kateandjohnsail.boats

For decades, John and I have stayed in our lane, behaving ourselves by having careers and an adventure-loving family, walking in faith with a church community, leading passably normal lives in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Then, during the fuzzy years now known as the COVID, we started down an erratic path: taking marine engine courses, shopping at chandleries, watching sailing vlogs, dining at floating bars, befriending sailors, working “mizzenmast” into a conversation. Fast forward to the summer of ’24 and suddenly it all has become real: we have quit our jobs, sold our Portland house, bought a boat, kissed the kids and grandkids goodbye, and are on our way to Barcelona to set sail. Seriously.

The pin is exactly where Quintessa will be located when we board her on September 26! We will have only 5 days to prepare for departure: not long, considering we need to move in, get acquainted with the equipment and systems on board, provision for several weeks of travel, and, oh yes, make sure we have a weather window to leave Barcelona. But leave we must by October 1, because slips are in high demand due to the America’s Cup festivities which will be at their height.