Floatchella isn’t just a weekend raft-up. It’s the spark that binds lives together for seasons, years, and if we’re lucky, maybe even a lifetime…
For many sailors, the idea of casting off is postponed until retirement—but Mackenzie and Josh weren’t willing to wait. In their mid-20s, they reimagined what was possible, leveraging remote work, careful planning, and a shared love of the ocean to move aboard a cruising catamaran. From sacrifices and certifications to finding the perfect boat, their story proves that full-time cruising isn’t just for the wealthy or retired—it’s attainable with intention, creativity, and courage.
Veteran yacht designer Bob Perry compares two iconic cat-rigged cruising boats—the Nonsuch 36 and the Freedom 36. Drawing on firsthand experience and deep design insight, he explores their rigs, performance, interiors, and handling characteristics, offering an honest, technical, and highly readable look at what makes each boat unique for cruising sailors seeking simplicity without sacrificing capability.
Floatchella isn’t just a weekend raft-up. It’s the spark that binds lives together for seasons, years, and if we’re lucky, maybe even a lifetime…
Floatchella isn’t just a weekend raft-up. It’s the spark that binds lives together for seasons, years, and if we’re lucky, maybe even a lifetime…
Floatchella isn’t just a weekend raft-up. It’s the spark that binds lives together for seasons, years, and if we’re lucky, maybe even a lifetime…
Floatchella isn’t just a weekend raft-up. It’s the spark that binds lives together for seasons, years, and if we’re lucky, maybe even a lifetime…
Floatchella isn’t just a weekend raft-up. It’s the spark that binds lives together for seasons, years, and if we’re lucky, maybe even a lifetime…
Sail Amsterdam 2025 marked both the city’s 750th anniversary and a deeply personal homecoming aboard Compagnon, the 1976 Marak motor yacht once cherished by the author. Amid tall ships, parades, fireworks, and bustling canals, the event became a celebration not just of maritime history but of enduring friendships and the memories carried within a beloved boat. Cruising through Amsterdam and the Dutch waterways, the journey blended nostalgia, joy, and a renewed appreciation for the vessels—and people—that connect us across time.
The Cal 40 and Ranger 37 were born from two very different handicap rules, yet both have earned enduring reputations among sailors and designers. The Cal 40, a groundbreaking CCA-era design, remains iconic for its downwind prowess and Transpac victories, while the Ranger 37 represents Gary Mull’s sharp interpretation of early IOR principles. This in-depth comparison explores their histories, hull shapes, rigs, interiors, performance characteristics, and why both boats continue to captivate racers, cruisers, and classic-yacht enthusiasts decades after their debut.
