Meet Sand Dollar—Our Home on the Water

Every journey has its heart, and for Kyle and me, that heart is our sailboat, Sand Dollar. When we first found her, we never imagined how much she’d come to mean to us—not just as a mode of transportation but as our home, our challenge, and the vessel of our dreams.

Why We Chose Sand Dollar

When we first stepped aboard, Sand Dollar was already living up to her name, carrying with her the promise of treasure and adventure. We decided to keep her name because it felt right—a connection to her history and the exciting future we envisioned.

Sand Dollar is a Nauticat 43, a long-range cruising sailboat known for its durability and comfort. Built by Finnish boatbuilder Nauticat Yachts, she’s designed for extended ocean voyages. Her solid construction and spacious interior made her the perfect choice for our journey. At 43 feet long with a beam of 13.5 feet, she offers plenty of room to live and work while giving us the stability and safety we need at sea.

A Closer Look at Sand Dollar

Key Features

• Pilothouse Comfort: One of the standout features of Sand Dollar is her pilothouse, which allows us to steer from the inside. This has been a game-changer, especially during cold or overnight passages.

• Ketch Rig: With two masts, she’s well-balanced under sail and easier to handle in heavier winds—ideal for the long-distance cruising lifestyle we’re embracing.

• Space to Breathe: At 6’4”, Kyle needed a boat that didn’t feel cramped, and Sand Dollar delivers. Her spacious interior includes a comfortable salon, a well-equipped galley, and private cabins, making her feel like a true home.

The Condition When We Bought Her

When we found Sand Dollar, she seemed to be in excellent condition. All her previous work had been done by professionals, and the former owners kept detailed records of maintenance and upgrades.

But Kyle, being a mechanic, quickly spotted flaws in the electrical system and decided to redo it himself to ensure everything was perfect. While the initial state of the boat gave us confidence, it also taught us that even a well-maintained vessel has hidden surprises.

The Upgrades We’ve Made

Like any boat owner, we’ve poured a lot of effort into making Sand Dollar not just seaworthy but also comfortable for long-term living. Here’s what we’ve done so far:

• Replaced the main head holding tank, as it was leaking.

• Upgraded the Autopilot to ensure smooth, more reliable hands free navigation.

• Navigation System: We replaced our entire navigation system with B&G/Simrad products.

• Electrical System: We upgraded from lead acid to lithium battery power as well as replacing the entire vessels wiring, and upgrading the electrical components to victron.

• Freezer: Added a larger, more efficient freezer for extended provisioning.

• Solar Power: We installed 800W of solar panels to reduce our reliance on traditional power sources.

Future Plans

There’s always something to improve on a boat, and we’re excited about what’s next:

• Dinghy Davits: For easier storage and use of our dinghy.

• Extra Solar Power: Adding 1,000W more solar to increase our energy independence.

Every project brings us closer to our dream of a self-sufficient and perfectly outfitted bluewater cruiser.

Life Aboard

Living on Sand Dollar is a mix of emotions. At first, it was overwhelming. None of the gauges worked, and we were learning the quirks of her sailing setup as we went. There were moments of frustration when we questioned whether we’d made the right decision.

But over time, those challenges gave way to feelings of safety, happiness, and freedom. Now, when we’re aboard, we feel at home. She’s big enough to offer comfort but built tough enough to handle anything the ocean throws at us.

Why She’s Perfect for Us

Sand Dollar is more than a boat; she’s a partner in this adventure. Her pilothouse offers protection in rough weather, her spacious interior gives us room to breathe, and her ketch rig makes her manageable for two people. She’s not just a vessel for crossing oceans—she’s a place where we feel safe, inspired, and connected to the world around us.

Looking Ahead

Our work on Sand Dollar has only just begun, but every improvement brings us closer to our dream. She’s our home and the foundation of our journey, and we’re excited to share every step of this process with you.

As we prepare her for the open ocean, we’re reminded daily why we chose this life. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

Stay tuned as we continue to make Sand Dollar the ultimate bluewater cruiser, and thank you for being a part of our story.