❤😂🤣🤣🤣..."everything on your boat is broken, you just don't know it yet..." Yep....no sooner than fixing one thing, and another comes up tomorrow or next week...but I've been a DIY'er since childhood, so it's in my nature fixing things....I love it. ❤❤....and, as in the old book "The Zen of motorcycle maintenance," character forming.
As one of your first consulting clients, and after almost 2 years later, I can truly say you guys made it work for us... Such a valuable and knowledgeable team! Nothing in this video is overstated 🤣 Good luck to all looking to make that big monumental jump ❤️
Thanks guys. We are on the 5 year plan. We went from a 15’ Catalina to a 25’ MacGregor. took the ASA 101,103,104 classes now we are looking for a 40-50’ boat over the next year. The one thing we got from your video was “ don’t make any changes until you have lived / sailed for at least 6 months” Great advice. Thank you.
We are in year 2 of a 4 to 5 year plan. I sail most weeks and my wife sails monthly. Have done some offshore racing. But as new sailors I think of it all as an apprenticeship. Nobody knows everything but the more you hang around the hard and the marina, the more people you meet and chat to and the more people and boats you sail with and on, the more you learn. I love the integrity that you two portray. Its refreshing. Cheers.
You guys are so great. Very good advice. I owned to Monohulls (one 46 ft, one 72ft classic) and I am now considering a Cat for cruising the southern oceans (or the world). You made so many good points in your videos, that I have a much clearer picture now of what I want. Most, if not all, of what you talk in your videos is exactly what I too think about it. So thanks a lot for confirming it all. As I said: very good advice from you here (and in your other videos). THANKS A LOT guys! Great videos, great job !!!
I am into aviation as the O’Kellys are into cruising. Can’t fault their advice and approach! Accumulating experience and knowledge takes a lifetime. Their advice is exceptionally pertinent to successful folks with too much money. You can’t buy your way into sailing or aviation. But what a rewarding experience once you have committed to these vocations. And all of us look back and quietly say to ourselves: Boy, I could have done that a lot better! And it is always wise to take advice from those who have gone before. Most of us just don’t have enough time to make all the same mistakes! The O’Kellys have a very good handle on this and their presentation is a well thought out overview of the cruising/boat ownership spectrum! Well Done!
Loved this video! Myself and my wife are planning 9 years out a hearing these much more "the other side of the coin" and "things to think about" videos do start conversations for us. It's awesome to see "the other side of the coin" that majority of other channels don't get into. Thanks guys!
I absolutely LOVE when your guys do these videos! My boyfriend and I started sailing about 4 years ago but we are landlocked so we have been doing a TON of prep! We own a small 23 foot O’day on our local lake and we’ve taken the ASA courses up to 104 and are finishing up 105 and 106 this summer, we’ve also chartered in Florida to get a taste. I definitely believe chartering is the best way to know if you can handle it! On our charter the bilge pump kept running dry and we found that the float was stuck, we found out how dangerous it is to sail in a wind advisory! ❤️ you guys are the best!
Wind advisery's can really throw a spanner in the Works can't they ? I was in the Gulf Stream heading from Martha's Vineyard to Bermuda, doing fine with massive smooth Waves, enjoying the ride, when over the VHF comes a Tornado Warning. Oh Heck Tornado Here, when ? OMG ! I can't get to the other side of the Gulf Stream before it arrives. What to do, what to do. Checked the Charts for the Closest Harbour of Refuge, and the forecast Wind speeds and direction looked like a Run to Rhode Island was possible, but that forecast had better be correct. spotted possibly enough shelter at Block Island if time was running out, so I turned tail and Fled. luckily the antifoul was fresh, and the boat was spotless below the waterline, so the forecast winds when they arrived, had the heavy long keel boat hitting a bit over 7.4 knots at times, and ifvthe wind eased, running the motor to motorsail was giving 6 to 6.5 knots. So quite an exciting Sail, and I got in and anchored, about an hour before the Tornadoes arrived. The first one hit the boat so hard from starboard, the boat heeled over so far, the mast top VHF aerial was buried under water on the Port side, and the side pressure pushed the Anchor out. Panic then, as I had to fly the Anchor between the boats behind me and reset it in clear water behind them. Got clipped by a few more Tornadoes, but they weren't as bad as the first one, andvthe boat didn't budge. With the Anchor Alarm reset, I fell asleep wedged in the Cockpit surrounded by the floatation cushions I'd put there, in case any neighbours fell in during the storm, but thankfully, everyone was OK. Fair Winds and Happy Anchorages. Bob. 👍🙂🇬🇧🏴🇺🇲
You guys are the best. I went through all this three years ago and determined I would fulfill my cruising dreams through TH-cam… and I’m okay with that. Keep sharing your wisdom. Blessings!
Yes, yes, and yes...free advice. Time frame...we're in our early sixties...if we don't do it now, we'll be dead looking back. Hiring out is great, but what if you're out in the middle of nowhere? Marinas don't come to you. Excellent insight, very helpful. Thanks.
The reality is, don't play with toys you do not know how to fix if you are far from port. There should be NO system on your boat that you do not know verry well, and you should have the ability to repair most. I see well off families spend the big bucks on a cat and walk aboard their new cat using terms like "The kitchen", "The bedrooms" and the "Bathrooms". "Hey mom, it's a regular condo that floats!" . I have seen numbers of stories and disasters that involves a man with his family on a cat and in reality, he was the only one that could even operate the boat, let alone repair it. Its a fecklessly irresponsible move. SOMEONE needs to have a broad set of skills and more than one needs general abilities. Your life may depend on it.
Wow. Once again, it’s what the community needs. Honest and funny, but real and serious. Yet, one of the best things and what I’d do, is learn to sew. Megan’s sewing room is a marvel. I appreciate the emphasis on how much is needed on a daily basis. Interest, curiosity and time. Thank you. I needed this. And the timeline is a great way to avoid some things you mentioned.
12:30 I read some where recently that fewer people sail around the world annually than climb Mount Everest. Most people don't realize what a daunting task sailing around the world is. Good Luck with your new boat hunt! Thanks for the video!
Hi. It's important imho with Sailboats that people something that can help them to get a feel, and in tune with the Water, tides, currents, Wind, what's happening on the Horizon that might affect me and the boat kind of spidey senses tuned up. The perfect boat I think for speeding up that oricess, is a Laser 2 dinghy, and you're likely to get almost all of your money back for the learning trouble. ext, Ditch the Sailboat Racing Mentality if you're going Cruising. I was lucky I dropped the entire Sailboat Racing Prospect when the 1979 Fastnet Race Tragedy happened. Now there there are Three things are critically important for reducing overall Maintenance costs and avoiding unexpected large bills - 1, early preventive maintenance and servicing, 2, early preventive maintenance and servicing, and 3, early preventive maintenance and servicing - which includes things like thinning the connection wires of all electrical cables before properly Crimping them. Boatbsize really depends on how many people are going to be on board. My last boat for single handing, was a lovely Endeavour 32 shoal draft long keel, which .I picked up after travelling to the USA to buy a boat. I found it on Craig's List, it had an almost new not run in Yanmar 22 hp diesel, Stainless Steel Portholes, double epoxy coated, and 5 brand new unused sails and a rubbish anchoring setup. It cost me 5,000 US dollars, plus moving it to a good Boatyard, getting it fully checked over, serviced, antifouled with Pettit Trinidad Pro Hard Antifouling, Spiffy Lewmar Delta (one of the good ones, as .I was almost out of visitor Visa, and couldn't wait for a Rocna delivery, plus an American made and properly Galvanised all Chain Rode. I'd looked at a lot of boats, then the gem showed up. Next boat is a completely different prospect. Single handing is out - I almost went for a Power boat, as .I'm disabled, but technology has advanced so Sails for the win still. New boat will be brand new, mid 40 ft, 3 Cabins 2 heads with seperate showers with seats in them - important underway, plus as I said, I'm disabled. On Completion and Launch, Delivery Skipper and Crew (hence Comfy accommodation) first Delivery shakedown Cruise to Gibraltar, where I join ship, next Shakedown cruise is to zturkey, where family can join and start learning Sailing while Delivery service does what they're going to do. After Family flies home Delivery Crew arrives, and post any work needing doing in Turkey, third shakedown cruise to the Western Med, for haulout, thorough checkover, full service and anything warranty related gets sorted via local Agent. 3 to 6 months has passed so Annual Service everything, full drain of oil from the Volvo Saildrive Leg, all filters, strainers, impellers changed, cleaned, including the outboard for the Tender and the generator. Then off to Gibraltar for provisioning, a few weeks there while the Delivery Crew do whatever they have to do. Next, Delivery Crew option legs to Canary islands or Straight to Cape Verde, depends how they're booked or want to continue. Then Delivery Crew from Cape Verde to the Caribbean. Professional Crews = very happy insurance Company. If there's a problem anywhere with Crew, the boat is going to be set up for easy Single handing even by disabled me. But it would be nice to give some good Crews work, to help to keep them going, plus they're top notch at trouble shooting and preventive maintenance and servicing. By the time the boatbis in the Caribbean, it should be nicely run in, and used to being treated properly, and that means you have a happy boat with an excellently developing individual character to it . I've found this with all new machines I've owned, which is why .I always got a premium Trade in price on my Motorbikes and Cars. May sound odd, but .I bet you have subscribers who know exactly what I'm talking about. FairvWinds. Bob. 👍🙂🇬🇧🏴🇺🇲
I love and admire you guys and just shocked that you've been doing this for 20 years! I always enjoy hearing your take on everything from maintenance to Lifestyle.
Love watching you guys. I have been watching sailing videos for years and you two are by far the most informative with real life information. I am nowhere near heading out for a crusing life, finishing a medical residency and really intrigued by the possibility of cruising in the future, providing telemedicine, and even volunteer medical services to islands I may cruise to. Until then, you have a lifelong fan!
Hey guys, thanks for all the info. A couple of things to add to your TIPS: John Barry, who bought a used Chris White Hammerhead 54, had a lot of money. He ended up having an HH52 built for him. With every boat, he would always work with the diesel mechanic (or other) for two reasons. They almost always need the help and he'd learn a ton in the process. Working on you own boat is a great tip. Taking time getting to know your new boat and knowing where you'll cruise for at least the first season are also great tips. And having an eye to keeping things as simple as possible is huge :)
just want to add 1 small thing... starlink is going to have a major impact on remote working while crusing within the next couple years. my wife and i both work 100% remotely but absolutely need constant communication with offices, conference calls. we plan to buy a boat and sail full time but starlink is our only constraint right now.
Thanks for the video. You backed up a couple of others I follow. One is Sailing Zatara. Unlike most, they show you the good and the bad. Keith is constantly repairing something on their Cat. Sometimes it is a family issue (kids chores are scraping the hull) The talk about budget and cost of most things, repairs cost, to stock food supplies for a family of 5-6 (oldest daughter left for college) for a crossing, mourning fees.... They also show you bad weather (most only show the sunny days) and how to try to avoid the really bad weather. Medical issues with a family of 5-6 (including possible breast cancer), Teenagers, and friendships, you see them deal with boat and medical insurance, upgrade from a monohull to a cat....Q&A on a lot of shows. Thou at the end, I didn't know about "Learning Charters" thanks for that tib bit.
Yep, you guys hit the 🎯. The truth of the matter is very few are able to survive this adventure/journey. You need to be a very special individual to do it. No matter how rich you are. Excellent, actually phenomenal information here. This couple has mentioned the total truth.
Got 2 degrees in engineering and enjoy working on boats. First job was in a boatyard in 1974. Rebuilt my Cal2-29 over the last 25 years and learned a lot from that. Now sailing 6 months per year on my Nautitech 441 cat which was just hauled in Grenada for hurricane season. I liked your straightforward description of cruising lifestyle. It is a brutally honest description of cruising. For newbies they should watch your video several times and take notes. We saved and planned since 1984 for retirement cruising. The one thing that messed up our plans was the pandemic. We retired and started our first cruising season March 2020!
We bought a Lagoon 440 in Grenada. Wife and I both work remotely, both have side gigs. We thought we could use Thanksgiving and Xmas to sail the boat all the way to Florida. Well, that didn't happen! We made it as far as the USVI over Xmas. We then spent 6 months repairing and refitting in the USVI. $50k later, our boat is back to bluewater capable with liveaboard-friendly conditions (lifepo4, double the solar, brand new watermaker, complete electrical overhaul, walkable hardtop that allows us to actually maintain our mainsail). It's been 9 months since the boat became ours, and we finally made it back to Florida. Now we have to work full-time, keep up on our side gigs, fix things on the boat, and continue sailing up north. If our boat is south of Georgia in July, we have no insurance coverage! So we have no choice but to spend the next few weekends sailing/motoring/rowing this boat up the east coast! All that money, stress, time, and effort. But I would not trade this lifestyle for anything else.
@@TheOKellys Adds a lot of complexity and a lot of cost. I have to pay people to fix things that--had I had the time--I know I could have done myself. But I know I have to keep the boat ready-to-go when a weather window + our work schedules align and we gotta go!
Great video - I have learned a lot from both of you! Took the plunge and bought an Ericson 35-3 last year. We already have added lifetime experiences and memories! Great advice on getting to know the boat and letting it tell you what it needs.
Physical condition matters. The other thing that's hard to do when cruising is maintain that fitness, your cardio tends to go if you're not really careful.
Nicely done and well thought out. I have been planning since 2018 Even bought my Brand New Dinghy (Zodiac) and New Suzuki 4 stroke 15 HP in 2019 but COVID happened and put plans on hold as I am a ICU RN was terribly busy and there was no travel allowed for us Nurses outside the state till 2021. I was even scheduled for ASA 101,103,104 in 2020 which I had to reschedule as the company teaching classes felt I was in a high risk group and asked me to wait till 2021 (I did Complete courses in 2021) I had a 28 Hinterhoeller in Clearwater 2001-2005 loved it but work, kids and put a hold on that dream but now retiring. I finally bought a boat (2015 Beneteau 45) waiting for final survey. I also wasn't going to pay the premium prices people were asking as I saw several for sale in 2016-2018 and the same boats for re-sale at a 20% increase increase than when originally sold for and little to nothing had been done to upgrade them. Many people don't do their research and ends up costing more in the end. Thanks for the info just re-assures my thought process. AJ
Excellent advice, you two. We are two years in & I think we followed so much of your advice, I hope many new boat owners use your services, I can see where your advice can be invaluable!
Excellent points! The best advice you just gave was to go simpler, not more complex. I’ve had boats before, and spent 2 years restoring a 30 year old 50’ MY. I enjoy it now, do charters on it, but it was, and still is, a lot of work, expense, and responsibility as each system requires constant consideration. My next boat will be a a newer model 35-40’ monohull sailboat with simple systems that are as plug and play as possible. Everything needs to be easy to access and repair. For example: I put expensive Furuno chart plotters on my MY, but I tend to use Navionics on my iPads most of all for plotting, and so the Furunos are mostly used for depth and wind direction. I could have spent much less for that, and will next time. Good stuff you two!
We finally bought our first sailboat after 3 years of planning and doing time on other boats. The decision we came to was to buy a small seaworthy vessel around cost Usd15K. The Sailboat needed to have been well loved & maintained by previous owner. We were lucky enough to find this very dream boat we keep in contact with the previous owner who guides us whenever we need a point to the right direction. Our attitude towards boat ownership is to treat our vessel like a university where we will learn hands on skills and hopefully become good sailors. If we fall now, we fall forward. ❣️ looking forward to our next couple of years of growth.
I agree that small boats are much better to learn on. You feel the helm and the wave action more, loads are way less and mistakes are easier to correct and cheaper to fix. Better yet, find people to crew for. Learn as much as you can from others. Start with local beer can races (weeknight) or Saturday regattas. Move up to multiday/overnight races. And the best part is that it's on somebody else's boat.
All I know is I have a world to see and a boat to sail, And I love sailing. Financial is always the trick, but I have quit alot of skills to pay the bills.
I recently paid a surveyor to inspect my first sailboat purchase. After interviewing 4 surveyors I selected the one who seemed the best. Not one of them explained to me that they will not actually operate the boat. No pulling the sails out, no operating the windlass, no throttling up during sea trials. I couldn't be there for sea trials and the marina helper operating the boat didn't know how to pull the sails out. I was very disappointed to say the least.
I haven't looked in on you two for a while. I really liked this segment? episode? A ton of value here for folks catching the cruising bug online. I grew up on the west coast as well. Sailing and diving around all the channel islands, yes even San Miguel (once due to good weather, yes once) I thought I had the bug too. Even after being a fleet manager for a charter company. Fixing boats that charterers damaged, trying to figure out how they did it then not caring and moving on to just fixing the boat. Races and deliveries up and down the coast, the stories of inclement weather and the comraderies of my crew (100 ton master near coastal) working dive boats etc. This cruising thing is for me! Then I did a longer race and a longer delivery. your advice is solid because even for a guy that started sailing sabots at 8 yrs old. It is a lot of work. Cats are less hard on your body with the non heeling attitude. Just the same, it is work like anything else and you have to knw how to fix your boat on the fly. As Nick will attest you have to be the McGyver of the high seas or you may not make it to the next marina for mechanical help. The Coast Guard is in the business of saving lives not boats. You get in trouble somewhere out in the vast sea they will make you abandon your boat to save your live. Listen to these people. I might even hit them up for advice on a boat to do short trips in fair weather.
Same saying in trucking, "Your truck knows when you make money, because it will spend it for you." Must be the same way with boats. "When your having fun and sunshine, your boat will bring the clouds and rain." Murphys Law.
Thank you for this video. In 2019 I watched enough TH-cam videos to convince myself I want to go cruising, even though I never sailed before. I almost bought a brand new 48’ boat in the spring of 2020, but then covid stopped everything. I live an hour away from Chesapeake Bay and made a decision to get a “starter” boat, which ended up being a 1988 Catalina C34 that I paid 30K for. SOOO glad I did not spend tons of money on that new boat. Even though I do enjoy weekend cruises, I am not sure I would actually enjoy doing this full-time. My advice… if you never sailed get a starter boat and explore before big commitment
Sage advice for sure. Also, running a 30K boat into a dock because you don't know what you are doing (at first) feels a lot different than running a 300k boat into the dock.
Well done! Very wise move. Another option for getting started in sailing, speaking of the Chesapeake, is to join one of the sailing clubs that give you easy access to boats for one annual fee. No fuss no muss. I live in Annapolis which is now loaded with options. One has newer, twin helm boats where you use only that boat all the time. Another has a fleet of JBoats, a bit older but well maintained and a variety of them so you can take your pick depending on your crew, weather and planned day or overnight. Since I have no wrenching knowledge, I can't even consider buying a boat to cruise offshore. But having access to club boats almost anytime? GOLD!
It is amazing that I am in alignment with what you said. Its nice to know that my assumptions in the route to owning, maintaining and sailing should be. -Wanting to know how to fix things, (MacGyver a fix), crazy to think someone thought they could throw money at a problem, especially if it happens in the middle of a multi week long oceanic passage, that's a sure fire way of dying, I would think. -Starting out in familiar waters and on a small boat. I live in Montreal and I thought, I will slowly sail towards Quebec City and sail home to Toronto and learn everything I could by messing around in Lake Ontario. Then a year or three later, navigate all of the Great Lakes for a season or more, all before ever touching the Ocean. -Remote work, assuming Starlink becomes totally Globally available, is the direction I recently changed my career for. As for everything else, I have taken note and will remember to look you up for Consulting. Thanks for the video.
❤ ❤ ❤ this is a brilliant vid for anyone looking at buying, too many people buy purely with their heart or too much with their wallet. Both ways could leave you very disappointed. Buyers need to be smart and realistic with something you will enjoy sailing!
Aloha and well done. Sailing / cruising is an enormous life change. I suggest that you make a list of as many of the jokes that you have heard about owning a boat as possible. Your public is waiting. There is something about looking at a wave that is significantly over your head, and that the sun cannot shine through, that lends perspective to cruising.
Ha! We had to rewind and saw our names flash by from our review. We were one of Nick’s very first customers! Even though we didn’t close on the first cat due to the survey he helped us with a quick review of the Manta 40 we ended up buying 18 months later. (Even though Nick didn’t love Manta’s, he did love what had been done to ours. Thanks guys!
The simplicity the best! I sailed around the world in the 80’s with no electronics and no commodities, solo, no winy wife, real adventures not today TH-cam RV mentality
Great thought process and points to consider before setting off. Love the reality check to align expectations with probability, no doubt your tips are already saving plenty of costly mistakes. Stay well!
As always another fabulous episode. Thanks so much for all you do top aid in us that are interested is leaving land where there are too many people, barking dogs, people shooting guns, screaming kids, men that don't have drive it aka loud vehicles, and light pollution. I am looking for a well built heavy displacement blue water cruiser with a full skeg supported rudder. I agree with all you said in this video. After reading my 23rd book on sailing, listening and watching interviews with serious sailors on podcasts and youtube and after watching close to 1,000 youtube videos on the maintenance, boat emergencies and disasters I am even more inspired to sail off. All I am doing is waiting to find the correct person to buy my business. All the Very Best! Jim Rodgers
I think your videos and those of many others really helped decide it was not right for us. Thank you. Our cruising is done on cruise ships- the larger the better.
No mention of mechanical survey. I had the engines checked by pros during sea trials on three used boats this summer - one engine had a marker in the oil sample for an upcoming failure (diesel), and two engines had low compression in one or more cylinders (gas). I'm out $7000 for surveys and haulouts for inspections, but I'm not out $30K-50K (and two months on the hard) for a bad engine in my first season.
I think you are spot on with your advice in this video 👍. It aligns very well with my own experience and thoughts on the cruising life, now owning my second sailboat and having sailed thousands of miles both coastal and offshore, in tropical and arctic conditions.
Very good video, covering a LOT of information. The comment about being able to do your own work is important. You don't have to do the work, but you should have an understanding of what needs to be done. Recently purchased a Sea Ray 380 with twin diesels that was in Florida. I'm in Maryland. Was able to figure out pretty quickly, the Florida boat yard was attempting to take me for a ride. Paid the extra money to have it trucked North, rather than fixing the necessary items at said boat yard. Probably saved me $20K is excessive charges, even given the cost of transportation. The "having a friend" comment was also a good one. Have a friend who is a marine diesel mechanic and was willing to travel up to inspect the boat. Again, saved me a lot of $$. He determined the starboard engine did not in fact need to be pulled. So that supports your point that most folks underestimate how much things cost to fix, or more importantly, underestimate the risks involved in going for that 'fixer upper' project boat. Have been on boats since I could walk and have an engineering degree with avionics and composites experience. I can rebuild just about anything. Even so, I too have underestimated the cost of doing things.
We left to sail the Caribbeans as long as we could last year. After 3 months in the Bahamas we were demasted at sea. We are now “motoring” back to North Florida to get it fixed. Insurance are not covering the repairs. Lets say it will make a big hole in our budget.
Speaking from experience and limited funds history: going smaller and simpler, with modest expectations, and ditching land-based obligations can create a life that’s actually cheaper than land based life. But, marina costs will affect this significantly (on the hook is generally way cheaper). Keep it simple sailor 👍🏻
Fantastic advice on not rushing the upgrades as until you have used it for a season you will not know what you need, with the exception of a water maker which is a must-have in our limited experience. We budget 10 per cent every year and always seem to spend it without trying lol. We only coastal Sail Australias East Coast as I am not confident in fixing the Boat and stay within reach of boat yards where we can get it fixed. The advice on whether you want to be a full-time Liveaboard is so valuable, we are fortunate to be able to have our home and our Boat and for us, this is a life saver as 4 to 6 weeks at a time is enough for us and then we go home for a break. Whatever you use the boats for they are so much fun and as long as it doesn't spend all year in the marina they are worth it.
I have only listened to a few of this couple's videos and do not know them. I have sailed and taught sailing for 45 years and raised our boys on board. I am also a qualified yacht master offshore which is a British rating. Here is my recommendation. If you have not cruised for an extended period of time and chartering does not really count for much in my opinion. Pay these good people for their advice. They know what they are talking about and will save you much grief, heartache and money. Also go early and not with all the things you think you need. Just my thoughts.
I agree. If you can’t fix your toilet or garbage disposal in your house then you may not be able to fix something when you’re off shore in the swells much less than at the dock.
As one who cruised, with wife, forty some years ago, I agree with at least ninety percent of what you said. Much of the gear that has been invented since our cruising days is, in my opinion, is useless, particularly the electronics.
years ago a good friend had a his used boat surveyed and in the report his insurance agent questioned why spider crack in the gel coat and the rub rail was missing under the bowsprit while the surveyor totality missed that the main bulkhead was rotten
Wow we were so lucky to do this all 20 years ago in our early 30"s before YT, started small with a Cheoy Lee, then a pirate boat garden 41, then our Mexican adventure boat a Nantucket 38 CC Yanmar powered - along the way did many moorings charters then lived on the boat for 2 years in general great time. My thoughts so far love sailing, love the silence, the motion in the water, the exhilaration of flying a spinnaker the attention-grabbing rolling motion and the feeling of keeping the boat flat and fast. In retrospect I recall a handful of extraordinary sails - lots of motoring. Never did a Cat they take up too much space, I liken it to when there will be to many electric cars looking for too few charging stations. Then we moved to several Yachts posillipo 68, Baglietto and now a 44-center console - My conclusion it's a boat everything breaks, nothing is really cheap if you actually maintain, including sails/lines/blocks, engine, genset, if you want to go far and slow with limited space get a sailboat. You want to get there and you're under 400 miles power boat - just more options but there's Maintenace as well got to keep those twins happy and little genset cousin. With both you can do solar another level of maintenance, Boats there's no install and forget-lol. There's nothing like going to Cuba for a day or so and returning just as quickly or doing Bimini for the weekend. We like both - glad we didn't do the YT thing there's certainly a lot of stress with content production - so well done to those who engage and enjoy.
Everything your saying is spot on. I always tell people you better have some knowledge because when your way out in the ocean and you have a problem your can’t just pull over and step off! I have a Hatteras 1986 70’ which now I going to sell but I’ve learned so much in the passed 10 years of owning her. Thank god I am able to fix things which is huge! Just like you Meaghan I broke my metatarsal missing one step on my stairs going down the Owners suite and I was by myself. I always think that I couldn’t have broke anything but just bruise my foot it was a few days before I went to doctor. My daughter had a full boot that she had when she hurt her ankle so I put that on and went to the orthopedic and he also told me to keep the boot on and just sleep with it on and just put a pillow case on it. I was living on my boat but I never let it slow me down as I went out different little islands with my friend and would climb into my dinghy and then cruise to their Catalina and climb up into to their boat. It took along time for me heal but I’m as good as new. Thank God didn’t have to have surgery because Orthopedic Doc said I might need that😬. Praying that you heal faster than I did:)
I LOVE the thought of being on the water. Not only yourselves, but Chasing Latitudes and a few other channels have talked me out of the big buy. I'll take a few charters, and going that route when I want to get away.
We bought our 44' cat in Grenada in January and yeah, its been a bit harrowing of an experience. Alot of what you said rings true. We threw ourselves right into the fire, juggling engine issues, rigging issues, etc., while trying to get ourselves back to Grenada. It has been a bit stressful at times. Its also been glorious at other times. Currently in Antigua. Long way to go.
For me; keep it simple. Buy an 'emty/standard boat and take ur time to ecuip it according to ur needs and skills. Make small trips and then increase the range. You will easily see what u need then. Less is more.
My wife and I sailed the coast of Alaska for 20+ years for months at a time covering hundreds of miles. My daughter, her husband and grandson live in Florida now. I have seriously considered buying another boat and sailing the Caribbean so I could take my grandson sailing but I have concerns how well I would deal with the heat and humidity especially anchored out on a boat with the sun beating down on you. I am used to being able to sail up to the face of calving glaciers for ice..🙂 I have considered doing the Inter coastal water way instead since I could avoid the heat a little better depending on how fast I move North in the Spring. I figured it would be a bit cooler depending on your timing. I haven't given up on the idea yet. 🙂 Thanks for the video!
Maybe get a boat with air conditioning. The ICW is not good for sailing though. Pretty much going to end up motoring down and I doubt it will be any cooler than being in the Atlantic - just more protected from storms. Additionally it is not particularly deep - you will have to time your passage with the weather and the tides. This is a huge change from the west coast where you are have a lot of water under that keel. In the Puget Sound you might be in 200' of water and there if you duck into a bay so weather a storm it might be 6' of water with no mountains for protection. I'd start networking with people who do that run every year to get a more realistic idea. An intermediate solution is to charter and get a feel for it before you commit.
Love the brutal honesty. 61 and just retired, hoping to start ASA classes soon with hope of someday living aboard full-time with my wife. I tend to jump into things head first. Are rentals/chartering a realistical way to help determine our fit before taking to plunge?
Love the kids at the end of the video!! Liz and I keep learning things each time we talk or watch you. Love the idea to get help with picking options on a new boat. In the meantime we’re enjoying exploring the northeast.
Great video! Now completely convinced that we don’t need a cruising boat as a retirement bucket list item even though we had planned space at the dock behind the house. Spent my career building, developing, fixing things. Even hand built a little custom sail & oar boat just for fun (1st place at our local wooden show). Not excited about the upkeep hassle in retirement. At the very most we would buy an older power cruiser, do east US coast ICW and maybe pop over to the Bahamas for a couple of seasons and then just sell it, but just not feeling it😂
just sent this link to very good friends of our that are thinking about buying a 35-40 foot sailboat in the coming months, thanks so much hope it helps them make the proper choices
@Mark Cormier @The O'Kelly's Hi. For many individuals, pairs, couples, and small families, for more than basic pleasure day-sailing, a 35-40 foot length at waterline is about as small, and as inexpensive, as one can go. Come climb into something smaller, and the second individual stays up, or lays on top of the the first. Sailing and lake-wave and sea-wave handling is also better in a well designed longer hull. If shorter than the length of a full wave, there is a bobbing up and down motion as well as the likely rocking motion - check with the O'Kelly's and others. 35-40' length at waterline seems a usable length with at least some cabin capacity. If needing a bargain, search for what is needed until a fair low price is found, auction, estate-sale, time-split with your family who are responsible, or maybe just lease or do fractional ownership. If no effective exit strategy, getting into something too small just makes another obstacle to handle before getting what one needs and wants, in my opinion. Learning on a cheap old junker, sure, but be in and out at modest prices.
my plan is to do boat life after my kids (7-9) are out of the nest, and doing some FIRE/ becoming more financially self-reliant until then. already had a small boat before (got recommended to buy something like that by a guy at the marina) and i know what costs and how those costs scale on bigger boats (ie, paint for hull, sails, bigger motor, inboard vs outboard motor). the plan would be then to begin doing crewing a few months, then buy something around 30' monohull from the early 2000 (by that time 30 years old) in good shape, preferably with standing height. then either using that boat one/two seasons and then buying something slightly bigger with center cockpit so that the back cabin can be used by visitors/airbnb or keeping the first (second) boat. then move to the Netherlands so that i can anchor for free in protected waters and mostly just live in the boat with very little sailing. after getting grips with it, more distance with time. so i hope im being realistic about my plans.
The blast from the past on the backend of this vid is an intelligent flip relative to the vid! Seasoned experience sailors play it down some vrs young and dumb sailors playing it up! Brilliant!!
I am just finding you guys - getting back into sailing and looking to do the liveaboard thing in a few years. Lots of time to plan!! Thanks for the great information.
Thanks for all the advice. A lot of good sense. I have been looking into this for almost 2 years. I decided to take time, start with a small 29' catamaran I will build myself so I can learn a much as can about it. I got a set of drawings from a reputable naval architect. Next step is to put that in 3D to understand how to build it. Then, next year I will find a yard, buy the materials and start the build. If everything goes well I should be sailing with her sometime in 2025...
@Alain Dupuis Are you near a navigable waterway and have a shop or garage or hanger or boatshed? I'm wondering, and inquiring just to see if you happen to be open to welcoming some help as you build. I'm in central Phoenix, Arizona USA
Enjoyed your videos! one of the first people that i watched as far as Sailing goes, i think i got this..i own/operate a 18-wheeler and was doing some price comparisons between the 2 and the boat would actually be cheaper to own and maintain, i've spent north of 130k one year on my semi...so a 40 ft leopard or Nauti-tech doesn't seem all that complicated, the only real issue seem getting it out of water to do repair work..everything else seems easy enough truth be told, especially the baby diesel engines, and the emissions systems on them don't seem to be as restrictive. I'm not down playing it by any means..but i do have a background on working on Massive heavy equipment.. Good Video and informative..40 ft leopard and the bahamas here i come!!!
Thanks. I was dreaming of going blue water crossing oceans. Now I'd settle for a good day sailor, probably Dutch from Hoek yachts. No crew needed, easy to handle, low maintenence with electric engine, you get out on the water in minutes, the same feeling of freedom. Buying new will cost as much as a used larger boat though.
What? Wait a minute. Fixing a boat in exotic locations isn't the dream? [Edit to add: No illusions about what it entails to cut the lines to shore. Working remotely has been an issue for me for years in IT. It mostly works land-locked, but on a boat is something that I seriously worry about.] -- P.S. We're definitely coastal live-aboard cruisers in the PNW.
Another very important video and subject. Education is expensive and you folks have paid the price. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I'm excited for your experience in locating your new boat, it should be interesting with the forecast of a recession coming. However, you still make interesting and informative videos without having a boat. Get well and stay well. View you soon.
While you are land bound I would love for you to post a video on all your audio equipment (and video). But really your audio since you produce all your music for the videos. I have seen a few snippets showing your equipment but I think it would very cool to see a more in depth explanation and sample. Thanks for everything you do!
Thank you so much for this video. It cemented my feeling that the cruising life was not the best fit for my stage of life. Sad to say dispite my life long dreams, I bellive that trialer sailing might be a better fit (mobility issues).
Certainly one of your best “advisor” video. My project is under “construction” and not for the next month, but I will definitely contact you for consulting when the moment will appear :-) (Boat purchase planned after sept 2023 for a adventure starting in sept 2024)
Such wise counsel backed up with extensive experience, and without knowing any specifics of any one situation. If I ever move up from my Catalina 22 y'all will be along for that ride for sure.
This is typical O'Kelly's. Well organized, short, succinct and well organized. I imagine those who hire you as consultants are getting their money's worth. Do you ask people how they handle emergencies and high stress situations?
❤😂🤣🤣🤣..."everything on your boat is broken, you just don't know it yet..." Yep....no sooner than fixing one thing, and another comes up tomorrow or next week...but I've been a DIY'er since childhood, so it's in my nature fixing things....I love it. ❤❤....and, as in the old book "The Zen of motorcycle maintenance," character forming.
As one of your first consulting clients, and after almost 2 years later, I can truly say you guys made it work for us... Such a valuable and knowledgeable team! Nothing in this video is overstated 🤣 Good luck to all looking to make that big monumental jump ❤️
Ahhhh, thank you. To be a part of this process with anyone is a real privilege. Can’t wait to catch up with you guys.
Thanks guys. We are on the 5 year plan. We went from a 15’ Catalina to a 25’ MacGregor. took the ASA 101,103,104 classes now we are looking for a 40-50’ boat over the next year. The one thing we got from your video was “ don’t make any changes until you have lived / sailed for at least 6 months” Great advice. Thank you.
We are in year 2 of a 4 to 5 year plan. I sail most weeks and my wife sails monthly. Have done some offshore racing. But as new sailors I think of it all as an apprenticeship. Nobody knows everything but the more you hang around the hard and the marina, the more people you meet and chat to and the more people and boats you sail with and on, the more you learn. I love the integrity that you two portray. Its refreshing. Cheers.
Brutal honesty is better than free advice. The most important video you’ve done. Thanks O’Kelly’s!
You guys are so great. Very good advice. I owned to Monohulls (one 46 ft, one 72ft classic) and I am now considering a Cat for cruising the southern oceans (or the world). You made so many good points in your videos, that I have a much clearer picture now of what I want. Most, if not all, of what you talk in your videos is exactly what I too think about it. So thanks a lot for confirming it all. As I said: very good advice from you here (and in your other videos). THANKS A LOT guys! Great videos, great job !!!
I am into aviation as the O’Kellys are into cruising. Can’t fault their advice and approach! Accumulating experience and knowledge takes a lifetime. Their advice is exceptionally pertinent to successful folks with too much money. You can’t buy your way into sailing or aviation. But what a rewarding experience once you have committed to these vocations. And all of us look back and quietly say to ourselves: Boy, I could have done that a lot better! And it is always wise to take advice from those who have gone before. Most of us just don’t have enough time to make all the same mistakes! The O’Kellys have a very good handle on this and their presentation is a well thought out overview of the cruising/boat ownership spectrum! Well Done!
Loved this video! Myself and my wife are planning 9 years out a hearing these much more "the other side of the coin" and "things to think about" videos do start conversations for us. It's awesome to see "the other side of the coin" that majority of other channels don't get into. Thanks guys!
I absolutely LOVE when your guys do these videos! My boyfriend and I started sailing about 4 years ago but we are landlocked so we have been doing a TON of prep! We own a small 23 foot O’day on our local lake and we’ve taken the ASA courses up to 104 and are finishing up 105 and 106 this summer, we’ve also chartered in Florida to get a taste. I definitely believe chartering is the best way to know if you can handle it! On our charter the bilge pump kept running dry and we found that the float was stuck, we found out how dangerous it is to sail in a wind advisory! ❤️ you guys are the best!
Wind advisery's can really throw a spanner in the Works can't they ? I was in the Gulf Stream heading from Martha's Vineyard to Bermuda, doing fine with massive smooth Waves, enjoying the ride, when over the VHF comes a Tornado Warning. Oh Heck Tornado Here, when ? OMG ! I can't get to the other side of the Gulf Stream before it arrives. What to do, what to do. Checked the Charts for the Closest Harbour of Refuge, and the forecast Wind speeds and direction looked like a Run to Rhode Island was possible, but that forecast had better be correct. spotted possibly enough shelter at Block Island if time was running out, so I turned tail and Fled. luckily the antifoul was fresh, and the boat was spotless below the waterline, so the forecast winds when they arrived, had the heavy long keel boat hitting a bit over 7.4 knots at times, and ifvthe wind eased, running the motor to motorsail was giving 6 to 6.5 knots. So quite an exciting Sail, and I got in and anchored, about an hour before the Tornadoes arrived. The first one hit the boat so hard from starboard, the boat heeled over so far, the mast top VHF aerial was buried under water on the Port side, and the side pressure pushed the Anchor out. Panic then, as I had to fly the Anchor between the boats behind me and reset it in clear water behind them. Got clipped by a few more Tornadoes, but they weren't as bad as the first one, andvthe boat didn't budge. With the Anchor Alarm reset, I fell asleep wedged in the Cockpit surrounded by the floatation cushions I'd put there, in case any neighbours fell in during the storm, but thankfully, everyone was OK. Fair Winds and Happy Anchorages. Bob. 👍🙂🇬🇧🏴🇺🇲
You guys are the best. I went through all this three years ago and determined I would fulfill my cruising dreams through TH-cam… and I’m okay with that. Keep sharing your wisdom. Blessings!
Yes, yes, and yes...free advice. Time frame...we're in our early sixties...if we don't do it now, we'll be dead looking back. Hiring out is great, but what if you're out in the middle of nowhere? Marinas don't come to you. Excellent insight, very helpful. Thanks.
The reality is, don't play with toys you do not know how to fix if you are far from port. There should be NO system on your boat that you do not know verry well, and you should have the ability to repair most. I see well off families spend the big bucks on a cat and walk aboard their new cat using terms like "The kitchen", "The bedrooms" and the "Bathrooms". "Hey mom, it's a regular condo that floats!" . I have seen numbers of stories and disasters that involves a man with his family on a cat and in reality, he was the only one that could even operate the boat, let alone repair it. Its a fecklessly irresponsible move. SOMEONE needs to have a broad set of skills and more than one needs general abilities. Your life may depend on it.
Wow. Once again, it’s what the community needs. Honest and funny, but real and serious. Yet, one of the best things and what I’d do, is learn to sew. Megan’s sewing room is a marvel. I appreciate the emphasis on how much is needed on a daily basis. Interest, curiosity and time. Thank you. I needed this. And the timeline is a great way to avoid some things you mentioned.
12:30 I read some where recently that fewer people sail around the world annually than climb Mount Everest. Most people don't realize what a daunting task sailing around the world is. Good Luck with your new boat hunt! Thanks for the video!
Hi. It's important imho with Sailboats that people something that can help them to get a feel, and in tune with the Water, tides, currents, Wind, what's happening on the Horizon that might affect me and the boat kind of spidey senses tuned up. The perfect boat I think for speeding up that oricess, is a Laser 2 dinghy, and you're likely to get almost all of your money back for the learning trouble. ext, Ditch the Sailboat Racing Mentality if you're going Cruising. I was lucky I dropped the entire Sailboat Racing Prospect when the 1979 Fastnet Race Tragedy happened. Now there there are Three things are critically important for reducing overall Maintenance costs and avoiding unexpected large bills - 1, early preventive maintenance and servicing, 2, early preventive maintenance and servicing, and 3, early preventive maintenance and servicing - which includes things like thinning the connection wires of all electrical cables before properly Crimping them. Boatbsize really depends on how many people are going to be on board. My last boat for single handing, was a lovely Endeavour 32 shoal draft long keel, which .I picked up after travelling to the USA to buy a boat. I found it on Craig's List, it had an almost new not run in Yanmar 22 hp diesel, Stainless Steel Portholes, double epoxy coated, and 5 brand new unused sails and a rubbish anchoring setup. It cost me 5,000 US dollars, plus moving it to a good Boatyard, getting it fully checked over, serviced, antifouled with Pettit Trinidad Pro Hard Antifouling, Spiffy Lewmar Delta (one of the good ones, as .I was almost out of visitor Visa, and couldn't wait for a Rocna delivery, plus an American made and properly Galvanised all Chain Rode. I'd looked at a lot of boats, then the gem showed up. Next boat is a completely different prospect. Single handing is out - I almost went for a Power boat, as .I'm disabled, but technology has advanced so Sails for the win still. New boat will be brand new, mid 40 ft, 3 Cabins 2 heads with seperate showers with seats in them - important underway, plus as I said, I'm disabled. On Completion and Launch, Delivery Skipper and Crew (hence Comfy accommodation) first Delivery shakedown Cruise to Gibraltar, where I join ship, next Shakedown cruise is to zturkey, where family can join and start learning Sailing while Delivery service does what they're going to do. After Family flies home Delivery Crew arrives, and post any work needing doing in Turkey, third shakedown cruise to the Western Med, for haulout, thorough checkover, full service and anything warranty related gets sorted via local Agent. 3 to 6 months has passed so Annual Service everything, full drain of oil from the Volvo Saildrive Leg, all filters, strainers, impellers changed, cleaned, including the outboard for the Tender and the generator. Then off to Gibraltar for provisioning, a few weeks there while the Delivery Crew do whatever they have to do. Next, Delivery Crew option legs to Canary islands or Straight to Cape Verde, depends how they're booked or want to continue. Then Delivery Crew from Cape Verde to the Caribbean. Professional Crews = very happy insurance Company. If there's a problem anywhere with Crew, the boat is going to be set up for easy Single handing even by disabled me. But it would be nice to give some good Crews work, to help to keep them going, plus they're top notch at trouble shooting and preventive maintenance and servicing. By the time the boatbis in the Caribbean, it should be nicely run in, and used to being treated properly, and that means you have a happy boat with an excellently developing individual character to it . I've found this with all new machines I've owned, which is why .I always got a premium Trade in price on my Motorbikes and Cars. May sound odd, but .I bet you have subscribers who know exactly what I'm talking about. FairvWinds. Bob. 👍🙂🇬🇧🏴🇺🇲
I love and admire you guys and just shocked that you've been doing this for 20 years! I always enjoy hearing your take on everything from maintenance to Lifestyle.
Love watching you guys. I have been watching sailing videos for years and you two are by far the most informative with real life information. I am nowhere near heading out for a crusing life, finishing a medical residency and really intrigued by the possibility of cruising in the future, providing telemedicine, and even volunteer medical services to islands I may cruise to. Until then, you have a lifelong fan!
Hey guys, thanks for all the info. A couple of things to add to your TIPS: John Barry, who bought a used Chris White Hammerhead 54, had a lot of money. He ended up having an HH52 built for him. With every boat, he would always work with the diesel mechanic (or other) for two reasons. They almost always need the help and he'd learn a ton in the process. Working on you own boat is a great tip. Taking time getting to know your new boat and knowing where you'll cruise for at least the first season are also great tips. And having an eye to keeping things as simple as possible is huge :)
just want to add 1 small thing... starlink is going to have a major impact on remote working while crusing within the next couple years. my wife and i both work 100% remotely but absolutely need constant communication with offices, conference calls. we plan to buy a boat and sail full time but starlink is our only constraint right now.
Thanks for the video. You backed up a couple of others I follow. One is Sailing Zatara. Unlike most, they show you the good and the bad. Keith is constantly repairing something on their Cat. Sometimes it is a family issue (kids chores are scraping the hull) The talk about budget and cost of most things, repairs cost, to stock food supplies for a family of 5-6 (oldest daughter left for college) for a crossing, mourning fees.... They also show you bad weather (most only show the sunny days) and how to try to avoid the really bad weather. Medical issues with a family of 5-6 (including possible breast cancer), Teenagers, and friendships, you see them deal with boat and medical insurance, upgrade from a monohull to a cat....Q&A on a lot of shows. Thou at the end, I didn't know about "Learning Charters" thanks for that tib bit.
Yep, you guys hit the 🎯. The truth of the matter is very few are able to survive this adventure/journey. You need to be a very special individual to do it. No matter how rich you are.
Excellent, actually phenomenal information here. This couple has mentioned the total truth.
Got 2 degrees in engineering and enjoy working on boats. First job was in a boatyard in 1974. Rebuilt my Cal2-29 over the last 25 years and learned a lot from that. Now sailing 6 months per year on my Nautitech 441 cat which was just hauled in Grenada for hurricane season.
I liked your straightforward description of cruising lifestyle. It is a brutally honest description of cruising. For newbies they should watch your video several times and take notes.
We saved and planned since 1984 for retirement cruising. The one thing that messed up our plans was the pandemic. We retired and started our first cruising season March 2020!
We bought a Lagoon 440 in Grenada. Wife and I both work remotely, both have side gigs. We thought we could use Thanksgiving and Xmas to sail the boat all the way to Florida. Well, that didn't happen! We made it as far as the USVI over Xmas. We then spent 6 months repairing and refitting in the USVI. $50k later, our boat is back to bluewater capable with liveaboard-friendly conditions (lifepo4, double the solar, brand new watermaker, complete electrical overhaul, walkable hardtop that allows us to actually maintain our mainsail).
It's been 9 months since the boat became ours, and we finally made it back to Florida. Now we have to work full-time, keep up on our side gigs, fix things on the boat, and continue sailing up north. If our boat is south of Georgia in July, we have no insurance coverage! So we have no choice but to spend the next few weekends sailing/motoring/rowing this boat up the east coast!
All that money, stress, time, and effort. But I would not trade this lifestyle for anything else.
It's a tough road, right?....working and sailing? But yeh, part of the adventure. See you out there!
@@TheOKellys Adds a lot of complexity and a lot of cost. I have to pay people to fix things that--had I had the time--I know I could have done myself. But I know I have to keep the boat ready-to-go when a weather window + our work schedules align and we gotta go!
Great video - I have learned a lot from both of you! Took the plunge and bought an Ericson 35-3 last year. We already have added lifetime experiences and memories! Great advice on getting to know the boat and letting it tell you what it needs.
Great to hear!
Physical condition matters. The other thing that's hard to do when cruising is maintain that fitness, your cardio tends to go if you're not really careful.
Wow you are so right on that! Battling back on the cardio right now!
Nicely done and well thought out. I have been planning since 2018 Even bought my Brand New Dinghy (Zodiac) and New Suzuki 4 stroke 15 HP in 2019 but COVID happened and put plans on hold as I am a ICU RN was terribly busy and there was no travel allowed for us Nurses outside the state till 2021.
I was even scheduled for ASA 101,103,104 in 2020 which I had to reschedule as the company teaching classes felt I was in a high risk group and asked me to wait till 2021 (I did Complete courses in 2021)
I had a 28 Hinterhoeller in Clearwater 2001-2005 loved it but work, kids and put a hold on that dream but now retiring.
I finally bought a boat (2015 Beneteau 45) waiting for final survey. I also wasn't going to pay the premium prices people were asking as I saw several for sale in 2016-2018 and the same boats for re-sale at a 20% increase increase than when originally sold for and little to nothing had been done to upgrade them. Many people don't do their research and ends up costing more in the end.
Thanks for the info just re-assures my thought process. AJ
Excellent advice, you two. We are two years in & I think we followed so much of your advice, I hope many new boat owners use your services, I can see where your advice can be invaluable!
Thank you. So glad to hear we've been helpful.
Excellent points! The best advice you just gave was to go simpler, not more complex. I’ve had boats before, and spent 2 years restoring a 30 year old 50’ MY. I enjoy it now, do charters on it, but it was, and still is, a lot of work, expense, and responsibility as each system requires constant consideration. My next boat will be a a newer model 35-40’ monohull sailboat with simple systems that are as plug and play as possible. Everything needs to be easy to access and repair. For example: I put expensive Furuno chart plotters on my MY, but I tend to use Navionics on my iPads most of all for plotting, and so the Furunos are mostly used for depth and wind direction. I could have spent much less for that, and will next time. Good stuff you two!
We finally bought our first sailboat after 3 years of planning and doing time on other boats. The decision we came to was to buy a small seaworthy vessel around cost Usd15K. The Sailboat needed to have been well loved & maintained by previous owner. We were lucky enough to find this very dream boat we keep in contact with the previous owner who guides us whenever we need a point to the right direction.
Our attitude towards boat ownership is to treat our vessel like a university where we will learn hands on skills and hopefully become good sailors. If we fall now, we fall forward.
❣️ looking forward to our next couple of years of growth.
Like that approach!
When one of your side stays breaks 1000 miles from land, you need to know how to fix it then & there. 🙏
Best advice ever. Buy the smallest and simplest boat you can to start with. Absolutely spot on 👍
These O'Kelly's are invaluable!!! Another great video! Hope to see you on the water some day...
I hope so too!
I agree that small boats are much better to learn on. You feel the helm and the wave action more, loads are way less and mistakes are easier to correct and cheaper to fix.
Better yet, find people to crew for. Learn as much as you can from others. Start with local beer can races (weeknight) or Saturday regattas. Move up to multiday/overnight races. And the best part is that it's on somebody else's boat.
All I know is I have a world to see and a boat to sail, And I love sailing. Financial is always the trick, but I have quit alot of skills to pay the bills.
I recently paid a surveyor to inspect my first sailboat purchase. After interviewing 4 surveyors I selected the one who seemed the best. Not one of them explained to me that they will not actually operate the boat. No pulling the sails out, no operating the windlass, no throttling up during sea trials. I couldn't be there for sea trials and the marina helper operating the boat didn't know how to pull the sails out. I was very disappointed to say the least.
Yeh that’s not a good survey or surveyor.
I haven't looked in on you two for a while. I really liked this segment? episode? A ton of value here for folks catching the cruising bug online. I grew up on the west coast as well. Sailing and diving around all the channel islands, yes even San Miguel (once due to good weather, yes once) I thought I had the bug too. Even after being a fleet manager for a charter company. Fixing boats that charterers damaged, trying to figure out how they did it then not caring and moving on to just fixing the boat. Races and deliveries up and down the coast, the stories of inclement weather and the comraderies of my crew (100 ton master near coastal) working dive boats etc. This cruising thing is for me! Then I did a longer race and a longer delivery. your advice is solid because even for a guy that started sailing sabots at 8 yrs old. It is a lot of work. Cats are less hard on your body with the non heeling attitude. Just the same, it is work like anything else and you have to knw how to fix your boat on the fly. As Nick will attest you have to be the McGyver of the high seas or you may not make it to the next marina for mechanical help. The Coast Guard is in the business of saving lives not boats. You get in trouble somewhere out in the vast sea they will make you abandon your boat to save your live. Listen to these people. I might even hit them up for advice on a boat to do short trips in fair weather.
Same saying in trucking, "Your truck knows when you make money, because it will spend it for you." Must be the same way with boats. "When your having fun and sunshine, your boat will bring the clouds and rain." Murphys Law.
Thank you for this video. In 2019 I watched enough TH-cam videos to convince myself I want to go cruising, even though I never sailed before. I almost bought a brand new 48’ boat in the spring of 2020, but then covid stopped everything. I live an hour away from Chesapeake Bay and made a decision to get a “starter” boat, which ended up being a 1988 Catalina C34 that I paid 30K for. SOOO glad I did not spend tons of money on that new boat. Even though I do enjoy weekend cruises, I am not sure I would actually enjoy doing this full-time. My advice… if you never sailed get a starter boat and explore before big commitment
Sage advice for sure. Also, running a 30K boat into a dock because you don't know what you are doing (at first) feels a lot different than running a 300k boat into the dock.
Well done! Very wise move. Another option for getting started in sailing, speaking of the Chesapeake, is to join one of the sailing clubs that give you easy access to boats for one annual fee. No fuss no muss. I live in Annapolis which is now loaded with options. One has newer, twin helm boats where you use only that boat all the time. Another has a fleet of JBoats, a bit older but well maintained and a variety of them so you can take your pick depending on your crew, weather and planned day or overnight. Since I have no wrenching knowledge, I can't even consider buying a boat to cruise offshore. But having access to club boats almost anytime? GOLD!
It is amazing that I am in alignment with what you said.
Its nice to know that my assumptions in the route to owning, maintaining and sailing should be.
-Wanting to know how to fix things, (MacGyver a fix), crazy to think someone thought they could throw money at a problem, especially if it happens in the middle of a multi week long oceanic passage, that's a sure fire way of dying, I would think.
-Starting out in familiar waters and on a small boat. I live in Montreal and I thought, I will slowly sail towards Quebec City and sail home to Toronto and learn everything I could by messing around in Lake Ontario. Then a year or three later, navigate all of the Great Lakes for a season or more, all before ever touching the Ocean.
-Remote work, assuming Starlink becomes totally Globally available, is the direction I recently changed my career for.
As for everything else, I have taken note and will remember to look you up for Consulting.
Thanks for the video.
❤ ❤ ❤ this is a brilliant vid for anyone looking at buying, too many people buy purely with their heart or too much with their wallet. Both ways could leave you very disappointed. Buyers need to be smart and realistic with something you will enjoy sailing!
Aloha and well done. Sailing / cruising is an enormous life change. I suggest that you make a list of as many of the jokes that you have heard about owning a boat as possible. Your public is waiting. There is something about looking at a wave that is significantly over your head, and that the sun cannot shine through, that lends perspective to cruising.
Ha! We had to rewind and saw our names flash by from our review. We were one of Nick’s very
first customers! Even though we didn’t close on the first cat due to the survey he helped us with a quick review of the Manta 40 we ended up buying 18 months later. (Even though Nick didn’t love Manta’s, he did love what had been done to ours. Thanks guys!
Manta's are great boats. Glad it all worked out!
Fascinating video. So insightful. Amazing talent at conveying great info with elegance and humor. This is top notch consulting.
PEOPLE listen to this couple, they have great knowledge! You guys are the best, no questions asked...
You are too kind! Thank you!
The simplicity the best! I sailed around the world in the 80’s with no electronics and no commodities, solo, no winy wife, real adventures not today TH-cam RV mentality
Great thought process and points to consider before setting off. Love the reality check to align expectations with probability, no doubt your tips are already saving plenty of costly mistakes. Stay well!
As always another fabulous episode. Thanks so much for all you do top aid in us that are interested is leaving land where there are too many people, barking dogs, people shooting guns, screaming kids, men that don't have drive it aka loud vehicles, and light pollution. I am looking for a well built heavy displacement blue water cruiser with a full skeg supported rudder. I agree with all you said in this video. After reading my 23rd book on sailing, listening and watching interviews with serious sailors on podcasts and youtube and after watching close to 1,000 youtube videos on the maintenance, boat emergencies and disasters I am even more inspired to sail off. All I am doing is waiting to find the correct person to buy my business. All the Very Best!
Jim Rodgers
What are your thoughts on Starlink and the fact that it is supposed to start supporting maritime locations this year?
Really excited. Hope it works as promised.
I think your videos and those of many others really helped decide it was not right for us. Thank you. Our cruising is done on cruise ships- the larger the better.
No mention of mechanical survey. I had the engines checked by pros during sea trials on three used boats this summer - one engine had a marker in the oil sample for an upcoming failure (diesel), and two engines had low compression in one or more cylinders (gas). I'm out $7000 for surveys and haulouts for inspections, but I'm not out $30K-50K (and two months on the hard) for a bad engine in my first season.
I think you are spot on with your advice in this video 👍. It aligns very well with my own experience and thoughts on the cruising life, now owning my second sailboat and having sailed thousands of miles both coastal and offshore, in tropical and arctic conditions.
Thank you Ingrid. No substitute for experience!
Great job . Both of are so clear and nice. It is a pleasure to litsen and watch you. Take care of your foot. No dancing for a while. Bless you.
Very good video, covering a LOT of information.
The comment about being able to do your own work is important. You don't have to do the work, but you should have an understanding of what needs to be done.
Recently purchased a Sea Ray 380 with twin diesels that was in Florida. I'm in Maryland. Was able to figure out pretty quickly, the Florida boat yard was attempting to take me for a ride. Paid the extra money to have it trucked North, rather than fixing the necessary items at said boat yard. Probably saved me $20K is excessive charges, even given the cost of transportation.
The "having a friend" comment was also a good one. Have a friend who is a marine diesel mechanic and was willing to travel up to inspect the boat. Again, saved me a lot of $$. He determined the starboard engine did not in fact need to be pulled.
So that supports your point that most folks underestimate how much things cost to fix, or more importantly, underestimate the risks involved in going for that 'fixer upper' project boat.
Have been on boats since I could walk and have an engineering degree with avionics and composites experience. I can rebuild just about anything. Even so, I too have underestimated the cost of doing things.
So happy to have you kids, guide us in your and hopefully my journey.
You make some important points.... I have been sailing for almost 40 years, and there are still things to learn..... Good fun watching your show.....
We left to sail the Caribbeans as long as we could last year. After 3 months in the Bahamas we were demasted at sea. We are now “motoring” back to North Florida to get it fixed. Insurance are not covering the repairs. Lets say it will make a big hole in our budget.
Oh no, that is terrible news. So sorry! You must have quite a story to tell! Hope it can be fixed quickly!
Speaking from experience and limited funds history: going smaller and simpler, with modest expectations, and ditching land-based obligations can create a life that’s actually cheaper than land based life. But, marina costs will affect this significantly (on the hook is generally way cheaper). Keep it simple sailor 👍🏻
Yes! That’s what we always tell people and that we much prefer being on the hook.
Fantastic advice on not rushing the upgrades as until you have used it for a season you will not know what you need, with the exception of a water maker which is a must-have in our limited experience. We budget 10 per cent every year and always seem to spend it without trying lol. We only coastal Sail Australias East Coast as I am not confident in fixing the Boat and stay within reach of boat yards where we can get it fixed. The advice on whether you want to be a full-time Liveaboard is so valuable, we are fortunate to be able to have our home and our Boat and for us, this is a life saver as 4 to 6 weeks at a time is enough for us and then we go home for a break. Whatever you use the boats for they are so much fun and as long as it doesn't spend all year in the marina they are worth it.
Sounds like you’ve got the dream setup!
As someone looking to make this a lifestyle down the road thank you. This was so informational.
I have only listened to a few of this couple's videos and do not know them.
I have sailed and taught sailing for 45 years and raised our boys on board. I am also a qualified yacht master offshore which is a British rating.
Here is my recommendation.
If you have not cruised for an extended period of time and chartering does not really count for much in my opinion.
Pay these good people for their advice. They know what they are talking about and will save you much grief, heartache and money.
Also go early and not with all the things you think you need.
Just my thoughts.
We learned to do our own maintenance as much as possible to cut back on costs.
We know our skills and what we don’t know yet.
I agree. If you can’t fix your toilet or garbage disposal in your house then you may not be able to fix something when you’re off shore in the swells much less than at the dock.
Great video! Extremely informative and some rock solid advice!
I am definitely subscribing.
As one who cruised, with wife, forty some years ago, I agree with at least ninety percent of what you said. Much of the gear that has been invented since our cruising days is, in my opinion, is useless, particularly the electronics.
years ago a good friend had a his used boat surveyed and in the report his insurance agent questioned why spider crack in the gel coat and the rub rail was missing under the bowsprit while the surveyor totality missed that the main bulkhead was rotten
It happens! Hope it didn't sour him on the whole thing!
Wow we were so lucky to do this all 20 years ago in our early 30"s before YT, started small with a Cheoy Lee, then a pirate boat garden 41, then our Mexican adventure boat a Nantucket 38 CC Yanmar powered - along the way did many moorings charters then lived on the boat for 2 years in general great time. My thoughts so far love sailing, love the silence, the motion in the water, the exhilaration of flying a spinnaker the attention-grabbing rolling motion and the feeling of keeping the boat flat and fast. In retrospect I recall a handful of extraordinary sails - lots of motoring. Never did a Cat they take up too much space, I liken it to when there will be to many electric cars looking for too few charging stations. Then we moved to several Yachts posillipo 68, Baglietto and now a 44-center console - My conclusion it's a boat everything breaks, nothing is really cheap if you actually maintain, including sails/lines/blocks, engine, genset, if you want to go far and slow with limited space get a sailboat. You want to get there and you're under 400 miles power boat - just more options but there's Maintenace as well got to keep those twins happy and little genset cousin. With both you can do solar another level of maintenance, Boats there's no install and forget-lol. There's nothing like going to Cuba for a day or so and returning just as quickly or doing Bimini for the weekend. We like both - glad we didn't do the YT thing there's certainly a lot of stress with content production - so well done to those who engage and enjoy.
Everything your saying is spot on. I always tell people you better have some knowledge because when your way out in the ocean and you have a problem your can’t just pull over and step off!
I have a Hatteras 1986 70’ which now I going to sell but I’ve learned so much in the passed 10 years of owning her.
Thank god I am able to fix things which is huge!
Just like you Meaghan I broke my metatarsal missing one step on my stairs going down the Owners suite and I was by myself. I always think that I couldn’t have broke anything but just bruise my foot it was a few days before I went to doctor. My daughter had a full boot that she had when she hurt her ankle so I put that on and went to the orthopedic and he also told me to keep the boot on and just sleep with it on and just put a pillow case on it. I was living on my boat but I never let it slow me down as I went out different little islands with my friend and would climb into my dinghy and then cruise to their Catalina and climb up into to their boat.
It took along time for me heal but I’m as good as new. Thank God didn’t have to have surgery because Orthopedic Doc said I might need that😬.
Praying that you heal faster than I did:)
Thanks for the props! Glad you healed up! Megan just got the go ahead to weight on it. Hopefully we are underway again soon!
Always great content. Thanks! Looking forward to seeing what boat you select and how you organize everything from here.
I LOVE the thought of being on the water. Not only yourselves, but Chasing Latitudes and a few other channels have talked me out of the big buy. I'll take a few charters, and going that route when I want to get away.
We bought our 44' cat in Grenada in January and yeah, its been a bit harrowing of an experience. Alot of what you said rings true. We threw ourselves right into the fire, juggling engine issues, rigging issues, etc., while trying to get ourselves back to Grenada. It has been a bit stressful at times. Its also been glorious at other times. Currently in Antigua. Long way to go.
Good on ya! Good luck!
For me; keep it simple. Buy an 'emty/standard boat and take ur time to ecuip it according to ur needs and skills. Make small trips and then increase the range. You will easily see what u need then. Less is more.
My wife and I sailed the coast of Alaska for 20+ years for months at a time covering hundreds of miles. My daughter, her husband and grandson live in Florida now. I have seriously considered buying another boat and sailing the Caribbean so I could take my grandson sailing but I have concerns how well I would deal with the heat and humidity especially anchored out on a boat with the sun beating down on you. I am used to being able to sail up to the face of calving glaciers for ice..🙂 I have considered doing the Inter coastal water way instead since I could avoid the heat a little better depending on how fast I move North in the Spring. I figured it would be a bit cooler depending on your timing. I haven't given up on the idea yet. 🙂 Thanks for the video!
Maybe get a boat with air conditioning. The ICW is not good for sailing though. Pretty much going to end up motoring down and I doubt it will be any cooler than being in the Atlantic - just more protected from storms. Additionally it is not particularly deep - you will have to time your passage with the weather and the tides. This is a huge change from the west coast where you are have a lot of water under that keel. In the Puget Sound you might be in 200' of water and there if you duck into a bay so weather a storm it might be 6' of water with no mountains for protection. I'd start networking with people who do that run every year to get a more realistic idea. An intermediate solution is to charter and get a feel for it before you commit.
Love the brutal honesty. 61 and just retired, hoping to start ASA classes soon with hope of someday living aboard full-time with my wife. I tend to jump into things head first. Are rentals/chartering a realistical way to help determine our fit before taking to plunge?
Love the kids at the end of the video!! Liz and I keep learning things each time we talk or watch you. Love the idea to get help with picking options on a new boat. In the meantime we’re enjoying exploring the northeast.
Great video! Now completely convinced that we don’t need a cruising boat as a retirement bucket list item even though we had planned space at the dock behind the house. Spent my career building, developing, fixing things. Even hand built a little custom sail & oar boat just for fun (1st place at our local wooden show). Not excited about the upkeep hassle in retirement. At the very most we would buy an older power cruiser, do east US coast ICW and maybe pop over to the Bahamas for a couple of seasons and then just sell it, but just not feeling it😂
WOW ! finally a honest video for us land lubbers. Thank you so much.
just sent this link to very good friends of our that are thinking about buying a 35-40 foot sailboat in the coming months, thanks so much hope it helps them make the proper choices
@Mark Cormier @The O'Kelly's Hi. For many individuals, pairs, couples, and small families, for more than basic pleasure day-sailing, a 35-40 foot length at waterline is about as small, and as inexpensive, as one can go. Come climb into something smaller, and the second individual stays up, or lays on top of the the first. Sailing and lake-wave and sea-wave handling is also better in a well designed longer hull. If shorter than the length of a full wave, there is a bobbing up and down motion as well as the likely rocking motion - check with the O'Kelly's and others. 35-40' length at waterline seems a usable length with at least some cabin capacity. If needing a bargain, search for what is needed until a fair low price is found, auction, estate-sale, time-split with your family who are responsible, or maybe just lease or do fractional ownership.
If no effective exit strategy, getting into something too small just makes another obstacle to handle before getting what one needs and wants, in my opinion.
Learning on a cheap old junker, sure, but be in and out at modest prices.
my plan is to do boat life after my kids (7-9) are out of the nest, and doing some FIRE/ becoming more financially self-reliant until then. already had a small boat before (got recommended to buy something like that by a guy at the marina) and i know what costs and how those costs scale on bigger boats (ie, paint for hull, sails, bigger motor, inboard vs outboard motor). the plan would be then to begin doing crewing a few months, then buy something around 30' monohull from the early 2000 (by that time 30 years old) in good shape, preferably with standing height. then either using that boat one/two seasons and then buying something slightly bigger with center cockpit so that the back cabin can be used by visitors/airbnb or keeping the first (second) boat. then move to the Netherlands so that i can anchor for free in protected waters and mostly just live in the boat with very little sailing. after getting grips with it, more distance with time. so i hope im being realistic about my plans.
The blast from the past on the backend of this vid is an intelligent flip relative to the vid! Seasoned experience sailors play it down some vrs young and dumb sailors playing it up! Brilliant!!
young and super dumb. lol....if we had known then what we .....OMG
I am just finding you guys - getting back into sailing and looking to do the liveaboard thing in a few years. Lots of time to plan!! Thanks for the great information.
Thanks for all the advice. A lot of good sense. I have been looking into this for almost 2 years. I decided to take time, start with a small 29' catamaran I will build myself so I can learn a much as can about it. I got a set of drawings from a reputable naval architect. Next step is to put that in 3D to understand how to build it. Then, next year I will find a yard, buy the materials and start the build. If everything goes well I should be sailing with her sometime in 2025...
Enjoy the path...much respect to anyone who builds a boat.
Thanks so much for your kind words. She has yet to be built.
@Alain Dupuis Are you near a navigable waterway and have a shop or garage or hanger or boatshed? I'm wondering, and inquiring just to see if you happen to be open to welcoming some help as you build. I'm in central Phoenix, Arizona USA
@@dondassinger6202 Hi. I will be building the boat in Thailand. I am talking with several people there already
Can you address how to get ready/things to do for people who live far from the ocean ie in landlocked areas.
Great advice. Always worth watching. Loved the comment about Etch a sketch.
Great presentation! Knowledge can be transferred but Wisdom comes by doing. How about learning how to pray. Just sold my last sailboat. Happy camper.
Enjoyed your videos! one of the first people that i watched as far as Sailing goes, i think i got this..i own/operate a 18-wheeler and was doing some price comparisons between the 2 and the boat would actually be cheaper to own and maintain, i've spent north of 130k one year on my semi...so a 40 ft leopard or Nauti-tech doesn't seem all that complicated, the only real issue seem getting it out of water to do repair work..everything else seems easy enough truth be told, especially the baby diesel engines, and the emissions systems on them don't seem to be as restrictive.
I'm not down playing it by any means..but i do have a background on working on Massive heavy equipment..
Good Video and informative..40 ft leopard and the bahamas here i come!!!
You all are amazing. Glad to be a Patron.
We very much appreciate it. Thank you!
Outstanding. Enjoying the channel. Tks for sharing.
Thanks. I was dreaming of going blue water crossing oceans. Now I'd settle for a good day sailor, probably Dutch from Hoek yachts. No crew needed, easy to handle, low maintenence with electric engine, you get out on the water in minutes, the same feeling of freedom. Buying new will cost as much as a used larger boat though.
You are missed ,hope all is well ,sending positive vibes.
Great practical advice! I'm going to post it on my blog!
What? Wait a minute. Fixing a boat in exotic locations isn't the dream? [Edit to add: No illusions about what it entails to cut the lines to shore. Working remotely has been an issue for me for years in IT. It mostly works land-locked, but on a boat is something that I seriously worry about.] -- P.S. We're definitely coastal live-aboard cruisers in the PNW.
You guys should teach this same subject at the Annapolis Boat Show! Great job!
Another very important video and subject. Education is expensive and you folks have paid the price. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I'm excited for your experience in locating your new boat, it should be interesting with the forecast of a recession coming. However, you still make interesting and informative videos without having a boat. Get well and stay well. View you soon.
Thanks. Yes, ....interesting times.... hope we aren't on the sidelines for too long though!
Some of the best advice I've heard in a long time.
While you are land bound I would love for you to post a video on all your audio equipment (and video). But really your audio since you produce all your music for the videos. I have seen a few snippets showing your equipment but I think it would very cool to see a more in depth explanation and sample. Thanks for everything you do!
That would be fun for me. Could be a little boring to watch though, gotta admit. But yeh, maybe I set things up and timelapse it or something.
@@TheOKellys Awesome, thanks for replying. You two are great!
Clear and straight forward
Thank you so much for this video. It cemented my feeling that the cruising life was not the best fit for my stage of life. Sad to say dispite my life long dreams, I bellive that trialer sailing might be a better fit (mobility issues).
Certainly one of your best “advisor” video.
My project is under “construction” and not for the next month, but I will definitely contact you for consulting when the moment will appear :-)
(Boat purchase planned after sept 2023 for a adventure starting in sept 2024)
Happy to help in any way we can. 2023....not so far away!
@@TheOKellys No, not too far :-) And a lot of thing to setup before :-)
Such wise counsel backed up with extensive experience, and without knowing any specifics of any one situation. If I ever move up from my Catalina 22 y'all will be along for that ride for sure.
This is typical O'Kelly's. Well organized, short, succinct and well organized. I imagine those who hire you as consultants are getting their money's worth. Do you ask people how they handle emergencies and high stress situations?
Yes, we do.