Yesterday at the Rey grocery store in Panama, I was standing in a long, slow line with a cart overflowing with food. Canned goods, fresh produce, snacks, pasta, and plenty of cheese (my favorite) —you name it, it was probably in that cart. We’re about to set sail on our longest ocean crossing yet: more than 30 days at sea, sailing from Panama to French Polynesia.
As I waited, a sweet little American family got in line behind us. It’s rare to run into fellow Americans here, so we exchanged smiles. The mom glanced at our grocery haul and asked, “Are you getting ready for Easter weekend?”
I laughed. “Actually, no—we’re provisioning for a month-long passage across the Pacific.”
The look on her face was priceless. Then came the questions… lots of them. And they were great questions. It made me realize—how many people wonder what it’s really like to cross an ocean on a sailboat?
Since we’re leaving tomorrow, I figured this would be the perfect time to answer some of the most common questions we get asked.
How do you get fresh water?
We have a watermaker! It uses a reverse osmosis membrane to turn salt water into fresh drinking water. We have three tanks onboard that can hold up to 90 gallons. We also keep about 15 gallons stashed away for emergencies—just in case.
How do you store enough food for that many days at sea?
We’ve got a surprising amount of cupboard space. I load up with staples like pasta, grains, canned veggies, and sauces. Our fridge and freezer are a decent size, and I’ve prepped about 20 meals that are ready to go—perfect for rough-weather cooking. I also carry ingredients to make fresh meals, and enough flour and baking supplies to whip up bread, tortillas, pitas, and biscuits. Oh, and we catch fish along the way! If we land a big one, we’ll enjoy some fresh filets and freeze the rest.
Do you stay up at night on watches?
Yes, we do three-hour shifts all night—three hours on, three off. Near shore, we’re extra alert, keeping an eye on radar and lights for any nearby boats. Once we’re deep into the Pacific, we’ll set alarms to wake up and do quick checks during our shifts. We have collision alarms that alert us if anything comes too close.
Are you bored being out at sea that long?
Not at all! Between cooking, adjusting sails, reading, napping, listening to podcasts, and soaking in the endless ocean views—there’s always something to do. The highlights? Catching fish, seeing dolphins or whales, and watching the most stunning sunrises and sunsets you can imagine.
What do you do when you get bad weather?
We can usually see squalls on our radar and try to steer around them. If there’s no lightning, they’re mostly just wet and windy. When things get rough, we hang on, reef the sails, and wait it out. It’s all part of life at sea.
What if something breaks out there?
Dan has an impressive stash of spare parts and tools—and the know-how to fix just about anything. We’ve had our share of breakdowns mid-passage, but he always finds a way to keep us going. Fingers crossed everything stays in one piece this time!
Do you have internet while you’re sailing?
Yes! Thanks to Starlink, we can now have cell and internet connection while crossing oceans. This wasn’t possible (or affordable) just five years ago. We even have a backup dish, so we’re covered. It’s been a game changer.
What’s it like when you finally see land again?
It depends. Our last Atlantic crossing was so smooth, I almost didn’t want to return to land—life at sea was peaceful and beautiful. But I have to admit, I’m really excited for that first glimpse of the French Polynesian islands. It’s been number one on my dream list for years. When I spot that first strip of green on the horizon, I’ll probably let out a cheer and do a little happy dance on deck.
We’re looking forward to this passage, especially since we’ve spent much longer than expected in Panama (as often happens with boats—delays are part of the lifestyle). But now, it’s time to hoist the sails and head west.
We hope to share daily updates as we cross—posts, photos, and videos—so you can follow along and experience the beauty and wonder of ocean sailing right alongside us.
See you out there—somewhere in the wide blue Pacific. If you have any questions I haven’t answered, leave them in the comments and I will give you an answer!
Fair winds,
Captain Dan and First Mate Alison
S/V Equus
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