S/V Elizabeth
Boats have stories. Before they become yours, they've carried other families, other dreams, and other memories. Ours was no different. For years, she was lovingly known as Dare Greatly, cared for by Jim and Patricia. Every mile sailed was part of the life they built aboard her. We are incredibly grateful for the care they gave this vessel and for entrusting her to us. Before we looked ahead, it felt important to honor the chapter they wrote.
So, on the day we “splashed” (i.e, had her moved off the “hard” and put into the water – by a very cool GIANT boat life – controlled by remote control – how cool is that job?!) our very first evening aboard, with the sun beginning to set over Grenada, the four of us gathered in the cockpit with a booklet I made for the occasion.
We thanked Jim and Patricia and officially retired the name Dare Greatly, expressing gratitude for every harbor visited, every lesson learned, and every friendship made under that name.
And then we gave her a new one.
S/V Elizabeth.
The name carries deep meaning for our family.
Throughout maritime history, ships have often been given women's names to honor those who protect, guide, and carry others safely through uncertain waters. Our boat is named in honor of Beth. By naming this vessel Elizabeth, we carry her memory with us every day. We hope that, in a way, she will continue to watch over our family as we journey wherever the winds take us.
Each member of our family read aloud one of the values that will guide our daily actions, intentions, and overall, this journey.
Agency — taking ownership of our choices and charting our own course.
Purpose — living intentionally and focusing on what matters most.
Curiosity — approaching the world with wonder and a desire to understand.
Contribution — looking for opportunities to make things better.
Simplicity — slowing down and appreciating what is already enough.
Play — embracing joy, creativity, and adventure.
Gratitude — noticing and appreciating the countless gifts along the way.
We also borrowed a beautiful sailing tradition by blessing the four winds. For each direction, one of us offered a simple hope:
North: May we have the courage to begin.
East: May we remain curious wherever we go.
South: May we bring kindness and leave every place better than we found it.
West: May we remember that home is not a place, but the people we journey with.
Each of us poured a small splash of champs into the sea before sharing something personal: one thing we were excited to discover, one strength we hoped to bring to our crew, and one hope for the year ahead.
Finally, together, we read a few simple promises:
We will care for this boat. We will care for one another with patience, kindness, and respect. We will meet challenges with courage and curiosity. We will celebrate the beauty, simplicity, and joy of this adventure together.
For the first time, we raised a toast to S/V Elizabeth. To family. To adventure. To courage.To the journey ahead. There will be countless miles ahead of us. We'll undoubtedly make mistakes, face challenges we can't yet imagine, and experience moments we'll remember for the rest of our lives. But beginning this journey with intention and taking the time to acknowledge the past, honor Beth, and define who we hope to become together made stepping aboard feel like much more than moving onto a boat. It felt like becoming a crew.
Welcome aboard, S/V Elizabeth.
Our adventure has officially begun. Today we have plans to meet up with a bunch of cruising families for a 4th of July celebration and do our final prep for our sailing instructor, Nico, to move aboard in the morning. He will be with us until we are ready to launch independently.
