Hang time: An atlantic circuit with the family

Who: Brad, Karen, Ben & Charlie

Where: Atlantic circuit

Multihull: Saona 47

Firmly committed to enjoying the unique experience of sailing forever without knowing when we’d return, we opted for a Fountaine Pajot Saona 47, which seemed to us to be the perfect combination of performance and comfort. This catamaran is beautiful to look at and handles great, and ultimately life onboard is easy with spacious, multi-purpose areas. After leaving La Rochelle in 2017 and crossing the Atlantic, we sailed to the Bahamas before spending a few weeks on the coast of Nova Scotia in Canada (where Karen is originally from). Exploring my home province by boat was simply amazing. We also had the support and company of so many family and friends. It was an incredible experience, and I would recommend the Canadian Maritimes – the Atlantic provinces of Canada - to any cruiser. In October 2018 we sailed down the Eastern Seaboard down to Norfolk, Virginia, making stops in Nantucket and New York City, to name just a few. From there we went offshore to Nassau in the Bahamas. We really loved cruising the Exumas but didn’t love the thorny path eastward to get from there to the Caribbean islands. We were forced to do a lot of upwind miles. Once we arrived in the BVI’s we relaxed a bit, invited friends aboard and spent a few blissful months through the Caribbean islands. Some highlights were kitesurfing at Necker Island, spending time in Anse du Colombier in St Barths and visiting Iles des Saintes in Guadeloupe. In the spring of 2019, we travelled another 2,000 miles back to Canada via Bermuda and enjoyed another glorious summer on the east coast. A highlight of this summer was our trip to Newfoundland, Canada’s easternmost province. We enjoyed the friendly people and the wild ruggedness of ‘The Rock’. A highlight of Newfoundland was anchoring in ‘White Bear Bay’, a fjord with massive cliffs and stunning waterfalls that was completely remote and utterly breathtaking. Our daily routine is well-established: we rise early and enjoy a cup of coffee while catching up on emails. Even on the water, our can’t escape their schoolwork. There’s always math, English and reading. They’re even learning French! After we’re done with the morning routine, we swim to the beach and go snorkeling or exploring. Brad and I enjoy water sports such as surfing and kitesurfing, so we are always watching for good conditions. Generally, the afternoon entails a bit of downtime, work for the parents, and games for the boys. Sunset is often enjoyed from the flybridge with a gin and tonic in hand as the boys enjoy another swim.  After dinner we are not far from bed - these days full of fresh air and activity are tiring! We believe that life is too short to be afraid to let slips the lines at some point in our life together. We evaluated our situation and decided to make our dream come true. Kids grow up so quickly, and in a few years, they’ll be more interested in spending time with their friends than with their parents, so we wanted to enjoy this time with them. But what’s next? After the Caribbean this winter, we’ll be bound for the Mediterranean for a year or two.