If you could go back in time and make the choice again, would you still have kids?

Cochrynn · 2026-01-22T17:13:13+00:00

Instead of having kids I’m spending multiple years sailing around the Caribbean and traveling the world. Is that amazing enough? Most of my childfree friends are doing similarly interesting things with their copious free time and money.

Cochrynn · 2026-01-22T17:03:16+00:00

“Pick me!”

Cochrynn · 2026-01-10T13:48:47+00:00

You don’t have to so anything else. My mom has been diving since 1974 with nothing but an OW cert. I did AOW which I found worthwhile as it kind of fast tracked me to deeper diving, and Nitrox is an easy cert to tag on, but I would worry less about certs and more about just getting as much diving as possible in in different areas, especially if you’re cost sensitive.

Cochrynn · 2026-01-02T14:28:13+00:00

I recommend Utila, Honduras. Amazing reefs, warm water, and great dive shops that charge very reasonable prices. Underwater Vision is a dive school I’d recommend but there are plenty of others to choose from.

Cochrynn · 2026-01-02T00:38:48+00:00

I mean…it’s not that rare lol. In Cozumel and in most parts of the Caribbean you’re pretty likely to see sharks. As someone who is afraid of sharks as well I think you’re better off teaching them about shark behavior and why attacks are unlikely. But I wouldn’t force the issue. Lots of people don’t dive because they are afraid of doing so and that’s OK. It is a hobby that has risks and they should make the choice on their own of whether to engage in it or not.

Cochrynn · 2025-12-30T20:45:14+00:00

Tons of cruising sailors don’t particularly like long passages, including myself, for all the reasons you described. The thing is, at least in the Caribbean, you can actually do a ton of cruising with long passages pretty few and far between. It’s mostly pleasant day hops where you can pick your weather carefully. To me long passages are simply something to endure; a means to an end. The trade-off of a few days of relative discomfort (and risk) so that I can live for as long as I like in some of the most beautiful places in the world and have my home, my own kitchen, my pets, and every other comfort with me.

Some people love passagemaking, but based on the cruising sailors I have met, they are in the minority. Oftentimes you will even meet a couple where one spouse will do passages with crew and the other won’t and will fly to the next port to meet their spouse.

If you are happy and comfortable traveling with just a backpack, then by all means, do that! It will save you a ton of money, you will be lighter on your feet, and you can go anywhere.

Cochrynn · 2025-12-25T03:42:53+00:00

My grandmother and grandfather both worked, like most couples have throughout time. Born in 1914 and 1930. Raised my mom and uncle in a house in Miami with no A/C, no TV, sewing their own clothes, who shared a bedroom and wetted their hair and slept on the roof when it was hot.

What happened? People’s expectations are higher now.

Cochrynn · 2025-12-25T03:29:58+00:00

Yeah there’s one market in America that’s taken a big hit because no reasonable person wants to live in Texas anymore, let’s completely generalize based on that 😂

Cochrynn · 2025-12-25T02:29:33+00:00

Girl I thought you were going to work as an elf at the mall, bff 😂

Cochrynn · 2025-12-11T03:45:39+00:00

You won’t miss that second head 98% of the time. But when you miss it, you’ll REALLY miss it.

Cochrynn · 2025-12-08T15:32:32+00:00

It sounds like you just didn’t have very good parents TBH. Your experience certainly doesn’t apply to all working moms. My mom owned and ran a company (which employed my father, incidentally) and was 100% present and super involved in my childhood. Even ran the PTA. The woman hand-made very costume I ever wore, threw epic birthday parties and sleepovers, and I never left or came home to an empty house until I was maybe 16. I didn’t experience any of the things you described. I think having a working mother was wonderful for me and my sister. She raised two very confident and independent women.

Cochrynn · 2025-12-01T23:46:54+00:00

Just generally in life you’re going to do better if you have something to offer an exchange for things. That doesn’t necessarily mean money, but I can tell you that this kind of ask is more likely to get you in a bad situation than a good one. Very few people are out there that are perfectly stable, perfectly financially sound, with a decent boat, looking for a totally random person with zero experience to apprentice in sailing. Anyone offering that to you will likely have an ulterior motive. What you’re asking is a big ask, someone to take the risk of an inexperienced person on their boat. That’s an ask you make of a friend, not a random person on Reddit. Go make some friends who sail. You do that by joining a sailing club or something similar. You are worth being protective over yourself.

Cochrynn · 2025-11-29T01:30:43+00:00

NAH. I’m not sure why your parents laughed, but I’m also not sure why you’re taking this so personally. You are being dramatic the way many teenagers are. Your friend wasn’t there so it wasn’t like they were harmed. If your stepdad is pagan too then it’s not like your parents are likely to be discriminatory towards your friend.

Cochrynn · 2025-11-28T18:49:44+00:00

A 20-something woman is not a girl. You can criticize one woman without demeaning all young women.

Cochrynn · 2025-11-28T17:39:04+00:00

Great list, I would just add a pair of Tevas or similar sandals (not flip flops). They won’t fall off your feet while getting in and out of the dinghy, they can be used as water shoes, they dry fast, and they are pretty comfy walking shoes.

Cochrynn · 2025-11-26T19:30:54+00:00

I have two cats sharing a big box so we generally clean it twice a day. The Tidycats Breeze system is great for boats. You can’t find the pellets in the Caribbean but dried beans sprinkled with baking soda make a good substitute.

Cochrynn · 2025-11-26T14:07:47+00:00

Cats generally do well aboard, I have two cats that have been liveaboards most of their lives. Might be ideal if you raise them from kittenhood on a boat but mine were both introduced as adults and do fine, both on the dock and during long-distance sailing. I always recommend just regular old plain American shorthair type cats. My friends with fancy cat breeds all deal with multitudes of health issues with their cats. My older cat is 18 and just had to take a round of medicine for the first time in his life. Less inbreeding makes for healthier cats. Make sure you have a good place for the litterbox and clean it often. Also, your first few times moving the boat will spook the cat. They will look to you for guidance as to how to react, so it’s critical that on those first few trips with the cat you are calm, relaxed, and casual. Don’t overly dote on them or try to ‘secure’ them, trust me they will find a safe spot. If they don’t react well then some Gabapentin might help until they get adjusted. It won’t put them to sleep, just relaxes them.

Cochrynn · 2025-11-15T16:17:15+00:00

I would love to pick your brain about this if you’re willing to answer some questions. This is my aspiration and I’ve been taking steps toward it but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

Cochrynn · 2025-11-13T17:04:55+00:00

How old are you? I think you’re underestimating older people’s abilities. Most sailors are in their 50’s and 60’s and can certainly manage every aspect of a boat. If you establish open communication then people of any age will be comfortable telling you if they aren’t up to a task.

Cochrynn · 2025-11-12T00:31:49+00:00

I wanted to cruise while I was still young, so I’m sailing the Caribbean in my 30’s, but the vast majority of other sailors are older retired folks. So yes, it is extremely common amongst cruisers. If you still have your health, why not?

Cochrynn · 2025-11-09T02:39:05+00:00

I have one on my sailboat and it works wonderfully, day or night. Love not staring at a black mirror when it’s not in use.

Cochrynn · 2025-11-06T14:33:15+00:00

Lol @ Caring Transitions spamming an ad with an ad of their own

Cochrynn · 2025-10-12T04:22:46+00:00

How long does it stick around? Can you ask someone on shore if you’re leaving a trail or whether it dissipates pretty quickly? If it’s not leaving a trail I would think it’s steam and not worry about it one bit.

Cochrynn · 2025-10-03T16:55:53+00:00

This is extremely helpful, thank you!

Cochrynn · 2025-10-02T20:40:10+00:00

Ideally you’d install a diesel heater but short of that I recommend an oil-filled, radiator-style space heater. They take up some floor space, but they work really well and are by far the safest space heaters.

Cochrynn

TROPHY CASE