Four men. Twenty-seven feet. One very patient sailboat.

Currently sailing from The Bahamas to NC.

What began as a six-month boys' trip to the Exumas somehow became a floating research project on how four grown men can live aboard a 1986 Catalina 27.

Read the adventure Support the wind turbine
The Catalina Boys aboard Seamen, a Catalina 27 sailboat

Welcome aboard Seamen

Home of the Catalina Boys

Meet the crew: Beau, Olive, Hubie and Jay. We departed Farmers Cay and worked our way through the Bahamas before turning our rainbow sails north toward North Carolina.

Some people spend retirement in motorhomes. We chose to cram four middle-aged men into 27 feet of fiberglass and call it comfortable.

The story

Six months, one small boat, and a flexible definition of comfort.

What started as a simple boys' trip to the Exumas turned into a journey full of conch fritters, questionable weather windows, beach bars, dock walks, and a Catalina 27 doing the work of a much larger yacht.

Along the way we learned that every forecast is merely a suggestion, ice is a form of currency, and a small sailboat becomes smaller every day.

“Living proof that comfort is overrated and adventure is best shared in very small spaces.”

The vessel

A 1986 Catalina 27 named Seamen.

Length27 feet
Engine9.9 HP Johnson
Fresh water24 gallons
Watermaker12 gallons/day
Luxury suites2 “staterooms”
Crew capacityOfficially unknown

The boat features two “staterooms,” a salon that converts into sleeping quarters, storage, dining room, and occasional wrestling arena, plus a compact head and shower where efficiency is not optional.

The route

From Farmers Cay to North Carolina, more or less on purpose.

Farmers Cay Highbourne Cay Spanish Wells Pete's Pub Elbow Cay Green Turtle Cay North Carolina

Scientific findings

The Catalina Boys learned a few things.

Space is negotiable.

A 27-foot sailboat becomes smaller every day, especially when someone is cooking.

Privacy is theoretical.

After a few weeks aboard, knocking becomes ceremonial at best.

Ice is currency.

In the Out Islands, ice, beer, and working batteries can determine morale.

Every problem has a meeting.

Preferably over a cold Kalik with no sudden decisions until morning.