Sailing with Gidget: Part 1 – A Life of Adventure Unlocked

Getting to Know the Gidget Crew

How did your sailing journey begin, and what inspired you to take the leap into full-time cruising?

We’re from Calgary, Canada, which is about as far from the ocean as you can get. Even so, we’ve always had big ambitions to see the world. At some point, we realized sailing could be a cost-effective way to do it. You don’t need flights or hotels… you just raise the sails and go.

When we first had the idea, neither of us had any sailing background. What we did have was the dream of a different kind of life, one where we could work less and explore more. Books like Vagabonding made us see that there were people already out there living this way. That was enough to make us think, “Why not us?”

What were your lives like before boat life — and what was the moment you knew it was time for a change?

Before boat life, we were working hard… like really hard. Our lives were completely wrapped up in building a little business empire of our own. We never had kids, so our time was basically swallowed up by work, stress, and chasing the next goal.

It’s funny how “work-life balance” can end up completely upside down. Back then, it was all work and no life. Now, it feels like it’s all life and no work.

At some point we looked at each other and realized, “Wait, do we actually want any of this?”

Life On Board

What made you choose a BALI Catamaran?

We looked at a lot of boats before making a decision, but Bali just stood out. The designs felt more modern and creative than anything else we were seeing. They had features that made us go, “Why doesn’t every boat have this?” Things like the solid foredeck with a seating area instead of a trampoline, the flybridge, a full-sized fridge and freezer, the roll-up back door, and all that extra indoor living space.

For us, it felt like we were getting a lot of extra comfort and functionality without jumping into a much bigger (and more expensive) boat. Our Bali Catspace is just over 40 feet, but it honestly feels like we’re living on a 50-footer.

What made you decide on a brand-new BALI instead of buying a used boat?

We spent years looking at used boats as they came onto the market, but in the end, a brand-new BALI just made more sense for us. One of the biggest reasons was being able to choose the “Owner’s Version” layout with a large master cabin instead of the standard four-cabin setup. 

With the new build, we were able to step aboard knowing everything was set up exactly the way we wanted — ready for us to start this adventure without a long list of refit projects waiting.

Challenges & Rewards

What training did you get, and how did you know you were ready to hit the high seas?

To be honest, we might have gone a bit overboard with our training… but it definitely helped us feel more comfortable heading out to sea on our own. 

We started in Vancouver, doing 5- to 7-day trips with a skipper while working through Sail Canada courses. 

Our first real taste of running our own catamaran came when we chartered in the Grenadines, and that’s when we really started to feel at home behind the helm. Then, just before we made the big leap, we did our ICC certification in Norfolk, Virginia. 

What has been the biggest challenge in transitioning to this lifestyle — and the most unexpected reward?

The hardest part has probably been leaving our friends and family behind. We honestly thought we’d miss them way more than we do… but now, they come visit us on the boat and join the adventure. We might not see them as often as we used to, but when we do, it’s in incredible places, sharing experiences that are different from anything we’d have back home. So, in a way, our biggest challenge ended up also being one of our biggest rewards.

Another unexpected reward has come from making YouTube videos about our travels. At first, it was just a way to keep friends and family updated. Now there’s this whole community of people following along, sending us encouragement, and sharing in the adventure.