Jason and Kelley are a young couple with a familiar story. They decided to buy a boat, sell all their belongings, quit their jobs and sail away with their two dogs in an adventurous new life at sea.
They traded in the corporate life and their very tiny 244 sf Brooklyn studio apartment for an even smaller home aboard a Seafarer 34 sailboat in 2012. So far they’ve sailed along the East Coast of Florida and the Bahamas, but that’s just the beginning. They dream of opening a hostel in Colombia and traveling the world.
Read more about the crew and the plan >>here<<.
Jason and Kelley:
Dewey and Riley:
“She’s a 34 ft sloop designed in 1972 by legendary yacht designers James McCurdy and Philip Rhodes (McCurdy and Rhodes). Built by Seafarer Yachts in Huntington, NY, Chance has blue water pedigree and the classic lines found in some of history’s most revered sailing yachts.”
One of the most interesting things I learned is that Jason and Kelley only have the capacity to hold a combined total of 60 gallons of fresh water on board. I was most impressed by their ability to stretch that for a whopping 19 days! Click >>here<< to find out how.
Jason and Kelley have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into making Chance their home. The largest part of their refit work was done in the galley. Click >>here<< to see how they completely redesigned the galley into a much more efficient space. In a tiny house on land or on a boat, every little inch of space matters.
As soon as you come down through the companionway, the galley is immediately to your right. The new u-shaped design is just big enough for one person and is fully equipped with a stove, oven, DC fridge/freezer and a double sink. To make up for the lack of counter space, Chance even has a removable board covering the stove when not in use.
Both stackable and hanging baskets are utilized for additional storage.
The original companionway ladder was replaced with a sturdy set of stairs to make it easier for the pups to climb in and out. These aren’t your typical stairs, though. These stairs are hinged to lift up for access to the engine and each one also has drawers or a lid for some sneaky secret storage solutions! Not an inch of space is wasted here.
Kelley is a whiz on the sewing machine and made all new cushion covers in the salon and v-berth. She found a screaming deal on Sunbrella fabric and even repurposed an old tote bag to make a darling nautical throw pillow. You can find her post on interior cushions >>here<<.
Any pet lovers know who the bed really belongs to, especially in a tiny home. How could anyone say ‘no’ to these sweet faces?
As part of the refit, Chance got a new sink, faucet, countertop, lights, paint, medicine cabinet and head (marine toilet) in the bathroom. Be sure to check out the before and after pics in Kelley’s post >>here<<. It’s amazing what a little hard work can accomplish!
Don’t mind the minimal seating in this tiny floating home… Jason and Dewey are enjoying a clipping of extra lifeline security netting and a beach towel to make the most comfortable spot on board. Of course they also have the best view.
When it’s Kelley and Riley’s turn in the hammock, these two kick their feet up in the cockpit. Not a bad place to relax if you ask me!
Is this your kind of tiny home? If so… Chance is in North Carolina and on the market, listed for only $13,500! Visit the complete listing >>here<<.
Kelley and Jason love Chance dearly, but they moved back into a New York City apartment in September 2014. They plan on replenishing their savings and searching for a boat that’s a bit bigger before continuing their adventures and sailing to South America. If Chance doesn’t sell right away, they will be moving back aboard in May (once it stops snowing every day) simply because living on land again has made them realize just how much they miss living on the water. They can’t wait!
You can see more photos and read about their adventures on Kelley and Jason’s blog or their Facebook Page.
(All photos published with permission, courtesy of www.sailingchance.com)
By Jody Pountain for the [Tiny House Blog]
a boat is really the perfect tiny house! Because every thing you gave on boat needs a second determination.
and every thing needs it´s own fix place. so normally you have the floating tiny home in order 🙂
Best regards from the classic yacht “Safari”
Smutje Rosa
Love their story. and love all the pictures with the dogs in in them..
Thanks Dominick! It can sometimes be difficult to find a picture without the dogs in them. They are just so photogenic 🙂
Ahoy! A lovely boat for a fair price. Hope you get it sold to someone that can well utilize it.
Only $13,500?! Wow… that’s a great price
I love that you and your significant other were able to do this. I am certain that you will get your boat sold. Keep on sailing!
Thanks Candace! It’s nice to have people on our side 🙂