Practical Sailorvideo
Sailing with KIDS! How She Makes it Work
January 11, 2025 · 27 min · 7K views · Annapolis, Maryland
What this video covers
A single mother of four children, ages 4 to 10, transitioned to full-time liveaboard life on a 37-foot Sun Odyssey 37.1 after a career change and divorce.0:29 Following a 2024 cruise from Baltimore to Bimini and back, she settled in Deltaville, Virginia, to pursue a career in sailmaking at Evolution Sails.3:15 She emphasizes that children adapt quickly to the space constraints and safety requirements of boat life, noting that the inherent dangers of the marine environment foster better communication and mutual respect between parent and child.6:21 Her primary advice for families considering this lifestyle is to prioritize professional swimming lessons to ensure water safety and to start cruising while children are young, as flexibility and openness to adventure decrease during the teenage years.11:57 She utilizes Starlink for internet connectivity and relies on community resources like Kids for Sail to connect with other cruising families.5:39 The transition to a boat provides a flexible, affordable housing alternative that allows her to relocate for work while maintaining a consistent home environment for her children.18:50
More from Practical Sailor
From Practical Sailor — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.