"The Pardey Philosophy"

It was three years ago on September 17th that Persephone's dock lines were cut in Westbrook, Connecticut and this trek began.  This morning, Persephone and I are docked in Trinidad; at the bottom of the Eastern Caribbean, (only 12 miles from South America),  Persephone is in a marina located 2000 miles south of where it all began.  Since cutting the dock lines, I have never looked back. 

" I have never looked back " is a pretty strong sentiment.  Three years of full time cruising has provided me with a prospective on why this life style has been successful for me.  The simple answer is, I am a cruiser and not a camper.  Lin and Larry Pardey are arguably the most famous cruisers of all time.  They started cruising in the late seventies and have over 185,000 sea miles.  The "Pardey Philosophy" may be summed up with the phrase they coined: "Go simple, Go small".  Their idea of 'simple' is sailing without an engine, no electronics for navigation (a sextant is fine) no running or hot water, no refrigeration, (and of course no freezer), no lighting (kerosene lights instead) and no creature comforts i.e. never stay at a marina, no stereo, DVDs,  flushable toilet and God forbid, no air conditioning.  For the past 35 years,  the Pardeys have preached their philosophy to every wanna be voyager in a series of  'how to' books which have become the anointed  'bibles of cruising'.  It is amazing how their philosophy has been elevated to gospel which is still spread by their loyal followers today.

The missionaries of the 'Pardey Philosophy' always start the conversation with "Well, REAL cruisers don't have/need ___________________".  (Fill in the blank with any of the items listed above). The Pardey Preacher delivers 'The Gospel' in a condescending tone, less some unwashed heathen dares to be sacrilegious and disagree. Anyone who questions the doctrine is branded with the scarlet letters "NRC"....'Not a Real Cruiser' and is banished from the congregation.

A couple of months ago when I mentioned installing air conditioning aboard Persephone; I thought the face of one of the Preachers was going to melt off and his skull explode !!  (Recall the closing scenes of "Raiders of the Lost Ark").  This generated a whole new round of what is proper equipment (more accurately what is not proper equipment)  for REAL cruisers on Facebook, and Blogs.   

For me, successful cruising is not camping.  I don't want to live a monastic life of sack cloth and warm beer.   Persephone is my home...I want the same comforts aboard as I would have if I were living ashore. Persephone has evolved into a comfortable, safe place to live aboard and travel.   The Pardey Philosophy may have worked decades ago;  but camping is not conducive to long term cruising. If you are sailing only part of the year (snow chickens), plan on voyaging for a short period of time, or on a very tight budget, boat camping may work.  But, if cruising is going to be your lifestyle, creature comforts are essential for long term success. 

Just finished a hot shower, got a cold beer going,  frozen meatballs in the freezer for tonight's dinner, stereo is playing Jimmy Buffett and Fox News is on the TV, all while tied to a dock at a marina....

BOOM !!!    Think I just heard a head explode !!!!