Most of us dream of leaving behind our daily routines, quitting our jobs, and living a life of adventure. But how many of us actually take that leap? Well, Captain Gaurav Gautam (Retd.) and his wife Vaidehi did just that. In 2022, the couple decided to trade their comfortable, well-paying jobs for an extraordinary life at sea, reported India Today. With their teenage daughter, Kaeya, they moved onto a 42-foot sailboat named Reeva and never looked back.
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The couple, who document their journey on Instagram (The Reeva Project), revealed that they sold almost everything they owned to make their dream come true. From a house full of belongings, a car, and a bike, they downsized their life to just 120 kg of essentials that could fit on their boat.
For Gaurav, the idea of sailing full-time wasn’t an overnight decision. He spent seven years researching and daydreaming about it before finally asking Vaidehi in 2020 if she was ready to take the plunge. Without hesitation, she said yes. The COVID-19 pandemic caused boat prices to drop, making it the perfect time to buy one. Within a year and a half, they quit their jobs, sold everything, and set sail.
Life on a boat comes with its own set of struggles, but for the Gautams, it’s all about three things: freedom, minimalism, and adventure with The Reeva Project.
“We used to take long showers, order food online, and enjoy air conditioning. Now, rain showers are a luxury, island food is an experience, and sleeping under the stars is the new normal.”
Sailing full-time meant learning new skills – repairing the boat themselves, collecting rainwater, and sourcing fresh produce from the islands they visited, according to Travel+ Leisure. Over time, they even managed to go 76 days without docking at a marina!
Their daughter, Kaeya, is homeschooled on the boat. Her learning goes beyond textbooks. She studies through online courses but also picks up real-world skills like navigation, marine biology, and different cultures as they travel. Instead of a typical school routine, her days are filled with adventure, exploring islands, meeting new people, and learning through experiences.
Cooking on a sailboat is another challenge they’ve mastered. Their tiny kitchen, or “galley”, is equipped with a stove, a small oven, and a limited pantry. Meals have to be planned carefully, as they often go days without access to fresh supplies. Yet, they’ve found creative ways to cook delicious homemade meals using local ingredients from the places they visit.
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After exploring Thailand, Malaysia, and other parts of Southeast Asia, the family recently arrived in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. While they continue navigating life at sea, they’ve also discovered something surprising – Indians don’t typically choose sailing as a lifestyle.
“We are the largest population in the world with a massive coastline, yet nobody sails full-time. The global liveaboard community consists of thousands of families, but no one from India.”
Would you ever trade your current life for one at sea?