Summary
Highlights
Estelle and Jérôme announce that their boat, Grand Tour, is for sale. The boat is in excellent condition and they offer to stay with the buyer in December for two weeks in Martinique to facilitate the handover, sail together, explain everything about the boat, and perform maintenance. They are offering a good price as they want to sell it quickly and provide their email for interested parties.
The couple recalls facing very difficult and unpleasant navigations, especially from the Balearic Islands to Gibraltar, and the Atlantic crossing. They realized that long navigations were not enjoyable for them, citing issues like inaccurate weather forecasts, technical problems (mast nearly broke), and bad weather upon arrival in Martinique. This led them to question their world tour project, deciding they didn't want to attempt the Transpacific crossing or return through areas with orcas.
They discuss the constant sense of insecurity, not knowing where they will end up when sailing, and the difficulty of finding ports that accept their catamaran, especially during bad weather. An incident in Ajaccio where ports refused them during a storm was particularly traumatizing. They also mention the stress of anchoring, the risk of theft in the Caribbean, and feeling vulnerable on the boat. This constant vigilance prevents them from sleeping soundly, leading to mental fatigue.
Estelle and Jérôme reveal that the perceived freedom of sailing is not entirely true. They can't always go where they want due to weather and port rejections. They feel like 'slaves' to their boat, unable to leave it unattended for long to explore inland, as it holds all their belongings. Simple activities like cycling or running become complicated due to the logistics of getting on and off the boat and the tropical climate. They also spend a lot of time and money on constant repairs and maintenance, as the marine environment is harsh on equipment.
They explain how difficult it is to maintain hobbies like painting, sculpture, or sports while living on a boat due to limited space and the need for constant tidiness. Jérôme, who enjoyed sports, found himself doing less. Although Estelle found an occupation with YouTube video editing, Jérôme admitted to getting bored. He missed the intellectual challenges of his former project management career, finding boat life too singular and lacking diverse activities.
Despite having a comfortable boat, they describe living on it year-round as constant camping, which becomes exhausting. Simple tasks like buying baguette or groceries are complicated due to the boat's location and the logistics of dinghy travel. They suffered from the heat and humidity in the Antilles, and despite having air conditioning, it couldn't run all night. The lack of restful sleep contributes to accumulated fatigue, making long navigations particularly challenging.
The couple stresses that life on a boat is expensive. They underestimated their budget, finding that their ideal of saving money by eating on board and not renting cars was unrealistic. Excursions, visiting places, and safety often require spending more than anticipated, such as marina fees and car rentals. Boat parts are very costly, especially in the Antilles, and a catamaran's port fees are significantly higher than a monohull's. Insurance costs are also rising due to weather events. Their initial budget of 2500€ per month turned out to be over 3500€ per month, making it financially unsustainable for them without insurance.
Despite the challenges, they emphasize the extraordinary positive experiences: the immense joy of arriving at a new anchorage, visiting inaccessible places, stunning sunsets, and encounters with dolphins. They describe the emotional highs and lows as exponential compared to daily life. They cherish the incredible connections formed, particularly through their YouTube channel, where followers provided immense support and kindness, carrying them through their adventure. However, they note that genuine connections with locals were superficial due to their tourist status and the inherent distance of boat life.
They observe that many long-term cruisers eventually stop, often for reasons similar to theirs, regardless of their preparation. They suggest that a sabbatical year or a combination of boat life and land time is a good balance, but this requires significant financial means. Upon returning to land, they explored professional opportunities and Jérôme will return to a challenging project management role in a new region, a prospect that excites them both. They are eager to start a new chapter, build a home, and have new projects, highlighting the importance of having dreams. They encourage others to live their dreams, be 'crazy,' and embrace the transformative experience of sailing, which made them different people.