Self-Reliance as a Sailor (remote island living)
There is a certain amount of self-reliance needed to be a liveaboard sailor, a little more needed to sail around the world, and a bounty of it to survive long term in the more remote parts of the world. It can be very Darwinian.
But for those able and willing, there is an immeasurable amount of satisfaction to be gained. Living off the grid, carefully managing our resources, and learning to take advantage of what Mother Nature provides…it’s intoxicating. We’re not completely on our own but we know our options, supplies, and services out here are extremely limited. Whether it’s finding food, fixing the boat, or stitching up a wound. And, while it may sound strange, there is a huge sense of freedom in taking on that responsibility.
Now don’t get me wrong, we’re not completely self-sufficient and we still very much need and enjoy civilization. But the gap between our primitive and civilized selves always needs a bridge. For both us humans and the planet.
And that is what today’s story is about. Being out on the water, in the islands, and taking advantage of what mother nature provides. From collecting rainwater to foraging with a friend and using stored power from the sun to have a date night on the deck.
All the blood, sweat, and tears from the months of being stuck and landlocked with boat work are quickly dissipating into distant memories with days like these. This is the good stuff that makes it all worth it!
Vava’u, Tonga January 2021
🙏 THANK YOU!
Ups, downs and all arounds, we share it all. We’re able to do so because people like you show up each week, read, watch, comment, share, shop our gear store, and toss a tip in our production jar. If you like what you see, there are lots of FREE ways you can show your support.
Resources From This Video!
🌴Our Friend Marty: rewildingmankind.com/
🍺Tepache, AKA Pineapple Beer Recipe
⚡Solar and all things Off The Grid
💡Underwater Lights
- Use Discount Code: WYNNS
- macrisindustries.com/shop/
💺 Best Portable Chairs For The Deck (or anywhere)
- Buy From Sport-A-Seat: http://bit.ly/best-boat-chair
- $10 Off and Free Shipping, use discount code: WYNNS
🎥 CAMERA GEAR USED TO FILM THIS VIDEO
🎶 MUSIC IN THIS VIDEO:
- Source – Artlist, Get 2 Months FREE: https://bit.ly/artlist-GWTW
Artists – John Coggins, Maya Isac, Orkas
Mark Byron
Wonderful day in your life! You pack in lots of learning for your observers. 😎
Deborah Kerr
Pinch me – everything there is so beautiful – even the rain is calming! I would be laying under the stars & Milky Way every night looking up curiously at the stars!! 🌎
Jeffrey Stenberg
That is the most amazing photograph of Curiosity, Island, Sea, Stars. WOW!! That would make a great screen saver. Keep living the dream.
Richard Fenters
Thanks again! Love the new underwater lights!! Now if only the lights changed colors! Then you could have yourselves a nice RAVE for 2…. 🙂
Nikki Wynn
Our lights don’t do that…but there are others that do!
Jody
Pizza crust recipe…..please?
Alan Solomon
Good day Wynn’s. 😊
Thank you for another terrific video with all the trimmings. I think my favorite part of this video was the rain hitting the boat and water in silence.
That is a business in itself. Listening to tropical rain in a tropical environment with accompanying tropical sounds. That would interest me?
The snake was a trip. How does a little snake like that travel ocean currents? How did that snake get so lucky to run into Curiosity? 🐍
I would and I think many others would support your friend Marty in re-wilding mankind and reconnecting humans to nature. I believe it extremely important to respect, protect and support nature and wildlife today because our planet depends on nature to survive.
That pizza dinner with the soft lights, rippling water in the tropical moonlight and stars was Very Romantic. 💛💘
Best , Safe travels,
Patrick Burke
Hey guys. Thanks so much for working so hard and being so professional while inspiring us. I love your adventures. To avoid the fogging and moisture place your camera in the housing into a space bag seal the bag and use your little vacuum cleaner to suck out the air then close the housing. No air no moisture no fogging.
I also thought you may be interested in reading about a graphene supercapacitor which is a super efficient battery now replacing lead acid and lithium batteries. They are made in Australia branded Zed.
https://www.zed-au.com/powercap-energy-storage-faqs/
Keep up the amazing work
Tammy carpenter
Thank you guys for another great video 😊
William Domb
Camera fogging. IF you have dry scuba air, squirt some into the housing just before buttoning it up. Otherwise, put in sevaral packs of silica gel driers. You can regenerate these in the oven periodically.
Candace
Beautiful photo of the stars and underlit Curiosity.
James Lishman
Been following you two since you dumped the RV and cannot wait for your Sunday videos such a beautiful pair you are and going from no experience to sailing halfway around the world – wow. Would have loved to meet you two when you visited Capetown South Africa but time and tide wait for no man. So impressed with your South African catamaran support man, a real epitome of a regular South African man.
Just love your spirit for living and your high class videos – keep it up.
Love from The Willows, Pretoria, South Africa.
Michael
Thank you!
Jan
Ah . . . just ah!
Wondering what type of oven you have?
Curious Minion
I don’t think Nikki’s had time to add it to the gear store, but there’s a link to the oven in this blog post: https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/living-boat-yard Don’t forget that using the links to shop won’t cost you anything extra but it will throw a few pennies into the sailing kitty! So shop away & thanks for being a part of the crew!
Curious Minion
Ed & Jan Grant
I just loved Nikki saying ‘ we will either go sailing of just swim’. This is right after the deadly poisonous snake swims away! My choice would have been soo easy! Just how does your friend “take care of an island” anyhow? Too bad about those camera fogging issues, but at least we got to see some spectacular video before they went that way! Now about that pineapple beer….does it really ferment enough to give you a little buzz? Pizza really looked yummo!
Curious Minion
Haha – Banded Sea Kraits are not at all aggressive and people swim & dive with them all the time. As for pineapple tepache, it absolutely can be fermented to “alcoholic beer” levels. It’s all in how long you allow it to ferment. If you cap it and cool it immediately after the initial fermentation then it’s more like fizzy soda. Leave it for several days & it’ll continue to get stronger.
Curious Minion
Mike Freimund
Great video. How do you guys handle your residency? Are you still tied to the US?
Curious Minion
They are U.S. residents, yes.
Curious Minion
Andy Windsor
It is so good to see you back out on the water on Curiosity, doing what you do so well, showing us new people and places, and being honest when you have technology hiccups. I really like Boatwork Videos, and seeing how different folks address the same problems etc, but you two are definitely at your best when exploring and taking us with you. Thank you for this Episode.
Keith Vauquelin
Question from the cheap seats: I saw the sea snake, and I am asking myself, “How often do you encounter them, and so you see them frequently when scuba / snorkeling?” It seems I have read they are quite aggressive, but that is an opinion based on anecdotal recall fo something I read years ago. I will research now, but want to learn about your experiences regarding them. We all know about rattlers and copperheads in Texas, cottonmouths in the more watery parts of the Lone Star State. I’m thinking carrying an appropriate defense / offensive tool of sorts when in the water is a good idea. Clearly, I have no experience with this, so, your observations are greatly appreciated. Hope all is well – looking forward to doing the same as you guys! Be safe.
Curious Minion
Banded sea kraits are the opposite of aggressive (unless you’re a tiny fish that looks tasty) and people swim, snorkel & dive with them all the time.
Curious Minion
About Creativity
Very good, Vava’u, Tonga January 2021.
YDion
Yes, I agree with Mary Van: amazing picture of Curiosity at night – incredible.
What a wonderful romantic diner – I envy you!!!
“Life is happening, as it should be” – thanks for this quote; I’ll remind myself of this, during these challenging times. And thanks for sharing these images folks; you are a beacon of hope.
Joey
TY TY TY..for having her STOP hacking at the coconut …I cringed with every wack …..Nikki doesn’t listen very well 🙂 🙂
Laura
Love the foraging and that cute cat. Missing Cleo (may she RIP) and Singa. We lost George in September and our cat that stayed at home passed away this last week, but Buddy the orange cat is still hanging in there. We think he is about 18 years old. I am loving this video because you two obviously look so happy and rested. I am so glad life is getting back to normal for you. Bummer on the underwater camera!!
mary van
The stars in the photo are incredible! So much happening in the universe above it is going to be a fun year of stargazing. Lots happening here on earth too but we won’t go there!
That pizza looks yummy! I can’t wait to try a slice!
The snake was so cute. Just as cute (almost) as those colorful frogs that are so poisonous.
Looks like your lungs still have the capacity to hold you breath to dive deep. 32′ is pretty deep for just getting back into free diving. Be careful!
Hugs from Texas!
Marjorie Nehlsen
Great relaxing video. Now I have a taste for 🍕 pizza. Looked delicious.
Sid
Nikki, you look very formidable with that machete. I hope Jason doesn’t anger you too much. 🤣😀