Should we really go to the Pacific?
by Outremer Catamarans 2 Jun 09:48 PDT
South Pacific Ocean © Outremer Catamarans
The allure of the South Pacific hangs like a tropical breeze in the dreams of many sailors. Visions of turquoise lagoons, swaying palms, and vibrant island cultures beckon, whispering promises of adventure.
Many Bluewater sailing boat owners feel the pull. In fact, some buy boats, wait two or more years for them to be built, sell their homes, and reconfigure their whole identities, becoming liveaboards, just for the dream of cruising the South Pacific. It's like a trip to Rome for a pasta lover, a holiday in Finland for a sauna fanatic - it's the ultimate cruising ground.
But something strange is happening... A friend of mine remarked on a trend amongst Caribbean / Atlantic cruisers. The trend was one of trepidation. "To go to the Pacific, or not to go to the Pacific?" Is a hot topic right now. And one, that people are really struggling to grapple with.
People are asking themselves: "Is going to the Pacific: Too remote? Too risky? Too isolating? Too long of a passage to get there? Too much of an adventure? Too extreme?" they might be asking themselves.
And at the same time, they are arguing back with themselves, "Are you just being too timid? Too slow? What a waste of money buying a blue water boat and not blue-water sailing. Are you just getting old? Boring?"
In other words, they are experiencing a dichotomy. The Atlantic, a familiar playground, now seems... comfortable. They can hear that nagging feeling arising. It's saying to them: "You should leave. True adventure lies beyond the horizon. If you were a 'true adventurer', you would yearn for new shores." It was their plan. It was what they came to do. What does it say about them if they wimp out, or change it up? Are they weak? Flaky? Not brave enough?
But, as they chart their course, a quieter voice emerges: the voice of calm, savouring the slow rhythm of life at sea.
In my opinion, the question really at play here isn't 'to go to the Pacific or not?' But more so, should that insistent "should", and that self-critic really be in your sailing dictionary?
So now, will I sail to the South Pacific or not?
To anyone considering this question, I write this to you:
Sailing, at its heart, represents freedom. It is a means to escape from the relentless pace of life ashore. It's a chance to reconnect with each other, with nature, and with a simpler existence. The gentle sway of the boat, the vast expanse of the ocean, the rhythm of the tides - these elements invite a slower tempo, a mindful presence in the moment. The sensory experience of sailing offers something divine for the mind, body, and soul. A search for this inherent serenity is a significant part of why you likely embarked on this journey in the first place. To introduce a sense of obligation, a feeling that you must chase a specific destination for your experience to be valid, risks disrupting this very essence of your sailing life.
The pursuit of adventure, the yearning for "more", is a deeply personal one. It's not something that can be effectively mandated.
The beauty of a long-term sailing lifestyle is its inherent flexibility. People change at sea. What felt right and fulfilling when you planned your cruising life probably feels a little different now. Again, in the future it will likely evolve naturally. Perhaps the desire to explore the Pacific will indeed blossom, fuelled by your positive experiences and growing confidence. But this yearning should be organic, a natural extension of your shared dreams, not a forced march towards a preconceived notion of what adventurous sailors "should" do.
Resist the urge to compare your journey to others. Stop caring what anyone else thinks. This is your project. This is your adventure. And you get to define what that means. Armchair sailors, fellow cruisers, and external voices may have opinions on what constitutes a "true" sailing experience. Let them have their opinion. But, live by the beat of your drum. Embrace your own pace and trust that your own cruising plan will emerge naturally.
Consider the wisdom of slowing down, both literally and figuratively. Rushing towards a distant destination under pressure might amplify anxieties and detract from the present enjoyment of sailing. By going to the Pacific before you are ready, you might risk your whole project.
If in your heart, you feel you really do want to sail to the Pacific, but you feel anxious about it for whatever reason, try letting go of "should" and focusing on mini-adventures. Seek out new experiences within your comfort zone of the Atlantic. Flex that 'adventure' muscle and build confidence. Explore a new coastline, or delve deeper into the local cultures of places you have already visited. Arrive somewhere at night. Drop anchor in a bay that isn't so well chartered. Take the pressure off, and play with open-mindedness and curiosity. This organic exploration will naturally lead you to new horizons when the time is right.
The call of the sea is often about seeking "more". But "more" doesn't necessarily equate to geographical distance. It can be about deeper connections, personal growth, or simply a greater appreciation for the present moment. Trust that this "more" will unfold in its own time, on your own terms.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to venture into the Pacific is yours and yours alone. There are no rights, and wrongs. Embrace the joy of sailing for what it is: a journey, not just a race to a pin on a map. If the Pacific is truly in your hearts, the yearning will grow organically. You don't need to force the adventure; trust that the adventure will find you when the time is right.