Sailing Doodles Podcast

Owning a brand-new hybrid-electric yacht has been exciting—but it has also come with a much steeper learning curve than expected. In this podcast, I give an honest update on my first few weeks aboard the Island Spirit 525e. I walk through the technical issues we’ve experienced so far, including repeated generator faults, problems within the drive-battery system, charging limitations, and some of the other complications that have interrupted our cruising through Thailand. I explain what happened, what the technicians and builder have done to investigate the problems, and why the generator and battery systems are so important on a yacht designed around electric propulsion. This isn’t meant to attack anyone or declare the entire concept a failure. New boats often have issues, and this yacht uses relatively new and complex technology. I simply want to be transparent with the audience about the good, the bad, and the decisions still ahead. Do we continue improving the hybrid system, make major changes, or consider a more conventional setup? At this point, I’m keeping an open mind. Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodles

I’m back with the second half of my patron Q&A, and this time we’re talking about what kind of boat I should buy for my next adventure. Would a diesel Sea Ray-style express cruiser work for Florida, the Keys, the Bahamas, and potentially farther into the Caribbean? Or would I be better off with a trawler, a traditional motor yacht, or something designed for longer-range cruising? I discuss the features, size, speed, dinghy setup, and practical limitations I would consider before buying. I also answer questions about whether I would collaborate with high-performance powerboat channels, meeting up with other content creators while traveling, and how Cougar and Merlin react to the constant stream of new people joining the boat. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. Let me know what boat you think would make the best next chapter for Sailing Doodles. Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodles

A few weeks ago I shared an idea that I thought could completely change the way people experience luxury sailing. Then I asked for your feedback. Hundreds of comments later—and one incredibly detailed blog from a viewer—I realized I had made some major mistakes. In this episode I explain what I got wrong, why the original model probably wouldn't work, and the new direction I'm considering. We dive into whole-boat memberships vs. cabin memberships, pricing, charter economics, premium weeks, refundable deposits, and how this idea might actually become a real business. I still don't know if this will ever happen, but it's already a much better idea because of your feedback. As always, I'd love to hear what you think. Would you join something like this? What would you change? Here is Sam's Blog post: https://sveoti.net/an-open-letter-to-bob-white-sailing-doodles-buying-a-yacht-for-you/ Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodles

In this patron Q&A podcast, I answer some of the most common—and most interesting—questions viewers have been asking. I talk about what happened with recent crew members, how I find people to join the boat, the couple who were supposed to launch a Sailing Doodles spin-off channel, whether I’m in a relationship, my changing thoughts about Thailand, plans for the new catamaran, the Mediterranean, the flotilla, and whether I’m seriously considering buying a motor yacht and doing the Great Loop. I also tell a disturbing offshore story about a friend who hired a delivery captain to sail his yacht from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean. In the middle of the Atlantic, the captain suffered a serious mental-health crisis and threatened to jump overboard. My friend had to change course and divert the yacht to the Azores so the captain could safely get ashore and receive help. It raises an important question: what do you do when someone panics, becomes unstable, or simply cannot handle being at sea—with nowhere nearby to get off the boat? Thanks to all the patrons and viewers who submitted questions. Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodles

What if there was a better way to own a luxury yacht? I've been working on a business idea that I honestly can't decide is brilliant... or completely crazy. Imagine having access to a $1.4 million sailing catamaran that cruises the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Thailand and beyond, without having to buy the whole boat yourself. In this episode I walk through the concept, the numbers, the challenges, and the biggest objections I've already heard. Most importantly, I want YOUR feedback. Would you join something like this? What would make you say yes... and what would make you run away? Leave your thoughts in the comments. Your feedback may completely change this idea. Fill out the survey if you want to go in on this with me! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5cP4pI-etL7w761rhN6DqTA81sLEbRsI0KTpkF3Jhf31-kg/viewform?usp=dialog Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodle

In this episode, I talk through a big realization about the future of Sailing Doodles: because of location, weather, and cruising seasons, I may only be able to film on my new catamaran about four months a year. That creates a real problem. If I want to keep making consistent boat content, I may need a second boat. So I’m thinking about buying a smaller motor yacht to keep in Florida and use for cruising the Bahamas, and maybe even doing parts of the Great Loop. I go through the different types of boats I’m considering, what makes sense for the channel, what fits the budget, diesel vs gas, speed vs efficiency, and whether a motor yacht could be the right move for the next chapter. Is this a smart backup plan, or am I just trying to talk myself into buying another boat?

Most people have a dream. Maybe it’s sailing around the world, building a cabin in the mountains, starting a farm, opening a business, moving overseas, or just walking away from a life that looks successful on paper but doesn’t actually make you happy. But most people never do it. Not because the dream is impossible, but because they keep waiting until they’re ready. In this episode, I talk about why I believe you have to set a date, prepare as best you can, and then go. My dream was sailing around the world on a yacht, but this isn’t just about sailing. It’s about risk, freedom, time, work, and the trap of waiting for the perfect moment. I also talk about leaving a good career, the idea of “no risk, no reward,” why doing nothing is also a risk, and why chasing the dream might not work out exactly how you planned — but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth doing. You can always get another job. You can’t always get another life. Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodles

In this episode, I’m answering your questions from Patreon, YouTube members, and the Sailing Doodles app. We start with the big one: my recent health scare, the blood clots and thrombosis, whether it could be connected to my past stroke, how medical care has been overseas, and what recovery might look like from here. Then we get into the questions everyone always wants answered: What’s going on with Olivia? Is she coming back to the boat? What happened with the Brazilian girl? Will Chloe or Sailing Miss Lone Star return? I also talk about the dogs, the future of the new Island Spirit 525e, what the delivery crew thought of the boat, the electrical and solar questions, the damaged old hull, possible cruising plans, the Med, the Pacific, RV travel, Burning Man, and what’s next for Sailing Doodles. Thanks for all the questions, support, and well wishes. It has been a strange and stressful chapter, but I’m doing my best to stay positive and figure out the path forward. Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodles

After a big health scare, I’ve had to ask myself some hard questions about the future of Sailing Doodles. I just bought my dream yacht, but now I’m dealing with blood clots and thrombosis in major abdominal veins, and I still don’t have all the answers about what caused it or what the long-term prognosis looks like. For a while, there was even concern it could be cancer, which thankfully seems to have been ruled out. In this episode, I talk honestly about what this could mean for my future: whether I can keep sailing long term, what happens to the new yacht if my health changes, whether I’d sell the boat, hire crew, slow down, or pivot the channel completely. I also talk about what retirement might actually look like, whether I regret buying the boat right before this happened, and what happens to the dogs, the crew, the travel plans, and Sailing Doodles as a whole. This one is personal. I don’t have all the answers yet, but this scare has definitely changed how I think about life, health, travel, and the future of the channel. Thanks for watching and for all the support. Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodles

In this episode, I talk about the medical issue that suddenly interrupted my life and my plans for Sailing Doodles. It started with abdominal pain that I thought might be something minor, but after hospital visits, scans, and more tests, doctors found inflammation around my pancreas and blood clots in the portal vein. For a short time, there was a real fear that it could be pancreatic cancer, which was obviously terrifying. Right now, I’m still waiting on a proper diagnosis. It could be something autoimmune, it could be related to pancreatitis, or it could be something else entirely. I’m on blood thinners, getting more testing done, and trying to understand what this means for my future. I also talk about what this could mean for Sailing Doodles, cruising plans, the new boat, and how something like this makes you rethink everything pretty quickly. This is a more personal episode, but I wanted to be honest about where things stand and what I’m dealing with. Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodles

After years of delays, setbacks, and finally taking delivery of my new Island Spirit 525e… I’ve run into another problem. Because of Thailand’s import and customs rules, I now have to sail the boat roughly 72 hours to Malaysia, clear customs, and then sail all the way back to Thailand just so the yacht can legally return as a tourist vessel. It’s expensive, time consuming, exhausting… and honestly pretty frustrating after everything it took to finally get this boat in the water. In this episode of the Sailing Doodles Podcast, I break down: Why I have to leave Thailand The confusing customs/import situation My planned route to Malaysia The risks of an offshore passage this soon Costs, timing, and logistics What this means for the future of the boat Owning a yacht overseas definitely isn’t always as glamorous as it looks online. Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/ #Sailing #YachtLife #Thailand #Malaysia #Catamaran #SailingDoodles

After years of planning, delays, factory visits, and a whole lot of frustration, my new Island Spirit 525e electric catamaran is finally in the water — and sailing. In this episode, I talk through the last few crazy weeks of the build: inspecting the boat at the factory, the Buddhist blessing ceremony, the nerve-racking truck move to the marina, launching the yacht, and finally taking her out for the first sail and sea trial. I’ll share what went right, what still needs work, what surprised me most about the boat’s performance, and whether this electric catamaran project is turning out the way I hoped. Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361 or join our Patreon http://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles or become a channel member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDwexrF43p_1QurfKFBCBA/join Donate Via Paypal to help http://www.paypal.me/sailingdoodles Our partners: Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/ Precision Sails: https://www.precisionsailloft.com/request-for-quote/?utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=sailing-doodles Highfield Boats: https://www.highfieldboats.com/

Electric boats are no longer some far-off future idea — they’re here, and my new Island Spirit 525e is a perfect example. With a 210 kWh battery bank, two 65 kW electric motors, and around 80 nautical miles of electric range at 6 knots, this is a serious electric propulsion system. In this episode, I talk about the safety side of modern electric boats: lithium batteries, battery monitoring, cooling systems, electric propulsion, installation quality, and why today’s systems are much safer than they were just a few years ago. I also get into one of the biggest fears on any modern sailboat: lightning. A lightning strike can cause massive damage, destroy electronics, and create electrical gremlins that last for years. That’s why I installed the CMCE Sertec lightning prevention system on my boat. I explain how it works, why I think lightning protection is essential on a modern electric catamaran, and why protecting all these electronics and batteries matters more than ever. We’ll also talk about maintenance, reliability, generator backup, energy management, and what life is really like with a modern lithium and electric propulsion system onboard. Topics in this episode: Lithium battery safety on boats Electric propulsion systems Battery monitoring and cooling Lightning protection CMCE Sertec system Generator backup Marine electronics Electric sailing catamarans Island Spirit 525e Modern boat reliability Big takeaway: electric boats are not scary when they’re done right — what’s scary is powerful technology installed casually. And f you are looking for the Sertec lightning prevention system in Asia contact Electrical Marine https://electrical-marine.com/ Otherwise, check out their website: https://marine.sertec.com.py/en/ Want more info in the Island Spirit 525e? Be sure to say you saw it on Sailing Doodles. https://inspiredyachting.com/sailing-doodles-and-inspired-yachting-island-spirit-525e-referral/

Dating while sailing around tropical islands sounds like it should be easy… but the reality is a lot more complicated. When you live on a boat and cruise full-time, you are constantly moving from one place to the next. You are rarely in one place long enough to casually date, and most cruising destinations are full of couples, families, honeymooners, and retired cruisers — not single people looking to date. Then add YouTube into the mix. In this episode, I talk about what it is really like trying to date while living on a boat, traveling internationally, filming my life for YouTube, and dealing with the audience speculation that comes with every new woman who appears on the channel. We talk about dating apps, meeting people in cruising destinations, why relationships can move so fast on a boat, the difference between crew and dating, privacy, jealousy, and how hard it can be to know whether someone is interested in you, the travel, the lifestyle, or the camera. Dating in paradise is not always what people think. Download the Sailing Doodles Crew App on iOS and come join the Crew! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailing-doodles-crew/id6760212361

The Bahamas pushed cruising fees too far in 2025, and the boating industry says the fallout was immediate: fewer boats, weaker marina occupancy, and millions in lost economic activity across the islands. As of April 1, 2026, they’ve changed the system again. I’m breaking down the new official fee structure, comparing it to the old one, and showing what it means for a typical cruising boat heading to the Bahamas today.

In this episode of the Sailing Doodles Podcast, I finally sit down with Chloe for a real conversation about her background, where she came from, and how she ended up joining the crew. It’s a fun, honest episode where you really get to know her beyond what you see in the videos… But we also share some important news. Chloe will be leaving Sailing Doodles for now to head home and take care of some medical things. We talk about what’s going on, what this means moving forward, and what’s next. It’s not goodbye forever — just a new chapter. Chekc out her Patreon https://www.patreon.com/chloer

In this episode of the Sailing Doodles Podcast, I’m answering your questions—from the new 525e catamaran build to future sailing plans, life in Thailand, and yes… Chloe. We cover everything from boat systems and upgrades, to where I’m sailing next, to how all of this actually works behind the scenes. Nothing is off limits in this one. Topics include: Status of the new Island Spirit 525e Future sailing plans (Maldives, Australia, beyond) Life and relationships on the road and at sea Boat systems, maintenance, and lessons learned Content, Patreon, YouTube, and how it all works Thanks to everyone who submitted questions—these AMA episodes are some of my favorites to do.

For years I assumed I had another 5–10 years as a content creator before technology really started disrupting things. After seeing how fast AI video is advancing… I’m not so sure anymore. AI can now generate voices, scripts, music, and even realistic video scenes. I recently watched several AI-generated reels and videos that honestly fooled me at first. And the scary part is this technology is improving incredibly fast. In this episode I talk about: • AI-generated videos that fooled me • How fast AI video is improving • Why creators might actually lose this battle • How AI could flood YouTube with unlimited content • Whether real creators will still be able to make a living Even if people prefer real creators, the amount of AI content coming could make it almost impossible to compete. But there may still be one thing AI can’t replicate… real life experiences. So is this the end of creators, or just the next evolution of content creation?

Ever wondered how hard it is to move pets internationally? visit AE Pets https://www.aepetsgo.com In this episode of The Sailing Doodles Podcast, I break down exactly what it took to move my two dogs from the United States all the way to Thailand. There are a lot more steps involved than most people realize — health certificates, government approvals, airline regulations, quarantine rules, and more. To help explain the process, I sit down with James from AE Pets International, the company that handled the logistics of transporting my dogs. We talk about how international pet shipping works, what pet owners need to know before moving abroad, and how professionals coordinate everything from paperwork to flights to make sure pets arrive safely. If you’re planning to travel or relocate overseas with your pets, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the process and how to make it much easier. Topics we cover: • The paperwork required to ship pets internationally • Health certificates and vaccination requirements • Airline cargo vs passenger transport • What happens when pets land in a new country • Common mistakes pet owners make • How pet shipping companies simplify the process Whether you're moving abroad, sailing around the world, or just curious about how pets travel internationally, this episode will walk you through everything. become a patron! https://www.patreon.com/sailingdoodles

In this episode of The Sailing Doodles Podcast, I dive into one of the biggest decisions I’ve ever made… going all-electric with the new catamaran. Why did I choose an electric propulsion system? How does it compare to boats like Fountaine Pajot’s electric cats? What are the real risks — lightning, reliability, long-term maintenance? And what spares and tools will I be carrying to prepare for worst-case scenarios? Then we pivot into your most asked personal questions… – Will there be rotating crew in Thailand? – What’s happening with Flying Doodles and Emma? – Can I get my pilot’s license back? – Does Chloe ever get tired of keeping her real name private? – And yes… how dating works when you’re constantly moving. We also talk YouTube growth “experts,” long-term life plans, the Bronco, and my favorite episode I’ve ever created. Big changes ahead. Let’s get into it.