For the past month, the couple has been docked in Weems Creek while they worked the boat shows and saved up enough money for a trip south. They were set to depart this week on their 26-foot sailboat with an initial plan of heading to Florida, and then maybe the Bahamas, but they're the first to admit they don't like to plan.
"For some reason, the universe has been good to us," said Handyside, 26, who is originally from Oregon....
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Bon voyage and best wishes! - 2009-12-01 14:39:58
Sarah & Garth,
I've enjoyed browsing your websites. And see that you are smart, charismatic people truly living life to the fullest- Good for you! Sure, it's dangerous and you are ill-equipped, nothing you don't know... but this is your life and your choice. You learn quickly and have many benefactors along the way. I am envious and dreaming of my own worldly travels and escape from the grind of normal live while immensely enjoying the wild ride vicariously through you two in the meantime. I'm glad you stopped by Annapolis and told your story. Best of luck to you both.
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Rachel Rachfal - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Thats Just Fine - 2009-11-13 15:13:56
I have no problem with adventurous individuals pursuing a dream. What I have trouble with is when taxpayer money is spent to rescue morons who have gotten themselves in over their head. Or worse yet when peoples lives are endangered rescuing these fools. But since this couple has no EPIRB this scenario may be avoided, hopefully their VHF breaks before they go to sea. Seriously though I wish good luck to them, they will surely need it. It appears as though they are not taking that environmental disaster they call a boat offshore and are instead staying in the ICW. They will be just fine as long as they dont burn themselves up with that Coleman heater. In fact Im betting on a little social Darwinism in the form of Carbon Monoxide poisoning will probably do the trick
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Ted REshetiloff - Annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral
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Good Luck getting them to listen - 2009-11-09 14:08:14
I have known these two personally, one for over 10 years. They are always open to advise but certainly not when served with hostility. You are all fighting over a couple who will do what they want. They will not conform to what society expects of them. The one belief they have is do onto others, they will never take advantage, lie or cheat. They are living life to the fullest. I don't expect to ever see them again. What they are doing is dangerous and although some seek self-preservation they don't, they seek advanture- with risk. They are the first to admit they don't know it all, they are figuring it out as they go. And no one can stop them, certianly not with a passing comment on a website- so save your breath and stay off the water until they are out of the way! :)
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carol eaton - St. Louis, MO - Karma: Neutral
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Not a "Snob" from Annapolis - 2009-11-07 01:50:49
I'm a novice sailor to say the least and not "well to do", BUT I do know that these two are putting themselves in extreme danger. Dreams are one thing and being prepared to make those dreams come true takes some maturity and responsibility.
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Pat Warren - Colfax, CA - Karma: Neutral
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Leave Them Alone! - 2009-11-06 09:20:36
They are living their dream and don't need the sailing snobs of Annapolis to spout their "superior knowledge" and jealous/vicious attacks. Maybe some of you "well to do" and friendly sailors can donate some equipment to them. Be constrcutive and helpful...not hateful!
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P Townshend - Reisterstown, Md - Karma: Neutral
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Frank and Fred. - 2009-11-06 01:51:53
Your logic makes no sense. With your argument one could say, well people have lived without electricity for thousands of years, so why not just unplug your house from the grid and just light up a few candles?? I take it you never have sailed your own boat offshore? I have and I know what I am talking about. I do not speak out of jealousy, I speak out of serious concern. These two novice sailors have no idea what they are doing and are a serious risk to themselves. They don't even understand basic rules of navigation, by her comment of the cruise ship captain not understanding they are too broke to run their mandatory by the coast guard running lights at night. Lets put it this way, if they fail it most likely will cost them their lives. Sailors are always over prepared and safe sailors err on the side of safety. Well seasoned veteran sailors have lost their lives, and its best to be prepared and KNOW what you are doing in EVERY situation, BEFORE that situation is thrown in your face and you are forced to deal with it. An EPIRB will greatly improve a chance of survival as well as a man overboard raft and PFDs. YOu would be shocked to see how small a person is floating in the middle of the ocean needing rescue. Coast Guard has problems at times finding people in the chesapeake bay even! Now add a GPS beacon to that floating person and give them the chance to float for a longer period of time, and survive without hypothermia. I don't see how safety gear is optional in your mind. It isn't a matter of succeed or fail, they should slow plans down and get educated about what they are doing first.
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Amy S - Crownsville, MD - Karma: Neutral
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This explains whats wrong with our - 2009-11-05 19:03:38
Some of you people need to lighten up. People have been sailing for centuries without GPS and EPIRB's, etc. This couple is living the life they want to live. Are you just jealous because they are out living their dream and you are stuck in a rut?
I say good luck to them. They are on the adventure of a lifetime.
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Frank Palmer - chicago, il - Karma: Neutral
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2' flames and 6' sea don't mix - 2009-11-05 18:39:05
Read the blog, looked at photos, and I have I concur with most, this is not a good idea. Sailing at night, no lights, November, in rough water? The ships cruise ship caught them, but a tug pushing a barge, may not. Granted hurricane season is a concern, but if you'd left in August, stuck to the inter-coastal and sailed during the day (leisurely)... maybe. Posting story of coleman gas and two foot flames in the cabin of 26' sailboat, wow. Don't even think about going off shore, unless you're crew.
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harry trampolini - severna park, MD - Karma: Good
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caution to the wind - 2009-11-05 16:22:07
Relax my uptight housebound television travelers. No need to worry about these two, they are living life on its terms. They have chosen to do what they want, and your own fears make you want them to fail. By choosing what they have already chosen they are already winners. Carpe diem y'all.
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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible
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Novice Sailers - 2009-11-05 15:59:47
I wish these two the best in their sailing endeavor that said, mother nature can be extremely cruel, especially on the water. A 26 sailboat, a 15 year old outboard and 2 inexperienced sailors cant be a good mix.
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Nick Wallace - Davidsonville, MD - Karma: Neutral
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from her blog.... - 2009-11-05 01:27:15
I hope the coast guard finds these people and informs them it is illegal to be out without running lights, discharging waste into waters, not having proper safety supplies, and sorry guys but you cant cut off cruise ships and tugs with barges. There are rules to sailing and any boat navigation you must abide by. Restricted by draft is one of them. This cruise ship wont move for you, it cant, it will run aground. In case of a show down, YOU will be the looser. Anyone in doubt, feel free to read their blogs in their own words...
Quote as follows:
Small southbound sailing vessel its captain says over the radio.
This is Gonzos Flying Dog, Garth answers.
You must have a death wish, being out here at nite with no running lites on, the captain says.
He doesnt understand (NOTE: THERE IS A REASON HE IS THE LICENSED CAPTAIN OF A CRUISE SHIP) that people with no money cant afford to run 10,000 lites all nite long like the Carnival Pride does (YOU HAVE TO BY LAW SO YOU DONT END UP A SMEAR ON THEIR HULL). From then on, we turn on our red and green running lites each time we see a big ship approaching."
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Amy Scott - Crownsville, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Got to be kidding. - 2009-11-05 01:04:44
After reading these peoples blogs and looking at their photos, they are an accident waiting to happen. Upon buying their boat, they read a how to sail book to see how to get where they need to? And use a LAND based GPS system with no water markers, to GUESS where they are in the water. Where are their PFDs? Where is their EPIRB or life raft? They plan on taking a centerboard style sailboat offshore? And since they mentioned their head is broken, discharging waste overboard too?? I dont think they have the slightest idea of what they are getting themselves into. I have no problem with their dream BUT they need to be educated about what dangers are out there, water is NOT forgiving and one mistake will cost them their lives. What do they plan on doing if their boat is taking on water, jump in their inflatable kayak in heavy seas in the ocean? Please for your own sakes, get sailing lessons, off shore lessons, heavy weather lessons, etc. And make sure you have the right equipment, and learn how to use it. A land based CAR GPS doesn't work in other countries especially for waters and currents in the caribbean. This whole story saddens me. Undergoing an offshore live aboard lifestyle is not something you can do on a whim.
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Amy Scott - Crownsville, MD - Karma: Neutral
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