sailing vagabonde catamaran

Sailing La Vagabonde: Net Worth, Boat, Crew and Elayna’s Income (2024)

Everything you always wanted to know.

Joshua Smith

Founder and Editor at Cruising Freedom

This is the definitive guide to Sailing La Vagabonde for 2024.

Over the last 6 years, my Youtube stats tell me that I have spent around 170 hours watching and researching everything I could about La Vagabonde because I adore their channel. 😎

Being obsessed, I’ve watched almost EVERY episode to date!

If you wanted to know:

➔ How Sailing La Vagabonde afforded all their boats

➔ How much they make on YouTube today

➔ What boat they have now and its upgrades

➔ How you can start crossing oceans

Then you’ve definitely come to the right place.

Think of this like a wiki for Sailing La Vagabonde.

Before we start, a quick introduction from me…

The Cruising Freedom Author

Ahoy, Matey! I’m Joshua from Australia.

I’ve built the perfect business to sail the world.

A business model which can allow me to:

➜ Own a catamaran debt-free

➜ Go for weeks without WIFI

➜ Create semi-passive income

➜ Inspire others to dream big

But more on that later… 🙂

La Vagabonde FAQs (2024)

La Vagabonde

Crew Members

Riley Whitelum (age 37) from Kimba, South Australia.

Elayna Carausu (age 34) from Perth, Western Australia.

Lenny Whitelum (age 3) who is now actively talking and swimming all by himself.

Elayna gave birth to their 2nd child, Darwin, in 2021, who is now almost 2 years old!

Riley and Elayna are NOT married, nor has Riley ever proposed to Elayna. They remain in a de facto relationship.

If you’re wondering if Elayna Carausu from Sailing La Vagabonde had breast enhancement surgery (fake breasts), then the answer is YES.

Riley actually confirmed it on a recent episode. He also appears to be juicing… 😲

Because, you know, they have to keep up…appearances…

Sailing La Vagabonde’s current catamaran is a 2022 Rapido Trimaran 60 with an owner’s cabin in the starboard hull.

This is designed for serious performance and sailing beyond the wind speed.

Some say this boat isn’t ideal for family cruising with very young children, and I tend to agree.

Sailing La Vagabonde’s previous catamaran was a 2017 Outremer 45 with an owner’s cabin in the starboard hull.

Previously to this, they owned a monohull which was a 2007 Beneteau Cyclades 43. This is the original ‘La Vagabonde’, a yacht that was designed for the charter market without a dedicated owner’s cabin.

They had planned to sell the Outremer but decided against it:

In short: They’re creating Vagabonde Adventures which will become a boat charter company where you can learn to sail on their very own catamaran.

Their friend Jack, a sailing instructor, will run the business so Riley and Elayna can continue sailing as a family.

More info at: VagabondeAdventures.com

A very wise choice I must say! They will still buy the Rapido 60 for themselves.

Before taking ownership, Outremer had spec’d the 45 at the factory in France with:

➔ Code D and Code Zero lightwind sails (the code D is Elayna’s favorite sail)

➔ Two upright 12v fridges in the galley

➔ Retractable daggerboards (a rather expensive optional upgrade, yet highly recommended)

➔ Twin 215hp diesel inboard motors

Meanwhile, Riley and Elayna have added:

➔ Fortress Spade Anchor (they use it as a spare)

➔ 560watts of solar panels on the bimini

➔ Dessalator Freedom Cruise Water Maker

➔ Watt And Sea Hydro Generator

➔ Inflatable tender called Cunningham II with 15hp Honda outboard. Their first tender mysteriously disappeared 5 years ago as it was being towed while sailing. (Whoops!)

Riley and Elayna are currently in Vietnam to assist in building their trimaran. It’s likely that they’ll spend a few months here before it’s launched.

Past Cruising

In prior years, Riley and Elayna have sailed extensively to:

➔ The Mediterranean

➔ The Bahamas

➔ United States of America

➔ The Azores

➔ Cape Verde

➔ Australia (Riley sailed as a crew of a racing team)

➔ British Virgin Islands

➔ Venezuela

➔ Panama Canal

➔ French Polynesia

➔ New Zealand (friends boat)

➔ Gibraltar

Affording It

They didn’t start out with an epic lifestyle and the freedom to live their dreams.

Riley worked for 4 years in the mining industry in South Australia (just like me!) and he saved $100,000, earning *just* enough to purchase his monohull before meeting Elayna.

Once their channel blew up, they were approached by various boat manufacturers, ultimately settling with Outremer.

The purchase of La Vagabonde II didn’t cost them $1,200,000 USD (the retail price of La Vagabonde’s Outremer 45), and instead, was based off their audience size and Outremer’s potential for marketing reach similar to a sponsorship deal.

(And if you’re wondering, I’ll be buying either a Seawind or an Outremer myself)

The La Vagabonde II catamaran itself, just like the original monohull, is legally owned by Riley and Elayna. Outremer simply assisted with the loan on the catamaran.

Outremer has never given a free boat to Riley and Elayna. This is the biggest false rumor on the internet which continues to haunt the couple to this day.

YouTubers are wealthier than we imagine, and after watching Riley and Elayna for many years, the following is my best estimation…

Right now in 2024, Sailing La Vagabonde has a net worth of $6,700,000 USD. This is based on the value of their two boats, online business and personal investments.

They have also saved around 85% of their income over the last 6 years.

Making Loot

In 2024, Sailing La Vagabonde makes money through:

➔ YouTube advertising revenue

➔ Amazon affiliate links

➔ Official La Vagabonde merch

➔ Elayna’s songs and CDs

➔ Their thousands of Patreons

➔ Brand sponsorship with Audible

So it’s clear that cruising YouTubers know how to monetize their audience well.

It’s estimated that Riley and Elayna make $27,000 per month in US dollars, or $8,200 per episode published . However, earning that much money requires 30 to 50 hours of editing to eventually publish one polished YouTube video.

Elayna recently created Vaga Bella Swim™︎ – a 100% recycled swimwear company that is definitely worth checking out.

Collaborations

Sailing La Vagabonde has collaborated with the following YouTubers:

➔ Adam Stern from Free Diving Family who held the Australian record for freediving

➔ Yosha, a previous crewmate of SV Delos , also stayed on board several years ago

➔ Eamon & Bec who usually do Van Life.

➔ Lost Leblanc who is a very popular travel vlogger

After all these years, I’m still waiting for a collaboration with SV Delos . 😃

Big Moments

Memorable moments in the Sailing La Vagabonde journey include:

➔ Being chased by a powerboat late at night during a potential pirate attack. This was on the original Beneteau. While Elayna hid in the aft cabin, Riley avoided the attack by throwing cans of tin food. Surprisingly (and fortunately) the strategy worked.

➔ Lenny having stopped breathing and being rushed to hospital.

➔ Sailing 22 knots in high winds without putting a reef in the main, causing Elayna to panic and the YouTube community to voice their concerns.

➔ Sailing Greta Thunberg across the North Atlantic with Lenny in tow.

➔ Freediving in the deepest hole in the world where Adam was featured.

In recent episodes, both Riley and Elayna have really struggled to manage 2 young children AND all the work that’s necessary on a boat.

Future Plans

With their Outremer 45 being listed for sale, Riley and Elayna are now working on building their 3rd boat, a Rapido 60, announced in June, 2021. It should be ready in a few months.

Interestingly, despite the growing family, they have chosen a boat with orientation for speed over comfort.

As mentioned previously, I disagree that this is the right boat for their growing family and many within the cruising community agree with my stance.

Key Takeaways

We can learn from Riley and Elayna that:

➔ Cruising isn’t always moonshine and sunsets

➔ Men and women play an equal role on board

➔ Much of the world is actually a safe place

➔ Raising children on sailboards is trending

➔ Always speak the truth, even when it’s hard

➔ You only live once, so make life happen

Riley and Elayna are authentic yet polished influencers of the sailing world. Some would say modern-day sea gypsies!

Fun fact: They even have their own Subreddit !

We see Riley and Elayna’s epic lifestyle today but we don’t see the consistent work over multiple years prior.

Getting here and finally living #boatlife certainly wasn’t an easy process, but through their commitment, but we can clearly see it’s been well worth it.

Create Your Own Cruising Freedom

Hey! 😃 it’s Joshua again…

I’ve been very inspired by [Channel Name] and their travels…

Some say I’m obsessed, but sailing the world is my childhood dream.

They’re living the dream, but that dream isn’t actually that far away.

I mentioned earlier about discovering the #1 cruising business model.

With this exciting opportunity, I’ll be able to:

➜ Generate a sustainable full-time income through learning basic skills

➜ Fund the purchase of my first sailing catamaran without any loans

➜ Do it without selling to friends and family (I found a better solution!)

➜ Share my lifetime passion for sailing, cruising and global adventures

Keen to discover more? Jump on the free training right now. 👨🏻‍💻

(I share more about it on the next page…🙂)

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Sailing La Vagabonde: Navigating Life’s Ever-changing Seas

By: Zeke Quezada, ASA Cruising Tips , online course , Sailing Story , Schools , women on the water

Elayna and Riley can be found sailing across your screen on the internet . They are living the life that so many sailors aspire to. They set out on a journey to live life on a sailboat and travel the world. Drop everything, start a new life, and call the ocean your neighborhood and a boat your home. The dream is attainable, and the goal is simply a few decisions away.  

How we move from part-time sailor to full-time cruiser might seem like a giant leap, but consider a career change or a move to a new city. Essentially, life decisions are large events in our lives. American Sailing spoke to Sailing La Vagabonde about their career arc leading up to their upcoming online class, From Zero to Full-Time Cruiser , where for the first time they will turn their  SLV Essential Sail Guide  into a class format with a live Q&A in partnership with American Sailing.

Sailing La Vagabonde with Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu

Sailing is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s a way of life that allows adventurers to traverse the world’s oceans, embracing challenges and finding beauty in the journey. No one embodies this spirit quite like the crew of Sailing La Vagabonde. With over 1.8M YouTube subscribers, they’ve become a sensation that has taken the world on a captivating voyage across the seas.

“With so many years and experience in the sailing lifestyle, how have you evolved? As people? As sailors? As a family?” The response from Riley Whitelum, the charismatic captain of the vessel, hints at the profound transformation they’ve undergone. Their voyage is a story of evolution—a tale of sailing, growth, and the bond of family. “This would honestly take an entire book to unpack, but briefly, we have been through several evolutions.”  From militant vegans to quasi-antisocial sailors to becoming parents while living aboard, they have evolved to a place where they can deal with most of life’s struggles even from the deck of their new trimaran.

Life Aboard

Imagine a daily routine where you rise and fall with the sun, where the sky above is your constant companion, and the vast expanse of the sea stretches endlessly in all directions. Life aboard Sailing La Vagabonde offers a unique blend of adventure and discipline. Elayna reflects on their daily life: “We eat healthier on the boat and move more day to day. We are more in touch with nature as we rise with the sun and go down with the sun.”

However, life at sea isn’t just about leisurely sunsets and tranquil moments. The crew’s days are filled with work, from filming their adventures to editing content and attending to business calls. It’s a life that demands both passion and dedication, and they have it in abundance. As Riley notes, “Having that drive and people relying on you is good most of the time.”

Challenges of the Open Ocean

The allure of sailing to far-flung destinations is undeniable, but it comes with its share of trials. Elayna opens up about one of her most challenging aspects: sleepless nights on rough seas. The “donkey slaps,” the grinding of winches, and the relentless rocking of the boat during night passages can leave even the most experienced sailors tossing and turning. Yet, it’s a challenge they’ve learned to face head-on, knowing that endurance brings its rewards.

Amidst the vast canvas of the open ocean, there are destinations that capture their hearts. For Riley, the Bahamas stands out as a place of extraordinary beauty and significance. It’s a locale where he honed his spearfishing skills and formed a deep connection with the sea. It’s a spot their son Lenny has essentially called home. The Bahamas represents the essence of their adventures—a place where isolation is outweighed by awe-inspiring landscapes.

In the world of sailing, self-sufficiency is essential. Riley has mastered the art of handling maintenance and repairs in remote locations, prioritizing mission-critical tasks and displaying patience when necessary. “You are fairly motivated to fix the engine or stop the boat from sinking if that is what is occurring.”  When faced with adversity, the crew’s unwavering determination to keep their vessel afloat is a testament to their resilience. 

Setting Sail

Before embarking on long ocean passages, meticulous preparations are a must. Riley emphasizes the importance of having a well-thought-out plan and fostering a positive crew dynamic. It’s not just about the technicalities; it’s about creating an environment where every crew member feels valued and empowered to contribute, ensuring a safe and smooth journey. Riley shares, “People often tend to forget to have a good attitude, a warm smile, and instill respect in your crew. I still do occasionally. If you create an atmosphere where people feel comfortable and able to show initiative, you’ll have a much better crossing.”

Life on a sailboat means living within the confines of limited space. To maximize comfort and functionality, they’ve adopted a minimalist approach. Everything has its place, and items not used in over six months find new homes. This deliberate simplification allows them to focus on the essentials and savor the beauty of their surroundings.

Mental Health Matters

The open sea can be both awe-inspiring and isolating, which underscores the significance of mental health. Riley acknowledges that mental well-being is paramount for sailors. “We did a safety at sea course and were informed, retrospectively unsurprisingly, that mental health is the number one safety hazard for a cruising sailor. Humans crave community, and we are social beings. I think that much of the glorification of single-handed sailors or vaguely misanthropic people living only remote and avoiding people has been a little detrimental for the sailing culture and milieu.” While some might romanticize solitude, the crew of Sailing La Vagabonde recognizes the importance of community, exercise, meditation, and therapy in maintaining their mental health. Their commitment to each other’s well-being is a pillar of their journey.

A New Adventure Beckons

A new vessel awaits them—a 60-foot, 90% carbon marvel that promises to redefine their adventures. Riley’s excitement is palpable, describing it as “ridiculous” and “vaguely arousing.” This vessel will not only offer exhilarating speed but also enhance their safety in challenging conditions—a development that has them eager to push the boundaries of exploration. When asked about the new boat Riley’s personality shines through, 

“Dude. Come on. It’s ridiculous. It’s 60 ft long, 90% carbon, and will sail circles around anything in the water. It’s funky mustard with a carbon-rotating mast, and if I’m honest, it’s vaguely arousing just thinking about it. It’ll sail at 1.3 times the speed of the wind, which is seriously cooking and like seriously, most people don’t understand how fun that is, but also the safety factor when faced with a difficult forecast. This is unproven at the moment, but I think she’ll be about 2x the speed of the Outremer on most points of sail, so if there is an area of the ocean that is going to be unpleasant or dangerous in the next 2 days you can REALLY make sure you aren’t going to be there. That is a MASSIVE safety boon. Doing 15 knots in 12 knots of breeze in a flat ocean is not something that will get old. It just won’t. It will accelerate my learning as well, which is almost the most exciting thing, but no I think it’s the flat ocean 15 knots thing!”

Charting the Future

The journey of Sailing La Vagabonde has evolved over the years, reflecting a shift towards mindful exploration. They’ve decided to slow down, focusing on creating content they are passionate about. Their diversification into American Sailing School Vagabonde Adventures, Elayna’s book publication, and the development of an app with the YCA demonstrate their commitment to offering more to their community.

In the world of Sailing La Vagabonde, each day is a new adventure, a new opportunity to discover the beauty of the open sea and the depths of human resilience. Their story is a reminder that life’s true treasures lie not in the destinations reached but in the journey itself. It’s a tale of evolution, passion, and a family’s enduring love for the sea—a story that continues to captivate the hearts of adventurers worldwide.

Register now to hang out with Riley and Elayna and hear their tales first-hand, and perhaps set that spark ablaze in your own soul to venture out in to the great blue wonder that is the world’s ocean.

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The inside story of Greta Thunberg’s upwind Atlantic crossing on La Vagabonde

• February 13, 2020

To sail climate activist Greta Thunberg across the Atlantic – eastbound – aboard La Vagabonde was the voyage of a lifetime for skipper Nikki Henderson. She shares the inside story

Photos: Elayna Carausu / Nikki Henderson

The sea was ominously flat. Not that I could see it – except during those electric illuminations – and I wasn’t sure how windy it was. We had isolated the batteries and switched off power to the boat in case of an electrical strike , so the anemometer screen was blank, along with the rest of our instruments, but I judged it was blowing 40 or 45 knots.

Then the rain started. It was torrential; driving horizontally but also sliding off the sail above me, and blinding me. The light of my head torch was the only visual thing keeping the boat going in the right direction as I intermittently shone it down at my feet to where the compass was located. “Riley, let’s furl – now.” I paused for what felt like a few minutes, but was more likely a few seconds, “Like NOW, now!”

The crew had to contend with serious North Atlantic seas… but did enjoy some fast boatspeeds

It was that feeling where the wind increases, and you know it’s stronger than you have felt all night. I could feel nature’s pressure on the back of my legs, and the wind must have been in the high 40 knots, maybe even 50. The boat was flying. Another flash came, lighting up the sky just long enough for me to see the towers of water surging up either side of us as we carved through the water.

“This is ****ing amazing! This boat flies. We must have hit 20 knots,” I screamed at Riley, as shouting was the only way he could possibly hear me. He ran forward and furled the headsail. The furling line had broken earlier that day, and we had tied it together temporarily meaning Riley could only furl by pulling the line right at the drum and tying it to the bow cleat. We both regretted not fixing that line earlier in the day.

When he came back to the cockpit the wind was already subsiding and the rain had stopped. I was on a total high, ready to increase canvas again. “Make that call earlier next time, Nik,” he said. I felt put out, and must have showed it. “Nik, my kid is down there.” I thought of baby Lenny, and Greta. It was one of the most grounding moments of my life. When I had first discussed this trip with Riley I had described it as “bigger than any of us.” Those words suddenly felt very, very real.

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How did we get here?

In the autumn of 2019, Greta Thunberg, 16, and currently the most famous teenager in the world, was in the United States, having sailed across the Atlantic on the IMOCA 60 Malizia for the UN Climate Action Summit. She planned to travel on to Chile for the 2019 meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, known as COP25.

But civil unrest in the country meant the event moved at short notice: back to Europe. Thunberg was looking for a solution that didn’t involve an aeroplane. On 1 November 2019 Thunberg sent out a tweet from Los Angeles: “As COP25 has officially been moved from Santiago to Madrid I’ll need some help… to find a way to cross the Atlantic in November.”

Thirteen days later she left Virginia, USA, on La Vagabonde . This 48ft Outremer performance cruising catamaran is a liveaboard yacht owned by Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu, creators of the La Vagabonde YouTube channel . Along with their 11-month-old son Lenny, they came to the rescue. “I hear a certain young girl needs a ride across the Atlantic,” was Whitelum’s typically laid-back offer.

Appreciating the risks associated with the North Atlantic, and their precious cargo of baby Lenny, and 2019 Time’s Person of the Year Greta Thunberg, the couple contacted professional sailors in search of someone to bolster the crew.

“Nikki, meet Greta” read the message on the group chat that was started late in the evening on Thursday 7 November. We talked and talked, and two days after that first text I met Greta for real. We arranged to meet outside Norfolk, VA airport, next to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s electric car. The Governator had lent Greta and her father, Svante, his car as a green method of transportation while on their US tour.

In my bag were three sets of foul weather gear to share around, a drysuit, a medical kit, a paper chart portfolio, a handheld GPS and minimal personal belongings. Six strangers came together, prepared a yacht for a 3,000-mile ocean passage, informed the world’s media of our plan and swiftly set sail. It felt like we were trying to prove the impossible possible.

Social experiment

Preparing for an ocean voyage is always stressful. Going to sea is always a challenge. Sailing with strangers is always a bit of a voyage into the unknown. This trip was like some epic social experiment: two Swedes, two Australians, one baby, and a Brit. Two fathers, one daughter, a mother and baby, a captain: and a skipper. A climate activist, an ex-rigger, a semi-retired actor, a team boss, social media influencers, introverts and extroverts, leaders and followers.

Skipper Nikki and Greta, Time Person of the Year 2019

We were united by one steadfast purpose; to cross 3,000 miles of North Atlantic ocean, and one deadline; Greta was due to speak at the COP25, so we had four weeks to compete the voyage. We were motivated by more fluid incentives. Greta to continue raising awareness about the climate emergency, Svante to support and protect his daughter, Riley and Elayna to support the climate movement, experience an adventure and capture it on videos. Lenny had no choice.

As for myself? I wrote down my thoughts at the time: “It was one of those moments in life that takes you by surprise. Where you have to look inside your heart to think what is right.

“To get to know the person behind the shell, the voice that the world is listening to, is such an opportunity. To have the chance to help her on her journey is remarkable. The greatest opportunity is spiritual: I will get to know someone who will inspire me.”

Heading west to east across the North Atlantic in November on a sailboat is not a recommended place to be. Even the pharmacist in Virginia commented on it while he was helping me find ear ointment that was suitable for a baby. “Conditions this year aren’t great, you know. You make sure you check the weather now…”

He had the right idea. In the winter, statistically there is a high risk of severe depressions or tropical storms. These strong fronts can pack quite a punch in wind speeds and sea state.

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Conflicting aims
• 3. Greta at sea

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Sailing La Vagabonde

Today's most famous sailors have little in common with a quiet man like Eric Tabarly or a scholarly writer like Joshua Slocum... Riley Whitelum, Elayna Carausu and their son Lenny sail, and they look good: they have a whopping 1.59 million subscribers to their YouTube channel (Sailing La Vagabonde) and have become serious pros at video and social media communications.

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Sailing La Vagabonde: A cruising life on You Tube

• Will Bruton
• June 26, 2020

Riley and Elayna from Sailing La Vagabonde make a living cruising the world and capturing it on film for their 1.43 million subscribers

Elayna and Riley live aboard their Outremer 45 cat. With more than 1.4m subscribers to their You Tube channel, they have a reliable income stream to keep sailing. Credit: Robin Christol

Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu from Sailing La Vagabonde have achieved the dream of many liveaboard cruisers twice their age – their yacht of choice
 and a reliable income stream to keep sailing.

The couple run one of the most popular YouTube cruising channels Sailing La Vagabonde, and now command millions of views with each new post . 

‘Riley had bought a new camera, which he wasn’t using much, so I picked it up and started filming short bits of video. After
 a while, I edited the footage into a story.
 It was a few minutes long and nothing complicated; just us, and a snapshot of the life we were living afloat. That’s how Sailing La Vagabonde started,’ explained Elayna when asked how their global phenomenon first started.

That first venture into video blogging, or ‘vlogging’, out of focus in places, can still be seen on their channel.

Video number one features a tour of their first yacht – a far cry from their Outremer 45 catamaran they now sail.

Riley and Elayna secured the deal for their Outremer in less than three years after their first video. Credit: Robin Christol

‘She was a tired Beneteau Cyclades that I bought off three arguing Italians,’ explains Riley wistfully.

The footage is an insight into what budget cruising has to offer when you’re happy to learn as you go along.

They lose 
their tender, run La Vagabonde aground, then celebrate floating free again with a bottle of local wine and sunset at anchor.

The growth of Sailing La Vagabonde

Watch a few more episodes and a distinctive style to the filmmaking emerges.

Each demonstrates the mechanism
 a yacht provides to see the world from an alternative 
perspective.

The Outremer can be steered from both tillers on each hull and a console-mounted wheel. Credit: Robin Christol

10 to 20 minutes of high-definition escapism that compels viewers
 to click subscribe, whether they sail or
 not.

Whilst the latest incarnations are slick productions, sporting drone footage and filmed on more expensive camera equipment, a theme of raw discovery under sail runs through the channel.

Establishing the impact of Sailing La Vagabonde outside 
the internet is easier than you might think.

Not long ago, I received an email from a charter guest on yacht I used to skipper.

A non-sailor, he is in his early 40s and working in finance.

He got straight to the point. ‘I’ve watched too many of these SLV [ Sailing La Vagabonde ] YouTube videos and decided
 I want to buy a boat, learn to sail and take a few years out.’

He is, rather brilliantly, quite serious.

YouTube channels 
have stimulated this life-changing call to action and the
 decision not to defer the adventure until retirement.

Posing 
the question, how many others have taken action on their escapist sailing dreams after watching something on YouTube?

Power couple

I meet Riley and Elayna from Sailing La Vagabonde at the home of Outremer, La Grande Motte, on the south coast of France in towards the end of 2017.

They were preparing to head across the Atlantic via the Canaries, following a shakedown cruise that’s taken in much of the Western Mediterranean.

It’s the start of a 10,000nm circuit that will take them to Cuba and the east coast of America, then back across the Atlantic to Svalbard in the Arctic Circle, a relentless timetable that
 their extremely fast boat helps them achieve.

La Vagabonde is built for fast, lightweight cruising. Credit: Sailing La Vagabonde

‘We wanted a serious challenge, and high-latitude sailing is just that. It would be all too easy to get back on the tradewind circuit and stay warm,’ explains Elayna.

Fitting a heating system is next on the couple’s works list,
 whilst Riley is reading up on expeditions
 that have gone before them.

Touching on the subject of ambitious plans is revealing.

Both undeniably good looking, with youth on their side, the sundrenched
 view from La Vagabonde they publish online is tonic for time-poor landlubbers whether they sail or not.

Behind the scenes, though, are the challenges of sailing and maintaining a yacht,
 a relationship (and in March 2019 their first son, Lennon), and what is undoubtedly a growing business.

Both are candid about the realities of sharing their lives with 
a global audience.

Riley uses a drone for aerial shots. Credit: Sailing La Vagabonde

‘It can be hard to balance what we should
 and shouldn’t include,’ explains Riley.

‘In fact, we made an episode about it. Naturally, we focus on the positive experiences, but the various injuries and mishaps are very much part of the story too.’

Criticism from viewers is something the couple have got used to.

A scroll through popular sailing forums reveals multiple theories on ‘the bank of mum and dad’ that’s paying
 for their adventure.

Humble beginnings and running the project on the most meagre of budgets to begin with has fostered
 a resourceful approach that most cruisers would identify with.

Perhaps what differentiates the couple from the average liveaboard though, is how they have capitalised on the power of the internet and their audience to imbibe as much sailing wisdom as possible.

The Outremer offers enough space for comfortable living afloat. Credit: Robin Christol

‘Some viewers are very experienced
 sailors and, as with the cruising community afloat, they
 are really generous with their knowledge. It’s just incredibly positive, and we’ve found that being younger than most people cruising long term is largely an irrelevance,’ explains Riley.

By far the biggest question surrounding the La Vagabonde project is, just how did they get that boat?

Approaching the
 dock, they are an unusually youthful sight. Elayna takes the helm.

On the morning I meet them, a dumbfounded audience of French fisherman sit on the harbour wall as she deftly manoeuvres the 45ft catamaran between two pile moorings.

Riley handles the fenders and lines, jumping from hull to hull across the catamaran’s trampoline.

‘It’s a system Outremer suggests couples use when mooring double handed and plays to our respective strengths. We are certainly still learning, but we have mooring figured out pretty well. Having two engines takes a bit of getting used to.’

Joining us on board on an almost windless Sunday morning
 is Matthieu Rougevin-Baville, commercial director for Outremer and the man behind the deal between the unconventional French boatbuilder and La Vagabonde .

He arrives at speed
 on his motorised unicycle.

Riley and Elayna began their You Tube channel five years ago. Credit: Robin Christol

The friendship formed between
 the couple and this fount of multihull wisdom quickly 
becomes clear.

Matthieu is an enthusiast for all things 
 La Vagabonde , and the power of video to sell the possibility of the lightweight Outremer concept to an unlikely audience.

‘Initially, I had the idea that we could perhaps lend an Outremer to someone for a year as part of a big competition. This was quite a few years ago. On its own, there wasn’t really a business case for it, so I struggled to convince anyone that it would have longevity,’ explains Matthieu.

‘However, as sailing vlogs got bigger, a new possibility emerged quicker than anyone else was reacting to. Riley got in touch at just the
 right time, and I’m really glad he did!’ he adds.

Continues below…

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Riley vividly recounts first setting eyes on an Outremer in Venezuela.

‘Everything we’d learned about sailing we’d picked
up on the Beneteau. But we’d also been invited aboard lots
 of yachts, big and small, in different parts of the world.

‘We’d learned what we liked and what we didn’t. The possibility 
of speed a multi-hull offered combined with the space and liveability appealed a lot. It just looked right the first time I saw one,’ explains Riley.

‘I went by her very slow in the dinghy and hung around, quietly hoping I’d be invited aboard!’ he adds.

Riley initially contacted Outremer asking for more details about their range before the boatbuilder came back with a deal. Credit: Robin Christol

He was, and announced to Elayna that he was going to email Outremer ‘just to find out more.’

It was the message that Matthieu had been waiting for.

‘Their following online was growing, along with their fan base, but making that as a case 
for a business decision was still difficult. How could we justify
 it? With an open mind, I invited them both to the Outremer Cup, our annual owners’ regatta, where the reality of just what they were doing became much clearer.

‘Perhaps naïvely, I’d thought they were just two kids that had done remarkably well on YouTube and were getting by financially in the background. We offered them the use of the Outremer for a year and, much to my surprise, they immediately said no. They wanted a deal that would last much longer. When it became clear they could afford a lease, we worked on a deal that worked for all of us.’

What emerged from that weekend at the Outremer Cup was a platform to continue the La Vagabonde project for the following 10 years, with the option to purchase the yacht at the end – all less than three years after their first video was posted online.

Making the videos for Sailing La Vagabonde

Stepping on board the new La Vagabonde , it is immediately clear how the yacht serves not only as their home and transport, but also as a film production tool.

Around the cockpit, additional rails are mounted for GoPro cameras, along with 12V outlets 
to power them.

In the saloon, Elayna has recording equipment set up to add voiceovers to footage, whilst on the wall an award from YouTube for achieving over 100,000 subscribers takes pride of place.

Elayna, who does the majority of the editing, is clearly serious about producing great videos.

‘When I’m working, I’m working; it takes total focus to do this thing well. I’d say the average video is four days’ solid work in front of the laptop and more when we’re trying something new or introducing a new way of filming.

‘Being on a catamaran comes into its own there as well – we are more productive on passage than we were on the old boat, mainly because we don’t heel over!’

The project’s continued success is helped by ‘patrons’, fans of the channel that sponsor each video they publish.

Elayna edits the majority of the couple’s popular You Tube videos. Credit: Sailing La Vagabonde

They do this via the website Patreon, a platform to support independent content producers.

It is linked to Sailing La Vagabonde ’s YouTube channel and patrons pledge a certain amount per video, in a few cases donating in excess of £200 per episode.

In total, they currently earn over $9,000 US per video.

In exchange, the patrons get exclusive access; extra video content and invites to supporters’ meet-ups on board La Vagabonde .

One hull of the boat is dedicated to guest accommodation and frequent draws are held for patrons to go sailing for a week.

‘The support we have never ceases to amaze me,’ explains Riley. ‘It’s quite varied, from those that think it’s just brilliant entertainment, to older couples that love to sail with us vicariously.

‘The meet-ups are the best bit. Always just a great bunch of positive people from all walks of life.’

Heading out to sea, it’s easy to see why they are both so smitten with the Outremer.

The downwind sails are brought 
up on to the trampoline and within five minutes, we are cruising very comfortably downwind, achieving 5 knots over the ground in just over 5 knots of true wind.

To even the most hardened monohull sailor, the Outremer presents a wonderful prospect in conditions that would usually mean motoring.

Elayna was working for a travel company in Greece when she met Riley and began their sailing adventures together. Credit: Robin Christol

We have lunch in the saloon, which makes clear how they 
sail, edit video and live on board all year round.

It’s comfortable and the Outremer can be genuinely docile or extreme depending on your mood.

Riley and Matthieu launch a drone as another Outremer joins us for an informal race while the autopilot holds us on course.

But what about the long term? Do they plan to keep on doing this forever?

I’m not surprised by their answer. ‘We’re always talking about what’s next. There is so much more sailing to do, but we’ve learned that there is nothing wrong with thinking big in terms of planning future projects. Keep watching and you’ll find out!’

Film your own adventure

Digby Fox has been a live producer of the Volvo Ocean Race, films and edits for CNN, has made documentaries for the BBC and has years of experience filming on the water.

‘Think cooking: the video clips you film are your ingredients, then the magic happens in the kitchen, which 
is the timeline of the video editing software you choose to use.

‘Your third key element is audio, which could be the presentation of your dish, the textural feel of the dining ware, cutlery, ambiance of the room, mood music etc. Half of TV is sound.

‘When you start filming, think of
 each shot as an ingredient, to be used however you wish on the timeline.
 You might want an establisher, a wide shot placing where you are, a sign, your whole boat, a big wide of somewhere you’re visiting.

‘Film half a dozen establishers, or GVs as we call them in the trade – general views. These are like postcards, and their composition and framing are purely photographic.

‘One of the best tips given to me, was to frame your shot, hit record, then let whatever happens in that frame happen for 10-20 seconds or more. Then reframe, and repeat. Then in your edit, you have clean solid shots to link together in a pleasing sequence. This is “truthful” cinéma vérité filming, and
 a superb platform to start working on.

Digby Fox has years of experience filming on the water

‘While gathering your “ingredients,” mix it up. Do some close-ups: hands, faces, signage. Do some long shots – zoom into something a bit further away.

‘Get people talking. Interview. Find somewhere a bit quieter, out of the wind (which blows your audio), and frame your subject so they’re not blinded or backlit to smithereens, 
and take a little while doing this. People are patient. A bit of chat in the process helps. And however much we protest, most people are flattered to be interviewed… So they’ll work with you.

‘Now we’re cooking, right? But what’s the concept of the dish? How long do we want our edit to be? And fundamentally, what’s the story we’re trying to tell? The better the idea you have of this before even picking up your camera, the smoother and more efficiently your whole process will go.

‘For example, if you’re just shooting three-minute Facebook highlights
 of your cross-Channel trip, there’s
 no need to film hours of it. You’ll drive everyone mad! Shoot a little bit of
 the key stages – packing, your whole
 boat on the dock with your buddies lined up, letting slip, a bit of the chart showing your route, a few chats with crewmates, key landmarks, turning marks, having a brew, getting there, three cheers, everyone down the pub.

‘You now have
 your story in the can. You’ve gathered your ingredients. Next step? Well, truth be told, this is where your inner video chef gets stirring. I’d pick an
 edit suite like Adobe Premiere Elements 2018. It’s £86 online. A scaled-down, user-friendly version of their Pro software, which we are using on the Volvo Ocean Race. If you’re on Mac, you can use iMovie for free, and it’s good, although personally I find it maddening and imprecise.

‘Editing in a nutshell: put your clips into a logical and pleasing order, trim them to suit, adjust your audio levels
 so you can hear your interviews clearly, then maybe put a light music track underneath from a free online library. Then export, upload, bask in your friends and family’s appreciation,
 just as if you’d gone to the trouble of shopping for ingredients, cooked up 
a storm and delivered your creation in a marvellous and delightful ambiance. It’s great fun.’

www.digbyfox.tv

This article was originally published in Yachting Monthly, February 2018

YouTube Sailing Channels – Ones To Watch

Ran sailing.

Boat: Beason 40 LS

Subscribers : 101k

Swedish couple Malin and Johan sail a one-off aluminium sloop.

A former carpenter and social worker, their videos feature both destinations and yacht maintenance.

Boat: Amel Super Marimu

Subscribers: 536k

The Delos crew have been on the water for a decade and have been sharing their adventures on their popular You Tube channel.

Originally from Seattle, they take their Super Marimu to some of the world’s most remote anchorages.

Follow the Boat

Boat: Oyster 435

Subscribers: 48.5k

British couple Jamie and Liz sail their Oyster full time, their channel tackles many practical problems faced afloat.

They regularly contribute to our sister website, YBW.com and have shared their adventures with Yachting Monthly readers .

Living With The Tide

Boat: Morna, a Dickies of Tarbert Gaff Ketch built in 1920

Subscribers: 8.26k

Matt and Paige originally began their sailing adventures aboard a Contest 41 in May 2017.

They have now returned to the UK and are restoring Morna to her former glory

For all the latest from the sailing world, follow our social media channels Facebook, Twitter and Instagram .

Have you thought about taking out a subscription to Yachting Monthly magazine?

Subscriptions are available in both print and digital editions through our official online shop Magazines Direct and all postage and delivery costs are included.

• Yachting Monthly is packed with all the information you need to help you get the most from your time on the water.
• Take your seamanship to the next level with tips, advice and skills from our expert skippers and sailors
• Impartial in-depth reviews of the latest yachts and equipment will ensure you buy the best whatever your budget
• If you are looking to cruise away with friends Yachting Monthly will give you plenty of ideas of where to sail and anchor

Sailing La Vagabonde choose Rapido 60 to sail world’s oceans

June 08, 2021

Rapido Trimarans is thrilled to confirm that Sailing La Vagabonde (SLV) will sail the world’s oceans aboard a Rapido 60!

In fact, SLV’s video announcing the decision to their 1.59 million subscribers (yes, 1.59m subscribers!) will go live live at 8.30am, Adelaide time in Australia (GMT/UTC +9:30) on 8 June 2021.

See the SLV video embedded below.

Welcome Riley, Elayna, Lenny +1 to the Rapido family!!! It is so good to have you on board!

Who is Sailing La Vagabonde?

SLV comprises an Australian couple, Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu and their son, Lenny. Additionally – and literally – joining the team will be their new-born, any day from now!

Riley and Elayna’s job is to sail the world’s oceans and, each week, bring their adventures to our phones, desktops and iPads via You Tube.

They began documenting their evolving journey on You Tube back in 2014 with a single-hull vessel. After a time, they upgraded to a twin-hulled vessel and, for the last 18-24 months, have been researching which boat would become the future of their sailing story, and proudly wear the title Sailing La Vagabonde III .

As part of their exhaustive selection process, they travelled to New Zealand in December 2019 for a test sail aboard the Rapido 60, Romanza . Owners of Romanza Dougall and Jaz Love were there together with co founder of Rapido Trimarans, Paul Koch. Some photos from that trip are posted below.

Eventually, falling out of Riley and Elayna’s exhaustive selection process was a three-hulled 6o’ (18m) trimaran, the Rapido 60.

Riley and Elayna explain why they chose the Rapido 60 (comments from video above)

But now, let’s hear from Riley and Elayna as to why and how the Rapido 60 met their criteria:

Riley – Rapido offers sailing performance and space

I know that the Rapido sails unbelievably well which is the main thrust behind all of our decision making.

(When we went to New Zealand), I knew it was going to sail well. I knew it was beautiful. I knew it was very well made because I’ve got a lot of respect for the boat builders.

The only thing I was worried about was the amount of space on board.

I jumped onboard ( Romanza ), ran around and I was like, “Ahhhhhh!, this is perfectly fine!” (Later in video Riley describes the forward cabin as being “massive” with a “huge” bed. “When you’re standing in the saloon, you’re actually standing in a huge room.”)

Elayna – Lightning speed at 25.7 knots

She goes at lightning speed. During the test sail, I was at the helm with one hand on the helm and we were going at 25.7 knots! I think I got the top speed for the day!

Riley – Maintaining a speed

25.7 knots – that’s extraordinarily fast. (And) that’s maintaining a speed; not surfing down waves.

Elayna – Just slightly heeling over

That was constant 25.7. In fact I think it was 26.7 but just in case, I will say 25. There you go!

It was fast and I was worried it would really heel over. (But) even at that speed, it was just slightly heeling over.

Riley – I want to be able to go at a good pace safely

I’m much more interested in average crossing times. I mean it’s good fun to go fast but that’s the least important on my list of things. I want to be able to go at a good pace safely.

It felt beyond comfortable.

When we were doing 20 knots, It felt like we were only going 10 – and it felt like we had so much more power just sitting there in reserve.

It felt like we were just ticking along and that is a nice feeling.

Elayna – Must be able to sail it single-handed

One thing that was really important for us with the trimaran was that Riley will have the ability to sail it single-handed because we will have two kids on the boat.

Riley – I’m not going…

I’m not going on a boat that I cannot single-hand.

Riley – Selecting a boat

In the end, it came down to what we really want to be on and what we think you guys (our viewers) want to see us sailing on.

This is so exciting.

And, I think, new.

Comment from Rapido Trimarans

As mentioned above, Rapido with Sailing La Vagabonde’s decision to explore the world on a Rapido 60, the Queen of the Oceans .

Elayna and Riley love the boat and also believe that it’s what “we think you guys (SLV’s 1.59 million viewers) want to see us sailing on”.

Dougall Love, co owner of Rapido 60, Romanza , once remarked that he believed the qualities found in the Rapido represent the “the future of sailing”.

With the extraordinary reach and exposure of Sailing La Vagabonde, perhaps the future is now a lot closer than many would have thought possible!

Post from the Sailing La Vagabonde website [7 June 2021]

We’re. So. Excited. We’ve been exploding waiting to tell you the massive news now that it’s official: LA VAGA III has begun.

It’s been a real labour of love to find our new home. It’s something that we’re really looking forward to and something we’re really confident we’re gonna love. We want to take you inside our new home, what it looks like…. hypothetically.

Yes, we haven’t built it yet, so this is as big a journey as ever for us. It’s clean and green, it’s a super stable and fast trimaran that we’ve always dreamed of.

As our family is getting bigger, these things have got that all-important storm-dodging speed and an insane level of stability.

The guys at rapidotrimarans.com  really know what they’re doing with these beautiful boats and we’re so glad to be with them.

• If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Patreon of Sailing La Vagabonde, click here .

Video below: Riley describes his ideas of a “good and safe multihull sailing philosophy” and how to apply them when selecting a boat that is right for you.

Related websites for Sailing La Vagabonde (SLV)

• Sailing La Vagabonde explain their multihull criteria , by Toby Hodges, Yachting World, 12 February 2021 (this article was published prior to SLV announcing their decision to ‘go with Rapido’).
• SLV’s You Tube channel
• SLV’s Facebook page
• Elayna Carausu’s Instagram page
• Riley Whitelum’s Instagram page
• Rapido Trimarans’ You Tube page

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Sailing La Vagabonde

The most successful youtube sailing channel

November 2, 2023

Date Posted:

November 1, 2021

Sailing La Vagabonde is an extraordinary YouTube channel that has captured the hearts of sailing enthusiasts and adventure-seekers worldwide. Documenting the captivating journey of Riley and Elayna as they sail the seas aboard their monohull, catamaran , trimaran this channel is an inspiring blend of travel, sailing expertise, and authentic storytelling.

Most Popular Sailing YouTube channel

Sailing La Vagabonde has become the most popular sailing YouTube channel for a variety of reasons. Here are some key factors contributing to their success:

• Compelling Storytelling : Riley and Elayna, the couple behind Sailing La Vagabonde, have a knack for storytelling that captivates their audience. They share not just their travels but also their journey, including the challenges and triumphs of living at sea, which resonates with their viewers.
• High-Quality Production : Their videos are well-produced, focusing on cinematography, sound, and editing. This quality production gives viewers an immersive experience.
• Authenticity : They maintain a sense of authenticity and honesty in their content. They share the realities of sailing life, including the not-so-glamorous aspects, which build trust and a genuine connection with their audience.
• Consistent and Frequent Posting : By posting videos consistently, they keep their audience engaged and looking forward to the next episode in their sailing saga.
• Engaging Content Variety : The channel offers a variety of content, from beautiful island tours to technical sailing challenges, how-to guides, and day-to-day life on a boat. This variety keeps content fresh and appealing to a broad audience.
• Community Building : They have effectively built a community around their channel, engaging with their audience through comments, live Q&A sessions, and meet-ups, strengthening viewer loyalty.
• Unique Value Proposition : They were among the first to share a very authentic yacht-living lifestyle, which at the time of their rise, was a relatively unique concept on YouTube, offering viewers an escape and the allure of a lifestyle many dream about but few experience.
• Platform Diversification : They’ve smartly used other platforms, such as Instagram and Patreon, to build a broader audience and create additional value for their followers, such as exclusive content for patrons.
• Collaborations : By collaborating with other YouTubers and sailors, they’ve expanded their reach within the community.
• Sustainable Lifestyle Focus : With a growing global focus on sustainability, their channel also appeals to viewers interested in alternative, eco-friendly lifestyles.

Top Sailing YouTube channels

• Sailing La Vagabonde 1.860.000 subscribers
• Sailing SV Delos 837.000 subscribers
• Sailing Doodles 631.000 subscribers
• Sailing Zatara 567.000 subscribers
• Gone with the Wynns 549.000 subscribers
• Sailing Uma 420.000 subscribers
• Expedition Evans 405.000 subscribers
• Sailing Nahoa 385.000 subscribers
• Barefoot Sailing Adventures 327.000 subscribers
• Sailing Parlay Revival 285.000 subscribers

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Sailing la Vagabonde – What makes them so successful on Youtube?

Published April 4, 2023 · Updated April 4, 2023

Sailing La Vagabonde is a popular YouTube channel run by an Australian couple, Riley and Elayna. The channel chronicles their journey sailing around the world on their catamaran, La Vagabonde. With over 1.5 million subscribers and more than 400 million views, Sailing La Vagabonde has become one of the most successful sailing channels on YouTube. So what makes this channel so successful? In this post, we’ll explore the reasons behind Sailing La Vagabonde’s success and what we can learn from it.

Authenticity and Relatability

One of the main reasons behind Sailing La Vagabonde’s success is the authenticity and relatability of Riley and Elayna. They come across as genuine and down-to-earth, which makes their content relatable and engaging. They share their journey, including the highs and lows, with their audience, which creates a sense of intimacy and connection with their viewers. This level of transparency and authenticity is rare and is one of the key reasons why viewers keep coming back for more.

Quality Content

Another reason for Sailing La Vagabonde’s success is the quality of their content. Riley and Elayna are not just sailors; they are also skilled videographers and photographers. They produce high-quality content that is both visually stunning and engaging. Their videos are well-edited and feature beautiful cinematography, which adds to the overall appeal of their content. This attention to detail and quality is evident in every aspect of their channel, from their videos to their website and social media presence.

Consistency and Frequency

Sailing La Vagabonde has also been consistent in their content creation and frequency of uploads. They upload new videos every week, which keeps their audience engaged and coming back for more. They also have a regular schedule for their live streams, which creates a sense of anticipation and excitement for their viewers. Consistency is key when it comes to building a loyal following, and Sailing La Vagabonde has done an excellent job of maintaining it.

Engagement with Audience

Riley and Elayna also engage with their audience regularly, which creates a sense of community and fosters a deeper connection with their viewers. They respond to comments and messages on their social media platforms, which creates a two-way conversation with their audience. They also hold regular live streams where they answer questions and interact with their viewers in real-time. This level of engagement and interaction with their audience is another reason why Sailing La Vagabonde is so successful.

In conclusion, Sailing La Vagabonde’s success is due to a combination of factors, including authenticity, quality content, consistency, and engagement with their audience. They have built a loyal following by being genuine and relatable, producing high-quality content, being consistent with their uploads, and engaging with their audience regularly. These are all important lessons for anyone looking to build a successful brand or channel. By following in their footsteps, you too can create a thriving online community and achieve success in your chosen niche.

Tags: catamaran Media

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The youtube refit of “Duracell”

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Sailing upwind on Outremer 45 Sailing La Vagabonde — PART 01

Writer: Nikki Henderson

18th november 2019 was the fifth day of our 18-day transatlantic delivery on la vagabonde, the outremer 45. the unseasonable nature of the voyage did not disappoint; this was the fifth consecutive day of upwind sailing..

I wrote home:

“Last night the conditions were pretty rough. We had all been looking forward to a bit of relief, expecting fast reaching conditions, but the upwind sailing prevailed. It was like that moment you think you have gotten to the top of a hill, to find it was a false summit and there is still another ahead. We all know there is nothing to do in these conditions than to pull together, be safe and just get on with it – but it still tests on emotions.”

On reflection, it feels like that first week in the North Atlantic was preparation for: ‘2020: The year we sailed upwind on land.’

The introduction of new covid19 related regulations have felt like consecutive days crashing into the chop; uncomfortable, limiting, slow, relentless. With every two steps forward in mental health, plans, finances, freedom – the next news bulletin sends you one step back.

I have spent many a night watch reflecting on how blue water passages are like accelerated lessons in how to cope with the challenges of land life. From people management, to provisioning, to engineering, to self-help – sailing builds skills like resilience and adaptability in the most intense way.

This second blog was meant to be about what sailing upwind is like on an Outremer. Now, I think it might be more relevant to pull that back to earth. What lessons can sailing upwind teach us for today? How can we draw from our experiences of upwind sailing to help us find strength and positivity for the coming months?

As winter approaches in the northern hemisphere the second wave of Covid19 is building momentum and national lockdowns are looming all over the world. After a year spent running off adrenaline (storm-tactics?), I’m now tapping into my inner ‘strength for windward’ pot. This is my emergency reserve for when the weather is really, really bad.

On day five of that North Atlantic crossing we were weighed down by the responsibility and enormity of the challenge ahead of us. Svante sat down beside me that night, “Nikki tell me honestly. Is this OK? Should we turn back?”

I steadied myself in the violent upwind chop, considered all the factors, looked him in the eye, and said “yes”.

The courage to dare to feel positivity, when the easier choice is negativity, is what protects me emotionally during the tough times at sea.  The same goes for life on land…

… Each morning I take the treacherous route to my 2020 version of ‘on-deck’: ‘to the desk’.  The land ‘office’ has remarkably similar qualities to the boat version; conveniently doubling up as the dining room, living room, home-gym, and in my case also renovation workshop equipped with all the staples: Leatherman, white spirit, wet vac, mallet, drill, socket set and spare Allan keys.

Before entering, I run through my all too familiar pre-on-watch routine: coffee in hand, big breath in, big sigh out, close eyes, pause, find inner strength, buckle up life jacket (dressing gown?), step out, frigid gale force wind on your face (still no double glazing), body tenses, the bow drops over the wave landing with a gut wrenching slam (that will be upstairs neighbours doing their home workout), knees bend, icy blast of salt water spray on one cheek, that devilish trickle of water down past your ear, (home schooling gone wrong?) open your eyes, yep still here – big smile “Another day in paradise then is it?”

Optimism, with a hearty dose of realism, was our superpower on-board La Vagabonde.  It helped us leave the dock in the snow with a smile on our faces. It got us through five days of sailing upwind in the wrong direction.  It helped Riley and I find hilarity in the fifth reef of the night on a 2-on-2-off double handed watch system.  It focused my mind through the dark nights, remembering Elayna would make hot cocoa and porridge at dawn.

This superpower, should we choose to take it, will help fuel us through our own storms this winter.

–> Read part 02 here

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40.000 miles and 3 years to get from La Grande Motte to La Grande Motte

Marijke and Mark sail the Outremer 55 Great Circle.

Since its launch in 2021, the boat has sailed around the world with the GLYWO 500.

Setting off on a catamaran with the best sailing weather

When you’re getting ready to set off on a sailing trip, it’s vital to find out about the seasons and weather phenomena in your chosen sailing area. Even before choosing your cruising destination or travel itinerary, or even selecting your yacht!

Catamaran VS Monohull: what should you choose to sail around the world?

Sailing around the world is a dream come true: you discover the world to the rhythm of the wind and the stopovers, exploring new destinations every day as you sail. If you’re just starting to read this article, you’re probably nurturing this project. Are you planning to sail around the globe? Then the choice of ship for your next voyage is crucial.

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Aussie couple ‘jags’ outremer catamaran for youtube videos, youtube sensation riley and elayna of ‘sailing la vagabonde’ have just landed a wonderful deal with legendary french catamaran manufacturer, outremer yachting, to extend their cruising adventures onboard a new outremer 45 involving a historic sponsorship deal confirming the power of social media..

“We are fans since the beginning and felt their honest and human values meets ours and they might be great ambassadors for Outremer. They had issues finding a loan for their boat, so we stepped in helping them getting a lease” explain Xavier Desmarest, CEO of Outremer.

With over two hundred thousand subscribers to their YouTube channel and numerous episodes with well over one million views, La Vagabond leads the growing global trend of intrepid sailors documenting their adventures in incredible locations while on seabbatical, allowing thousands to sample what life is like at sea from the comfort of their homes and inspiring them to take an adventure of their own.

Helping couples and families sail the world is what Outremer Yachting specialize in, with an award winning range of innovative high performance cruising catamarans designed to be safe, simple and fast to sail from destination to destination efficiently and in comfort. The Outremer 45 was launched only two years ago and is a true blue water cruiser, purpose built for couples to easily control over long range passages with. All comfort amenities and unseen performances.

“I saw an Outremer in Venezuela and made friends with the owners,” explains Riley, “We got in touch with the Outremer team and it turns they were huge fans of our adventures.”

“We were thinking about getting a catamaran since a few months” said Elayna “And we accepted their invitation to join the Outremer Cup in France”,

“So we had a tour of the factory, we raced in their regatta, attended all of the social events, all the while we were having very important meetings with the management of Outremer.”

“Neither of us can believe how this has all turned out,” Riley exclaims, “we’re over the moon.”

Riley and Elayna plan to pick up their new boat in February in 2017 from the factory located in the south of France, and after cruising Europe and the Mediterranean, they plan to cross the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean and make their way to New York later for the 2018 summer.

Outremer Yachts have continued to lead the way in production boat building of high performance cruising catamarans, with the company winning multiple European Boat of the Year awards in recent years. The current range of Outremer include the 45, 4X, 51, the 59ft 5X.

Multihull Central is the exclusive distributor of Outremer in Australia and was awarded Outremer International Dealer of the Year in 2014, with half a dozen Australian Outremer owners now either cruising the world. Multihull Central also provide a 5 step ‘SEAbbatical’ program to help novice boaters take a life changing adventure of their own.

For more information visit multihallcntrl.wpengine.com or call 02 9810 5014. and you can follow the construction of the boat on www.catamaran-outremer.com

To view the Sailing La Vagabonde videos visit: http://sailing-lavagabonde.com

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Celebrate life with a journey on the water. We help you find a boat & Captain to fit your budget and needs. Plan a getaway.

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We are licensed and bonded Yacht brokers specializing in the in catamarans by Bali. While our home port is Florida our boats travel From Florida to New England and Back each year to offer qualified buyers the “try before you buy” experience through a variety of charter programs

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Buying or selling a boat? Let us help you coordinate your sea trial, survey, and delivery. Tell us what you need. We are here to help. 

About Sailicity Yacht Sales & Charter

Let your journey begin with Sailicity with all-inclusive sailing experiences. We foster the spirit of sailing and craft personalized and unique voyages tailored to discriminating guests. Tell us where you want to go, and we will plan the rest. We partner with an array of dynamic fleets designed to combine luxury lifestyle and the travel freedom of a memorable sailing experience. We have the privilege to provide guests with alternative social gatherings by hosting socially distant events on the sea, making all feel safe and exclusive.

Our Charter Concierge will craft private charters from half-day, weekend, or up to 14-day voyages. We have multiple types of charters; that sail anywhere in Florida along the Atlantic coast in the spring and fall with our Summer base in New England and our Winter Home in the Caribbean. Sailicity’s concierge service removes the headaches of planning and will take care of all the small details with industry-leading experts.

Our mission is to provide you the sailing experience of your dream. Make an appointment to speak to a Charter Concierge at no cost.

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Your Charter Concierge will help you create an experience you and your family will never forget. Celebrating a special occasion? Take the family on vacation? Explore incredible sights you can only see by water? We are here to help!

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We amplified the concept of micro weddings with the creation of Weddings on the Water. Our venue focuses on personalized details for a brief ceremony at anchor for the bride and groom and up to 10 additional guests. 

We will provide wedding planning services, coordinating Florist, Videographer, Photographer, and Caterers to create a memorable experience. The Ceremony can be followed by cruises to resort destinations around Florida’s Gulf.

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Your celebration may be a catered dinner and sunset sail or a weeklong excursion, combining sailing, golf, dining, and tennis as we traverse Florida’s Gulf coast and visit some of our finest resorts.

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Celebrate the time of your life with the people you love aboard a well-appointed crew yacht. Whether it is a milestone or not, let our special event planner help you celebrate in style. 

We will suggest menu options and provision for day cruises for up to 12 guests or overnight retreats for up to three couples. It can be the most memorable celebration of life.   Birthday yacht charters originate from the Vinoy Marina in St. Petersburg, FL, or Key Bight in Key West.

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We remove the headaches of planning and will take care of the small details with industry-leading experts. We pride ourselves on taking the time to listen to your needs because WE CARE & have a passion for sailing.

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It takes years of experience to know the different types of sailing vessels and how to determine which one is best for you. We are here to guide you to ensure you receive the best value on the type of boat you want.

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The possibilities are endless! Our beautiful Bali Catamarans are always based at ports during high season in the region. Our Concierge Service will help you plan your sailing adventure and build itineraries that are all about you.

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Welcome to Intelligent Sailing.

(left to right) - i.s 42 jeanneau - i.s 35 beneteau - i.s 32 jeanneau., bavaria, beneteau, jeanneau, lagoon, leopard, seawind, now in our 21st year. featuring monohulls and catamarans , we are a sailing school, a boat club & we offer captained charters., exclusive to the harborage marina with premium slips, offering brand new yachts - all yachts range from new to in service a few years.., i ntell i gent sa i l i ng offer i ng monohull & catamaran opt i ons to sa i l introducing the intelligent sailing fleet -, the i .s 38c - new 2023 seawind 1160 catamaran, the i .s 42c - new 2024 leopard 42 catamaran, the i .s 50c - go cat, newly refurbished, voyage 500 catamaran ., & the following monohulls, i .s 32 new 2021, i .s 34 new 2023, i .s 35 new 2020, i .s 38 new 2022 go b i g, i .s 42 new 2021 go b i gger, i .s 51 new 2023 go bold, we continuously bring you brand new yachts, i .s 32 new 2021 jeanneau 319, i .s 34 new 2023 bavaria 34, i .s 35 new 2020 beneteau 35.1, i .s 38 new 2022 bavaria 38, i .s 42 new 2021 jeanneau 410, i .s 51 new 2023 jeanneau 490.