How to maintain your sanity when you live on a boat

OK guys, this is a long video, but a fun and helpful one, I think!

If you wonder why I feel the need to talk about how to stay sane while sailing around the world, you probably bought into the dream many YouTube sailing channels sell. Easy mistake.

You see, while it’s fun to pick up the camera when everything goes well, it’s not easy to do it when you feel like absolute garbage. Plus videos showing people in bikinis having a good time get more views, likes and subscribers, of course. That’s why most of the content on YouTube is escapist in nature. There’s little reality featured in it.

The truth is that sailing the world is the best thing ever, but it comes at a big cost.

It’s a high-risk, high-reward situation.

You need to be always on to manage power and water or respond to a wind gust, for example. So, in the long run, you experience travel fatigue - especially if you decide to spend 12 months a year on your sailboat. Plus hanging out 24/7 with your spouse in a tiny space is challenging for anyone.

My two friends (and prominent cruisers) Behan and Nica asked me to participate in their workshop at the Annapolis Boat Show in 2022…

If you don’t know them, Behan Gifford and Nica Waters spearhead “She’s A Cruiser”, the women-only part of the Annapolis Boat Show's Cruisers University. It’s a seminar for women who aspire to become cruisers, so they can gain knowledge and confidence before leaving the dock.

Last year I delivered a presentation about maintaining your sanity when you live on a boat with your partner. It must have struck a cord because I was invited to give the same presentation this year. 

So in this video I share the main concepts I shared in my Powerpoint presentation, which I delivered at the Annapolis Boat Show in the fall. I have included some pie charts and XY tables, so you can learn all the complicated science behind my approach. But don’t worry, I keep it light and entertaining, as always.

I think anyone who wants a reality-check before setting sail can benefit from watching this video.

By the way, if you’re preparing to set off to sail around the world, Ryan and I created a course to help you get started. It’s here.

Until next time!