What is sailing without a few repairs now and then? They usually happen at the most inopportune times. We had an incident last week while racing in 18-20 knots. Sailing on a Flying Tiger 10, we were overpowered into a broach and the tiller broke. Everyone jumped to get the boat under control, and we managed to jury-rig the tiller back together. Thank goodness for duct tape! We used an interior pole inside the carbon fiber tiller tube to reinforce it and it seemed fine. We restarted the race, but lo and behold, on another strong gust, the tiller broke again. It was all hands on deck to get the sails down. We had to retire from the race and head back to the dock. Time for some real repairs!

Just for fun…

On the way to Marina Del Rey in Lombok, our forestay decided to give us some trouble. While Jason climbed the mast to check it out, the rest of us reminded ourselves of a sailor’s saying: ✨ “Sailing is fixing boats in exotic places.” And honestly? If we have to do repairs, what better place than here — turquoise waters, island views, and a whole lot of adventure waiting once the job’s done. Later, we dropped anchor at Gili Yassahan… and let’s just say, it felt like finding a little island home of our own. This is what life aboard is all about: freedom, problem-solving, and unforgettable places most people never get to see. Want to experience this lifestyle for yourself? That’s exactly what we teach at Learn to Live Aboard. From boat handling to real-life problem solving, we’ll help you gain the skills (and the confidence) to sail into your own adventures.

I found this article by Ryan Craig Why Don’t More People Like Sailboats? Unpacking the 5 Big Myths Sailboats—romantic, serene, timeless. So why do they make up less than 1% of all boats in the U.S., and even fewer of new boat sales? Despite their charm, the sailboat lifestyle hasn’t exactly taken America by storm. In fact, their popularity has been sailing downhill since the 1980s. So what’s the deal? Let’s unpack five of the biggest reasons people shy away from sailing—and why those reasons might not be as valid as they seem. 1. “Sailboats Are Way Too Complicated” At first glance, sailboats can look like a spaghetti monster of ropes and pulleys (known as “lines” in sailor-speak). Even a relatively simple 32-foot cruising sailboat has lines running all over the deck—from the mast to the stern, to the cockpit and cabin top. This setup can look intimidating if you don’t know what you’re looking at. But here’s the truth: you rarely need to touch more than a few of those lines at once. The rest? They’re just there for flexibility in different wind conditions. Compared to a same-sized powerboat with twin V8 engines, complex dashboards, and mechanical systems like trim tabs and power steering, sailboats actually offer a different kind of simplicity. Fewer engine parts mean fewer things to break—and usually fewer maintenance headaches. 2. “Learning to Sail Is Too Hard” Yes, there’s a learning curve—but it’s not Everest. Learning to sail can be as easy (and cheap) as renting a Sunfish on a local lake after a quick $25 class. But some modern yacht clubs have turned sailing into a lengthy and expensive certification process. Multi-week courses can run hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars, with some students needing multiple summers to get certified. No wonder people get discouraged. But here’s the secret: You don’t need all that. A small, used sailboat and a few hours of YouTube videos can teach you enough to start cruising around safely. It’s more about curiosity and confidence than credentials.

Every boat shopper needs this:- A clear understanding of their sailing goal. What they can handle, (skills.). Understand after purchase budget. This is just the beginning.