66] Boat Life As A SOLO FEMALE TRAVELER | SINGLE-HANDED SAILOR GIRL Lives On a 26ft Sailboat

[@sailingsogno]

For the same reasons I'm also a female solo sailor. Last summer for the first time solo sailed over the river Maas to the Grevelingen (Dutch lake). It was a great experience.

[@SailingKittiwake]

That's fantastic! We admire solo sailors of both genders so much. Sailing a boat is A LOT of work! We don't know how you guys do it. Love the boat name by the way - it means "dream" in Italian :)

[@SuperDirk1965]

Nice to see women are solo sailing as well. Since I met my girlfriend in May this year I had never met any other solo sailing women. Saw her first at the lock in Bruinisse and got to know her when her engine broke down half way between there and the Krammer locks.Gave her a tow to her home port. She sails a 26ft boat as wel, I sail a Dufour 35.

[@MikeLPenny]

I think that was the fastest 13:15 of my life! It felt like I had just started watching and...then I was at the end already! Great vid guys, such an interesting discussion with Susan. Particularly like the part where she said just taking the journey one day at a time enabled her to sail further than she thought she would ever go. Made me wonder if I should actually get off the couch and go sailing 😳🙂 as always FW&FS 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻⛵️

[@SailingKittiwake]

You totally should, Michael! 100% 😊 It’s exactly as she said - you only realise how far you’ve gone once you look back.

[@nick.caffrey]

Michael, I'm too old now, but if you are not yet sixty, GO for it!

[@andreflavell2689]

You are so inspirational. Basic is great. Never go back to 9 to 5 . I am 56 and bought my 1st yacht here in nz . Live on it with my dog . It’s 60 foot 1976 classic sloop . I share it with the community and that brings joy . Wish you could come here to nz . Live move your free spirit..

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks Andre for the kind words.

[@agc812]

Your videos are always insightful. This one is no exception. Kudos to Susan!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks ever so much 🤗

[@paulmorris7603]

Loved this chat. I follow Susan on instagram so it was nice to hear a bit more about her thoughts on solo sailing, cruising life etc.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it, Paul.

[@tonycassar116]

Beautiful little Nicholson 26, raced on one many years back. With Charles Nicholson at the helm. Excellent sailing boat. Congratulations from Malta

[@SailingKittiwake]

Niiice! That must have been a hell of a sail! Thanks for watching, Tony.

[@richardgough6473]

Worked for Halmatic at Havant many years ago grp laminating built a few Nicholson 26 strange if it's one of them also The 38 which is a Ketch best to you all xx

[@wayneneilson844]

Love Susan's attitude and perspective on life! A great inspiration to "just do it!"

[@SailingKittiwake]

Yup. No need for a big fancy boat. We did it the same way on Kittiwake (she was 26ft too).

[@Oceans_Sail]

Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant! Thanks for introducing us to the amazing Suzan. Another incredibly talented individual just like you guys. It’s another reinforcement of my years in business - I truly believe every individual has so much talent - it just needs nurturing - the right conditions, inspiration, a bit of courage and yes - a mentor really helps. Everyone can achieve so much if they really put their minds to it. You guys - and Susan - are great inspirations. Don’t listen to the naysayers who say you need a job, a career, a mortgage, a repayment plan.....follow your dream and all that other sh*t will work out!

[@putrillocirillo5683]

susan is great! so happy to have met her around vulcano islands

[@SapphosSails]

Love susans take! I will hopefully be kicking off my own solo sailing adventure on a Vagabond 47 which is a large boat for a single woman but yeah! We will see!

[@AfricanFlightStar]

Great interview, and you guys are moving right along the coast of Italy, fun to follow you on the map, enjoy!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers! Hehe yes, next is the hop to Corfu :)

[@CalciteSerendipity]

Great interview. I'm also a solo sailor and occasionally get a surprised question from someone. If I had help it would be easier to go over to The Bahamas in the winter or up to Newfoundland in the summer. One thing I tell people is I don't have many arguments. It is tiring being "on" all the time while underway. Anyone who xan do that has a lot of stamina.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Yes, for sure! Sleeping for 15-20 minutes at a time and being in charge of sailing the boat 24/7 is extremely demanding. Susan manages to find crew every now and then. Good crew really helps 😊 Well done! We are inspired by all solo sailors.

[@SailingKittiwake]

PS you may enjoy this old video of ours where we interview a solo sailor who nearly got run down by a containership crossing the Atlantic from the UK to the USA: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5WXio2poaurhc0

[@GustavoLGNobre]

I realy apreciate the simple and genuine acent of all yours videos. There are so much sailing chanels full of characters rather than people... And, by the way, i always learn a lot from the beautiful english lenguage you currently speak... Thank you again!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks ever so much 😊🤗 For us, it’s all about the story, not about us.

[@ElectronicMarine]

"i'm ridicusly happy" that's the point :) that's the true freedom...

[@SailingKittiwake]

👍👍👍 Exactly! Just do what makes you happy 😊

[@SteveDiestler]

Really, really enjoyed your chat! Brilliant! Soon as I sell my house, going to buy a snow goose, was wondering about a steel hull for what I want, but reckon fibreglass will be fine! Do you guys get much condensation? Brilliant series! Keep going!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks so much Steve! We highly recommend fiberglass as steel takes a lot more maintenance and if neglected, it can easily rust and cause holes in your boat 😱 The Snowgoose are brilliant. Just beware of the splashing noise under the hull - living with it full-time drove us nuts.

[@AndysEastCoastAdventures]

Susan should look at the alpicool range or portable compressor fridges. I have the Alpicool 20 on my 25ft boat and it seems ideal for the purpose.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers for the tip Andy, we'll pass it on!

[@ronkirk5099]

Ahh! the cruising life. I cruised a 33' Chatham, steel, pilothouse, cutter for 7 years singlehanded including a 3 year circumnavigation in the high latitudes. It is an awesome lifestyle and "so many nights I just dream of the ocean, God I wish I were sailing again" - Jimmy Buffett "changes in latitude, changes in attitude" Fair winds and far places, ladies.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thank you! It’s a fantastic way of life 😊

[@billb2176]

Tell me that's not Billy Connolly's daughter (just kidding) but such a wonderful way with words and zen view of the world :-))) Reminded me of Laura Dekker (youngest person to sail the globe solo) commenting somewhere in the Pacific about meeting people who 'had so little but were so happy and willing to share'. Excellent interview.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers Bill! 😀 Susan’s great and Laura is another inspiring woman 💪

[@junkbarny6958]

I’m sure I was moored up near Susan on the River Dart July 2017, I recognise the boat. Small world! I only went as far as Scilly that year but managed a solo trip to Spain and back this year, a good autopilot and AIS / radar alarms are good to have.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Ha! What a coincidence. Yes, the sailing world is small 😊 Well done on your solo sailing!

[@SailHosailing]

I love this pink reflection of sunset

[@stuartdavies9519]

Just watched your bimini making episode, you need to sew on flaps that cover your external zips otherwise the UV will rot the zip cloth material very quickly!

[@tonycassar116]

I agree, Greece Ionian is my favorite cruising ground. Normally I sail across from Malta to Fiscardo in Kefalonia. Nicest area Ithaca, Meganissi. EnjoyGreece and the Greek people. I look forward to hearing your experiences. Safe crossing.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers Tony! Yes, it’s a fabulous cruising ground 😊

[@williamwright2183]

Inspiring, insightful and fun. All you guys !

[@SailingKittiwake]

Aw thanks William!

[@johnbrookes2196]

Gosh Im first for a change. What a lovely lady with a positive outlook living how she wants. Thanks guys. Looking forward to your Greek cruising.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Yay! Go John! 🥇 🎉 Yes, she’s a great woman 😊👍 We cannot wait to share our Greece videos - it was our favourite cruising EVER!

[@garysharpe4660]

Hi guys ,love your vids ,great adventure. How did you join the Samson posts at low level please ?

[@MrNatural]

Great interview....really admire Susan

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers Berkely. She’s an amazing woman 😊

[@nick.caffrey]

Susan is rather nice. I think she is someone who is at ease with herself. I wish her godspeed!

[@SailingKittiwake]

So true! 😊 Cheers Nick!

[@TwoGetLost]

So brave. I have a lot of admiration for her!x

[@SailingKittiwake]

Who doesn’t? 😊 x

[@sailingstardreamer]

Watching some of your older videos you’ve done such a lot in the year and an bit

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Nice one guys and what a great person Susan sounds. Truly living in the moment, day to day and has done amazingly well. What is her boat btw? The French love a solo sailor... Andy UK

[@SailingKittiwake]

It’s a Nicholson 26 😊 Thanks Andy! Hope you’re doing well these days 😊

[@roderickmchardy3650]

good on the Scottish lassie ( girl !! )

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

Thanks for that one particularly, Elena and Ryan, and best regards to the sailing lady with that fetching accent.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Nice to hear from you Manfred! We thought we lost you. We’ll relay the regards to Susan 😊

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

@@SailingKittiwake I'm still here. Just had a fulminant finale to attend lately, and an analogically fulminant funeral to organize just after that. Dealing with the legacy still nothing near being sorted yet. That made me a tad bit less attentive to KZbin recently I'm afraid.

[@SailingKittiwake]

So sorry to hear it, Manf! Terrible news. Sending you lots of virtual hugs.

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

@@SailingKittiwake Thanks for those, too, as for the introduction to Mrs singlehanded Susan Sailorgirl.

[@lisar9425]

Best “Get off the couch!” video ever made.

[@GrinsInc]

Thanks for posting

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks for watching :)

[@navegandomivandestadt34]

Congratulations Susan!!

[@michaelbundy3867]

Your old boat is on the hard in Crotone. ❤️ Old Kittiwake.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Yes, it is now. She was still on the western side of Italy when we were in Crotone this spring, unfortunately. We really wanted to meet up with the new owners and take a picture of the two boats together, but it didn't work out :(

[@LegionarHR]

Awsome videos, keep up the good work, come and sail true croatia, we have planty of little islands for you guys to explore :) I just subscribed :)

[@pamelaranney9932]

Please from now on do a tour of this and others boats to show how they live day to day.

[@SailingKittiwake]

We'll try :) It's not always possible because we never stick around places for long. Thanks for watching, Pamela!

[@Lovesaildating]

Great video

[@robweiss748]

And to think I’m debating if a Leopard 40’ sailing catamaran will be “big” enough for my wife and I...amazing, both crews.

[@SailingKittiwake]

😂 Perspective 😊👍

[@andreflavell2689]

Susan I have a 1977 S&S 63 feet sitting here in nz . I live on it with my dog . It’s wasted sitting here on the swing. I know the world has changed. But once it’s back up and going I would love you and few friends to sail her to go anywhere . Back to Europe? In exchange I will give you half of it’s value . I am 56 now and want adventure given the worlds situation. This is a olive branch in life . Go well Andre

[@iainlyall6475]

i liked her. brave young lady.

[@SailingKittiwake]

She is indeed! 😊

[@jsvno]

Listening to her it seems like the world have not moved at all. 40 years ago i was an airline second pilot with a woman as a Captain and wherever we landed they wanted to speak to me the man. But she was the right figure to put them straight. As a captain i have also been flying with female copilots - there is no difference in performance between us. Look in the Viking sagas - they had very powerful women - and respected them....

[@Kitiwake]

You mean gender is a social construct?

[@jsvno]

@@Kitiwake Mentally equal yes!

[@lightend100]

So, youve had a monohull for a season now, how do you find it compared to a multi?

[@SailingKittiwake]

We’ll make a video about that 😊 We’re very happy we upgraded to Skua. For people with a limited budget, monos win 😊

[@surfman88]

Must be hard to anchor and harbouring on your own. Would be interested as well though.

[@MrLindegger]

Hi guys. Has Sue got a web page? Keep going

[@SailingKittiwake]

Yep. Here she is: instagram.com/smillieonsea/. Thank you Robyn!

[@williamwright2183]

Hope you guys had a chance to get out together and have fun .

[@SailingKittiwake]

Now that’s not part of budget cruising (or shall we say skint cruising)? 😂 Jokes aside. Unfortunately, Susan was waiting for crew to sail on to Greece and there was the perfect window to cross before the crew arrived, so we didn’t get to sail together 😊

[@penknifemonkey]

I see your old boat kitty is up for sale on e bay!!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Yup.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Susan is such an inspiration! We hope you enjoy her story :) If you like interviews with solo sailors, check out our interview with a male solo sailor - Denis nearly got run down by a container ship in the middle of the north Atlantic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5WXio2poaurhc0 Need to catch up on our episodes? Check out our season 3 playlist - we buy a cheap bluewater sailboat, refit her and sail away: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKTcZodrbLqlr68

[@dmain6735]

26 foot sounds perfect for a solo sail.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Yes, lots of solo sailors cruise on that size boats 😊

[@myjeepzia]

👏 🚣‍♀️ thanks.

[@SailingKittiwake]

As always, thanks for watching 😊

[@SVImpavidus]

Outstanding. More folks should take the leap and not be sheep. It is right to question and challenge the status quo. Sail safe folks. Ant, Cid & the Pooch crew.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers guys!

[@danscully2430]

I mostly sail on my own, none of my friends have time to come sailing.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Yes it’s hard to find people able to come sailing ☹️

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

@@SailingKittiwake Going to sea without a fridge, dishwasher or aircon, laying on a roadstead without a (loooooong) hot shower twice a day, without 240 V for the hairdryer/curlingiron, without telly and cable, without charging outlets for the phone throughout and 60 Mbit/s wireless wherever You sit or go, and with a somewhat salty dinghy-ride back ashore each friggin time You want a bar full of other phone-addicts definitely isn't for everyone. I subsume it isn't so hard to find people *_able_* to go sailing, it's more the *_wanting_* part which is the challenging side of the equation I'm afraid.

[@Mahalo_83]

manfred schmalbach I wouldn’t go sailing with you with that negative view of life.

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

@@Mahalo_83 You weren't asked to, were You?

[@Mahalo_83]

manfred schmalbach and if you did the answer would be no.

[@clayfarnet970]

👍👍👍

[@jamesedwards1588]

❤️🎥

[@chriswills9530]

It would pee me off if I had had to listen to, and be faced with, all these macho reactions to a woman doing what many men have done. She seems a really chilled and decent human being and I would love to chat over a meal, but not because she is a solo female sailor but because she is an interesting person. Got more patience with macho nonsense than I would, anyway. Nice vid as ever.

[@SailingKittiwake]

What can you do? :) Publish videos to spread awareness of the fact that women can sail too ;) Thanks as always, Chris x

[@pamelaranney9932]

Of their boats

[@StemtoSternSailing]

I envy Susan..... Not the boat, Not really the lifestyle, Not even her beautiful hair,,,,,,, no that's not a 100 percent true sometimes it would be nice to have hair. But I really envy her the bravery to grasp the freedom that is within everyone's reach.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Love how you put it :) So true!

[@JonMadsen70]

:)