49 Days ALONE at Sea: Solo Sailing the Pacific with No Engine | EPISODE 1 |
Вставка
- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- 49 Days ALONE at Sea: Solo Sailing the Pacific with No Engine
Thank you so much for tuning in to the very first episode of my adventure around our globe. After struggling through the pandemic in Seattle as an under supported middle school music teacher, my windowless classroom left me depressed and depleted. I knew I need a change and decided to put my health first. I listened to the deepest yearnings of my heart which whispered of adventures seen on various UA-cam channels of sailors living out their lives in transit from one nation to the next.
While sitting on cold Seattle beach on a bright spring day in March of 2023, I decided that the 2022-23 school year would be my last. I immediately started to look for boats online and a few days later went to look at a boat for sale in Bainbridge Washington. With only 3 weeks of sailing experience I acquired while hitchhiking around Mexico on sailboats, I purchased this boat on the spot as it was really the only boat in the Seattle listings I could afford. The boat was nameless and had been rotting away, untouched, in a slip for 4 years.
I had no idea what I was doing and what to look for. It needed an extensive refit so I immediately hauled it out of the water on the first day of spring break and got to work, hoping that it would be ready by the end of spring break. What a fool I was. For the rest of the school year, I taught all day and worked on the boat all night, slowly chipping away at projects and learning the hard realities of boat ownership. Projects included, refitting the 1970 diesel engine, replacing thru-hulls, building a new rudder, bringing the mast down to change the standing and running rigging, installing solar and refitting the electrical grid onboard, and much more. After a grueling 7 months, Songbird was finally ready to hit the water.
After a few weeks of shakedown cruises and day sails, with heavy winter weather imminent, I left the dock in Seattle for the last time on October 7th 2023 to launch on my mission to sail around the world. I initially planned to be away for a year, but after a few months of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, it became clear that I’d never go back. There was still the financial conundrum to solve…
By the time I got to the end of the savings I had been living on from my life as a teacher, something unexpected happened. I posted a simple reel on instagram and I went from 300 followers to 100k in five days. This kickstarted my ability to support myself through storytelling.
And so, with this video, I find myself embarking on another adventure: running a UA-cam channel! I am only able to live the life you see in this video through your viewership and support! I plan to use this opportunity to tell the most engaging and inspiring story I can. With your support, my goal is to complete 5 year circumnavigations for the rest of my life, but we will see what the winds have in store for me…
Follow My Journey On All Socials:
Instagram: / sailing_songbird
TikTok: / sailing_songbird
Facebook Group: / 436976935720413
If you would like to get involved and support me, the best way to do so is through my new Patreon: patreon.com/sailing_songbird ( / sailing_songbird )
Intro Music by @brendangone !!!
Thank you so much!
Luke
Ahhhh can’t wait to see the rest!!! ⛵️🥳so happy you’re here on the Tube.
It's good to finally be here! Thanks for paving the way in bringing the cruising life to the masses 😁
Hey Oloina😉and Riley, super nice to see you guys to give Luke a little support 👍😎
He lives the dream of many, many people. Bro, you understood life. You've understood life in a way that many of us wouldn't even dream of. You are a unique inspiration. Thank you for kindling the fire in many of us
So kind 🥹 I'm just grateful to have the opportunity to share my journey and to have everyone along for the ride
I never clicked a video so fast in my life I’m all aboard for your journey captain
Dude, the part of you leaving LaPaz brought me to tears. That evening was memorable. I remember watching you pull anchor and raise sail. I remember having high hopes for you, and confidence you would make it too. And here you are, stretching your own limits. That’s what our voyaging does for us Luke. See you out there on the seas one day.
You were a great neighbor to have in La Paz, my friend. It really was a beautiful evening.
Was so good to meet you today. Following your adventures with interest. Hopefully we see you on the water soon!
Bro, you get life like no one else does, and you've inspired me to follow my dream of sailing around the world. Thanks.
Can’t wait for Episode 2!
Yes Brother!!! I’m super excited for this, keep them coming! You are a LEGEND!
I just loved this first episode of yours. I sailed engineless for a couple of years as well and OMG the patience you need! The ups are higher and the downs are lower, but you end up feeling so in tune with nature, every breath of wind every bit of current. It totally made me a better sailor. I love your storytelling and your philosophical approach to life, I’m looking forward to following your story..
Been following on instagram through the meteoric rise ! Stoked for long form videos!
More to come!
Can't wait for more uploads I love what you're doing! Keep it up!
Songbird is my spirit animal, keep on cruising baby!
Finally going to see the whole journey!! Can’t wait to see all the behind the scenes stuff! EPIC
this is awesome! can't wait to keep up on your adventures !!
You’re living my dream.
man it's awesome to see the long form videos behind the tiktoks, so glad you're doing this -- inspiring 🔥🏝❤
Glad you like them! I think that I enjoy these longer form video more myself!
GO SONGBIRD, GO!!!!
I’m so glad you decided to make this long form video of your journey! Your adventures are so awesome to watch!
"...between all the opposites of made up mind..." so cool!! Really excited to have you finally putting out longer form content on here brother!! Thank you!!
God bless, Luke! Cannot wait for more uploads. Ill keep you in my prayers, have fun and be safe out there!!
So excited to see you on youtube! My two year old son just watched this with me and loved watching your boat on the water and said WOW when you cranked your dinghy up. 😂
That is SO sweet 😅
Here from LVB. You got me reeled in when hearing a little of The Tao of Sailing! Can’t wait to see how your sailing story unfolds…wishing you many blessings! 💙
It is CERTAINLY my most important book aboard
The is exactly the footage I was hoping to see!
What a stud
bro 😭
You're gonna be on 2 million followers in no time just like sailing la vagabonde ❤🎉😊 Can't wait to watch your adventures and whatever lies ahead! So stoked!!!!
So kind
Nice to see you here!! Can't wait for the next one❤
20:08 nice work! I really like the intro. Very professional. Hope you have healed and have had time for proper rest. Looking forward to more. 😊
What a treat watching this
Fair winds and following seas, my friend! Enjoy this adventure!
Luke, I admire what you're doing so much! And you taught yourself 🤯
Damn man. this is like if someone sliced open my head and made a youtube video with exactly what I want. nice moves, nice music, nice video. :)
Love it man!
The engine always breaks when you need it most, As with anything you've only got one of.
Best sailor I knew never used an engine, and navigated by the stars, birds, and was often declared "Lost at sea" by the landlubbers. He would say the oppisite, and its when he was at sea he truly found himself.
I can totally relate! Not having an engine on this passage turned out to be a HUGE blessing!
Ahoy! Finally on youtube! So excited to watch your videos. Fair winds!
I live for your videos brother. So excited to see more content. I have your post notifications turned on for every platform.
I’m your Grandma Merrifield’s cousin from California. I loved seeing your videos. I’ll be checking in on your adventures.
I’ve been following your IG since the beginning of the summer. I’m so excited so see some different looks from this part of the journey/ passage.
Stay safe. You are a treasure!
Love it,... can't wait for the next one. Safe travels 👍
Absolutely fantastic! Beautifully produced video-very compelling!
Thank you Dr. Nance. It means the world coming from you 😭
I'm so excited to follow your journey in these longer videos! Awesome!!!!❤
Loved the video, can’t wait to see more, God bless in your journey
A determined skipper, does not make one a sailor.
The sea and winds will train you. Listen, watch mindfully, follow closely, and learn well.
Awareness, humbleness, and immediate action upon an observation of something incorrect, will keep you safe.
Fair winds!
Luke has been SO resourceful so far! If you haven’t seen all the IG posts, go back and watch while you wait for more UA-cams!
Well, I actually came across your channel through sailing la vagabond they mentioned you, it will be nice to follow your sailing channel and adventures
What an awesome adventure. Stay safe and sail on!!!
Great first episode, Luke! Very excited to see more. Well done!
You’re the best!!! I bet you already know that 😉
Great adventure, love your conversation and commentary, cousin😊
Very cool! I was hoping you would create some long form content of your trip. Cant wait to see more!
Amazing to see what you did, and what you are doing!
YAY you are finally on youtube. been seeing your vids on instagram for a while now. cant wait to see the rest..
Amazing!!!
Sick start man! Will definitely be following along. May you have fair winds and following seas
Brilliant start we really enjoyed it.
I’m going to love this channel! Best of luck mate , fair winds and following seas ✌️
YESSS!! We follow you on TikTok. So glad you finally got your YT going!! I can't wait to see more! ❤
would love to hear about how you handle the lonelinesss and fear!! it's amazing and really feels like peak human experience what you're doing
Awesome video, Luke! Stay safe out there, buddy.
Wow wee how brave are you,very admirable
hell yeah
Meditative Captain Jack Sparrow 🎉🎉🎉
Wow, awesome trip. Cant wait for the next videos.
And there's something that's itching me: how do you teach yourself to sail? I would love to do it
I spent many hundreds of hours online watching other sailors and studying the questions that came up around the technicalities of sailing. Then I had three weeks of sailing under my belt before I left for this circumnavigation and I learned on the way.
Good luck on your travels 🎉🎉
Thank you for reading that part of your book
that intro was sick!
Thank you 😆 Im low-key SO proud of it
It has been a life-long dream to sail the Pacific and French Polynesia .. one day I will. Enjoy the ride of your life .. I will be watching here (and on Instagram).
Have been waiting for the long form videos for too long!
All aboard and looking forward to the next one! Wishing you all the best from Stanleys Travels! mostly land based at this point but looking towards the sea in the future!
Hi from SLV! 🎉 Excited for another sailing channel to watch 😊
Hello from land locked Utah! Thanks for sharing your fun life with us! I learned of you from Elaina ( vagabond), so glad to find you! So cool that you fish!!! So many boat UA-camrs don’t, or at least don’t show it.
Hi la vagabond mentioned you so here I . energy is great enjoyed your video can't wait for go with you on your future adventures 😊
Great. Would like to have more of you playing or singing, but it was nice start anyway. Keep it up!
Popped over from La Vag....excited to see your videos!
Thanks Luke looking forward to your next vid, has special interest to me as I am the owner of a 76 Vancouver 27 in Brisbane you would know by now they are very capable pocket cruisers.
Here from la vagabonde ❤.. love your channel so far. Keep going!!!🎉🎉
Now I know what Ned Flanders was up to before he got the gig on the Simpsons. Bon voyage buddy diddly diddly doo.
I LOVE THIS... I miss sailing, - ME TOO... Super cool! and makes me want to go buy a boat...... Thanks for sharing your journey ill be watching from the PNW!!!
I thought I was a Pirate, till I saw your gear. Love the threads. Why not be comfortable out in nature? Fair winds.
Found you from Sailing laVagabonde - excited to follow your adventures.
Great first video - looking forward to more instalments. I'd seriously recommend getting your engine fixed though. That's really not safe - especially on coastal passages if you encounter unfavourable winds and currents.
I'll be sailing the whole Pacific with no engine and then I'll repower and buy a new engine after the season is over and I haul out in New Zealand.
Well song bird you are diffently right where you should be caught my attention immediately
Hey Luke! I’m a huge fan of what your doing and the journey your on, so cool! I’m actually going to be moving to Asia in February, to explore and put my self in a completely new surrounding and I’m planning to video the whole thing like your doing. I have a question for you, where do you get your music for your videos from? I love how it makes the final product so much more powerful. If you see this please let me know, I really love everything about your videos:) wish you the best of luck on your journey!
1st vid cool.....looking forward to seeing more cool content....here from Vagabundo
Sent here by one of the biggest sailing channels. (Greg from Chicagoland )
letsss gooooooo
Here from la vagabonde, pushing the algorithm with a comment. :D
Hey luke! Awesome to see your living life to the fullest! Just wanted to ask you...what's the name of the song you used when you jumped on your long board and paddled to shore? It starts at about 3:00 minutes into the video...
If I were you, I'd stay out at sea as long as possible. Things are about to crack off.
I’m going to make another donation. Hopefully I’ll get a boat one day.
Ahoy!
Here because of la vagabond...let's gooo
Found you through Elayna on Le Vagabond. Good luck, fair seas.
Luke I feel like going on adventure with you everytime I see something from you..
Do you sail alone or have any crew?
Are there many wild chickens out there?
Yeah your gonna need a motor in the south pacific...regards from new zealand...looking forward to your trials tribulations and exploits!!!...
It has CERTAINLY made things more difficult...
Happen to run into Jesse "the body" down in the Baja?? 🤙⛵
Hey Luke, which resources did you use to teach yourself to sail online during the pandemic?
UA-cam primarily, I also read the ASA101 textbook
It is great to see a real life hillbilly on the water, rock on
Hoped ding on Starbur/stern it taxi better
Dude gets one shoutout from SLV and creates a UA-cam channel and Patreon… But man, I’m a sucker for that stache
I've been filming for UA-cam for about 5 months to gather the footage for this channel. It's been a LONG time coming. I'm so excited to be able to start sharing this footage!
@@Sailing_Songbirdwife and I have been looking for a new channel so excited to see! Long live the stache!
recommended by vagabonds, so subscribed & ready for adventure!