In this episode we are going to talk about some of those epic cruising locations that many people dream about; Mexico, Central America and French Polynesia. You will also hear about some of the downsides of cruising, like running aground in El Salvador and having a dinghy stolen right off the boat - and also tips on how to avoid both of these misfortunes! My guests are Sharon and Rico from Gypsea Travellers, who live on their CSY or Caribbean Sailing Yacht sailboat with their two adorable...

This episode is quite the tale of how to lead an adventurous life! We are talking a 4 year circumnavigation on a catamaran, van life from Alaska to Argentina and Europe, exploring Mexico on a monohull and enjoying the Caribbean on a trawler. We talk about all this and also what has made this possible, which happens to be  expertise in stock trading. My guest is Patrick Schulte, who has been writing the Bumfuzzle blog for the better part of 20 years (!) and he also teaches trading to anyone...

Who doesn't want to head out there on the open ocean, cross oceans and be a real bluewater cruiser? Today's episode tells you just how to get started with that dream. Today I’m chatting with Jeremy Wyatt from World Cruising Club, and we dive into all things bluewater cruising and how to prepare for ocean crossings. World Cruising Club is the organization that manages events like the Atlantic Rally For Cruisers, or the Caribbean 1500. I ask Jeremy about these events, how does World Cruising...

Welcome to the 1 year anniversary episode! 🥳 My sincerest thank you to all of you lovely people listening to the podcast. It has been such a great year and I'm so glad the podcast has also grown a community around it! And a special thanks to anyone who has shared the podcast with a friend or on social media, left a review, supported the show on Patreon or sent me messages. Thank you ❤️ In this episode we visit some old friends, as I chat with Darren and Amanda, who were the very first...

In this episode I talk with a couple who wasn't planning on living on a boat, didn't quite even realize that was "a thing". Yet they are now on their second boat, living aboard with their two dogs in Vancouver, BC - how is that even possible! In this episode Jaclyn and Mark from Hard Departure explain how they became accidental liveaboards in Vancouver and how they are adjusting to the lifestyle while working remotely from their boat, doing a bit of boat work here and there, and learning the...

"There is no worse emergency room in the world than a sailboat." A medical emergency at sea is a worst case scenario nobody wants to experience but it's also something everyone should prepare for. Do you know what are some of the most common injuries and accidents that sailors face? Or which first aid kit you should choose for your boat? This week's guest, John Taussig from Maritime Medical Guides answers these questions and more, in this episode where we dive into first aid and emergency...

This week we talk all about liveaboard life at the intersection of sustainability and wanderlust. My guests, George and Sinead from Electric Vagabonds, share their story of transitioning to the liveaboard lifestyle, making the transition to an electric sailboat and off-grid life in England. This couple is chasing the opportunity to travel the world fossil fuel free, and I ask them about their decision to go electric and what their experience has been so far. We also talk about working...

If you have been thinking about learning to sail by doing sailing courses, then you don’t want to miss this episode! I’m talking with someone whose business it is to help others embark on their sailing journeys, and I get to ask questions like how can I prepare for a sailing course and what most students find difficult to learn.  My guest is Tim Geisler from Nautilus Sailing, who shares his story of how he and his wife were faced with adversity and really needed to rethink their life, and...

This week I’m bringing you a true adventure story and a very unique one at that! ⛵️ You will hear what it’s like to go way off the beaten path to the river systems of South America on a small and ultralight sailboat. My guest is Stephen Ladd, the author of a new book, the 5 year voyage - exploring Latin American coasts and rivers. Stephen and his wife started their voyage in Florida, sailed down the coastal areas of Central America, and then went through the middle of South America all the...

Welcome to the 100,000 downloads milestone episode! 🥳 This week we learn about cruising the Intracoastal waterway, or ICW, the inland waterway that goes from New Jersey to Florida. Specifically, we dive into why it’s not just a means to an end but actually a pretty neat way to see the US east coast. My guests are Lucy and Matt from Boat Life Academy, who have done the ICW total of 9 times! We also talk about their rocky start to the liveaboard life and how they eventually ended up loving...

Picture a sailboat against the backdrop of the gorgeous Greek archipelago and you'll get an idea of how everyday life looks like for Emily and Adam from Two Get Lost ⛵️ They were living in the UK until one day something happened that they took as a sign that it's time to stop dreaming and just go. Adam took his job with him and Emily reinvented herself using her professional background as a teacher, and now this couple leads a very different, fulfilled life while cruising in Greece. We...

After 20+ years with the Canadian Forces, Max and Elizabeth Shaw decided to leave their military careers behind and switch things up a bit - by going cruising, of course. They left British Columbia as a family of four and returned 7 years later as a family of five with endless stories from the South Pacific. Max and Elizabeth talk about the beauty of adventuring off the beaten path in the South Pacific and Alaska, the logistics of crossing the Pacific with a 4-month old baby, and more. Now...

Who hasn't dreamt about sailing around the world at some point in time? My guest, Amy Alton from Out Chasing Stars followed that dream and made it a plan, and circumnavigated over 5 years. Amy has also spent a good amount of time in the Bahamas, and we talk about some of the practical aspects of sailing in the Bahamas, like provisioning, Internet and finding shelter. In addition to being a cruiser, Amy is also an author and she writes for sailing magazines as well as a series of romance...

This week it’s time for a deep dive into all things insurance. This episode will cover a high-level overview of the current insurance market, what exactly do insurance companies require from first time boat owners and how do we make ourselves and our boats more insurable.  My guest is John Neal from Mahina Offshore Services, and he reached out to a number of insurance companies in different countries with a list of questions we put together, so the answers are coming straight from the...

Living on a sailboat under the California sun with a comfortable climate and amazing islands to explore nearby sounds phenomenal, and my guests Marissa and Chris from Sailing Avocet admit that the liveaboard life in California is indeed pretty darn nice. However, there are inherent frustrations that come with this lifestyle no matter how nice the setting is, and of course I ask Marissa and Chris to share some of the downsides, too. This episode has great tips for anyone considering the...

This week we go to Hawaii, to see what the liveaboard life is like in a place that many think as paradise - turns out, living on a sailboat in Hawaii is not as dreamy as you might think! Larissa and Tim from Sailboat Kolea are two adventurous free spirits, who sail the islands of Hawaii with their two ducks, and in this episode they share their experiences with all the ups and downs that comes with living in a paradise (on a sailboat ⛵️) Links mentioned in this episode ⬇️  📸 Larissa on...

How did a three-year sailing trip turn into a 12-year circumnavigation? David Haigh left on his sailing trip after retiring from his job at a university, and sailed around the world and in some unusual places like the great European rivers, and to St Petersburg in Russia - and by the way there's a cautionary tale attached to this story! David shares great advice about choosing crew onboard and he talks about the importance of understanding that the cruising lifestyle is not just about...

Wouldn't it be wise and fun to learn the cruising lifestyle before you spend a very large sum of money on your own boat? This is exactly what Sarah Fingarson and Andrew Hosford did. In this interview, they share their approach to the liveaboard life, and what they have learned so far - and what they'll look out for in their own boat. You'll also learn what got this young photographer couple (and their dog!) into pursuing the cruising lifestyle in the first place. Links mentioned in this...

After well over a decade of sailing, what are the highlights of the cruising life? What is Mexico like as a liveaboard destination? What are some of the common boat shopping mistakes to avoid? I had A LOT of questions for Behan and Jamie from Sailing Totem, and they had all the answers. One of their key messages is that the sailing dream is achievable, and thankfully Behan and Jamie are here to tell you how to get started. And by the way, if you hear some cat meowing and background noise...

This week I’ll take you to Australia, to hear about the liveaboard life on a small catamaran, starting with absolutely no sailing experience and learning on the go.  My guests are Kyle and Hayley from Sailing Eden, and you might know them as the brains and creative minds behind the Wholesome Sailors community. We had a lovely chat about what drew this couple to a life on the ocean, what they do for a living and we talk about what it means to live consciously as a liveaboard sailor. Links...

Three generations, two boats and one dream - now this is a winning combination! This is the approach the crew of Cruising Meraki has taken to the liveaboard life, and their crew consists of two kids, two adults and two older adults, also known as the grandparents. This adventurous group started their adventure from Victoria, BC and is making their way south to warmer waters and new adventures. What is it like to cruise as a family, on one boat or two? Whose idea was this, anyway? Listen to...

Season #3 is here! Let's kick off this season by looking at what's new for the podcast, and I also share a bit of a life update, too. Links mentioned in this episode ⬇️  🖥 Liveaboard Sailing Podcast website 🎥 Liveaboard Sailing Podcast on Youtube ❗️Liveaboard Sailing Podcast on Patreon 🟡 Let's be social! Come find me and fellow listeners on Instagram or Facebook, and let's keep the conversation going. You'll find me there as Liveaboard Sailing Podcast. 🎵 Theme music by: Ikson -...

This episode is a non-interview episode, where I, Annika, wrap up the highlights and key take-aways from season #2 interviews. And what a great season it has been! ⭐️ Lots of lessons were learned and entertaining stories were heard this season, and it has been my pleasure to share them with you all. My genuine thanks to everyone who has been tuning in this season. The podcast will take a short break over the holidays, but season #3 will resume on January 5th, 2022, with new and exciting...

Boat shopping in the Caribbean sounds like a dream but as today's episode will reveal, it's not exactly straight-forward. My guests, Brioni and Iain from Red Seas, share their wild adventure of hunting for the perfect boat, with plenty of tips and advice. We also talk about how they got involved with Watts on Water and participated in disaster relief after the volcano eruption in St Vincent and the Grenadines. This episode is full of laughter and deep conversations, and it ends with an...

Buying a sailboat far from home is something that many of us may have considered, especially if the goal is to start sailing somewhere different or if there are more sailboats with better price points elsewhere. Today's guests, Patricia and David from Sailing Milagros, are from Switzerland and they went all the way to Mexico to buy their sailboat. They are now in the middle of refitting the boat and getting her ready for sailing adventures. Patricia and David share some of the challenges...