Updated Goals, Strategies, and Tactics

With all the work we've (mostly Val) been pouring into the boat, we thought it best to pause and look around. When working with the nose so close to the grindstone, it is easy to forget to look up and be sure that what you are grinding is turning into what you want.

This was a perfect time to revisit our goal, strategies for achieving the goal, and the tactics for realizing the strategies. Back in May of 2009, we shared our then 1 year old formal listing of our goal statement, strategies, and tactics for the trip.

Here they are again:

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Goal –
Explore the world as a family full time indefinitely leaving as early as 2012.

Strategy –
S1: Use boat for conveyance and residence
S2: Live self-sufficiently
S3: Don’t own durable goods with a life span past 2012

Tactics –
T1: Identify and liquidate all non-essential material possessions (S2, S3)
T2: Save as much money as possible (S1, S2)
T3: Reduce cost of living (S2)
T4: Create multiple parallel streams of passive income (S2)
T5: Identify and acquire appropriate boat (S1)
T6: Identify and discontinue all non-essential services (S2)
T7: Cook with a single burner (S1, S2)
T8: Add seafood to diet (S2)
T9: Identify and address all physical deficiencies before 2012 (S2)
T10: Maximize bodily health (S2)
T11: Live a minimalist life (S2)

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Our goal statement has changed. It now reads:

Explore the world as a family full time indefinitely leaving as early as 2011.

The adjusted goal also changes one of the strategies (S3) since durable goods past 2011 don't do us any good. It also changes the tactic that lists a date (T9).

As Val and I considered all that has been done so far, the only action we've taken that violates our guidelines is the addition of the radar. We struggled with this one to the point that we even posted our internal dialog on the matter.

Having formalized (e.g. written down) our goal, strategies, and tactics has made it easier for Val and I to make independent and collaborative decisions. We talk about if a given course of action fits within our framework. If it doesn't, then discussion follows. If it does, no discussion is needed .... we just execute.

We believe having this framework has been part of the reason why we were able to pull in our goal by another full year. We've been able to avoid decisions that would have resulted in a meandering towards the goal. The meandering state will happen once we are on the water!

Sailboat Family's Mission - Ice Cream

This weekend, our family decided on our mission-

On behalf of all humankind, we, the sailboat family,

will sample ice cream from all around the world!

Yes, we know this is an arduous task and very few are capable of taking on such a daunting challenge. Sailing around the world looking for the worlds greatest ice cream is a brutal proposition. However, our family is willing to take on this challenge on your behalf. As we make our way around, we will report on the ice cream we find.

How can you help? Glad you asked .... you can buy us some ice cream!

Happy Birthday Dy!

Today is a BIG day! Dy turns 2!! Happy Birthday Dy!! We are so happy you are a part of our family and a member of our crew.

I wouldn't much of a dad if I didn't also include an embarrassing picture of my beautiful "cool" daughter. The next photo is of her after she binged on chocolate milk. Oh Dy... that is going to hurt when you wake up.

Oh yeah, I turn 40 today. :p

Boom and Main Sail Down

This week we took down the boom and main sail. We were ready for some big endeavor, but after studying what's what, it only took about 35 minutes for the boom and 5 minutes for the sail.

For the boom, the biggest challenge was getting the large Clevis pin, attaching the boom to the mast, free. Once that was done, it was a simple matter of undoing a few lines. The next challenge was where to put it. We elected to store it inside the boat.

For the main sail, the biggest challenge was figuring out how to get the slugs out of the mast sail track. I knew there had to be an opening in the channel somewhere. It took most of the 5 minutes to find it and remove the retaining plate, and once that was done it was easy to drop the sheet.

We had took amazing pictures of these activities. Alas, when we packed up after our boat work, our blog camera was missing. :( We have no idea where it went. Whomever has it, be sure to enjoy the amazing pictures of the removal.

Changed Our Minds - Sailing Away Today

Well everyone, that's it. I quit. The hamster race has finally gotten to me. Val, KJ, Dy, and I have decided that we are going to make our way to Savannah this afternoon. The boat is scheduled to arrive within a day or 2 anyway.

We will live on the boat on the hard while we finish the work, but the moment that the bottom paint drys, we are sailing away.

We have just purchased 12 cans of chili, 24 cans of tuna, 3 loaves of Wonder bread, 24 cans of spam, 12 cans of Mountain Dew, 3 cases of Coors Light, 1 roll of toilet paper, 5 tooth brushes, 1 spool of dental floss, 18 boxes of Arm & Hammer baking soda, 28 bottles of Evian water, 3 XXL Speedos, 2 parkas, solar powered freezer/ice cube maker, 3 shoe laces, 1 pick ax, 2 wheelbarrows, 2 lbs of kitty litter, 3 dirt bikes, 1 flame thrower (2 would be excessive), a water bed, 1 cement garden fountain, 8 rose bushes, jungle gym (for the kids), snow mobile, Steinway baby grand piano (girls want to learn), and 2 warthogs. I think we are ready to go.

Oh, Happy April Fools Day!