This Young Couple Moved into a 40-Foot Boat with Zero Sailing Experience—Here’s What They Learned

When Lindy Lenix and Jeremiah Bernheim untethered from their routines and set out on a 400-nautical-mile journey from San Francisco to Catalina with zero sailing experience, they had no idea they’d be so welcomed by the sailing community, let alone become social media sensations. Here, they share learnings with the hope of inspiring a life of exploration.

Courtesy of Lindy Lenix

You moved onto a sailboat with no prior experience and have since navigated hundreds of nautical miles. How did you mentally prepare for that leap? 

We live in a world where every risky hobby has extensive YouTube tutorials. Granted, I wouldn’t recommend anyone sail the ocean on that alone. But that’s how we prepared, as well as reading sailing manuals. I’m not going to lie and say I’m a “fearless” person. Good for those people, I’m jealous! But I made a promise to myself that no matter what, I’d stay calm and not give up. I’m proud to say I’ve pushed through. Things always get easier the more you do them.

Why did you set sail in California, as opposed to somewhere more far-flung? 

Two years ago, my fiance and I bought a 1989 Ford Econoline and decided we wanted to try van life out West. There’s a boating community out here like no other, and the water is so beautiful, it genuinely feels exotic! I love hearing people step off the ferry in Catalina and say, “I can’t believe we’re still in America.” We’re living in paradise every day. 

Courtesy of Lindy Lenix

Living on a 40-foot sailboat is a huge lifestyle shift. What have been the most surprising challenges? 

Our biggest goal is to become completely self-sustainable. You’re on anchor. You have to figure out how to have enough power to run a fridge, where you’re going to fill up water, where to get packages. So now we’re making energy using solar panels, using a desalination unit to make drinking water out of ocean water, and catching our own fish for dinner. The most rewarding moments come from being somewhere remote for a week and not needing anything else from the rest of the world to function.

How has being on the water changed the way you understand community and a connection to the West? 

Sailing from San Francisco to Catalina made us feel extremely connected with California. We were getting a perspective of the state that’s very rare, seeing every inch of coastline without missing a beat. Sailors are a community of people who look out for each other, and that’s become clear to us. I imagined it as a bunch of lone wolves, and I couldn’t be more wrong! The community has taken us in with open arms. We’ve seen people’s outboard engines get flooded, and a random guy gave them his spare. 

What dreams are you chasing with those future voyages? 

Our biggest dream is to circumnavigate the world. We don’t have any timeline. It could be five years, it could be 20. I don’t know how long it’s going to take, and that’s part of the fun. I’ve always chased slow, intentional travel. I’m pretty Type-A, but the reality of sailing is that you can’t plan. Mother Nature is in charge. The tides control my life now! 

What advice would you give someone who wants to embrace uncertainty and pursue a life less ordinary? 

As someone who started with zero experience, if I can do it, so can you. And you’re allowed to do it scared! I’d rather live a life of “oh wells” than “what ifs.”