Sailing Mystic Hearts

01/17/2026

Happy Caturday from .sailing.kitties!

Still living aboard our Beneteau 473 full-time, still thriving, and now 15.5 years old! 💙

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from the crew of SV Mystic Hearts! 🎄

Hope everyone's holiday season is filled with love, peace, joy, tasty food, and time with loved ones.

🫶🏻 Paul, Rebecca, Mac, and Joseph

10/30/2025

Arriving in Hope Town was one of those pinch-me moments. The shallow, blue-green water, iconic lighthouse in the distance, and warm temps made the whole trip from Norfolk, Virginia worth it.

How cool is this drone footage?! So glad Paul was able to capture some amazing photos and videos.

🌊

[We are not currently in the Bahamas. Just suuuuuper behind on posting photos from our epic cruise there last December. We'll continue posting from the Bahamas until we're caught up to real time. Incredible adventures are still ahead!]

10/26/2025

5 YEARS!!! 🥹🙏🏻💙

In early September 2020, we officially took possession of Mystic Hearts, our beautiful 2005 Beneteau 473 and our full-time home for the past 5 years.

If you had asked us way back in 2018 when we first started this dream if we'd ever finally pull the plug and sell our home to buy our dream boat, I would've said it was "too risky."

Two years later, we finally made it happen. And now, 5 years after buying the boat, I can definitively say it was all worth it. I don't know where we'll be in the next 5 years, but I can say that we've made the most amazing memories, cruised to some incredible places, and met some phenomenal people.

10/02/2025

Time, please SLOW DOWN!

Today is our 14th wedding anniversary (18 total years in love), and it's hard to believe all of the life transitions we've done in nearly two decades together. From moves across state lines, buying a house and several boats, rescuing not 1 but 3 cats, building fulfilling careers, and cruising to incredible destinations, we've been blessed.

We know what happens next, and we can't wait to share more exciting news soon!

08/06/2025

Love from our favorite sailmaker, Quantum Sails 💙

When the breeze is behind you and the miles are long, having the right downwind setup can make all the difference, especially on a cruising boat. Here are a few popular options:

-Wing-on-Wing: Great for tradewind sailing, this classic configuration uses the main and headsail on opposite tacks. Add a preventer and a pole for control.

-Poled-Out Headsail Only: Ideal for solo or shorthanded cruisers, this setup simplifies sail handling while maintaining downwind speed.

-Cruising Spinnaker or Asymmetric: A lightweight downwind sail like Quantum’s cruising spinnaker adds horsepower and reduces the need to motor in light air.

Do you have a different set-up for light, downwind sailing? Not sure which setup works best for your boat or destination? Your local Quantum expert can help dial it in for your next passage.

📸

07/29/2025

I live on a boat ⛵️

07/25/2025

It's been 3 years since Charlie passed, and not a day goes by that we don't think about and miss him. 🧡

Charlie loved yogurt, forced cuddles with Mac, and sunning in the cockpit. Most of all, he loved being with us, always the center of attention. He was the best boy ever.

07/10/2025

04/18/2025

Hope Town, baby! 🩵

I still can't believe that we sailed to the Bahamas and were able to anchor at this spot that we've talked about visiting for years. It was every bit as perfect as I imagined it to be. Can't wait to share more from this favorite destination for cruisers.