Portrait of a Cruiser: Scott and Kathy Erwin

Names of Owners (and crew): Scott and Kathy Erwin

Nationality: United States

Boat Name: Kalea

Boat Type/Model and Size: Outremer 49 catamaran

Home Port: Avila Beach, California, USA

How did you start cruising?

The Dream! We knew what we wanted since 2010. We even put it out there so that everyone knew our goals and dreams. After 11 years of planning and saving we launched our life as a full time live aboard couple, headed from California to our first country, Mexico, with the ultimate goal of hopefully circumnavigating the globe.

We bought a Brewer 44 a few years earlier and in 2019 we began exploring California waters on the weekends. We took off in 2021 and entered the next exciting phase of our life. We are now exploring more of the South Pacific on our Outremer 49 catamaran SV Kalea.

Describe what sort of cruisers you are:

Someone once said “Speak it into the world and it will be so”, well it happened! We don’t care for marinas and avoid them at all costs. Moving from anchorage to anchorage is an adventure, which always includes all the excitement of travel combined with the skills of sailing.

Those of you who know me, I am an optimist. I trust the universe. I aim to conquer fear both physically and emotionally. I try to look for the lesson in every tricky or uncomfortable situation. I remind myself that five years ago, I am the one who “chose” to live on a boat. Life is a choice.

What type of cruising are you doing currently?

“Our plans are written in the sand, at low tide”.

We are still poking around the GIANT and beautiful Pacific Ocean enjoying the little treasures along the way. July 2026 finds us exploring the remote Vanuatu islands. I sit and reflect on this past sailing year with big smiles and big sighs. Everyone’s life on a boat has highs and lows. It’s probably often that you only see the beautiful sailing sunsets and YouTube stories about all the glamorous aspects of sailing. But it’s important to know that it’s not all champagne sailing. It’s tough at times. We had some tough times and lessons that I am grateful to have learned.

Kathy Erwin and some friendly villagers from Vanuatu. Image (c) Kathy Erwin.

What were the key reasons you selected your current boat?

In Fiji last year, we knew we loved this full time liveaboard life and wanted to continue in greater comfort for years to come. We decided we wanted more room, more comfort, more current and more speed, so we sold a rental in California to buy the perfect boat for our world cruising. Scott researched them for months and found the perfect fit for us, an Outremer 49. Great size, durability, great looking and one of the fastest cats of its type. We are not racers but would be if there were a storm on our heels.

What changes have you made?

Kalea was already in mint condition. Since I like to sew, I quickly made a canvas lid to the helm area, as the rains in New Zealand poured in. We bought a brass monkey for extra freezer and fridge space, new paddle boards and an additional BC for a guest for scuba diving.

Most useful equipment fitted and reason for this choice?

By far the carbon sails by Evolution. Two spinnakers came in handy. The 11 foot dingy and 25 hp motor was a great plus. Two giant shade tarps for the bow and two large bean bags were a plus as well.

Any equipment regrets or things you would do differently between your previous monohull and current multihull?

We preferred our 20 hp Yamaha outboard, as it didn’t gobble as much gas. We preferred our 11 foot AB dingy as it was quite a bit lighter, easier to pull up on the davits or deep sandy beach.

What boats have you owned?

SY Sea Bella [1990 Brewer 44 hull #305] and now SV Kalea [Outremer 49].

List the countries you have cruised: West coast America, Mexico, French Polynesia, Fiji, New Zealand, Vanuatu

Future cruising plans: In mid March 2023, we set off to the South Pacific and beyond. Our plan was to spend a year in French Polynesia then continue westward, to Fiji, The Cooks, maybe Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, West Coast Africa, Rio, etc. etc…….are all on the list. The Panama Canal is Kathy’s top wish, but that will be on the way back – probably in a few years. This is our plan, but let’s see how it changes and develops.

List the oceans/seas you have crossed: We are still poking around the GIANT and beautiful Pacific Ocean.

Approximate sea miles: To date we have sailed 21,000NM.

Scariest day on the water:

In the first week of our adventure, as we headed out at daybreak to round rocky Point Conception, California, the boom vang snapped and the wind died. Worse yet, our engine stopped working! In big, rolling seas, Scott hunkered into the engine room and managed to change the fuel filter and luckily get us underway within the hour.

Best cruising moment:

Crossing the equator on our journey from Mexico to French Polynesia was a highlight. We held a special ceremony at sea, thanked the weather and ocean gods and safely finished our passage in 20 days. Shellbacks we became.

Favourite cruising area and why:

So hard to compare, but we fully enjoyed our months in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico. The rugged and dry terrain was an amazing site to explore and views from the sea. The warm anchorages, fun cruising friends, good fishing, delicious foods, all made for a terrific time on our boat.

With Cruiser friends from Mexico. From Left to Right: Scott Erwin, Jason and Candice Deal on Deguello, Kevin and Stacey Kimmey on FlyingFree, Pierre and Marie Blouin on Viva, Kathy Erwin seated in front. Image (c) Kathy Erwin.

When we chose to visit the very remote Lau group of islands in Fiji last June, we chose to experience life with extremely minimal support. Roughly 200 miles to the east of Fiji mainland there are 0 amenities off the boat. No airports for family to fly in to. 0 restaurants, 0 stores, 0 taxis, 0 resources, and 0 gas stations….living a very simple life for 6 weeks. I am so grateful that our catamaran, Kalea provided so much comfort and safety, because the feeling of isolation did creep in. Think about just the cooking (3 meals a day x 42 days is 126 meals), straight. Not to mention boat repairs or basic chores without supplies or resources. I learned heaps of patience and self resiliency. The organization and management of our galley, pantry and garage shelves became a necessity. Our boat friends became best friends to lean on and folks to barter and trade with.

Favourite anchorage:

This is a tough one, but in the top ten is V Cove in the Sea of Cortez. However, Tenacatita, Mexico has a magical place in our hearts. We have made and developed so many lifelong friendships there. We learned to surf, had visitors from home, saw and heard the baby humpbacks, and enjoyed many a cerveza at a palapa in the sand.

The raft-up-party is a regular Friday evening occurrence in Tenacatita, Mexico.

Favourite cruising apps:

Predict Wind, Windy, noforeignland, Navionics, Open CPN.

Favourite cruising websites:

Favourite cruising books:

What advice or message would you want to pass on to anyone new to cruising or thinking about casting off the dock lines?

Buy the right boat for your cruising plans and intentions. Plan a year or two of coastal cruising, a few overnights on the boat is a must.

Of the numerous research you do, include connecting with other cruisers ahead of you. Read their blogs, message them with questions, follow their routes, issues and wonders.

Learn various skills; sewing, line splicing, scuba, mechanics, electrical systems, solar cooking and others like music, arts, foreign language…

Why cruise? In a few sentences, what is it that inspires you to keep cruising?

I have always been up for adventure and I read somewhere, that means a journey or series of exciting events. The statement fits extremely well, so that is why we continue cruising.

As for the highs? Too many to list, but I will try – the exhilarating sailing, stunning beauty of the ocean, amazing friendships, my bread machine, friendly Fijians, clearest waters, scuba diving, shell searching, very little humidity, yoga, my amazing husband and solid captain, my best cruising girlfriend, Candice. We were grateful for our bug spray, mosquito coils and bug screens. Floating 4pm happy hour with friends was always a hit. I had success in growing my own sprouts. We were also lucky to cruise with our past boat Sea Bella. We learned the new sport of Wingfoiling and a new board game called Jokers and marbles. I am so grateful for these high points of our cruising life.

Scott and Kathy Erwin
SV Kalea

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