Episode 42: Trading Ocean Waves for Highway Lanes – My Journey from Boat to Van Life

July 12, 2023November 25, 2023

42 shares Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to abandon traditional living arrangements and embrace life on the road – or sea?…

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to abandon traditional living arrangements and embrace life on the road – or sea? Tune in for a little taste of both as Kristin shares what it’s like to transition from winter on the boat to summer in the van. Learn about the process of taking the boat out of the water and preparing it to withstand the summer heat in Puerto Penasco, Mexico.

In the second segment of our journey, we hear about what it’s like to cross the border from Mexico to the US in a van (while contending with some mechanical troubles). From the long waits at the border crossings to the struggle of strategically transferring items in sweltering heat, every aspect of the adventure is covered. We also reflect on intriguing differences in food and grocery shopping experiences across the two countries.

Lastly, we debate the pros and cons of boat life compared to van life. Hold on tight as we delve into an in-depth comparison of these two unique lifestyles, from the effort of monitoring weather on a boat to the ease of accessing supplies in a van.

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What We Discuss in Episode 42 of The Wayward Home Podcast:

Kristin discusses her recent experience of transitioning between boat life and van life and the process of preparing her boat for storage in Puerto Penasco, Mexico, including tasks such as covering the boat, protecting it from UV damage, and removing food and personal items.
Kristin details her last day in Puerto Penasco, including waking up early for final boat work, facing crowds and overheating problems at the border, and the decision to drive to the coast of Southern California to finally experience the relief of cooler temperatures and familiar surroundings.
Kristin discusses the pros and cons of living on a boat and living in a van, including the difficulties of getting groceries and the slower travel pace while living on a sailboat versus the convenience and speed of traveling in a van compared to a sailboat.
Kristin compares the living spaces and sense of community between a sailboat and a van, including the unique rapport among sailors.
Kristin concludes that she appreciates the benefits of both lifestyles and the ability to switch between the two.

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Kristin Hanes

Kristin Hanes is a former radio news journalist turned publisher of The Wayward Home website and podcast. Kristin has lived in a Prius and a Chevy Astro van, and now splits her time between a 2021 DIY Sprinter van and a sailboat. Email her: kristin@thewaywardhome.com

One Comment

Denette says:

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I think I was having flashbacks hearing your talk about the massive difficulties with the transition. It is so incredibly hard, the twice a year shuffle and change-over. I appreciated the change, for sure, but the transition sucked, big time. We never had ac and boy, I sure did want to rent an AC place for a few days while doing boat work or the transition but we never did. It would have been nice to get nightly relief to rest and recharge and shower in comfort before the next hard and hot day. Your comparisons between boating and van is spot on. It took years for me to not go through a mental safety checklist every time the sky darkened, sudden wind shift, etc. I would continue to think about what things needed to be protected from harsh weather and tied down, even though we were safely on land. You mentioned a lot of accurate things about the difference between boat and van. My biggest appreciation was ready access to flush toilets and hot showers when on land and in the van. So easy to drive someplace or be somewhere that both were available and on the boat, not so quick and easy. Endless supply of water for shower and toilet is amazing after having it limited. Glad you are enjoying comfy temps.

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