Couple Who Quit their Jobs For Life On The High Seas

A couple decided to follow their dreams of quitting the rat race to sail round the world - despite having never lived on a boat before and having limited nautical experience.

Charlie Smith, 29, and her fiancé, who goes by the name, Captain, 34, made the choice to sell their house and put their wedding plans on hold to embark on a new life in May this year. 

Leaving behind everything they knew, the thrillseeking couple departed their home in Jersey, Channel Islands and so far have sailed their way round the west of the Mediterranean, France, Spain, Italy, Elba, Corsica, Sardinia and the Balearic Islands. 

From the mesmerising blue Maddalena Islands in Sardinia to the imposing Calanques in France the explorers have experienced some of the most beautiful nautical locations in Europe.  

Typical days for the engaged sailors include sunbathing in hammocks, reading books, listening to music, coming ashore to explore new towns and get fresh fruit, paddleboarding and snorkelling.

'The kitchen is always to hand to whip up a meal and the fridge keeps the drinks cool. 'We can sit in the cockpit for hours, discussing all manner of things.' 

Before their trip Captain worked as an architectural designer, and along with New Zealand-born Charlie flipped residential properties around the world.

Charlie previously worked an ITV Regional Weather presenter and model, but the lure of the high seas proved too strong for the adventurous couple. 

'We had been pondering further travel for years,' Charlie said. 

'After years living on building sites the prospect of lugging backpacks around the world sleeping in hostels didn’t seem like the break we wanted. 

'The sailing idea was a way to travel but take our ‘nest' with us.'

Despite having limited experience sailing, the pair set their heart on a seafaring life and took every RYA skipper, sea survival and first aid course to prepare. 

They sold their house to buy their new floating home, a 38.5ft Dufour sailing boat named Silver Paws, and instead of signing straight back onto a new mortgage handed in their notices and left their jobs.

'It was a risk, we've met a few people who have an opinion about taking a career break at this stage of our lives,' Charlie said.

'So many people wait until retirement to go cruising. The way we see it; There is little reward without a little risk. 

Captain and Charlie, who met through mutual friends in 2010, are still living off the money raised from decluttering and selling all the possessions they didn't need from their house. 

'We got engaged in 2013 but so far wedding plans have been put on hold as we spent the wedding budget on a boat!' Charlie admitted. 

Their minimalistic lifestyle allows them to travel on a small budget as anchoring is free of charge and as their boat is less than 39 feet long marina fees are kept low. 

Friends have flocked to experience their new exotic life on the ocean and learn about how to sail their vessel. 

'Guests can learn as little or as much about sailing as they want to, paddle boards and hammocks are available whenever they want and siestas are positively encouraged!' Charlie said. 

'We are all about play here; sunshine, nourishment, gratitude and jumping off everything we can find into the sea!'

Although it sounds like an idyllic existence luxuries many take for granted are missed by the couple.  

'We were told most marinas have wifi, which they do but it doesn't work the majority of the time,' Charlie said. 

'This makes weather forecasting and updating our blog a bit niggly. We knew the weather was never going to be a cinch, but with a few years as a forecaster for ITV Regional behind me we had a head start.

'We buy a pay-as -you-go sim card in each country with internet access to make certain we can readily get weather information.

'Another aspect I underestimated was 'keeping house' chores such as laundry and food shopping take hours longer than at home, at home the washing machine was downstairs, I knew where the eggs were in the supermarket and where the super market was and had a car to get the shopping home. 

'With cruising it's all a time eating mystery.'

Although Charlie and Captain are desperate to see as much of the world as possible, they are in no rush. 

'We are 'fair weather sailors’, we are in no hurry and therefore if the weather looks dicey, or even marginally uncomfortable, we don't take risks we stay put and wait for change.

'We have only had a couple of 'incidents' on board. A close shave with a mooring rope shearing through, a lesson learned. 

'And a potential theft of our folding bikes in Barcelona which were locked on the bow, he boarded the boat and woke us up. There was little confrontation, he was passive and apologetic, but it got the adrenaline pumping.'

For Captain his favourite part of his life is arriving in a new port and the sense of adventure and exploration which awaits as you pull in. 

And despite their close proximity, they don't argue as much as you would expect.  

'So many people ask us what it’s like to be together 24/7 and really, we are just very lucky to be able to share this adventure with each other. Thirty-eight foot is too short to hold a grudge!' Charlie said. 

The sea mates are currently in Barcelona but will head home to see family in Jersey for Christmas.