Step aboard Breakaway, a beautifully maintained Hampton 490 designed for comfortable long-range cruising, extended liveaboard life, and unforgettable adventures on the water. In this full walkthrough, Trawler Mark from Bluewater Cruising Boats takes you from bow to stern, highlighting the spacious accommodations, warm handcrafted interior, functional galley, expansive salon, engine room, flybridge, and the thoughtful features that have made the Hampton 490 a favorite among experienced cruisers. Whether you’re planning America’s Great Loop, coastal cruising, or simply searching for a capable cruising yacht with timeless styling, Breakaway deserves a close look. If you have questions about this yacht or would like to schedule a private showing, feel free to reach out. 📍 Offered by Bluewater Cruising Boats https://bluewatercruisingboats.com/listings/breakaway-2000-hampton-490 👍 If you enjoyed the tour, please Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications so you don’t miss future yacht tours, cruising content, and buyer resources. #Hampton490 #HamptonYachts #Trawler #TrawlerYacht #GreatLoop #Liveaboard #BluewaterCruising #BoatTour #YachtTour #MotorYacht #LongRangeCruiser #BluewaterCruisingBoats #TrawlerMark

Most people think you need a fortune to go cruising. The real number might surprise you. Want the full breakdown of what cruising actually costs? Join our live Cruising Clarity workshop here: https://gobwc.live/-Frs #Shorts #Sailing #Cruising #LiveaboardLife #SailingBudget

In this episode, we sit down with Tammy and Dale Johnston aboard their 2022 Leopard 45 catamaran. Dale is a retired Air Force and airline pilot, Tammy is his "spunky" wife of (almost!) 40 years, and together they turned a dream four decades in the making into a life on the water. Chapters: 0:00 Welcome, and a year of cruising so far 3:18 Where the dream began (and why Dale waited to retire) 7:05 Tammy the skeptic: "I thought it was all storms" 9:25 The bucket list, and holding the dream loosely 12:55 Now or never: the 10-year window 15:57 Finding the boat: the Leopard 45 and a "pocket listing" 20:24 The boat-buying lesson: right boat, right money 23:24 Is this a selfish dream? Being a good neighbor at sea 27:47 When the boat takes over the romance 30:55 Family: grandkids, aging parents, staying connected 32:58 Marriage on a boat: commitment and communicating for connection 43:52 Expectations vs reality: the deal you make 49:42 "This is my dream too": locking arms and the tandem bicycle 1:00:04 Advice: nail your mission ("what-if it to death") 1:03:56 Getting your partner on board: curiosity and YouTube 1:06:06 Training, and a plan for when things go south 1:08:47 The only ask: just be curious We chat about how a dream sparked by two books and a first date on a little Hobie cat finally set sail at retirement, why Dale waited until he was done flying instead of leaving early ("I loved my job"), and how Tammy went from thinking sailing was all danger, storms and adrenaline to looking over his shoulder at YouTube, getting curious, and claiming the dream as her own. "This is my dream too." We get into the Bluewater Cruising lesson that changed everything ("you have time or you have money"), why people spend too much on the wrong boat and not enough on the right one, finding their Leopard 45 through a "pocket listing," and the 10 year window they've given themselves to cross oceans before they "buy a trawler." We also go to the honest, unglamorous places most people don't talk about: communicating "for connection, not just understanding," the boat taking over the romance, staying close to grandkids from a thousand miles away, holding the dream loosely through their faith, and the tandem bicycle truth at the heart of it all. You either get there together, or you don't get there at all. If you've ever wondered whether it's too late, whether your partner will ever be on board, or what cruising as a couple is really like, this one's for you. To follow along with Tammy & Dale's journey, check out the links below: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SailingTinyBubbles-yc2mh To download our FREE GUIDE for Aspiring Bluewater Cruisers visit: https://ebook.bluewatercruising.com/ebook Join our FREE "Let the Journey Begin" Facebook Group with over 6,000 other Aspiring Cruisers visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bluewatercruising To start learning everything you need to know and do to go Bluewater Cruising visit: https://www.bluewatercruising.com/

Brian and Sarah Golden tried to plan their cruising life on their own for two years, until they hit a wall not knowing what to ask anymore. They found a mentor, got a real plan, and avoided the costly mistake of buying the wrong boat. Real members, real progress. Hear more stories like this at The Cruising Life Intensive, three live online nights this August for anyone serious about going cruising. Bluewater Cruising helps aspiring and active cruisers get a real plan, a real community, and a real next step toward living on the water. https://www.bluewatercruising.com/main?utm_campaign=youtube-channel&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&el=

Martin and Hildren started with a two to three year timeline and a five million dollar budget for their cruising boat. After going through the Bluewater Cruising program, they bought an older boat for around one million and were out on the water in six months instead. Bluewater Cruising helps aspiring and active cruisers get a real plan, a real community, and a real next step toward living on the water.

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Fair, a Bluewater Cruising member who went from our trainings to living aboard and cruising with his family in a little over a year. He chased the dream, got the boat, set off with his family, and then one passage changed everything: a lightning strike in the middle of a Coast Guard emergency. Chapters: 0:00 Intro: a member, the dream, and the lightning to come 1:35 Meet Chris: a 16-year dream his wife thought was a joke 3:14 Buying the boat: only the Lagoon 620 fit 5:55 The hardest part: getting aligned as a couple 7:50 An atypical buy: from the community, with a 4-week handoff 9:20 Setting off, and the plan that night 10:37 The storm and the strike: "that looks a lot worse than 10 minutes ago" 12:30 Inside the strike: under the mast, electronics sizzling 15:53 First moves, and checking for a hull breach 18:10 Damage in the dark, and the comms that survived 22:00 The rescue: the Coast Guard couldn't tow, C Tow could 27:00 Hauled out: how bad it really was (a rudder blown through) 34:22 Camper life: insurance won't cover living costs 37:13 The repair plan, the cost, and how long 45:41 Building a real emergency plan: life jackets, buddy boats, prevention 51:11 Who's the captain? Temperament, staying calm, adaptable plans 56:22 Any regrets? Reframing the setback (and others who came back) 1:01:45 The insurance reality: what it does and doesn't cover 1:08:03 More lessons: get quotes early, and always pull out to inspect 1:15:29 Wrap-up We get into how it unfolded. A routine couple of days at sea turned into a Coast Guard emergency weather event, the main coming down in a hurry, and a lightning strike that tore through the boat. Chris walks through the damage with refreshing honesty, from fried electronics and dead furlers to a rear rudder with a section of fiberglass blown clean out, and the reality of finding riggers, surveyors, and electronics people when you are nowhere near a yachting hub. But the part that stays with you is how he kept his head. We get into why training matters so much when the moment comes, "that looks a lot worse than it did 10 minutes ago," the small things you only do if you have already thought them through, like life jackets and clear roles, and the lesson underneath all of it: "the plan needs to be more than just if X then Y, it needs to be adaptable." This is the cruising life with the gloss stripped off, the highs and the hardest lows, told by someone living it right now. If you have ever wondered what really happens when things go wrong out there, or whether preparation actually pays off when it counts, this one is for you. To follow along with Chris's journey, check out the links below: YouTube: To download our FREE GUIDE for Aspiring Bluewater Cruisers visit: https://ebook.bluewatercruising.com/ebook Join our FREE "Let the Journey Begin" Facebook Group with over 6,000 other Aspiring Cruisers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bluewatercruising To start learning everything you need to know and do to go Bluewater Cruising visit: https://www.bluewatercruising.com

2003 Cheoy Lee 61 LRC Cockpit Motor Yacht “Looking Glass” | Full Yacht Tour Step aboard Looking Glass, a 2003 Cheoy Lee 61 Long Range Cruiser Cockpit Motor Yacht that represents one of the final and most refined evolutions of the legendary Cheoy Lee LRC series. Designed by Frank Mulder, she combines the timeless appeal of a true long-range cruising yacht with a thoughtfully updated interior, proven Caterpillar power, Wesmar stabilization, twin Northern Lights generators, and nearly 2,900 gallons of fuel capacity. Her unique layout, quality craftsmanship, and extensive cruising systems make her a compelling option for those seeking a capable liveaboard or long-distance cruising yacht. Join Trawler Mark of Bluewater Cruising Boats for a detailed walkthrough of her accommodations, machinery spaces, systems, and exterior living areas. For complete specifications, equipment lists, additional photographs, maintenance information, and pricing details, please contact Bluewater Cruising Boats to request the full listing brochure. https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2003-cheoy-lee-61-lrc-10233242/ ⸻ Bluewater Cruising Boats Video Disclaimer This video is intended to provide a general overview of the vessel and should not be considered a complete or definitive representation of her condition, specifications, equipment, or items included in the sale. Information presented may contain errors, omissions, or details that have changed since filming. Equipment shown or discussed may be optional, owner-excluded, removed, replaced, inoperative, or no longer available. Prospective purchasers are responsible for independently verifying all information through their own inspections, marine survey, sea trial, review of the final listing specifications, and the executed Purchase and Sale Agreement, including all agreed-upon inclusions and exclusions. Neither the broker nor Bluewater Cruising Boats warrants the accuracy or completeness of information presented in this video.

2003 Cheoy Lee 61 LRC Cockpit Motor Yacht “Looking Glass” | Full Yacht Tour Step aboard Looking Glass, a 2003 Cheoy Lee 61 Long Range Cruiser Cockpit Motor Yacht that represents one of the final and most refined evolutions of the legendary Cheoy Lee LRC series. Designed by Frank Mulder, she combines the timeless appeal of a true long-range cruising yacht with a thoughtfully updated interior, proven Caterpillar power, Wesmar stabilization, twin Northern Lights generators, and nearly 2,900 gallons of fuel capacity. Her unique layout, quality craftsmanship, and extensive cruising systems make her a compelling option for those seeking a capable liveaboard or long-distance cruising yacht. Join Trawler Mark of Bluewater Cruising Boats for a detailed walkthrough of her accommodations, machinery spaces, systems, and exterior living areas. For complete specifications, equipment lists, additional photographs, maintenance information, and pricing details, please contact Bluewater Cruising Boats to request the full listing brochure. https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2003-cheoy-lee-61-lrc-10233242/ ⸻ Bluewater Cruising Boats Video Disclaimer This video is intended to provide a general overview of the vessel and should not be considered a complete or definitive representation of her condition, specifications, equipment, or items included in the sale. Information presented may contain errors, omissions, or details that have changed since filming. Equipment shown or discussed may be optional, owner-excluded, removed, replaced, inoperative, or no longer available. Prospective purchasers are responsible for independently verifying all information through their own inspections, marine survey, sea trial, review of the final listing specifications, and the executed Purchase and Sale Agreement, including all agreed-upon inclusions and exclusions. Neither the broker nor Bluewater Cruising Boats warrants the accuracy or completeness of information presented in this video.

When Steeve Baudry decided to go cruising, his wife had literally no idea what living on a boat meant. His takeaway is that you can't convince a reluctant partner, you have to show them what's in it for them. Be honest about the hard days, not just the shiny picture, and frame it for what it really is: an adventure, not a vacation. Watch the full episode for the real family story behind a year and a half of cruising with two young kids.

Steeve Baudry bought a Leopard 48 out of charter and fitted it out himself. Looking back, he'd do it differently. The boat looked cheaper on paper, but the real cost was the time: the endless shop runs, the parts, the months of getting it cruise ready. His advice for anyone shopping for a boat is to factor in the time you'll actually spend, and consider buying one that's ready to go. Watch the full episode for the honest reality of buying a boat out of charter. #bluewatercruising #liveaboard #sailinglife #boatbuying #cruisinglife #sailboat

In this episode, I sit down with Steeve Baudry, who moved his wife and their two young kids, then just three and five, from a life across Europe and Latin America to a year and a half cruising the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and the US east coast aboard a Leopard 48 they bought out of charter and fitted out for bluewater cruising. Chapters: 0:00 Meet Steeve: cruising the Caribbean with his family 2:36 The spark: COVID, Costa Rica, and "we only have one life" 6:31 Getting your partner on board (without convincing them) 11:28 The surprises of life aboard 13:22 Buying a boat out of charter: the part that bites 15:41 Time vs. money: the spreadsheet that changes the math 19:52 Sourcing gear: Caribbean vs. the US 22:22 Adapting as a family: safety, the learning curve, and the "marriage-saver" 30:04 How the kids adapted, and finding other boat kids 33:30 Guests aboard (and why fewer visit than you expect) 41:17 Why the course was the turning point 43:30 The real payoff: growing closer as a family 48:41 What cruising kids learn, and going back to school 53:40 What's next: the pendulum between boat life and work 59:23 The truth about long-term cruising 1:01:43 His advice: build a real budget 1:04:14 The only real obstacle, and you're not alone 1:07:36 Wrap-up We get into the part most people gloss over: the reality of buying a boat out of charter. Steeve is refreshingly honest about what he wishes he had known before signing, especially how much of the dream turns out to be maintenance. We talk about the time the upkeep really takes, learning to let some things go before they drive you crazy, and why you budget for the unexpected instead of hoping it stays away. It is also a real family story. His wife was not into sailing at the start, and he shares how the Bluewater Cruising course reset her expectations and got them on the same page, how the kids adapted to life aboard, and the honest pros and cons for a young family. We get into what makes it all worth it too: sharing the experience with guests, finding a small community of like minded people after everyone told them they were crazy, and how the whole thing changes you and makes you better back on land. If you are weighing an ex charter boat, or wondering what cruising with young kids actually asks of you, this is the honest version. To download our FREE GUIDE for Aspiring Bluewater Cruisers visit: https://ebook.bluewatercruising.com/ebook Join our FREE "Let the Journey Begin" Facebook Group with over 6,000 other Aspiring Cruisers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bluewatercruising To start learning everything you need to know and do to go Bluewater Cruising visit: https://www.bluewatercruising.com

In this episode, I sit down with Steeve Baudry, who moved his wife and their two young kids, then just three and five, from a life across Europe and Latin America to a year and a half cruising the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and the US east coast aboard a Leopard 48 they bought out of charter and fitted out for bluewater cruising. We get into the part most people gloss over: the reality of buying a boat out of charter. Steeve is refreshingly honest about what he wishes he had known before signing, especially how much of the dream turns out to be maintenance. We talk about the time the upkeep really takes, learning to let some things go before they drive you crazy, and why you budget for the unexpected instead of hoping it stays away. It is also a real family story. His wife was not into sailing at the start, and he shares how the Bluewater Cruising course reset her expectations and got them on the same page, how the kids adapted to life aboard, and the honest pros and cons for a young family. We get into what makes it all worth it too: sharing the experience with guests, finding a small community of like minded people after everyone told them they were crazy, and how the whole thing changes you and makes you better back on land. If you are weighing an ex charter boat, or wondering what cruising with young kids actually asks of you, this is the honest version. To download our FREE GUIDE for Aspiring Bluewater Cruisers visit: https://ebook.bluewatercruising.com/ebook Join our FREE "Let the Journey Begin" Facebook Group with over 6,000 other Aspiring Cruisers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bluewatercruising To start learning everything you need to know and do to go Bluewater Cruising visit: https://www.bluewatercruising.com

Esperanza was chosen for a purpose. When the Manns selected this 2019 Lagoon 380 S2, they were not simply buying a catamaran for casual cruising—they were choosing a boat they believed could carry them far beyond the coast and eventually around the world. Before that larger voyage began, Esperanza had already built her rhythm in the Bahamas and the Yucatán, serving as both home and platform for the kind of steady preparation that turns plans into passages. By the time she departed in October 2023 for a global adventure, Esperanza had already become far more than a recently purchased boat; she had become a boat being trusted for the biggest journey of her life. From there, Esperanza’s story widened dramatically. She went on to join the World ARC 2024–25, a rally route spanning roughly 30,000 nautical miles through the Panama Canal, across the Pacific, on to Australia, through the Indian Ocean, around South Africa, and back across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. Along the way she reached the kinds of landfalls that define a true bluewater résumé, including French Polynesia, where her place in the rally route reflected the kind of offshore use most boats in this class never experience. When the fleet completed its circumnavigation, published coverage noted that Esperanza was the smallest boat in the rally—not as a novelty, but as a reminder of how much capability can be found in a well-prepared and genuinely proven platform. What makes that story so compelling is that Esperanza carried it out aboard one of the most respected production cruising catamarans ever built. The Lagoon 380 earned its reputation by offering something many larger boats never quite achieve: true manageability. Its concept is simple in the best possible way—comfortable living spaces, efficient twin-engine handling, stable catamaran form, and systems that remain accessible to real owner-operators rather than demanding a professional crew. That balance is a major reason the 380 became such a lasting success in the cruising world, and it explains why a boat of this size could credibly be selected for an around-the-world campaign in the first place. Esperanza’s story ultimately reflects the design philosophy of the Lagoon 380 S2 at its best. She is not remarkable because she is oversized, extreme, or built to impress only at the dock. She is remarkable because she embodies a version of cruising that is practical, proven, and deeply believable—a catamaran with enough comfort to live aboard, enough simplicity to manage well, and enough real-world capability to cross oceans and keep going. In Esperanza, the Lagoon 380 S2 is not just a successful design on paper; it is a design whose promise was carried into the wider world and brought back with a genuine voyage behind it. If interested, click on this link: https://bluewatercruisingboats.com/boat-listing/2019-lagoon-380-s2/

Step aboard a Selene 53 Wide-body for a concise trawler walkthrough presented by Trawler Mark and produced by Bluewater Cruising Boats. This tour highlights the wide-body layout, liveaboard comfort, and long-range cruising features that make the Selene 53 Wide-body a serious passagemaker. Special thanks to Selene America’s for allowing us aboard to film.

Step aboard a Nordhavn 41 for a concise trawler walkthrough presented by Trawler Mark and produced by Bluewater Cruising Boats. This tour highlights the proven passagemaking design, practical layout, and long-range cruising features that have made the Nordhavn 41 a favorite among serious offshore cruisers.

Step aboard a Selene 53 Wide-body for a concise trawler walkthrough presented by Trawler Mark and produced by Bluewater Cruising Boats. This tour highlights the wide-body layout, liveaboard comfort, and long-range cruising features that make the Selene 53 Wide-body a serious passagemaker. Special thanks to Selene America’s for allowing us aboard to film.

Introducing Purple Pearl, a 2015 Leopard 48 Owner’s Version sailing catamaran that captures the spirit of modern bluewater cruising. The Leopard 48, designed by the respected naval architecture firm Simonis & Voogd and built in Cape Town, South Africa by Robertson & Caine, represents a major step forward in cruising catamaran design. Launched during a period when multihulls were rapidly evolving, the Leopard 48 introduced features that quickly became hallmarks of the brand, including its innovative forward cockpit access, raised helm station, and a focus on open, airy living spaces that seamlessly connect the interior and exterior of the vessel. The result is a cruising platform known for its balanced sailing performance, comfortable accommodations, and the stability that sailors have come to expect from a well-designed catamaran. Purple Pearl highlights many of the qualities that have made the Leopard 48 such a sought-after model among cruising sailors. Configured in the desirable Owner’s Version layout, the vessel dedicates the entire starboard hull to a spacious master suite while the port hull provides comfortable guest accommodations for family and friends. Throughout the vessel, thoughtful systems and equipment support extended time aboard, including a substantial solar array paired with a Victron lithium battery system, watermaker, modern navigation electronics, and onboard connectivity. Combined with the Leopard’s signature forward cockpit seating area, expansive aft cockpit, and bright panoramic salon, Purple Pearl offers a versatile and comfortable platform for those looking to explore new coastlines, cruise the islands, or simply enjoy life on the water. In the sections that follow, you’ll find a detailed room-by-room walkthrough of the vessel along with an overview of the systems and features that make Purple Pearl a compelling example of the popular Leopard 48. If you need more information about the boat, click here: https://bluewatercruisingboats.com/boat-listing/2015-leopard-48/

CURRENTLY CRUISING IN THE BAHAMAS In the southern hemisphere, where the winds roar and the waters are deep and unforgiving, you’ll find Cape Town, South Africa. This location has a high demand for capable BlueWater vessels. Robertson & Caine met this demand with their Leopard 58: Sea Dog. Sea Dog was built in 2020 as a BlueWater sailing catamaran and, through multiple upgrades in 2023 and 2025, is equipped for both long and short voyages. Designed for space and livability, she’ll comfortably house family and friends without compromising storage or cruising efficiency. Sea Dog is a capable sailing yacht seeking a captain to put her to use. Whether you aim to spend time cruising in the Caribbean, enjoying easier, shorter sailing days and a friendly community, or you want to stretch beyond into the South Pacific, finding undiscovered islands, sailing across oceans, and immersing yourself in new cultures, Sea Dog will get you there. And once aboard, that intention becomes immediately clear. If you are interested, click on this link: https://bluewatercruisingboats.com/boat-listing/2020-leopard-58/

Introducing MAXIM a 2018 Lagoon 42 Owner’s Version catamaran that embodies Lagoon’s vision for modern, comfortable cruising. The Lagoon 42, designed by the acclaimed VPLP team and launched in 2016, marked a significant step forward in catamaran design with its sleek, contemporary lines, forward-set mast for improved performance, and a focus on light, open living spaces. The Owner’s Version was conceived for those seeking a true home on the water, dedicating the entire starboard hull to a private suite and raising the standard for comfort and livability in this class. MAXIM showcases the best of this innovative design with her spacious owner’s suite, bright and inviting salon, and seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living areas. Outfitted with thoughtful upgrades, well-maintained systems, and a host of features for both relaxation and adventure, MAXIM is ready for extended cruising or luxurious liveaboard life. In the sections that follow, you’ll find a detailed, room-by-room tour and an overview of what makes Maxim a standout example of the sought-after Lagoon 42 Owner’s Version. If you are interested, click on this link: https://bluewatercruisingboats.com/boat-listing/2018-lagoon-42-owners-version/