Love your videos. I moved on to my sailboat 17 months ago and am as a happy as a clam in sand. In regards to DIY work on a boat, one of the biggest $ saving DIY jobs I've done so far was to sew a stackpack for the mainsail. I did not know anything about sewing and was not going to spend a small fortune on a Sailrite sewing machine. So, I researched old (all steel geared) sewing machines. I bought a 1958 Singer 403A for $250 on ebay and have since gone through about 2/3 of mile of sailrite vv69 thread making the stackpack. It sews through multiple layers of Sunbrella with chafe protection sandwiched in between. It turns out I mostly enjoy sewing. Your enthusiasm for DIY work on your boat will pay endless dividends in savings but, more importantly it will give you invaluable knowledge of your boat's systems - that will save your ass when things break in the boonies! In my experience here in So California about 2% of marine contractors are one's that I'd want on my boat. Those 2% know how to communicate, show up, follow up, and put up with my questions. Finally, personal preference thing... my marina's showers are free. But, being as I have a kick ass hot water heater on the boat I simply hang a temporary curtain between the shower area and sink/ toilet area and shower on the boat. It is surprising to hear how much it costs to take a shower in Canada!
Thank you! It's great to hear from a fellow live aboard :D Very cool about the sewing machine! Haha I agree, there is something very valuable about knowing how to do things yourself and getting to know your boat from the inside out. Yes, showers here are quite expensive!! (we were a little shocked ourselves). Perhaps it is time for us to build out a little shower onboard as well :)
I'm so glad to hear you say at the end, "do it right the first time." That is the big lesson for boat ownership. I was lucky to buy a 77 Catalina 30 from the original owner, a Boeing engineer, who had a full canvas cover, bow to stern with overhang. The cover was on the boat for 40 years. It was like finding a '65 Porsche in a barn. HOWEVER, it had no electronics, not even a compass, no fenders, no tackle, original sails, and original sheets and halyards. I have spent at least as much as I paid for her in bringing her up to cruising and racing condition. My latest upgrade has been a new Sunbrella dodger, mainsail cover, and tiller cover in Logo Red. She is gorgeous and I am grateful.
Well done Guy's, a very informative video. Living on and sailing a yacht is a very rewarding and learning experience most of the time. I really like your positive attitude and seeing you together working as a team. Long may that continue in your lives. Still playing catch up as I sit here on my Moody 376 in not so sunny Greece. It reminds me of that BC rain but that was another lifetime ago. Stay safe and keep smiling. Steve.
I learned when I replaced my flex disc and transmission that the marine mechanic didn't know much more than me and after he helped me pull it apart I did it myself and it was over $400 for him. If you need a new trans I put in a brand new PRM and it was only $1,000 + flex disk $300. Had to move the shiftier to the opposite side but not hard. Get on the Catalina forum, so much info and data, the C34 has a lot about our engines and stuff too. If you didn't change out the throttle cable you should do that, mine was just about seized and you don't want it to break at full throttle. I maybe have 2 hours on the trans now so ready to swap out the fluid, just changed the oil & diesel filters so ready for the beautiful PNW summer!
Great channel guys. My wife and I, and our two kids have sailed our 1978 C30 (Hull #983) all over the San Juans, Gulf islands and up to Desolation Sound for the last 10 years. "We need more light". was the first comment my wife made about our boat, and the first thing we fixed; and we've been fixing and improving ever since then.
Nice video, good content flow and you guys have a good sound and lighting setup. That was a great deal on the boat especially with the dinghy and OB. The boat was closer to $8,000 after taking out the dinghy and OB. Starting out fresh with new batteries and updates to some safety items can really give you piece of mind so I'd call it a plus that the boat was discounted and you had some financial room to refresh items that wear out. You guys have the right perspective that there is always something to do on a boat, the bonus is that you find some projects enjoyable. For the record there are always projects to do on a house too. So I am the guy that lived on my Catalina 30 for 4.5 years. Glad you found some better lighting, the factory lighting was not a strong point of the boat. Catalina was definitely keeping the price of the boat down my using those square plastic lights, I had those in my '83 and they all got replaced. It was a dream come true when I moved aboard my boat and was fortunate to have a really good community of folks at my marina. I think because you physically live so close to other people you act and engage differently than living on land. Glad you are enjoying the community. If I was your dock neighbor I would ask if you've checked the wires on the back of the shore power inlet/socket. Since you are running a high current load(electric heat/oven) through your shore power line those plugs and sockets can be a weak point in the flow of current. I would undo the 4 screws that hold the socket to the coaming and pull the socket out to see the conditions of the wire connections on the back to make sure they are sound and not half corroded. The way the socket is I don't think you can inspect it from the lazarette. Maybe you have already tended to this, if not just take it as a RUclips neighbor asking you. Looking forward to your next video.
Thanks so much for this comment Jan, nice to read a perspective from a fellow Catalina 30 owner. We will have a look into the socket this weekend, thanks for the idea! Sounds like a good thing to check. Thanks again for introducing yourself, we really appreciate all the support and it is nice to get to know our viewers, lots of wisdom out there!
Thank you for taking the time to sit down and chat with us all. You are such a sweet and lovable couple. I’m near Niagara Falls, New York. One day I hope to winter in your area aboard my sailboat. That will be several years off. I’m doing the “Great Loop” this year.
@@livingsimplytosimplylive6817 oh I'm sorry Well here's what you got You are now listed with Why we Sail they have over a million subscribers they have the Almighty List And they do features on new shows Like yours. I hope this will give you the exposure that you deserve Denny from Minnesota
Watching several other yachting channels on RUclips like Sampson Boat co, Parlay revival, Life in a Nutshell has taught me that Stainless steel has an Achilles heel. That weakness is that if stainless steel is used subject to conditions that are low in oxygen many if not most combinations of alloys used will rot from the inside out. So far as I am aware by far the safest alloy to use for things like bolts, screws and through hull fittings like valves on boats is still bronze.
Just catching up on your older videos. This one was very helpful. As I am currently looking for a live aboard - you offered so many helpful tips. BTW- $13K for a “home” for your live aboard is fantastic. You did great. I wish I had that kind of foresight when I was young. And your $600 mechanic bill was actually well spent, it appeared that it may have solidified your confidence to tackle certain things yourself. Forget the $$$, money comes and goes- but the experience you gained was immense!! You seem to be living a great life , and perfect lifestyle. Thanks again for sharing your life. Awesome video.
Btw, I love your channel. When I was younger I had a Columbia 24 for a few years. Always dreamed of stepping up to something like your Catalina. When I was sailing, your boat was brand new and way out of my price range. Today they are a steal if you are handy and motivated.
I see small dinghies around here going for that now. However I got my Catalina 30 for alot less. Not to say I will not spend alot more on it by the time I hit the water.
You young people are doing a great job...My first boat was a cat 30 rock solid.. Have a larger one now..47 days I retire and live on board full time..yeah
wow you guys are awesome! thank you for giving the total. I work with some of the electrical components on planes and its cool to see some of it transfer over to a boat. I have a fun vision that one day I would live on a small boat but still work on planes. being able to travel with either forum would be super fun! Love yall keep up the great work!!
Im into year two of living on my sailboat in Maple Bay near Duncan. Keeping my diesel heater going is a dry heat and keeps condensation right down. Your wood stove would be the same. I also bought an electric dehumidifier for my salon area and a small dehumidifier that i keep in my v berth. Totally helps as well. I do have to wipe down my windows and hatches every morning still to get the condensation out. I just found you guys today and am really enjoying your videos. Good for you two to take the plunge on this lifestyle. I love it.
Thanks for the tips! Condensation seems to be an ongoing struggle, so we are very thankful for advice on how to fix it! We are so glad you are enjoying the videos, thanks for the support :D
Another great video you two! We continue to work on our Bayfield 32 and like you said, you must enjoy the process or it becomes a chore and not fun. I personal enjoy it and love improving every aspect of the boat that I can. Keep pushing forward, spring is almost upon us! ⛵️
Congratulations on monetization ! Side note , watched your storm video . I feel your pain , the one and only time I've blown chunks on a boat ....yep ,tied securely to a dock . Defiantly didn't see that one coming . I started using Unimer U-Cleat Mooring Compensators for my boats . They drastically cut down all the herky jerky nonsense while at a dock in unfavorable conditions . A cool feature of them is NOT having to remove the dock line to put them on or take them off . Not the only snubbers on the market of course but I like them .
Hey. We have been watching your videos over the last few. Days. You two are doing great. We are from the okanagan in BC. We have a power boat and try to be on it's much as we can . Take care
Love your channel. Have been thinking about an upgrade to a C30 for a while now and was pondering how it would be to spend extended periods on the boat. You guys have answered a bunch of those questions. Looking forward to see what the summer holds for you! keep up the great work!
This was a great Q&A. Love your delivery and openness. Live and learn on marine labour. Great attitude and love your realistic views about boat ownership. 👍
Well done guys! I appreciate the video and breakdowns of your costs. I just recently purchased a boat as well and am spending way more time than I expected learning, reading and doing the work required to maintain these suckers even at a basic level! I'm moored at Oak Bay marina, so yes very local! welcome to Victoria!
Hi guys, Great channel, I love you realism, honesty, and willingness to work. I hope youtube takes care of you. Living right across the street from the Empress Hotel for $13k plus marina feessounds pretty good to me. I've spent a fair amount of time in Victoria, one of the nicest cities in Canada IMO. You look like a solid, respectful couple, and I wish you all the best.
Thanks for this message, we are sure lucky to be where we are!! It has been shockingly affordable, especially at the doorstep of the empress and the legislature buildings!
Great job! Love the channel. As I refit my Pearson 33, It looks like I had similar issues,older lights,pumps etc. It's a Great feeling of accomplishment once your new parts are in and working properly. Can't wait for the next vid!!
Thank you so much for this excellent video. I'm in the process of cleaning my Cat 30 as well. Ice in the bilge is no fun. :( My boat was also inexpensive, mostly because the old gas engine was was trashed. Fine with me as I'm putting in a Thunderstruck-ev 10Kw electric with a 48v 200AH (to start) battery pack. I haven't taken the old engine out yet, but I did hook up all the parts of the new drive system. It is SO easy. :) Before I put it in, I have to take out the motor, gas tank and through-hulls. I'm also going to take out the holding tank and going with a composting toilet. Keep up the excellent work & keep learning!
Thanks so much for this comment! Nice to hear from a fellow Cat 30 owner, sounds like a big project you have on your hands there! Good luck with everything, a composting toilet sounds like a really cool idea!!
Great video and a great job on the re-fit. I took a guess about costs at the beginning of the video and came up with $10K to start and $5K more to finish, so not far off. I agree that you could have done better on the shift cable, but at least you're under way. I had a similar experience a few years ago with a non-starting diesel, when one mechanic recommended a complete replacement at about $15K so I got a second opinion. That ended up in replacing the high-pressure fuel line, a $20 part, with a couple of hours labour at $100/hr, so it pays to shop around. I also made the same mistake on replacing foam cushions, on an old Cal-25. I thought extra thickness would be really comfy, but ended up unable to sit comfortably at the table. Live and learn.
Watching this episode for the 3rd time, a thought crossed my mind, (shocking I know), the costs on a live aboard vessel cannot be directly compared to a house, as it is not just your accommodation, it's also your primary transportation. I love watching "Blue Moon" and her crew I am having tore-watch from the beginning again.
Light emitting diode! 😂😂😂 I'm a project guy myself, I love working on things. I also like trying to figure out how things work and trying to get something to work when I don't have the right things. Owning a boat seems right up my alley. I built a banjo out of a cake pan and a coffee table lol, I can't wait to own a boat.
I am contemplating moving aboard however my current boat (Coronado 25) is much too small, I’m looking at Catalina 30, Newport 30, I’m familiar with the cat 30 as I used to own one 25 years ago it was a 85 m25xp 3 blade prop I did allot of the recommended upgrades, miss that boat! Anyway congratulations! Looking forward to seeing more of your videos
I believe ill enjoy following you guys .Ya got to love it... a boat is just a hole in the water surrounded by wood .?# r whatever you throw money in to....But its a great life. God bless n be safe.
Good evening guys. My wife and I just subscribed to your channel. We like you videos very much. Just one piece of advice. Your volume control is a bit off and usually is too low to hear on our end. I hope this helps out. Good luck developing your channel.
I was curious as to the condition of the rigging and sail inventory, not to mention the winches. Remember to stock engine spare parts if you go off grid such as impellers , spare belt etc. Seems like a good buy overall. I can't believe what the cable labor cost you. That's outrageous. Now all you need is a Patreon channel to help with costs. Good luck with your projects.
Thanks for the comment, that is a good idea we meant to discuss the rigging and sails...slipped our mind. They certainly aren't in the best condition but nothing immediately concerning. We will probably discover things that need changing once we are out sailing a bit more often!
Thanks so much! BTW, those Orcas were AMAZING to see in your most recent video!!! We cannot wait to get out there and hopefully spot some more wildlife. We've got lots of seals and otters and birds here, but we look forward to hopefully seeing the whales one day!
Thanks for all the info! I am hoping to buy a boat in the next few months. Could you talk about the process of buying a boat? What were you looking for? How did you find this one? What to avoid?
Absolutely! We will try to incorporate that into one of our videos (ps. in our Q&A we discussed a little more about the story of our journey of buying the boat... long story short it was very quick and luckily things were in our favour... although that is not always the case, we are very grateful that things went smoothly)
@@BlueMoonLife same here, spring is comming, it went from minus 14deg C to pluss 13deg C over less then a week. Gone is 5cm of ice on deck, and a short sail yesterday to dry out sails and sick up some much wanted sun... love it!!! Keep smiling!
If you watch sailing Uma on RUclips Dan and Kika have spent years re-outfitting their whole boat front to back but at one point they had the same problem you had and it was a small boat like yours and they did something similar to what you are doing with the mat if you will go back into the past videos doesn’t cost you anything and you could probably see what steps they took to insulate their boat so they wouldn’t ever have to worry about condensation again or at least minimize it greatly. And currently they are overseas surrounded by snow and ice and have been for months with no issues with condensation
Very impressive. I'm not even a boat owner and I found this very interesting and informative. I'm curious about your ages and previous boating exposure and experience. As a former teacher I am very impressed with seeing your commitment, and common sense approach to making a goal and dream become reality. Hats off to the two of you. I'm going to continue following your adventures.
Thank you so much for the lovely comment! I am glad you are enjoying the videos. I (Gillian) sailed as a kid on small sailboats. Jonas has very little experience sailing, so I am trying to teach him as we go. It has been a big learning curve for us, but we are grateful for the experience! Thanks for the support :D
What are your cruising plans? I love Catalina 30's, for the past 30 years, I have rented many of them here in San Diego. Good luck and fair weather wishes.
You guys mentioned being hooked to shore power so does this mean you guys are living aboard Blue Moon at a marina and if so what is the cost of a slip? When we had our Privilege 615 Catamaran and was based out of Key West, Florida we were paying $1700 a month, it included water, electric, and wifi, but we had satellite tv & internet on the boat so we didn't use the wifi. So do you both hold down full time jobs in the Vancouver area? So many sailing channels tried to survive and sail off the proceeds of their RUclips ad sense funds and found out they were not going very far. From what your videos show you have done one hell of a job bringing Blue Moon back to life, she is absolutely gorgeous...
Yes we are! We actually made a whole video breaking down the costs of living at the marina :D The video is called "cheap alternative living in our tiny floating home" if you're interested! But we are fortunate enough that our our monthly fees are less than half of what you were paying in Florida (although having a smaller monohull definitely contributes to that haha). Thank you so much :D She continues to be a work in progress, but we are so happy with her!
Very informative video thank you I’m thinking about buying a 30 foot Catalina myself I hear they are constructed very good and is very popular boat if you got any tips on what to look for in a 30 foot Catalina let me know thanks again Randy
Thanks for the comment Randy, we aren't experts as far as what to look for when buying, but just ask lots of questions to the previous owner and hopefully they will be able to give you good info! Good luck!!
My main advice is to check for moisture in the hull, rudder and deck. You can get a moisture meter, but that may be a waste as they are not always reliable or conclusive, especially if you don't know what you're looking for. Instead get a hammer with a hard synthetic head that wont leave marks. A tap on a solid surface will give you a satisfying "crack" sound. When it goes "thud" instead of crack be wary. This could spell trouble. It is especially common in rudders. On decks it's a sign of delamination, which can often be fixed but still... you'll want to know about it. In the hull it is potentially a serious problem and I'd hire a surveyor if I was unsure about it. Might be $500 or $600 well spent.
Thanks for the breakdown! You paid taxes upfront? I bought a boat a few months ago via private sale and didn't pay taxes - my understanding is the govt collects it later. Also it was free for me when I transferred the transport canada PCL from the previous owner to myself. I've spent half as much on fixing my boat as the purchase price, so same as you guys. My next project is fixing some leaky port lights.
Goodluck. Just remember every one of these sail boat channels is exactly the same. Try and see if you can find something to stand out👍Btw my 20ft boat cost more than that😫
Thanks for the comment. We will certainly try our best. At the end of the day, we are hoping to put out videos that we ourselves like to watch and look back on. Thanks again and safe travels!!
It sounds as though you could be ok for a trip dow nunda. TIP, if it can fit aboard, invest in a xtra plate. I would love to meet you both. See you next episode.
I live aboard on a mooring, cost me 30 nz $ a week , ok some days because of windy wellington i can't get to shore and have to have a day off .but when I'm rained of work ( once had 6 weeks rain ,)it means I don't have to find the exorbitant rent the landlords charge ,my 33 ft yacht (wooden )cost me $5.500,and three months work during lock down now owes me 8g with yard fees .prob worth 18 / 25 g now , it had sat on the hard for 4 years ,after owner passed,,,, , just got back in from a nice sail an hour ago , ,,,,,,,,any way , Jillian you are a grafter, did u grow up in boats ,or is this new to both of you ,
Well that was a interesting story of buying a boat, well actually buying a shell, sounds like you replaced everything, the all encompassing stuff. Lol, do Canadians spell labor different?? Stay safe.
Thanks for the comment Tony, and yes strangely enough we spell a lot of words like Labor as "labour," chuck that extra "u" in there for whatever reason...
@@BlueMoonLife thanks for the response, and thanks for making the video. This kind of information is absolute gold for somebody researching the lifestyle.
I think you have fallen in love with the ocean.If you ever make it north of Vancouver Island,you will fall head over heals.I you think you already have.just wait and see
If you go north.Check our Ocean Falls,Namu,Butedale And Bishop bay hot springs.There is so much to see, I might spend a few years up here before I go south
Shut the front door $674 no no no NO NO are you kidding. Right you can contact me, I will fly over from Ireland and do the job fly home and i would charged less. O MY GOD. anyway love the boat and your channel. all the best of Irish luck for the future. I do mechanics so give me a message for advice. CHEERS T.J.
@@BlueMoonLife We got to have a laught or we will all go mad in the lockdown, I am going to sneak down to my boat tomorrow to get some work done, as you correctly said the work never ends, Boats 80% work 20% sailing. I would still take take a bad day sailing over a good day working ;-) you should look into the Chineese diesel heater i fitted one last year and love it
@@sailingceltic1911 thank you! I was wondering about that for my Cat 30. It may be electric propulsion, but that's for maintenance and noise reasons. I would rather be a sailor than diesel mechanic.
@@BlueMoonLife wow ok here we go I got you listed with Why we Sail. It's a show that features new u tubers like you.they have over a million subscribers and the almighty list So don't be surprised if they reach out to you and do features with you!!!! Lots of exposure yaaa You should check out their show Denny
$50 off grid propane shower just need a hose or let the rain fill the cockpit and pull off that with the backup bilge pump. A clean asshole is a happy asshole
@@BlueMoonLife Ahh, it was just the way Gillian was always saying things in the singular and you in the plural, it made her sound older if that makes sense. Enjoy your channel anyway.
Hey Scott thanks for the defense, although it was more a matter of us not being completely prepared in advance, rather than fowl play! Next time we will just do our best to figure it out ourselves! :D
$675. Holy Shit. That asshole ripped you off. I have replaced cable on Catalinas and it should have taken no more than an hour and a half at $75 per hour.
It is not a 3 hour process, and no where near 9 hours, I can say that because I work for a Catalina dealer. That guy had no idea what he was doing and he robbed you. That said buy a copy of Nigel Calder’s book, it deals with electrical and mechanical maintenance. And don’t let some asshole bullshit you again.
I have been a home owner for 40 years, It also is an on going series of projects and maintenance. Might as well live on a boat and be happy.
Thanks Mike, we will try!
Instablaster
I had to clean my home, but I couldn't stop watching this video.
Very easy to understand your english.
Love your videos. I moved on to my sailboat 17 months ago and am as a happy as a clam in sand. In regards to DIY work on a boat, one of the biggest $ saving DIY jobs I've done so far was to sew a stackpack for the mainsail. I did not know anything about sewing and was not going to spend a small fortune on a Sailrite sewing machine. So, I researched old (all steel geared) sewing machines. I bought a 1958 Singer 403A for $250 on ebay and have since gone through about 2/3 of mile of sailrite vv69 thread making the stackpack. It sews through multiple layers of Sunbrella with chafe protection sandwiched in between. It turns out I mostly enjoy sewing. Your enthusiasm for DIY work on your boat will pay endless dividends in savings but, more importantly it will give you invaluable knowledge of your boat's systems - that will save your ass when things break in the boonies! In my experience here in So California about 2% of marine contractors are one's that I'd want on my boat. Those 2% know how to communicate, show up, follow up, and put up with my questions. Finally, personal preference thing... my marina's showers are free. But, being as I have a kick ass hot water heater on the boat I simply hang a temporary curtain between the shower area and sink/ toilet area and shower on the boat. It is surprising to hear how much it costs to take a shower in Canada!
Thank you! It's great to hear from a fellow live aboard :D Very cool about the sewing machine! Haha I agree, there is something very valuable about knowing how to do things yourself and getting to know your boat from the inside out.
Yes, showers here are quite expensive!! (we were a little shocked ourselves). Perhaps it is time for us to build out a little shower onboard as well :)
I'm so glad to hear you say at the end, "do it right the first time." That is the big lesson for boat ownership. I was lucky to buy a 77 Catalina 30 from the original owner, a Boeing engineer, who had a full canvas cover, bow to stern with overhang. The cover was on the boat for 40 years. It was like finding a '65 Porsche in a barn. HOWEVER, it had no electronics, not even a compass, no fenders, no tackle, original sails, and original sheets and halyards. I have spent at least as much as I paid for her in bringing her up to cruising and racing condition. My latest upgrade has been a new Sunbrella dodger, mainsail cover, and tiller cover in Logo Red. She is gorgeous and I am grateful.
Thanks for the comment James...that does sound gorgeous! We day dream about getting a dodger at some point...but a little pricey at this point!
Well done Guy's, a very informative video. Living on and sailing a yacht is a very rewarding and learning experience most of the time. I really like your positive attitude and seeing you together working as a team. Long may that continue in your lives. Still playing catch up as I sit here on my Moody 376 in not so sunny Greece. It reminds me of that BC rain but that was another lifetime ago. Stay safe and keep smiling. Steve.
I learned when I replaced my flex disc and transmission that the marine mechanic didn't know much more than me and after he helped me pull it apart I did it myself and it was over $400 for him. If you need a new trans I put in a brand new PRM and it was only $1,000 + flex disk $300. Had to move the shiftier to the opposite side but not hard. Get on the Catalina forum, so much info and data, the C34 has a lot about our engines and stuff too.
If you didn't change out the throttle cable you should do that, mine was just about seized and you don't want it to break at full throttle.
I maybe have 2 hours on the trans now so ready to swap out the fluid, just changed the oil & diesel filters so ready for the beautiful PNW summer!
Great advice, thank you! Yes, we are also very excited for the summer :D
Great channel guys. My wife and I, and our two kids have sailed our 1978 C30 (Hull #983) all over the San Juans, Gulf islands and up to Desolation Sound for the last 10 years. "We need more light". was the first comment my wife made about our boat, and the first thing we fixed; and we've been fixing and improving ever since then.
Thanks so much for the comment, always nice to hear from other local Catalina 30 owners!!
Nice video, good content flow and you guys have a good sound and lighting setup. That was a great deal on the boat especially with the dinghy and OB. The boat was closer to $8,000 after taking out the dinghy and OB. Starting out fresh with new batteries and updates to some safety items can really give you piece of mind so I'd call it a plus that the boat was discounted and you had some financial room to refresh items that wear out. You guys have the right perspective that there is always something to do on a boat, the bonus is that you find some projects enjoyable. For the record there are always projects to do on a house too. So I am the guy that lived on my Catalina 30 for 4.5 years. Glad you found some better lighting, the factory lighting was not a strong point of the boat. Catalina was definitely keeping the price of the boat down my using those square plastic lights, I had those in my '83 and they all got replaced. It was a dream come true when I moved aboard my boat and was fortunate to have a really good community of folks at my marina. I think because you physically live so close to other people you act and engage differently than living on land. Glad you are enjoying the community. If I was your dock neighbor I would ask if you've checked the wires on the back of the shore power inlet/socket. Since you are running a high current load(electric heat/oven) through your shore power line those plugs and sockets can be a weak point in the flow of current. I would undo the 4 screws that hold the socket to the coaming and pull the socket out to see the conditions of the wire connections on the back to make sure they are sound and not half corroded. The way the socket is I don't think you can inspect it from the lazarette. Maybe you have already tended to this, if not just take it as a RUclips neighbor asking you. Looking forward to your next video.
Thanks so much for this comment Jan, nice to read a perspective from a fellow Catalina 30 owner. We will have a look into the socket this weekend, thanks for the idea! Sounds like a good thing to check. Thanks again for introducing yourself, we really appreciate all the support and it is nice to get to know our viewers, lots of wisdom out there!
Thank you for taking the time to sit down and chat with us all. You are such a sweet and lovable couple. I’m near Niagara Falls, New York. One day I hope to winter in your area aboard my sailboat. That will be several years off. I’m doing the “Great Loop” this year.
Thanks so much for this comment Robert, very nice to read! We appreciate the support! Safe travels!!
Did you read my last text to you about the listing. Denny from Minnesota
@@dennybarlau8065 I'm don't believe I received the text.
@@livingsimplytosimplylive6817 oh I'm sorry
Well here's what you got
You are now listed with
Why we Sail they have over a million subscribers they have the Almighty List
And they do features on new shows
Like yours. I hope this will give you the exposure that you deserve
Denny from Minnesota
Buy some pellets and enjoy the warmth of your boat with your lady at your side with a nice bottle of Wine
Because you know what happens next!!!
Thank you for your information and transparency... so much appreciated for us folks looking for insight! 😊
Watching several other yachting channels on RUclips like Sampson Boat co, Parlay revival, Life in a Nutshell has taught me that Stainless steel has an Achilles heel.
That weakness is that if stainless steel is used subject to conditions that are low in oxygen many if not most combinations of alloys used will rot from the inside out.
So far as I am aware by far the safest alloy to use for things like bolts, screws and through hull fittings like valves on boats is still bronze.
Just catching up on your older videos.
This one was very helpful. As I am currently looking for a live aboard - you offered so many helpful tips.
BTW- $13K for a “home” for your live aboard is fantastic. You did great. I wish I had that kind of foresight when I was young.
And your $600 mechanic bill was actually well spent, it appeared that it may have solidified your confidence to tackle certain things yourself. Forget the $$$, money comes and goes- but the experience you gained was immense!!
You seem to be living a great life , and perfect lifestyle.
Thanks again for sharing your life.
Awesome video.
ha ha! Love the discussion about what LED stands for...
Btw, I love your channel. When I was younger I had a Columbia 24 for a few years. Always dreamed of stepping up to something like your Catalina. When I was sailing, your boat was brand new and way out of my price range. Today they are a steal if you are handy and motivated.
I see small dinghies around here going for that now. However I got my Catalina 30 for alot less. Not to say I will not spend alot more on it by the time I hit the water.
Thanks for this Scott! We are glad you like it so far! Nice to hear from a veteran sailor
You young people are doing a great job...My first boat was a cat 30 rock solid.. Have a larger one now..47 days I retire and live on board full time..yeah
Thanks so much, that is very exciting!! Enjoy your last 47 days :D
@@BlueMoonLife I have a few you tube video's s/v teak key randy fryling. boat tour and how I learned to sail..
wow you guys are awesome! thank you for giving the total. I work with some of the electrical components on planes and its cool to see some of it transfer over to a boat. I have a fun vision that one day I would live on a small boat but still work on planes. being able to travel with either forum would be super fun! Love yall keep up the great work!!
Wow that would be such an incredible experience!!
Thank you :D
Love your spirit of refurbishing. I have a catalina 22 and enjoy the steady stream of projects. Look forward to more of your content.
Thanks so much!
Im into year two of living on my sailboat in Maple Bay near Duncan. Keeping my diesel heater going is a dry heat and keeps condensation right down. Your wood stove would be the same. I also bought an electric dehumidifier for my salon area and a small dehumidifier that i keep in my v berth. Totally helps as well. I do have to wipe down my windows and hatches every morning still to get the condensation out. I just found you guys today and am really enjoying your videos. Good for you two to take the plunge on this lifestyle. I love it.
Thanks for the tips! Condensation seems to be an ongoing struggle, so we are very thankful for advice on how to fix it!
We are so glad you are enjoying the videos, thanks for the support :D
You guys are fun to watch it's going to be nice to see your channel grow good luck
Thanks so much Steve!!
Another great video you two! We continue to work on our Bayfield 32 and like you said, you must enjoy the process or it becomes a chore and not fun. I personal enjoy it and love improving every aspect of the boat that I can. Keep pushing forward, spring is almost upon us! ⛵️
Thanks so much Dennis, and yes we CANNOT wait for spring!!
Congratulations on monetization ! Side note , watched your storm video . I feel your pain , the one and only time I've blown chunks on a boat ....yep ,tied securely to a dock . Defiantly didn't see that one coming . I started using Unimer U-Cleat Mooring Compensators for my boats . They drastically cut down all the herky jerky nonsense while at a dock in unfavorable conditions . A cool feature of them is NOT having to remove the dock line to put them on or take them off . Not the only snubbers on the market of course but I like them .
Thanks so much Pauly!! We'll look up those compensators, they sound cool!
Hey. We have been watching your videos over the last few. Days. You two are doing great. We are from the okanagan in BC. We have a power boat and try to be on it's much as we can . Take care
Love your channel. Have been thinking about an upgrade to a C30 for a while now and was pondering how it would be to spend extended periods on the boat. You guys have answered a bunch of those questions. Looking forward to see what the summer holds for you! keep up the great work!
Thanks for the comment Harrison, glad we have been able to give you an idea of what it might be like!!
This was a great Q&A. Love your delivery and openness. Live and learn on marine labour. Great attitude and love your realistic views about boat ownership. 👍
Thank you!
Awesome vedio guys thank you for sharing
Well done guys! I appreciate the video and breakdowns of your costs. I just recently purchased a boat as well and am spending way more time than I expected learning, reading and doing the work required to maintain these suckers even at a basic level! I'm moored at Oak Bay marina, so yes very local! welcome to Victoria!
Thanks so much Mark! Nice to hear from a local sailor! Perhaps we'll run into you one day!!
@@BlueMoonLife SV Etesian is her name. Come on summer! Or at least spring...
@@markandreassen4846 Yes we can't wait!! We'll keep an eye out for ya!
Great episode! We loved it.
Well done. Great vid. Great honesty. Love your work. Great choice of lifestyle.
Thanks a lot Dave, we are glad you enjoyed it :D
Hi guys,
Great channel, I love you realism, honesty, and willingness to work. I hope youtube takes care of you.
Living right across the street from the Empress Hotel for $13k plus marina feessounds pretty good to me. I've spent a fair amount of time in Victoria, one of the nicest cities in Canada IMO.
You look like a solid, respectful couple, and I wish you all the best.
Thanks for this message, we are sure lucky to be where we are!! It has been shockingly affordable, especially at the doorstep of the empress and the legislature buildings!
Great couple keep happy
Great Video! Love your boat and looking forward to see your future adventures!
Thanks so much!
Great job! Love the channel. As I refit my Pearson 33, It looks like I had similar issues,older lights,pumps etc. It's a Great feeling of accomplishment once your new parts are in and working properly. Can't wait for the next vid!!
Thanks for the support Frank!!
Great video / looking forward to the next one. Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much!!
Great video. Very informative. I think you spent your money wisely. Good luck and safe sailing. ⛵️😎
Thanks so much Charles, you too!
Thank you so much for this excellent video. I'm in the process of cleaning my Cat 30 as well. Ice in the bilge is no fun. :( My boat was also inexpensive, mostly because the old gas engine was was trashed. Fine with me as I'm putting in a Thunderstruck-ev 10Kw electric with a 48v 200AH (to start) battery pack. I haven't taken the old engine out yet, but I did hook up all the parts of the new drive system. It is SO easy. :) Before I put it in, I have to take out the motor, gas tank and through-hulls. I'm also going to take out the holding tank and going with a composting toilet.
Keep up the excellent work & keep learning!
Thanks so much for this comment! Nice to hear from a fellow Cat 30 owner, sounds like a big project you have on your hands there! Good luck with everything, a composting toilet sounds like a really cool idea!!
Great video and a great job on the re-fit. I took a guess about costs at the beginning of the video and came up with $10K to start and $5K more to finish, so not far off. I agree that you could have done better on the shift cable, but at least you're under way. I had a similar experience a few years ago with a non-starting diesel, when one mechanic recommended a complete replacement at about $15K so I got a second opinion. That ended up in replacing the high-pressure fuel line, a $20 part, with a couple of hours labour at $100/hr, so it pays to shop around.
I also made the same mistake on replacing foam cushions, on an old Cal-25. I thought extra thickness would be really comfy, but ended up unable to sit comfortably at the table. Live and learn.
Thanks for the comment Dave, nice to hear about some of your experiences! And good guessing there!!
Watching this episode for the 3rd time, a thought crossed my mind, (shocking I know), the costs on a live aboard vessel cannot be directly compared to a house, as it is not just your accommodation, it's also your primary transportation. I love watching "Blue Moon" and her crew I am having tore-watch from the beginning again.
Great info, I look forward to seeing your adventures!
Thanks for your support! :D
this was a very useful information
Your vid popped up in my suggestions... the thumbnail caught my attention with the inner harbour! Cool.
Good to hear thanks so much for clicking and watching :D
Great Show as always
Denny
Thanks so much Denny, as always ;) !!
Light emitting diode! 😂😂😂
I'm a project guy myself, I love working on things. I also like trying to figure out how things work and trying to get something to work when I don't have the right things. Owning a boat seems right up my alley. I built a banjo out of a cake pan and a coffee table lol, I can't wait to own a boat.
Yes a boat seems to be the ultimate project!! That banjo sounds awesome!
I am contemplating moving aboard however my current boat (Coronado 25) is much too small, I’m looking at Catalina 30, Newport 30, I’m familiar with the cat 30 as I used to own one 25 years ago it was a 85 m25xp 3 blade prop I did allot of the recommended upgrades, miss that boat! Anyway congratulations! Looking forward to seeing more of your videos
Thanks so much Kurt, that is very exciting! We love the catalina 30 for our purposes, seems like it has lots of space! Good luck!!
I believe ill enjoy following you guys .Ya got to love it... a boat is just a hole in the water surrounded by wood .?# r whatever you throw money in to....But its a great life. God bless n be safe.
Thanks so much Steve, you too
Bust Out Another Thousand..(B.O.A.T.)
This was really informative! Thank you
Thank you!! Glad it was helpful!
Great video guys and looks like you've got yourselves a lovely home
Thanks so much, we are very happy with it!
Good evening guys. My wife and I just subscribed to your channel. We like you videos very much. Just one piece of advice. Your volume control is a bit off and usually is too low to hear on our end. I hope this helps out. Good luck developing your channel.
I was curious as to the condition of the rigging and sail inventory, not to mention the winches. Remember to stock engine spare parts if you go off grid such as impellers , spare belt etc. Seems like a good buy overall. I can't believe what the cable labor cost you. That's outrageous. Now all you need is a Patreon channel to help with costs. Good luck with your projects.
Thanks for the comment, that is a good idea we meant to discuss the rigging and sails...slipped our mind. They certainly aren't in the best condition but nothing immediately concerning. We will probably discover things that need changing once we are out sailing a bit more often!
LED stand for Light Emitting Diode. I think a Diode is a resister that lets current only through one way and in this case it is emitting light.
I will remember this!!
Nice one guys, keep it up!~
Thanks so much! BTW, those Orcas were AMAZING to see in your most recent video!!! We cannot wait to get out there and hopefully spot some more wildlife. We've got lots of seals and otters and birds here, but we look forward to hopefully seeing the whales one day!
Thanks for all the info! I am hoping to buy a boat in the next few months. Could you talk about the process of buying a boat? What were you looking for? How did you find this one? What to avoid?
Absolutely! We will try to incorporate that into one of our videos (ps. in our Q&A we discussed a little more about the story of our journey of buying the boat... long story short it was very quick and luckily things were in our favour... although that is not always the case, we are very grateful that things went smoothly)
Another good one :)
Thank you Martin, springtime is just around the corner!!
@@BlueMoonLife same here, spring is comming, it went from minus 14deg C to pluss 13deg C over less then a week. Gone is 5cm of ice on deck, and a short sail yesterday to dry out sails and sick up some much wanted sun... love it!!! Keep smiling!
If you watch sailing Uma on RUclips Dan and Kika have spent years re-outfitting their whole boat front to back but at one point they had the same problem you had and it was a small boat like yours and they did something similar to what you are doing with the mat if you will go back into the past videos doesn’t cost you anything and you could probably see what steps they took to insulate their boat so they wouldn’t ever have to worry about condensation again or at least minimize it greatly. And currently they are overseas surrounded by snow and ice and have been for months with no issues with condensation
Good to know, we will check out those videos! :D
Very impressive. I'm not even a boat owner and I found this very interesting and informative. I'm curious about your ages and previous boating exposure and experience. As a former teacher I am very impressed with seeing your commitment, and common sense approach to making a goal and dream become reality. Hats off to the two of you. I'm going to continue following your adventures.
Thank you so much for the lovely comment! I am glad you are enjoying the videos. I (Gillian) sailed as a kid on small sailboats. Jonas has very little experience sailing, so I am trying to teach him as we go. It has been a big learning curve for us, but we are grateful for the experience! Thanks for the support :D
Hi from Victoria Australia
u 2 are awesome
Thanks Kevin, what a nice thing to say!
What are your cruising plans? I love Catalina 30's, for the past 30 years, I have rented many of them here in San Diego. Good luck and fair weather wishes.
We hope to do some sailing in the summer! thank you :D
You guys mentioned being hooked to shore power so does this mean you guys are living aboard Blue Moon at a marina and if so what is the cost of a slip? When we had our Privilege 615 Catamaran and was based out of Key West, Florida we were paying $1700 a month, it included water, electric, and wifi, but we had satellite tv & internet on the boat so we didn't use the wifi. So do you both hold down full time jobs in the Vancouver area? So many sailing channels tried to survive and sail off the proceeds of their RUclips ad sense funds and found out they were not going very far. From what your videos show you have done one hell of a job bringing Blue Moon back to life, she is absolutely gorgeous...
Yes we are! We actually made a whole video breaking down the costs of living at the marina :D The video is called "cheap alternative living in our tiny floating home" if you're interested!
But we are fortunate enough that our our monthly fees are less than half of what you were paying in Florida (although having a smaller monohull definitely contributes to that haha).
Thank you so much :D She continues to be a work in progress, but we are so happy with her!
I can get your same boat today for 2k and its in good shape. Im on the fence but I want to get it so bad
Hey hope your warm.
Thanks Pop, yes so far! Springtime is in the air around here, thanks for the comment!
@@BlueMoonLife the wood stove is lit here.
I liked it better to charge yoga where did you find it at for that price thank you very much
Very informative video thank you I’m thinking about buying a 30 foot Catalina myself I hear they are constructed very good and is very popular boat if you got any tips on what to look for in a 30 foot Catalina let me know thanks again Randy
Thanks for the comment Randy, we aren't experts as far as what to look for when buying, but just ask lots of questions to the previous owner and hopefully they will be able to give you good info! Good luck!!
My main advice is to check for moisture in the hull, rudder and deck. You can get a moisture meter, but that may be a waste as they are not always reliable or conclusive, especially if you don't know what you're looking for. Instead get a hammer with a hard synthetic head that wont leave marks. A tap on a solid surface will give you a satisfying "crack" sound. When it goes "thud" instead of crack be wary. This could spell trouble. It is especially common in rudders. On decks it's a sign of delamination, which can often be fixed but still... you'll want to know about it. In the hull it is potentially a serious problem and I'd hire a surveyor if I was unsure about it. Might be $500 or $600 well spent.
rechargable batteries for the puck lights. LED=Light emitting diode.
Thanks for this comment and all the others Brian, we really appreciate the support! :D
Thanks for the breakdown! You paid taxes upfront? I bought a boat a few months ago via private sale and didn't pay taxes - my understanding is the govt collects it later. Also it was free for me when I transferred the transport canada PCL from the previous owner to myself. I've spent half as much on fixing my boat as the purchase price, so same as you guys. My next project is fixing some leaky port lights.
Thanks for the comment, nice to hear from people with similar experiences!
hola buen dia, bello video, una consulta aun tienen su velero al dia, estoy interesado en un proyecto como el suyo modo vivir a bordo
Nice video well done 👏and you young man need to marry that lovely lady they dont come along like that very often 😉 lol love from the uk 🇬🇧❤
Goodluck. Just remember every one of these sail boat channels is exactly the same. Try and see if you can find something to stand out👍Btw my 20ft boat cost more than that😫
Thanks for the comment. We will certainly try our best. At the end of the day, we are hoping to put out videos that we ourselves like to watch and look back on. Thanks again and safe travels!!
A great way to protect your stainless steel, is by wiping it with some WD 40
Thanks for the tip alex!
LED
Light emitting diode
Thanks James!
Light Emitting Diode is correct. 100%
Thanks Mark!
BTW, what kind of engine do you have? I have an Atomic 4 that I love.
We have the Universal M25 Diesel!
It sounds as though you could be ok for a trip dow nunda. TIP, if it can fit aboard, invest in a xtra plate. I would love to meet you both. See you next episode.
Good deal for a Catalina 30. Usually 10 to 20,000.
Thanks for the comment Sean, yes it was quite a good deal!
Boats are a hole in the water that you throw money into lol
Thats why you hire a marine surveyor, so you dont take big risks!
Good idea John!!
I live aboard on a mooring, cost me 30 nz $ a week , ok some days because of windy wellington i can't get to shore and have to have a day off .but when I'm rained of work ( once had 6 weeks rain ,)it means I don't have to find the exorbitant rent the landlords charge ,my 33 ft yacht (wooden )cost me $5.500,and three months work during lock down now owes me 8g with yard fees .prob worth 18 / 25 g now , it had sat on the hard for 4 years ,after owner passed,,,, , just got back in from a nice sail an hour ago , ,,,,,,,,any way , Jillian you are a grafter, did u grow up in boats ,or is this new to both of you ,
Thanks so much for this message Duncan! We were curious and looked up the word "grafter," we love it!!
Did you have to register or get on a waiting list to be a liveaboard in the marina?
Yes we did! A lot of the marinas we looked at had waiting lists :D
Where'd you get that solar vent? I'm in the market for one a new one!
Hey Joseph, I believe we found it on amazon! We will look it up for you!
OK, who else thinks she sounds exactly like Taylor Francis from Taylors Travels and Sailing Doodles. Must be the Canadian accent.
Someone has said that to us before!! I suppose it is the Canadian maybe... Thanks for the comment Dane!
@@BlueMoonLife Hopefully your channel will take off like hers did. Just Subed your channel myself.
@@daneulekowski929 Thanks Dane! We hope so too :D
Well that was a interesting story of buying a boat, well actually buying a shell, sounds like you replaced everything, the all encompassing stuff. Lol, do Canadians spell labor different?? Stay safe.
Thanks for the comment Tony, and yes strangely enough we spell a lot of words like Labor as "labour," chuck that extra "u" in there for whatever reason...
Decent price .... caveat !!! ONLY IF YOU KNOW HOW TO DO MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL WORK BY YOUR OWN ...
I assume those dollars are Canadian dollars?
Yes, all the figures are in Canadian dollars!
@@BlueMoonLife thanks for the response, and thanks for making the video. This kind of information is absolute gold for somebody researching the lifestyle.
Stainless rusts.
That guy that changed your shifter cable is an as$4ole those cables to change are rather simple
Always ask what the hourly rate is beforehand
Good tip James, thanks for the comment!
I think you have fallen in love with the ocean.If you ever make it north of Vancouver Island,you will fall head over heals.I you think you already have.just wait and see
I think we have too Mike, thanks for the comment! We are hoping to head north this summer!
If you go north.Check our Ocean Falls,Namu,Butedale And Bishop bay hot springs.There is so much to see, I might spend a few years up here before I go south
Never mind for the bill of the mechanic. I paid 1.000 € for welding the broken mast foot, but I can't weld.
Thanks for the perspective...I sure hope we don't need to do much welding xD
Are you moving to land or what?
We are tied to land for work and school for the time being, but will get out on the water this summer!
just found an ad for a 30" oday...seller has health issues..$1000..geez!
Shut the front door $674 no no no NO NO are you kidding. Right you can contact me, I will fly over from Ireland and do the job fly home and i would charged less. O MY GOD. anyway love the boat and your channel. all the best of Irish luck for the future. I do mechanics so give me a message for advice. CHEERS T.J.
Thanks so much for the support! And you gave us a good chuckle! :D
@@BlueMoonLife We got to have a laught or we will all go mad in the lockdown, I am going to sneak down to my boat tomorrow to get some work done, as you correctly said the work never ends, Boats 80% work 20% sailing. I would still take take a bad day sailing over a good day working ;-) you should look into the Chineese diesel heater i fitted one last year and love it
@@sailingceltic1911 thank you! I was wondering about that for my Cat 30. It may be electric propulsion, but that's for maintenance and noise reasons. I would rather be a sailor than diesel mechanic.
Did you read my text to you
About the listing ?Denny
Hey Denny, no I don't think we received it...where did you send it?
@@BlueMoonLife wow ok here we go
I got you listed with
Why we Sail. It's a show that features new u tubers like you.they have over a million subscribers and the almighty list
So don't be surprised if they reach out to you and do features with you!!!!
Lots of exposure yaaa
You should check out their show
Denny
@@dennybarlau8065 Wow thank you Denny we will look for a message from them! That would be fantastic!
You're welcome
Wow, what a rip off for the cable installation.
$50 off grid propane shower just need a hose or let the rain fill the cockpit and pull off that with the backup bilge pump. A clean asshole is a happy asshole
All fun aside going off grid while you are still at the dock. Learn it now. Make the mistakes now when it is easy to fix, upgrade or even start fresh
Are you much older than Jonas? Jonas always talks in the plural as in we and you always talk in the singular as in I.
Hey Nick, interesting observation! We are the same age...in this case it is because Gillian is the one who purchased the boat!!
@@BlueMoonLife Ahh, it was just the way Gillian was always saying things in the singular and you in the plural, it made her sound older if that makes sense. Enjoy your channel anyway.
That mechanic screwed you. Post his name to warn others away from him
Hey Scott thanks for the defense, although it was more a matter of us not being completely prepared in advance, rather than fowl play! Next time we will just do our best to figure it out ourselves! :D
$675. Holy Shit. That asshole ripped you off. I have replaced cable on Catalinas and it should have taken no more than an hour and a half at $75 per hour.
You must have came from AB, we have much in common, I went from Edmonton, to 28’ liveaboard.
Thanks for the comment, we both come from the interior of BC...but many similarities! Great to hear from another live-aboard
@@BlueMoonLife I had no idea the interior of bc is Alberta distance away 🤦🏻♂️.... mountains get in the way I reckon
@@across_the_plane6800 12 hours drive plus ferry tells me Fort St John area...looks like Alberta. Sort of...
Give the cable guy a bad Google review.
666
It is not a 3 hour process, and no where near 9 hours, I can say that because I work for a Catalina dealer. That guy had no idea what he was doing and he robbed you.
That said buy a copy of Nigel Calder’s book, it deals with electrical and mechanical maintenance. And don’t let some asshole bullshit you again.
vomit in mouth