Tyler gets real in front of the camera and shows us what’s it’s really like aboard a sailboat as a bilateral below knee amputee. Spoiler: it’s not easy!
Author: kayleenvanderree
Christmas Gift Guide for Sailors in the Pacific Northwest 2020
Electric Lighter One of my most used items as a liveaboard is my electric rechargeable lighter. I got this as a gift for Christmas last year and have been surprised by how useful this item is. The rechargeable feature means less plastic lighters washing up on beaches. Shampoo & Conditioner Bars When living aboard, what…
EP 11: How Long Before We Break Down Again?
After another fix on the drive shaft/transmission coupling, we were ready to take Footloose off the dock again. Things didn’t go swell. Tyler and Kayleen are getting frustrated and have differing opinions that lead to some tense moments. A big thanks to our friend and filmmaker, Agathe for putting up with an exciting day and…
A Local’s Guide of Campbell River and Beyond by Sailboat
Tyler and I have spent 2020 exploring close to home (thanks to COVID). We recently moved to Campbell River, situated on the edge of Desolation Sound, and have been loving how convenient wilderness anchorages are. A few hours by motor or sail have us in remote anchorages with no one else around. Here are a…
EP 10: Our Portlights + Hatches are Leaking!
Kayleen spends a week resealing the Lewmar hatches and portlights, which all started leaking with the first rain of the season. Tyler takes the boat out with the Canadian ParaSnowboard team and things go badly. CARL saves the day, again. What a guy. Check out Kindred Custom Snowboard and Skis at http://www.kindredsnowstore.com. Footage of the…
Backyard Boatyard
Previously published in Pacific Yachting issue October 2019 If you have an old boat, chances are there will come a time in life when you will need to give her more TLC than just a week or two in the boat yard. Whether out of necessity for budget, prepping for a longer voyage, or you’re…
Learning the Lines
Previously published in Pacific Yachting, July 2019 While most kids were thrown into camps in the summer months, my dad thought it was more important for me to spend time on the water. Throughout my childhood, he encouraged me to catch and kill crabs, tie bowline knots one-handed, read a compass, and even scrape peeling…
Finding Freedom
Previously published in Pacific Yachting, March 2019 Tyler first stepped aboard my recently purchased 30’ sailboat last summer. With both feet firmly planted on the deck, he grabbed the shroud beside him and dreamingly looked over at me; I saw the same spark shimmer in his eyes that I had seen on our first rock…
We Bought a Tartan 42′!
I’m 28 years old and I’ve already owned three boats. Some may think I have two-foot-itis, but I say perhaps it’s just finding the right boat to fit our needs. Tyler and I purchased a 1981 Tartan 42, which we’ve renamed to Footloose. Tyler and I have started our own YouTube channel documenting the fun,…
A New Adventure: #SPRAY
If you told me 10 years ago that I would turn into my parents, I would have laughed. Although my years of spending summers exploring the seemingly endless bays, fjords, and waterways of BC’s coast, shaped me, my high heels and nail polish at the time would suggest otherwise. I’ve been through all the phases:…
