Sailing Saboteur
Our crazy life
Life onboard a boat, what if and why not?
We can easily find ourselves not following our dreams if we allow the “what if?” to hold us back.
For us, more important is “why not?”
In July 2020, after almost 7 months of work on our dream boat, not to mention the agony of downsizing, we took the plunge and went live-aboard.
This is the beginning of our journey to living the sailing life, sailing Saboteur. We are working towards practicing the art of retirement and sailing the seas. To follow our adventure subscribe to our blog, sign up to face book and say hi.
Our boat specifications
Saboteur is a Robert Perry designed cutter rig for living the sailing life. She has a fin keel and the rudder on a full skeg. Built in 1991, she is made for blue water sailing.
At 18,000kg (dry) she is quite solid. Watered and fuelled etc – a cool 20,000kg.
Refit
After purchasing her in 2019, we have done a major refit of key components:
~ The teak deck was worn and damaged and has been removed then replaced with a clean fibreglass deck.
~ All rigging replaced and the mast re-furbished with new fittings and a main 2:1 ratio halyard.
~ A Leisure Furl boom furling mainsail.
~ Both Genoa and Staysail are now on furlers.
~ New Yanmar 55hp motor and reconditioned Westerbeke 10kW generator.
~ New anchors, chain and windlass.
~ New 3kW charger/inverter.
~ Bow thruster (so in love with our bow thruster).
~ New navigation, autohelm and radar etc.
~ New solar panels and wind generator
~ New Watermaker (desalinator).
Engine hours
August 2021 – 104 hours
February 2023 – 882 hours
Sailing Distance
3,500 nm (6,500km)
Travel plans
We sailed from Brisbane, Australia in December 2022 we are now in New Zealand enjoying time with our daughters and grandchildren.
We have a few ideas kicking around about what’s next. However, nothing is confirmed at this stage. Tessfinding work in NZ while we are here. Next? Who knows? But we are looking to have more time with our NZ family for a while.
Our long term goal is to sail to Europe. No route decided on yet.
Time line
2018
Purchased Phoenix (34ft Duncanson)
2019
Sold Phoenix and Purchase Saboteur, refit started in November.
2020
Went live aboard July 2020
2021
Bouncing around the great South East coast of Queensland, 2021. Getting to know our boat.
2021
All plans on hold due to closed boarders between Australia and New Zealand.
2022
Set the boat up with extra wind and solar power. Adding a water maker.
Sailed to New Zealand December 2022.
2023
A bit of work and a bit of play. Also found ourselves in the beautiful town of Gisborne before, during and after Cyclone Gabi. Love the people here. While here we did some much needs engine repairs.
From there we headed back to Auckland to spend time with family and friends.
2024
Time spent in New Zealand’s, Auckland and the Bay of Islands.