Sailing Journal: Taking the Scenic Route through the Caribbean & beyond...
About Me
Wandering Wanda
Wandering Wanda
Wandering Wanda
I left corporate insurance marketing and now focus on wellness copywriting and ghostwriting. My major goals in 2025 are obtaining my Offshore Captain's License and Divemaster Scuba Certification. I look forward to new sailing adventures in French Polynesia this Spring; and Norway, Sweden, Denmark this Summer.
SV Scenic Route
Wandering Wanda
Wandering Wanda
First Mate with this boat from 2021 - July 2023. 2018 Lagoon 380 catamaran. Visited ten Caribbean countries and twenty islands from Grenada to Statia.
SV Asgard
Wandering Wanda
SV At Ease
Joined Captain Ethan, First Mate Amber, and 4-legged crewmember Kona in Carriacou, one of Grenada's northern islands.
SV At Ease
SV Heart of Gold
SV At Ease
Crewed for fellow Navy Veteran Captain Julie on her 44' Leopard Catamaran while we completed a scuba diving certification in southern Grenada. I may see Julie again up island for scuba adventures in St. Croix.
SV Estrella
SV Heart of Gold
SV Heart of Gold
Met Capt. Paula at a La Paz Cruiser Coffee hour and asked her if she was interested in crew for her trip up the Baja California Sur coast to Puerto Escondido. I provisioned, packed and moved onboard the same day. Estrella (Spanish for Star) is a well-equipped, custom-built 2005 37' Canadian made Gozzard.
SV Heart of Gold
SV Heart of Gold
SV Heart of Gold
Joined Captain Chad on SV Heart of Gold, a 1977 Bob Perry-designed Valiant 40 for a sail from Puerto Escondido to La Paz. He makes boat life fun with sundowner dance-offs and acoustic guitar sing-a-longs.
SV Sunshine Hippie
SV Sunshine Hippie
SV Sunshine Hippie
Back in Grenada, I joined former Budweiser Brewmaster (& fellow MSU Spartan) Ed on his lovely Bavaria 51. He has mentored many sailors over the years and gave me lessons on a sail to Grenada's northern island of Carriacou.
SV Remedy
SV Sunshine Hippie
SV Sunshine Hippie
In Spring 2024, I joined Capt. Jerry on his solid bluewater 37' Pacific Seacraft. We had spicy sailing Puerto Rico to the Bahamas where I learned what can go wrong 100s of miles out to sea but prevailed. We crossed the Caribbean, Atlantic and 800 miles of the U.S. Intercoastal Waterway to Chesapeake Bay.
SY Felicia
SV Sunshine Hippie
SY Felicia
I met Capt. Shawn and First Mate Suni in Grenada and joined them for spicy sailing to Panama. We completed the Panama Canal crossing and I will help them as they prep for their Pacific Ocean crossing, March 2025.
S/V Odin
S/V Dragonfly
SY Felicia
I joined this trimaran charter boat & floating hostel as temporary crew. S/V Odin is a popular stop for Dutch backpackers. I was deckhand, cook, and snorkeling guide. The boat visits two to three islands each day, it's an excellent way to tour the beautiful San Blas/Guna Yala islands.
S/V Dragonfly
S/V Dragonfly
S/V Dragonfly
It was a treat to live on SV Dragonfly, a beautiful 2017 Lagoon 42 for the Spring and early Summer. I crewed for an epic 4,000+ nautical mile journey across the Pacific, from Panama to Huka Niva, French Polynesia. Thirty-seven days of challenges with engines, sails, exploding mangoes, laughs, and fellowship with a very calm and capable Captain and crew.
S/Y Azzurra
S/V Dragonfly
S/V Dragonfly
Traveled 30+ hours from Tahiti to Copenhagen to join my writer friend, Capt. Dag. We sailed S/Y Azzurra, a 43' Grand Soleil through the Danish islands, Sweden's southwest archipelago, and Norway's fjords. This is my first time in the North Sea and Skagerrak Ocean for colder weather sailing in the stunning backdrop of Scandinavia.
SAILING GOAL: GAIN SKILLS WHILE ENHANCING THE JOURNEY
Sailing with me means you have a compact helper for boat tasks, an enthusiastic and creative cook, and pleasant companion who may or may not hum too much. My goal is to learn as much as I can, so I am a benefit to any vessel I join as crew.
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS
STCW Certification (2024)
Food Safety Certificate (2024)
Merchant Mariner Ordinary Seaman (2024)
TWIC (2024)
Red Cross First Aid & CPR Certification (2024)
ASA 101 & 103 Basic Keelboat/Coastal (2020)
B.A. Michigan State University (2002)
United States Navy (1993 - 1997)
Check for my availability as crew on your next adventure.
SAILING CV
