Great video guys, I like the fact that you are so open and i think that you are probably open to advice as well (doesn't mean you have to follow it just that you'll consider it). The bit of advice I would offer its that the clock ticks far faster than you can ever imagine, One year turns in to three and three turn in to five before you know it. Ten years in to my five year plan to refit my boat I realised that the stuff I had done ten years ago needed re doing, all of the none essential cosmetic stuff and extra toys had eaten my budget and eaten my time and I still hadn't got to the end of the first list. It was at that point that I sat down and worked out what it would cost to finish my boat (by that time I really knew what things cost allowing for the inevitable things you find hidden and allowing for labour be that mine or a craftsmans. With that budget in mind I went out and negotiated a deal on a boat that worked, sure she needed bits doing but she worked and I could use her as a boat not just a boat shaped trailer home. The overriding lesson I learnt during the ten years of my five year plan is that if it's important to safety or the correct functioning of the boat then fix it. If its just a 'would be nice or may be useful' wait spend your time sailing her, that way you find out what you really need not what you think you may need. An old yachts man in his 80's once told me that there is no such thing as a finished boat sailing Don't squander time trying to make the perfect boat. Having rambled on I do really wish you the best of luck which ever way you take her.
Love your videos. I'm a college student from Germany and there's nothing more exciting than the idea of sailing around the world and living on a boat. Thank you for showing us that it's possible :)
What a pleasure to see two young people that have their act together and to have a dream. Good for you guys, you are indeed a lovely couple and like so many other people here I wish you much success and happiness. As a sailor for over 45 years and having owned a few boats myself, I would like to share two key things with you. Its fine to be slip bound and of course on the hard especially when you have long term projects that need to be performed but be mindful of two things. When in a slip for the kind of time that you have been, keep a watchful eye on your zinc sacrifices and change them regularly. Some slip areas are fine but other areas are highly charged with electrolysis. I could go into the many reasons but do NOT want to take up too much space. Just make sure to keep you zincs up to spec. This also applies to internal zincs on your engine as well. I have seen boats that were both well cared for as well as ones that were neglected all suffer from bad electrolysis issues including the following: Keel bolt damage, drive shaft damage and of course rudder post damage where the rudders have actually snapped from corrosion due to electrolysis and fallen out of the boat. Being on a mooring is one thing but there is a lot of current usually found in slip areas where shore power usage is high and many different metals come into close contact. You really should research this as many boaters overlook it which I still find amazing especially with long time boaters. In regard to being on the hard, make sure to be placed into a specified cradle designed for you boat or at least have one jack post every 6-8 feet linked with heavy chain. Have one dedicated heavily braced one placed at the bow which often many yards fail to do. Boats are designed to float, NOT be on the hard so you want to displace the weight as evenly as possible. I hope this advice comes in handy. Wishing you guys smooth sailing, calm seas and a gentle breeze at you back…………………….
IMO people will enjoy the camping, maybe not as much as the sailing but it's worth the videos. What you guys are offering this community is a look into a life of adventure. The medium of that adventure will attract niche audience members, but generally speaking your Patreon's support you for the overall theme that you are representing. I'm sure many of us would have never discovered the live aboard sailing lifestyle if it wasn't for that first primitive camping experience in the woods!
You nailed it Nick! We're preaching all the time we aren't a sailing series but a community of people trying to convert dreams into adventures. Maybe we'll just have you explain what we're trying to do for us. :) Appreciate your support and couldn't agree more with your comment about camping being the segway for most into living aboard!
I agree with Nick. Your camping trip is sure to be interesting to us subscribers. We're following how you are shaping up your lives and your disclosure of lifestyle and sailing costs is much appreciated. If you head across the Atlantic and get to the North Sea, try to head up to the Lofoten Islands off Norway's Arctic coast. It's off-the-scale scenic and warmer than you might think, courtesy of the North Atlantic Drift. I would enjoy following you around the Baltic too. :-) When your adventure starts your numbers could climb towards Delos and La Vagabonde territory. The question is, what kind of adventure will be most appealing? Another attractive young couple splashing around in the Caribbean? That'll work. What about a young and adventurous couple heading straight out into less travelled and less 'GoPro-ed' waters? Might work too. Might work better.
One more person who concurs with Nick. Whether it be the sailing, the adventure who knows what, a good story is worth watching whether on land or at sea. I sailed off Cape Cod for a number of years, so that draws me to your channel, but I live in land locked New Mexico now, so hey, some camping will be fun as well. I don't own an RV, but I follow another you tube couple, Less Junk, More Journey, in a way, they have a similar story to you two, as they learned how to live full time in an Airstream with, well, less junk. Keep up the good work.
Abandon Comfort is just that. To me this channel isn't a sailing channel, its about living the way you want to live and.... abandoning "comfort". The camping videos with your type of production will be amazing and totally belong on this channel. What I really like is that your stuff is a bit more raw than all these other series; honestly, I really can't get into them. Every other series seems to aim to make the viewer envious and they just give off the impression that its a load of rich kids doing something that is unachievable to most. Definitely head to the Baltic. I did a loop roadtrip from UK (where I'm from), down and round through the Baltic states and up through Scandinavia. The Baltic sea was incredible.. and amazingly so little salt! you can almost drink it! (definitely don't do this). Although relatively featureless, my favourite part of the coast was actually Latvia. Thick Baltic forest rolling right into the coastline. Keep up the good work guys.
This is your journey, no need to explain yourselves. I think most of us watching have great respect for both of you since you have the moxy to actually do what you are doing. :)
My girlfriend and I are working our way towards the sailing life and sometimes it seems so far out of reach but watching you both is very refreshing to us. Thank you very much! We are addicted!!!
You're both so fortunate to have found each other and share the same kind of exploratory ambitions, at a young age. Certainly social media has enabled this kind of lifestyle, both with shared info (which you're now doing) and revenue opportunities. It's so great you are being so transparent with all facets of your adventure, including financial, which will definitely help others who seek out to do the same thing. My plan has been to do this towards the "latter" part of my life, but if I had to do it all over again, I'd definitely have taken the option of doing it first. Having these experiences at a young age will be so much more enriching... and that will be with you throughout your life. Best of luck and looking forward to observing your journey!
Keeping it real is what we never see on you tube. Living the dream requires a reality check of how to actually do it. Thank you for being open like this.
I hope you DO post your road trip on the channel. I'm not a sailor, but I'm drawn to a number of these channels. Your channel is one of my fav for your pure raw honesty. Thank you for posting to help inspire and teach others how to achieve their dreams! Keep it up!
You're embarking on an adventure which just isnt possible for some people like me due to family obligations, so getting to live vicariously through your videos is something I appreciate immensely. I've enjoyed your episodes, none more than this one... your transparency policy in particular is enticing. I'm very excited to begin this adventure with you, and have decided to do my part by becoming a patron and buying a tshirt. I wish you all the best, and smooth sailing!
Awesome!! We love hearing that the numbers help. We honestly just remember ourselves being viewers and constantly wondering - how are they affording this!?
One of the important rules in sailing is "Never sail on a schedule". Enjoying the channel so far. Keep it up guys. I hope to see you off the hook and on the way soon.
Awesome job! Great to see a sailing channel through a different lens, being transparent on financials and future plans/goals. My family (5 + 1 dog) are looking forward to purchasing our first boat in 2018 and your channel is inspiring us even more to make it happen. Keep up the great work.
That's just life guys, life never well for most of us, does not go to plan, but to do what you"re doing so young, I couldn't say more positive things for you, and you"re honestly with everything, is awesome, great job.
thanks so much for making this. I get comments about my budget all the time too. Know that most of us viewers understand you guys work super hard to make all this work. You guys rock.
Great plans. We dreamed about it too and then work/life happened. I am now 50 and ready for more sailing. Whatever you do, don't let the couch sailors deter you. Don't let anyone stop you. Try not to dream about a bigger boat...yes its hard but the less cost/maintenance the better your chances. Be careful with watermakers...can get costly quickly and risky. Only fix what is critical...it will always break...at least get some miles under that keel first. The Dry Tortugas was our best trip yet. Don't skip it. Have fun and remember you can always work again later, so go now!
Just found you guys 2-3 days ago. Sitting in my house waiting for Hurricane Harvey to pass the Houston area. I like watching small houses, travel campers, etc. Waiting for the hurricane to pass and work to let us back in. I needed to watch something good about the oceans. Great video!
Thank you for being so transparent with your finances. My husband, daughter and myself are desperate to live on a boat. You guys give us hope! Thanks again!
Its really fantastic that you would share such personal financial information, it gives everyone a glimpse into the reality of planning and/or undergoing life on a sailboat.
this has been a great series so far, looking forward to future trips. having always had the bug to ditch everything and live on a boat i've settled for getting out on the weekends fishing while living on shore. watching this content of you two embark on this adventure has been addictive. be safe and have fun!
You guys certainly are enthusiastic about the sailing/living, I wish you all the very best for the future, and looking forward to more of your filming.
This is great! I wish both you the best on your adventure and I am sure this series will influence, educate, inspire and motivate a lot of people out there :D And Ryan, please take a short pit-stop in Norway to say hello to an old friend from UT! Best regards, Martin D.
You guys are kinda my heros for doing something so bold and being so financially open about how your doing it. So I'm subscribing and i hope it helps you guys get where your going :)
Absolutely love yalls channel...i love how honest and real yall are about your lives and finances..keep up the great work and cant wait to see yalls next video
Thanks for sharing both! It is very rare to see a "Transparency" video like this and it really helps put things in perspective so thank you! Keep up the good work on your videos and enjoy each day! 🙂.
You two are great! Look forward to watching your adventure unfold. When we retire, my wife and I will hopefully be sailing half of the year and snowboarding the other half. I love the cost breakdown, it really shows people that they can do this and not be millionaires. Good luck on the adventure!
I remember UA-cam before monetization and Patreon ruined it. People posted videos just because they wanted to help other people. I really feel sorry for producers like you, all who depend on those things to "make a living". I guess I have really been blessed in life. I only have a High School Diploma and "some" college, and have a 100k+ per year career. I'm glad it all works for you and you are able to do what you want and enjoy.
Hi, I'm currently in the Baltic Sea. My 2 cents: keep in mind that there is a lot to see in the Baltic (many countries, interesting/beautiful places and anchorages), but the sailing season is short there (in Sweden, the high sailing season goes only from mid-June to mid-August). The Kiel channel is definitely a time saver to get in/out.
Just saying a huge thanks for all the effort your putting into starting this project/life and sharing it. Your both awesome and will be great following where ever you are!
You guys are just awesome. The genuine transparency is very (very) much appreciated! Thank you very much, and keep up the great work! Oh, and as always...HAVE FUN!!! :)
I hope you will share the refit costs of the boat also. I own a Hallberg Rassy 31, which is a fine boat, but a bit small for true blue water cruising. I have thought of buying a 352, but I also realize that the refit would be expensive.
My husband Jeff and I found your UA-cam channel tonight and bing watched every episode! We love your transparency with finances thanks so much for that! Our love of the water moved us from Ohio to none other than Port Charlotte, Fl! We love sailing our little Tanzer 21 in our beautiful Charlotte Harbor, Caya Casta , and Gasparilla! Imagine our surprise when we heard you were here! If you need help with anything while here, please reach out! Jeff is quite the "boat fixer" and we love meeting fellow sailors! Good luck in your future endeavors! We can't wait to "tag along" via your videos!
Have you looked into a Sea Anchor? It's a parachute that holds you if your anchor fails. It buys you some time to get your engine started or if you have to abandon the boat.
You two are inspiring my wife and I to give this a try again. Though we are looking to have children soon, so it will be a little more difficult. Keep making great videos and stay safe in your journeys
I love your financial transparency! It's great to see how you guys are planning both financially and sailing. But! Take that boat sailing! You guys had a great opportunity to learn how to sail, anchor, and dock. The ocean is dangerous and the more experience under belt the better. When you get the boat back into water, even if you are just sitting at dock waiting for life to let you leave, take the boat out on day sails and weekend sails. Also, keep a boat log with fuel consumption, water consumption, speed over ground, wind speed, distance, lessons learned, stuff like that. You may spot a problem like a failing engine or something earlier that way. Good luck!
Just wanted to say thanks for being so authentic in your videos. Love the full disclosure on your finances. Also I am in total agreement about "plans." We only recently moved into our boat with 4 kids and we definitely take our adventure a day at a time. This is the first time I have watched the video from my actual boat do that was exciting!
You should reconsider your plans for the teakdeck. When installed they were 14mm thick, when I checked mine I still had ~12mm (35 year old HR352). Some new boats get 8mm. There is plenty of teak left to sand it flatter and re-caulc. Easier, cheaper, nicer, faster.
AC, I found these videos a few days ago and just finished watching them. Looking forward to more content in the future. You talked about a back up plan of moving to Colorado, any plans to camp in our great national parks during your road trip? Drive safe and thank you for sharing your adventure!
Glad you clarified what your side hustle was in 2015, not going to say what I thought the word was. Excellent that your keeping your vids about real life and realities.
I took a year to get my sailboat ready. I also took a course at Eckerd College on sailing which really helped with the Physic of sailing. I stayed in the same Marina as you guys for 1 year. Love it. I would asked ole salty dogs to go with me day sailing and picked the brain over a beer. I retired at 51 and converted from power boat to sailing. Small trips helped me a lot before the long ones. I also sailed along so it is different. I wrote a book called Unsunk. Look up the defintion. Good luck from "Easy does it" Gods speed. Don
May I commend you on your open and honest approach, its enlightening and extremely refreshing to hear you discuss finances and your budget, if you make it over to the uk, you've got free lodging at my home.... remember, its the journey, not the destination......
Well that was an entertaining evening. I just ended bingewatching all your videos after UA-cam randomly recommended one of them to me. You two are lovely and I have best wishes for you.
Cool guys! We have teak decks that we were able to bring back to life, but if we ever rip it up, we're going with marine deck 2000. It's a cork based decking so it's cool, tough, and looks great. Our "plan" is to roll out of NOLA in February to head south. Have fun on your road trip. We're going to MA in September by truck, because we love the mountain drive!
You are really really true, I fallow many many sailing boat s channel on UA-cam and nobody was so financially explicit like both of you. You really helped a loot of people and I honesty appreciate your honesty, me I want in one year from now to live the life you already enjoyed. Good luck and many many new videos, both of you, you are the greatest :)
This is SO awesome! Thank you so much for the full transparency. Its helping us to realize our own sailing dreams. Please share the refit costs of your boat if possible. Cheers!
Don't have any questions. Awesome plan !! My comment would be (and I hate to use a cliche) .... "just do it" rather than keep saying it may not happen because this or because that. 😊 Some counsel was shared when beginning my wedding voyage from Camden Maine to Nantucket. It was solid fog and rain and we waited. 1-day. 2-days. 3-days. And finally, we just said let's just freakin go. As we were casting off (brand new radar humming and no real idea how to read it ... yet) one of the older dock hands gave us this counsel: "Remember, what you focus on expands" and another way is: "what you allow will continue." You both have amazing endurance and desire. I have faith in you and I believe in you. My bride and I get back on a boat by the end of the year. See you on the water. Oh, yes, fabulous video. Captain Richard, M.100T, any ocean. 😊👍👌⛵️⚓️⛵️⚓️
I have really enjoyed your series and became a sponsor to help you do more videos. I have a daughter & son in law who live on a 45 foot sailboat in Long Beach , CA. Your videos help me understand her lifestyle better. I am retired and live in a 40 foot motorhome and it is surprising how much our lifestyles are the same even though you are on the water and I am on land. I know what you mean about planning and how things really go. I was planning on a trip this summer to the left coast to see my daughters & granddaughters but it didn't come out that way but still planning on doing it next year (sound familiar?) Keep up the good work and blessings on your endeavors.
Thank you so much for supporting us! It is quite funny how any form of tiny living relates so much to another. Hope you get out west to see your daughter soon :)
Glad you guys are in Florida instead of Texas coast. We were lucky down here in south coast but they are really catching it from hurricane Harvey up around the coastal bend area.
My wife and I are right where you started. Our financials are in line with yours other than our 401k's have nearly 15 years for her and 20 years for me invested. I also can work from the boat with sporadic internet. I'm a freelance construction estimator. I'm a follower of nearly every sailing channel here as well. Your channel has given me some of the best insight of any thus far. Thank you for all you do for your followers. Best of luck to you...
Thank you for letting us know the $'s are helping!! Truly means so much to us to hear our idea of sharing all of this is really helping others get out there and live out their dreams. Best of luck to you and your wife, Mark!! Happy to help further if needed :)
You know, you guys were on my 2nd list of video's but this was an excellent and honest video of your lives and something that alot of sailing vids don't like to talk about. Thanks!!!
Cast off the dock lines and at least go for a daysail. Do some local cruising. For every one person that buys a boat "quits their job" and sails around the world (Zatara and Wizards Eye), there are a 1,000 that buy boat's that are in the slip for 95pct of the year. Day sailing and local cruising build valuable skills for foreign cruising. Some folks skip that step but most never do. What every offshore cruiser has in common is that they threw off the dock lines.
New to the channel. I'm not into sailing (yet), but your videos are still very interesting to me as someone who loves to explore and travel. I'm looking forward to what comes next for you guys!
thanks for being upfront about $$. Makes the thinking about the lifestyle more attainable. Would love to see camping vids etc. take your time and enjoy, yo never know how much time you'll actually have!!
Nice video! A boat is a good way to learn, not only new skills, but to learn about yourselves as well. I'm about to retire from the military and looking to use the GI Bill too. Good you took advantage of that. Best of luck to you two in your future sailing plans. Sounds like fun.
Awesome video, it's different seeing people be so open about their lives and it's honestly pretty cool! I look forward to seeing the videos to come! Also greetings from New York Kelsey and Ryan!
Just discovered you guys today. I have been dreaming about doing the same thing that you two are off to for longer than I care to admit! nice that you are actually putting the financial stuff that isn't pie in the sky! Looking forward to more of your adventures, on both land and sea! May you have fair wind and a following sea!
ya I am so in support of you two volunteering this information, it takes a lot of courage from both of you and people are so reluctant to talk about it, which generally I agree with, but when trying to plan from a total noob's (me = the noob) standpoint, this information is so hard to find but so incredibly valuable in helping how to guide my day dreams and more efficiently turn them into a reality. So, thank you. Tough subject to speak on, wish more sailors volunteered this info and you guys really help a lot of people by having an open discussion on it. cheers!!
Awesome Awesome video guys! Thank you for the videos and clarity. By the time we start our trip we'll be a family of 6! We currently have three boys 9, 5, and 3..... and mysterious sailor #4. We look forward to the many journeys ahead, and we'll be following along with you guys on yours as well. Thanks again and safe travels! The Norman Family (Mississippi Gulf Coast).
Love your type A, OCD, military thought processes. Prior planning prevents P*** poor performance - or something like that. Having a plan is excellent, just know it'll be modified from time to time to suit conditions. If it's in your plans, another episode like this one but with the expenses you put out in the refit of your boat would be helpful for those who are wishing to buy a fixer-upper but don't quite have their head wrapped around the costs of a project boat. If you don't keep it on paper, the costs can spiral out of control quickly. Sometimes the sailing channels forget about the minutiae like costs of insurance, registration, etc. Just some ideas for future stuff. You're doing fine. Keep up the fantastic work!
Thank you so much for being transparent on your finances. I do not think finances a taboo subject. I'm sure that traditionally people wouldn't discuss finances because it can be a little too intrusive. Once I complete a couple necessary projects and begin searching for our boat in earnest I plan to follow the lead of several well done VLOGS and document our adventures/misadventures. My beautiful partner and I are just starting the process and I wish I had started years ago but "life" tends to cloud our vision. Well done. BZ
Hey guys, first of all: great video, thanks for being so open about your financials!!! Right now I am where you have been in 2015, so every information about how to actually make the dream come true is greatly appreciated! I have two question though: The income you have mentoned, was that you net income (after taxes and so on)? You are mentoning your income, but how much of it were you actually able to save for your cruising plans and how much did you need for living expenses? Hope you gys have a great National Park trip! Keep up the great work!
Thanks for the kind words and for supporting us! Good questions: www.abandoncomfort.com/blog/2016/4/20/how-much-do-you-spend Has some answers for you. We saved 68% of our income and all income mentioned is net. We live in FL so no income tax here. Hope this helps.
Awesome. Me and my wife are starting sailing now in the UK and the idea is to do a Ocean Cross, the Med and ultimately the Magalhaes trip. Cheers from London!
Hey guys! hope you guys are out having fun in the sun! I had 2 questions.. Q1] What happened to the dog you guys had? Q2] Did you sell off the Nissan 370z and did it go towards paying off dept or did it all go to the Prius and do you still have a car loan? I watched through all of the episodes and I don't think those where covered. My wife and I are avid power boaters in Canada and do longer trips on our 30' Bayliner but this sailing lifestyle intrigues me. We have 3 small dogs, so I was curious what happened to your pet and if you had to give it up for your change in lifestyle. Thanks!
Hey thanks for the questions :) Hope this helps. Q1] What happened to the dog you guys had? That was Kelsey's dad's dog, Yukon. If you follow us on Instagram you will see some sneak peak footage on another dog :) Q2] Did you sell off the Nissan 370z and did it go towards paying off dept or did it all go to the Prius and do you still have a car loan? I paid off the Z in Sept of 2014 and sold it for what I paid off ~18k and the Prius is owned outright. I had a little savings from my time in the military that isn't factored into this video since none of the money went towards the boat.
I'm super interested in seeing episodes about national parks! And your channel being called abandon comfort, I think it still fits in your concept! Thanks for being so transparent about you financial situation :)
you guys found a great niche by putting a financial twist on you tube sailing videos, it isn't something I have seen before. keep it up, this is exactly what I wanted to see!
thanks guys for all the money talking. It's full of people on youtube apparently living on a boat and doing nothing 24/7...and getting rich out of nothing. This episode is very very realistic and helps a lot. Thank you again.
Greetings from Puerto Rico!!! Let us know when you get ready to make a stop in our island. We will be more than happy to meet and show you the best spots. Take care, looking forward to see more videos and see you pulling into our marina in PR some day.
I just came across your videos. You guys are awesome! I am planning on buying a boat in the next year to live on here in Hawaii. I am getting even more excited by seeing these. Hope you're both still doing awesome, I'll be catching up on your episodes.
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Great video guys, I like the fact that you are so open and i think that you are probably open to advice as well (doesn't mean you have to follow it just that you'll consider it).
The bit of advice I would offer its that the clock ticks far faster than you can ever imagine, One year turns in to three and three turn in to five before you know it.
Ten years in to my five year plan to refit my boat I realised that the stuff I had done ten years ago needed re doing, all of the none essential cosmetic stuff and extra toys had eaten my budget and eaten my time and I still hadn't got to the end of the first list. It was at that point that I sat down and worked out what it would cost to finish my boat (by that time I really knew what things cost allowing for the inevitable things you find hidden and allowing for labour be that mine or a craftsmans. With that budget in mind I went out and negotiated a deal on a boat that worked, sure she needed bits doing but she worked and I could use her as a boat not just a boat shaped trailer home.
The overriding lesson I learnt during the ten years of my five year plan is that if it's important to safety or the correct functioning of the boat then fix it. If its just a 'would be nice or may be useful' wait spend your time sailing her, that way you find out what you really need not what you think you may need. An old yachts man in his 80's once told me that there is no such thing as a finished boat sailing Don't squander time trying to make the perfect boat.
Having rambled on I do really wish you the best of luck which ever way you take her.
Love your videos. I'm a college student from Germany and there's nothing more exciting than the idea of sailing around the world and living on a boat. Thank you for showing us that it's possible :)
What a pleasure to see two young people that have their act together and to have a dream. Good for you guys, you are indeed a lovely couple and like so many other people here I wish you much success and happiness. As a sailor for over 45 years and having owned a few boats myself, I would like to share two key things with you. Its fine to be slip bound and of course on the hard especially when you have long term projects that need to be performed but be mindful of two things. When in a slip for the kind of time that you have been, keep a watchful eye on your zinc sacrifices and change them regularly. Some slip areas are fine but other areas are highly charged with electrolysis. I could go into the many reasons but do NOT want to take up too much space. Just make sure to keep you zincs up to spec. This also applies to internal zincs on your engine as well. I have seen boats that were both well cared for as well as ones that were neglected all suffer from bad electrolysis issues including the following: Keel bolt damage, drive shaft damage and of course rudder post damage where the rudders have actually snapped from corrosion due to electrolysis and fallen out of the boat. Being on a mooring is one thing but there is a lot of current usually found in slip areas where shore power usage is high and many different metals come into close contact. You really should research this as many boaters overlook it which I still find amazing especially with long time boaters. In regard to being on the hard, make sure to be placed into a specified cradle designed for you boat or at least have one jack post every 6-8 feet linked with heavy chain. Have one dedicated heavily braced one placed at the bow which often many yards fail to do. Boats are designed to float, NOT be on the hard so you want to displace the weight as evenly as possible. I hope this advice comes in handy. Wishing you guys smooth sailing, calm seas and a gentle breeze at you back…………………….
I like that you show everything about the financial aspect! Keep going!
IMO people will enjoy the camping, maybe not as much as the sailing but it's worth the videos. What you guys are offering this community is a look into a life of adventure. The medium of that adventure will attract niche audience members, but generally speaking your Patreon's support you for the overall theme that you are representing. I'm sure many of us would have never discovered the live aboard sailing lifestyle if it wasn't for that first primitive camping experience in the woods!
You nailed it Nick! We're preaching all the time we aren't a sailing series but a community of people trying to convert dreams into adventures. Maybe we'll just have you explain what we're trying to do for us. :) Appreciate your support and couldn't agree more with your comment about camping being the segway for most into living aboard!
I agree with Nick. Your camping trip is sure to be interesting to us subscribers. We're following how you are shaping up your lives and your disclosure of lifestyle and sailing costs is much appreciated. If you head across the Atlantic and get to the North Sea, try to head up to the Lofoten Islands off Norway's Arctic coast. It's off-the-scale scenic and warmer than you might think, courtesy of the North Atlantic Drift. I would enjoy following you around the Baltic too. :-) When your adventure starts your numbers could climb towards Delos and La Vagabonde territory. The question is, what kind of adventure will be most appealing? Another attractive young couple splashing around in the Caribbean? That'll work. What about a young and adventurous couple heading straight out into less travelled and less 'GoPro-ed' waters? Might work too. Might work better.
What Nick said is spot on. It's an adventure just like sailing the world.
One more person who concurs with Nick. Whether it be the sailing, the adventure who knows what, a good story is worth watching whether on land or at sea. I sailed off Cape Cod for a number of years, so that draws me to your channel, but I live in land locked New Mexico now, so hey, some camping will be fun as well. I don't own an RV, but I follow another you tube couple, Less Junk, More Journey, in a way, they have a similar story to you two, as they learned how to live full time in an Airstream with, well, less junk. Keep up the good work.
Abandon Comfort is just that. To me this channel isn't a sailing channel, its about living the way you want to live and.... abandoning "comfort". The camping videos with your type of production will be amazing and totally belong on this channel.
What I really like is that your stuff is a bit more raw than all these other series; honestly, I really can't get into them. Every other series seems to aim to make the viewer envious and they just give off the impression that its a load of rich kids doing something that is unachievable to most.
Definitely head to the Baltic. I did a loop roadtrip from UK (where I'm from), down and round through the Baltic states and up through Scandinavia. The Baltic sea was incredible.. and amazingly so little salt! you can almost drink it! (definitely don't do this). Although relatively featureless, my favourite part of the coast was actually Latvia. Thick Baltic forest rolling right into the coastline.
Keep up the good work guys.
This is your journey, no need to explain yourselves. I think most of us watching have great respect for both of you since you have the moxy to actually do what you are doing. :)
Can't tell you how much we appreciate the support & kind words :)
My girlfriend and I are working our way towards the sailing life and sometimes it seems so far out of reach but watching you both is very refreshing to us. Thank you very much! We are addicted!!!
Just the fact that you are where you are with ZERO dept is amazing and awe inspiring.
You're both so fortunate to have found each other and share the same kind of exploratory ambitions, at a young age. Certainly social media has enabled this kind of lifestyle, both with shared info (which you're now doing) and revenue opportunities. It's so great you are being so transparent with all facets of your adventure, including financial, which will definitely help others who seek out to do the same thing. My plan has been to do this towards the "latter" part of my life, but if I had to do it all over again, I'd definitely have taken the option of doing it first. Having these experiences at a young age will be so much more enriching... and that will be with you throughout your life. Best of luck and looking forward to observing your journey!
Keeping it real is what we never see on you tube. Living the dream requires a reality check of how to actually do it. Thank you for being open like this.
I hope you DO post your road trip on the channel. I'm not a sailor, but I'm drawn to a number of these channels. Your channel is one of my fav for your pure raw honesty. Thank you for posting to help inspire and teach others how to achieve their dreams! Keep it up!
Good job guys. A lot of people curious about the numbers behind the dream. Way to pull back the curtain!
You're embarking on an adventure which just isnt possible for some people like me due to family obligations, so getting to live vicariously through your videos is something I appreciate immensely. I've enjoyed your episodes, none more than this one... your transparency policy in particular is enticing. I'm very excited to begin this adventure with you, and have decided to do my part by becoming a patron and buying a tshirt.
I wish you all the best, and smooth sailing!
Awesome!! Thanks so much for supporting the dream, Kevin! Let us know if you have any dream destinations you'd like to experience with us :)
Love these guys. The transparency is very much appreciated for those of us trying to line up goals/dreams with the real world.
Awesome!! We love hearing that the numbers help. We honestly just remember ourselves being viewers and constantly wondering - how are they affording this!?
One of the important rules in sailing is "Never sail on a schedule". Enjoying the channel so far. Keep it up guys. I hope to see you off the hook and on the way soon.
Awesome job! Great to see a sailing channel through a different lens, being transparent on financials and future plans/goals. My family (5 + 1 dog) are looking forward to purchasing our first boat in 2018 and your channel is inspiring us even more to make it happen. Keep up the great work.
This was a great video. Discussions around money have such a strong stigma it is refreshing to see the transparency.
That's just life guys, life never well for most of us, does not go to plan, but to do what you"re doing so young, I couldn't say more positive things for you, and you"re honestly with everything, is awesome, great job.
thanks so much for making this. I get comments about my budget all the time too. Know that most of us viewers understand you guys work super hard to make all this work. You guys rock.
Your videos are probably the most helpful and insightful videos on the subject. Thank you for being so transparent.
Love that you share your finances. That has always been a question for me, but this has been very helpful
Your honesty is refreshing! Plans, a better word to use in this lifestyle is "intentions"
Great plans. We dreamed about it too and then work/life happened. I am now 50 and ready for more sailing. Whatever you do, don't let the couch sailors deter you. Don't let anyone stop you. Try not to dream about a bigger boat...yes its hard but the less cost/maintenance the better your chances. Be careful with watermakers...can get costly quickly and risky. Only fix what is critical...it will always break...at least get some miles under that keel first. The Dry Tortugas was our best trip yet. Don't skip it. Have fun and remember you can always work again later, so go now!
Just found you guys 2-3 days ago. Sitting in my house waiting for Hurricane Harvey to pass the Houston area. I like watching small houses, travel campers, etc. Waiting for the hurricane to pass and work to let us back in. I needed to watch something good about the oceans. Great video!
Love that you're joining us swedes up here in the baltic. Most cruisers seem to take other routes. Just make sure you come here during the summer.
Thank you for being so transparent with your finances. My husband, daughter and myself are desperate to live on a boat. You guys give us hope! Thanks again!
Yes!! Awesome to hear :) Keep us posted on how its coming along
Its really fantastic that you would share such personal financial information, it gives everyone a glimpse into the reality of planning and/or undergoing life on a sailboat.
I love the way Kelsey looks at you Ryan, She loves you so much!
We really appreciate the transparency. And we count ourselves lucky to be an Abandon Comfort patron.
Thanks for being so open with your plans. Looks like a great time ahead.
this has been a great series so far, looking forward to future trips. having always had the bug to ditch everything and live on a boat i've settled for getting out on the weekends fishing while living on shore. watching this content of you two embark on this adventure has been addictive. be safe and have fun!
You guys certainly are enthusiastic about the sailing/living, I wish you all the very best for the future, and looking forward to more of your filming.
This is great! I wish both you the best on your adventure and I am sure this series will influence, educate, inspire and motivate a lot of people out there :D And Ryan, please take a short pit-stop in Norway to say hello to an old friend from UT!
Best regards,
Martin D.
Hardly anything about your boat, yet ironically one of your best episodes so far! The excitement palpable! Keep up the good work!
You guys are kinda my heros for doing something so bold and being so financially open about how your doing it. So I'm subscribing and i hope it helps you guys get where your going :)
Absolutely love yalls channel...i love how honest and real yall are about your lives and finances..keep up the great work and cant wait to see yalls next video
Thanks so much for the kind words and support, Justin! We're excited to show you next episode as well. Finally getting off the slip and sailing!
Thanks for sharing both! It is very rare to see a "Transparency" video like this and it really helps put things in perspective so thank you! Keep up the good work on your videos and enjoy each day! 🙂.
Binge watched you over two days. I'm genuinely excited for your adventure. Chase those dreams.
You two are great! Look forward to watching your adventure unfold. When we retire, my wife and I will hopefully be sailing half of the year and snowboarding the other half. I love the cost breakdown, it really shows people that they can do this and not be millionaires. Good luck on the adventure!
I remember UA-cam before monetization and Patreon ruined it. People posted videos just because they wanted to help other people. I really feel sorry for producers like you, all who depend on those things to "make a living". I guess I have really been blessed in life. I only have a High School Diploma and "some" college, and have a 100k+ per year career. I'm glad it all works for you and you are able to do what you want and enjoy.
Hi,
I'm currently in the Baltic Sea. My 2 cents: keep in mind that there is a lot to see in the Baltic (many countries, interesting/beautiful places and anchorages), but the sailing season is short there (in Sweden, the high sailing season goes only from mid-June to mid-August). The Kiel channel is definitely a time saver to get in/out.
Great to hear someone being transparent about money. It's what most people are curious about yet no one wants to ask.
Just saying a huge thanks for all the effort your putting into starting this project/life and sharing it. Your both awesome and will be great following where ever you are!
You guys are just awesome. The genuine transparency is very (very) much appreciated! Thank you very much, and keep up the great work! Oh, and as always...HAVE FUN!!! :)
Thanks for watching and supporting us Colby!! :) So happy to hear the transparency is helping with your dreams.
I hope you will share the refit costs of the boat also. I own a Hallberg Rassy 31, which is a fine boat, but a bit small for true blue water cruising. I have thought of buying a 352, but I also realize that the refit would be expensive.
Great update. Sounds like you two have really thought out the process and learned from other's mistakes. Looking forward to seeing future episodes.
My husband Jeff and I found your UA-cam channel tonight and bing watched every episode! We love your transparency with finances thanks so much for that! Our love of the water moved us from Ohio to none other than Port Charlotte, Fl! We love sailing our little Tanzer 21 in our beautiful Charlotte Harbor, Caya Casta , and Gasparilla! Imagine our surprise when we heard you were here! If you need help with anything while here, please reach out! Jeff is quite the "boat fixer" and we love meeting fellow sailors! Good luck in your future endeavors! We can't wait to "tag along" via your videos!
Have you looked into a Sea Anchor? It's a parachute that holds you if your anchor fails. It buys you some time to get your engine started or if you have to abandon the boat.
As my friend once said to me (about a friend who's plans didn't work out for him) "You have plans, Allah has plans" Good luck on your journey
I really do enjoy the upfrontness that you guys are showing, I am not a sailor in this life but maybe the next time around.good luck to you guys
You two are inspiring my wife and I to give this a try again. Though we are looking to have children soon, so it will be a little more difficult.
Keep making great videos and stay safe in your journeys
I love your financial transparency! It's great to see how you guys are planning both financially and sailing. But! Take that boat sailing! You guys had a great opportunity to learn how to sail, anchor, and dock. The ocean is dangerous and the more experience under belt the better. When you get the boat back into water, even if you are just sitting at dock waiting for life to let you leave, take the boat out on day sails and weekend sails. Also, keep a boat log with fuel consumption, water consumption, speed over ground, wind speed, distance, lessons learned, stuff like that. You may spot a problem like a failing engine or something earlier that way. Good luck!
Just wanted to say thanks for being so authentic in your videos. Love the full disclosure on your finances. Also I am in total agreement about "plans." We only recently moved into our boat with 4 kids and we definitely take our adventure a day at a time. This is the first time I have watched the video from my actual boat do that was exciting!
Can't say how much I love following you guys! You are doing something I wish I was able to do... Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you!
chris faraldi Thanks for supporting and being an integral part of our dream!! Love sharing it with you 😎
You should reconsider your plans for the teakdeck. When installed they were 14mm thick, when I checked mine I still had ~12mm (35 year old HR352). Some new boats get 8mm. There is plenty of teak left to sand it flatter and re-caulc. Easier, cheaper, nicer, faster.
AC, I found these videos a few days ago and just finished watching them. Looking forward to more content in the future. You talked about a back up plan of moving to Colorado, any plans to camp in our great national parks during your road trip?
Drive safe and thank you for sharing your adventure!
Glad you clarified what your side hustle was in 2015, not going to say what I thought the word was.
Excellent that your keeping your vids about real life and realities.
I took a year to get my sailboat ready. I also took a course at Eckerd College on sailing which really helped with the Physic of sailing. I stayed in the same Marina as you guys for 1 year. Love it. I would asked ole salty dogs to go with me day sailing and picked the brain over a beer. I retired at 51 and converted from power boat to sailing. Small trips helped me a lot before the long ones. I also sailed along so it is different. I wrote a book called Unsunk. Look up the defintion. Good luck from "Easy does it" Gods speed. Don
May I commend you on your open and honest approach, its enlightening and extremely refreshing to hear you discuss finances and your budget, if you make it over to the uk, you've got free lodging at my home.... remember, its the journey, not the destination......
Well that was an entertaining evening. I just ended bingewatching all your videos after UA-cam randomly recommended one of them to me. You two are lovely and I have best wishes for you.
You are brave with your level of transparancy! Thx for the Video.
Cool guys! We have teak decks that we were able to bring back to life, but if we ever rip it up, we're going with marine deck 2000. It's a cork based decking so it's cool, tough, and looks great. Our "plan" is to roll out of NOLA in February to head south. Have fun on your road trip. We're going to MA in September by truck, because we love the mountain drive!
You are really really true, I fallow many many sailing boat s channel on UA-cam and nobody was so financially explicit like both of you. You really helped a loot of people and I honesty appreciate your honesty, me I want in one year from now to live the life you already enjoyed. Good luck and many many new videos, both of you, you are the greatest :)
Wow I had no idea it took so little. I'm also impressed that you two youngsters don't care about possessions and status. Keep living the dream! Jay
This is SO awesome! Thank you so much for the full transparency. Its helping us to realize our own sailing dreams. Please share the refit costs of your boat if possible. Cheers!
Awesome to hear :) Refit costs are coming soon - we're thinking we'll land around 20-25k for refit
Don't have any questions. Awesome plan !! My comment would be (and I hate to use a cliche) .... "just do it" rather than keep saying it may not happen because this or because that. 😊 Some counsel was shared when beginning my wedding voyage from Camden Maine to Nantucket. It was solid fog and rain and we waited. 1-day. 2-days. 3-days. And finally, we just said let's just freakin go. As we were casting off (brand new radar humming and no real idea how to read it ... yet) one of the older dock hands gave us this counsel: "Remember, what you focus on expands" and another way is: "what you allow will continue." You both have amazing endurance and desire. I have faith in you and I believe in you. My bride and I get back on a boat by the end of the year. See you on the water. Oh, yes, fabulous video. Captain Richard, M.100T, any ocean. 😊👍👌⛵️⚓️⛵️⚓️
Thanks for the effort, the thing I love about this channel is the anticipation of your adventure.
Great episode. I have never heard of anyone talk about their finances like that. Very helpful. Have fun and be safe on your travels.
I have really enjoyed your series and became a sponsor to help you do more videos. I have a daughter & son in law who live on a 45 foot sailboat in Long Beach , CA. Your videos help me understand her lifestyle better. I am retired and live in a 40 foot motorhome and it is surprising how much our lifestyles are the same even though you are on the water and I am on land. I know what you mean about planning and how things really go. I was planning on a trip this summer to the left coast to see my daughters & granddaughters but it didn't come out that way but still planning on doing it next year (sound familiar?) Keep up the good work and blessings on your endeavors.
Thank you so much for supporting us! It is quite funny how any form of tiny living relates so much to another. Hope you get out west to see your daughter soon :)
Glad you guys are in Florida instead of Texas coast. We were lucky down here in south coast but they are really catching it from hurricane Harvey up around the coastal bend area.
My wife and I are right where you started. Our financials are in line with yours other than our 401k's have nearly 15 years for her and 20 years for me invested. I also can work from the boat with sporadic internet. I'm a freelance construction estimator. I'm a follower of nearly every sailing channel here as well. Your channel has given me some of the best insight of any thus far. Thank you for all you do for your followers. Best of luck to you...
Thank you for letting us know the $'s are helping!! Truly means so much to us to hear our idea of sharing all of this is really helping others get out there and live out their dreams. Best of luck to you and your wife, Mark!! Happy to help further if needed :)
You know, you guys were on my 2nd list of video's but this was an excellent and honest video of your lives and something that alot of sailing vids don't like to talk about. Thanks!!!
I'm a reserve BM here, shipmate, good for you using that GI Bill! Great to see you planning nicely and learning the ropes :)
Cast off the dock lines and at least go for a daysail. Do some local cruising. For every one person that buys a boat "quits their job" and sails around the world (Zatara and Wizards Eye), there are a 1,000 that buy boat's that are in the slip for 95pct of the year. Day sailing and local cruising build valuable skills for foreign cruising. Some folks skip that step but most never do. What every offshore cruiser has in common is that they threw off the dock lines.
New to the channel. I'm not into sailing (yet), but your videos are still very interesting to me as someone who loves to explore and travel. I'm looking forward to what comes next for you guys!
thanks for being upfront about $$. Makes the thinking about the lifestyle more attainable. Would love to see camping vids etc. take your time and enjoy, yo never know how much time you'll actually have!!
Nice video!
A boat is a good way to learn, not only new skills, but to learn about yourselves as well. I'm about to retire from the military and looking to use the GI Bill too. Good you took advantage of that.
Best of luck to you two in your future sailing plans. Sounds like fun.
Thank you for you honest disclosure. You are both real and very much appreciated. :)
A excellent idea about the Baltic. Not something usually done by other sailing channels. Good luck!! Will be watching
Awesome video, it's different seeing people be so open about their lives and it's honestly pretty cool! I look forward to seeing the videos to come! Also greetings from New York Kelsey and Ryan!
One of the best videos being open about costs and income from videos with future plans. Compliments due. Good work. Thank you.
Just discovered you guys today. I have been dreaming about doing the same thing that you two are off to for longer than I care to admit! nice that you are actually putting the financial stuff that isn't pie in the sky! Looking forward to more of your adventures, on both land and sea! May you have fair wind and a following sea!
Ruby Rose & Abandon Comfort posting new vids within a minute of each other. Bliss. X
ya I am so in support of you two volunteering this information, it takes a lot of courage from both of you and people are so reluctant to talk about it, which generally I agree with, but when trying to plan from a total noob's (me = the noob) standpoint, this information is so hard to find but so incredibly valuable in helping how to guide my day dreams and more efficiently turn them into a reality. So, thank you. Tough subject to speak on, wish more sailors volunteered this info and you guys really help a lot of people by having an open discussion on it. cheers!!
Awesome Awesome video guys! Thank you for the videos and clarity. By the time we start our trip we'll be a family of 6! We currently have three boys 9, 5, and 3..... and mysterious sailor #4. We look forward to the many journeys ahead, and we'll be following along with you guys on yours as well. Thanks again and safe travels! The Norman Family (Mississippi Gulf Coast).
Love your type A, OCD, military thought processes. Prior planning prevents P*** poor performance - or something like that. Having a plan is excellent, just know it'll be modified from time to time to suit conditions. If it's in your plans, another episode like this one but with the expenses you put out in the refit of your boat would be helpful for those who are wishing to buy a fixer-upper but don't quite have their head wrapped around the costs of a project boat. If you don't keep it on paper, the costs can spiral out of control quickly. Sometimes the sailing channels forget about the minutiae like costs of insurance, registration, etc. Just some ideas for future stuff. You're doing fine. Keep up the fantastic work!
Good luck with your travels. Your videos are excellent and your openness and honesty is refreshing and appreciated by many :))
This is why I love your channel, you guys are transparent. Happy adventures when you get there 😂
Thank you so much for being transparent on your finances. I do not think finances a taboo subject. I'm sure that traditionally people wouldn't discuss finances because it can be a little too intrusive. Once I complete a couple necessary projects and begin searching for our boat in earnest I plan to follow the lead of several well done VLOGS and document our adventures/misadventures. My beautiful partner and I are just starting the process and I wish I had started years ago but "life" tends to cloud our vision. Well done. BZ
Hey guys, first of all: great video, thanks for being so open about your financials!!! Right now I am where you have been in 2015, so every information about how to actually make the dream come true is greatly appreciated!
I have two question though:
The income you have mentoned, was that you net income (after taxes and so on)?
You are mentoning your income, but how much of it were you actually able to save for your cruising plans and how much did you need for living expenses?
Hope you gys have a great National Park trip! Keep up the great work!
Thanks for the kind words and for supporting us! Good questions:
www.abandoncomfort.com/blog/2016/4/20/how-much-do-you-spend
Has some answers for you. We saved 68% of our income and all income mentioned is net. We live in FL so no income tax here. Hope this helps.
Awesome. Me and my wife are starting sailing now in the UK and the idea is to do a Ocean Cross, the Med and ultimately the Magalhaes trip. Cheers from London!
You guys will do very well. Thank you for being so open with the world!
Hey guys! hope you guys are out having fun in the sun!
I had 2 questions..
Q1] What happened to the dog you guys had?
Q2] Did you sell off the Nissan 370z and did it go towards paying off dept or did it all go to the Prius and do you still have a car loan?
I watched through all of the episodes and I don't think those where covered.
My wife and I are avid power boaters in Canada and do longer trips on our 30' Bayliner but this sailing lifestyle intrigues me. We have 3 small dogs, so I was curious what happened to your pet and if you had to give it up for your change in lifestyle.
Thanks!
Hey thanks for the questions :) Hope this helps.
Q1] What happened to the dog you guys had?
That was Kelsey's dad's dog, Yukon. If you follow us on Instagram you will see some sneak peak footage on another dog :)
Q2] Did you sell off the Nissan 370z and did it go towards paying off dept or did it all go to the Prius and do you still have a car loan?
I paid off the Z in Sept of 2014 and sold it for what I paid off ~18k and the Prius is owned outright. I had a little savings from my time in the military that isn't factored into this video since none of the money went towards the boat.
I'm super interested in seeing episodes about national parks! And your channel being called abandon comfort, I think it still fits in your concept! Thanks for being so transparent about you financial situation :)
love this episode..... was wondering how peeps made it work out.... Great job you guys love watching your vids....
you guys found a great niche by putting a financial twist on you tube sailing videos, it isn't something I have seen before. keep it up, this is exactly what I wanted to see!
thanks guys for all the money talking. It's full of people on youtube apparently living on a boat and doing nothing 24/7...and getting rich out of nothing. This episode is very very realistic and helps a lot. Thank you again.
Greetings from Puerto Rico!!! Let us know when you get ready to make a stop in our island. We will be more than happy to meet and show you the best spots. Take care, looking forward to see more videos and see you pulling into our marina in PR some day.
I just came across your videos. You guys are awesome! I am planning on buying a boat in the next year to live on here in Hawaii. I am getting even more excited by seeing these. Hope you're both still doing awesome, I'll be catching up on your episodes.
Just found you guys yesterday and can’t get enough! Thanks for your openness and honesty.
I'm so excited about the road trip! I am excited about the sailing as well, but national parks are important.