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Have you ever wanted to just throw everything aside, abandon life as you know it, and take to the sea? You're not alone. After all, it was Herman Melville who once said that when he found himself 'growing grim about the mouth,' then he accounted it 'high time to get to sea as soon as he can.'
While many people abandon the idea of traditional life in favor of 'van life' or becoming a digital nomad, there are some others who don't take to a life on land, at all. Taking to the sea and living on a boat is a decision that's full of ups and downs (quite literally - those waves are no joke), but allows some to savor the freedom and joy they desire in life.
The hashtag #boatlife isn't just a social media slogan for Ryan and Sophie of Ryan & Sophie Sailing, or for Erin Carey, the public relations director for Roam Generation.
We had the chance to hear from them first-hand what it's like to swap life on land for sea legs, and their journeys are fascinating, awe-inspiring, dizzying, and altogether incredible.
What Does It Mean To Live On The Sea - Or A Boat - Full-Time?
Amazingly, there are many people who have taken to the sea to live full-time on the water. This existed prior to the pandemic and continued to be a lifestyle for many after the world reopened, as the global shutdown paved the way for a new, different, and oftentimes, isolated lifestyle.
In the Boating Safety Statistics Report released by the U.S Coast Guard, there have been an increased number of boat sales, towing assistance, and insurance claims, which is evidence enough that there are more people on the water than ever before. While these numbers show an increased interest in boating, what, exactly, does it say about living on a boat full-time?
An article published by CNN in May 2021 also dove into the topic of people giving up a life on land to become full-time sailors, as well as the reasons behind doing so. Of them, the most popular were:
- A desire to easily travel full-time
- Working remotely to move from place to place
- The freedom that comes with constantly being on the move
- The chance to see new places without booking a flight or filling a car's gas tank
- Experience other cultures around the world
- Find a way to become closer to nature, or live a greener lifestyle
- To abandon the complexities that come with life on land in exchange for a simpler life on the water
- Just to meet other people who are equally passionate about full-time #boatlife
Each person who lives on the water full-time will have their own reasons for doing so, and they certainly are not limited to this. So, what's it really like to lead a life offshore?
Living On A Boat Full-Time Is Possible: Meet Ryan Ellison And Sophie Darsy, Of Ryan & Sophie Sailing
Living on a boat full-time is no easy feat. Dealing with being in constant motion, the struggles of being permanently off-the-grid, select electronics, losing the conveniences that living on land so easily affords us - it's a challenge, to say the least. Alternatively, the joy of waking up to an ocean view every morning, the freedom to go wherever a person wishes, whenever they want, as well as knowing everything a sailor needs is literally within reach are all reasons why full-time #boatlifers love it, such as these seasoned sailors.
For fans following along on the live tracker for Ryan and Sophie's seafaring, it comes as no surprise that they've already crossed the Atlantic, made their way through much of Europe, done their rounds in the Caribbean, and have sailed as far north as the Baltic Sea. The two spent years pondering the reality of full-time boat life, and knew that doing so would 'put [their] relationship to the test,' and to this day, their biggest sailing challenge has been a 'personal' one, rather than one having to do with sailing conditions.
Ryan and Sophie are a passion-meets-boating love story, and it's one that got its start on Tinder with a simply right-swipe. Little did Sophie know, she was about to fall for Ryan, AKA the 'ninja turtle,' who would become several things to her - the love of her life, a dedicated sailing partner, and a host of other roles that #boatlife required of him. While it sounds like Ryan has since abandoned his famed ninja turtle costume for the ropes of a sail, the two have found a life together sailing on the Polar Seal.
We hadn’t really considered that from one day to the next we would fill every role for each other; from lovers to best friends, to colleague, confidante, nurse, therapist… and it can be very hard for partners to understand what the other needs at a given moment, not even talking about how difficult it can be to jump from one role to the other.
The sheer strength of will that the couple would find for one another was a major part of the full-time sailing equation. However, the rising tides - literally - were another. "Even if you know what to expect, you absolutely end up questioning your life choices the first time you have four to six-meter waves coming behind your small sailboat!" The couple details their technical learning curve and limited experience as yet another challenge and, just like any other skill in life that is learned, are just something one must go through in order to make it out on the other side.
After setting sail from Stockholm, the two very quickly needed to get familiar with their Beneteau Oceanis 40, a two-cabin vessel featuring a decent-sized kitchen, a shower space, a large garage, and a roomy seating area. Prior to the boat's maiden voyage, Ryan and Sophie had a combined two weeks of RYA sailing lessons and one boat show under their boats as their only experience. Despite their crash course in training, this has not stopped them from learning on the job - or looking back on the memories from when they first set sail:
We knew that we couldn’t start by crossing oceans, so we took it gradually. But after one full season is Stockholm’s archipelago, we decided that it was time to undertake our first overnight sail, which felt very daunting at the time. We chose a passage that had us sail along the East Coast of Sweden between Stockholm and Kalmar, on a very calm night of July. If you know anything about Sweden, you will know that in July, there is no such thing as “the night”. We spent the “night” sailing in absolutely incredible conditions through a very long and gorgeous sunset. Eventually around 3AM, I see a shape forming above the horizon right in front of us, looking like a bright red sail. The shape gets bigger and scarier… and I am convinced that I am about to collide with a UFO After 30 minutes of this giant bright red crescent popping up on the horizon, I realize that I just saw the moon rising.
As harrowing an experience as this can be, Ryan and Sophie have not been immune to the exhaustion and drive it takes to pilot such a seacraft. After finishing this passage, the two came close to reevaluating their sailing career - and then this past year, Ryan undertook a solo Atlantic crossing of his own.
"All that to say: do not underestimate how much it takes to go from one step to the next, and take your time!" Sophie says in regard to their first major sailing excursion.
The Rewards & Future Of Ryan And Sophie's Sailing Adventures
Anyone watching Sophie's tour of Polar Seal would never guess that they are not natural-born sailors. From the vessel to their teamwork, they make #boatlife seem relatable, within reach, and something that is altogether entirely possible with the right mindset. The most rewarding aspect of sailing around the world full-time, as it turns out, may actually be when land is within view. "There is no more rewarding feeling than when you first see land after a multiple days passage, get closer and closer, and finally take your first steps on terra firma," Sophie says. While docking requires a laundry list of work in order to prep the boat and ensure that it's ready to sail again, there seems to be something humbling in the nature of the process.
"When living on land, we tend to take traveling for granted. We book a plane ticket, and we know that if we show up at a given time at the airport, we should be arriving at another given time at the destination. In sailing, nothing is for granted, even if we work relentlessly towards our objectives, sometimes, something comes in the way, and we simply can’t make it to a new destination."
Adjusting to plan changes, Sophie says, is nothing out of the ordinary for anyone who devotes their life to sailing full-time. Whether it's a mechanical issue or a delayed delivery of something they need to continue on their way, there's always a reason to adjust their sails - pun intended.
The future of Ryan and Sophie's sails looks bright, and it's a lifestyle that they have adopted in full. When it comes to their biggest accomplishment, crossing the Atlantic is undoubtedly at the top. However, Sophie lists another major accomplishment, which isn't a specific route or destination at all:
But what amazes us the most is that while we originally set sail for what was going to be a 6 months adventure, we are still out there at sea four years later! We have sailed from Stockholm down to the Mediteranean, all the way through the Med to Malta and back, down to the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, before sailing back to Europe and then back across to the other side again. In the last 6 years, we have sailed 25000 nautical miles and visited over twenty country.
Through more setbacks than the couple can count, amongst them "sustained big weather blows" and "mechanical failures" that would have many others desperately seeking dry land, Sophie says they are still just as passionate about what they do now, as they were the first time they set foot on the Polar Seal.
Sophie & Ryan's Tips For First-Time, Full-Time #boatlifers
Of course, Ryan and Sophie had some tips to share with those considering a full-time #boatlife that came from their own personal experiences. The biggest of those tips being that "comfort is sustainability."
Keep what makes you 'you', and make sure that the comfort level you have onboard is aligned with the lifestyle you want to have.
The two also brought up the idea of downsizing, and how most people embracing the full-time boat life are already familiar with this concept. While Sophie says that the idea of 'selling it all to sail the world' is a pervasive notion among the sailing community, it's still important to consider one's lifestyle when deciding what to keep and what to lose.
Additionally, the couple recommends taking breaks, if only to visit family and friends on land, especially for those who plan to spend years at sea. "Ryan and I try to spend at least two months a year on land, and sometimes, we even take that time apart, as we otherwise spend 100% of our days together."
They concluded with a very important topic that perhaps is not spoken about much among the sailing community: boating fatigue.
Boat life fatigue is real, and taking a land break can be the best way to make sure you are still enjoying the cruising lifestyle the way you intended. It’s a great way to touch base with yourself so that you can genuinely appreciate it and return onboard excited for new adventures.
Living On A Boat Full-Time Is Possible: Meet Erin Carey, Director Of Roam Generation
Erin Carey and her husband, Dave, have gone through it all - and have done it with three sons aboard for the sail. Not only has Erin started her own business while sailing while raising a family, but she and Dave have done it all while crossing the Atlantic (and sailing the rest of the world). From a completely different experience, Erin spoke to us about the significant challenges of sailing a yacht around the world while raising a family and running a business - as well as the risk and reward in the payoff of doing so.
According to Roam Generation, the PR agency stands out from the rest because they 'live the lifestyle they represent,' and this could not be more true. Erin is the embodiment of such a lifestyle; she and her husband set out on their yacht, appropriately named ROAM, sailing over the course of years with their three children. The biggest challenge she says? Undoubtedly, homeschooling.
Homeschool and ensuring the kids are happy is an ongoing challenge for us and will probably be the reason we stop sailing at some stage. We have three sons who are all full of energy and have no interest in sitting down to learn. It is a constant battle to educate them, and we are always worried we are not doing enough or doing it right. To be honest, we are often second-guessing our decision to live on a boat - what if our kids can’t fit back into normal life, what if they are behind if or when they return to school, what if we are causing them to be restless forever? There have been a handful of moments that saw us nearly throw in the towel, but luckily the dark clouds clear and the sun starts shining again, and we remember why we’re out here in the first place - to spend time together while our kids are young, to show them the world and that there is a different way to live other than the rat-race.
Erin firmly believes that the experiences given to her children will help to shape them in the future. "The sights they’re seeing, the people they’re meeting and the lessons their learning will stay with them forever," she says, adding that she hopes being raised to travel will encourage them to be "resilient, driven and open-minded young men."
Finding ways to homeschool three boys on a yacht is an unbelievable challenge in itself, but Erin says that living full-time on a boat, in general, is a "never-ending learning curve." From spending 12 months on yacht without a washing machine to finally cranking on the air conditioning after a whopping three years at sea without it, these typically modern luxuries are a true gift on the water. "As far as sailing goes, although we have sailed over 5000 nautical miles, we still have a lot to learn. We definitely don’t consider ourselves amazing sailors. But the hardest thing for us, ou of absolutely everything, has been homeschooling the kids!" says Erin, and even figuring out a "cheap re-gas" for the onboard air-con is simple compared to that!
Despite Its Challenges, There Are Rewards In The Work
Running a ship can be grueling, especially with a family to look out for during the time at sea. Despite the hard work and exhaustion that often comes with #boatlife, Erin shared with us some truly moving moments from her travels that would change the minds of any anti-boater. Speaking of the people they've met along the way and the cultures they've experienced, she says:
On average, we have spent 2-4 months in approximately 16 countries over the last 4 years. We have met people whose stories have inspired us, people who have become lifelong friends and people who lent a listening ear or offered support at just the right moment. We have been welcomed into the lives and homes of locals, participated in local sports clubs and activities, eaten new and unusual foods and witness how people’s lives can be so different from our own. We have been welcomed aboard peoples boat for dinner only moments after meeting them and arranged impromptu gatherings on the beach with only a couple of hours notice. I think that is something that varies greatly from land life.
The inspiring takeaway from this is a new life entirely; one that's full of meaning, diversity, and, yes, its challenges. However, there are rewards in them, as well, as life is also far more simple when one's world becomes an oyster and the boat, a means of exploring it. "While boat life can be stressful, it’s a different kind of stress out here, it’s life of death stuff, and that makes you really feel alive," says Erin.
Those leading full-time lives on the water are no strangers to the accomplishments it presents, either. First and foremost, Erin's biggest achievement has been crossing the Atlantic - which is a big achievement for anyone, as also stated by Ryan and Sophie. "I will forever be proud of my husband Dave and I for doing that," says Erin, "we left the Caribbean after only 18 months of sailing experience, and we sailed across an entire ocean and arrived in the Azores 17 days later."
However, another one of her greatest accomplishments has little to do with the water, and more to do with the confidence, lifestyle, and obvious strength that sailing has given her. "Another would be the fact that I started a company along the way. I came from a corporate government background, so I didn’t have any experience in running my own business. So to have created a PR agency from scratch in a niche that I am extremely passionate about - travel, leisure, luxury - is something I am very proud of!" Erin says the fact that she has created something that allows her family to sleep in their own beds while traveling the world is an incredible feeling, and states that "you can’t get much better than that!" And we're sure anyone would agree.
Considering #boatlife? Erin Says, "It Doesn't Resemble A Holiday..." And Here's Why
"Don’t embark on boat life if you think it’s going to resemble a holiday, or that life will be easier on a boat. While life might be better some of the time, the rest of the time it is a hell of a lot harder!" Erin said when asked what advice she would give to someone else potentially considering a full-time life on the water. One should make no mistake that a life of sailing is not easy, regardless of the type of boat, experience one might have, or the glamorous life that's often portrayed on social media.
We don’t have a car, so we have to do groceries every couple of days and carry them on foot, we have to make our own water by desalinating it from the ocean, and we also have to make our own electricity from the sun and wind. We don’t have any family support, and although we meet new friends all the time, we often have to say goodbye before too long.
There are good and bad sides to every major life change, and these are some that many people might not consider. While full-time boating brings with it some significant - and, as Erin stated, often life or death - challenges, there are some who embrace it as the norm. "As long as you are aware of all this before you embark on your adventure, and you’re comfortable being uncomfortable, then I think you will be fine. Living on a boat pushes you out of your comfort zone, and while it’s not always comfortable, it’s worth it."
Some may view it as an extreme lifestyle, while others romanticize a life at sea - but one thing is for sure: According to Ryan and Sophie, and Erin and Dave, it will change a person for the better.