From Land to Sea: Our New Life Aboard with Ciara Knight

  This year, my husband and I took a leap of faith and moved onto our new home—a 48-foot Kadey-Krogen Whaleback. After selling almost everything we owned, hugging our kids goodbye as they settled into college, and packing what was left of our lives into this boat, we officially became liveaboards.

The first step of our dream is to head to the Bahamas for six months starting this December, but the adventure has already begun.

For now, we live in a Marina

Our 48-foot Kadey-Krogen Whaleback, tucked into her new home at the marina.

Even though we haven’t traveled far yet, life on the boat feels like stepping into a whole new world. The marina community has been a gift—friendly, welcoming, and always ready to lend a hand or share a story.

Morning “office view”—sunrise over the water while I write.

Mornings are my favorite. I’ll either work up on deck with the breeze in my hair or head to the Admirals Room at the marina for a little quiet focus time. By afternoon, life shifts into play: taking the dinghy to the beach, zipping around on electric scooters to the coffee shop, or heading to dinner by water at our favorite spot, Dixie Fish Company.

From dinghy rides to scooter runs—it’s a whole new kind of commute.

Next week, we’re planning our first outing to anchor overnight—what boaters call “on the hook.” After that, we’ll prep for a transit down the west coast and then up Florida’s east coast to Ft. Pierce, where the boat will be hauled out for some work.

Soon, we’ll be spending our first night “on the hook”—anchored out under the stars.

It’s equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking, but every step makes this lifestyle feel more real.

Of course, it hasn’t all been sunsets and dolphin sightings. I’ve learned that boat life comes with its fair share of bumps—literally.

A few weeks ago, a boat sped through a no-wake zone, throwing up a five- to six-foot wave. I was sitting up front, and before I knew it, I was airborne—my husband swears at least three feet! When I landed, I hit the metal bars, bruising myself from arm to ankle and cutting my leg on the anchor.

It was a painful reminder that the sea is as humbling as it is beautiful.

But here’s the thing: even on the hard days, I wake up to dolphins playing near the bow, manatees gliding past, or a sunrise painting the water gold. Those quiet, breathtaking moments remind me why we chose this life.

Morning visitors—better than any alarm clock.

We traded square footage for freedom, routine for adventure, and solid ground for the rhythm of the sea. And despite the bruises, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Evening views that make every challenge worthwhile.

This is just the beginning of our journey. Next stop: anchoring out for the first time, then preparing for our voyage to the Bahamas. I can’t wait to share more from life aboard as we learn, explore, and chase this dream on the water.

Ciara Knight is a USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author who writes heart-tugging, faith-filled romance with a dash of hope and a whole lot of love. When she's not wrangling swoon-worthy cowboys or crafting small-town drama, she's navigating life as a proud mom of three spirited (and now grown!) boys.

In a major plot twist no one saw coming, Ciara and her tech-savvy husband recently traded in their empty nest for open waters—purchasing a boat to live aboard full-time. Together, they’re setting sail on the greatest adventure yet: the next chapter of life, love, and a few waves of inspiration. Anchors aweigh!

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Ciara Knight has a new book out this month: 

Healing the Veteran 

1. 
   

A K-9 in need
could help open his closed-off heart.

Haunted by a disastrous military mission, wounded veteran Ace Gatlin vows to live alone on his farm so he can never fail anyone again. However, this doesn’t discourage his determined neighbor, physiotherapist Jolene Pearl, who shows up at his door with a troubled K-9 desperate for a home. 

Jolene is sure the two injured warriors need each other, and soon, their joint efforts to rehabilitate sweet Bear chip away at the shrapnel lodged in Ace’s heart. But when a catastrophic tornado strikes Willow Oaks, more than just their budding relationship is put to the test. 

Can Jolene help Ace see himself as worthy of happily-ever-after?

Buy on:

Amazon Kindle.      Amazon Paperback

Amazon Aus.           Amazon UK