7. You must stock up for months and months at a time - my friend Jaye answered my Facebook inquiry about this and she is completely right. We fell into this trap before we left and I bought tons and tons and TONS of non-perishables for the boat. We even got some freeze-dried meals which we've never touched. Unless you are crossing an ocean, this crazy type of provisioning isn't really necessary in our opinion. People have to eat to survive everywhere (including far-flung islands!) and while you might not be able to find your favorite brand of cereal in the local stores, you will find food staples and you won't starve.
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8. The cruising community is one, big, happy family** - in general, the cruising community is wonderful, helpful, and friendly. But this is no utopia. Just like anywhere, there are cruisers that are rude, cruisers that are pompous, some that are bizarre and some that take themselves way too seriously. A fair amount of drama has ensued during this hurricane season and although we weren't part of any of it, it was odd to see it from a distance. Overall, the cruising community is a fantastic one - but don't be shocked if you meet a few cruisers that you just don't click with, and that is A-okay.
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9. Sharks are everywhere** - we have seen sharks, mostly of the lemon and nurse variety (not exactly 'man eaters'), but I would not say they are a real danger to cruisers, at least not in the Caribbean. When we saw one while snorkeling in the BVI's I was completely shocked at how calm and totally unfazed I was. He swam right past me, totally uninterested and it seemed he was more eager to get away from me than I him.
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10. People with more experience know more than you** - because we're young there are a lot of people who have been out here a lot longer than we have. In the beginning we assumed they knew a lot more than we did, but we have learned over time that this is not necessarily true. We've met cruisers who have been sailing down here for years and years and never lost sight of land or don't know how to tie a bowline. Everyone has different experiences and different expertise and there is something to be learned from each and every person. Always be open to the advice of others, but realize that just because they have more time on the water doesn't mean it's the best advice for you (including any advice I give on this blog!). This is particularly true when talking about weather. Always make your own decisions!
What myths have you found while cruising? Was there anything you assumed or read about that you found not to be true? Share your thoughts!

Boatu.s