The Experiences of Switching from a Single-Hull to a Multi-Hull Vessel: Lessons Gleaned by a Liveaboard Cruiser

The Shankles' Journey to a Larger Floating Home: From Agape to Agape Nui

After living aboard a bluewater cruising yacht, a 1984 Tayana 42 named Agape, for over a decade, Joshua Shankle and his wife, Rachel, embarked on a new journey. Their quest was to find a larger vessel that would function more like a floating condo than a weekend racer, offering a comfortable and inviting home to enjoy and share with friends and family.

Two years ago, Joshua developed a condition called the 'bigger boat' bug, affecting the part of his brain responsible for rational thinking. This led them to decide to buy a bigger boat, either a 55-60ft monohull or a catamaran, for more space for visitors and faster sailing.

As they started their search, Joshua focused on catamarans, trying to get on board as many different models as possible to understand their design features and practicality for day-to-day life. After inspecting the Leopard 46 catamaran thoroughly, Joshua made the decision to buy it and convert it into their new home.

The couple spent a night on the Leopard catamaran before buying it and named their new vessel Agape Nui (Nui meaning 'big' in Tahitian). Agape Nui boasts double the refrigeration and freezer space, two watermakers, and a washing machine, providing ample resources for their extended stays in remote islands and anchorages.

The Shankles spent the last five years exploring these very islands and anchorages in French Polynesia, sailing Agape through Mexico, Central America, and French Polynesia. They welcomed 19 friends, family members, and fellow creatives aboard Agape Nui, many staying for weeks at a time.

The Shankles discovered that their new boat could endure more than they could, typically needing to slow down to enjoy a smoother ride against the swells. This revelation led them to take on more crew to forge and strengthen friendships made along their journey.

The passage from Tahiti to the Marquesas served as a thorough shakedown for both boat and crew. They tested everything from reefing lines and deck hatches during headwinds and waves to engine performance during the calm of the last 36 hours of the journey.

After living on Agape, they developed a longing for friends and family as a sailor's life is filled with farewells. They listed Agape for sale, hoping to find their new home before cyclone season began. Agape Nui's solar capacity has doubled to 1,800W, and they plan to increase it to nearly 3,000W.

The Shankles are convinced that choosing a catamaran was the right decision. They prioritised a comfortable and protected helm station over an exposed one at the stern, as it would be more practical for embarking and disembarking, especially when carrying heavy dive equipment.

As of now, there are no relevant search results available to identify which yacht charter company rented the Leopard 46 Catamaran for liveaboard cruiser Joshua Shankle. The Shankles are now setting sail on their new adventure, looking forward to creating more memories and sharing their floating home with loved ones.

The Experiences of Switching from a Single-Hull to a Multi-Hull Vessel: Lessons Gleaned by a Liveaboard Cruiser