BOATLIFE: Women Belong in the ENGINE Room! Plus, weekly Q&A with the Captain [NORDHAVN 43 TRAWLER]

[@michae8jackson378]

Elizabeth you'll be happy to know that my wife and I have 180 degree different responsibilities than the "normal" ones. She is the mechanic, electrical guru, takes care of the pool, etc. I love doing the house work. Dishes, cooking, laundry, etc. So yes, women should be whereever they darn well please! Whatever makes them happy. Heck all people should do what makes them happy if possible. I was in biz, but she inspired me to become an airline pilot!. Life is short, do what you want to be happy!

[@alg54]

The drone footage is very well done. Adds so much to your videos.

[@AdventuresWithBrian83]

Like all things in life, owning a boat is doable by anyone with skills or a big checkbook... You can either learn to do all the maintenance yourself, or find a good service technician who will come whenever you need them. My kiddos love it when we get to pass by the huge tankers anchored outside Anacortes or Cherry Point to the north! They are stunning when anchored, and terrifying when moving.

[@Div3r]

If I'm honest one of the hardest parts of doing maintenance on a boat is usually the contortions you have to get into to access anything. I worked on aircraft most of my adult life and one of the jobs I used to live for was climbing about inside fuel tanks. I sometimes get Deja vu when I do boat jobs. I have found that something soft to kneel on makes life easer. If you think that oil filler cap was tight you wait till you try to get a "hand tight" oil filter off. Its one of the mysteries of life why a nut and bolt can shake itself loose but a hand tight oil filter seems to manage to tighten itself all on its own.

[@jrisheim]

We have a Nordic Tug 37. The Nordic has a nice engine room but no where as nice as the N43. We call working in the engine room "Boat Yoga" :)

[@leospassn]

Both Shawn and Elizabeth do a fantastic job of showing boating life in the Pacific Northwest, including the RAIN. I watch other cruising videos and I really like that this one (MV Freedom) shows boating maintenance and projects that are a CONSTANT part of boat ownership, perhaps unbeknownst to non-boaters. Elizabeth runs multiple cameras and drones, and puts together some of the best footage of a beautiful corner of the country: the Puget Sound and Pacific Northwest. My hope is that not too many people get inspired to join the boaters up north. I have spent many summers sailing the San Juan's and Inland Passage, and I love seeing familiar places. My 83 yo mother also enjoys the familiar sights and sounds of boating the inland passage, the strait of Juan de Fuca, etc. Keep up the great video Elizabeth & Shawn. Some folks are jealous of your life. I am a little bit too, but I love living vicariously through your mini-documentaries/travelogues. Carry on!!

[@yzaw4411]

It shows the true life of cruising. Love the videos Keep up the great work and love the Q and A

[@peterdodge6563]

Shawn-You don’t do yourself justice- you do very well on camera.

[@robertcolvin3182]

Greatly appreciate your channel. A Sunday morning treat for those of us greatly confined by the virus. Keep up the great work.

[@jimrogers9253]

cudos to you young lady for learning the ropes of the boat and getting your captain's rating. think you have an outstanding mentor. JDR

[@abracadabra401]

Always great videos you from your adventures. I was in the navy in Bremerton washington in the 70's and the sound was always beautiful. for fishing and cruising. I admire women who can turn a wrench, You go girl👋👍...Safe travels.

[@stevenbennett3922]

Sean. I think you do very well to camera. Confident and assured.

[@roberttorres809]

Number one,” your doing a great job on camera, # 2 Hurray for Elizabeth and her youtube decision and # 3 I love your Q&A segments! Thanks for everything!!!!

[@edquier40]

Good Job Swab! Now you get a promotion to Mate! I love Sunday morning Freedom adventurers! Keep up the good work!

[@swamprobin3291]

Every time I see interior shots of Freedom, I feel like I need to do boat maintenance. You guys inspire me with your rigor.

[@jamesmulhern6733]

Since Freedom is your home, maintanence is normal. Elizabeth the best way to learn is to do it. I see you are learning well with shawn help. Congrats on getting your Captain's certifcation. You will make a good one. MV Freedom is 1 boat i enjoy seeing as it glides alone the water. Many more seas going adventures to come for sure. Thank you for sharing and showing all how you perform duties while at anchor.

[@worldhopper1]

Whoo Hoo - maintenance yoga always makes me feel like a pretzel when I’m done...

[@bobblack6816]

Elizabeth, your hilarious 😆. Love your humor!

[@ralfspoddig3474]

Well done Elizabeth. Very difficult not to spill a little oil when removing a horizontally positioned oil filter. You rock girl 👍

[@Colinpark]

Life as a "Wet Coaster", feel for ya! Good job on going for a Captains ticket and junior Marine Engineer!

[@bnkwupt]

Great video. You’re probably bored to tears with the weather and isolation, but it’s real life and I like watching it. Thanks for sharing, especially a little wrenching.

[@kevinchiverton6429]

Hi guys. I have to say Shawn, your drone footage when you are sailing along is just absolutely spot on. Well done. Love it. And thank you Elizabeth for answering my question, by stating how long you are in the 'classroom' studying for your captaincy certificate. I bet you are getting more excited, the nearer you get to accomplishing the course. 😉 All the best to you two, + Mr. Sully. Stay safe. See yer again l8r 🙂

[@mvfreedom]

Yes I’m very excited to be nearing the finish line!

[@panacea407]

The connection to John McVie of Fleetwood Mac fame is really cool. I attended several of their concerts “back in the day”. Great episode!

[@jeanne-gord7685]

4 days on board is nothing. We live on south Whidbey and during that spell of rain I didn't leave the house for over a week. Even the koi went hungry. Nice to see the PNW featured. So many spots we have been and want to return to.

[@rondreher1795]

A male bull seal as evidenced by the bump on his head. Likely "chilling" with one of his girl friends. As always nice video.

[@anthonymiller8989]

Susan and Tony here, we have both completed the USCG captains coarse and Tony has been a licensed for the past 15 years, wish you good testing. Here in Michigan we take the test in Toledo and some people spend up to 5 days there to get thru it. But if we can I am sure it will be cake for you.

[@johngrant7696]

My wife not only fit better in the engine room she is just plain better at understanding the mechanics, the electrical and even the plumbing. She is also beautiful. The total boating wife. I’m a fortunate guy.

[@derekt7606]

Great videos. One tip, get in the habit of tying your hair up when working in any engine room.

[@pacificcoastpiper3949]

You should get a roll of pig mat, it’s an oil absorption matting that a few machinists I know use

[@Sirena_Edonismo]

Great job on the oil change Elizabeth. It’s like everything else, after you do it a couple of times they’ll be nothing to it. The fact that you got down there and did it is awesome. I was surprised to hear that Shawn felt a little uncomfortable in front of the camera. He always does a great job and I learn something each time I watch your videos. Keep up the good work. 👍👏

[@68spc]

I don’t get why you don’t have more subs. I’ve been watching your content for the last year it seems like and your content is great. Nice to see the work videos.

[@richardshippful]

Cool info about the John Mcviegh connection.

[@bradbusch9585]

It’s fantastic your taking the captain’s course well done 👍

[@bertoverweel6588]

We see lots of big container ships in Europort Rotterdam , it's always impresssiv to see these ships enter the harbor . We have snow in the Netherlands witch is special .

[@jonrau5988]

From Vancouver WA so cool to find a channel close to home.

[@patrickcallan8256]

One of the best places to boat year round. At least you don't need to shovel snow off the boat!

[@toservewithlove1]

Wow you keep that engine room spotless. Love it.

[@tinab6683]

Good on you, Elizabeth! Learning while doing is always a good way to retain learning! Good luck with your Captain studies!

[@damienquinn]

Thanks for the cool Q&A Shawn. It's been a while since you've done a deep dive into some serious maintenance stuff (electrical, mechanical, etc). The kind of stuff you show unscrewing, removing, replacing, resealing. But that's cool, we'll just wait here :)

[@samhklm]

That closing drone shot is awesome.

[@7WetDawg3]

When you cruise to Hawaii, stop in Lahaina. Fleetwood has a restaurant there that is fantastic! Great video as always.

[@donschlegel1972]

Thanks for this great video . Hard work and patients . RESPECT . Great job . In 37 years I have polished and waxed over 100 Nordhavin Boats in my day . Appreciated your Time Best warmest Regards Vancouver Canada Donny Schlegel .

[@seanworkman431]

The more aware you are of your vessel the better, learn everything because the person you are relying on may need to rely on you one day. Do a first aid course, that will reduce panic and simple knowledge of what can go wrong prevents the wrong. Fun fact, someone onboard who is seasick will have difficulty urinating until you put their hand in a cup of luke warm water and it does not matter if you tell them or not.

[@chrissayers7076]

Elizabeth, well done for doing an engine service, a real bonus of a boat, your in a nice warm and dry space, might be a little cosy, unlike a car/automobile, its horrible as the engine is dirty and usually done outside if its a DIY job. Learning electrical systems is not hard, most repairs can be done with a few hand tools, just invest in a decent multimeter, and I see Shawn already has one of those. Another great video, thanks.

[@CaptainJackSparrow110]

I think much of the electrical on a boat is like in an automobile. It's wired to the chassis so you don't have a ground and it's easier to install stuff and diagnose circuit problems. I'm not explaining this well.

[@douglaswagner311]

Great music, editing , content, banter and information .... allowing us viewers to enjoy the boating life vicariously... I live in Nor-Cal but keep my boat 🛥 in Port Hadlock.... I suggest you stop by sometime... another cute anchorage and harbor

[@markduncan6690]

Whoa! That “Freedom Vessel” sure cuts some fine lines!

[@eightbars1]

My guess is you live there because it is the most beautiful city I've ever been to. I was born there, so maybe I have a bias, but I love that kind of weather. Maybe genetic, since I am Irish and Ireland is on about the same lines regarding weather. But gray and overcast makes it even more scenic, to me. And I love the rain. I sleep like a log when it's raining. And a little rain has never bothered me a bit. If I could swing it, I would be living on a boat up there now instead of here, at Lake Tahoe, also beautiful. I doubt if I could ever tire of all the different places to anchor up there, And rain is just icing on the cake to me. The air always smells so fresh.

[@kj3rd2657]

That's good you are still going for your Captains License me and others are wanting you to do this and I have done my classes before. Like they say! You Go Girl!👏

[@markfreeman7264]

You go Girl!! You are Awesome!!! Good luck with your Capt. License, I know you will get it 👍😀

[@jwm4436]

Liked the episode. Editing and camera work was really good. Thanks for sharing. Life is good~

[@donandheather]

Excellent job changing the oil, Elizabeth. Shawn always looks super hot working on engines. 😍

[@MrRemphoto]

That this was once owned by John McVie and he sailed it to Hawaii is fascinating. That is interesting to me as a 50 year Fleetwood Mac fan and is a value-add to your boat.

[@paulbenoit9431]

"Why do we live here?" I ask myself that question every year about this time! I really enjoy your drone videos!

[@jimsinclair2862]

Next time you go south to Vashon Island try Dockton Park. It's a public park with lots of dock space and easy access to land.

[@mvfreedom]

Next week’s vid 👍

[@urabus7875]

remember to clean the elements in the hot water heater..gets covered in calcium over time

[@Mamame4]

You've challenged me! Next oil change on the boat, I'm assisting! Then I'll learn how to do it myself!

[@johnhughes8712]

Whether male or female engine rooms can be dangerous for people with long hair. It anything mechanical is running long hair should be confined before entering. A lady on another commercial fishing vessel I fished alongside had her neck broken, killing her, when her long hair was snagged in the main engine drive shaft. Drive belts, etc. offered the same danger.

[@comp4nerd2]

Excellent advice!

[@fredsillner4342]

Another great video guys! Enjoy all your informative information and as a normal or as normal of a couple can be within a 43’ span! Looking forward to the soon to be Captain Elizabeth! ⛴ Stay safe!

[@waynemcphail7825]

Love your channel and your dog's yellow slicker!!

[@dahveed284]

I think women working in the engine room is a natural. Women tend to be smaller and more flexible which is really good for getting in there and working on things. Your production values are great. It's shocking to see how few subs you have. I think its because you live and cruise in the frigid, rainy, NW.

[@jimbaker8624]

Thank you again for a fun video. I look forward to watching weekly.

[@davidingraham1989]

We just added a trawler course in south Florida in December so hopefully that will count time on the water for our Captains license. Thanks for the great vids as always. D

[@flutterbyeflutters]

You folks are legends in my book. Good job on the videos.

[@billdillard885]

Ditch the long winters of the GNW... Point Freedom towards Florida and never look back... It’s all about getting more Vitamin D!! As always... First Class Vids!!

[@andybowden1655]

LOVE your drone shots!!!

[@michaeldowns4236]

Glad you guys are on KZbin !!!!

[@richardsmith4187]

Greetings Elizabeth, Shawn & Mr. Sully Really enjoyed your vlog today and the scenery is beautiful, loved the sea lions on the buoy ! Your shots with the drone are spectacular and the container ship was huge. Stay warm and dry, it's about 74 here in Tampa and waiting for the mighty Buc's to play. Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

[@mvfreedom]

Go Bucs!

[@richardsmith4187]

@@mvfreedom It should be a good game enjoy !

[@skullstjohn]

Great background music choices!

[@bradbusch9585]

Great video guys always a plus to view your videos Sunday morning cheers 🍻

[@mikemarino1917]

Damn your boat is clean!!! You guys keep that thing like new...

[@cruisingcircadia6574]

Elizabeth you are my inspo!

[@bobcathey8903]

Shawn and Elizabeth, just finished watching the Superbowl and now I am watched you. These days you are much more interesting. Shawn, you do fine on camera as well as Elizabeth. Great teamwork. Have been on a cruise to Alaska, driven to the San Juan Islands by car from TN, and traveled the East Coast from FL to CA in my own express cruiser. Boatless now but would love to cruise the San Juans and Pacific NW. Maybe on a small trawler like one from Fluid Motion.

[@Brad-sb1dk]

Shawn, your engine room looks great and training Elisabeth in the maintenance is fantastic. I admire your "anal" approach to boat maintenance and as a retired engineer I exhibited much the same behavior on my boat. As a friendly suggestion I would recommend a quality pair of safety glasses be added to your engine room routine and working with your power tools. They would also do double duty piloting the dinghy in the rain😉. Keep up the great work and your entertaining videos.

[@russelljohnson4527]

I personally am a BIG fan of the yellow tinted ones. ESPECIALLY for the outdoors-y dingy racing and seeing stuff under fluorescent lights!

[@guymanges3628]

It may seem weird but I enjoy being on the boat. ,On and on thank you.

[@garthjones3747]

we in the NW dress for anything and anything will happen great post as usual G

[@roger9453]

Outstanding - I hate to admit it, but I just have my serviced regularly. I am just too damn lazy to change our oil.

[@James-seafan]

excellent video and drone shots

[@Andrew-ep4kw]

13:16 funny, I follow this channel and Mermaid Monster (they have a Nordhavn 55), who just got a new tender. So I'm looking at Freedom's tender and for a moment thought, "whoa, did they go back to the old one?"

[@cpwatching5647]

Good video. We will be installing a USB AC outlet also. Good job on that oil change. I'll not be transferring the oil change duties on our boat. She is not interested and says no thank you to that :) Great comments on LEDs. I still have many to change in our Searay. So many types of bulbs and I'm reluctant to buy unless I have them both in hand to compare. The little reading lights have halogens and could be used as cabin heaters. Take care.

[@philliptaylor6149]

Great video as usual, looking forward to the next one.

[@michaelwas8549]

all purpose tool...best tool ever invented.

[@davidzimmer2694]

Really good drone video this vid. I know it's labor intensive because I have one but man does it enhance the overall video quality. Awesome job. Do you use the mini or the mav 2 more?????

[@mvfreedom]

Lately the Mav 2 more, it’s growing on Shawn!

[@j-maxfromor1895]

Drone videos were outstanding. I did wonder if you called the container ship on vhf to ask permission for close flyover, or are they used to it. Good to see Elizabeth pursuing Capt. license and changing oil. I recall Shawn saying crossing oceans is your long range plan, so that would be most helpful. Also wondered what are the small devices mounted above door and starboard window in the cockpit?

[@mvfreedom]

We didn’t call them, we looked a lot closer than we were 😉

[@williamcallaway2245]

Again, another fabulous video, your production quality is always magnificent. I watch your videos in sequence most all the time and have enjoyed your adventures for the past three years. It is always a pleasure watching. Thank you!

[@eugeniusro]

After this oil change at the generator, I think it's a good idea to put some candles on the shopping list, just in case :)

[@kariwikholm4320]

Well done, there is also one generator waiting oil changing at M/Y Pegasus in Finland wish Capt. Wiki

[@petebates849]

good stuff, just bought a 44 foot trawler, don;t pick it up till june

[@spacklemaster]

You should check out Vendovi Island next time you are in the San Juan’s. It was owned by the Fluke family (The guy that invented that multimeter) and donated to the SJ preservation trust. Super cool place with dock.

[@mvfreedom]

Very interesting, we’ll have to check that out!

[@spacklemaster]

@@mvfreedom It’s only a 70’ dock so freedom will probably eat all of it ;) - you can call the caretakers Elaina & Thyatira and make sure there is space or anchor / dinghy in. Closed for the season now - opens in May

[@patrickleahy770]

Interesting owner history of the boat!

[@jimmykure7126]

Nice video, Allahs looking forward to the next one.

[@jimmykure7126]

Allahs= always

[@brianbright7501]

I never realized how muscular of a lady you are. Theo biceps are WOW!!! Good job, all that engine work and boat work you all are doing is paying off.

[@CaptainJackSparrow110]

I keep cheap bread and end pieces in my car so when I see ducks or gulls I can feed them. Do you keep leftover fish parts to feed the wildlife?

[@mvfreedom]

No not usually.

[@gordonlewandowski77]

Any reason you didn’t use a funnel to refill the generator oil reservoir instead of pouring straight from the jug? Just sayin’. . . :-)

[@mvfreedom]

That part didn’t make the cut but it made things worse. That opening is problematic and the oil overflows more easily with the funnel oddly enough.

[@msweaver2]

Four days without getting off the ship is a long time. No wonder Mr. Sully was feeling off his schedule.

[@suunto61]

How about an update on the dehumidifier? Working well?

[@mvfreedom]

Yes we love it, wouldn’t ever want to be without it.

[@kevinmacdonald9849]

Now that Elizabeth can change oil, you need to teach her to sand and paint the bottom. Another suggestion would be to find her a second job so you can get a bigger boat.

[@bsb11kat25]

Good afternoon from Stoke-on-Trent, U.K.

[@yorg33kyorgeek57]

Captain Elizabeth the Wonder Woman! Oil change pftt...you made it look easy. Sean is gonna be permanent 1st mate and maintenance crew man. LOL! Just kidding Sean. A little...

[@jackludlum6700]

Can you do a video of servicing Outboard

[@mwrcrft]

Thanks for the update

[@hughmyers2072]

Good job on the oil change! Do you send a samples for analysis?

[@mvfreedom]

No, only during the sea trial.

[@hughmyers2072]

@@mvfreedom Oil analysis can let you know if there are any issues with your engine before they become catastrophic. For example high metals or coolant in the oil. For $30 per test I think it is a good value. (Peace of mind)

[@jrisheim]

@@mvfreedom Don't ask me how I know... but I know how much of a Pain the the A** it is to fill up the Northern Lights without overflowing. Try the oil filler on top - you take off the upper panel and the oil filler there takes oil as fast as you can pour it in... Cheers!

[@skistrycharski6999]

So enjoy your adventures in the PNW/west side keep it coming. Waiting for the spring time/eBike keep on cruising. Anacortes,Wa.