This is us!
We made a bold decision to change our lives, seeking a different rhythm and a new balance, starting with a year, but who knows, let’s see what is possible. On board our Oyster 49PH, Simon Hendrick, we’re embracing a life filled with quality moments as a family and the thrill of waking up to different horizons every day.
It’s not the easiest path, but we believe this journey will teach us invaluable lessons about ourselves and one another. Sailing is more than a skill for us; it’s our second nature, our passion, and a way to explore the world together. We are committed to making this dream work, hand in hand, as we chart our course through this adventure.
Now, as we sail the Mediterranean Sea, our journey unfolds amidst the region’s beauty, rich culture, and endless opportunities for discovery. We are excited about the adventures ahead, the new people we will meet, and the stories we’ll share.
We want to thank you for your interest in our story and invite you to follow along as we sail into the unknown. Together, let’s embrace the beauty of life, adventure, and the open sea.
Warm regards,
Edwin, Mirjam & Philou
“The only way to get a good crew is to marry one & raise one together…”
Stories
Discover the stories behind our journey, not a chronological diary, but a collection of thoughtful columns offering depth, reflection, and unique insights.
10 lessons
the sea taught us
There are things you cannot learn from a book, a course, or a carefully made plan. Some lessons only come when the wind picks up, the anchor drags, and there is no one to call but each other. After almost two years on the water, these are the ten things this life has truly taught us.
1. Prepare, but accept that you cannot control everything. We check the forecasts, study the charts, and secure everything twice. And then the storm arrives anyway and reminds us who is in charge. Out here, you learn to prepare with care and surrender with grace.
2. Trust each other, and act on doubt immediately. When one of us feels something is off, we move. No discussion, no delay. That agreement has kept us safe more than once, and it has made us stronger as a team.
3. Stopping is not failing. Some of our most valuable moments have come when we were forced to slow down. A rough crossing, a cold, a week of rain on deck. Stillness brings clarity that movement never can.
4. Community is not a given, but you can build it. Far from family and familiar faces, we have learned to gather people around us. Fellow sailors, local neighbours, a child in the playground. Home turns out to be less about a place and more about who shows up.
5. You cannot do two things well at the same time. Choose consciously. Whether it is work, school, or keeping the boat safe in a storm, the moment you try to hold everything at once, something gives. Presence is a decision.
6. Structure gives freedom, especially with a child on board. Rhythm is not the enemy of adventure. Philou learns better with regularity. We sail better with a plan. A little structure at sea creates space, not restriction.
7. Choosing differently comes with a cost, and that is worth naming. More distance from the people you love most. More uncertainty. Less of the familiar. We do not dwell on it, but we do not pretend it is nothing either. Honesty about what you leave behind is part of choosing well.
8. You do not need to decide everything at once. Our search for a base (somewhere) has taught us the value of letting things settle. Gather impressions, feel your way through it, wait until something truly lands. Not every open question needs an answer today.
9. Courage is simply untying the lines. It is not the absence of doubt. It is leaving anyway. Waving goodbye to the winter harbour, heading into an uncertain forecast, choosing this life again every single morning.
10. The journey changes you, quietly and continuously. Not in one dramatic moment but in small, steady shifts. You learn what you need. Your relationship deepens. Your child grows in ways you never could have planned. The water shapes you, whether you notice it or not.
After almost two years of living, sailing, and growing together on Simon Hendrick, these are not just lessons from the sea. They are lessons about who we are, what we value, and what kind of life we want to keep building. The horizon keeps moving. So do we.
Some things you only learn by casting off.
Read more of the background stories behind these lessons in our Stories.
Finding Simon Hendrick: our perfect match
Our search for the perfect ship began years ago, driven by a dream and guided by countless lists of “needs” and “wants.” We started with a clear vision: a monohull, center cockpit design with plenty of natural light in the cabin. It needed to be sturdy enough for circumnavigation, yet comfortable and practical for daily life on the water. And, of course, the list of criteria seemed to grow endlessly as we refined our vision.
The next step was visiting ships. We quickly fell in love with the craftsmanship and quality of yachts like Contest, recognizing that with our budget, we’d need to focus on older vessels where durability and design were paramount.
By sheer coincidence, we discovered this “old lady” right in our backyard, a serendipitous find that turned out to be the perfect match. She ticked every box on our list and even surprised us with a stunning pilot house, an absolute bonus we hadn’t dared to hope for. The clincher was hearing from the examiner that the previous owner had cared for her “like a teddy bear.” That level of love and attention sealed the deal, and we became the proud owners of what is now the Simon Hendrick.
This classy English yacht is not just a vessel; she’s a home, a partner in adventure, and a symbol of our shared dreams.
For more details about her unique story and design, click here:
Oyster HP 49 Pilothouse Yacht | Pilothouse Sailboat | Oyster Yachts
Impressions
A view of daily life
Sailing Simon Hendrick 