Velella's Adventures in Waterworld

About Me

Name: Yacht Velella

My husband, Garth Wilcox, and I circumnavigated the Pacific, sailing over 34,000 miles and visiting 19 countries for 7 years, despite the fact that Garth couldn't actually stand or sit up straight in our moving home. Our mode of transportation was provided by an old wooden boat that fit our budget better than it fit Garth's large frame. Here's the nitty gritty on the boat: Velella is a Tom Wylie designed 31 foot cutter rigged light displacement cruiser. Built in 1979 with a shallow canoe body and no IOR distortion, she has a transom hung rudder on a skeg and a fin keel. Velella tracks beautifully and surfs easily. Velella is cold molded, strong, light, and very seaworthy. We should know. We put her to the test. Weighing only 8000 pounds, she carries 45 gallons of water and 10 gallons of fuel. Space and weight carrying ability are very limited. Hence our life aboard was all about living simply and adventurously.

View my complete profile