I left my tech job in Seattle to live on a sailboat. Despite fighting off pirates at 3 a.m., I will never return to my previous life.

I left my tech job in Seattle to live on a sailboat. Despite fighting off pirates at 3 a.m., I will never return to my previous life.

Living the Dream: Sailing the World on a Sailboat

Brian Trautman is living the dream that many of us only fantasize about. For the past 14 years, he and his wife have been sailing across the globe on a 53-foot sailboat, exploring 46 different countries along the way. It’s a captivating story of leaving behind a conventional life to embark on an extraordinary adventure.

Trautman’s journey began in 2008 when he made the decision to quit his tech job and dive headfirst into the unknown world of sailing. He had always been drawn to the idea of crossing an ocean in his own boat since discovering a book on the subject. As he sat in traffic, staring out of a bus window one morning, he realized that this was the only time he felt truly free from the demands of work. It was in that moment he knew he had to make a change.

With a determined spirit and an entrepreneurial mindset, Trautman sold his house in Redmond to purchase his first sailboat, the SV Delos. The vessel, an 8-year-old Amel Super Maramu, cost him $390,000. Armed with enough savings to last 18 months, his initial plan was to sail to New Zealand. But fate had other plans in store for him.

During his time in New Zealand, Trautman fell in love with sailing. When his savings ran out, he started working on superyachts as an engineer, earning enough money to fuel his dreams. It was during this time that he met Karin, his future wife, who would eventually join him in sailing full-time. Together, they discovered the joy of funding their adventures through content creation.

The couple finances their travels by relying on crowdfunding, Patreon support, YouTube ad revenue, and the sale of SV Delos merchandise. Their YouTube channel, which they launched in 2012, now boasts an impressive 832,000 subscribers. However, some of their fondest memories are from the early days when they had no money. Necessity bred creativity, leading them to trade magazines for food and even brew their own beer.

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Their daily routine now revolves around creating content for their YouTube channel, with Trautman working three to four hours a day. They also have a remote team of seven employees who help produce videos and manage merchandise sales. This lifestyle enables them to enjoy plenty of downtime, spending lazy afternoons on beautiful beaches.

But what does it cost to keep the boat running? The Trautmans pay $10,000 a year for boat insurance and an average of $3,000 a year for fuel. Monthly expenses for food and living range from $3,500 to $4,000. The opportunity to anchor their boat for free is one of the perks of their adventurous lifestyle. However, if a storm approaches, they must lift the boat out of the water, incurring a cost of $1,200.

Living on a sailboat offers unique luxuries and challenges. The Trautmans have 2,000 watts of solar power, lithium batteries, a freezer stocked with enough meat to last four months, and the ability to make their own fresh water. They can even enjoy hot showers on board. However, they’ve also had their fair share of hardships, including being illegally boarded three times. To protect themselves and deter potential thieves, they keep machetes and fire extinguishers on board.

Despite the financial challenges and occasional dangers, the Trautmans have no regrets. They acknowledge that owning a sailboat is a depreciating asset, but with their successful YouTube channel, they have found a way to sustain their lifestyle. For them, the freedom and adventure far outweigh any financial concerns. They encourage others to seize the opportunity to embark on their own adventures, reminding us that we are never truly ready for the unknown, but that shouldn’t stop us from pursuing our dreams.

Brian Trautman, his wife Karin, and their daughter Sierra have created a life most can only dream of. They have turned their love for sailing into a fulfilling and rewarding journey, exploring the world one sea at a time. Their story is an inspiration to break free from the conventional and pursue our passions, reminding us that the greatest adventures come when we step outside our comfort zones. So, what are you waiting for? Set sail and create your own extraordinary story.

• as told to
• contributor 2023
• Freelancer UK