In January, we posted a video of the highly decorated interior of a sailboat and asked our readers to share their opinion of the design. Personally, it was not to our taste, and most of our readers agreed. The article was one of our most popular, with over 1200 views.
Well, the owner of the boat sent us an email, defending his prized possession:
Hello. While recently looking at the stats on my video of my sailboat that was posted to show friends etc., I noticed a link of it was embedded in your website. I have been sailing Oceanaire for three years now with my partner. We have logged over 10,000 miles with her, and found it disappointing that your and yours have found it necessary to beat us up just because we have a sailboat with an interior of the great sailing ships, safe, beautiful and classic. The fact that weekend sailors can’t grasp the fact that some can and do live in style aboard a sailboat doesn’t negate the fact that we are indeed sailors, probably sailing more miles in one year than most of those posting do in 10. Please advise your following that living aboard and sailing to far off and wonderful anchorages and islands doesn’t mean it has to be “camping” style. Our yacht sails wonderfully, and tell your wife that if you are really a good sailor, you don’t have things flying around in storms. As a matter of fact, Jimmy Cornell, an expert that has 5 circumnavigations under his belt, has NEVER been in a storm due to patience and proper weather forecasting.
Look – one of the things that makes sailing interesting is the million different ways in which it can be done and the million different ways people think it should be done. I lived and cruised in a 29 foot boat that had four 85 watt solar panels attached to the sides because I didn’t want to ever worry about power. Some people probably thought the boat looked weird. If the owners of Oceanaire love their boat and its interior, that’s what matters. Who cares what we think?
Here’s the video again:
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I always find it amusing that sailors have such little respect for those who don’t fall in “their” way of thinking. I once had a guy at my marina threaten to call the USCG on me because I was going to single hand my boat without having a survival suit and roller furling.
The interior of this boat is amazing. You have to appreciate the amount of time and money it took to create. Is it my taste, not exactly, but there are several design details I am going to incorporate in my boat. The fact that they have sailed it so much and it is not a “harbor quen” that never leaves its slip is even more amazing.
It is great that we all have a difference of opinion, but we need to learn to express this in a positive and non-confrontational way. Congrats to the owners of this boat for creating a beautiful boat.
Not my style but I’ve seen plenty of 50ft Motor Yachts decorated along those lines. As to the statues a little velcro on the base to hold them in place and the decorations stay in place.
I wonder if the statues come off the boat or get stowed before a passage?
Sweet! I aspire to doing the same thing with my 485 sf beach cottage. the only thing holding me back is the absence of funds.
Love the feedback, and great to hear from the owner as well. I have to agree – there are a lot of different ways to have a great sailing experience, and to each his or her own. Not exactly my taste, but they’re out there doing it, so kudos.
I just loved it! I’m not big on statues but that is purely personal. The boat interior is beautiful and actually looks like a boat instead of a camper.
I hope the owners invested in a lot of 5200 to keep all that statuary in place. They have clearly done an admirable job in supporting the Greek economy. To each his own I suppose.
Interestingly, the statues seem to get the most comments, and yet there are only 2 that are loose and get wrapped up in towels when we travel and/or are in a rolly achorage. It takes about 10 minutes to stow what isn’t bolted down. Museum putty holds the rest. All paintings are totally anchored as well. As you can imagine, we are very organized when it comes to “a place for everything and everything in its place”. THAT is the key to living aboard in any style you want, just stay ahead of the curve when you bring things aboard. We use an Excel spreadsheet to track the location of all items and stores for when we do extensive travel in places that don’t have supplies. Despite what they print in sailing articles, with careful planning, it really is mostly pleasure, not the drama that sells magazines.