The Best Cruising Advice in Six Words

"Sail the wind you are in." If I had only six words in which to impart a nugget of advice on a new cruiser it would be these. Sail the wind you are in; literally and figuratively. I wish I did this more myself, because it's easier said than done, but (sigh) I am a work in progress and unfortunately tend to err on the side of stubborn. Nevertheless it's a good bit of wisdom to hold close and pass on. There are times in life when we have a choice: we can struggle and fight against whatever forces oppose us, or simply work with what we've got.  It's a valuable life lesson to heed on both land and sea, and one of the many I have learned in earnest whilst living on a boat.

***

Inspired by the recent New York Times contest calling for parenting advice in 'six words or less' which was, itself, inspired by the new book The Best Advice in Six Words: Writers Famous and Obscure on Love, Sex, Money, Friendship, Family, Work, and Much More- I wondered what the best cruising advice might be in six words? It began as a fun sort of challenge for myself, with me coming up with the unoriginal quote above. But then I thought, what six words would other's say? I turned to the 'hive mind' of my internet cruising tribe and asked. Turns out, there can be a hefty dose of wisdom in a few short words. Some of this advice is specifically related to boating, some is tongue in cheek, and some just for a laugh - but many of these succinct pointers offer condensed, gritty intelligence which can be applied to life in general, so landlubbers, no need to hit the 'back' button just yet.

Here are (six) words of wisdom from people who have been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt. Take it or leave it.

A special thank you to my fellow "Women who Sail" for chiming in and playing along with such creativity, humor and thoughtfulness. Enjoy!

***

Never sail on a (f*****g) schedule. - Melody of Mondo Vacilando

Keep the water out, people in. - Diane Partyka

You will never be the same. - Lisa Carswell Presnell
Don't let the naysayers squelch you. - Behan of Sailing Totem

Find your tribe and stay connected. - Caitlyn Harris

Time is our most valuable asset. - Dawn Brinker
Do no harm, take only pictures. - Jane Greico

Always make room for the wine.  - Melody of Mondo Vacilando

Don't wait another day, just GO! - LeeAnn Buse

Those hours of varnishing paid off.  - linda Gurth Hildreth

Throw the lines, don't look back. -Nellie Reynolds Symm-Gruender

Need to be where you are. - Susan Kohler Macdonald

Don't "plan" yourself out of cruising... - Shari Wynd

(Your) Life revolves around the weather! - Janel Seier

Get out and live life now! - Denise Rendazzo Allen of Get Out and Live Life

Pick a date and just go! -Stacy of s/v Smitty

Keep it simple, keep it safe. -Michelle of Simply Afloat

Go where the wind takes you. - -Monique of Drakes Paragon
Do not flush the toilet paper. - Jennifer E. Kroon

Get rid of all your stuff. - Kristin Miller of Happy Sailing

You'll make mistakes, it'll work out - Jessica Johnson of MJ Sailing

Go now, you'll never regret it! -Sherry McCampbell
Home is where the boat is. - Theresa of Pilot Discretion

Doesn't kill you? Makes you stronger. - Lauren of Seabiscuit

No calendar, no clock, clean bottom. - Cheryl McCormak Baker

Don't wait until it's too late. - Deb of The Retirement Project

Extensive boat work in exotic places! - Dani S. Mith of Latitude Adjustment

Step off the map, find adventure! -Monique of Drakes Paragon

Not what you think it is! - Allison Kelly Gabel

Plans in sand at low tide. -Stacey Hoopes

Shit happens. It's always an adventure. - Duwan Dunn of Make Like an Ape Man

Every latitude has a different attitude. - Keanna Coral Rink

Have fun, be safe, live life. - Vicki of Astrolabe Sailing

Uncharted territory never felt so good. - Kelly Hull

See you somewhere south of somewhere. - Alex of Sailing Banyan
Own your boat in your name. -Cyndy Carter

Plan A, Plan B, Plan C. - Marla Hedman

Should have done it years ago... - Karen of Dreamtime Sail

Cruising is like living everywhere else! - Tammy of Things we did Today

Feeling puny under a starlit sky. - Linda Gurtz Hildreth

Keep the maintenance low as possible. - Eric of Rebel Heart
Well we haven't killed ourselves yet! - Robyn of Smart Moves Adventures

When in doubt, let it out! - Dave Pitcher

Being a little crazy isn't enough. - Byn of Oh Sail Yes

(You gotta) Go with the flow! - Hanneke Tiddens-Pot

Not all who wander are lost - Tracy from Plane to Sea

A bigger anchor promotes better sleep - Jan Saukko
Bring some chapstick and extra sunglasses. -Charlotte of Rebel Heart

Choose destination or date, not both. - Tasha from Turf to Surf

Be thankful to mother nature daily - Gwen from The Two Captains

Follow your plans, not other's plans - Behan of Sailing Totem

Take the good with the bad. - Ellen from The Cynical Sailor

Don't panic. Breathe. You've got this. - Kim Taylor

Watch for mangoes, Marley and mermaids! - Chris of Mangoes, Marley and Mermaids

Don't be afraid to make mistakes - Maria of Sailing Mareda

Prepare to gybe -- it always changes! - Pamela Benson-Lasnetske

Mast goes up, keel goes down - Linda Gurth Hildreth

An enlightening journey, not a vacation - Daria Blackwell

Be able to fix your toilet! - Beth Burlingame

Be prepared, but embrace the unexpected -Monique of Drakes Paragon

Take turns being the ship's captain. - Logan Hottle

Improve by time on the water. - Anna Black

Self-reliance saves time and money. - Anne of From Pine to Palm

Take the wind and sail away. - Lynne of Amarula Sail

Keep your eye on the weather! - Sally Pinches
A life well lived is glorious! - Behan of Sailing Totem

***

And at the end of the day just:
"sail the wind you are in" 

Those are my six words. 

What are yours?