Meet the crew
Welcome to Blue Turtle Cruising! Our live aboard and cruising journey began in 2012 when we purchased a 40′ DeFever Passagemaker trawler and named her Blue Turtle. Life was never the same after that. It turns out that life on the water and living minimally is quite spectacular! My husband, our son and our dog Sophie lived aboard our trawler in Fort Myers Beach, FL for 9 years cruising her to local anchorages, the Florida Keys and the Dry Tortugas. In pursuit of our next chapter, we sold Blue Turtle in 2021 to purchase a 44′ CSY sailboat. After 9 years of trawler life, we’re ready for a new challenge – learning to sail!
For those of you who followed our journey living aboard on a trawler, all of that content is still here on this site. To view all things trawler-related from blueturtletrawler.com, click here.
The crew
Our family has always had a passion for being out on the water. As avid scuba divers, we’ve always enjoyed exploring the water above and below the surface whether diving, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, surfing or wake boarding. We enjoy being active and outdoors whether we are on the water or in the mountains. Learn more about the crew below.
Kim Kalisik
The Admiral, Head Chef, Blogger
Born in Homestead, FL and raised in Louisville, KY, Kim always had a passion for art and design. Earning a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from the University of Louisville, Kim worked as a graphic designer and art director for ad agencies as well as in-house corporate marketing departments. In 2008, Kim started her own graphic and web design company that she operated for 13 years while living aboard the trawler. She sold her company, Blue Turtle Graphics, in 2021, retiring before her 50th birthday. Her hobbies include: documenting their travels on this blog as well as running, hiking, knitting and working on various boat projects.
Randy Kalisik
Captain, Fixer-of-all-the-things, Dog Whisperer
Randy grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and graduated from Kutztown University with a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science. He currently works as a service manager for a company that manufactures industrial size RO systems. Randy is a USCG licensed captain and could be an aspiring diesel mechanic after 9 years of working on our trawler’s single engine. He loves being on the water and loves to dive, snorkel and surf. He’s looking forward to adding sailing to that list as we learn to sail our new sailboat.
Sophie Kalisik
Boat Dog, Head of Security, A.K.A. Sopheena-ro-weena
Sophie is our exceptionally spoiled 12-year-old long-haired dachshund. Sophie spent her first 2 years on land and has actually adapted quite well over the years as a boat dog. So far, she’s never been sea sick and she’s come a long way from the early days when she wouldn’t walk down the dock. Her low center of gravity makes her a perfect boat dog. In her free time, Sophie enjoys eating, napping, going on walks for “sniffys”, excessive belly rubs and long dingy rides.
Corey Kalisik
Past/Part-time Crew, Wake Board Dude
Corey learned he loved the water early in his life. As Randy’s son, he’s equally aquatic and has enjoyed everything from playing guitar and ukulele to fishing, surfing, sailing, scuba diving and wake boarding. Corey spent about 8 years living aboard Blue Turtle trawler with us and is now attending Florida Gulf Coast University. Corey actively competes in tournaments for both cable and boat wake boarding. In 2020 he won 1st place in Junior Men Nationals Boat Wake Boarding competition in Waco, TX.
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