John Brice — North Pacific 49 Restless

• Current location: Singapore
• LOA: 51 ft 6 in
• Beam: 15 ft 4 in
• Engine: single 305-hp Cummins diesel
• Cruise speed: 7 knots
• Range: 1,900 nm at 7 knots
• Tankage: 920 gal fuel, 350 gal water, 65 gal waste
• Contact: North Pacific Yachts, Vancouver, British Columbia, (877) 564-9989. northpacifcicyachts.com

John began boating 35 years ago with a small bowrider and gradually moved into larger, longer-distance cruising. Extensive trips in the Pacific Northwest gave him confidence to cruise overseas. A notable early long passage took Restless from Vancouver to Hong Kong and on to Manila. His scariest passage was an exposed leg in Malaysia when an unexpected 40–50+ knot storm forced a detour to shelter; the crew battled sickness and heavy seas for over 30 hours. One of his most treasured moments came in the Broughton Archipelago when a large male killer whale surfaced only a few feet from the boat, a surreal, unforgettable encounter.

Challenges in Asia included sparse fuel infrastructure and the need to source diesel from local boats. To prepare, John added redundancy—dual pumps and macerators, two watermakers, ample spare parts, robust fuel filtration and a get-home drive. Future plans include cruising Myanmar’s east coast and possibly Australia or the Mediterranean. His advice: read widely and talk to experienced cruisers; learning from others is invaluable.

Bob and Margaret Jack — Diesel Duck 462 Highland Duck

• Current location: Valletta, Malta (on the hard at Manoel Island Yacht Yard)
• LOA: 48 ft 5 in
• Beam: 14 ft 10 in
• Engine: single 150-hp John Deere 4045TFM
• Cruise speed: 6.5 knots
• Range: 6,825 nm at 6.5 knots
• Tankage: 2,000 gal fuel, 250 gal water, 40 gal waste
• Contact: Seahorse Marine, Zhuhai, China, +86 (756) 550-1060. seahorseyachts.com

Bob and Margaret started on a 20-foot cruiser on Lake Kariba and later moved into long-distance cruising after leaving the Diesel Duck yard in China for the Philippines. Their first extended challenge was a 10-day passage from Thailand to India. Their scariest time came in the Gulf of Mannar, with sustained high winds and beam seas. The Philippines, with its clear water, reefs and friendly people, remains a highlight; Port Barton is a favorite anchorage.

Diesel Ducks are purpose-built for long-range work, but they emphasize essentials: lots of fuel capacity, dual autopilot, a reliable watermaker, serious refrigeration and freezer capacity, offshore safety gear, life raft, EPIRB with GPS and satellite communications for weather. They plan to cross from Malta to Scotland and advise choosing the right boat, maintaining good health and building mechanical skills or training where needed.

Chris and Sandra Tretick — Diesel Duck 462 Moken

• Current location: Subic Bay, Philippines (Subic Bay Yacht Club)
• LOA: 48 ft 5 in
• Beam: 14 ft 10 in
• Engine: single 150-hp John Deere 4045TFM
• Cruise speed: 6.5 knots
• Range: 6,825 nm at 6.5 knots
• Tankage: 2,000 gal fuel, 250 gal water, 40 gal waste
• Contact: Seahorse Marine, Zhuhai, China, +86 (756) 550-1060. seahorseyachts.com

Both West Coast natives and avid divers, Chris and Sandra brought Coast Guard Auxiliary experience to life aboard Moken. They cruise the Philippines in mostly short hops, though sometimes overnight or multi-night legs are necessary. Their scariest moment was a rogue wave that slammed the boat during a calm night crossing; the boat handled it, but the experience was sobering. Their best memories are wildlife encounters—dolphins at the bow, curious seabirds and friendly local visits.

Moken’s upgrades focused on electrical capacity, efficiency and redundancy: solar panels, a wind generator, LED lighting, DC refrigeration, dual electronics, upgraded inverters and multiple navigation options. Safety and convenience additions include a self-righting life raft, FLIR night camera, boarding alarms, dive equipment and custom shade solutions. They plan to cruise Malaysian Borneo and return to the region seasonally, balancing time at home in British Columbia. Their advice: research thoroughly, check boats in person, learn systems, join cruising associations and live aboard before committing major modifications.

Chris and Carolyn Groobey — FPB 64 Toccata

• Current location: Gaeta, Italy (Base Nautica Flavio Gioia)
• LOA: 64 ft 11 in
• Beam: 17 ft 9 in
• Engine: single 236-hp John Deere 6068TFM
• Cruise speed: 9 knots
• Range: 6,400 nm at 9 knots
• Tankage: 3,400 gal fuel, 1,800 gal water
• Contact: SetSail FPB, [email protected]

Chris and Carolyn came from a racing background and transitioned to long-distance cruising after building and selling a Gunboat 55. Since acquiring their FPB in 2015, they’ve crossed the Panama Canal, sailed the Caribbean and Atlantic and are now cruising the Mediterranean. Their longest early crossing was Puerto Rico to the Azores, a smooth 10-day passage.

They note that being away from family can be hard—especially arranging care and travel for two Labrador dogs—yet the lifestyle has deepened their relationship. Skills have diverged: Chris focuses on maintenance while Carolyn manages route planning and weather. Their advice: take a sabbatical if you can, embrace a “gap year” mindset, and be confident you can return to professional life afterward.

Richard Bost — Kadey-Krogen 42 Dauntless

• Current location: Marina Chahue, Huatulco, Mexico
• LOA: 42 ft 4 in
• Beam: 15 ft
• Engine: single 135-hp Lehman diesel
• Cruise speed: 7 knots
• Range: 3,200 nm at 7 knots
• Tankage: 700 gal fuel, 360 gal water, 40 gal waste
• Contact: Kadey-Krogen Yachts, Stuart, Florida, (800) 247-1230. kadeykrogen.com

Richard’s love of boats began with books and watching ships near the Hudson River. After years of reading and joining the USCG Auxiliary, he bought Dauntless to live aboard and cruise Europe. His first long coastal trips were to New England and Nova Scotia. He stresses the importance of simplicity and self-reliance: fewer, simpler systems that you can repair at sea are better than excessive complexity. Necessary additions on his Kadey-Krogen included paravane stabilizers, a Katadyn watermaker, AIS transceiver, offshore life raft, fuel polishing and heavy spare parts. His advice: have confidence in your boat and yourself, understand climatology and plan for the worst while hoping for the best.

John and Paulette Lee — Kadey-Krogen 58 Seamantha

• Current location: Chaguaramas, Trinidad
• LOA: 63 ft 3 in
• Beam: 18 ft 10 in
• Engine: twin 158-hp John Deere diesels
• Cruise speed: 7 knots
• Range: 3,840 nm at 7 knots (single engine)
• Tankage: 1,760 gal fuel, 400 gal water
• Contact: Kadey-Krogen Yachts, Stuart, Florida, (800) 247-1230. kadeykrogen.com

Introduced to boating by their fathers, John and Paulette progressed from charters to owning a trawler and eventually a Kadey-Krogen 58. They built skills through classes, auxiliary groups and hands-on experience. Their first extended offshore trip was a 900-nm voyage up the U.S. East Coast with professional captains aboard for mentorship. They emphasize the emotional and practical benefits of repeated experience: the more you do, the more confident you become. Modifications they made include solar and wind generation, flopper stoppers, heavy-duty mooring gear, security systems and abundant spares. Their advice is pragmatic: be prepared, take baby steps, and cruise with a buddy-boat when possible.

Ron and Nancy Goldberg — Nordhavn 50 Duet

• Current location: Marina Taina, Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
• LOA: 51 ft 2 in
• Beam: 16 ft
• Engine: single 300-hp Lugger L-6108A
• Cruise speed: 8 knots
• Range: 2,800 nm at 8 knots
• Tankage: 1,320 gal fuel, 260 gal water, 50 gal waste
• Contact: Pacific Asian Enterprises, Dana Point, California, (949) 496-4848. nordhavn.com

Ron and Nancy began with sailboats, later moving to Nordhavns and living aboard. Their trips include British Columbia, Alaska, Mexico and a Pacific crossing to French Polynesia. They learned to plan for longer passages by testing the boat with progressively longer runs and adding a third crewmember for extended ocean legs. Their most challenging mechanical issue was losing stabilizers mid-Pacific, which they managed without incident. They highlight a lifestyle of steady problem solving, patience and deep appreciation for remote places and the people they meet. Duet is a slow, heavy displacement trawler optimized for comfort and long-range capability.

Jennifer and Mark Ullmann — Nordhavn 46 Starlet

• Current location: Society Islands, French Polynesia
• LOA: 45 ft 9 in
• Beam: 15 ft 5 in
• Engine: 105-hp Lugger L668
• Cruise speed: 8 knots
• Range: 1,800 nm at 8 knots
• Tankage: 1,000 gal fuel, 280 gal water, 50 gal waste
• Contact: Pacific Asian Enterprises, Dana Point, California, (949) 496-4848. nordhavn.com

Mark and Jennifer transitioned from a dive boat and charters to long-distance passagemaking after a turning point at work. Starting slowly, they built up to transoceanic legs, including a 20-day Galapagos-to-Marquesas passage. They stress practical systems readiness—carry spare parts, have satphone communications for weather and build electrical capacity with larger house banks, charging and inverters. Their advice: don’t wait for the boat to be perfect; leave, learn and adapt on the way. Starlet is fitted for extended travel with enhanced electrical storage and improved paravane deployment.

Paul Hawran — Outer Reef 88 Argo

• Current location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• LOA: 88 ft
• Beam: 21 ft
• Engines: twin 750-hp John Deere 6135 diesels
• Cruise speed: 8.5–13 knots
• Range: 2,600 nm at 8.5 knots
• Tankage: 3,000 gal fuel, 500 gal water, 250 gal waste
• Contact: Outer Reef Yachts, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, (954) 767-8305. outerreefyachts.com

Paul progressed from small recreational boats to commissioning large yachts and ultimately designing ambitious itineraries focused on remote regions like Patagonia and Alaska. His scariest moments were powerful storms and hydraulic failures that challenged steering and stabilizers, yet Argo’s seaworthiness kept them safe. For Paul, the richest rewards are the remote landscapes, wildlife and the humbling sense of being a small presence in a vast world. He advises accepting daily challenges, learning continuously and enjoying the ride.

Joël and Dominique Marc — Selene 66 Jade

• Current location: Kodiak Harbor, Alaska
• LOA: 71 ft 5 in
• Beam: 18 ft 8 in
• Engine: single 525-hp John Deere 6125AFM
• Cruise speed: 7 knots
• Range: 6,500 nm at 7 knots
• Tankage: 3,200 gal fuel, 600 gal water, 250 gal waste
• Contact: Jet Tern Marine, Zhuhai City, China, +86 (756) 772-5339. seleneoceanyachts.com

Joël’s seafaring began in the 1970s, navigating long passages with sextant and watch. He completed demanding crossings—Galápagos to Marquesas by celestial navigation, long South Pacific legs, Antarctic ventures and Cape Horn passages. His two most harrowing memories include a steering failure before Cape Horn and fighting to save a boat tied to ice in Antarctica. Joël upgrades Jade for serious self-sufficiency—improved windlass, anchors, storm protection, solar panels and a high-capacity watermaker. He advises thorough preparation and constant maintenance; for him, Alaska and the North Pacific remain among the most rewarding cruising grounds.