126 Six Months Reflection: Best & Worst of Sailing and Liveaboard Life...so far

It's hard to believe that six months ago we closed on a boat and started our sailing dream; so much has happened in the past six months...mostly good, but some challenging things too. We are different people; stronger, smarter, more courageous, and a lot more humble! Learning all of the aspects of sailing has taken resilience and determination. We started with no knowledge and have built up a little anthill of applicable, survival and fix-it skills. We are only in the first mile of the marathon.
Frankly, we are excited to pass the six month mark because everyone says that the first year is always the hardest; it has been really hard (the hardest thing we have ever done), but also really rewarding. Thanks to your support and encouragement, we have thrived! This video is our reflection of the past six months which we summarize in five of the best things about sailing and five reasons why we would consider re-joining the landlubbing population. We hope that what we share helps you garner a better understanding of what life on the water is like, both the great and challenging things we face.
And now, it's onward to the second half of the first year!
NEW TO OUR CHANNEL?
We are Eileen and Brown Councill. Welcome to our channel and a glimpse into our NEW life adventure! 2020 was a year of uncertainty and change (for all of us, right?), but we overcame the challenges and decided it was time to chase our dream, to sail around the world! Did I mention that we have very little sailing experience? Before leaving Qingdao, China, our home of 4 years, we sold almost all of our earthly possessions and started our international search to find the right sailboat that we would call "home." After 5 months of unanticipated twists and turns, we found what we were looking for, a used Leopard 44' Catamaran located in St. Lucia.
So, here begins our journey, filled with unmatched excitement and honestly, a bit of trepidation as well. We have much to learn as we travel the world on our floating home and we intend to document that journey and share it with you. We are so glad you have decided to join us, and we hope that you will find our story so compelling that it will inspire you to chase your dreams too!
As a viewer, we consider you to be part of our family and look forward to getting to know you. Don't hesitate to comment on our videos and ask questions. We will do our best to answer every correspondence! All we ask is that you have patience with us as we work really hard to improve our camera/video techniques and ability to tell a story. Hopefully, you will be as BLOWN AWAY from watching, as we are in experiencing and producing our adventures!
If you wish to support our video efforts, all we ask is that you SUBSCRIBE, give a THUMBS UP, and SHARE our videos with your friends!
SUBSCRIBE / blownaway

[@annwild8577]

I love this video because of the reality of life on board. So much learning and support 😅n today’s world.

[@SailingBlownAway]

Wow. Thank you for watching so many of our videos!! And for your comments. We are glad to show the reality of boat life. It is not easy!!

[@annwild8577]

This is perfect 🎉

[@SailingBlownAway]

Thank you!! 🩷

[@moonraker814]

Truly authentic and genuine insights about cruising. Really appreciate the efforts both of you put into this. Your haircut looks good Brown!!

[@SailingBlownAway]

Thank you SO much for your kind comment and for watching our video! You are the FIRST to recognize that Brown had a haircut!! Well done! Thanks again!

[@castlerc]

Great channel guys. Entertaining and informative. I hope to be out there in a year from now. I think it was Tom Green from Canada that said, “if they don’t find you handsome at least they’ll find ya handy”. 😄.

[@SailingBlownAway]

Thank you so much, Paul for your encouragement and kind words!! We hope to see you out here in a year! HA HA - I think we fall into the handome category vs. handy! HA HA!

[@gregospeck]

You're welcome but who is Sarrah? Loved hearing about the highs and lows. It reminds me that no matter where God leads you there are going to be wonderful and challenging times. I'm so glad you've found your sweet spot!!

[@SailingBlownAway]

Sarrah is a new friend of ours. She and her husband bought the same boat as us about a month ago. We helped them out. They are from Seattle. Thanks for your encouragement. Yes, lots of challenging times AND rewarding times. Thanks for watching, your encouragement, your comments! :)

[@thomasbrasse3145]

Hi from Charlotte NC! Such a good video. Being real about highs and lows is a big plus for us since we are hoping to make this jump in 9 years. Get that circumnavigation done and sell me that boat when you get back!

[@SailingBlownAway]

Hi there!! Ha ha ha. We might just do that!! She’s a GREAT boat!! We love her. Thanks for your comment and encouragement!! We appreciate it so much.

[@JanSotelo]

y’all are awesome. Keep up the fun videos!

[@SailingBlownAway]

Hey Jan!! Thanks for watching and commenting! We love you guys!

[@ivanramadani8486]

You both are awesome.

[@SailingBlownAway]

Thank you so much!!

[@dr.michelles3550]

Good to see y’all!

[@SailingBlownAway]

Hey! Just did an ocean passage from Bahamas to NC. Let’s catch up by phone when you have time.

[@ellenknecht7014]

Love this!!

[@SailingBlownAway]

Oh thank you for watching, Ellen and your comment!! ❤️

[@Planzman1]

As a retired professional navigator I recommend you start your celestial navigation education with latitude by polaris Simple home made sextant using string and protractor Look up these guys Homemade Science…..latitude by polaris Cheers

[@SailingBlownAway]

Thank you!! We will do that! I (Eileen) geek out on Math stuff and have always wanted to do the celestial navigation. I will surely make one. We have the tools!

[@Planzman1]

@@SailingBlownAway and you my friend research Kratky hydroponics for this summer 5 gallon bucket , 20 gallon tubs etc. seaborne farmers😳

[@lennypappano6054]

Inspring thoughts... thanks for sharing

[@SailingBlownAway]

Thanks for watching and your comments!! Thanks for your support, Len!! We appreciate it so much!

[@elenaandrufo]

Love you both , and your awesome videos !

[@SailingBlownAway]

Thank you for watching and commenting!! Lots of love to you!! Miss you!!

[@markjennings2315]

T tree oil is the must have on board for avoiding infection getting a hold in nicks, scratches and cuts.

[@SailingBlownAway]

Thanks so much your comment! We have it!! What a great reminder. Thanks for watching as well!!

[@heatherlin7]

We just found you guys and newly subscribed! You guys are awesome and bring something real and unique to the sailing lifestyle. Would love to hang out someday, we got another year or two until our cat purchase. Hubby’s been sailing his entire life, can’t wait. Looking forward to living along vicariously with you for now :)

[@SailingBlownAway]

Hey!! Thank you SO much for watching and subscribing! We are so glad you found us and thank you for becoming patreons too!! You are so sweet!! Your message made our day! We would love to hang out and I will respond to your email and questions there....so we can correspond that way! We are excited that you will be joining us in a year or two and you are at a huge advantage with your hubby's experience!!

[@SailingBlownAway]

We LOVE ❤️ having you as subscribers! Thanks for watching!👍

[@sharonpowell3913]

I will buy a tshirt as soon as they are available!!! Love how you two continue to keep it real!

[@SailingBlownAway]

Awww!! You are so sweet, Sharon. I am glad you enjoy the videos. Thank you so much for your constant encouragement!! We appreciate it.

[@RusstafaB]

Great video enjoyed it thank you 👍🏼

[@SailingBlownAway]

Thanks for watching and commenting! We really appreciate it!❤️

[@ston3kill3r]

Been watching sailing video's for years and finally will be buying a Lagoon 450 cat (if and when covid lets me leave to go see it in Malaysia , which at this stage isn't looking like it will happen soon) .

[@SailingBlownAway]

WOW!! This is truly an extraordinary time for you with the purchase on the horizon! We are excited to have you join us on the blue! I HOPE you can get a reprieve from COVID and get over to see it. We bought ours sight unseen with a lot of video interaction and photos. We wish you all the best. Please keep us posted. That area is great to sail in....so beautiful. We love Malaysia. Thanks for watching and commenting today!

[@kevtamus]

You really need to watch Parlay Revival's videos and be aware they are one of the many people going through this with their Lagoon 450 - there's even a Facebook group with over 500 members dealing with bent and broken bulkheads. Just FYI.

[@SailingBlownAway]

Thanks for this response.

[@kevtamus]

@@SailingBlownAway That response was for Ston3Kill3r because they are wanting to buy a Lagoon 450 - makes me glad I fell into a Leopard.

[@SailingBlownAway]

Yes!! I was grateful you shared your knowledge with them! I am glad we both fell into a leopard!! A friend of mine has a lagoon 450 and is getting the reinforcement now!

[@tturr89]

I think Jannie should buy a boat or you guys should keep her on board yours since she's small enough to fit into all those tight spaces. Also, it doesn't hurt that she knows how to make things with her hands.

[@SailingBlownAway]

Ha ha ha. I agree. She would be perfect to reach the spaces we cannot. Lol. Every now and again we can let her out to do some fishing to keep her happy! 🤪

[@castlerc]

My mistake, the Red green show.

[@SailingBlownAway]

Got it!