more about the sailor than the boat.
keys.craigslist.org/search/boa?catAbb=boa&=boo&query=%271978+irwin+42.5+center+cockpit+cutter+rigged+ketch%27&zoomToPosting=&minAsk=&maxAsk=
Congratulations Carla and Alex. Your story is fantastico! Life’s (and voyaging’s) destinations are wonderful but it is the path that is truly remarkable.
Many blessings for your future.
Captain Paul
S/V Seahorse
Congrats Alex!!!
So happy to hear that you have found the true friend for a lifetime!!! Been reading your logs for years and enjoying your adventure! Sent you two a small donation to wish you both a lifetime of joy and happiness!!!
May the the wind be with you,
Tony
Thanks guys, this is a first for me. I’ve never had a real partner before and its a nice change.
Gary, that’s a lot of boat for 20k, you going to pull the trigger on it? Man someone should!
Carla and I have pulled everything out of every hold on the boat and we are both voting on weather or not we need it. I’ve collected so much crap over the years and it’s time to lighten the load. I’ve also converted my shop (the room between saloon and aft cabin) to my nav-station which is an awesome move. I had to break out the sawzall and cut a cabinet out to make a desk but what a great change!!!!
If anyone wants to go through the Panama Canal in a few months let me know. I’ll take on 3-4 guys to bring through the canal with me and only charge about $500 each for the week for the charter. I’m thinking like March/Aprilish.
Somebody should really take a peek at that Irwin?
Peace
decision coming soon……It is a Irwin, but a lot of boat……here is an interesting article on water makers……………. http://www.westward-ii.com/PDF‘s/How%20to%20build%20your%20own%20watermaker.pdf
What are your thoughts on a center board?
Alex, congrates, good 2c you have some1 who can wipe your back side when u get old ( er ) :-)
Les and the boys say HI
Gary,
Im not wild about center boards, but ive never had one either so can’t give you the best advice :)
Chuck, hopefully I wont need much wiping, but I am a happy man :) give Les and the boys a proper hug for me!
Peace.
Congratulations to you both!
Hi Alex,
My name is Kevin. Awsome site. i been following you on youtube and been watching and reading about you. very cool. congrats on your marriage as well.
I like to get your opinion and advice on a matter. :)
I was in costa rica last year for few months living in quepos where i met a girl, she turned out to be a sailor from Germany and had sailed in the midtrnian, atlantic, pacific and particularly Panama . We ended up moving together for a year live and bought a hunter 33 cherubini with plans to sail to Panama. Things got delayed as she had to continue education in Germany for another year.
So i hulled out the boat without doing anywork to it. After being exposed to the sailing life, i am not sure if i want to put the money and time to make that boat ready for the trip. I know Cherubini is a good boat and ideal of coastal sailing. It is my first boat and i actually single handed it without knowing anything about sailing. Its big inside and my fav part is the head is at the back of the boat. I been looking at some Irwins and seidleman down by florida already to go and much closer to Panama .
If you were to make a decision what would you do?
I just think 33 is too small and is gonna take so much work to get it ready.. the 37-42 is much more appealing in size as we also have plans for Marquesas and Papa.
We are 28 and 20 i have common sense and she has sailing experience, We both been travelling since very young and would like to experience time differently now. I am more interested in anchoring in san blas for few months for my first trrip. She is just getting her Ocean liscense in the next 2 months in Germany.
Your input is appriciated.
Thanks
i should also add i bought the hunter for 10k. money is an issue of corse :S
thanks.
Kevin,
If you know anything about me you’ll know my answer.
The boat I owned before Namaste was a 1983 34’Hunter. Looking back I would not hesitate to take her across the Pacific and for extended cruising, especially at your age. I have a really good friend Jamie (Australian) that had a little 25′ fiberglass boat (tophat) and he circumnavigated it. Not only did he circumnavigate, but he did it under all 3 capes.
It’s not about the boat, it’s about YOUR journey.
Don’t buy into the West Marine (you need to buy every product under the sun) philosophy. And don’t buy into what the big “cruising”magazines shovel. Their agenda is to their advertisers, and their order is to sell big expensive boats. 20 years ago it was rare to see 40-50’ “cruising”boats, average was about 32’.
If I were in your shoes I’d stick with the cherubini. If you were my son I’d make sure she was solid and send you off with my blessing.
If you have a good head on your shoulders (common sense) you’ll be fine. I came across a number of medium to small size Hunters and Catalina’s in the S. Pacific. If you decide to cross make sure to get a windvane.
Have you read Robin Lee Graham’s book “Dove”. If I had a copy I’d send it to you but you can pick up a used one cheap.
http://www.amazon.com/Dove-Robin-L-Graham/dp/0060920475/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387282918&sr=8-1&keywords=the+dove%2C+robin
I saw a thing on Facebook a few weeks back. It was a little card with a picture of a sunset or something and the caption read:
If you could go back to your childhood and tell yourself just 5 words, what would they be. Mine would be:
Sail a small boat far!
If you have any questions about anything please feel free to email me at any time. I’m here for you.
Peace
Thanks for putting an effort to publish this information and for sharing this with us.
Cathy
http://www.gofastek.com