When my friend asked me, “How are you going with planning your BIG TRIP?” It sparked something in me.
Pete and I are forever talking about modifications to the boat and dreaming up ways to actually do the trip. But have we done any real planning? Nope, not yet. The conversation is always there, but the action. Still on the horizon.
As someone who struggles with impulse control, that innocent nudge from a mate instantly propels me into ‘planning mode’.
Wine~Dark Sea might have been home in 2017 and Pete’s lived aboard plenty, but for me, this is brand new territory. Sure, I’ve tackled adventures and been on holidays, but nothing more than five weeks away from home. This trip? We’re talking 24-36 months! The scale feels wild.
What we do know is that we want to take things slow. If we fall in love with a spot, we’ll stay as long as we like. Plans are flexible, shaped by weather and work commitments—no rigid schedule, just a rough guide. So, how do you plan when you don’t actually want a ‘real plan’?
My first step in prepping is shedding consumables.
‘Pantry Wars’. When Pete and I first moved in together, we merged two pantries chock-full of sauces, relishes, and specialty ingredients (we both love cooking, so there was no shortage of random bottles). One pantry definitely held more questionable expiry dates than the other. To tackle this, we invented a game: each of us had to come up with ways to use up the contents, with points awarded for most items finished. I’m convinced I won, but Pete might tell you otherwise. Anyway – here is some proof.
‘Pantry Wars’ has made a comeback as we trim down for the trip. Since I’m not working at the moment, I do most of the cooking; so it’s less competitive now—more about inventive dinners and clearing the shelves. I’ve already knocked out a veal stock, a curry powder and a salsa. There are still plenty to go, but we won’t be buying anymore unless it’s a frequently used item!
It’s not just the kitchen that needs a shedding session; the vanity is bursting with lotions and potions. We’ve got two bathrooms at home and two on Wine~Dark Sea, but the boat’s cabinets are tiny in comparison. By April 2026, I’ll be setting sail with the smoothest skin imaginable—if nothing else, I’ll look fresh off a skincare ad.
Just to prove my point, as I write this, I had to jump up and answer the door for a delivery of ‘self-care’ items. Managing two brains (the practical planner and the impulsive shopper) makes staying focused an adventure of its own!
I adore reading, our bookshelves are rammed—even after purging box after box. Saying goodbye to some of my books after moving them 26 times was rough.
For this trip, I’ll bring my UNREAD books (perfect for all those lazy afternoons at anchor), and I’ve started a new challenge: working through the ‘100 best reads of 2025’ from the Better Reading Guide, so there’s plenty to bring. (Yes, it’s another list) The v-berth shelving will become my little floating library. However, for all those borrowed books on the shelf from Mum, Fran, Megan, Stu, and Katrina—rest assured, your books will be read and returned before departure!
Having a plan to pare down our kitchen, bathroom and bookshelf, (as a start) it’s time to get a bit more ‘official’—bring on the maps and charts!
The actual planning comes next, and it’s surprisingly fun. Our office wall is plastered with nautical charts of Australia—perfect for pencilling in rough routes and pinning locations we might anchor. We’ve also gathered books and guides written by seasoned sailors who’ve done this journey before
- Cruising the Coral Coast, by Alan Lucas
- Cairns to Darwin, by Matthew Templeton & Murray Cook
- Cruising Tasmania, by J. Brenttingham-Moore
- Western Australia Cruising Guide, Fremantle Sailing Club
If anyone has any must reads for this journey, please let us know.
To keep track of all my sudden inspirations (like “How much napery and dress-ups can I pack?”), I’ve stuck a massive 3M post-it next to the charts. It’s my brain dump zone, where wild ideas meet practical planning. Its blank right now, but there are a few things that are already flying around our heads to add.
So, amidst pantry games, book challenges, and wall-to-wall nautical charts, the reality is this: prepping for our 2-3 year sailing adventure is equal parts chaos and excitement. It’s not just about reducing, consuming, and packing up our life—it’s about creating space for new stories, unexpected moments, and a seriously playful approach to planning. Stay tuned for more reflections and misadventures as we count down to April 2027!
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