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Story Map
Everything I have written on the blog, arranged by meaning. Each dot is a passage of a few paragraphs; passages with similar themes sit close together. Scroll, and the map follows the story.
2014–2026
Everything on the Blog
Every dot is a passage, a few paragraphs, from Becoming a Sailor: 1,811 passages from 291 posts, 2014 to 2026. Passages about similar things sit close together. The 13 coloured themes emerged on their own.
Theme 1 of 13
Anchorages, Storms & Boatyards
The biggest theme is Anchorages, Storms & Boatyards: 228 passages from 38 posts, about one in eight of the blog. It splits into Bahamas cays and anchorages, Storms and heavy weather and Trinidad boatyard.
Anchorages, Storms & Boatyards
Bahamas cays and anchorages
Closer in, the labels change from themes to sub-themes. Bahamas cays and anchorages is the largest part, with 129 passages from 23 posts.
A standout post
Mayaguana, Bahamas: The Generosity in Abraham’s Bay
A standout: “Mayaguana, Bahamas: The Generosity in Abraham’s Bay” (May 2016). Of the posts in this theme, it is the one people searching Google click on most.
Preview the post May 2016
Theme 2 of 13
Moving Aboard & Learning to Sail
Moving Aboard & Learning to Sail: 203 passages from 75 posts, nearly one in eight of the blog. It splits into Moving the family aboard and Learning to sail in Antigua.
Moving Aboard & Learning to Sail
Moving the Family Aboard
Inside it, Moving the family aboard is the largest part, with 128 passages from 50 posts.
A standout post
Leaving for an Epic Adventure: Crewing on a Sailboat at 18
“Leaving for an Epic Adventure: Crewing on a Sailboat at 18” (Mar 2026). It is this theme's most-clicked post in Google search.
Preview the post Mar 2026
Theme 3 of 13
Refits & Boat Projects
Refits & Boat Projects: 177 passages from 42 posts, about one in ten of the blog. It splits into Buying and refitting Aphrodite, Laundry and washing machines and Woodwork refit in Malaysia.
Refits & Boat Projects
Buying and Refitting SV Aphrodite
Inside it, Buying and refitting Aphrodite is the largest part, with 77 passages from 27 posts.
A standout post
Boat Woodwork Refit in Malaysia: A Full-On Transformation
A standout: “Boat Woodwork Refit in Malaysia: A Full-On Transformation” (Oct 2025). Google searchers click on it more than any other post here.
Preview the post Oct 2025
Theme 4 of 13
Galápagos & the Pacific
Galápagos & the Pacific: 155 passages from 17 posts, about one in twelve of the blog. It splits into Galápagos and the Panama Canal and Provisioning in the Pacific.
Galápagos & the Pacific
Galápagos and the Panama Canal
Inside it, Galápagos and the Panama Canal is the largest part, with 93 passages from 9 posts.
A standout post
Meal planning and provisioning for a family afloat: six suggestions for cruisers
A standout: “Meal planning and provisioning for a family afloat: six suggestions for cruisers” (Sep 2015). Of the posts in this theme, it is the one people searching Google click on most.
Preview the post Sep 2015
Theme 5 of 13
A Hurricane Season in Luperón
A Hurricane Season in Luperón: 146 passages from 16 posts, nearly one in twelve of the blog. It holds together as a single group.
A standout post
La Isabela, Dominican Republic: Columbus Comes Alive
A standout: “La Isabela, Dominican Republic: Columbus Comes Alive” (Jul 2016). It is this theme's most-clicked post in Google search.
Preview the post Jul 2016
Theme 6 of 13
Gear, Storage & Shipping
Gear, Storage & Shipping: 123 passages from 28 posts, about one in fifteen of the blog. It splits into Downsizing and storage, Packing and organizing gear and Life raft, ditch bag, shipping.
Gear, Storage & Shipping
Downsizing and Storage
Inside it, Downsizing and storage is the largest part, with 63 passages from 14 posts.
A standout post
Moving Aboard a Sailboat: The 4 Checklists We Wish We’d Had
A standout: “Moving Aboard a Sailboat: The 4 Checklists We Wish We’d Had” (Dec 2015). Google searchers click on it more than any other post here.
Preview the post Dec 2015
Theme 7 of 13
Caribbean Culture & People
Caribbean Culture & People: 107 passages from 12 posts, nearly one in fifteen of the blog. It splits into Grenada and Trinidad life and Haiti, Dominica, Martinique.
Caribbean Culture & People
Grenada and Trinidad Life
Inside it, Grenada and Trinidad life is the largest part, with 78 passages from 8 posts.
A standout post
Mr. Bricolage Martinique: French Caribbean Hardware Is Chic
A standout: “Mr. Bricolage Martinique: French Caribbean Hardware Is Chic” (May 2017). Of the posts in this theme, it is the one people searching Google click on most.
Preview the post May 2017
Theme 8 of 13
Health & Medicine Aboard
Health & Medicine Aboard: 99 passages from 19 posts, just over one in twenty of the blog. It splits into Offshore medical kit and Allergies and doctors abroad.
Health & Medicine Aboard
Offshore Medical Kit
Inside it, Offshore medical kit is the largest part, with 69 passages from 12 posts.
A standout post
Scopolamine Side Effects at Sea: My Blurry Vision Experience
A standout: “Scopolamine Side Effects at Sea: My Blurry Vision Experience” (Apr 2015). It is this theme's most-clicked post in Google search. I'm convinced seasickness can be beat.
Preview the post Apr 2015
Theme 9 of 13
Mishaps & Hard Lessons
Mishaps & Hard Lessons: 70 passages from 11 posts, about 4% of the blog. It splits into Injuries, fishing and fitness and Losing an anchor in Thailand.
Mishaps & Hard Lessons
Injuries, Fishing and Fitness
Inside it, Injuries, fishing and fitness is the largest part, with 39 passages from 7 posts.
A standout post
Rope Burn from Sail Handling: How It Happens
A standout: “Rope Burn from Sail Handling: How It Happens” (Jan 2015). Google searchers click on it more than any other post here.
Preview the post Jan 2015
Theme 10 of 13
Upholstery & Style
Upholstery & Style: 54 passages from 9 posts, about 3% of the blog. It splits into Upholstery and sewing and hair, shoes, boat-show tips.
Upholstery & Style
Upholstery and Sewing
Inside it, Upholstery and sewing is the largest part, with 27 passages from 3 posts.
A standout post
Annapolis Boat Show: 4 Things Beginners Will Want to Know
A standout: “Annapolis Boat Show: 4 Things Beginners Will Want to Know” (Jan 2015). Of the posts in this theme, it is the one people searching Google click on most. Its other passages land in one other theme; the lines show where.
Preview the post Jan 2015
Theme 11 of 13
Homeschooling to University
Homeschooling to University: 45 passages from 12 posts, about 2% of the blog. It holds together as a single group.
A standout post
The Queen’s Housing Lottery: Choosing a Uni Residence
"The Queen’s Housing Lottery: Choosing a Uni Residence” (Jul 2026) is this theme's most-clicked post in Google search.
Preview the post Jul 2026
Theme 12 of 13
Cooking Aboard
Cooking Aboard: 34 passages from 8 posts, about 2% of the blog. It holds together as a single group.
A standout post
Authentic Grenadian Rum Punch Recipe Made From Scratch
Worth making: “Authentic Grenadian Rum Punch Recipe Made From Scratch” (Jun 2026). Google searchers click on it more than any other post here.
Preview the post Jun 2026
Theme 13 of 13
Street Safety Ashore
Street Safety Ashore: 25 passages from 2 posts, about 1% of the blog. It holds together as a single group.
A standout post
Bangla Road Phuket: A Family Outing Takes an Unexpected Turn
A standout: “Bangla Road Phuket: A Family Outing Takes an Unexpected Turn” (Jun 2026). Of the posts in this theme, it is the one people searching Google click on most.
Preview the post Jun 2026
Your turn
Explore on your own
That's the story so far. From here the map is yours: drag and zoom, hover over any dot to read it, or ask a question in the search box below.
Browse the Themes
Every theme and its sub-themes, with a few of the posts that sit in each.
Anchorages, Storms & Boatyards 228 passages · 38 posts
Bahamas cays and anchorages
- Bahamas Long Reads — Exumas Stories
- Off the Beaten Track Bahamas: Sailing Beyond the Exumas
- George Town Dock Drama
- Jumentos, Bahamas — Leaving Chicken Habour
Storms and heavy weather
- Rough Offshore Sailing: A Rite of Passage in a Gale
- Preparing for a Tropical Storm: 4 Methods Sailors Used
- Long Reads Grenada
- Scary things that can happen at sea
Trinidad boatyard
Moving Aboard & Learning to Sail 203 passages · 75 posts
Moving the family aboard
- Leaving for an Epic Adventure: Crewing on a Sailboat at 18
- Living on a Sailboat With Kids: Freedom or Confinement?
- 2nd Pacific Puddle Jump: Boat Kid Becomes Skilled Crew at 18
- Mona Passage Mutiny: Sailing with a Seasick NYC Cop
Learning to sail in Antigua
Refits & Boat Projects 177 passages · 42 posts
Buying and refitting Aphrodite
- Planning and budgeting for sail boat refits
- Buying Our St Francis 50 Catamaran, SV Aphrodite
- Top 10 sexiest refits we’ve made – so far
- Choosing a Catamaran Color Scheme for SV Aphrodite
Laundry and washing machines
- Sailboat Washing Machine: Capacity & Dimensions for a Family
- Washing Machine Retrofit on a Catamaran: The Messy Work
- What Goes Wrong on a Sailboat: When the Watermaker Breaks
- Handwashing Laundry on a Boat: 4 Lessons & The True Cost
Woodwork refit in Malaysia
Galápagos & the Pacific 155 passages · 17 posts
Galápagos and the Panama Canal
- Long Reads Galapagos
- Sierra Negra: Hiking in Darwin’s Footsteps on a Galapagos Volcano
- Crossing the Panama Canal: A Different Cruising World
- Jumping into the Water of the Galapagos Was Like the Best Exhibits in the Zoo Had Thrown the Doors Wide Open
Provisioning in the Pacific
A Hurricane Season in Luperón 146 passages · 16 posts
Luperón, Dominican Republic
Gear, Storage & Shipping 123 passages · 28 posts
Downsizing and storage
- Long-Term Storage While Traveling: Is It Worth the Cost?
- 2 Long-Term Basement Storage Solutions for Travelers
- House to Boat: Downsizing When the Pressure Is On
- Decluttering Before Moving Aboard: Finding What Matters
Packing and organizing gear
- Boat Spares, Storage Bins & a Label Maker: Taking Stock
- Sailing Crew Packing List: 5 Weeks With Carry-On Only
- Moving Aboard a Sailboat: The 4 Checklists We Wish We’d Had
- Packing Up to Sail: Shipping Gear from Canada to the USA
Life raft, ditch bag, shipping
Caribbean Culture & People 107 passages · 12 posts
Grenada and Trinidad life
- Long Reads Grenada
- Christmas in Trinidad: A Glorious Night with a Local Family
- COVID Arrives in Grenada
- Halloween in Tavernier: Trick-or-Treat Carnival in the Keys
Haiti, Dominica, Martinique
Health & Medicine Aboard 99 passages · 19 posts
Offshore medical kit
- Offshore Medical Kit List: What We Used After 10 Years
- Malaria Prevention for Sailors: Getting the Right Medication
- How to Avoid Seasickness While Sailing: Ditching Dramamine
- Building an Offshore Medical Kit for a Cruising Family
Allergies and doctors abroad
Mishaps & Hard Lessons 70 passages · 11 posts
Injuries, fishing and fitness
- Fishing in Bequia: A Boy Learns From a Local Fisherman
- Getting Fit After 50: 30 Pounds Lost and Trigger Finger
- Parasailor Sail: Flying Downwind Until the Sail Blew Out
- Fish Hook Injury at Sea: A Double Hook to the Face
Losing an anchor in Thailand
Upholstery & Style 54 passages · 9 posts
Upholstery and sewing
- Brother Lim Cushion: A Fresh Start for our Marine Upholstery
- Ultraleather Boat Upholstery: Our Honest 9-Year Review
- Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ-1: Our 7-Year-Old Gets Us Started