Life Aboard: When the Work is the Reward

If I had a dollar for every time someone told one of my parents that I looked just like Opie Taylor, Liberdade would probably be a much bigger boat. As a young redheaded boy in the ‘60s with a striking resemblance to Ron Howard’s character on The Andy Griffith Show, it was something I grew accustomed to hearing.

While being a fan of the popular show, interestingly, Opie wasn’t my favorite character. As odd as it may seem, Emmett Clark, who owned the fix-it shop was who I wanted to be—he could fix anything. As a young boy, I was never happier than when I was taking something apart to see how it worked. My dad indulged my curiosity, by making sure I knew how to use every tool in his workshop. He was a master mechanic in real life and could fix anything. I can still see how his hand held a wrench or skillfully balanced a screwdriver while turning it, never losing its position in the screw head.

Most of these columns recounting the joys we get from our life aboard are based on the adventures of long-distance cruising, but one of the most rewarding satisfactions I get from our boat is the management, operation and maintenance of the boat itself. It also appeals to the problem solver in me.

No endeavor I’ve found presents you with more opportunities to solve problems than long-distance cruising. Much of this comes from the complexity of systems. I don’t know of another pastime that combines the degree of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems as boating. Package these systems in an unforgiving and corrosive environment, and the opportunities for things to go wrong are seemingly endless, or as a friend of mine likes to say: “Everything on your boat is broken, you just don’t know it yet.”

You don’t have to be Emmett Clark, MacGyver, or an ace mechanic to successfully own a boat, but it certainly helps if you have some basic mechanical knowledge. What helps even more is if you also get joy out of using your skills to keep the boat in good order. Maintaining an ocean-cruising yacht like Liberdade is as demanding as it is rewarding. It requires a mix of resilience, problem-solving skills and an appreciation for both the small victories and inevitable setbacks. For me, there’s real satisfaction in understanding and working with complex systems-—a thrill in facing the unique blend of challenges that only a cruising yacht can offer.

And while I understand our boat is an inanimate object, in 12 years of ownership, I have developed an almost intimate relationship with Liberdade. From engine maintenance to electrical troubleshooting, each system on board becomes more than just a piece of machinery. The alternator hum, the click of the circuit breaker, or the whine of the hydraulic steering system all become familiar sounds that tell me how the boat is feeling on any given day. With time, I’ve learned the boat’s language, to understand when it’s happy and running smoothly or when it’s asking for a bit of attention.

Yet, with all this joy and sense of accomplishment come challenges that can test anyone’s patience and resolve. An unplanned encounter with corroded wiring or a seized bolt can turn a simple repair into an all-day job. For those unprepared, this might seem like a hassle, but for me, each obstacle offers a chance to think creatively and use my hands.

Some challenges go beyond the technical and become mental puzzles. When we’re out at sea, miles from the nearest port, every decision holds more weight. If a part fails offshore, it’s not as simple as running to the marine store—quick fixes and improvisation become survival skills. Over the years, my spares kit has expanded to include everything I may need in an emergency. The idea is to be as self-sufficient as possible, not because I assume the worst will happen, but because there is peace of mind in knowing I’m prepared if it does.

The joy comes in those moments when a plan comes together, a system runs flawlessly, or a last-minute repair works against the odds. There is a certain satisfaction in knowing that I’ve kept the boat seaworthy and ready for the next voyage. For me, maintaining the boat isn’t a chore; it’s a vital part of the adventure itself, a way of connecting with my surroundings and staying grounded even as we venture into the unknown. Each challenge I overcome reinforces not only my bond with the boat, but becomes a reward in itself. For me, it is also a celebration of the craftsmanship and inner peace that can emerge when I invest deeply in a pursuit, especially one that blends elements of adventure with self-discovery.

This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.

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Source: https://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/column/life-aboard-when-the-work-is-the-reward