Budget OFF-GRID living on a MINIMALIST sail boat - Ep.81
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- How is remote life off grid on a boat different from normal life? We share the daily challenges which we face living off the grid anchored next to a remote tropical island in Indonesia. Life off the grid, life without limits.
We are a British couple who set off from England in 2016 to fulfill our dream of sailing around the world on our 37ft sail boat, Florence. Along the way we share the live aboard lifestyle with the highs and lows of travelling around the world by boat, our own little tiny house. Boat life out at sea on the ocean.
Support us on Patreon: / sailingyachtflorence
You can also follow us via our blog at www.sailwiththeflo.wordpress.com
Music in order as played:
Keep Walking - Alvaro Angeloro - www.hooksounds.com - Creative Commons - Attribution
Crystal Ambient - www.hooksounds.com - Licenced
Time for Trip Hop - sound2ears - www.hooksounds.com - Licenced
Rising - Nicolai Heidlas - www.hooksounds.com - Licenced
Sound Generation - www.hooksounds.com - Licenced
Update, we now have coffee!! We were without for about a month but today we managed to get some local coffee, we stocked up and won't be running out again any time soon! :-) Thanks for all your lovely comments and support.
I would be discussing mutiny if I were crewing a ship without coffee!!! Haha
Inspiring! Beautifully presented! Thank you!
Start selling some random coffee y’all find.
Great videos.Did you ever consider acquiring a water maker? Yachts people who have them say they are quite useful.But they are also very delicate and expensive to buy !
Just noticed that people have already asked about water makers,so ignore my post !
👍🏼😎👍🏼 I watch all the sailing channels and you guys are the best so humble and down to earth.
I bit the bullet and went LiFePO4 a year ago. Best thing I've ever done. Redid the entire system at once, new panels on a hardtop, MPPT chargers, 6kW lithium batteries plus a programmable shore charger and large balmar alternator with programmable controller. Of course, since then I have NEVER run the generator or needed to run the engine for charging. I run the regular hot water heater for morning showers, converted my propane stove by swapping the burners for an induction stovetop and managed to find a microwave to fit in the oven, all of the cooking is now electric, 2 fridge freezers using efficient 12v danfoss compressors plus the watermaker runs only mid-day for an hour or two. Then of course the obligatory sound system and tv/laptops and night fans. Never search for propane again, YIPPEE! And after a year, I've gotten out of the habit of constantly monitoring the charge levels of the batteries becaue they stay just fine. Aaaahhh
We are currently circumnavigating on a 34 ft sail boat. Your 37 ft looks positively spacious!
I really enjoy your videos. I would love to sail around the world, but since I can't I will live it through your adventures. Thank you.
you two really are an inspiration; I'm blown away with how well you are handling these months of isolation and restraint..... I'd have gone stark raving mad..... it must help being British; stiff upper lip, and all that.......
Yes, they are coping well Jeanne and I have to say there are many youngsters today that could take a leaf out of their book . . .
in 20 years you two will recall these days fondly. i cant think of a better way to live right now. i would trade places !
thank you!
Great to see you reconciled and cheerfully adapted to the most difficult and, for you, frustrating circumstances.
New to the channel enjoying it so far. Matt seems to be a good guy and he is very lucky to have Amy. She is beautiful and very talented. Cheers!
Great video the hair cut and mowing the lawn were very funny
Lovely couple who obviously love each other.
Note to self...don't drink coffee at sea.
Loved the video. Thanks.
That woke you up!! at least you don't have to mop up the shower afterwards, hate that job! Your bread making is very impressive.
We used to hate cleaning the shower too, not had to do that for over 4 years now :-)
You two are such an inspiration. We love you!
Great videos.
Don't worry about running out of starter for yoghurt.
Use a tablespoon from one batch of raw yoghurt as the starter for the next batch.
Greetings from South Florida I really enjoy you taking the time to explain all the trials and tribulations that you are experiencing. Remember to be safe then sorry good luck enjoyed the film.
Thank you for all your inspiration!! In our 60's, we have just bought a yacht and I, the beginner, have been uncertain about what sailing might bring to our life. While we will probably never experience the amazing life you live, since recently discovering your channel we truly enjoy watching your adventures, and now I am excited to sail! You are inspirational, remarkable, respectful, resilient, enthusiastic, capable and so positive. Enjoy what's ahead of you and please accept a very big thank you from Australia!!
And living off grid somehow you manage great content and professional production quality 👍
A brilliant series of blue water cruising videos. 5 stars.
As a sailor all I can do is say wow fantastic sometimes there are some really cool things on CZcams appreciate
Here is a tip for prolonging the life of a golf cart battery. It also makes it very easy to top up the water. I bought a kit that has special caps for each cell and plastic tubes to connect them all. That in turn is connected to a squeeze bulb and a length of tube that goes into the jug of distilled water. Before I had this, I was always cleaning up corrosion and had to replace them every three years. Now I am on the fifth year with these batteries. I also used this system on the house batteries of our motor home.
Thanks for explaining everything so completely in your video. You have thousands of friends going along on your adventures and I am happy to be among them.
I, and I'm sure many others, felt a wave of fresh air pass through this video, as you guys start to see the end of isolation bay (as lovely as it is). Regardless of how charming the wildlife is, or the prospects are, we all need the prospect of change soon.
u wrote this a year ago...... look at where we are at now ... 4th wave ... 🤣🤣🤣 or rather 🤪🤪🤪 or 😭😭😭
Hey Guys, I dont know if anyone has mentioned this before but just use a couple of tablespoons of the previous batch of yogurt to "seed" your next batch. You dont need a dry culture each time. Im a corporate executive chef and have made 100lt batches of yogurt seeded with a couple kgs of live yogurt. You can keep doing this indefinately.
That's exactly what I came to comments to say also. I always use previous batch of yogurt to make more.
Fresh cuts are ALWAYS GOOD! love the haircut shop!
I really enjoy your minimalist lifestyle and what you share. Your modesty and humble life encourages my wife and I to get the lines cast and get moving. Thank you
Been searching for an honest, down to earth sailing podcast to help with my eventual transition to buying and living cheaply on a bluewater boat. Think I found it. Cheers!
Great vid! A bit of unsolicited advice: if you must burn your rubbish, which is so often the case in developing countries, make a hot fire first then add your rubbish. The hotter it burns the more completely it is burned and the fewer nasties are released. A nice hot fire made with coconut husks should do it. And if you are keen, share this little piece of advice with anyone you meet, it really makes a big environmental difference.
You guys are very resilient. I hope for continued small improvements and that your family remain safe back home.
I think your parents are very proud of you.
One would hope so. I'm sure they're very proud.
You two are very resilient and are makings lots of lemonade from the Corona virus-induced isolation. I can't imagine running out of coffee, for me it is right up there with oxygen and water on the list of things critical for survival ! Being stranded in Indonesia, one of the world's largest produces of coffee, means you shouldn't need to go too long without re-supply.
Another fantastic vid from you both. Thanks for reminding us to appreciate the little things in life and the joys of living simply.
Thank you guys for taking me along. Can't wait until you get back on track and sail your dreams. Love from a TX lake sailor.
So good to see you two. Seen every episode.
For coffee, when I was young and our family didn't have the money for coffee, we would make, 'poor man's coffee.'
We took cornmeal and toasted it up in a dry cast iron skillet until real dark. Let it cool and toast a bit darker a second time. From that we would boil it and serve like coffee. Sometimes we eould add chickory for some caffeine. We did it with barley and wheat as well. Grandpa used dried dandelion root and cattail root and those made good drinks as well.
Again good to see you two, your in our prayers. Look forward to yoyr next episode.
Amy, as a fellow graduate of the CZcams Barber School I suggest getting your hair cut first. That way you will know just how good a job to do in return. Certainly seems like you are stuck in paradise, but having no coffee would be a trial for some of us.
Loved your video and how inspiring it was to me. I loved how you were able to handle the water adversity, the hair cutting needs, the gas needs as well. You are one hell of a fabulous sailing couple. Will be watching your next vlog. Thank you from San Francisco Bay Area, California.
I love catching up with you guys.... calm and collected - the perfect antidote to hectic lives back here!! Want to swap? Nah, didn’t think you did! Keep safe 😎
I have come across your latest video and here I am watching your earlier videos that too back to back. Thanks Matt and Amy !
such a pleasant couple, one of my fav sailing youtubers
Wow, the minimal amount of plastic waste after a few weeks is impressive!! Well done you guys!
I grew up OFF the grid! That has informed me over the rest of my life. I attempt to make as much as I can. I appreciate the wonderful place that I live too. Love your videos. You two are so good together.
I have enjoyed following your travels and although you have probably already thought of these ideas, I have some content suggestions for your consideration: 1.) Explore the island and it’s editable vegetation 2.) Explore the underwater world around of the island and it’s bounty of available food resources from seaweed and sea urchins to fish. Follow with sharing creativity cooking of what you source from the island and it’s waters.
I really like your content. Thank you.
Great video, can't even imagine how tough it is to be at an anchorage for 4 months. isolation at a beautiful island can also get very boring at the end, it all makes us appreciate what we have and we should be grateful we can see your adventures
I subscribe to two other sailing channels, and your channel came up in my recommended list. I am so glad about that. Currently binge watching your series. What a duo! Much respect to you both.
Very nice video, Li batteries will be a huge improvement for you, also suggest to get 2 more solar panels and install them on your railings so you have abt 400 Watt solar... you are doing real good......stay safe, P&F, Sechelt, BC, Canada
You guys are amazing. Love how honest your approach is. Truly inspirational!
Great video Matt anfd Amy ! Its all a good learning curve for life that hopfully you will be able to share with your Grand children one day !! All the best from Aus !!
Glad to see you both doing ok
Stay strong guys!!
Whether you are just talking or sailing it's so relaxing to watch 🙂
Thanks for a terrific video - such a positive attitude, I very much admire you both and how you are dealing with the situation.😀
Wish I could just run you out some new batteries or whatever. Wow, just wow how you manage what’s needed in such limiting times. Cheers 🥂 wish I could send you a nice wine or fresh veggies or bigger scrub brush for the hull. You look safe there, stay healthy!
Thanks, lock down has eased a little here since we shot that video, we now have coffee and fresh veggies. Ordering parts is a challenge here though, if only Amazon delivered to remote indonesian islands!
You are really lucky to be where you are. In some countries in Europe people have been in isolation for months unable to leave their homes, or having to cue for hours to get to buy their groceries. It is unreal if not surreal. Imagine living in an apartment, as most of the people do, with no place to go but the bedroom or the kitchen..... I'm feel lucky to be living in a cottage and in Sweden where restrictions are almost nonexistent. My family in Spain, although they live in properties that allow them to get out whenever they feel like it, have had their freedom of movement very restricted like everybody else.
Beautiful video. Thnxs!
Hi all, just a thought, you get gas bottle adaptors that will fit all different cylinders from all over the world, something that I picked up on from a German couple overlanding in a 4×4 camper. It's a big oversight by cruising yachts and really not a particularly expensive option. I recall a video that Drake Roberts made when they were in Greenland where they had to buy a new cylinder, then modify the boat's gas connection to suit, major headache. Obviously you don't have a water maker, and in general I'd have to say that they are a luxury item on a small monohull cruising on a budget as they're very expensive and you need space for your RO filters and pressure pump, not to mention two more holes in the hull. Definitely want to go lithium, and preferably 24 or 48 volts on the PV system, MPPT's are usually suited to all of the above, but most PV panels are 48V. Modern panels will give you up to 425w per panel (1×2m) and are way more efficient than the older panels, current cost of a 425w rigid panel is only 120 quid odd, the obvious major benefit for you guys for example is that you could effectively double your capacity and reduce the number of panels and MPPT's but would have to get one suitable MPPT and a bigger inverter. I'm in the process of buying a 31' Nebe Miura (great little blue water boats BTW) and will fit 2 425w panels, one on the stern arch, one on hard dodger, 48v with two MPPT's, 2 lithium ion batteries and a 1 kW inverter, all comfortably fitting on a 31' boat, along with the gas adaptors. Something to think about while you wait to cross the Indian. PS I'm in South Africa so could be worth looking into when you get here. I'm very fortunate that one of my best friends designs 5MW commercial solar tracker systems and designs and manufactures components as per requirement. Stay safe, scrub Flo's bum and through hulls, and make sure that anchor chain doesn't end up full of barnacles and rust. LOL.
Best wishes.
Extraordinary! Just checked our water bill. We use about 350L per day in the winter. That's for two of us and we spend less that 10 mins in the shower each. I'm bald and partner has short hair, so not much water wastage on shampooing. Our washing machine is efficient and so is our dishwasher. In summer we use more but it can be hot here in Australia and I do water our smallish lawn and select plants.
We just changed our lead acid batteries after two years and the manufacturer (Mexico) told us not to expect much more than two years. You are doing well with four years!
I’m sure Michael is right. Battle Born Batteries Company would love to work with you (shipping cost to the Indian Ocean notwithstanding.) They have sponsored some off grid channels already-especially I’ve seen them in Recreational Vehicles (Caravans in the Commonwealth countries) who travel and create content like you.
This particular episode was most interesting. I’ve never known since I don’t sail how to shower in salt water and survive. Also how to make yogurt without whole milk.
Thanks you look more relAxed and settled great work
glad you guys are ok, and sounding a bit more upbeat, take care
If you're still locked down in Indonesia I have a suggestion for a future video and maybe good prep before you take on your Indian Ocean passage? I'd really love to see your safety set-up on Florence. Your tech - AIS, EPIRB, PLBs, radar? Fire prevention, detection and extinguishing. Your 'Flo' rules around life jacket / harness wearing. Perhaps even give us a drone view of you carrying out a Man Overboard practice. Anyway, just an idea.
Thanks Dean, Man overboard practice is generally done when Amy's hat gets blown overboard or we see something useful in the water that we want to pick up. We did start making a safety gear review for the Indian Ocean but we stopped when all the lock downs started. It is something that we will consider resurrecting perhaps when we actually get to cross the ocean! cheers M&A
@@SailingYachtFlorence You're both far more experienced ocean sailors than I am so you know the risks. I think picking up an overboard hat is a lot different than one of you single-handed rescuing the other who might be unconscious in a lumpy sea. Especially as there is no sugar scoop on Florence to make getting back on board a little easier. Might be worth a practice now you have the time and if pretty cool if you can video it with your drone - I've not noticed any other channels doing this :)
Another great video! Thanks guys!
Looking like a good food supply on the island. Chicken, pork, fruits, berries and probably fresh water somewhere. You got it guys. Love your channel
Thank you for sharing another great video
I enjoyed the video very much. Thanks. Keep doing what you are doing.
I'm doing my yachtmaster theory at the moment, and I've just realised there is a bay called "Quarantine Bay" on RYA Training chart 3. I know that the areas in the chart are based on real areas, so it would be crazy if the Topography matched where you are!
Hi David, Your chart probably has more than 2 depth soundings on it in which case it is not where we are! ;-)
Adapt, improvise and overcome. Some jarhead thought me that a long time ago... 😉🐾👣🤙
You could try using a solar still or two--they will give you drinking or seed sprouting water in between showers.
Matt looks like a Peaky Blinder after the hair cut hahaha Matt Shelby
So I’m sorry if this is somewhere else in the comments, but the hamster cloud at 1:52!!! I’m sorry that is just awesome! Also, love the channel, good luck figuring out your next steps, and thank you for the regular reminder to live life to its fullest!
It’s been so interesting watching how you coped in isolation!
Beautiful two.. beautiful view.. beautiful you
Such a pleasure to watch your videos. I know you’ll be excited when you get to enjoy a soft drink or a beer. Sorry if this comment has stirred up any desires. 😕
Some questions. 1) Was that gas bottle you fill from all yours or community shared? 2) How do you get rid of black water? Sail out 15 miles then back to anchorage? 3) Has there been any bartering for services/other needs among you and other cruisers there?
I'm impressed that you continue to live without a water maker. Do you filter your rainwater collection in any way? BTW - Hey Battleborn - you guys need to do something for Florence!
I'm amazed they cope too. Water makers are fantastic.
Hi Michael, We put a little chlorine in the water tanks to purify and the water goes through a charcoal filter before it comes out of the tap onboard. Thanks for your support.
Did someone say battleborn? Lol
@@SailingYachtFlorence oh that's interesting. Where did you get the charcoal filter? Looks like you have a pressurised system, presumably the filter is on the tank side of the pump? On Moon Shadow the water from the taps is unfiltered although I also have a manual "Whale" pump and I have an inline filter on that and it's the only source I use for drinking water. Might be good to have additional filtration for when I'm properly off-grid...
@@jnjentinc What's Battleborn?
Thanks for sharing your budget remote bare bones lifestyle with us. Living simply is the best thing a human can do.
Thanks again and All the Very Best!
Jim
Great to see you are making the most out of your situation. Great place but 4 months???? and counting. Love your McGiver tricks. Think of you both often
Hi Guys, I really loved this video, thanks for that👍
Keep on going, love your work.
Love your vids , hope this mess ends soon so u can resume your travels , stay safe
Mary Berry's cookbook and Gul straps - got them both :)
Love watching your channel, you folks are a to listen to. Enjoy your sailing.
Well, I remember one of the early times I visited my father in law on his boat who started his circumnavigation... talking in the evening, I said: "Hey, this cognac is really good... do you have some more maybe?...answer: 'yes...about 20 liters'...:) I love sailing ever since.:)
Love your sailing dinghy lots of fun and practical
Thanks for that. All good exposure to reality. There are a lot of things in the hindsight bag, but some things in the coping better with what you’ve got department too. There is probably water on the island if you dig a well in the middle (assuming it is coral and not rock). On the plastic waste you don’t have to fully burn it to manage its accumulation, you can melt it into and ever increasing blob size (this reduces its bulk size and makes it no longer a threat to sea life). On water makers any boat should have at least the minimum Spectra size which just sips at the power and makes about 3 litres per hour (enough to survive on). I’m just designing the solar arch for my boat and am fitting 4 narrower panels. The two inner panels are angled out slightly and the two outer panels each side can be angle for better solar capture, but also for water capture with a water trough down between them to collect and channel the water. This is a feature you could add to your existing setup if you haven’t already. I am appreciating the need for a rail mounted barbque for gas conservation. Look at Sailing Into Freedom’s covid trapped at sea ordeal. Also if you have an unlimited supply of fire wood, a burner, water and sugar you can make your own alcohol, to help dull the isolation pain. You might be able to buy a “Steam Boat” (Mongolian Hotpot) cooker from the locals as these are common place in Asian locations (While these are great for social events, if you get one you need insulation between it and any timber surfaces else big charred patch)(could also be used as a still with minor improvement, and now that I think about it could be used for drying fish).
Another great video! Stay safe n healthy. Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺 🌹🌹🍷🍷
I am happy to report that I've not had a hair cut by a hair dresser since 1996. Bought a machine for $20 back then. 3mm cut all over. I think the machine has paid for itself by now :)
Really fun and informative video. Thank you.
Matt has gorgeous thick dark hair and in my opinion it looks much better long. Grow it out. You can always wear a ponytail. Many men look better with long wavy hair. Embrace your inner rockstar! Just a bossy thought. I also understand the freedom that comes with short locks.
Well presented and thoughtful video! Thank you for sharing.
Great Video again. Enjoying you lovely couple, your fabulous videos and wonderful life you have bravely taken on; from locked-down Melbourne.
Very informative, thank you.
Love your videos!
LOL Running out of Coffee in Indonesia is just not possible.
The next big Island south is Java - the dutch word for Coffee
You should be drinking the aptly named brand "kopi kapal" ships coffee.
Hi James, We finally managed to get some of that exact brand today, mmmm coffee :-)
You guys are so cute. Are you ever afraid of big storms? Can you do a cost breakdown video?
Brilliant video and really entertaining! Thanks
NOOOOOooo. Not the coffee! It must be tough actually not being able to easily replenish things like yeast, coffee, tea, yogurt cultures. I will I could send you some. Thanks for the video!
I did the same tank transfer method playing paintball.
First time on your channel and it was fantastic 😊. Keep up the good work.
Just started following you all. Great Video! What an amazing life to live :)
Love the video guys but gotta warn you that LPG bottles need evaporation room above the liquid in the tank otherwise as the liquid boils to the gas that you regulate liquid itself gain get into and beyond the regulator causing over pressure leaks and the ensuing risk of explosions. You should never have more than 80% of the bottle by internal volume as Liquid LPG. Always weigh how much you are putting in or get a bottle with an 80% refill cut off valve and use a auto gas fitting.
I’m not a gas engineer but I learnt all this over years of motor home camping and I like your channel greatly and don’t want it to finish abruptly...
Thanks for the heads up. We have found that decanting the bottles this way only results in our bottle reaching 2/3 full (based roughly on weight but more exactly on the number of days cooking the bottle lasted compared to when the bottles have been filled properly in the past). So we don't think we are at risk. We do thank you for taking the time to write that message and warn us though. cheers M&A
Great stuff 👍🏼☺️
I ran the water numbers out of curiosity. For me living alone it's roughly 40 gallons or 150 liters per day. Might be time for me to take shorter showers. 🚿
Or perhaps take longer showers and make the most of that 'on tap' water supply ;-) We had a really long fresh water shower today, on deck in a torrential downpour!
I am off the grid in an RV and I go through 42 gallons every 7 days. It breaks down to 10 gallons for showers 3x a week; 14 gallons for drinking water, tea, and cooking; with the remaining 18 gallons for washing hands and dishes and most for rinsing off the soap.
mark bushnell thats 42 gallons just for me.
mark bushnell that sounds light to me. I drink a gallon of water a day plus tea and a protein drink mix. So i am close to 1.5 gallons a day just for my consumption and I am not backpacking. When I am hanging around the RV I ride bike for an hour or so, walk for an hour and lift weights. So nothing very strenuous.
Plus you need water for washing yourself, your hands frequently to stay healthy, brushing your teeth, and to clean dishes. People living off the grid really should plan for 5+ gallons per day per person to be comfortable and to stay clean and healthy
Good video. Stay strong. Thank goodness for weekly food delivery.