5 Reasons NOT to Buy a Boat (Revisited) | Casting Off Ep 030
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- Опубликовано: 3 июн 2023
- There are RUclips channels dedicated to showing you what a beautiful life you can have on a sailboat. It's the dream, right? But is it true? Sure, some of the time there are rainbows (and even the occasional unicorn), but believe us when we tell you after 17 years of doing this, it will break you unless you are strong.
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In this follow-up, five years after our ORIGINAL video "5 Reasons NOT to Buy a Boat", we look at what we said and the reaction we've had from our viewers. Have we changed our minds? Find out in the video podcast...
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HOW WE STARTED SAILING
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5 REASONS YOU SHOULD BUY A SAILBOAT
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ARE YOU TOO OLD TO SAIL?
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HOW TO BUY A SAILBOAT
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THE BEST SAILBOAT TO SAIL AROUND THE WORLD?
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🎣 Liz's Top 3 Fishing Tips
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After my wife and I watched your previous reasons Not to Buy a Boat, we went out to buy a 46 footer. You had a strange effect on us. I had resisted buying a sailboat for years, on the grounds of all the work that it involves. But now, after owning our boat for only 7 months, and spending more time dealing with the problems than sailing itself, we have no regrets. My bones and muscles ache, but my heart keeps smiling. Thanks
Id imagine these guys would be delighted to be part of ensuring that your went in with your eyes open to the reality and still loved it as they do - happy sailing
Excellent comment! Sounds like you have your head screwed on and the right attitude to this floating life. Fair winds to you and your wife. Keep us posted on your progress.
I love to tinker, but with boats I actually detail boats as a profession and it hard to see how costly it can get to repair and maintain boats.
Well said !
For a few years I was a launch skipper running tourist trips from a small well known far North of NZ harbour. Every time I nosed the vessel out nof the harbour entrance for about 100 or so yards I felt a lift in my spirits especially as I felt the boat also lift to the gentle Pacific Ocean swell. As I then turned the boat back into the harbour entrance and set off for home I felt a sort of sadness knowing I could never feel that Ocanic uplift for real. I had a large and growing family to support and my wife who I loved, and still do, hated the sea. I am a boat builder by trade and have a deep love of boats and a the waters they ride on. I am 89 now , no wife, and children all content and settled. I look at little 28 and 30 footers and imagine life aboard once more , but know its too late ; my children evince horror when I say a little sailing boat would be cheaper than a flat....... Oh well , I'll just have to imagine those purpley blue depths at my lifes end ; perhaps in an other life , who can tell...
You have some wondrous memories to keep with you. Sail on! Liz ⛵🙏
And of course all your skills need to be performed blind, upside down, left handed in 40ºC heat whilst being thrown around :)
You got that right, Colin 🤣
Just brilliant. I am soon to be 70 and I have sailed around 300,000 sea miles so far, and intend to build another boat and head out again. As Rat (Wind in the Willows) said, "There is nothing like mucking around in boats".
Go frit while you're still young.
My daughter bought a rural piece of property in Idaho and is building a house. She's very proud of herself because she's now living on eleven acres.
I went to visit her to tell her how happy I was for her and then I came home to my sailboat.
Bottom line,.. My daughter is living in a cow pasture, covered with prairie grass, while I'm living in a modern marina, surrounded by million-dollar yachts and water-front properties. On any given day I can be surrounded by the endless, blue Pacific and truly priceless sunsets, over island jewels.
There really is no comparison.
I completely agree with your comments on all points.
Especially maintenance. I was in the Navy on nuclear submarines. EVERY system was constantly breaking or required daily maintenance, in part because unlike land-based environments, the heavily salted marine environment constantly wears at man-made materials; and the sheer kinetic energy of waves & wind against the relatively lightweight man-made materials/systems of a small sailboat (or even a large ship--anyone watched any of the hundreds of videos of supertankers breaking up at sea?), is to the advantage of Nature's tools. Fair weather sailors or landlubbers have no idea how quickly even massive live-aboard boats wear out (or break) when under constant assault of the sea.
Relationships, critters, wardrobe, water & power--ditto your statements!
Very well said, Robert. I will refer people to your comment when this subject comes up in conversation!
Five years ago I discovered your video "5 reasons not to buy a sailboat". In mathematics, there's a principle of conservation of difficulty: changing the frame of reference of a demonstration doesn't elude its complexity, but only changes its nature.
Still in mathematics, to define the degrees of freedom of an (algebraic) space, all you have to do is define its constraints.
It's these two lessons that I found in the generous and wise sharing of your experience. How could anyone believe that living aboard a sailboat is all about bikinis, aperitifs, sunsets and heavenly beaches?
A very British sense of humor reminds me, little Frenchman that I am, that we're very happy to have you. For all this, I thank you and bravo for this second edition also full of common sense and sharing experiences but which demonstrates through the comments that Internet users have left you, that alas, kindness and sharing are not values shared by all. Bravo again 🙌
I guess if you're scouring RUclips and stumble across a video on boats but have little interest in them, you're not going to know the whole picture. You'll therefore just pick up on the bits that sound familiar (diesel engine, for example) and have an opinion on them that doesn't align with liveaboard experiences. Believe it or not, people have got in touch with us asking if, at the age of 52, they are too old to become a liveaboard. Since most cruisers are near retirement age this came as a shock to us, until we realised that these opinions are formed by what they watch on RUclips. That's how it's easy to believe this lifestyle is all about bikinis and BBQs. Thank you for your comment 😃👍
So true! Lovely to meet you briefly at Medina marina and sorry we did not have time to get together. We were too busy attending to point 1 before our Indian Ocean crossing. Day 2 and nothing broken so far because of all the work we did in port!
Cheers, guys. Hope your crossing is going well. Do let us know how you're getting on. We finally dropped the rudder after four weeks 😁
I have enjoyed your videos over the years. I settled on a part time arrangement. Sail the Caribbean every winter, put the boat away for hurricane season. You were major influence on this decision. Small boat... 34 foot.
Hey Frank, glad to hear you've found a balance. Sounds perfect 👌
Hi Frank, What do you mean "put it away" I would love a Jeanneau 349 but where to put it when I'm not sailing is the problem.
After something like 24 years of touring Northern Europe, firstly on a motorbike for 17 yrs and then in a two seat roadster for 7, we decided that we wanted a change. We thought firstly about a motor home but my one criteria was that we could leave the bed made up during the day. I did not fancy anything that required us to pack up our sleeping arrangements every day and this meant we were looking for something no smaller than a Luton type body. We were shocked at the prices of something that size. In addition, we had seen on our various tours that motorhomes seemed to spend a great deal of their day, just trying to find somewhere to rock up for the night. When visiting a pretty little Scottish town on our last trip, we noted a car park full of motorhomes and I thought 'that thing cost you over £100,000 and you are spending the night in a Council Car Park, why?.
That was when we thought about a boat, I have some nautical background and it seemed an obvious choice. I looked at hundreds of boats for sale in my price range and watched thousands of videos of the type you describe, young couples + baby + dog + parrots all sailing the worlds oceans in search of paradise. It occurred to me that in most cases, problems of a mechanical nature would spring up on a daily basis and would have to be dealt with using nothing more than your own skills and knowledge. However, what I also noticed was the apparent ease with which these 'intrepid sailors' acquired the material to fix these problems. Many are gifted pumps, motors, dinghies, ropes, lines, hoses and all manner of stuff which the ordinary sailor would need to provide from their own pocket. I also observed that in order to fund the items that they could not get otherwise, they spent an inordinate amount of time producing RUclips videos as a means of generating income.
Your video spelt out the many home truths about life aboard a boat, the negative comments from some individuals are clearly from people who actually know nothing about the sea, boats or probably life itself. I personally found it informative, honest and straightforward. As I work on getting my boat ready to put to sea, I am acquiring as much information as I can, good or bad about what to expect and your videos certainly are up there with the 'very useful information category'
I'm happy that we're able to help and inform. Best of luck with your forthcoming adventures! 👍🙏 Liz
Two years of sailing the western Caribbean allowed me to experience some of the best and some of the scariest times in my life. I bought a 33’ Dutch steel hull SS. I had never sailed before 😬. After 6 months at the dock making repairs, reading books and coastal trial runs I jumped off Florida heading for Cuba. I’ve unwrapped a sheet from a prop in shark infested 6 foot seas, sprinkled thumb tacks on the deck in Guatemala to deter pirating and sweltered in an engine compartment making repairs. Why then am I watching a sailing video? Because after 13 years land locked to a house and 10 acres I’m homesick for the sea. Next stop? Azores? Why not?!!! Fair winds
The very reason I‘m watching you guys is your true & realistic documentations of the ups and downs of onboard living! I contemplate to choose this lifestyle, from you guys I learned what I need to research and the kind pf soul searching required to find out if I should tackle the task, thank you a million time! However at the very end you gotta jump into the water and find out, if this life style is for you! But if you did your homework well, you have a plan B and a plan C ready, in case things go sideways! I survived over 45 years of bush flying with its ups and downs and look back to an adventurous, exciting, wonderful, challenging, at times horrific past! However I always would do it all over again and I‘m sure, so would you!😁
Hey Samai, nice to hear from you again. I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head there. We wouldn't change anything!
I have recently moved abord my boat after divorcing and retiring and am now sailing around Britain and visiting destinations old and new, at least I would be if the British weather would cooperate! After a tour around the highlights of Britain I plan to sail off to warmer places early next year. Life on a boat is so much simpler than on land. Yes there is the constant maintenance and checks, and there are days where it feels like every time I cross one job off the list I add two more on. But then the sails go up, the wind fills in and the engine goes off. At the end of the day when I pull into a new harbour there are new people to meet and new places to see, and wherever I go I have my home and my possessions with me. I can choose whether to stay in the marina or anchor along the river and I walk to the local town or village to go shopping so I'm fitter and healthier than I have been for many years of sitting in a house or an office and getting in a car to go anywhere. Of course having moved on from the stress of working helps.
I thought about doing video blogs to keep my friends and family updated with my travels but abandoned the idea after reading some of the comments on other peoples videos, such as your Vlog on why not to buy a boat (which I thought was excellent by the way!). I have a blog / Facebook channel instead, but I will happily remove people from there if they become abusive. A reasoned viewpoint that is different to my own is fine, there are many ways to live this life successfully. Anonymous keyboard warrior insults are not fine and I admire you for rising above such lowlife.
It sounds like you have a great adventure already. I love the idea of sailing around the UK, weather aside. We just dropped hook in a new spot yesterday and love it so much we're spending an extra day here... and that's what it's all about. Fair winds to you.
Well I'm sat here on a 1981 catamaran replacing my guardrails across from a 5 year old 30ft mono hull also replacing his guardrails. Age is no guarantee of quality or misuse lol
Exactly 💯
Watched most of your videos. You both have inspired me years ago and are still very inspiring to me. We are closed to making the leap to escape the fake plastic rat race of this crazy american life. I always truly appreciate your wholesome honesty on boat life or rather the true Salt Life. We see Salt Life stickers on cars and trucks that people get from the coastal vacations. Most likely the majority of them have never on on a boat in the Ocean.
All the Very Best!
Jim Rodgers
I'm not familiar with the 'salt life' philosophy (or stickers!) but it sounds good. 🙂👌 Liz
Great video. Good follow-up to the previous one which I watched about one
Year ago as part of my homework before I bought my live aboard sailboat. Now 9 months after I started my own adventures, I have learned a lot about plumbing, electrical, diesel engine and more. I have also enjoyed the sailing community, the new places and beaches and bikinis 😂. Your comments are correct and I love everything. Thanks
That's great to hear, Marcos. Fair winds to you!
Awesome post. We live and cruise on our sailboat… mostly living and working to afford the next passage to parts unknown. I was on the 12-step program to quit sailing and failed miserably two times. Now I embrace my lifestyle addiction. I must say, I really don’t think a person must know how to fix everything on the boat. I certainly can’t, but I know how to make compromises and work-arounds until we can find help. The boat keeps me learning and independent. One thing to note is the difference between keeping the boat ocean ready and coastal weekend ready. I think that can confuse the novice. Shiny things break. That’s what they do… so we can break out another $1-4K, troubleshoot, and learn new things… and make awesome life-long friends around the world. I wouldn’t trade this lifestyle for anything. The thought of a static view outside a window or porch scares me!😂
My dad was dubbed "grandfather of the anchor outs" by the local PBS channel in San Francisco. He had a special love for wooden boats, and lived aboard for over 50 years. I love sailing, and have dreamed of sailing around the world. Racing sailboats is fun, but I would rather crew on a race, than own a fast sailboat. A nice blue water ketch with a full keel for comfortable and safer sailing is more my "speed". Seriously considering buying a boat to live on in retirement. Not sure if I will, or at my age if I do, that I will sail around the world. Might just anchor out and stick to coastal cruising, but who knows. Appreciate your videos. I have had many friends with sailboats, and I crewed on those boats. Also crewed on the Petrel, a 70' teak yawl, that did day cruises around NY Harbor... so I do have some idea about how much money and work boats are, and how fun they can be too. Thank you for giving an honest assessment of boat life. I have my eye on 47" ketch that is fully equipped for cruising and living (lots of brand new solar, some wind power, nice dingy, 2 heads both with separate showers, large galley with a full fridge & freezer, and even a cloths washer). I am sure she needs a lot of work, no matter how good shape she's in, and if not, will in short time. Livin' Dream is a 1980 Gulfstar 47 Sailmaster. We shall see. Any 35'+ ketch would fit the bill. 47' is probably bigger than I need, and while the extra amenities and room is nice to have, bigger boats cost even more to maintain & dock.
Having clicked on the "be nice" pop up... I'd like to say your videos are fun, bit like a gossip session, so more power to you.
Having just finished (nearly) getting our Westerly Berwick refitted (rebuilt rudder, cockpit area, refitting keels etc) we're looking forward to living aboard this summer in the Bristol Channel... schools out for summer ⛵🌊🌞💪
Having redone houses several times, boats aren't an awful lot worse as they are ALSO a means to a 'holiday lifestyle' (this is my first, although I've jumped on plenty of other people's over the years)
Keep your sense of humour alive with more videos 📷
We lived and cruised full time on our gracefully aging 35 ft sailboat for a decade. 50,000 miles, 27 countries. A couple years ago we had some family issues to deal with and so we came back to the US and our home port in Bay City MI. Now we live on the boat April-October and then rent a condo in Myrtle Beach for the winter. We hope to be able to take off again, but at 68, and with the family issues (parents in their mid 90s) still ongoing we might run out of time.
We always use the “fun to suck” ratio to determine whether it’s time to swallow the hook. Keep it above 70-30 (on average) and it’s all good.
We distill it down to things. 100% commitment from both parties. It’s not for the feint of heart. Be the northernmost boat in the anchorage (in the northern hemisphere).
From the crew of S/V Blessings
Bay City MI.
So happy that you mention people who love to fix things.
My wife is blown away as she is not mechanically inclined and of course I live for this stuff and understand about mositure, use and maintenance.Great info!!!
You're perfect for a boat! 😃👏 Liz
Cruising on a boat is a full time job with perks. I’ve not done it but I day sail on mine.
The work is never done. It’s good mental health as it keeps me occupied. It’s not cheap but neither is drinking beer at the pub every night.
A stitch in time saves nine is a good mantra to live by when owning a boat.
I enjoyed the natural style you presented in this vid. Happy sailing
It's certainly a job. Unfortunately a lot of newbies trick themselves into believing it's one long party... Thanks for letting us know you enjoyed the style of this video. Liz 🙏
Yes, I can agree. I am living on my sailboat for about 4 month per year and I am using it as a remote office location in Greece. Thankfully I am a technician and can fix almost all of the equipment but it is sometimes really annoying getting spare parts or tools to remote locations. When at home I am used to getting things delivered the next day, here things take longer, making it even worse if the first fixing attempt does not solve the problem. Triggered by your video I was making a list of all the devices that needed fixing and spare parts last year - it is a long list.
And that list never gets shorter, Peter 😅 If you're as good as you say you are, I don't suppose you fancy nipping over to Indonesia and fixing our hydraulic ram, do you?!
@@followtheboat I did not want to state that I would have exceptional skills, my skills are simply the skills of technician but definitely not worth coming to Indonesia (I know it was not a serious offer), even more than this I would never ever repair some other persons boat, the imagination something I have repaired causes troubles out at sea and, in the worst case, harms somebodies health, is too bad. If a boat owner is sure he can fix something by himself, he will be the one to find out if not, but all other works should be done by qualified professionals.
Since identifying the problem is the first step and if you are unable to find somebody to repair the hydraulic ram, replacing it will be the (probably expensive) solution. What is the exact problem of the ram (I guess we are talking about a hydraulic rudder)?
I tell everyone who will listen all of these things while also (like you two) saying it’s all worth it. I find that the weekend sailors seem to be blissfully detached from the reality of actual cruising. My new favorite comparison is older engines where my dock mates that might take the boat out for the weekend five times a summer seem to think the motor should last forever but literally one week of real cruising puts more hours on the motor than their typical summer. Anyway great videos and I’m watching via StarLink on my boat at the moment..
Yep, couldn't be closer to the truth, Michael. Those engines take a pounding. I saw 'Starlink' and saw your surname and immediately thought of Terminator so I had to check. It's Skynet, not Starlink 😂
Just stumbled across your channel and must say, thank you...THANK YOU! glad I found your experience, balance and knowledge. Will be following avidly. Respect
Thanks, Dave. Hope you find the videos useful and entertaining!
Long time subscriber. Thanks for the 2nd video. Agreed with all 3 videos on topic.
It's interesting how you address all the points of view and hearing from those who commented negatively. I suspect those only heard what they wanted to hear without hearing the whole thing or perspective. Ignorance is bliss. I think they add to the channel as additional comic relief though.
Enjoy your channel, Keep up the video.
Yes, we kinda miss that comic relief, Kurt!
I did quite alot of sailing in my younger years and still love the sea. I also enjoy watching yotube videos of people like you who live aboard and cruise round the world. However I have no ambition to do the same as you, because I chose a different lifestyle; I have a house in Thailand (I am British) and will be retiring there is a year or so (we spend alot of time there). But I do love SE Asia and have travelled alot in the region. Just trying to give some perspective on who might watch your videos; I mean we are all not wanabee live aboard sailors. But I do love the beautiful places you visit, especially places off the tourist paths, and just watch because I do enjoy sailing, travelling and love the positivity you exude!
Thanks for the great comment, Alastair. I think we think alike and would do the same as you were we living on land in SEAsia.
Aww the both of you should not have to explain yourselves! I enjoyed both videos great advice in both. Thank you!!! I’ve been considering buying a boat to live-aboard for quite some time. I understand it will be a life long investment. I am hesitant because I have little no sailing experience, or really Maintenance/ upkeep experience. I agree with you that you’ll need to be part carpenter, plumber, electrician and so on these are things I am not! But I am eager to learn! Again I am highly considering and need all the advice I can get, and your opinions and experiences is a joy can’t wait to listen to the Podcast! Again thanks!
I love the way you address the wankers. They are a disagreeable bunch, aren't they? From following several handfuls of sailing channels, for over a decade, you've hit the nail square on its head. Even with very deep pockets, you better possess a host of skills... or be prepared to learn. And, for many, it's a steep costly learning curve. Even with advanced skills the Brian's and Colin's of the world are challenged, at times, too. Thank you for sharing your insightful views. 👏
Thanks... and the positive comments like yours keep us motivated too. Always love hearing from you!
How long did Brian take to change the transmission recently? 1h15? I think that's on the level of 24h endurance race crews... (e.g. 24h Nurburgring, etc.)
:-)
A great video again. I do have to wonder about these people who criticised your previous video. If nothing else they were personal views and not law. We are not as long a live aboard as you being only 8 years. I do know you hate grammatical errors but predictive texting has a bunch to answer to.
Having said that I would generally concur with your views. We actually love the restriction in space for things like clothes, we have some in my sister home, if we have to pop back to the UK, some in our ski apartment. For sailing we just love the fact that we don’t dress for anyone else or care about brands, bar musto or HH and in my wife’s case north sails, she loves her oilies.
We watched a video on sailing in the 1960 and on, one of the contributors said, that if the quality of parts were in any other industry there would be a scandal. I generally agree, we are on our 4th AIS and 3rd autopilot, we have 6 AC units and all have been changed twice. We were based in the UAE, so they did have a hard life, but still they are not built to last, but cost as if they are.
One other thing that upsets me tremendously is the constant feeling that we are being gouged. A simple example is our harness to go up the mast, we were looking at £500 but a climbing one which was exactly the same was less the £100. Also we are now in Kas in Turkey. When we arrived a year last February we were charged 105,000TL this February it had gone up to 225,000TL. My friend with the same length yacht has been told in August he will have to pay 625,000TL. So in 2.5 years the price has gone from €6K to €27K. So we are off
There is a perception that all yacht is are rich, well there are people here who really struggle, they bought a modest boat 15 years ago and the inflation in yachting is way worse that everything else. The good thing for us is the price rises have given us a shove to get on around the world, we could have been in Turkey for 10 years if we didn’t look out
Thanks for a great comment. I think we would be tempted to return to Turkey, were it not for the increasing prices, and those prices seem to have risen far above general inflation. It's a shame as Turkey is still pretty much top of our cruising destinations visited. Enjoy Kas while you can but look forward to done new and exciting destinations beyond.
Love this video! Thank you for it, it's wonderful. What amazing folks you are, lovely. An honest assessment from folks who truly walk the talk. Love it! You're the best!
Yes, too many talk but don't walk... 😃 Liz
When looking at yachts I ask myself … what stage of the maintenance cycle is this yacht at” … then way up against price. Usually knocks few off list quickly!
True, true. My value and your value can be two very different things 🤣
I laugh
We have lived on board full time since 2019. We watched the first one of these and while watching this, we where in a small squall, with winds kicking up and the rain coming sideways, as expected we found more leaks, but while on our generator, it overheated and shut down, just as you where talking about engine maintenance.
Fortunately we also have substantial battery back up that I use sparingly in case I am stuck on batteries again for multiple weeks.
But what you have stated previously and again is so true.
I have work ships and sailed all of the oceans, so I have lots of experience with everything going wrong and no where near plans or intentions.
My darling bride of thirty plus years are enjoying the constant learning and humbling experience we have together
That sounds like a typical boat moment! It's certainly a humbling experience (or should be 😉). Cheers Liz
Truly enjoyed this. I’m a new sailboat owner and don’t live aboard, but your perspective is helpful and it’s clear your not letting the haters effect you. Stay positive and keep the videos coming
Will do. Thanks for the encouraging words. 🙏 Liz
love your channel very honest. Some absolute dreamers out there! I have a 1973 Yacht and like all constantly fixing things. I fully agree that if you are going to get into sailing and have the pleasure of owning your own ship you will undoubtedly will have to get dirty.
In addition- the Expat with the 6 boats. 😂😂 I pixxed myself!
Keep up the great work! Stay safe! Rus- Heather of Mourne
I've never been to Mourne, it looks stunning! Enjoy your beautiful 1973-er. 🙏👍 Liz
Your objective boat ownership presentation is sobering, yet, wonderfully delightful. Thank you!
Cheers, Mike 😃👍
It's great to hear and watch honest opinions on living on a sailboat I'm currently saving like mad to buy a boat, I'll never be able to buy a house with today's house prices and your experience is gold
Ahoy Liz and Jaime!
Another honest video! Thank you.
I just finished my first 9 day sailboat delivery. Wow! What a life! I can't wait for more.
Cheers Jeff!
Well done! Best of luck with the new life. 👌🤞 Liz
I always loved your Chanel. Quit watching after selling our beautiful sailboat. It was too painful living vicariously. I was wrong. It is fantastic living vicariously with you guys. Can’t wait to spend the next five years with you two. Vicariously of course.
Haha, love it! Glad you came back. Peace and fair winds to you ✌️⛵
Aww love you guys been watching you for years! I love that original video I’m still grinding towards being a full time cruiser only two years to go . Hopefully I’ll run into you guys one day 🤙🏾
Best of luck in following your dream. 👏🙏 Liz
Most enjoyable episode! Well balanced views and great interaction between the two of you to illustrate points!👌 Btw, still going to buy a sailboat 'cause the "fun" column outweighs all the other columns! ⛵😃
Such a brilliant column, eh? 😄👌Liz
Don't compare. I like the the straight talk. I need the straight talk. I have just started learning about sail boats & i'm thinking to get one,and I am 66 years young. I have never even been on a sail boat as of yet.
66 is still young, David. Plenty of time to learn and head off over that horizon!
Thankyou, I am so glad I watched this. You guys are fantastic so honest.
I will encourage my wife to watch this as we consider the boat life.
Cheers Gerard.
Cheers, Gerard. Let us know what your wife thinks!
A very honest summary of boating. Very true there is a big difference between boating and living on a boat.
Enjoy your videos. I live in a Motorhome - many similar issues. Including being a mass murderer and doing in a hoard of mice. Have been thinking of changing the truck for a yacht.. maybe I'm mad. You''re right there's always something to do.
There's much crossover, Max. You should find boat ownership less of a shock than most 😉
Very informative and very true. They says the best day of your life comes when your purchase your boat and also... the day you manage to sell it! I did that twice, no regrets! Fair winds to you two!
Great honesty and sincerity - thanks
LOL! Some of those jerks! Your honesty is appreciated. Nothing will sink a boat faster than an ignorant owner. People should appreciate the honesty. You guys are great!
Thanks, Dave 😊
i go to look at my first sailboat around the first of next month. its an all electric off grid boat with one thousand watts of 48 volt solar panels, and two bug battery banks one 48 volt and one 12 volt to 3000 watt inverter. i plan to add a wind generator 48 volt system to it. has no propane no refillable fuels , even the dingy had 2hp 48 volt motor..lol if i but it ill have it delivered and docked for a year till i leave land. working in baby steps ..lol been in a small rv for last 15 years..lol i can hardly wait for my adventure to begin.. fair winds and fallowing seas
Sounds like a great project. I'd love to know how you get on with, say, a day of motoring in crappy seas, then a weekend at anchor, followed by some more motoring. Genuinely curious to see if we are finally at the stage where sail boats can be fully electric. Getting rid of gas was a great move for us but getting rid of diesel is the dream! Keep us posted and fair winds to you.
Thanks for the honesty. Sailing is a great activity. Living aboard is definitely not for everyone. Your realistic feedback is greatly appreciated and helpful. Good information is key to help for good decision-making. We have too many channels that sell a dream but those are empty marketing to keep the hype to their channels. Most boats are constantly exposed to the elements (salt, UV rays, bird poo, microscopic water life species, moisture/humidity, etc). Even a brand-new boat will require periodic maintenance, which can get very expensive especially if the owner will not be up to the task him/herself. Anyone who thinks differently better wake up before getting into boat ownership. If money is not a problem, then life becomes much simpler, of course. 🙂 Note: The comment from one of your audience members comparing boat ownership/maintenance with house ownership, is spot on. Depending on the boat/home costs of ownership will lead one direction or another. Annual property taxes alone, in some prime locations, in the US, can easily be in the excess of $10K/Yr (that is for middle-class homes).
Well said. Oh, and talking of poo, it turns out the rat poo is more likely bat poo!
I watched the first one back in the day and lots more. Thanks for sharing your insightfulness and heartfelt truths. Stay safe and enjoy.
Thanks, Mike. Appreciate the comment and support 👍
I follow about 20 Sailing Channels & Everybody seems to have their “Grin & Bear It Moments” But also have those “Golden Days” that seem to make it all worthwhile😜
It's a balance, Steven. Hard days of shit, and amazing, incredible days of new experiences.
Life is an endless succession of compromises. And, while you cannot make your life longer, you can make it deeper and wider. Some people die before they have ever really lived. Some people are happy living in a dreary council house in Essex, and some people grab life by the horns and look for adventures. You are absolutely right, living on a boat is not for everyone, but it is always an adventure, the good and the bad.
I like your outlook there, Charlie, and couldn't agree more 😃👍
As a former merchant seaman it cannot be stressed too much that any sort of existence afloat revolves around continual maintenance. I used to go on four month contracts where I got fed by the steward’s department, had my own cabin, and could work unlimited overtime. And I know two things about me possibly living on a boat which are: [1] if I don’t actually build that boat myself then I wouldn’t trust myself to be able to maintain it then [2] all I would be interested in would be building the boat where I had a permanent slip which I could afford and then basically just staying there tied up permanently enjoying the marine environment but also being on the beach at the same time. Sailing around the world on a sailboat would absolutely drive me nuts.
Hey, thanks for linking this new video to me in the comments of the last 5 Reasons video.
You're welcome! Liz 🙏
You're both wonderful and clearly very knowledgeable and experienced. Dont waste your time engaging with idiots - it only encourages them. Just know that your wisdom is picked up by those in need and ready to hear it (those of us in the real world) - everyone else can just jog on :-)
Thank you. Although we find engaging with the idiots quite funny occasionally 😉
love and appreciate this video. Thank you. Subscribed.
Appreciate the candid attitude towards some of the comments, another great video! :)
We take no prisoners! Most of the comments we get these days are positive though, so it's all good 😊
I used to build yachts. I owned a 55ft yacht for demonstration purposes only. We scheduled 2 men to spend a whole day on the yacht each month PLUS a crew of 5 to spend 2 hours a week to clean and do the bright work (if you didn’t keep up with it your cost to maintain sky rocketed). The punch list was never ending and we built them! These were luxury world cruisers. Quick example - brand new engine with less than 40 hours on it started leaking oil and for the life of us we could not figure out why. Manufacturer’s engineer couldn’t figure it out. We had to pull the engine (incredibly expensive!) and found that internal fasteners holding the head on were never tightened to specs. Marine electrical is beyond complicated depending on the material the yacht is constructed with AND (most especially) the systems it interacts with which cause polarity issues. My parents sailed one of my yachts for 10 years. With my experience building and owning yachts I came to the conclusion that if you plan to sail full time it can possibly be worth it if you have the patience and skill to maintain a vessel. What my wife and I do is charter a captain and crew for a few weeks each year and love every minute! God bless the full time sailors. Love your channel. Best, Peter Jones
It always cheers me to hear you two, happy or sad, of I was richer, I would send you money. All I can send is many thanks for your vlogs and wish you fair winds and happiness. 😊
I purchased my first new sailboat to liveaboard in 1977. I'm on my third new sailboat, a Saga 43, 24 years old, and still living aboard with my wife. I do all my own maintenance, including plumbing, rigging, splicing, electrical, diesel, and electrons. I have sailed from Newfoundland, Canada, to Columbia, South America, not missing the Caribbean. I'm getting up in the years, and my body doesn't allow me to walk around on the foredeck as I used to. I still can't figure out what I will do, but I know I love living abroad, and I would not have done anything differently. "Don't give up the ship."
Hooray to that! 👏👏👏 Liz
Comparing a house in the city to a beach house or one in the mountains is like comparing apples to oranges. Comparing it to a sailboat is like comparing apples to pineapples.
BTW, I enjoy your sarcasm, and appreciate being forewarned of the realities of the cruising life.
Cheers, William, couldn't agree more.
Classy stuff. Well done!!
Cheers, glad you thought so! Liz 👌
Lithium has been a true revolution in cruising.
My family and I are on year 25, although the two youngest left to live a land life and the oldest is about 300 metres away on his own cruiser.
5 years ago I repowered, and took the opportuntity to change to LiFePO4 batteries, as older alternator controllers and battery chargers will not handle them, so doing it all at once was best.
It is a game changer. Previously I watched the battery monitor like a hawk and we still needed to fire the generator regularly to supplement the power, especially when running the watermaker. For a year or two I still looked at it many times a day until I finally realized everything was good. Now I pull out the generator ONLY to run the dive compressor for cleaning the bottom.
What I gave up? Buying and lugging jerry cans of gas for the generator, swapping 600 lbs of lead out every three years and always needing to water cells and clean terminals.
What I gained? A completely electric galley. First in the morning are the electric coffeermaker and breadmaker, then using the induction stove and combo microwave/convection oven for the big meals, added a household chest type deep freeze in addition to the already large fridge/freezer, plus the little convenience items such as the icemaker, ricecooker and slow cooker. Cooking aboard has become more of a joy instead of sweaty torture, so we try more new dishes instead of the tried and true 1 pot easy meals of old.
Of course, the electric waterheater still runs daily as hot showers are still better, even in the tropics.
The starlink and big screen get ample use, not just to watch Jaimie and Liz but to keep up with netflix and whatapp to friends and family.
Gone are the feeble 12 volt fans, replaced with numerous 120v fans all over that actually do something. Yes, I even got a small AC unit for the aft cabin, a small portable RV unit that draws only 300 watts and takes the edge off the still, humid night.
And then the watermaker, which previously demanded we run the generator, now happily runs every mid-day after the batteries are full again, allowing multiple showers a day, all laundry done on board, cleaning the chain on hoisting and even a rinse of the boat after a salty sail!
Previously, I thought the watermaker was the greatest revolution in cruising, but now I put lithium and RO together in a tie.
Now, everyone retorts with two things, cost and "danger".
Let's take danger first. Yes thermal runaway and the resulting fires can happen - so, don't leave the electric scooter, electric outboard battery or cell phones/laptops charging while you are off the boat.Yes, we have all of those and THOSE are the batteries types to worry about, not a good quality LiFePO4 from a reputable manufacturer installing a proper BMS, controlled by a proper charge controller with Lithium settings and temperature sensor.
Cost? Agreed, the upfront cost of lithium is higher BUT the amortized cost is LOWER.
Previously I used Rolls Surrette's deep cycles as they gave the best performance and longevity, but never managed to outlast three years of hard cycling. With shipping, the 6 100lbs lead's cost $2k, but also add in the generator fuel costs as we still needed it every few days. (Yes, you can go to costco and buy cheaper 6v golf carts and wire them together - I did that for many years and never beat 18 months of lifespan)
Overall the lead format cost us $8k over ten years.
The 3 50 lb lithiums give me more usable daily amps, and are guaranteed for 10 years to still maintain 80% of capacity. I am at 5 years now and they perform the same as day 1. The lithiums cost $6k.
The value of not killing myself changing out lead batteries? Priceless.
Overall, it's a no brainer, especially as battery prices for LiFePO4 are gradually decreasing while lead is going up.
PS - what's with the trend in keeping a dinosaur lead battery for starting then a DC-DC converter to charge the house bank and another for the anchor winch?
For starting current? Pffft, lithium beats lead at output current, far more is available than the sterter or winch require.
Proper cable size and your house bank will run the anchor winch easily. Voltage drop? You didn't put in the correct cable size from the distance/amperage table.
Thanks for the comprehensive comment, Bruce. You're right, lithium is a game changer so hopefully if anyone still needs convincing, you've done the job for us! Great to hear live on board is more comfortable thanks to lifepo.
I praise your honesty and fully agree with your synopsis. I have a 33 foot sailboat and have no desire to live aboard what so ever.
I agree the boat has to be fastidiously maintained for safety readiness.
It’s like spinning plates a continuous chore and the logistics of carrying out repairs is difficult.
For the non sailors try rebuilding an engine in your lounge and keep the place clean and liveable.
You guys are wasting your time advising non sailors ,you really need to live the moment to understand.
I find the romantic RUclips sail away blogs frightening it doesn’t touch on the hardships.
I admire world cruisers but jealous I am not.
RUclips has a lot to answer for.
So I’ll keep spinning the plates and enjoy sailing for a wee while longer.
Some of your commenters are hilarious 😆.
Thanks for your honesty it’s appreciated by me anyway.
Thank you for such a fair and balanced video that was most pleasant to view! You two have a wonderful attitude, wishing you all the best!
Thanks, Rory 👍
Love you guys. And watched your original film. I think you are a little hard on the other channels... I can't think of a single channel I have watched which has not been honest over issues with the boat. La Vagabond is a good example... superficially maybe all B roll and bikinis but Riley has pretty much written a book on issues with catamarans. And not sure how long since you lived in the Uk but we downscaled and even now our house costs us over £25K a year in costs. Do you watch James on Tritea? He was recounting just this week a mate of his who got a brand new boat and they had countless issues with it. I aim to get a live aboard soon and I have spent many years looking into it... I am ready for the issues... and I actively enjoy maintaining things... and I am looking forward to getting to know every system so I can keep up with maintenance. For me it's a mental thing too... I have struggled in recent years and being on a boat is the one place I feel ok and being able to focus on maintenance and repairs is like meditation for me... and if that is on a boat and is all about keeping me safe and afloat then that work is something I will actively relish. Hard to explain LOL. But I think you have to enjoy working on things to have a boat.
The secret misery of living on a boat on passage is …….not being able to go for a run after breakfast. I should add that when on land I never did that anyway, but I imagine that when I finally set off on a sail, I might just discover that I should have been having a mid morning run …all along.
This is a good point, and one that we were discussing only recently: the inability to just open the door and go off and do some exercise. I kinda stopped swimming after seeing the state of the sea here, although the spot we're in right now has clear water and we've already been for a dip. I find the same problem with my photography. Sometimes I just want to be in town at sunset, but to get there can be a chore what with the faf of the dinghy.
The constant movement causes muscle movement 24/7. Within the first week you'll lose weight.
I like working on my boat most of the time, so it is fun. But sometimes it gets to be a pain. I think that boats are more complex now than they have to be. Watching Sail Life with Mads is an example of totally going overboard with adding stuff to a boat - it is all nice when it is new, but it will get old and need work - lots of it. One way to reduce costs and hassle is to learn to live with less stuff and get more time. This is especially true on a yacht - reduce complexity wherever possible and have more time to snorkel. Be skeptical of the need for a watermaker, high powered dinghy, powered davits, air con, generators, compressors etc. They will be good when they are good and very bad when they are bad. I like having a relatively simple catamaran that sails swiftly and is a great home, but she keeps me busy still.
As to the guy who says he owns two yachts and keeps then for mere hundreds of dollars near the Fraser coast - we have seen boats that are maintained in this way - it is often the case that often yachts get bought by people who don't maintain them well, don't insure them and who anchor in out of the way places and use them as liveaboards, rather than cruisers. That is fine as rthey can be great homes in a housing crisis. But these guys get into trouble is serious conditions come in because the boats are compromised. Having a CAPABLE and safe boat is costly and requires effort, so keep them as simple as possible to maximise your fun and reduce hassle.
Things to consider going without - freezer, air con, powered winches (buy a smaller boat) big boat (small boats are much less hassle). A simple 25ft Tophat will be very easy to maintain and great to live and cruise aboard. A nice Seaclipper 28 trimaran will be the same. Go smaller, go simpler and you can do it cheap. Going bigger and complex is a sure way to be overloaded with work. An H28 used to be a medium sized cruiser - now they are almost giveaway boats and called too small - go back to 1970 sized boats and have heaps more fun and far less work!
"One way to reduce costs and hassle is to learn to live with less stuff and get more time." I love that sentence, it could be applied to all aspects of life! ♥🙏 Liz
True, am looking for a boat and not more then 35 ft
Have not watched in a while. Liz, your current hair style looks great. To me, it is incredible what you have done. I have been working for three years to cast off the lines. Still intrigued by how you were able to train Millie to use the head. Is a cat on board more expense and complication than it’s worth? Thank you for posting.
Millie passed away quite a while ago. 😿
We would never have changed having Millie. She brought us great joy and we still miss her, but having a pet on board does tie you down in the same way it does on land. Cats are pretty inexpensive!
On my Beneteau Oceanis 350 1989. Starlight I created a manifold after the sea strainer then have the Engine, pressure Fresh water, bilge, all on ball valves done in bronze with Teflon tape, this allows me to back wash the through hull with fresh water under pressure, or for the night layup the engine on fresh water, or bring to bear the engine raw water pump on the bilge for an emergency pair of old stockings as a filter, with a tie wrap safety on that ball valve, open with the thru hull open you have a hole in the boat.
Sounds good. 👌 Liz
This comes down to what you guys have talked about before……very high, highs….a very low, lows….you hope the highs outweigh the lows…..
Yes, that's the balance. If it tips the other way, we're doing something wrong.
My home needs caulking along some windows. If I continue to not perform this task for several month, or until the weather is more pleasant for working outside, no serious harm will occur. I’d bet if your windows need caulking, you need to get it done. I might suggest the cost comparison is much less important than the need for expediency with your issues. A small leak in a home can be a real annoyance (we had one in a home in northern Illinois) and I finally identified the cause and fixed it after two years. Your leak just can’t wait that long. Fixing things in your environment is far more an imperative than in mine.
So true! We tried to get that point across, but you've put it succinctly. Cheers! 🙏👌👏 Liz
I never saw the original show but really enjoyed this revisited version. I run a small business and deal with all sorts of People daily and love hearing peoples comments. Yes wanker is a good word. Good to see you two are still smiling. Life is good and fair winds to you
The knowledge you both have gathered through the years have served you well and gives you confidence when the emergency comes up😮
That knowledge has been hard won and fought for! Seriously, though, we're happy to pass it on and stoked that anyone might find it useful. 🙏👌 Liz
Good heavens, we owned a 60’ narrowboat for 8 years on the inland waterways in the UK, they need a fraction of the maintenance and cost in marinas than a sea boat, in those 8 wonderful years the boat cost us £50,000 before we went anywhere in it, multiple that by 3 or four for a sea boat.
“Break out another thousand “ well, a friend of mine has a Lotus Car. Lotus stands for….. Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious! Gr8 video ❤
😂😂 love it
l been sailing and fixing boats for 10years, you are saying everything so right and 100% agrees with you.
It's those of us who do it, who really know... 😄 Liz
Oh man, When you said "do you like tinkering then boat life is for you" I smiled. I love that, now I have to reconsider going to sea...:)
-MG
I'm assuming from your user name you like to tinker!
@@followtheboat Yes sort of falls right inline doesn't it. I do electronic design and I have built a house or two. So carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and electronic-design are all on my list of things I have done recently.
I have finally seen some consolidation in marine-systems lately, hence my renewed interest. Your comment got me thinking harder about giving it a go.
I am still waiting for oil filters to be remote mounted, along with the hyper clean oil filters used on trucks and cars. I know one builder is using remote mount oil filters now, but making it more common would be better. I am also waiting for the automated spin down filters to be added for water makers, I had one for my pool and it kept the grit and larger particles from clogging the media to quickly. The most important part is the cost and purchasing a depreciating asset, but man the pictures you have make cost less of a deterrent.
-MG
Our oil filter is remotely mounted, albeit on top of the engine instead of underneath. Certainly makes changing it a lot easier!
@@followtheboat That's good to hear I think boat builders should do it as a standard. Given the marine environment, I think I would use the parallel oil filter systems as well, these clean the oil to a new sheen. The micron filters clean the oil so well it's like new. The tube going from the filter to the oil cap makes you take a second look, but the filtration is very slow and needs a separate path.
Lots of fun and many things to consider.
-MG
Great channel! One thing missing from this episode - a photograph of you when you started and a new photograph
Ah, well, you need to watch "17 Years On a Sailboat: How Have We Changed"... Liz
ruclips.net/video/2tM2gWysjSI/видео.html
Think of the twisting forces on a boat. The hull is being torqued by the mast and stays - repetitions of stresses in the thousands. Things gradually soften up, especially if there is water intruding in all the little micro crevices. Not just stress, but shock as well. The sea wants to be inside your boat!
So true... Liz
That kind of video makes it worth following your channel.
Thanks! Love this and its predecessor.
Thank you for your support, that's very kind. Hope you enjoy many more hours of viewing!
Thank you for being so transparent and honest with us. I thought it would be like a house the maintenance until you mentioned your home won't sink and the elements. 🥴
This was a real pleasure to watch. You both are delightful.
Thanks so much, that's kind of you. 🙏 Liz
Love the show guys would love to hear more . Been on our trimaran for a couple of years learning the hard way 😂any thoughts on electric propulsion ?.that moment we dreaded arrived ,it’s time for a new mota “tosh”😩 . Looking forward to your next appearance x Chaz n Gloria UFOii
Just wondering, when was that last time that chap drove his "van" to Komodo, Thailand, the Philippines,, ect. Driving to the pub is not the same thing.
I have an OCD lifestyle with cleaning and tinkering, are my hobbies and fun and socializing and partying is a much harder thing to do. I am dreaming of a small lottery win or such, and to solo circumnavigate for life.
Exactly that, Mike. The marine environment can be harsh. I hope you get that win and go live on the water. Good luck 😃👍
liz and jammie ,thanks , wonderfull ep , cheers
Pleasure 😃
Do you (or have you ever) lived for any length of time on a sailboat as your permanent home? Did you travel the world? In your opinion, what are the pros and cons?
I pretty much live on my boat now. It's miserable here on the Texas coast with no air conditioner. 🤣🤣🤣
I've lived on my boat while fixing her up. Never got to leave the yard though, as hurricane ian knocked me off the stands a week before splash day. Almost there again though. Guess I'll find out soon!
Yes I lived alone for about 2 years on my 22 foot sailboat as my home. I can only agree wholeheartedly with all your pros and cons . Sharing such a confined space with another person has to be a critical choice for it to work .I would add remaining in good physical shape , not just thin but good muscular and skeletal shape is a big issue and you need space for that.
Full time liveaboard now for 37 years and on my second boat.
Had most skills needed for this life before I made the move. First sail at 13 with the Ocean Youth Club to Channel Islands.
The biggest problems I encounter are the owners,not boats. I've been in the boat repair business for 40 years. The one thing I've learned is that I haven't learned enough,and never will.
Can't help but agree about the problems, I have a 29 foot boat which has cost £4,500 in repairs and upgrades this year... And after all the work the todo list is still the same length as it was at the beginning of the year....
Funny, true story. Years ago, we owned a 31' O'day Sailboat. For one reason or another we didn't go to see the boat for a couple of months. I went there one night, and as I turn the light on, I saw thousands of little roaches dissapearing from sight. Now, I do not mind snakes, or rats or bees, and mostly any critters don't bother me, with the exception of roaches.....can't stand the sight of them. Anyway. In order to eliminate the infestation, I decided to take everything off the boat....I mean everything, so, we started.....Kim on the companionway, while me, downbelow, passing "stuff' up, and fighting the many thousands of moving targets.....it was terrifying!!!! these damn things would crawl up my legs and arms, and to be completely frank.....I was fricking out....and Kim, on the cockpit laughing her head off, telling me, that I sounded like a little girl, screaming off the top of my longs.....but, would she volunteer to come to the roach nest to help??? nooooooo! anyway, we laugh now, but at that moment my thoughts were more of the "give me some petrol and torch this boat with the roaches down to the waterline". We took all our stuff to a garage, and decontaminated everything and washed everything really well. The pest control tech, took care of everything else! Boats are a constant care enterprise....I'm there every other day, looking after the batteries, scratching another item of the list of repairs and adding another couple of things, and so forth. Our home and garden and just about the same. Yes, the marine environment is far more corrosive, and unless you are very attentive and do not let things go for a long time, or the costs of bringing tasks to a manageable condition, would be very high. So, the moral to the story is, keep on top of it, as much as possible....no matter if your boat is new, or 50 years old.
That is the stuff of nightmares, Jaime. I'm not sure you'd have got Liz even as far as the companionway! What is it about roaches?
Comments are making me laugh- don’t you just luv key cupboard warriors- yep - just put a new boat in the water - evan at this early stage of the boat going in the water - it’s clean clean clean the sea water takes its hold - as you know - and as Mark Twain says - Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
You are both wonderful. Don't let the fools out there get under your skin. When you put yourself on RUclips, they are bound to notice you and expose you to their foolishness.
Thank you for your humor and wisdom.
Cheers!
Excellent, thank you for honesty. We have considered sailing blue water oceans. Main reason would be freedom of open ocean and thinking no property taxes killing us as property owners.
Excellent video and it clarifies many things about the intricacies of living on a sailboat... but I ask them when they were terrestrial beings what their professions or trade were, how long have they been together, do they have children... happy day and a big hug from Venezuela
A big hello to Venezuela, Reynaldo!
Regarding the first reason not to buy a boat - the constant maintenance, I am actually looking forward to moving on the boat. We live far away from our boat and we only sail once a month at best, so when we go there is absolutely no time to work on the boat. I am looking forward to just living on the boat and taking my time with projects, doing something small day, rather than crazy long days that I have right now.
Yes, we met a sailing couple who lived in Australia, but kept their boat in Thailand. They'd come out for a month or two, but got so fed up with spending 50% of their holiday time doing boat work that they sold the boat.
It's much easier to stay on top of the maintenance by doing little and often. 🙏👍 Liz
I think that when i was younger I would have probably jump on a boat and sailed around the world a heart beat; however, as I get older and with certain health issues arising I prefer to be closer to healthcare facilities than in the middle of the ocean. That is just my thoughts today.
Thanks, Jerome. I understand this sentiment as my parents feel the same. Yesterday I had the symptoms of my prolapsed disc twinges while sailing and it's not a nice feeling to know you're miles from medical help.
Jerome, that is certainly something to consider. And Jamie/Liz - watch that back🙏 Our boat is a midget 27ft but trying, stupidly, to pivot its three tonnes around a mooring pole against a headwind some years ago, caused two slipped discs and three months of pain. Don’t take any risks with lifting and keep doing exercises. Five years on, I put on one of those big, stretchy elastic belts at the first hint of a twinge. They’re now a must on the boat. Happy sailing to you😊
As a fellow live- aboard, I emphatically concur with most of your points, and that you bring an essential reality- check, to balance the romanticised dream, delusions and over optimistic view.
I'm on the hook, based just at northern tip Biscay, half the year, regularly moving as dictated by sea, winds, for best protection. Unlike a house, you've no 'foundations', and can soon become untenable with motion, and, fatigue of unrelenting noise. This also, in winter, frequent storms, the racket of rigging, 24/7, like frantic Samba Bands!!!
I'm in early retirement, and the embarking, became reality when Brexit loomed, and risked severely complicating, restricting, plans to explore Europe, not just as a tourist, but to really embrace, appreciate communities, cultures, through the seasons, an open- ticket. It is still complicated though, and essentially, cut most ties with UK sadly, as income is very modest, and now, it's no longer a cheap Ryanair flight, some routes closed, esp with covid.
Being locked- down, onboard, and prohibited from casting off, was .... interesting! A small warship outside, patrolling, intercepting!
2 things I'd say ...
Autonomy .... the boat, yourself, really should be as self resourced as possible. Making water, solar/ lithium batteries, facilities for repair, , and redundancy options should something fail, always a back up for essentials, such as windvane autopilot, heating, dinghy, OB engine, plus oars, anchor, etc.
Second ... someone onboard, should be able, willing, to troubleshoot, improvise effectively, in challenging conditions, ideally more than one person, as it can save huge recurring expenses, stress, and ... serious risk of escalation, losing boat, life even. It's absolutely not a place for mere dreamers, and fat cheque books are of no value offshore. The sea, the boat, doesn't care who, what, you are. This also has psychological aspect, sometimes needing to be comfortable with only your own company, for days at a time, without becoming too depressed ... unless you're to be forever in a marina, which is really a very very different life, a houseboat.
I recently went to assist a visiting very high end yacht to berth on linear pontoon, with f5 breeze blowing off. A couple mature guys, all the gear ... decided to try reverse in, v shallow angle, and clearly wind tries to blow bow off, yet they throw a stern line ... then, blast ahead, wheel turned to try steer bow unwind 🙄 ... and, huge thrust, chunky pontoon cleat snapped off like gunfire, could have killed someone, whiplash. This sets other yacht using cleat adrift! They try again🙀, and I INSIST, midship line first, then gently motor ahead, as a spring, to snug up against pontoon.
All the gear, and no idea .... risk to themselves, family... and us.
But, I humbly admit, I'm regularly taking learning, from errors, or occasional moments of oversight, distraction, too casual ... and it's to be encouraged, to go a bit beyond what's familiar, skill set, comfort zone, to keep growing, to be open to whatever comes. This life, by nature, is very unpredictable.
My boat , Countess 37,wasn't well fitted out, when built in 1990, systems in particular. Last year, as prudent measure as I don't know history beyond my 6 years ownership, I decided to cut open cockpit floor and hoist, using rigging, 50hp Prima engine, gearbox, , out, to totally strip, evaluate, and personally rebuild. Great deal of external corrosion, injectors rusted in aluminium cylinder head, though, I'd got her running well, despite, but, burning oil. Biggest worry was whether head cooling water passages, gasket face, were corroded. Thankfully, was excellent, zero issues, and bores only needed honing, rings.
Now I know, I can totally rely on this, and I made improvements to know design issues, like raw water pump spraying over electrics. Better than new.
It would likely cost half price of my yacht, to pay for a whole replacement engine, gearbox, and other changes dictated by different model. It took me 4 months, cost £1k, plus costs of being lifted ashore, UK, and a long solo passage, 2 x 500 miles, to a port with all facilities I needed close by, easy transport, as no car, of course, only folding bike, as a liveaboard.
Yep... no car .... that's another thing, liveaboard, though, buses, trains, or can rent, if affordable, nearby.
Many wouldn't dream of not having their car always on hand .... yet, when you've sailed onwards ... it's never where you need it.
Oh ... yes, my partner .... the cramped space, and not being free to come and go .... she's truly nomadic, walker .... decided to explore world on foot, and return to visit, wherever we're anchored, as base camp, and I join her sometimes, worst of winter. It certainly impacts on relationships, and not fair to expect others to try learn to love it like we do.
But, the tranquillity right now, unequalled, anchored in clean sparkling sea, by rocky reefs of wonderful colours, geology tortured, UNESCO site, warm breeze ... and I'm painting these inspirations, cockpit studio!💙🙏
Love the last para particularly, that's why we do it, no? 👌👍⛵ Liz
Im really enjoying listening to you two. All the smiling is inspiring.
Cool! 😄 Liz
You are both authentic and know what you are talking about. Good on you. You are absolutely correct. I am a qualified Commercial Skipper from NZ and know what I am talking about. 50 years of experience. The negative comments are mostly from "Arm Chair Admirals "who don't have a clue and don't actually own a boat. The guy who said he has two large boats and it only costs a few pounds per year to maintain is a complete liar. He doesn't own anything that floats. How many of them have any experience yet alone the experience I have. They are mostly liars and dreamers and have watched the "Dream Life" of most You Tubers and think that is reality. Like you said, most You Tubers don't tell the truth and tell it is the way it is. They don't have a great time24/7. In reality, they are over 50% of the time either wet, frightened, out of money and begging from Patreons, tired though lack of sleep, or simply just fed up but have to post on You Tube to make money to keep them alive. DON'T take any notice of the losers who make negative comments. They don't know shit from clay. They have only navigated a rubber ducky in a bath tub and think they know it all.
It would be great to get one of these "Admirals" on your boat for a week and watch them want to jump overboard because their "knowledge" would soon be found to be less than their ability to wipe their own arse.
Smiled all the way through that!
😃👍