Gig Harbor, Final Stop for Seafaring Retirees

For some people, buying a boat and setting sail to explore the world by sea is the ultimate retirement dream. But for one seafaring couple who has been living that dream, the “golden years” means finally settling on dry land.

After 20 years of sailing around the world, Klaus and Maria Haeussler turned up in Gig Harbor in June — their final port of call. They parked at with the intention of selling their 41-foot Hallberg-Rassy. 

The couple, from Esslingen in southern Germany, has slept, cooked and showered on their boat while sailing to more than 30 countries over the past two decades. So they say they are more than happy to call it a day and rejoin civilization on solid ground.

"We both have the feeling it's time to get settled now," said Klaus, 69, who taught economics before he set sail with Maria, 57, his wife of 25 years.

The two have ventured out to exotic places like Antarctica, Tasmania and Cuba. Klaus said their longest passage, from Costa Rica to Hawaii, lasted 35 days at sea. Before it was part of the excitement, but their older bones are yearning for a more creature comforts.

"Now 35 days isn't easy anymore. It's uncomfortable on the big waves," said Klaus. "I feel my age."

They began their adventure in 1991. Then, after taking a two-year break from their sea journeys, the Haeusslers finally sold everything they owned in 1998 to adopt a simpler life on their boat, Ludus Amoris, the Latin phrase for "Love Game".

In between their sea passage, the Haeusslers set anchor in a single location anywhere from a week to a year-and-a-half, always avoiding the crowded hot spots.

Below deck, they lived in relatively spacious quarters that included a bedroom, guest room, living area and a kitchen. They spent their days reading books and playing the piano they brought with them from Maria's days as a music teacher.

They've used the Internet to stay connected with family and friends and to find out what was happening on land.

As environmentalists, the Haeusslers powered their boat by wind and solar energy. Diesel was used sparingly. To conserve energy, they lived without power-hungry amenities, like a freezer, Klaus said. 

At this point in their travels, Maria said the couple feels they have simply seen it all.

"We've seen so many countries and met so many people. We have the feeling that if we continued, it would be a repetition," she said. "If you go a second time to the same place, most of the time you're disappointed."

During the final leg of their journey, they revisited the South Pacific Islands where they had snorkeled among vibrant fish and the rich coral reef 15 years prior. However when they returned, Klaus said everything was destroyed due to global warming, pollution and over-fishing.

"It's very sad. If we don't do anything about it in the close future, everything will be gone," he said. 

The Haeusslers said out of all the places they've visited, their favorite country was Japan. They spent three months along the coast of Japan during spring 2010, and Klaus said they received warm welcome, which isn't always the case in every country.

"It was unbelievable. The people. The hospitality," he said "We've never experienced it like that before. It was overwhelming."

"We also love the U.S. because we feel safe, and it has great scenery and people are really open," Maria added. The couple said they've enjoyed Gig Harbor's quaint ambiance, especially meeting folks walking their dogs or paddling away in their kayaks. 

Klaus and Maria said they plan to hang out in the Puget Sound area until their boat is sold, after which they will be spending time with their two grandchildren in Massachusetts. They are looking forward to buying their first car in 20 years. But beyond that they haven’t set out plans for their new life as land lovers. 

Whatever they decide, the world on dry land is their oyster.

"We learned that we can do it. We got a great deal of skill to train the boat in difficult situations, and we made it," said Klaus. "And that makes you strong and thankful."