You'll have less dragging & work to do if you give the winner an option to buy the existing battery bank( or supply a replacement for you) since all the cabling is already custom done. A win-win option.
Hi there. I owned and sailed my own 30 footer in my 20's. Moved ashore to raise kids and now I'm busy working towards my next boat. As a professional boat builder with 30yrs building and restoring yachts behind me, Freebie would find a loving home with me. I'd love to hear more from you guys
@EVERSONG Are they really that bad off-shore boats? By their stats alone they should be comparable to a Nicholson 32 ( barring the shorter draft ). Surely many cross the Atlantic regularly? Thanks~
@EVERSONG Surely they could handle a passage once in a blue moon, though? What I mean is, what exactly makes it not an off-shore boat? Is it just a matter of comfort? Or safety? Thanks~
I have really enjoyed your videos and it is so great to see how positive and enthusiastic you both are about sailing and boats. Giving your boat away is such a great way pass it forward to someone to love the boat and boat life. You have put so much time and energy in Freeby. I am looking forward to keep watching your boat tours and look forward to seeing your for ever boat. Best you luck with your boat dreams. I am 64 years old now, trust me- boat dreams never go away!!!
I love your videos and always look forward to what boat you are going to show next. You are always full of surprises, we never know what boat or what shape the boat will be in. I love the suspense. Good luck to everyone and please keep on posting videos, ya’ll have a good thing going and it would be nice to see ya’ll flourish. Thank you.
Interesting!! Most of us always save to buy the forever boat. It's how it really is. People see channels like Uma and others and love the concept, but reality is we have to earn a living. Good for you making a career decision.
Super awesome my friend in giving your boat away to a deserving person!! I actually made a video in hopes of being that lucky person but after reading some comments I realized this is a HUGE commitment and obviously some unknown cost in getting her ready! I've never owned a sailboat but have dreamed of it! I live in what is know as Canada's sailing playground, Nova Scotia and thought how fitting to bring your baby north and sail her along the thousands of miles of breath taking coastal inlets, coves and prestine open ocean! I've decided "not" to submit my entry as I have the desire, financial resources but actual experience of working on a boat, big fat zero!! I wish all the best to the lucky winner!! I'm excited to see who gets picked!!
I really wish that I had seen this video a few months ago. However, I was still in Japan at the time working and hadn't yet learned of your channel. Following your build on your first boat and then on Freebie, I was very impressed with the amount of work you both wanted to do and the number of skills you built for yourself. I have since begun searching for my own boat to begin sailing and have been following you, Sailing Uma, Sailing Project Atticus, Sailing Kittiwake, etc and seeing the amount of work that can often go into a rebuild/refit is helping me to understand what I have to look forward to. If I had seen this video I would have told you that it has been my lifelong dream to own a sailboat, raise the anchor, and stay out for as long as I can between coming into shore. I grew up with the ocean and I love being on the water, yet my life has always kept me on land and my travels have always been through driving or flying. I look to change that this year. I am currently looking at two models; a '79 Pearson 35 like Uma and '79 Tayana 37 like Sku (Sailing Kittiwake). Your boat would have been a perfect start to a beautiful journey and I would have put as much time and dedication into the refit as you have or more to make her a boat of your dreams. Alas, I missed this opportunity. Hopefully, I can one day find a free or inexpensive starter to begin my journey with. The Pearson is currently my cheaper option at 17k, but that is a lot upfront. I look forward to seeing what your next boat will be, although I am sad to hear that you are looking at more of a production model with little upgrades needed (maybe) as I think that the whole process of owning a house, car, boat, plane, whatever, is to make it yours in all aspects. To put your designs and dreams into it and make it your space. Until then, and until I arrive at my own boat, Fair Winds and Following Seas. Stay Salty. PS. I really love the concept of electric drive and how you put it, not having to go to shore until you absolutely had to. :-) Cheers!
Freebie just looks great it is a dream, what you are doing is so special, I am sure you are going to be so bless on the new path that you are trilling. God is going to fullfil all your best wishes in life. Best luck!
That is awesome. Me and my son is looking into the Boating life I grew up on the coast and he's always wanted to be there and go island hopping. Someone will enjoy it.
My wife and I love your videos!!! We think that is awesome that ya'll are paying it forward. If more people did that, this world be a much better place. We have have submitted our video and email. We wish you all the best of luck finding your forever boat. Keep your eyes on the horizon! 🌍
Sad to see and hear this. I started watching yall last year and are the reason I got back into sailing. I bought me a fixer upper and started refitting and restoring mine a 1975 s2 yacht 8.0a you guys taught me quite a bit on how tos hopefully I can get mine done soon to start sailing and I hope you two find your forever boat soon and well get to see yall again soon and or on the water
I would love to get Freebie, but I’m to old to be investing in her, plus no boating experience, however I love the tours you guys do. Thank you for all your time and efforts that you put into your videos. I just love them! Stay safe, stay blessed and continue on doing what you’re during. You guys are appreciated.
I’ve been watching your TH-cam channel and have seen all your videos, how hard you worked on Freebie, working late nights to get things done, and I know how hard it’s to give it away after all you’ve done. Sailing have been my lifetime dream, as my kids can tell you, but having a family and working long hours to keep a roof over our heads, had kept my dreams of sailing on hold, I’m 62 years old now, but I’m still fit, I would love to get Freebie, and make my dreams come true. I would finish what you started, to make Freebie into a great sailing ship. That’ll make my dream come true.
Darn, I was looking forward to the complete refit of Freebie. Too bad, but I understand your dilemma. You’ve got to do what’s best to meet your dreams. Keep working at it and in the interim, I’ll be standing by to follow your journey. Good Luck and God Bless.
That’s so sweet of y’all to do this for someone!!! I’m retired, and a recent widower who was married for thirty years to the girl of my dreams who was only 49 years old when we lost her. I received my Bachelor of Science in Marine Technology, and built a few punts & sailboats for the guys who could afford to do so. My beloved bride & I ended up owning a 5280 Prima Yacht which we put in a Charter Fleet every year making it affordable for us to use in the off season. There’s nothing like boating, and hanging out with boaters, meeting the nicest people everywhere!!! I wish you two every good thing, along with fair winds & following seas when you acquire your next vessel. Love Your Videos & Look Forward to Seeing Y’all On The Water...
Hope to see an awesome video of a very lucky person to receive such an awesome (freebie) sailboat to be able to fulfill a dream come true!!! What a blessing!
Kudos to you for actually giving it away for free, it must have been a hard choice considering all the time and effort put in... Wish I could bring her home to the Malabar coast and work on her 😃
If only I was ready to take on a new adventure.... I might just consider it. As a woodworker and Jack of all Trades.... I've done a refit before - 1976 C&C 24, Maya was her name. Did a bunch of Fiberglass, Hull, keel to hull connection and rudder repair, reupholstering inside / outside cusions, all the wood refinishing / repair - sinks, glass, seals, top and bottom paint - even built a cradle for her to sit outside in our yard in Iowa over the winter. The following year I solo sailed her down the big muddy to the gulf. I now live in Ft. Myers, not to far away lol. She was a heck of a project and she looked and faired better than new when all was done. From someone with the experience, I can tell you - it's all worth it, if either the boat is worth it, or the experience is worth it. In this case - it'd be the experience. Honestly, even though things look a bit rough around the edges, there really isn't that much left to be done so far as I can see. That said, I'd have to look up the data on this boat to be sure it'd be worth the effort - the C&C I worked on had a solid 1/2"-5/8" or better of glass on the hull at the waterline - some of these boats from the 70's only had 3/8" which was barely sufficient then and less so today for anything more than a day sail...
We are interested in your vessel, Freebee. Presently we have a 1984 30+ Ericson. We actually went the opposite of what you did and overpaid for what we thought we were getting. It took us two years of hard work to get it to about 60% of what it could be. Because of our age (both my wife and I are in our 70s), health restrictions and over active expectations, we got about 1/3 of America’s Great Loop completed before “hitting the wall of reality”. We completed 1600 miles from Huron, Ohio on Lake Erie to Columbus, Mississippi in about 4 months on the inland waterways (not exactly favorable conditions for a SV with a 5’10” draft. We don’t regret the effort or the experience it brought but realize we’d rather be doing the Caribbean than continuing on the Loop. Looking at what you’ve done with your vessel and what’s still left, we’d love to change hands on vessels and extend our old vessel BEATITUDES in the FREEBIE style you did. Thanks for the consideration and potential opportunity. Bruce and Nan Vining
Wow, you were not kidding about big news. Congratulations on the big decision and the generous give away. I have watched your channel for a relatively short time, and your open and honest presentations are refreshing. Best of luck with the ongoing plans!
Some friendly advice: 1) It took me 20 years to save up for my Dream Boat - Island Packet 35. Great Boat. No regrets, but life is short, don't wait that long. 2) Buy the best boat you can afford cash and don't do a project boat, life is too valuable to spent it in a boat yard. Get a good boat yes, but one you can use sooner than later.
Fair play for giving away Freebie... Good luck luck with the new projects, get back on the water soon gills dry up quickly and the land can trap you.....
This made me sad and happy at the same time. Sad that you are letting Freebie go but happy that you are moving on to bigger and better things. I am sure the experience of Freebie will help you with your future journeys. I am hoping you find your forever boat fairly soon. I hope the future owners of Freebie treat her as well as you did.
Your decision makes sense. While I'm not interested in Freebie (I am already buried in DIY projects), I do look forward to see where your journey takes you.
Loved freebie- 😘❤️💕you guys are a blessing , enjoy your new adventures. !!! I kind of knew it was coming with the reviews of all the boats you have done with your previous boat reviews I think the next one will be a catamaran.⛵️
Very nice of you guys to do this. Would have thought that you would sell her or the parts to fund your own cruising funds. Hope someone shares your enthusiasm and really sails her.
I'm too old and far away to participate but whish good luck to your participants. I whish you too all the best in the hunt for your new boat. You deserve it !
Don’t really give a f”k cheers to your generosity. Subscribed two days ago after 4 years of winter watching sailing couples from la vagabond to solioanis to gbu to somnius and few more to make the winters warm. Boat looks beautiful , but time to sleep. Immigration to Canada three years ago from Thailand brought our family together for good and we keep the dream of world travel. Going back to watch your story from ep.18 now. Peace!
It is sad to see you giving up Freebe, but I can understand your reasoning, nothing stays the same and plans, priorities and circumstances change. I for one, although not currently a sailor, will continue to follow "Learning the Line" as you move forward with your lives. I hope that you find your next boat that can be your forever, and let us follow that journey as well. Lets hope that the way forward is as short as possible, take care, stay safe and may favorable winds fill your sails.
It happens when your ideas & dreams get bigger than the rest of your life. It happens to absolutely everybody at some point. Some more than others. I know I'm 1 as well. Great ideas with little time & money. But great boat y'all. Love following y'all.
hi guys, just got onto and subscribed to your TH-cam channel (a couple of episodes ago) and so glad that your 'passing this boat on', knowing you acquired it the very same way. You could have sold it, but i'm so glad you decided to do it this way - Good Karma will come your way for sure... I'll continue to follow your journey with much interest. Fare winds with all your sailing and best wishes going forward (understanding the tough times that everyone is experiencing with the Corona Virus)... Stay healthy and cheers from Oz (Australia)... :)
Well I was right about you guys giving your boat away. I live in Ocala and will diligently be getting my info together to send you. Talked to Roberta & Duca with Odd life Crafting at the Boat Show and they told me to never give up on my lifelong dream, it will happen. Talk to you soon
Sort of saw this coming, but still understand how hard of a decision this must be. Boat ownership is a passion and not based in any kind of financial common sense. I'm saying this as a sailboat owner for 40 years. Salute you guys for taking a step back, assessing what your long term vision is for your sailing life, and re-calibrating how you are going to get there. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking the "traditional" route and working and saving to buy your way in to something that will help you realize your dreams. And the experience you gained in the time you worked on and sailed Freebie will serve you well in the future. Now, as for the giveaway, please be responsible to your pool of potential beneficiaries and make sure you are giving them a realistic picture of what they are in for. They are going to be stepping into some immediate costs to either continue storing/mooring the boat or moving it to a cheaper inland storage location. Then there is the question of replacing the batteries to maintain the electric propulsion or convert back to diesel. Then there will be the expense side of the DIY work (materials and equipment/fixtures for a boat are not cheap) and of course, the the large time investment. And in the end, they will have put way more money into the project than they could ever hope to recoup financially. Finally, there will be the time investment to commit to documenting this on video as you guys are all too familiar with. Make sure you are not setting someone up in a situation they are going to regret later. In any case, good luck to everyone involved and remember, a boat is hole in the water into which one throws money (and time). But we still choose to do it anyway because it is our passion.
I've restored and sailed an O'day 23, then also an O'day 27 which I feel is good but still too small for my Great Lakes Cruising dreams. I'm a 50 year old Navy veteran who just dreams of salty air, dreams of doing the Great Loop and enjoying what the world of ours offers. I would most definitely be willing to video the upgrades made to this already beautiful boat.
Am 2 years late, ive been dreamin my whole life for a boat, me and my kids basically were born as sea people, could only wish this would come our way, cant afford 1, never stop dreamin, god bless, god speed,,,
im sure any body looking at Freebie should be able to buy the batteries from them , if you don't have the cash to do than then you cant afford this boat!
Even if they save up lots of cash to buy a sea worthy sail boat , boats need lots of upkeep. Not everyone is cut out to do that sort of thing. And you have to be pretty financially well off to hire people to do the endless maintenance and repairs that sail boats need.
I'm a sail is the only thing worth doing since I was 11 years old. I'm looking to retirement in the next couple of years, and would love to have a slower pace of life. And sail through out the San Juan Ilands out in my backyard. Thanks. I look forward to seeing you again on TH-cam.
I had a 15 footer sailboat when I was 30 years old. Now than I am seventy and if you consider giving your boat to me and my wife(63); I want to live what I have left of life being able to sail back and forth from Roatan to the florida keys to spend time with my son's family and specially my grandchildren who live in Miami. I am avid follower of all of your videos. Regards,
Good move. Dead storage is basically wasted money. I have seen boats stored for years and then sold for a pittance. Some deteriorate until they cannot even be given away and then the yard has to break them up.
I would jump all over a project like this..years ago. However, with a mortgage, family of 4, and the daily grind, don't think I could ever finish this project, much less afford to store it. Guess I'll just stick with my little 17' "pocket yacht"( which I've refitted with the creature comforts of a large yacht ). Cheap to store and maintain. I know a little about what's involved. I've restored several (much)smaller boats. Brought a couple back from the dead. This is a monster
Hi guys ! What your doing is fantastic! As they say .., pay it forward! You have put a lot of time , money into it . Even though not too much is finished, point is what was done was done from the hart . You had a dream ( still do ) but seem more focused to make it happen. If I was younger, I would have tried and send you a video. Good luck on your next project!
You guys have done so much work, I've followed it all, but I could tell you both wanted something a little bigger. She is beautiful and well cared for (all boats are a work in progress) I wish she were mine. I have two small children here in Nova Scotia and we are on the water every chance we get in my cousins 24' paceship. She's small but still a great experience . It would be a dream to one day have a boat of our own. Please keep making content of your next adventure , I look forward to watching.
@@mechanicdave80 Bin there, done that, got the T-Shirt👍😜 Was a patchman for 2 of the top lines in the business before I got hurt on the job.... Had a project boat that I was working on. But I was always to busy working on other people's boats to work on my own. Then I got hurt and no longer can do the work, gave my boat away to a friend along with all the parts except the motor because I lost my spot to store it. So yes, I've got a bit of salt in my veins.
I love you! I understand what is happening to you because it was the same for me when I was young. Again as today, even I am planning to buy a sailboat and want to have a TH-cam channel to make videos, each year I postponed my dream because of what it’s cost. I would love to submit my self as a candidat, but living in Canada, I think it will be too complicated and we have less sun than you. The solar panels are not so efficient here. So I’m really not sure. Best luck to you !
Ive heard of total electric sailboats. They also use a wind generator for the days its overcast. I use a trolling motor with a 52lb thrust on a 25' MacGregor. It doest go real fast but it works. I had a 4 horse evanrude on it but it didn't want to run right so thats when I discovered a trolling motor would work. I used a 18w solar to keep the batteries up.
Great choice guys moving forward, you two have worked very hard and deserve a boat that can be your forever(haha a relative term!) boat...... get a big ole Cat with hybrid engines! DanO, a retired teacher
I stand corrected, guys! :-) I was wondering at the "TH-cam Sailing Channels" forum if it wasn't clickbait, but it's clearly not! Not interested in the boat, because we already have one, but I just want to tell you that it's a very nice thing to do. Haven't seen a video from you before, but you look like nice people. So I hope this boat will give other people some great adventures! Happy greetingz, Wim
It's nice to see you admitting you were a dick by jumping to conclusions before doing the least bit of research. But the real question is whether you learned anything here and will fix your attitude in the future.
@@Sciolist Cool beans. But what does anything you said have to do with what I said? It's like if I said the sky was blue and you said "Don't be an idiot, birds fly in the sky". It makes no sense. I should also mention that someone that can't spell, capitalize, or use punctuation properly shouldn't be calling other people idiots.
Have loved watching you videos, back since u made sails for Somnium...we just had a baby.....so it ate the savings we had towards a boat and future travels. My wife and I are committed to sailing away from here....home schooling our little girl and spend our lives exploring and educating our daughter about cultures and the ways of the world.....not just the bubble we live in here in the US. I’ve been on film before....not scared here
Best of luck to you two in finding the perfect new home for Freebie, definitely won't be an easy task. Never stop the boat tours though..I love that content.
No boat, even fresh from the factory, is entirely “ready to go.” You know the old joke about how to make God laugh, right? Tell him your plans. You guys are young , healthy, and have your whole lives ahead of you. Congrats on recognizing you were ready to go a different direction. You’ve learned a heck of a lot from the work you did that will serve you well going forward no matter what you do. It’s really great of you to pass her on to a new adventure, and I’m confident you will find somebody who will be a worthy recipient. While I’m definitely an adherent of the go cheap and go now school of thought and therefore leery of financing a boat, I wish you well and hope it works out. Every boat is a compromise and bigger isn’t necessarily better. Mo’ money, mo’ problems, as the saying. But everyone has to figure out for themselves what their minimum requirements are and what you can tolerate. Now I should get back to fixing my boat. Best of luck.
If people are wondering about replacing the battery bank, you can check out DIY Solar with Will Prowse for great info on building your own lithium storage. It’s still not cheap, but if you do it yourself, you can get it for about half the cost of a top of the line Battleborn based system
You two have a lot of living to do. It’s a shame you are moving on without Freebee after all the work and adverse living conditions you put up with while performing the refit. But life goes on and changes in your life’s direction is something that will always be occurring. My best to you both and look forward to seeing what your next project or adventure will be.
I've just now decided to follow my wish and am looking at sailboats up in the Baltimore area. Something to cruise the Bay and do some coastal cruising to visit family in NC.
Had a boat for 20.years. built in the same pace as yours.. a Lancet.. so I e been cured of wanting to rebuild a boat.. been there.. someone will love her though.
I love the idea of painting the top grey my boyfriend and I are looking at getting a boat this winter but we're definitely going to pick a project both since we flip houses for a living
Love the channel, will keep watching regardless. Would love to have freebie, but alas, I'm on disability and it barely keeps my furnace running. It's sad when you sit there realizing you can't even afford a free boat. I hope someone genuinely takes care of her and finishes the work you started, she deserves it. BTW: You never did say, does Randi come with the boat? JK JK, will miss seeing the progress on Freebie, but maybe someday you'll find another soul to rescue. Good luck with the giveaway and getting a new boat. Weigh anchor and Sail On!
Glad your paying it forward,Congrats. Although I would love to get freebie and plan to get a live aboard shortly first I have to learn to sail even thou I'm ex navy it's not the same as wind LOL. Good luck to whoever gets her.
Honestly that’s a sick boat already!! I did the same thing on another boat with the floor and I love wood floor on boats! This is like a dream rebuilt Bc it’s already ready to enjoy just needs the rest done. Freaking love it!!! Def sending an email 🤣🤣😅
Hey guys, I just read all the comments below, sorry about all the negative Nancy’s. Your awesome for gifting Freebie, of course it’s going to cost the next owner to get her Bluewater ready but dang what do these folks expect? I expect to get an email stating I made the top 5. You guys keep on going in the direction your headed. Thank y’all
I love your channel, love to look at boats but one thing I learned from watching vids like yours and others is that when you have a boat you are for ever working on them. I once watched a family sailing around the world in a brand new cat and they still had an engine conk out of the coast of New Zealand. There for I DON"T WANT YOUR BOAT. I will stick with my Laser One. Plenty of guys want it. Pick the right one. Good luck.
I would love to have it .. if only ... anyways ... Thank you so much for all those times you have shared with us ... it was magical to live the dream with you ... I wish you all the best and I'll be looking forward to your new adventure ...
![99. This 53' DREAM Yacht is SURPRISING [Full Tour] Learning the Lines](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LKbb8XkADCI/mqdefault.jpg)
![Proof That AFFORDABLE Bluewater Catamarans Exist! [Full Tour] Learning the Lines](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/fLS1PCzQ1Q8/mqdefault.jpg)
You'll have less dragging & work to do if you give the winner an option to buy the existing battery bank( or supply a replacement for you) since all the cabling is already custom done. A win-win option.
Hi there. I owned and sailed my own 30 footer in my 20's. Moved ashore to raise kids and now I'm busy working towards my next boat.
As a professional boat builder with 30yrs building and restoring yachts behind me, Freebie would find a loving home with me.
I'd love to hear more from you guys
Please consider choosing someone who'll start a TH-cam channel & show their transformation, too! GOOD LUCK, & thanks for the videos!
P M Chan Agree!
@EVERSONG Why? I am not keen on some things but wonder why you would steer away from this boat .
@@steveddad4385 LOL Me too!
@EVERSONG Are they really that bad off-shore boats? By their stats alone they should be comparable to a Nicholson 32 ( barring the shorter draft ). Surely many cross the Atlantic regularly? Thanks~
@EVERSONG Surely they could handle a passage once in a blue moon, though? What I mean is, what exactly makes it not an off-shore boat? Is it just a matter of comfort? Or safety? Thanks~
We just gave our boat away as well... it was such a great feeling to make someone so happy!
I have really enjoyed your videos and it is so great to see how positive and enthusiastic you both are about sailing and boats. Giving your boat away is such a great way pass it forward to someone to love the boat and boat life. You have put so much time and energy in Freeby. I am looking forward to keep watching your boat tours and look forward to seeing your for ever boat. Best you luck with your boat dreams. I am 64 years old now, trust me- boat dreams never go away!!!
I've enjoyed watching you two rebuild Freebie, and support your move to a larger, more permanent boat. And the boat tours are always interesting.
I love your videos and always look forward to what boat you are going to show next. You are always full of surprises, we never know what boat or what shape the boat will be in. I love the suspense. Good luck to everyone and please keep on posting videos, ya’ll have a good thing going and it would be nice to see ya’ll flourish. Thank you.
Interesting!! Most of us always save to buy the forever boat. It's how it really is. People see channels like Uma and others and love the concept, but reality is we have to earn a living. Good for you making a career decision.
Just want to add Uma wasn’t always the glorious vessel she is now. I’m sure Dan and Kika would have loved to start with SV Freebie!
Super awesome my friend in giving your boat away to a deserving person!! I actually made a video in hopes of being that lucky person but after reading some comments I realized this is a HUGE commitment and obviously some unknown cost in getting her ready! I've never owned a sailboat but have dreamed of it! I live in what is know as Canada's sailing playground, Nova Scotia and thought how fitting to bring your baby north and sail her along the thousands of miles of breath taking coastal inlets, coves and prestine open ocean! I've decided "not" to submit my entry as I have the desire, financial resources but actual experience of working on a boat, big fat zero!! I wish all the best to the lucky winner!! I'm excited to see who gets picked!!
I love your tours and your wonderful upbeat attitudes. So happy you guys got a boat that youlike better.
I really wish that I had seen this video a few months ago. However, I was still in Japan at the time working and hadn't yet learned of your channel. Following your build on your first boat and then on Freebie, I was very impressed with the amount of work you both wanted to do and the number of skills you built for yourself. I have since begun searching for my own boat to begin sailing and have been following you, Sailing Uma, Sailing Project Atticus, Sailing Kittiwake, etc and seeing the amount of work that can often go into a rebuild/refit is helping me to understand what I have to look forward to. If I had seen this video I would have told you that it has been my lifelong dream to own a sailboat, raise the anchor, and stay out for as long as I can between coming into shore. I grew up with the ocean and I love being on the water, yet my life has always kept me on land and my travels have always been through driving or flying. I look to change that this year. I am currently looking at two models; a '79 Pearson 35 like Uma and '79 Tayana 37 like Sku (Sailing Kittiwake). Your boat would have been a perfect start to a beautiful journey and I would have put as much time and dedication into the refit as you have or more to make her a boat of your dreams. Alas, I missed this opportunity. Hopefully, I can one day find a free or inexpensive starter to begin my journey with. The Pearson is currently my cheaper option at 17k, but that is a lot upfront. I look forward to seeing what your next boat will be, although I am sad to hear that you are looking at more of a production model with little upgrades needed (maybe) as I think that the whole process of owning a house, car, boat, plane, whatever, is to make it yours in all aspects. To put your designs and dreams into it and make it your space. Until then, and until I arrive at my own boat, Fair Winds and Following Seas. Stay Salty. PS. I really love the concept of electric drive and how you put it, not having to go to shore until you absolutely had to. :-) Cheers!
Nice one guys. Paying forward. Hope you find an enthusiastic new owner. It is really mostly cosmetic. Best of luck. Andy UK
Freebie just looks great it is a dream, what you are doing is so special, I am sure you are going to be so bless on the new path that you are trilling. God is going to fullfil all your best wishes in life. Best luck!
You kids are just amazing, such good people ❤️ we would love to see Freebie go to a great home , and get all fixed up finally sail.
That is awesome. Me and my son is looking into the Boating life I grew up on the coast and he's always wanted to be there and go island hopping. Someone will enjoy it.
Thank you for being open an honest with your plans. Please keep the boat tours going and I look forward to following you along in your journey!
Congrats...GOOD LUCK TO WHOEVER is getting her and looking forward to your next video!!
My wife and I love your videos!!! We think that is awesome that ya'll are paying it forward. If more people did that, this world be a much better place. We have have submitted our video and email. We wish you all the best of luck finding your forever boat. Keep your eyes on the horizon! 🌍
Sad to see and hear this. I started watching yall last year and are the reason I got back into sailing. I bought me a fixer upper and started refitting and restoring mine a 1975 s2 yacht 8.0a you guys taught me quite a bit on how tos hopefully I can get mine done soon to start sailing and I hope you two find your forever boat soon and well get to see yall again soon and or on the water
The main reason I have been watching your videos is the boat tours, so please keep them going and good luck with eventually getting your own boat.
Thanks for posting and sharing! Best wishes with your venture-
I would love to get Freebie, but I’m to old to be investing in her, plus no boating experience, however I love the tours you guys do. Thank you for all your time and efforts that you put into your videos. I just love them! Stay safe, stay blessed and continue on doing what you’re during. You guys are appreciated.
I’ve been watching your TH-cam channel and have seen all your videos, how hard you worked on Freebie, working late nights to get things done, and I know how hard it’s to give it away after all you’ve done. Sailing have been my lifetime dream, as my kids can tell you, but having a family and working long hours to keep a roof over our heads, had kept my dreams of sailing on hold, I’m 62 years old now, but I’m still fit, I would love to get Freebie, and make my dreams come true. I would finish what you started, to make Freebie into a great sailing ship. That’ll make my dream come true.
Darn, I was looking forward to the complete refit of Freebie. Too bad, but I understand your dilemma. You’ve got to do what’s best to meet your dreams. Keep working at it and in the interim, I’ll be standing by to follow your journey. Good Luck and God Bless.
That’s so sweet of y’all to do this for someone!!! I’m retired, and a recent widower who was married for thirty years to the girl of my dreams who was only 49 years old when we lost her. I received my Bachelor of Science in Marine Technology, and built a few punts & sailboats for the guys who could afford to do so. My beloved bride & I ended up owning a 5280 Prima Yacht which we put in a Charter Fleet every year making it affordable for us to use in the off season. There’s nothing like boating, and hanging out with boaters, meeting the nicest people everywhere!!! I wish you two every good thing, along with fair winds & following seas when you acquire your next vessel. Love Your Videos & Look Forward to Seeing Y’all On The Water...
It looks like a beautiful boat with a lot of love that went into it! Great for someone with time and vision! Best of luck in your new venture!
VERY nice of you to give the boat away. I like the boat tours, but really, I like Randy's smile. What can I say, I'm a dog.
Hope to see an awesome video of a very lucky person to receive such an awesome (freebie) sailboat to be able to fulfill a dream come true!!! What a blessing!
She looks like a sweetie that will travel the seas nicely. Thanks for sharing the adventure.
Kudos to you for actually giving it away for free, it must have been a hard choice considering all the time and effort put in... Wish I could bring her home to the Malabar coast and work on her 😃
Please keep to videos coming, and hope to see you guys in your forever boat soon
My wife definitely should not know I want this boat. Much thanks to both of you for your generosity. It will find a good home.
If only I was ready to take on a new adventure.... I might just consider it. As a woodworker and Jack of all Trades.... I've done a refit before - 1976 C&C 24, Maya was her name. Did a bunch of Fiberglass, Hull, keel to hull connection and rudder repair, reupholstering inside / outside cusions, all the wood refinishing / repair - sinks, glass, seals, top and bottom paint - even built a cradle for her to sit outside in our yard in Iowa over the winter. The following year I solo sailed her down the big muddy to the gulf. I now live in Ft. Myers, not to far away lol. She was a heck of a project and she looked and faired better than new when all was done. From someone with the experience, I can tell you - it's all worth it, if either the boat is worth it, or the experience is worth it. In this case - it'd be the experience. Honestly, even though things look a bit rough around the edges, there really isn't that much left to be done so far as I can see. That said, I'd have to look up the data on this boat to be sure it'd be worth the effort - the C&C I worked on had a solid 1/2"-5/8" or better of glass on the hull at the waterline - some of these boats from the 70's only had 3/8" which was barely sufficient then and less so today for anything more than a day sail...
We are interested in your vessel, Freebee. Presently we have a 1984 30+ Ericson. We actually went the opposite of what you did and overpaid for what we thought we were getting. It took us two years of hard work to get it to about 60% of what it could be. Because of our age (both my wife and I are in our 70s), health restrictions and over active expectations, we got about 1/3 of America’s Great Loop completed before “hitting the wall of reality”. We completed 1600 miles from Huron, Ohio on Lake Erie to Columbus, Mississippi in about 4 months on the inland waterways (not exactly favorable conditions for a SV with a 5’10” draft. We don’t regret the effort or the experience it brought but realize we’d rather be doing the Caribbean than continuing on the Loop. Looking at what you’ve done with your vessel and what’s still left, we’d love to change hands on vessels and extend our old vessel BEATITUDES in the FREEBIE style you did. Thanks for the consideration and potential opportunity. Bruce and Nan Vining
Sailing is my passion. Having my own boat...a dream. How generous of you both for doing this.
I think you couple are both beautiful and handsome, and matched with beautiful hearts! Goodluck!
Wow, you were not kidding about big news. Congratulations on the big decision and the generous give away. I have watched your channel for a relatively short time, and your open and honest presentations are refreshing. Best of luck with the ongoing plans!
Some friendly advice: 1) It took me 20 years to save up for my Dream Boat - Island Packet 35. Great Boat. No regrets, but life is short, don't wait that long. 2) Buy the best boat you can afford cash and don't do a project boat, life is too valuable to spent it in a boat yard. Get a good boat yes, but one you can use sooner than later.
Hopefully you will be giving your Patrons 1st chance of the boat. Fair winds & regards from the UK
Fair play for giving away Freebie... Good luck luck with the new projects, get back on the water soon gills dry up quickly and the land can trap you.....
What a great idea guys 👍 you two are so awsome. Make sure you give it to somone who will actually appreciate it ya know. Good job. Love you guys.
This made me sad and happy at the same time. Sad that you are letting Freebie go but happy that you are moving on to bigger and better things. I am sure the experience of Freebie will help you with your future journeys. I am hoping you find your forever boat fairly soon. I hope the future owners of Freebie treat her as well as you did.
Who didn't see this coming? At least now the boat will hopefully be sailed.
Your decision makes sense. While I'm not interested in Freebie (I am already buried in DIY projects), I do look forward to see where your journey takes you.
Loved freebie- 😘❤️💕you guys are a blessing , enjoy your new adventures. !!!
I kind of knew it was coming with the reviews of all the boats you have done with your previous boat reviews
I think the next one will be a catamaran.⛵️
You boat is not that bad, glad to hear your still doing tours, really like them. Good lucky on the next one
Very nice of you guys to do this. Would have thought that you would sell her or the parts to fund your own cruising funds. Hope someone shares your enthusiasm and really sails her.
I'm too old and far away to participate but whish good luck to your participants.
I whish you too all the best in the hunt for your new boat. You deserve it !
Good for you guys, I’ll keep watching the tours, all the best.
Don’t really give a f”k cheers to your generosity. Subscribed two days ago after 4 years of winter watching sailing couples from la vagabond to solioanis to gbu to somnius and few more to make the winters warm. Boat looks beautiful , but time to sleep. Immigration to Canada three years ago from Thailand brought our family together for good and we keep the dream of world travel. Going back to watch your story from ep.18 now. Peace!
that's nice of you guys! great thing
It is sad to see you giving up Freebe, but I can understand your reasoning, nothing stays the same and plans, priorities and circumstances change. I for one, although not currently a sailor, will continue to follow "Learning the Line" as you move forward with your lives. I hope that you find your next boat that can be your forever, and let us follow that journey as well. Lets hope that the way forward is as short as possible, take care, stay safe and may favorable winds fill your sails.
It happens when your ideas & dreams get bigger than the rest of your life. It happens to absolutely everybody at some point. Some more than others. I know I'm 1 as well. Great ideas with little time & money. But great boat y'all. Love following y'all.
hi guys, just got onto and subscribed to your TH-cam channel (a couple of episodes ago) and so glad that your 'passing this boat on', knowing you acquired it the very same way. You could have sold it, but i'm so glad you decided to do it this way - Good Karma will come your way for sure... I'll continue to follow your journey with much interest. Fare winds with all your sailing and best wishes going forward (understanding the tough times that everyone is experiencing with the Corona Virus)... Stay healthy and cheers from Oz (Australia)... :)
Well I was right about you guys giving your boat away. I live in Ocala and will diligently be getting my info together to send you. Talked to Roberta & Duca with Odd life Crafting at the Boat Show and they told me to never give up on my lifelong dream, it will happen. Talk to you soon
Sort of saw this coming, but still understand how hard of a decision this must be. Boat ownership is a passion and not based in any kind of financial common sense. I'm saying this as a sailboat owner for 40 years. Salute you guys for taking a step back, assessing what your long term vision is for your sailing life, and re-calibrating how you are going to get there. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking the "traditional" route and working and saving to buy your way in to something that will help you realize your dreams. And the experience you gained in the time you worked on and sailed Freebie will serve you well in the future. Now, as for the giveaway, please be responsible to your pool of potential beneficiaries and make sure you are giving them a realistic picture of what they are in for. They are going to be stepping into some immediate costs to either continue storing/mooring the boat or moving it to a cheaper inland storage location. Then there is the question of replacing the batteries to maintain the electric propulsion or convert back to diesel. Then there will be the expense side of the DIY work (materials and equipment/fixtures for a boat are not cheap) and of course, the the large time investment. And in the end, they will have put way more money into the project than they could ever hope to recoup financially. Finally, there will be the time investment to commit to documenting this on video as you guys are all too familiar with. Make sure you are not setting someone up in a situation they are going to regret later. In any case, good luck to everyone involved and remember, a boat is hole in the water into which one throws money (and time). But we still choose to do it anyway because it is our passion.
My english major wife is currently proof reading our entry! So exciting, cant wait to see what is next for you two!
I've restored and sailed an O'day 23, then also an O'day 27 which I feel is good but still too small for my Great Lakes Cruising dreams. I'm a 50 year old Navy veteran who just dreams of salty air, dreams of doing the Great Loop and enjoying what the world of ours offers. I would most definitely be willing to video the upgrades made to this already beautiful boat.
Am 2 years late, ive been dreamin my whole life for a boat, me and my kids basically were born as sea people, could only wish this would come our way, cant afford 1, never stop dreamin, god bless, god speed,,,
Smart move guys but I would consider selling the battery's unless you already have a boat lined up
im sure any body looking at Freebie should be able to buy the batteries from them , if you don't have the cash to do than then you cant afford this boat!
Even if they save up lots of cash to buy a sea worthy sail boat , boats need lots of upkeep. Not everyone is cut out to do that sort of thing. And you have to be pretty financially well off to hire people to do the endless maintenance and repairs that sail boats need.
Whaaaat!, why the hell do you want to 'hire' people to do the maintenance?, you afraid to do it yourself much less get your hands dirty?.
I'm a sail is the only thing worth doing since I was 11 years old.
I'm looking to retirement in the next couple of years, and would love to have a slower pace of life. And sail through out the San Juan Ilands out in my backyard.
Thanks.
I look forward to seeing you again on TH-cam.
I had a 15 footer sailboat when I was 30 years old. Now than I am seventy and if you consider giving your boat to me and my wife(63); I want to live what I have left of life being able to sail back and forth from Roatan to the florida keys to spend time with my son's family and specially my grandchildren who live in Miami.
I am avid follower of all of your videos. Regards,
Very generous of you..... let's hope Freebie goes to someone wanting to make your dream for her, their dream.
Good move. Dead storage is basically wasted money. I have seen boats stored for years and then sold for a pittance. Some deteriorate until they cannot even be given away and then the yard has to break them up.
I'am a 64 year old Army Vet that has been collecting Disability since 2016. i would love to have this boat and continue to fix it up.
Great to give the boat away!!!! Hope she gets a grateful and ambitious captain!
I would jump all over a project like this..years ago. However, with a mortgage, family of 4, and the daily grind, don't think I could ever finish this project, much less afford to store it. Guess I'll just stick with my little 17' "pocket yacht"( which I've refitted with the creature comforts of a large yacht ). Cheap to store and maintain. I know a little about what's involved. I've restored several (much)smaller boats. Brought a couple back from the dead. This is a monster
Beautiful boat by the way who ever ends or ended up with it is going to be one lucky sailor.
What a beautiful boat. Love how honest you are
Generous offer for the right person and all the best in your search for your forever boat.
Hi guys ! What your doing is fantastic! As they say .., pay it forward! You have put a lot of time , money into it . Even though not too much is finished, point is what was done was done from the hart . You had a dream ( still do ) but seem more focused to make it happen. If I was younger, I would have tried and send you a video. Good luck on your next project!
Very interesting story to be carried on by another. Good luck on the next ownership. I will be watching
Sorry to hear. You put so much love into Freebie.
You guys have done so much work, I've followed it all, but I could tell you both wanted something a little bigger. She is beautiful and well cared for (all boats are a work in progress) I wish she were mine. I have two small children here in Nova Scotia and we are on the water every chance we get in my cousins 24' paceship. She's small but still a great experience . It would be a dream to one day have a boat of our own. Please keep making content of your next adventure , I look forward to watching.
31k views in a day, I would say that you have the peoples attention. Good luck with the new boat and keep the boat tours coming. God Bless.😇
A wise man once said there’s no such thing as a free boat.
There's definitely a free boat! It's all the parts that it needs that'll cost you....
A boat like that is a hole in the water that you keep throwing money into....
@@pffear oh wow, a bit salty are ye?
@@mechanicdave80
Bin there, done that, got the T-Shirt👍😜
Was a patchman for 2 of the top lines in the business before I got hurt on the job....
Had a project boat that I was working on.
But I was always to busy working on other people's boats to work on my own.
Then I got hurt and no longer can do the work, gave my boat away to a friend along with all the parts except the motor because I lost my spot to store it.
So yes, I've got a bit of salt in my veins.
@@pffear ok. Now that I know the backstory, your comment wasn't as bad. Sorry it turned out that way for ya.
I love you! I understand what is happening to you because it was the same for me when I was young. Again as today, even I am planning to buy a sailboat and want to have a TH-cam channel to make videos, each year I postponed my dream because of what it’s cost. I would love to submit my self as a candidat, but living in Canada, I think it will be too complicated and we have less sun than you. The solar panels are not so efficient here. So I’m really not sure. Best luck to you !
Ive heard of total electric sailboats. They also use a wind generator for the days its overcast. I use a trolling motor with a 52lb thrust on a 25' MacGregor. It doest go real fast but it works. I had a 4 horse evanrude on it but it didn't want to run right so thats when I discovered a trolling motor would work. I used a 18w solar to keep the batteries up.
Great choice guys moving forward, you two have worked very hard and deserve a boat that can be your forever(haha a relative term!) boat...... get a big ole Cat with hybrid engines!
DanO, a retired teacher
You guys are awesome. She's a lovely boat.
I stand corrected, guys! :-) I was wondering at the "TH-cam Sailing Channels" forum if it wasn't clickbait, but it's clearly not! Not interested in the boat, because we already have one, but I just want to tell you that it's a very nice thing to do. Haven't seen a video from you before, but you look like nice people. So I hope this boat will give other people some great adventures!
Happy greetingz, Wim
It's nice to see you admitting you were a dick by jumping to conclusions before doing the least bit of research. But the real question is whether you learned anything here and will fix your attitude in the future.
@@Ivanna_Jerkov stop being a idiot, check there channel, they've done more travelling and adventuring than most of TH-cam sailing channels.
@@Sciolist Cool beans. But what does anything you said have to do with what I said? It's like if I said the sky was blue and you said "Don't be an idiot, birds fly in the sky". It makes no sense. I should also mention that someone that can't spell, capitalize, or use punctuation properly shouldn't be calling other people idiots.
@@Ivanna_Jerkov fuck off
Have loved watching you videos, back since u made sails for Somnium...we just had a baby.....so it ate the savings we had towards a boat and future travels. My wife and I are committed to sailing away from here....home schooling our little girl and spend our lives exploring and educating our daughter about cultures and the ways of the world.....not just the bubble we live in here in the US. I’ve been on film before....not scared here
Love watching you guys learn about boats it is great for us to learn with you
Best of luck to you two in finding the perfect new home for Freebie, definitely won't be an easy task. Never stop the boat tours though..I love that content.
No boat, even fresh from the factory, is entirely “ready to go.” You know the old joke about how to make God laugh, right? Tell him your plans. You guys are young , healthy, and have your whole lives ahead of you. Congrats on recognizing you were ready to go a different direction. You’ve learned a heck of a lot from the work you did that will serve you well going forward no matter what you do. It’s really great of you to pass her on to a new adventure, and I’m confident you will find somebody who will be a worthy recipient. While I’m definitely an adherent of the go cheap and go now school of thought and therefore leery of financing a boat, I wish you well and hope it works out. Every boat is a compromise and bigger isn’t necessarily better. Mo’ money, mo’ problems, as the saying. But everyone has to figure out for themselves what their minimum requirements are and what you can tolerate. Now I should get back to fixing my boat. Best of luck.
If people are wondering about replacing the battery bank, you can check out DIY Solar with Will Prowse for great info on building your own lithium storage. It’s still not cheap, but if you do it yourself, you can get it for about half the cost of a top of the line Battleborn based system
You two have a lot of living to do. It’s a shame you are moving on without Freebee after all the work and adverse living conditions you put up with while performing the refit. But life goes on and changes in your life’s direction is something that will always be occurring. My best to you both and look forward to seeing what your next project or adventure will be.
So what are yall going to replace your first boat with? I wish everyone best of luck .i watched all theyve done and theres allot of love in this boat
I've just now decided to follow my wish and am looking at sailboats up in the Baltimore area. Something to cruise the Bay and do some coastal cruising to visit family in NC.
Wow I would only dream on this, hope your generosity multiplies to your benefit infinitely is a great thing your doing.
Had a boat for 20.years. built in the same pace as yours.. a Lancet.. so I e been cured of wanting to rebuild a boat.. been there.. someone will love her though.
I love the idea of painting the top grey my boyfriend and I are looking at getting a boat this winter but we're definitely going to pick a project both since we flip houses for a living
Love the channel, will keep watching regardless. Would love to have freebie, but alas, I'm on disability and it barely keeps my furnace running. It's sad when you sit there realizing you can't even afford a free boat. I hope someone genuinely takes care of her and finishes the work you started, she deserves it.
BTW: You never did say, does Randi come with the boat? JK JK, will miss seeing the progress on Freebie, but maybe someday you'll find another soul to rescue. Good luck with the giveaway and getting a new boat. Weigh anchor and Sail On!
I hear that I have the same problem.
Very kind of you guys to give Freebie away.
Glad your paying it forward,Congrats. Although I would love to get freebie and plan to get a live aboard shortly first I have to learn to sail even thou I'm ex navy it's not the same as wind LOL. Good luck to whoever gets her.
Honestly that’s a sick boat already!! I did the same thing on another boat with the floor and I love wood floor on boats! This is like a dream rebuilt Bc it’s already ready to enjoy just needs the rest done. Freaking love it!!! Def sending an email 🤣🤣😅
Hey guys, I just read all the comments below, sorry about all the negative Nancy’s. Your awesome for gifting Freebie, of course it’s going to cost the next owner to get her Bluewater ready but dang what do these folks expect? I expect to get an email stating I made the top 5. You guys keep on going in the direction your headed. Thank y’all
I love your channel, love to look at boats but one thing I learned from watching vids like yours and others is that when you have a boat you are for ever working on them. I once watched a family sailing around the world in a brand new cat and they still had an engine conk out of the coast of New Zealand. There for I DON"T WANT YOUR BOAT. I will stick with my Laser One. Plenty of guys want it. Pick the right one. Good luck.
I would love to have it .. if only ... anyways ... Thank you so much for all those times you have shared with us ... it was magical to live the dream with you ... I wish you all the best and I'll be looking forward to your new adventure ...