While cruising America’s Great Loop, some of the most memorable destinations are the ones slightly off the main route. Just five miles off the ICW, St. Marys, Georgia welcomes boaters with protected waters, oak-lined streets, friendly docks, and a walkable downtown full of local shops, breweries, and restaurants that make visitors feel instantly at home.
Modern life moves fast, but time at sea changes everything. Offshore, the rhythm of daily life is set by weather, light, and distance instead of schedules. Living aboard teaches sailors to value resources, maintain their boats, and rely on practical gear that earns its place onboard—lessons that stay with them long after returning to land.
Growing up in landlocked East Tennessee, Isaac Moody never imagined sailing would become part of his life. What began as a simple love for the water during a beach vacation soon turned into an obsession that led him down the sailing rabbit hole—discovering local lakes, a sailing club, and eventually his own Catalina 25.
After a tough Coral Sea crossing, a yacht drops mooring in remote Roderick Bay in the Solomon Islands—only to be greeted by dugout canoes, hand-decorated coconuts, and a village welcome unlike anything experienced before. From football with local kids to a floral farewell feast, this is cruising at its most human and unforgettable.
One of the truly great cruising destinations on the planet is just a daysail away from South Florida: The Bahamas. Much has been written, blogged, and vlogged about this boater’s paradise, and for good reason.
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…
