Meet the Crew of Ability
We’re the family behind Sailing with Clara—parents, siblings, one Leopard 48 catamaran named Ability, and a whole lot of curiosity. We didn’t set out to be “those people who live on a boat”—we just kept asking what life could look like if we believed we had the ability to do what we put our minds to, together.
Clara sits right at the center of that story. Our adventures are planned around her joy, her comfort, and her access—not as a limitation, but as the heartbeat that keeps this boat and this dream pointed in the right direction.
A Family Story, Told from the Water
Most days aboard Ability look like a mash-up of real life and big adventure: online school at the salon table, music drifting out of Clara’s speaker, tools spread across the cockpit as something gets fixed (again), and someone always scanning the horizon for dolphins. We’re not sailing to escape real life—we’re sailing to live it a little closer together.
Our shared mantra, we have the ability to do what we put our minds to, shows up in a hundred tiny decisions—from how we plan passages with Clara’s needs in mind to how we celebrate a new anchorage, a smooth crossing, or simply a really good day onboard.
Austin — Dad, Captain, Chief Fixer of All Things
If there’s a strange noise, a blinking light, or a tricky entrance to a new anchorage, Austin’s the one we all look at. He’s usually either at the helm, in the engine room, or halfway inside some compartment with a tool in his hand, trying to figure out what the boat is “saying” this time.
He didn’t grow up knowing how to fix all this stuff; he’s just the guy who will watch ten videos, ask a bunch of questions, and then give it a go anyway. Whether he’s rewiring a panel or adjusting Clara’s seat so she can see the waves better, Austin’s goal is simple: keep the boat safe, keep it moving, and keep everyone together for the next adventure.
Patti — Mom, First Mate, Keeper of Cozy
Patti’s the one making sure this actually feels like home and not just a collection of boat parts. She’s the person who can turn a tiny galley into a place that somehow smells like fresh cookies, and a noisy cockpit into a spot where school, card games, and real talks all happen in the same afternoon.
Her days are a constant loop of grocery runs, meal plans that somehow work in a rolling kitchen, never-ending laundry, and figuring out who needs to be where and when. She’s also Clara’s main person at sea, the one keeping track of meds, meals, comfort, and all the little moments that make Clara’s days feel good—whether that’s queuing up her favorite music or finding just the right blanket for a windy sunset.
Clara — The Soul of This Adventure
At 22, Clara is the reason this whole adventure has her name on it. She has Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome (4p-), and while that shapes how we plan and move through the world, it doesn’t define what she gets to be part of. Her laugh, her side-eye, and the way she lights up at the smallest things bring more to Ability than any fancy piece of gear ever could.
She loves loud music, fast dinghy rides, and that quiet pause right after the anchor drops in a new bay. We plan our routes, daily routines, and boat setup so she can join in on as much as possible—from sunset hangouts in the cockpit to early-morning “dolphin watch” with her wrapped up in a blanket.
Zoe — Teen Crew, Friend Finder
Zoe’s 16 and finishing her junior year of high school from a floating classroom. Most days you’ll find her with a laptop, headphones, a half-finished snack, and a view out the window that looks suspiciously like a screensaver.
Her favorite part of cruising isn’t the boat—it’s the people. Zoe loves finding new friends in each anchorage, trading stories with other kid boats, and tracking down the best hangout spots wherever we land, whether that’s a beach bonfire, a tiny café with good Wi-Fi, or late-night card games in the cockpit.
Makayla & Aidan — Flower Artist, Pokémon Fan, Long-Distance Crew
Makayla and Aidan are our long-distance crew, cheering us on from Utah. They may not be on the boat full-time, but they’re still deeply in the mix through calls, photos, and laughing together over Aidan’s latest Pokémon discoveries and our latest “you won’t believe what just broke” stories.
Makayla spends her days making wedding florals and working with kids and adults with special needs. Aidan’s right there too, working with kids with special needs and happily getting lost in the world of Pokémon when he’s off the clock. That mix of creativity, patience, and genuine care shows up in how they show up for Clara and the rest of us—always ready with encouragement, silly jokes, big hugs, and the promise of a noisy, joy-filled welcome whenever we’re back on land.
Holden — Missionary, Ocean Dreamer
Holden is 19 and serving a mission in Tampa, Florida for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His world right now is more about street names, conversations, and service than anchor chains and sail plans, but he’s still very much part of this crew.
We keep in touch through quick messages, shared stories, and the kind of updates that start with “you’ll never guess what just happened.” He brings faith, humor, and a steady sense of purpose to the family. Whenever we sail past Florida, we can’t help but picture him somewhere on shore, grinning and waving us on.
Ability
Ability is more than a 2016 Leopard 48 catamaran—she’s our floating home base, classroom, kitchen table, and front-row seat to every sunrise. Her cabins hold our sleep-deprived mornings and late-night giggles, her saloon table is where school happens and routes get sketched, and her cockpit is where we gather for sunsets, snacks, and big family decisions.
From the way her wide decks make it easier for Clara to move around safely to the way her spaces flex between “quiet time” and “all hands on deck,” Ability keeps us together and pointed toward what matters most. She’s the heart of Sailing with Clara—a reminder that we really do have the ability to do what we put our minds to, especially when we’re all under the same (floating) roof.
Come Sail This Story with Us
We’re still figuring things out as we go—weather, school schedules, boat projects, and the best playlists for night watches. But that’s the point: this isn’t a polished highlight reel. It’s a real family learning, laughing, and exploring together, with Clara at the center and Ability under our feet.
If our story sparks something in you—a question, a dream, or just a smile—we’d love for you to come along for the ride.
Sailing with Clara 