About Us

The adventure started when Greg, in his early thirties, got an invite for his first sailing trip on “De Herwig,” a 7-meter wooden boat built in 1948. He still remembers that early morning drive, getting the boat ready, the rumble of the old single-cylinder diesel engine and the thrill of hoisting the sails. When the engine was cut and the boat began to glide through the water on just the morning breeze, he was hooked. Having never been on a sailboat before, sailing had seemed like a distant dream.

Over the next few years, that dream began to take shape. Greg learned to sail, bought a small boat, took part in some regattas and dove into sailing books. His passion grew into a new dream: living on a boat and sailing around the world. After meeting Julie, they got a bigger boat and realized they could actually make it happen together. After years of sanding, painting, upgrading, and more sanding and painting, it was finally time to set off on their adventure.

Julie didn’t know anything about sailing when she met Greg. For the first six years of their relationship, she couldn’t quite understand his obsession with it. When he first proposed sailing around the world, she was torn. She loved being on the water and traveling, but she knew a boat would mean a lot of hard work and leaving behind their comfortable life. Was it worth it?

The Covid-19 lockdown changed everything for her. During that time, Julie really missed sailing and being out on the water. She longed for freedom and a way to explore the world at her own pace. So, the idea of setting out with their beloved sailboat, El Burro, started to make perfect sense. They decided to go for it.

Now, Julie genuinely loves life aboard. The challenges have become part of the adventure and she sees it as a great way to grow and a perfect lesson in letting go.

At first, Nelly absolutely hated the sound of the engine starting up. You know, that little ‘beep’ sound? Whenever she heard it, she would run to the v-berth and curl up in a corner between some pillows. But now, despite being the oldest of the two cats, she’s developed real sea legs and is still very fit. Even in the roughest waves, she sleeps as if nothing is happening. When you check on her, she responds with some adorable sounds to say hello.

Nelly also has a built-in clock and knows exactly when it’s dinner time, never missing a meal. She’s got a radar for thunderstorms, too; whenever one is approaching, she hides in the pilot berth well before it arrives. Life aboard El Burro wouldn’t be the same without her.

Finn’s journey began with a challenging start on the island of Crete, Greece. At just six months old, he had a car accident that left him with a fractured front left leg. Thanks to the compassionate folks at Vocal, a cat charity, a fundraiser was organized to cover his crucial surgery.

During our volunteer work at a neutering campaign organized by Vocal, we met Finn. He was remarkably affectionate and loved belly rubs, which made us decide to adopt him.

At first, Finn had a rough start with sailing. He got seasick on every trip, to the point where Julie and Greg even questioned if they should continue with their adventure. But over time, he’s gotten much better; he rarely gets sick anymore, except when the seas are really rough. Julie and Greg think it’s more out of fear than actual sickness. Finn also has a strong dislike for the engine and hides whenever it starts up.

Now, despite his initial struggles, Finn is a cherished member of the crew.