28/02/2026
Our lives are changing
High-latitude sailing has shaped us profoundly over the past few years. It has taken us to wild and remote places, tested us in ways we never expected, and connected us with an extraordinary community. It has been about exploration, resilience, adventure, and the freedom to choose a different way of living.
Somewhere along the way, amid the ice, the long passages, and the quiet anchorages, we became more than just sailing partners, and are now husband and wife. We are Sarah and Steve — and while our surroundings may change, the way we live and the alternative lifestyle we’ve chosen remains the same.
As part of this new chapter, we have purchased, and have been busy refitting, Libertas, a rather special traditional 70ft narrowboat built by the highly respected Steve Hudson — a beautiful blend of heritage design and contemporary comfort. She is powered by a Russell Newbery DM2 engine, renowned for its unmistakable sound and dependable performance, and supported by a Mastervolt Whisper 3.5 generator to ensure we have reliable onboard power.
She may not have sails, but she carries the same spirit of independence and adventure, and we now have thousands of miles of UK canals and rivers to explore.
We will shortly be advertising Snow Bear for sale — a difficult decision, as we absolutely love her. If you know of anyone looking for a well-equipped and well-maintained UK-registered HR40, please do get in touch.
To better reflect the next chapter of our lives, we are becoming SnowBearAdventures, and a few changes are in development for our website.
This is not a farewell to sailing. We very much hope to continue our sailing life and remain available as crew, consultants, and advisors — particularly for those preparing for higher-latitude voyages. We still have a bucket list of destinations of our own and expect, from time to time, to charter boats and head back out onto open water.
We hope you will continue to follow and support us as our journey evolves.
