So You Think You Want to Go Cruising on a Sailboat?
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- Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
- Free advice! We've consulted with over 100 future-cruisers, and some themes come up so often, we just had to share.
1. Is cruising right for you?
2. Which boat is right for you?
3. Purchasing process
4. Budgeting
5. Outfitting
6. Working Remotely
7. Ideal countdown to departure
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Nick and Megan have been #sailing and living #OffTheGrid on and off for the past 20 years. We love to #travel and spend time in #nature and we hope to see you out here!
Nick's Books and Audiobooks:
GET HER ON BOARD is about getting that significant other to buy into this cruising nonsense. People seem to like it.
Audiobook: www.audible.com/pd/B00CIE9I1I...
Book:
www.amazon.com/dp/0578057298/...
LIVE ON THE MARGIN is about making money on the go trading stocks and options. I co-wrote it with Pat Schulte of Bumfuzzle. People seem to like that one too. All proceeds donated to our boat.
Audiobook: www.audible.com/pd/B00CMCGHPQ...
Book:
www.amazon.com/dp/0578116642/...
Audiobooks:
BUMFUZZLE - Just out Looking for Pirates.
You know these guys, and now you know me, so have a listen.
www.audible.com/pd/B00CWJISRE...
BOUND FOR DISTANT SEAS, by James Baldwin
James is the real deal and this his story of adventure aboard a small, simple boat.
www.audible.com/pd/B015HQBDWU...
#Leopard46 #BoatLife #Catamaran #TravelVlog #DigitalNomad #LifeStyle #Sailboats #Sailing #cruising #MeganOkelly #NickOkelly #offgrid #nomad #sail #boat #ocean
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.
❤😂🤣🤣🤣..."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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Brutal honesty is better than free advice. The most important video you’ve done. Thanks O’Kelly’s!
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!
You guys are the best. I went through all this three years ago and determined I would fulfill my cruising dreams through UA-cam… and I’m okay with that. Keep sharing your wisdom. Blessings!
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. 👍🙂🇬🇧🏴🇺🇲
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Always great content. Thanks! Looking forward to seeing what boat you select and how you organize everything from here.
Thank you for being encouraging while keeping it real. Love your vidoes!
Fascinating video. So insightful. Amazing talent at conveying great info with elegance and humor. This is top notch consulting.
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!
Outstanding. Enjoying the channel. Tks for sharing.
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 :)
These O'Kelly's are invaluable!!! Another great video! Hope to see you on the water some day...
I hope so too!
So good guys. So many good points. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experience. So valuable.
Another information packed episode. Thanks 👍
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!
Absolutely phenomenal video. You guys are the best.
Best advice ever. Buy the smallest and simplest boat you can to start with. Absolutely spot on 👍
Great advice. Always worth watching. Loved the comment about Etch a sketch.
Great unbiased video!
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.....
GREAT VIDEO GUYS!!
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.
Thank you for the advice 👌. We can't wait to get on the water
thank you thank you thank you... such a great discussion!
outstanding advice! thanks
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!
Great video as usual!
Thank you for making this video, very helpful and realistic.
Very good information I will watch this one over and over👍👍
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.
As someone looking to make this a lifestyle down the road thank you. This was so informational.
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!
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.
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!
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.
Great practical advice! I'm going to post it on my blog!
Brilllllliant - thanks for sharing 👍
This is a very helpful video. Thank you
Thank you for the great insights and advice. You guys are a great inspiration for some of us that can only afford to dream.
Clear and straight forward
Incredibly moving finale!
Thank you for the insight. Very good information.
Love the footage from the past, earning your stripes, give you credentials !!
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.
Some of the best advice I've heard in a long time.
a most excellent video. thank you.
Hi Guys, great video, thank you for invaluable information.
You all are amazing. Glad to be a Patron.
We very much appreciate it. Thank you!
so much value, so many learns, so many questions...... thank you
we are all about the learns! Never stops!
Very informative. Great info.
Omgosh just found you...excellent advice and fabulous presentation!
Loved this guys thank you
Appreciate it Tim!
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.
Great episode … thank you ❤️
Great video u guys.
Great video!
Great video, super advice for all,
Great video. Thank you.
Thx! Y'all rock!
A very informative video. Learned a lot from you guys. A difference between others is that I feel a lot real from what you guys say.
Loved the vids
Your information is so dialed in.... Thank you
Great tips!!!
Excellent info, one of the best videos I’ve seen for prospective buyers. I’m sure many boaters now wish they had a good consultant before taking the plunge.
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.
Y'all rule. Thanks!
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
GREAT Video!!!!
Great job helping the reality check
Thank you!!
Great! Perfect vídeo!!!! Cheers! Thanks for to show to us what the “game” talk about it. There is “no” game!!!
This is by far, the best of the best video out there to watch as future adventurers. I'm really impressed. I'm in the "convince my wife" phase. But I'll make sure to also check the others boxes.
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.
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
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!
WOW ! finally a honest video for us land lubbers. Thank you so much.
I LOVE this video!!! Super helpful information and certainly a lot of things I need to think about before taking off... Thank you two for this fabulous info. Also OMG Nick was like a baby in 2003
good stuff guys!
Many thanks!
So happy to have you kids, guide us in your and hopefully my journey.
As always, thnx 😘
Good stuff guys
you are both legends 🤙
You guys should teach this same subject at the Annapolis Boat Show! Great job!
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.
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.
Thankyou very useful 👍
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.
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.