Sailing Interview With SV Vagari – Wandering Through The Waves And New Adventures
I had the pleasure of meeting up with Tyler and Casie on SV Vagari for this sailing interview. It was an extra bonus as it was Thanksgiving, Casie is my sister, and Tyler was our boat neighbor in Mobile, AL. It was great to see them both and catch up! And thanks to Scott’s dad and Winnie for hosting us all!
Tyler and Casie casted off the lines from Mobile, AL in October 2023 to wander (Vagari means wandering or roaming in Latin) through the islands and wherever the winds may take them. This sailing interview will give you a great insight into casting off the lines and the first month at sea.
Sailing Interview: Background
Where did you grow up?
Casie: Near Detroit, Michigan
Tyler: Mobile, Alabama
What lead to your interest in sailing?
Casie: I grew up near water / enjoy being out on the water. I visited Jill and Scott and enjoyed going out on their boats a couple of times. The latest was a trip to Dauphin Island, AL in July 2022. That’s where I met Tyler.
Tyler: I always had the idea that sailing would be an inexpensive way to see the world.
How long have you been sailing?
Casie: About one month … lol
Tyler: Over 10 years
What types of boats have you owned in the past, and what type of boat do you own currently?
Casie: N/A
Tyler: The first boat was a 25’ Macgregor trailer sailboat, then a Catalina 30 and the latest sailboat is an Endeavour 40
How long have you lived on your boat?
Casie: About 4 months … 3 at the dock and 1 on the water / on anchor
Tyler: Same as above except additionally weekend trips
Liveaboard Lifestyle
What are the major differences you had to make living at anchor vs living at a marina?
It is challenging getting to land when anchored during strong winds. You can’t just go to land when you want to.
What do you do in your down time (cards, games, reading, running, etc.)?
Casie: read, watch movies, play games, walk/run, learn to tie knots, attempt to learn a new language, talk with friends and family, explore new towns
Tyler: Movies, sailing videos on YouTube and working on the boat
Do you still have a home on land?
Casie: No land house. Mom & Dad always have an open door. 😊
Tyler: No, it was sold to buy the boat and cut land strings. I stayed with my mom while updating the boat.
How difficult was it for you to downsize to life on a sailboat?
Casie: It aligned with other life changes. Downsizing was tough, but good. I’m still working on it.
Tyler: I lived in a relatively small house so it was pretty easy to downsize.
Did you sell all your belongings, keep them in your home, storage, etc.?
Casie: I still have some things in a small storage unit … and a few things at the parents’ place.
Tyler: What I didn’t sell or give away, my mom is keeping for when I return to land life.
Did you get rid of anything you didn’t think you needed that you wish you had on the boat?
Casie: Not a need, but a fancy coffee machine (LOL). It wouldn’t fit on the boat anyway.
Tyler: Water Jugs! I didn’t think we would need them because we have a 30 gph water maker. There will always be times when the water is too dirty to desalinate and there is no rain to catch.
Did you bring anything on the boat that you find you don’t need?
Casie: Long pants … so far. They could be used at some time. Nothing else comes to mind.
Tyler: Not so far.
I’m writing this up in sweatpants and a sweatshirt in Titusville, FL after waking up to 50-degree temperatures! Glad they’ve had warmer weather than we’ve had!
What is your favorite thing you use on your boat as a liveaboard that you can’t live without?
Starlink… It is our entertainment, communication link to everyone at home and our outlet for troubleshooting problems and ordering parts. On our way down the Gulf of Mexico from Dauphin Island, AL to Key West, FL our autopilot went out. Starlink allowed us to order parts along the way and have them shipped to Key West so we could fix it when we got there.
Travel
When did you leave the dock full time?
October 15, 2023
Where did you leave from?
Mobile, AL
Where have you been so far?
We sailed down the Gulf of Mexico from Mobile to Key West, FL; then the Dry Tortugas. From there we sailed to Marathon, FL, Key Largo, FL, Biscayne Bay, FL, and Coconut Grove, FL
Where are you now?
The boat is anchored near Coconut Grove, FL
Where are you headed next?
The Bahamas
Where do you plan to travel in the next year, or beyond?
The Bahamas and eastern Caribbean
What was your scariest moment or worst thing so far? Why?
The night trip from the Dry Tortugas to Key West area (on the way to Marathon). We had strong sustained winds above 30 knots and big swells around 4 feet which made for a very uncomfortable ride.
What is your favorite place you have sailed to so far? Why?
Casie: Being at the Dry Tortugas and times we have met up with family and friends. (I also agree with Tyler’s response to this question.)
Tyler: The Dry Tortugas – It is so remote and beautiful. It is a real treat to be there in your own boat. We snorkeled on the windjammer wreck, explored Loggerhead Key, swam, explored the fort, saw some great wildlife and at night, you can see so many stars due to no light pollution!
Money
What ways do you save money while traveling fulltime?
Cooking on the boat and finding happy hour dinner specials. Also, anchoring vs. using marinas.
Do you find this lifestyle more or less expensive than living on land? Explain.
Casie: Less expensive … sometimes. It was an overall lifestyle shift that aligned with this adventure.
Tyler: More expensive… My expenses were minimized on land so boat insurance, repairs and fuel exceed my typical parallel land expenses.
Galley
Of course, I had to ask them about coffee! I love coffee first thing in the morning at a beautiful anchorage.
Do you drink coffee? How do you make your coffee on a boat (French press, AeroPress, percolator, instant, etc.)?
We make coffee in a small conventional drip coffee maker, usually 2 pots … one caffeinated (for Tyler) and one decaffeinated (for Casie). Instant coffee gets used occasionally and we have a French Press as back-up.
What is your favorite meal to cook on a boat?
Black bean burgers, curry dishes, Chex mix, and chocolate chip cookies.
Have you found any challenges food provisioning on a sailboat?
I wouldn’t say it is a challenge but it has been a new experience buying $1000 worth of groceries at a time.
Summary
I hope you enjoyed this sailing interview with SV Vagari and got an insight into starting out in the live aboard lifestyle. Overall, Casie and Tyler are enjoying their new adventures aboard SV Vagari. They’ve had a great time in Key West, the Dry Tortugas, and are looking forward to more adventures cruising through the Bahamas, Caribbean and beyond.
If you would like to follow their travels on social media, check out vagari_sv on Instagram and SV Vagari on Facebook.
I’d love to hear about your first months out as a liveaboard, and anything that caught you by surprise. Please share them in the comments below.
Live your dream,
Articles related to this post:
- Sailing the Gulf of Mexico: Mobile, AL to Key West, FL
- Amazing Sailing from Key West to Coconut Grove
- Favorite Weather Apps for Sailing
- What to Know about Cooking on a Sailboat
- Sailing Budget 6-Month Checkup
- 6 Year Financial Plan to Sail Away and Retire Early
