Failure used to terrify me. Then I bought a boat and failure became my most consistent teacher. Curled halyards, cut wires, and missed moorings. This is what I learned.

Gusty winds. Cool mornings. New friends. And a motor that finally lifts. My first week-long cruise of 2026 was an adventure I won't soon forget.

I braced for chaos. Instead? Sun, thunder, rain, then sun again — and nothing went seriously wrong. My first shakedown cruise was uneventful. And that was everything.

From trying to be invisible at work to finding my voice at the helm. How sailing with other women gave me confidence, friendship, and a place to belong.