BOAT TOUR | Custom Built Off-Grid Expedition Yacht
We’ve moved aboard an off-the-grid, completely custom-built 66ft expedition yacht! Because when stranded on a remote island during a pandemic…why not!
Fiji is a sailors paradise and it doesn’t look like we’ll be getting back to our own boat anytime soon. So, when we were offered a cabin on Millennium, we couldn’t pack our bags fast enough!
In this video, you’ll meet our new South African friend Mark and get the full tour of his surfing, diving, any adventure you want to go on a sailing ship.
It’s a completely different world from our catamaran Curiosity and the first steel yacht we’ve ever explored…much less lived aboard.
Mark is an interesting character who mostly eats, sleeps and breaths surfing these days. And, if you’ve been with us for a while, you’ve probably noticed we’re not surfers. Well, not yet anyway. I have a feeling after a couple of weeks on this floating surf hostel…that may change.
Stay tuned because our adventures on this big ship have just started.
2021 Update. Millennium has been sold and Mark is doing fantastic!
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Artist – Giants and Pilgrims
Michael
Hi guys,
I see Sailing Vessel Millennium is on a mooring buoy in Simon’s Town South Africa.
She is painted in a light blue colour.
12/12/2022.
Michael
Sean Brereton
I’ve just seen this video for the first time a year later. What’s happened to The Millennium? Do she ever sell?
What’s a beautiful boat.
Curious Minion
She did finally sell, in spite of Covid and border restrictions! Mark is helping the new owners sail her to Indonesia and then he’ll be flying home to his family.
Curious Minion
Steve Gardner
Hi
Great video guys, could you give me Mark’s email address please? Or please give him mine. [email protected]. I am not in the market for SV millennium. Just a fellow Saffer with something that he might find interesting (not selling!). Many thanks Steve
Julian Lea
Link to Mark’s surf charter business please?
Thank you.
Curious Minion
Mark doesn’t run a charter business. His way of “making lemonade” being stuck in Fiji is to open his home to fellow surfers. He’s stranded without his family so he’s just enjoying their company. I’m sure they all kick in for food or bring something with them, but they’re not paying to charter.
Curious Minion
Sharla & SV Kay Ann
I am SO excited about your move onto SV Millennium. She is absolutely lovely and has so much room for activities! Is she steel or aluminum? I looked over the listing and didn’t find either mentioned. I am happy to see smiles on your faces and ocean wind in your hair again. Have fun learning how to surf!
Curious Minion
I believe they mentioned that she was steel. She’s an older hull and was a fishing boat in a former life so that makes the most sense.
Curious Minion
Michelle Terranova
Love seeing this beautiful boat can’t wait to see you guys start surfing
Deborah Kerr
Wow, the Taj Mahal of personal boats!! Love it! Have Fun!! 😎
Gert
Just as you said, as one door closes another opens. One just has to be open to possibilities. Adventure you seek, adventure presents itself.
How about more pictures and info on that floating multi story palace that was anchored behind you.
Mark Neebe
Hi , please ask Mark to mail me @
[email protected]
The mail I sent him bounced back and would dearly love to chat to him about SV Millennium
JUDY Goodson
It’s always nice to see how the “Upper Crust” lives!
Peter
I had a 55 foot schooner back in the late 80’s, lived on it for 4 years just me and my black lab Sam, who I still miss very much. Quick story, We would be anchored off an island and every morning he would start with a low “ruff” while I was still in bed. I would say in a groggy voice “OK Go”! He would jump off the boat and swim to shore to do his business. The problem was I knew I had to get up at this point and start the dinghy to get him. Because he would stay on the beach and bark until I pick him up. He was the Captain I guess.
Great video nice boat. Thanks Guys !
Nikki Wynn
Ha, at least he got himself to the beach! Sounds like he was the perfect boat dog.
Jody Hall
That is a great story, Sam sounds like he was a true first mate.
Jody Hall
I forgot to ask does Mark do regular excursions and if so how do we find out more information about him?
Thanks Jody Hall
Alan Solomon
Most South Africans are just super people. They’re always smiling and giving of themselves. Mark seems no exception.
A lot of custom items in Marks boat. He definitely did it right.
Well, another great, entertaining video with beautiful water.
Thank you Wynn’s.
Stay Safe and Be Well.
Steve Nicholls
I am a very happy Kiwi! Thankyou Wynns. V much!
Nikki Wynn
🤗
Tori
Looks like Expedition Drenched’s sister. Where did you all get your duffle/ suitcases? Are they on your Amazon page?
Nikki Wynn
It is a similar ship! Expedition Drenched is even bigger if you can believe it. Selfia is a 75+ft boat (I believe). Millennium is 66ft. Kinda crazy to think about.
Ricki Glander
That is such a cool boat. Thanks for the invite aboard and look around.
Joe Johnson
Another fantastic episode.
So happy for you two that you are able to get back out on the water, even if Curiosity is still stuck on the hard a million miles away (it might as well be).
Lisa Cantrell
You bums! Wow, talk about making lemonade, lemon cookies, and lemon pie with the lemons! I’m glad you found a way to get back at sea. And what a boat. I was expecting a MUCH higher price tag! Enjoy and I don’t have to wonder if you’ll make the best of it, you always do. Thanks for taking us all on the ride.
My dad (he died in 1974 and would be 101 this year) dreamed of moving us onto a boat ( we grew up on St Croix,USVI) and sailing to the Seychelles would have LOVED this. The me who gets seasick did not love the idea but what an adventure it would have been! And my surfer brother would think he’d died and gone to heaven with the surfboards.
Nikki Wynn
Ha ha, we did luck out with Mark for sure. He’s an incredible and inspirational character and a lot of fun to be around. We’re pretty stoked to be a part of the crew for a short bit. 😎
Tom underhill
Hey Nikki and Jason.
Why is Mark selling his masterpiece?
It seem he has spent lots of time and hard work into her. Thanks for the good time. I’m living my dream vicariously through y’all.
Curious Minion
Mark’s story is coming next week, so head back here on Sunday Funday!
Curious Minion
Bryan
Love the boat, seems like he put a lot of hard work and love into bringing that boat back to life. My wild guess would be that he’s possibly buying a Balance Catamaran. My only clue is his boat is being sold by The Multihull Company, which is owned by Phillip Berman, who is also the owner of Balance Catamarans. Also Balance Catamarans is based in South Africa and if Mark was buying a new boat I’d assume he’d be partial to one built in his home country. Maybe I’m just connecting dots that aren’t there idk 🤷🏼♂️.
Don Redondo
You have no idea how you have collected the dots!!! ……. That is Mark Paarman, the younger brother of Johnny Paarmen who owns that shipyard that makes the Balance 526 in Cape St Francis in South Africa under license of the Multihull company. both are legend surfers and watermen. So good to see Mark surfing and having fun on his ketch.
As a footnote. there will be very few yachts so well set up and proven as this one for doing what Mark is doing.
Roy Hardcastle
Nice boat. Enjoy it. People ideas are changing to getting an acre or two of land raising own food. Going back to the settlers type life. Be safe.
Roy H
David G
Before I forget, would love an update on the Pipster!!!
Curious Minion
The Pipster was adopted by a great family just a few days after Nikki & Jason returned her to Animals Fiji. Pips new family has sent them great pics of her enjoying her new furever family and living the good life!
Curious Minion
David G
Thanks for the amazing tour, love the ship. Mark seems like such a great guy to be around, Thanks Mark!!
Marge Nehlsen
Thank you for the tour. Very interesting.
Louis Miller
Looks like your still having fun , When are you getting back to your home ????😇
Nikki Wynn
We’re making the most of what we have! As for getting back to our boat, your guess is as good as any at this point. We have no idea.
mary
I know you guys must be thrilled to get back on the water and off land.
Are you going to practice your surfing skills? Looks like you have a great opportunity to learn more from someone who very passionate about the sport. I’m sure in his collection, he has one that would work for you.
I guess you still do not have a date for getting back to Tonga. Sorry you are not headed that way but looks like you may have a nice detour.
TREVOR GREGORY
My sister is sailing with mark to Indonesia right now. Go millennium!!!!
Hanna, Thorsten and Pru
Nice one👍 a not so shabby surf hostel!! We can see some learning to surf videos coming up perhaps? Loving these ‘unexpected turns‘ in your adventures that possibly/definitely would not have happened without this pandemic. You are finding many positives in a seemingly negative situation – resilience at its best. May the good times continue to roll…..or surf! Thanks Nikki and Jason 👍