What Do You Do All Day?

It feels like yesterday was April when we set off for our Baltic season. Time has flown by and summer has arrived in a blur of sunshine, sea breezes, and champagne sailing. The days have been full, the temperatures warm (75-85°F / 25–30°C), and the islands are alive with boats.

It can seem like life is carefree on this “permanent vacation” full time cruising lifestyle—and we often get asked, “What do you do all day?”

The truth is: this life takes a lot of planning and flexibility.

The Art of Planning (and Re-Planning)

Like any well-executed adventure, this lifestyle demands constant planning—layers upon layers of it. Every day involves a continuous churn of juggling multiple versions of possible routes, destinations, and contingencies. We have numerous options at the ready to change tactics whenever needed.

We start with the big picture and then work to fill in the finer details along the way.

Building the Framework

We begin with a broad-brush plan, like this year’s plan to “Cruise the Baltic.”  We start with a rough idea of where we want to be by certain dates, how many miles we need to cover, and an exit-plan via the Kiel Canal in the fall.

From the rough outline, we begin adding desired port visits—cities with rich history, museums, or people we hope to meet up with. This year, we also had logistical stops to manage: a new mattress delivery and visa-related visits to immigration. These further fill in the details of the season’s framework.

Living in the Now, Planning for Tomorrow

Armed with our framework along with a collection of charts, pilot books and numerous online resources, we get underway and begin exploring. We manage filling in the details along the way, allowing us flexibility.

Sweden, in particular, has spoiled us with choices. We prefer anchoring, and the archipelagos offer endless options: hiking, swimming, saunas, barbecues, solitude, or access to towns. What do we want? What do the teens want? What do we all need? There’s no definitive guide—just a sea of possibilities.

We continually review and plan our general movements for the next 1–2 weeks and gather promising sounding stops and mark potential anchorages on our charts. We then focus on the finer details for the next couple of days. We weigh potential stops against practical needs—provisioning, exploring, or simply resting. Typically, there are a couple of potential route options in play with 1-3 alternatives standing ready in the background.

Apps, charts, and guidebooks are in constant use. We’re always scouting for new anchorages, hiking trails, restaurants, ice cream shops, and stores. We keep an eye on the trackers for other boats that we are trying to meet up with or have met along the way. The day to day is balanced with the big picture framework.

Weather: The Ever-Present Variable

Weather is our ultimate decision-maker. We check forecasts multiple times a day. Weather is managed with the same larger picture to finer details philosophy, but in reverse. We review the detailed forecast for the next couple of days and make a quick review of the extended forecast.

What will the general wind direction look like for the next few days? What adjustments do we need to make to our next anchorage? Will there be adequate protection? Is there wind to sail or will we be motoring? Is there a reason to motor somewhere or is it better to sit still? Are there any upcoming storms? Did something critical break? Do yesterday’s plans still meet our needs or do we need to make adjustments?

Our Daily Rhythm

We set off for the day with a plan. Hopefully we get to sail and don’t need to motor. Then we see how the day goes. Sometimes we push ahead if the wind is good; other times, we stop early. Some days, we’ve changed our plan a dozen times by mid-afternoon while other days none of the alternative planning was utilized.

Our current pace is to move about 2 out of 3 days, sailing 2–5 hours (10–30 nautical miles). Some days are calm enough to complete other tasks while underway. Other days are hectic, with constant sail changes and shifting conditions. And still other days are just so beautiful, we live in the moment, hand steering and soaking it all in.

Once we arrive, we might eat some food, go for a walk, explore the area or start making dinner. Then at some point there is the need to begin planning all over again. Are we moving tomorrow? What’s the weather? How far would we like to go? When’s the best time to catch the wind?

More Than Just Sailing

Beyond sailing and planning, there’s life to manage: cooking (feeding teens), schoolwork (we don’t take a summer break), and staying in touch with friends and family. There’s also long-term planning and research—where to spend the winter, what parts we’ll need for winter projects, and where we might go next season.

It can be exhausting (daunting and overwhelming also come to mind) and it repeats just about every day. Sometimes, it feels like we have nothing tangible to show for all the effort. But this is how we continue exploring and living this “permanent vacation.”

Embracing the Journey

This season has felt especially freeform, but we’re embracing the experience. We’re seeing new places, exploring, and continuously letting go of the idea of doing it all.

Sometimes we miss something—or someone—we hoped to see. But we remind ourselves: “You can’t see or do everything.” It’s our way of giving ourselves grace when plans shift, and it’s a reason to return someday to discover something new.

Thank you for this space and joining me on my musings! May you enjoy your own safe and inspiring adventures and let us know any topics about life on board and long- distance cruising that you would like covered.

Megan Schwartz
SV Zephyros
Noonsite Sub-Editor

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About the Author

Noonsite editorial team member, Megan Schwartz, joined Noonsite in October 2024 concentrating on research and updating country formalities. She lives on board SV Zephyros with her husband and two teenage boys (18 and 15 years old) and they have been cruising full-time, since 2017. Zephyros is an aluminum, expedition monohull which suits the family’s style of cruising perfectly as they enjoy high-latitudes and places less travelled, but have also cruised popular Mediterranean and Caribbean destinations.

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Other Noonsite reports in the Cruising Musing Series:

• Cruising Musings: Finding Balance
• Cruising Musings: Life is Easier, But the Easy Things are Harder
• Cruising Musings: The Things We Keep, Yet Rarely Use

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.