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Latest Episodes:

Back On The Water: Dark Days and Delays Sep 03, 2024

Show notes

This is where things got really hard.

After being kicked out of the yard in early June 2023, our sailboat, Abide, went back in the water… but it wasn’t yet habitable. It didn’t seem like we were far off, though, with visions of being out on the water within the next couple of months. How wrong we were…

In this episode, our captain Roland and I continue the story of Abide's refit during the second half of 2023. With constant delays, unpleasant surprises and our stress levels rising, we were starting to lose faith.

I know this doesn’t sound like a lot of fun, but we had to go there. We wanted to be open about both sides of the story. It’s all part of it, and it’s absolutely worth listening to you if you want to hear the behind-the-scenes on the challenges of such a large project.

Highlights from this episode:

Abide’s return to the water, and the challenges that followed.
The harsh reality of a huge project like refitting a 136-foot sailboat.
How we raised our spirits and pushed forward.
The Antigua Yacht Show - our beacon of hope, and how that panned out!

If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don’t miss the next part of the story.

LEARN MORE

For more about Abide - https://svabide.com/

CONNECT

Abide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abide

Cheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321

Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

The Secrets of Cooking on a Private Yacht with Vanessa Verster Aug 27, 2024

Show notes

Are you feeling hungry? You will be after listening to this episode!

Vanessa, our chef on board our sailboat, Abide (and Roland’s wife), joins me on this episode to give us a behind the scenes look into life as a private chef on the sea.

We discover Vanessa’s story of how she got involved in chartering, despite having no initial sailing experience. Vanessa is now part of our crew where she uses her culinary mastery to feed us breakfast, lunch and dinner in a space smaller than most home kitchens!

Highlights from this episode:

Vanessa’s journey to chartering, from South Africa to the USA.
The challenges of cooking for up to ten people in a tiny galley kitchen.
Life on mixed charters and handling diverse groups of guests.
The differences between restaurant and private cheffing.
The process of crafting a menu and why guests don’t get to see it before boarding.
Nightmare guest stories!
The no-go topics of conversation for mixed family charters…

If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don’t miss the next part of the story.

LEARN MORE

For more about Abide - https://svabide.com/

CONNECT

Abide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abide

Cheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321

Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

Behind The Refit: Life’s Challenges Aug 20, 2024

Show notes

A huge project like restoring a 136-foot sailboat, doesn’t happen in a bubble. While our captain, Roland, and the crew were hard at work with Front Street Shipyard in Belfast all sorts of unexpected challenges were cropping up that made us put the whole endeavour into perspective.

In this episode, we dive back into the refit of Abide during the winter of 2022.

As the refit continues, Roland and I share a few stories behind the scenes: from the rigorous crew training that Roland has to undergo, from firefighting to spending 5 hours in a freezing pool, to some more personal trials.

Highlights from this episode:

The impact of life’s challenges on us and the project.
Training for the unexpected - what a sailing crew has to go through to become certified.
Coping with sudden loss and other stressful life challenges.
The process of Roland securing a visa in order to get the project underway.
The moment Abide was kicked out of the shed.

If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don’t miss the next part of the story.

LEARN MORE

For more about Abide - https://svabide.com/

CONNECT

Abide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abide

Cheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321

Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

Decking The Hull: Refitting Abide Over a Cold Maine Winter Aug 13, 2024

Show notes

It was a cold December night back in 2022.

Abide was tucked up in the warmth of her shed at Front Street Shipyard.

Roland was slowly killing his Christmas tree…

In this episode we jump back into the refit story, picking up where we left off in the winter of ‘22. Our 136-foot sailboat, Abide, was undergoing an intensive refit.

Our captain, Roland, joins me again to share stories from that winter in Maine and give us a closer look into the extensive refit challenge.

Highlights from this episode:

- What happened next in the refit story.

- The crazy level of attention to detail that had to go into repainting Abide.

- How to sail if you get seasick.

- Abide’s 2000-lb dinghy and how we got it on the boat (and why sailboats need one).

- The story of Roland’s Christmas as a South African in America.

If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don’t miss the next part of the story.

LEARN MORE

For more about Abide - https://svabide.com/

CONNECT

Abide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abide

Cheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321

Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

Building a Shipyard From The Ground Up with JB Turner Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

JB Turner had a vision. A vision for a shipyard unlike any other in Belfast, Maine. A shipyard that could take on bigger projects, and energise the community. And in 2011, JB and his partners got started with building Front Street Shipyard.

Abide is currently sitting inside Front Street waiting to be painted. But in this episode, we’re taking you back to how it all started.

JB shares with us his story, from developing a love of sailing as a child (back when a 32-foot sailboat was considered large!), to the handshake that built the shipyard, to refitting Adibe!

This conversation is filled with interesting stories that I don’t want to spoil for you, so have a listen and you won’t be disappointed!

Highlights from this episode:

How JB Turner and his partners built Front Street Shipyard from the ground up.
How Front Street was able to attract its talented team (most of whom don’t sail themselves!)
The ‘rennaisance’ of Belfast that attracted its sailing community.
What goes into building a boat from scratch.
What’s the hardest part of building a sailboat?

If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don’t miss the next part of the story.

LEARN MORE

Front Street Shipyard - https://frontstreetshipyard.com/

For more about Abide - https://svabide.com/

CONNECT

Abide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abide

Cheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321

Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

How We Made Abide Beautiful Again Jul 30, 2024

Show notes

How much do you need to pay someone to step into an empty black water tank…?

We pick up where we left off in episode 5, with Roland and the crew setting things in motion at Front Street Shipyard, Maine. Our sailboat, Abide was being hauled out of the water and unloaded in the shed.

In this episode, we’re diving into the process and the challenges behind restoring Abide to her original beauty - and then some.

Highlights from this episode:

What goes into restoring a 136-foot sailboat.
Making a sailboat functional and beautiful.
What the ‘giant-tattoo gun’ was for...
Choosing the right wood and paint (it’s harder than you’d think).
The supply-chain challenges of 2022 and how the refit was affected.
The gritty details of the black water tank (don’t worry we don’t get too graphic…).
How a sailing yacht gets surveyed.

If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don’t miss the next part of the story.

LEARN MORE

For more about Abide - https://svabide.com/

CONNECT

Abide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abide

Cheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321

Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

How To Buy A Boat (And Why You Need A Broker) Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

Buying a boat is easier said than done. And finding the right one isn’t that simple either. Thankfully, we had Michael Bach on our side when we bought our sailboat, Abide.

Michael joins me in this episode to share his story of becoming a broker which started out working in shipyards and racing. We then uncover the process we went through together of finding the right boat and arranging the purchase and works.

This episode is packed with surprising stories, professional expertise, and practical advice for anyone interested in sailing!

Highlights from this episode:

Our broker Michael’s journey from boat racing to finding Abide.
How Michael sniffs out the duds when looking for boats for his clients.
Who is the typical boat owner?
How the boat buying process works.
How COVID prompted us (and many others) to sail more.

If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don’t miss the next part of the story.

LEARN MORE

Bachus Yacht Consultancy - https://bycyacht.com/

For more about Abide - https://svabide.com/

CONNECT

Abide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abide

Cheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321

Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

What Went On In The Shed… Jul 16, 2024

Show notes

Now the real work begins…

We’re picking up where we left off in episode 3 with our captain Roland. In this part of the story, the boat (Abide) is still in the water at the shipyard in Belfast, Maine, but we’re gearing up to haul her out and get started on the refit.

This was the biggest project that Roland had undertaken. We speak about how we chose the shipyard, the work that went into getting Abide into the shed and the major undertaking of preparing her for the refit. It sounds straightforward, but it’s anything but!

Highlights from this episode:

What goes into hauling a 136-foot sailboat out of the water.
Choosing the right shipyard for the work.
The process of finding the crew and getting them set up.
Getting the cost estimates for the refit… ‘estimate’ being the keyword!

If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don’t miss the next part of the story.

LEARN MORE

For more about Abide - https://svabide.com/

CONNECT

Abide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abide

Cheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321

Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

Uncovering The Turbulent History of Abide Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

It turns out, there’s more to a sailboat than a sail and a mast…

After acquiring our 136-foot sailboat, Abide, we discovered something we weren’t expecting to find that sent us down a rabbit hole (and I’m not talking about the 23 jars of mint jelly…).

We found a huge binder of records relating to the original design and purchase of the boat. We’re talking notes from meetings, emails, and even faxes!

In this episode, my husband Bill and I share what we discovered from these historic records - the drama that unfolded that led to 35 pages of change orders or modifications before the original owner was satisfied.

Seeing Abide now, though, it looks like it was worth it!

Highlights from this episode:

The history of Abide’s original construction and purchase.
Introducing my husband Bill to the story.
How Abide, a boat constructed in The Netherlands, was tailored for an American owner.
Understanding what goes into designing and building a sailboat.
Where we’re hoping to take Abide to next and in the future.

If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don’t miss the next part of the story.

LEARN MORE

For more about Abide - https://svabide.com/

CONNECT

Abide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abide

Cheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321

Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm

A Frosty Reception - Our Intrepid Captain’s Story: Part 2 Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

Last week we shared with you the first part of the story of how Roland came to be the captain of our 136-foot sailboat, Abide. This week, you’ll discover the rest of the story.

We were about to start the refit and Roland was boarding Abide for the first time. He was greeted with a frosty reception from the old crew… but this only strengthened the resolve to make this work.

Abide hadn’t been maintained too well, and she needed some attention before she would be ready for chartering. In this episode, you’ll also discover the start of the refit journey.

Highlights from this episode:

The second part of Roland’s journey to becoming our captain.
The frosty reception Roland got when he went to pick up Abide!
The journey Roland and Abide took to Belfast, Maine where the refit began.
The weird and wonderful things we found stowed away on Abide, like 23 jars of mint jelly…

If you enjoy this episode, subscribe on your podcast app of choice so you don’t miss the next part of the story.

LEARN MORE

For more about Abide - https://svabide.com/

CONNECT

Abide on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sail_abide

Cheryl Drury on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryldruryphotographer/

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bd

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-on-deck/id1749793321

Captivate - https://adventure-on-deck.captivate.fm