By Nicole and Aaron
It’s been an amazing, wild, gratifying, life-changing ride, and this, we’ve decided, is the ideal moment to step off. When we cut the dock lines that chilly April day in Seattle three years ago, we only had dreams of sailing to Mexico and the sunshine, but look how far we’ve come! Eleven countries, 15,000 nautical miles and countless incredible memories (plus a few terrifying ones).
Our goal was to cruise for 2–4 years, so we feel satisfied with what we’ve accomplished and grateful that we’ve been able to have this profound experience. If money were no object, we’d cruise until it wasn’t fun anymore. But financial realities can’t be ignored, and it’s time for us to get back to work – and to figure out a way to retire permanently!
A special thanks to our family, friends and everyone who followed along and supported us on this crazy journey. Your encouragement meant the world to us, and we’ll miss sharing our adventures with you. Until next time!
FOR SALE
1983 Hans Christian 33, Auckland, New Zealand – NZ$139,000 (all duty and taxes paid)
BELLA STAR is an outstanding example of the respected Hans Christian 33 cutter-rigged sailing yacht. Launched in 1983, this well-built double-ended cruising vessel radiates traditional beauty and charm and is turn-key ready to take you on any blue-water cruising adventure in safety and comfort. New electronics and navigation equipment 2012, premium offshore sails from Carol Hasse & Company 2011, and the rare, full-sized nav station layout are just a few of her impressive features. Comfortable liveaboard interior with spacious Pullman berth, separate shower stall and ample galley with accommodation for 4. Designed for offshore passagemaking with plentiful storage, seaworthy layout and solid, GRP construction. Vessel comes fully outfitted with cruising gear, making her the complete ocean-voyaging package. The current owners have completed their cruise, and now BELLA STAR is ready for her new adventures.
CONTACT: Howard Patterson at Gulf Group Marine Brokers
PHONE: 021 242 4446
Email: gulfharbour@gulfgroup.co.nz
This makes me so sad! I guess I figured you guys would sail her back to the NW. I know about needing to end cruising and heading back to the office, but I'm not sure I could sell Camanoe.
ReplyDeleteMakes us sad too, but we're also looking forward to the process of working on the next big goal - the path to permanent retirement and another boat. And we miss friends and family so we'll be happy to see everybody again.
DeleteI know there are going to be a lot of sad comments and I know it was probably a hard decision for you both to make, but you did something the past 3 years most of us only dream of. Congratulations on a successful, happy, and safe 3 years of cruising. If I had the money and time set aside right now I'd go buy her myself!
ReplyDeleteThanks Daniel! It was a hard decision, but we knew we couldn't cruise forever unless our primary funding option panned out. Which was, expecting two boats to be meeting 50 miles off the coast of Panama. One carrying a large cache of drugs, the other carrying money. The money boat would leave the cash bag floating at a designated GPS coordinate, the drug boat would pick up the money and leave the drugs, then radio a secret signal to a third boat to pick up and smuggle the drugs into the states. The whole operation would go bad - after the money drop the drug boat would be caught by the Coast Guard before making the pickup. The money boat goes back to wherever it came from, and the pickup boat never gets the radio signal to make the pickup. Thus the bag goes floating free, and two weeks later while on passage to the Galapagos, Bella Star stumbles onto the bag and picks it up. 5 million in cash!
DeleteWe were at Wallace Island on the weekend and there in the cabin at Conover Cove was Bella Star's carved board. We remembered that the other place we saw Bella Star's name carved into something was at Hot Springs Cove. We were talking about you and your adventures and wondering how you were. Now we know you are making plans for new adventures. Good for you and best wishes from British Columbia
ReplyDeleteHa, that's great to hear that the sign is still there. Seems like eons ago we put that up. We've got another carving on the south end of Fakarava Atoll you should check out next!
DeleteY'all don't know me but I've been following along on your adventure anonymously for several years from Houston. It's sad to hear of the end of this current adventure but I wanted to thank you for sharing! You've consistently inspired me to keep my dream of following in your wake alive.
ReplyDeleteHi Ray, glad to hear from you. And thanks, to think that what we've done is inspiring to someone is a wonderful feeling. Best of luck to you on heading out as well, you won't regret it.
DeleteWow! Congrats on your awesome adventures you three have experienced together. :-) I enjoyed experiencing them along with you all, even if it were brief. I hope that the next chapter will be just as adventurous and fun-filled as the last. Maybe we will even see you both in Honolulu?????!!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, we'd love to see you guys again. And I'd love to dip into Pea's Scotch supply.
DeleteSo long and thanks for all the fi...ne tales! Fair winds and following seas.
ReplyDeleteThanks, it was a helluva ride!
DeleteNicole & Aaron - She's truly a beautiful star! Does this mean the blog is coming to an end too? I'd be happy to post s/v Bella Star on SailFarYachts.com if you'd like. Just let me know!
ReplyDeleteI imagine we'll have a few more posts yet. I think I'd like to write about what it's like going back to our previous reality and how that feels. And I think it will take some time to fully recognize how cruising has changed us. Feel free to post the listing up on SailFar, the sale has to go through the broker though :)
DeleteOver the past few months I've read through the entire blog and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. It's been an adventure living vicariously through your writing and pictures. Thanks for sharing and inspiring me to start planning my own trip.
ReplyDeleteCalvin in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
ps: please consider SailFarLiveFree, this blog hold so much interesting, useful info.
Thanks Calvin, that's good to hear - I suspect most people just look at the pictures! Being from Seattle, we've enjoyed and endless summer of warm days and nights. So I imagine the tropics sound pretty good during an Ontario winter! Best of luck on setting out as well, in retrospect it was easier than we thought it would be.
DeleteDear Nicole and Aaron, We first saw you as SV Bella Star blasted by us on your/our way to Neah Bay.... and then we actually met in Newport, Oregon. Since that first contact we have followed your travels, your challenges, and your adventures... and been so glad to have met you, if even for a brief time. Congratulations on your successes... and thanks for sharing. We remember well your F_n to S_ck Ratio and have used it many times. Thanks for all you've done.. and best wishes for a wonderful life together as you continue to challenge yourself and grow. All the best... and with love. Carolyn (CJ), Kathy and Princess Sophie (x-SV Shannon).
ReplyDeleteHello! We have fond memories of you guys and the good ship Shannon. That was a fun group in Newport. Thank you for the kind words and we wish you all the best as well. We'll try to say on the right side of the fun to suck ratio, although it'll probably be harder on land.
DeleteIt's been an unbelievable fun run... But I can only imagine what emotions run back and forth as you contimplate
ReplyDeletewatching Bela Star sail away with some stranger at the helm, like that picture that Zack took when
Panache sailed away.. into history.
My time aboard was so brief, but it was always such a warm and friendly place...
On the brighter side, once back in Seattle, we can start making new memories.
HUGGS to both of you... NO All Three of you. ( Hug the mast once for me... )
Thanks Steve, no doubt it's a difficult thing. It was fun to hang out while you were down in Mexico. There's a group that knows how to make a bonfire! Looking forward to seeing you guys in Seattle.
DeleteBella Star is such a beauty and has been so well cared for. If we could afford her we'd be on the next plane to NZ. Thanks so much for sharing your adventures with all of us - we've really enjoyed following along (my husband has been following along since Day 1 pretty much, I'm a more recent visitor and had a lot of catching up to do. Any idea where you plan to end up? Perhaps some day we'll be able to meet up over a beer in the Pacific Northwest.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Harmony & Jeff
SV Serenity
www.taketothesea.us
Hi, I've followed your blog for a long time but don't think I ever commented. Ending a journey such as this is a hard decision, speaking from experience! My husband and I spent 2 1/2 years over landing through Africa in our Toyota Landcruiser. Our adventure ended in May 2008 and our plan then was exactly as yours is now. Go home and regroup and figure out how to permanently retire. I'm happy to say that this is entirely possible!! We are essentially retiring at the end of the year (we call it semi-retirement, as we are not opposed to having fun quality-of-life jobs if we want to take a break for a few months or year) and setting off on a new adventure--taking motorcycles around the world. We have our sights on sailing in the future as well. Adjusting to land life and going back to a job are difficult, but being surrounded by family and friends will make it easier. Best of luck as you make this transition and start working toward your new goals!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for an amazing three years, and for sharing it so beautifully with the rest of us! I was just looking at this post again, and Madeline gasped in shock. "What! But WHY would they sell her?" Ah, to be 8-yrs old. ;o)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck on your next journey and welcome home!
This is my first visit to your blog.
ReplyDeleteShe is a beauty. I like the Hans Christian line. She's beautiful, inside and out. I hope she finds a good home.
Aww, I am so sad for you two. I have been following your travels since the beginning of your blog and living vicariously through you. Saving away for the time that my wife and I can follow in your footsteps. I feel like you are part of my family and someone is dying. Best of luck in all your future adventures. I hope to meet up with you someday. Drinks are on me.
ReplyDeleteGraham someday-came@outlook.com
I would like to welcome you to our Sailing Community - Clubtray Sailing on www.clubtray.com/sailing
ReplyDelete