D
on and Alexandra Calder have always sought to live life on their own terms, embracing adventure and simplicity. After years of living in various homes, from a cozy loft above a garage to a spacious house near museums and restaurants, they decided it was time for something new. "We'd been thinking about what we wanted to do next," Mrs. Calder said, "and we both love the idea of exploring new places."

    The couple's shared spirit of adventure led them to consider living on a boat. They'd spent time with friends in Australia and other countries, and had even owned a camper for years. As contractors and caretakers of large homes, they'd seen firsthand how burnout could set in when owning a big property. "We like to be hands-on and fix things ourselves," Mrs. Calder explained, "and we don't need much space."

    With Mr. Calder's experience as a boat builder and remodeler, and a budget of $350,000 from the sale of their Albuquerque home, they began searching for the perfect vessel. They wanted a trawler, known for its stability and seaworthiness, with good interior space and a galley on the same level as the living areas. After scouring the internet and traveling to see boats in person, they narrowed their options to multiple DeFever boats along the East Coast.

    "We decided a 49-foot trawler would work well for us," Mr. Calder said, "with two staterooms for guests and a cruising range of at least 1,000 miles." They also prioritized stabilizers to make handling rough seas easier, which added $80,000 to $100,000 to their budget. After months of searching, they found the perfect boat – a DeFever that met all their requirements and would become their new home on the water.