Sometimes, things simply take time. Time to dream, to research, to make plans – and to scrap them again. We spent countless hours fighting our way through the jungle of sailing boat listings, trying to figure out what we actually wanted. What we liked. What we didn’t.
Truth be told, we didn’t really know yet what we would truly need out on the water. After all, we were inexperienced sailors. Still, after extensive research, a few non-negotiables began to emerge.
Our small floating home should be:
- between 11 and 13 metres
- a long-keel boat
- ideally a ketch
- a cutter rig with a bowsprit
- heavy and forgiving
- standing headroom in the living areas
And then, about a year later, she suddenly appeared: TIAMAT, our new home on 32 feet.
TIAMAT – smaller than planned, bigger than expected
TIAMAT is an Island Packet 32. A boat with less than 10 metres on deck hadn’t even been on our radar. Far too small to live aboard, we thought, when we first saw the listing.
But then this little boat revealed herself as a true space miracle – with proper headroom, even for Tommy. TIAMAT is technically a 35-foot cutter, meaning she carries two headsails and a bowsprit. That’s why she’s actually longer than 10 metres overall. You can’t exactly live on those extra three feet, of course – but they’re perfect for sitting out front while sailing, watching the world drift by as you glide over the waves. And yes, that’s where the anchor lives too.
What we were looking for – and why it mattered so much
Cutter rig – beautiful and practical
Two headsails simply give you more options. You’re more flexible when the wind shifts, reefing is easy – and then there’s the bowsprit. Let’s be honest: anyone who sails also loves aesthetics. Sure, a cutter doesn’t point quite as high into the wind as a sloop. But hey – the sea is big. We don’t always have to sail in a straight line.
Long keel – safety and calm
Anyone who’s ever run aground knows what a difference a solid, fully encapsulated long keel can make. And worrying about rusty keel bolts? Not something we have to deal with. Our TIAMAT has forgiven us more than a few beginner’s mistakes. She sails calmly, holds her course well, even when our trim isn’t perfect. Manoeuvring astern in a marina? Yes, that’s… special. But with patience and a bit of practice, it all works out.
Classic charm instead of plastic
We love real wood. Not necessarily on deck, but definitely below. Furniture that doesn’t just look good, but feels good too. No plastic, no cheap chipboard – just solid, well-crafted joinery. If we were going to live aboard, it had to feel like a home, not like a caravan on the water.
That’s why we mainly looked at Scandinavian brands like Hallberg-Rassy, Najad and Vindö, where build quality is simply outstanding. Unfortunately, many of these boats also have a lot of exterior teak – which, on older boats, is often rotten and needs replacing.
Other famous brands like Hans Christian, Formosa or Westsail we quickly ruled out. Too hard to find, too big, and/or too expensive. And yet, our small American pocket cruiser is far more than just a compromise.
Headroom – a real quality-of-life factor
Despite having “only” a 32-foot hull, TIAMAT offers around 1.90 metres of standing headroom almost everywhere – except in the aft cabin/berth. That’s pretty exceptional for a boat of this size, and it makes a huge difference in everyday life. It also makes the interior feel surprisingly spacious. Many guests are genuinely amazed at how big our small floating home feels inside.
35 to 38 feet – the sweet spot for living aboard
We wanted enough space to work, cook, sleep and dream – but also a boat we could comfortably handle as a couple. Bigger means more comfort, but also higher costs. For us, TIAMAT hits the perfect middle ground. The only thing we really miss is a fully separate second cabin.
Ketch rig – a dream still alive
We both have a soft spot for ketch and schooner rigs. They look majestic and offer plenty of sailing options. Unfortunately, they’re rare – and usually larger than our budget allows. For now, it remains an open dream.