Hyperfixed Sailing into the Unknown with Joe Rhodes
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Nov 20, 2025 Join retired journalist Joe Rhodes, who sailed for three years aboard the Villa V Odyssey, as he shares his captivating journey. He recounts his decision to embark on this adventure at 69, along with the challenges and mechanical failures that ensued. Joe reflects on the unique daily rituals, the beauty of cinematic departures, and the tensions that arose among residents. With fascinating insights about life at sea and his plans to return to van life and civic engagement, his story is both humorous and thought-provoking.
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Early Delays And Joe’s Substack
- Joe Rhodes joined a three-year residential cruise on the Villa V Odyssey and chronicled it on his Substack "Unmoored."
- Before sailing the ship faced permit and mechanical delays that left residents stranded for months.
Mechanical Mayhem At Sea
- Once underway, the Villa V suffered septic failures, air-conditioning outages, leaks, and itinerary changes that repeatedly frustrated residents.
- Joe documented both the comic and tragic moments as the ship limped through problems.
Small Spaces Magnify Tensions
- Living in an enclosed community amplifies small tensions into larger conflicts over time.
- After a year, familiarity bred irritation and residents grew more snappish with each other and the crew.