A Sea of Forgotten Dreams: Life Aspirations Before Yachting?

13/09/2024

Written by Ben Willoughby

In the shimmering waters of yachting, where luxury and adventure meet, lies an often-overlooked truth—a sea of forgotten dreams. Many crew members step into this industry with a plan: to work for a year or two, earn enough to fund their true aspirations, and then move on. But for so many, those dreams never seem to make port. The golden handcuffs of yachting—the allure of money, travel, and a lifestyle unlike any other—have a way of locking people in, quietly anchoring them away from the lives they once envisioned.

I often find myself wondering about the dreams that crew carried with them when they first signed their contracts. How many artists, writers, entrepreneurs, or teachers are polishing chrome and scrubbing teak today, their ambitions stowed away like forgotten luggage in the bilge? How many stories of "just a couple of seasons" have turned into years, or even decades, of a life at sea? What dreams have been lost in the wake of endless crossings and charters?

Yachting is a world of contradictions. It promises freedom and adventure, yet it often traps its crew in a cycle of dependency. The paycheck is substantial, but so are the sacrifices. The job can be exhilarating, but it can also be exhausting, leaving little time or energy for anything else. The spontaneity and exploration that drew so many into this world can morph into a routine that’s hard to escape. Crew members become accustomed to the comforts of the industry—the financial security, the exotic locations, and the camaraderie—but at what cost?

For some, the dreams they left behind might have seemed impractical or too risky to pursue. Others may have intended to save up for their passions but found themselves caught in the industry's relentless pace. Over time, those ambitions can fade, buried beneath the demands of the job and the relentless ticking of seasons. And yet, the yearning for something more never quite disappears. It lingers, like the distant horizon, just out of reach.

I’ve met deckhands who once dreamed of being photographers, chefs who aspired to open their own restaurants, and stews who longed to return to school. Their stories are as varied as the oceans we cross, but the common thread is always the same: yachting wasn’t meant to be forever. Somewhere along the way, it became just that.

What’s heartbreaking is that the industry doesn’t often encourage space for personal growth outside the confines of the yacht. Shore leave is fleeting, and the idea of taking extended time off to pursue a passion feels daunting, if not impossible. Crew fear being replaced, losing their spots, or stepping away from the financial safety net they’ve come to rely on. The result? A slow erosion of those initial dreams, traded for the steady hum of engines and the rhythm of charter seasons.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. For those of us still afloat, perhaps it’s time to chart a new course. The sea has taught us resilience, adaptability, and the art of navigating the unknown—all qualities that can serve us beyond the deck. Maybe it’s time to revisit those old dreams, to dust them off and see if they still fit. Maybe it’s time to create space in our lives for the passions we’ve set aside.

Because dreams don’t have to die at sea. They can live on, carried with us as we move forward, shaping the lives we were always meant to lead. It’s never too late to make port, to step ashore, and to rediscover the person you were before the golden handcuffs.

So, to anyone reading this who feels the weight of forgotten dreams: take heart. Your journey isn’t over. The sea has a way of teaching us what truly matters, and perhaps the greatest adventure of all is finding the courage to chase those dreams once again.

Always,

Ben Willoughby