Meet 10-year Fort Lauderdale resident Dale Kern, 49, who lives aboard his 1989 32-foot Ericson 32-200, Windpunk, with girlfriend, Mirsa, a sailing newbie who’s now crewing in races.

What do you like most about living on your boat?

There is a sense of community at the marinas, and your neighbors share the same love for the water.

My boat is relatively small for a live-aboard. To me it’s the boating version of the new “tiny living” fad.

How did you take up sailing?

Sailboats caught my attention. While they are slow, it seemed like an interesting hobby, using wind power to drive a boat. It seems to be a better blend of science and art than a regular powerboat.

Eventually there came a time when I asked myself, If not now, then when?” I bought the boat near Tampa and brought it back to Fort Lauderdale myself through the Okeechobee Waterway on a five-day trip.

What are your favorite places to sail?

Since my boat is small, we use it mostly for local sailing. The keys and Peanut Island have been my favorite sails so far.

Does anything stand out to you about being on the water in South Florida?

Florida is a great place to be a sailor. It offers yearround sailing and plenty of sail-friendly weather and a tropical feel. The sunrises from the water are particularly beautiful.

Also, there’s plenty of boater and sailing clubs and organizations to belong to. I choose to join the Hillsboro Inlet Sailing Club where I learned to sail and continue to perfect my skills.

Must have item during trips?

Good, knowledgeable crew that are not only good at sailing but share a sense of camaraderie and a love for sailing and the water.

Describe your scariest or most challenging experience on the water:

During a club race there was absolutely no wind as we were trying to cross the finish line. We had full sails up trying to capture as much wind as possible as we sailed close to the beach for the best point of sail.
Then in an instant — out-of-nowhere — the wind went from 0 to about 40 knots. The boat immediately heeled on its side and started heading for the beach. The sudden pressure caused some vital equipment to break. Getting the sails down in high wind and getting away from the beach was a particularity unnerving experience.

What is your dream boat?

If money was no object, I would enjoy a Hallberg-Rassy 42 or a Hylas 54 for cruising. Both beautiful boats.

Best advice to new boaters?

Join a boating club or organization to meet like-minded people. I bought my boat without knowing how to sail but I was able to learn from other club members. Now I'm racing, cruising and enjoying the lifestyle.