Motorbike + Boat =Adventure
Welcome to my first blog! I’m Les, a guy who loves boats, motorbikes, adventure and of course my wife. I’m passionate about living life to the fullest while doing my part to protect the environment. That’s why we’ve taken the plunge into electric-powered sailing onboard Ocean Strider. Our boat’s engine is an electric drive, and let me tell you – it’s awesome!
We can Circumnavigate the World Sailing Ocean Strider
After some successful short water tests, I’m convinced we can circumnavigate the world using nothing but good planning, smart weather predictions and zero fuel. At least, that’s the plan! We’ll be the test subjects on this long-term journey and I hope our experience inspires more boaters to make the switch to electric. After all, if it works for cars, why not boats?
Electric Sailing: Embracing Life on the Water
I’ve spent a huge part of my life on the water. I moved out of my house in 1987 to live on the River Soar aboard old and new narrowboats. Fast forward to 2019, and I’m now living on a 1979, 10-meter twin-keel Cobra 1050 sailboat in Cumbria’s Solway Firth.
This blog is my way of sharing the highs and lows of that journey – the lessons I’ve learned over 40 years of living on, restoring, upgrading and building over 80 boats. I know what makes them tick, what keeps them comfortable and what ensures they run reliably. Now, as we prepare to set off on our adventure, I want to share that knowledge with you.
The Mission: A Sustainable Electric Sailing Adventure
Like many people, we’ve had to put our plans on hold recently due to the pandemic. But rather than focus on the negatives, we’ve used this time to fine-tune the details on Ocean Strider – thinking about everything that will make our journey more sustainable, safer and more comfortable. The goal? To spend less time worrying about maintenance and costs and more time enjoying the adventure.
This journey isn’t just about us; it’s about proving that long-distance sailing on an electric drive is possible. We’ll document the entire experience – the wins, the challenges and everything in between. Expect photos, videos and insights from our travels, both the breathtaking and the brutal.
Real Talk: Budgeting and Boat Life
We’re not rich. Life has thrown us plenty of curveballs and we don’t have a steady income. But that won’t stop us from having one hell of a time – and bringing you along for the ride! I’ll be writing about this adventure from the perspective of a real-world budget, sharing honest reviews of the gear we use and the modifications we make. If something works, I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it doesn’t, I won’t be sugarcoating it.
I’m already having a blast writing this, and there’s so much more to come. If you’re interested in sustainable sailing, boat life, or just chasing your dreams on a shoestring budget, stick around! Life isn’t always easy, but if we can turn setbacks into learning experiences, we’ll all be better for it. See you out there!
Les
