EP 140: A Deep Dive into Long-Term Cruising, Boat Ownership, and the Sailing Mindset- Mark D'Alton P1

Welcome back to the Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States podcast! I’m your host, Bela Musits, and in this special episode, we kick off a two-part conversation with seasoned sailor and liveaboard cruiser Mark D'Alton.

For our regular listeners, you know we’ve been chronicling our trip moving Mike Malekoff’s Hunter 44 Deck Salon from Brunswick, Georgia to Burlington, Vermont. But today, we take a thoughtful detour to feature Mark D'Alton unique sailing journey and philosophy on life aboard a boat.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Mark’s background and how he got into sailing full-time
  

• What it’s really like to live aboard for extended periods
  

• Why choosing the right boat is about purpose more than size
  

• The importance of mindset when things go wrong offshore
  

• Practical tips for managing power, systems, and provisioning
  

• How community and solitude coexist in the cruising lifestyle
  

⛵ Who Is Mark D'Alton? Mark is not just a sailor—he’s a storyteller, a teacher, and a man who has found deep meaning in the cruising life. With years of experience sailing the East Coast and beyond, Mark shares heartfelt insights on everything from boat maintenance and anchoring strategies to the emotional ups and downs of life at sea.

Whether he’s talking about engine failures, tricky weather windows, or unforgettable sunsets, Mark brings wisdom, humor, and a calm, centered perspective that will resonate with sailors of all levels.

🧭 Episode Highlights

• “You don’t own a boat. A boat owns you. And that’s a good thing if you’re ready for it.”
  

• Why flexibility is the most powerful tool a cruiser has
  

• How to prepare mentally and practically for long passages
  

• What Mark looks for in weather forecasts (and when to ignore them)
  

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💡 Listener Takeaways:

• You’ll learn how to think like a long-term cruiser
  

• Understand the emotional reality of being at sea for weeks
  

• Get practical ideas for boat prep, repairs, and provisioning
  

• Discover how to stay connected and find community while sailing
  

📸 This audio episode is part of a broader visual journey we’ve been capturing on video, featuring both stunning footage and day-by-day logs from our coastal voyage. If you’re interested in seeing the images behind the stories, check out our companion video episodes.

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🎧 Don’t Miss Part 2! This is just the beginning. In Part 2 of our interview with Mark Dalton, we go even deeper into his philosophies on self-reliance, boat design, and navigating personal change through sailing. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it!

Connect With Us:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more sailing enthusiasts like you!  You can connect with us at [e-mail]

Happy Sailing!

Bela and Mike