This week we share some of the ups and downs of life aboard while waiting for a weather window to sail west. One of the greatest gifts of boat life has been meeting incredible cruising families and watching our kids form lasting friendships—learning to stay connected across distances and rekindling bonds when we meet again. Grenada has been both rewarding and challenging, but it’s given us experiences we’ll always be grateful for. I also tackled a new project—finishing our bow shade—which we’ll test out soon (with fingers crossed that it fits!). As always, thanks for following along on our journey. Some weeks are more adventurous than others, but we’ll continue to share honest reflections of what it’s really like living the boat life.

Not every week is turquoise water and perfect anchorages. This week in Grenada, heavy rain, canceled plans, and marina life kept us tied to the dock — and gave us a real dose of the cruising lifestyle. Between endless boat chores, a soggy anniversary outing, sewing a DIY bow shade, and watching our kids navigate marina friendships, we did our best to find the silver linings. From tackling stubborn grime on the hull to finally upgrading our cockpit cushions, we kept busy even when adventures got rained out. Cruising isn’t always waterfalls and sunshine — sometimes it’s maintenance, rainstorms, and the ups and downs of living in close quarters with other sailors. But that’s boat life… and it’s all part of the journey.

After some much-needed time on the hard at Clarke’s Court Marina in Grenada, SV Big Lost is finally splashed back into the water! 🚤🌊 We tackled a few essential boat projects, including servicing our Gori Prop with the help of our good friend and fellow Vision owner, Michael. With the work complete, we’re excited to be floating again and ready for the next chapter of our Caribbean sailing adventure.

After months of island-hopping through the Caribbean, we make our final sail south to Grenada—our home for hurricane season and the place where we’ll tackle some much-needed boat work and cruising projects. We’re excited to reconnect with friends we’ve met along the way and finally slow down to relax and enjoy life in Grenada, the Spice Island. On the way south, we pass stunning Caribbean islands, dramatic volcanoes, and even get a surprise visit from a playful pod of dolphins. This journey marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another as we prepare for an exciting season of sailing, exploring, and living aboard.

Over the past week, we sailed down the eastern coast of Martinique – a charming French island in the Eastern Caribbean. We explored the colorful towns of Fort-de-France, Petite Anse d’Arlet, and Saint Anne… and ate more baguettes than we care to admit! The highlight of the week? Hiking Mount Pelée – an active volcano – with dear boat friends who have become like family since we set sail from Saint Martin. From breathtaking summit views to the beauty of Martinique’s towns and clear waters, join us as we sail, hike, dive, and soak up every moment on our slow journey toward Grenada.

What started as a smooth sail from Îles des Saintes to Martinique quickly turned into one of our wildest passages yet. As we sailed south through the Eastern Caribbean, we were surrounded by massive mats of sargassum, battled unpredictable gusts near Dominica, and watched fearless kiteboarders tear across the waves off Scotts Head. But things really got interesting after leaving Îles des Saintes—when our old dinghy completely submerged in open water and literally sank beneath the waves. We explored the historic Fort Napoléon, swam and checked our prop underwater (again!), and finally arrived in Saint Pierre, Martinique under a double rainbow—just in time for a traditional yole boat race and a visit to the Zoo de Martinique, nestled among the ruins of a 17th-century estate destroyed by Mount Pelée’s eruption in 1902. It’s moments like these—chaotic, beautiful, and unforgettable—that remind us why we live this sailing life.

What started as a simple passage from Saint Kitts to Guadeloupe quickly turned into one of our more stressful sails. With winds stronger and angles tighter than forecasted, we made the mistake of flying our Code 55—and paid the price. A loud snap, a torn sail, and a lot of lessons learned. After the chaos at sea, we finally arrived in Deshaies, Guadeloupe—a peaceful anchorage that was just what we needed. From wandering through the lush botanical gardens to indulging in amazing French cuisine, Guadeloupe reminded us why we love this lifestyle, even when it gets a little rough.

After an unforgettable time in Sint Maarten—celebrating Bastille Day, ziplining through the lush hills of Loterie Farm, and soaking up the cruiser-friendly vibes of the lagoon—it’s finally time to hoist the sails again. In this episode, we say goodbye to the comforts and conveniences of Simpson Bay and point our bow south toward Saint Kitts as we continue our journey to Grenada for hurricane season. Along the way, we reflect on our time in Sint Maarten, test out our brand-new GoDu dinghy, and embrace the bittersweet feeling that comes with every island departure.

Yes, we’re still in Sint Maarten… and honestly, we’re not mad about it! We’ve been anchored in Simpson Bay for over a week now, and this island is quickly winning us over. Sint Maarten is truly a cruiser’s paradise—getting around by dinghy is easy and efficient, with everything you need just a short ride away. From well-stocked marine stores and helpful technicians to endless provisioning options, this is the kind of place that makes boat life a little easier. And when the work is done? There’s no shortage of stunning beaches to explore and amazing food to enjoy. While we wait for our new dinghy to arrive, we’re soaking up island life and spending time with our boat buddies. Not a bad place to be stuck for a while!

We set sail from the British Virgin Islands, taking on one of the most challenging points of sail: east into the trades. As we make our way to Sint Maarten, we reflect on the many passages that have brought us to this point—and why it always seems like we’re heading against the grain. With our sights set on Grenada, reaching Sint Maarteen marks a major milestone and, hopefully, the end of the hardest legs of our journey. After weeks of grinding miles and navigating wind, waves, and doubt, we’re finally able to exhale. The easting is behind us. Now it’s time to enjoy the vibrant island life, soak in the culture, and—fingers crossed—find some new friends for our kids to play with. Come along as we regroup, recharge, and prepare for what’s next on this sailing adventure aboard Big Lost.

After picking up long-awaited spare parts in the US Virgin Islands, we leave Honeymoon Bay behind and set sail for the British Virgin Islands—our next stop on the journey south to Grenada for hurricane season. Our first destination: Norman Island, where we blow off some steam at the infamous floating bar, Willy T. The next day, we make our way to Virgin Gorda’s Saint Thomas Bay, waiting for a good weather window to cross to Saint Martin. While in Virgin Gorda, we return to The Baths and reflect on just how far we’ve come. Nearly one year ago, our boat life journey began right here in the BVI—and now, almost 5,000 nautical miles later, we’re back aboard a new boat, full of memories, lessons, and excitement for what’s ahead.

After our 7-day passage to the USVI, we find ourselves in island time — waiting on delayed packages before we can continue our journey south to Saint Martin for hurricane season. While we wait, it’s a week of boat projects and island adventures! We spend time troubleshooting a radar that won’t activate, fixing broken hatches, sorting out some rigging issues, and questioning if we’re really getting the best performance from our overdrive props. But it’s not all work! We also make time to relax and enjoy the beauty of the US Virgin Islands — exploring the National Park on St. John, snorkeling in crystal-clear water, and checking out Cruz Bay.