While I'm away sailing around the Horn, here is a clip from a video when I was getting ready to leave. 52 days offline and in the middle of the most remote ocean in the world brings a mix of nerves and excitement. I am reflecting on the ocean confidence needed for this journey. Preparing for a trip of this magnitude is never just about physical logistics. As the departure date nears, I find myself weighing the excitement of this upcoming sailing adventure against the very real nerves that come with stepping away from the known world. It is a strange balance to strike, knowing that the horizon ahead requires both preparation and a steady mind. This period of waiting is an exercise in patience and overcoming anxiety. There is a specific headspace required for life at sea, where you must trust your preparation while accepting the uncertainty of the ocean. I am working through these feelings, preparing to disconnect and lean into the challenge ahead. Subscribe to follow this journey, and let me know in the comments if you have ever faced similar nerves before a big departure. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6diCN-nm_nUS-BS-hJHTA/join My solo sailing departure is only days away, and the reality of leaving civilization for 52 days is finally sinking in. There is a distinct weight that comes with choosing a life at sea, especially when you are staring down the isolation of a remote ocean. As I pack and make final adjustments, I find myself oscillating between the pure thrill of the open water and the quiet, persistent nerves that accompany such a massive commitment. It is not just about checking off a list; it is about mentally readying myself for the silence and the complete lack of a safety net. True maritime preparation requires more than just functional gear; it demands a specific headspace to handle the uncertainty ahead. I am documenting these final moments of stillness before the voyage begins, exploring the balance between wanting to leave it all behind and feeling the natural hesitation of stepping into the unknown. This sailing adventure is as much an internal journey as it is a physical one. Subscribe to follow this journey as I head out into the blue, and let me know in the comments if you have ever had to push through fear to pursue a dream of your own. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6diCN-nm_nUS-BS-hJHTA/join

At 59, I am finally sailing to Cape Horn to prove that it is never too late to start chasing dreams. As time moves faster, I am reflecting on the importance of staying in shape and pursuing the adventures that still call to me. This journey is about facing the reality of aging while refusing to settle for a conventional path. If you are navigating your own life after 50, join me as I document the challenges of this expedition. Consider becoming a channel member to support the journey and follow the adventure: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6diCN-nm_nUS-BS-hJHTA/join

Fall in the Southern Gulf Islands brings a quiet shift to living on our old wood sailboat. The mornings are colder, and there is a simple beauty of the season. There is a distinct change in the rhythm of life at Port Browning as the busy summer season fades away. In this episode, I capture the transition as the air cools and the landscape turns. We spend time wandering through a quiet cemetery framed by autumn foliage, picking fresh apples, and visiting an outdoor market to enjoy the harvest season. Documenting these small moments of fall in the Southern Gulf Islands is a reminder to slow down and appreciate the changing environment. Whether you are interested in coastal living or simply enjoy observing the seasonal shift in a scenic location, there is a lot to appreciate in this quieter time of year. If you enjoy these films, subscribing is one of the simplest ways you can help the channel grow. It also means you will be here as we continue exploring the Pacific coast and the wild places in between. This was one of my favourite moments from one of my recent episodes — and some of my favourite footage that I've shot so far. I am away on my sailing journey around the Horn, from New Zealand to Argentina. I'll be posting long-form films again in December. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6diCN-nm_nUS-BS-hJHTA/join YWHPKIRF2H8E8GIB 6R4RXLBSEKRARIJZ FCPZW1BYGBKR63ZZ UFIXZG5TB5JXPO0J CKQAQH56RH5JHJ94 00:00 - Making Coffee on the Sailboat 00:42 - A Visit To The Historic Cemetery on Pender Island 01:05 - Picking Wild Apples 01:41 - A Visit To The Fall Market

One last contact before I spend the next 52 days crossing the Southern Ocean and sailing around Cape Horn. I appreciate your support of the channel with your likes and comments, but mostly with sharing the channel or becoming a member. See you on the other side of the Horn!

Sailing around Cape Horn has been a dream. But leaving Mary, Basil, our wooden sailboat Grebe, and the life we’ve built on Pender Island is harder than I expected. With only days until I fly to New Zealand to join @BarkEuropa, I look back at the journey that brought me here—from farming and my first sailboat, Vie Sauvage, to finding a home afloat at Port Browning. Somewhere along the way, this boat and this island became home. Now it’s time to say goodbye for two months and follow a dream across the Southern Ocean. Have you ever left something you loved to pursue something you’d dreamed about? I’d love to hear your story in the comments. Subscribe to John Fraser’s Wild Life to follow the journey—sailing, wild food, and life along the coast, with a Cape Horn adventure ahead. If you’d like to help me keep making films worth your time, consider becoming a channel member through the Join button. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6diCN-nm_nUS-BS-hJHTA/join If you would like to support the channel and follow the upcoming expedition, consider becoming a member. Have you ever left something you loved to pursue a dream? I would love to hear your story in the comments. 0:00 Preparing for the Southern Ocean 2:16 Reflecting on a Life Rebuilt 4:40 The Ticking Clock of Mortality 7:11 The Reality of the Journey Ahead 10:09 Next Stop: The Europa Music by: Kevin Kossowan YWHPKIRF2H8E8GIB 6R4RXLBSEKRARIJZ FCPZW1BYGBKR63ZZ UFIXZG5TB5JXPO0J CKQAQH56RH5JHJ94

Classic wooden sailboat restoration, liveaboard life and the Victoria Classic Boat Show — we're getting W. Grebe ready for winter and making plans to bring her to Victoria next year. A visit to the Victoria Classic Boat Show gave Mary and me an idea. Walking among those beautifully maintained wooden boats, I couldn't help thinking about Grebe — our classic gaff-rigged wooden sailboat and, once again, our home for the winter. I'd like to sail Grebe into Victoria next year and enter her in the Classic Boat Show. There's just one problem. She's not ready. In this episode I take a good, critical look around Grebe at some of the work that still needs to be done. Some of it is cosmetic. Some of it is ordinary maintenance. And some of it is simply what happens when an old wooden boat isn't a museum piece — she's a boat we actually live aboard and sail. But this episode isn't all work. Fall has arrived at Port Browning on Pender Island, British Columbia, and the marina is changing with it. The summer boats are disappearing, the colours are changing, the temperature is dropping, and Grebe is slowly becoming our winter home again. There's projects to finish, and a long list of jobs ahead of us. Over the coming year, I hope to work my way through that list and get Grebe ready to take her place alongside some of the beautiful classic boats we saw in Victoria. And in the meantime, winter is coming. CHAPTERS 0:00 - A Bold Ambition for the Classic Boat Show 0:37 - Assessing the Boat's Current Condition 4:12 - Refinishing the Mast and Bow Sprit 5:57 - Considering a Return to the Original Tiller 9:12 - The History and Legacy of Grebe 11:11 - Fall Arrives at Port Browning If you're enjoying these films, subscribing is one of the simplest ways you can help the channel grow. It also means you'll be here as we work toward getting Grebe to Victoria next year — along with everything else that's coming. If you'd like to directly help me produce John Fraser's Wild Life, you can also join the channel as a member. Membership helps support the travel, equipment and production costs that go into making these films. And if you know someone who loves wooden boats, sailing, life aboard, or simply following people who are still trying new things, please share this episode with them. That genuinely helps. Thanks for coming along. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6diCN-nm_nUS-BS-hJHTA/join YWHPKIRF2H8E8GIB 6R4RXLBSEKRARIJZ FCPZW1BYGBKR63ZZ UFIXZG5TB5JXPO0J CKQAQH56RH5JHJ94

Sailing around Cape Horn and crossing the Southern Ocean aboard Bark EUROPA is getting very real. I’m preparing for 52 days at sea, figuring out camera gear, expedition clothing and what I actually need to bring. In just a few weeks, I’ll leave for Auckland, New Zealand, where I’ll join Bark EUROPA for a voyage across the Southern Ocean, around Cape Horn, and on to Ushuaia, Argentina. Now I have to get ready. In this episode, I’m working through some of the practical realities of preparing for the voyage: cold-weather clothing, merino wool layers, camera and audio equipment, and how I’m going to document this expedition while actually participating in it. There’s a lot to figure out. I need equipment that can survive weeks at sea, but everything I take has to earn its place. And while I want to come home with a great film, I don’t want to experience the Southern Ocean entirely through the back of a camera. This is the beginning of the preparation. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be documenting the process of getting ready, saying goodbye to home and eventually travelling to New Zealand to step aboard EUROPA. Then I’ll take you with me as far as I possibly can on the voyage itself. If you’re interested in sailing, Cape Horn, the Southern Ocean, traditional sailing ships, adventure travel, expedition filmmaking, wooden boats and figuring out how to keep having adventures as we get older, consider subscribing to John Fraser’s Wild Life. BECOME A CHANNEL MEMBER If you’d like to help me produce these films, becoming a channel member is one of the most direct ways to support the show. Membership helps with the very real costs of producing the channel — camera and audio equipment, travel, editing, storage and everything else that goes into documenting these adventures. Members also get a more informal look behind the scenes as I prepare for Cape Horn and work on future films. You can join using the Join button on the channel or below the video. HELP THE CHANNEL GROW If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a comment, or share the video with someone who might enjoy coming along. Those simple things help YouTube find the audience for these films, and they make a genuine difference to a small independent channel. Thanks for watching — and for coming along. CHAPTERS 0:00 Preparing for the big journey 1:05 Upgrading my recording setup 3:28 Surviving the Southern Ocean 6:55 Trying on the sailing kit 13:34 Final checks before departure Inspirational Elegance - YWHPKIRF2H8E8GIB Inspiring Achievements 6R4RXLBSEKRARIJZ Pieces of Hope FCPZW1BYGBKR63ZZ Forward Charge UFIXZG5TB5JXPO0J Inspired Storytelling CKQAQH56RH5JHJ94

I’m going to try sailing around The Horn. This fall I’ll leave our comfortable liveaboard lifestyle here on Grebe and join the tall ship EUROPA for an extraordinary voyage from Auckland, New Zealand, across the Southern Ocean and around Cape Horn to Ushuaia, Argentina. It’s a journey I’ve wanted to make for a very long time — and I’m going to bring you along. Over the coming months I’ll be documenting the preparation, the passage itself, life aboard EUROPA, and what it’s actually like crossing some of the most formidable ocean on Earth. If you’ve been enjoying John Fraser’s Wild Life and want to help me make these films, becoming a channel member is one of the best ways you can support the work. Membership directly helps me put more time and resources into filming these adventures and sharing them here. Join the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6diCN-nm_nUS-BS-hJHTA/join If membership isn’t your thing, subscribing, watching, commenting and sharing the videos helps enormously too. And I’d like to hear from you: what do you want to see or know about a voyage around Cape Horn? Leave your questions below — I’ll use them as I plan what to film. Thanks for coming along. This one is going to be an adventure.

Mary’s phone, and only Mary’s phone keeps sliding off the shelf onto her as she sleeps. It is so bizarre. We appear to have a ghost on W. Grebe. 🤷‍♂️

I tried fly fishing for Chinook salmon on Vancouver Island — and quickly discovered I had a lot to learn. Here’s to visiting fascinating places! I headed up-island to Nile Creek Fly Shop, where the owner, and my friend, Courtney, gave me a crash course in targeting Chinook on a fly rod: reading the river, choosing the right setup, presenting the fly, and understanding what these powerful fish are doing as they push upstream. Armed with a new Vision Coast 8-weight fly rod, I climbed back into Bluey, my 1981 VW Westfalia, found a place to camp beside the river, and went fishing. The salmon run was incredible. Chinook were charging through the shallows, fighting their way upstream — sometimes literally crashing onto the bank. And once I started figuring things out, I began hooking fish. Landing them was another matter. This episode is part fishing lesson, part road trip, and part first attempt at something I've wanted to learn for a long time. If you enjoy fishing, sailing, wild food, old boats, old VW Westfalia's and the other adventures around here, subscribe and come along. And if you'd like to directly support the channel and help make these films possible, consider becoming a channel member. Your support goes directly toward keeping John Fraser's Wild Life growing and getting me out there making more of these stories. CHAPTERS 00:00 Fly Fishing for Chinook Salmon on Vancouver Island 03:40 Meeting Courtney at Nile Creek Fly Shop 05:05 Choosing a New Vision Fly Rod 09:58 How to Fly Fish for Chinook Salmon 16:10 Fly Fishing Again After Four Years 18:53 How to Read a River for Salmon 26:20 VW Westfalia Road Trip on Vancouver Island 27:16 The Spectacle of Spawning Chinook Salmon 29:37 Hooking Chinook on a Fly Rod Thanks for watching. vidIQ Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6diCN-nm_nUS-BS-hJHTA/join

Life on a liveaboard sailboat takes an unexpected turn when we buy a 1981 Volkswagen Westfalia. But first, we spend a quiet summer day at anchor in Winter Cove aboard W. Grebe. We paddleboard around the anchorage, make dinner, and share a sunset meal in the cockpit with @Rick_and_Anna_Adventure. Winter Cove is one of those places that makes it very easy not to leave. Then, the story takes a turn. Meet Bluey — our 1981 Volkswagen Westfalia. I’d been looking at old Westfalias for a while when this one appeared for sale. She’s an air-cooled VW camper van, largely original, with plenty of character. Buying another old machine when we already live aboard an old wooden sailboat might not make perfect sense. But here we are. This episode is really about both sides of the life we’re building — living aboard and sailing W. Grebe through British Columbia’s Gulf Islands, exploring the Pacific coast, and now seeing where an old Volkswagen might take us. Life aboard an old wooden sailboat. An old Volkswagen. Wild places. Fishing, wild food, and whatever happens next. I’m John Fraser. If this is your kind of thing, subscribe and come along. And if you enjoyed the film, giving it a like helps more people find the channel. If you’d like to support these films directly, you can join the channel as a member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6diCN-nm_nUS-BS-hJHTA/join FCPZW1BYGBKR63ZZ YWHPKIRF2H8E8GIB 0:00 Anchoring and the art of staying put 2:02 Cooking while at anchor 8:04 Our new vintage travel companion 11:17 The breakdown at the ferry terminal 16:23 Bluey finally makes it home

Watch our worst undocking attempt ever. We’re supposed to be sailing to Winter Cove on Saturna Island. Living on a sailboat does not mean that sailing goes smoothly. Eventually, in this video, we do get away from Pender Island. But operating an old wooden sailboat has a way of turning a simple plan into something considerably less simple. Before we can get underway, there are jobs to finish aboard "W. Grebe", our vintage wooden gaff-rigged sailboat. There is always something that needs fixing, adjusting, checking, or figuring out — and this morning is no exception. We also introduce you into the continuing saga of "Bluey", our new 1981 Volkswagen Westfalia. Bluey, on her first day with us, reminded us that owning temperamental old machines is a lifestyle choice. And then Mary and I have to actually get the boat off the dock. We’ve lived aboard together long enough to know that leaving a dock can occasionally expose some… differences in communication style. This departure is one of those occasions. There’s no manufactured drama here. No pretending that living aboard and sailing together is endlessly romantic. Sometimes you’re tired. Sometimes somebody gives an instruction that makes perfect sense to them and absolutely no sense to the other person. Sometimes voices get a little sharper than intended. And then you get clear of the dock, hoist the sails, and remember why you’re doing all of this in the first place. Our destination is "Winter Cove on Saturna Island", in British Columbia’s Southern Gulf Islands. Winter Cove sits beside Boat Passage, the narrow stretch of water separating Saturna Island from Samuel Island and the Strait of Georgia beyond. It’s one of those places that reminds us how extraordinary this little corner of the Pacific Northwest really is — islands, tidal passages, old forests, rocky shorelines and anchorages that have been used by people travelling these waters for generations. This channel is increasingly about what happens when we give ourselves a reason to go somewhere. Not simply “we sailed to another anchorage,” but the projects, problems, weather, history, people, food and unexpected moments that happen along the way. Sometimes the interesting part of a voyage happens long before you reach the destination. This was one of those days. --- ABOUT W. GREBE W. Grebe is our classic wooden gaff-rigged sailing boat and our home. She was built on Denman Island, British Columbia, by Herbert Havelaar and is based on Harrison Butler’s Khamseen design. She carries a traditional gaff mainsail and topsail along with her headsails, and she is powered — when the wind refuses to cooperate — by an old Sabb diesel with a variable-pitch propeller. Living aboard an older wooden boat means sailing is only part of the story. Maintenance is constant. There are traditional systems to understand, wood to look after, rigging to inspect, mechanical problems to solve and an endless collection of small jobs that somehow become large jobs. That’s part of why we love her. ABOUT THIS CHANNEL I’m John Fraser. For most of my life, the outdoors has been where I’ve felt most at home. I’ve worked as a farmer, guide and outfitter, fly-fishing instructor, writer and filmmaker, and much of my work has revolved around wild food and the landscapes that produce it. These days, Mary and I live aboard W. Grebe in British Columbia’s Southern Gulf Islands. This channel follows that life — but I’m interested in more than simply documenting where we went. I want these films to have a reason for leaving the dock. A challenge. A destination. A question. A piece of history. Something to find, learn, catch, gather, fix or accomplish. Along the way there will be sailing, wooden boats, island communities, wild food, fishing, foraging, history, people and the occasional mechanical disaster. And sometimes a 1981 Volkswagen Westfalia that refuses to cooperate. --- Chapters 0:00 Uncovering the hidden engine bay 6:30 Brightening up the dark storage alcove 8:15 Restoring the head ventilation 11:02 Preparing the vessel for departure 17:39 Reflecting on a rough undocking 24:29 A perfect sail to Winter Cove --- If you enjoy traditional sailing, wooden boats, remote places, wild food and stories about what actually happens when people decide to go somewhere difficult or interesting, consider subscribing. And if you’re already following along, thank you. It means a great deal to us. Sailing • Wild Food • Remote Places • Adventure #Sailing #SailboatLife #WoodenBoat #SaturnaIsland #WinterCove #GulfIslands #Liveaboard #SailingBC #BritishColumbia #GaffRig #TraditionalSailing #VWWestfalia #VanLife

While underway, Mary brings you aboard our classic wood sailboat, the W. Grebe. Listen to the constant chugging of the old Sabb diesel and feel the warmth of our little wooden home. Welcome aboard! #sailing #livingonasailboat #tinyhome #adventuretime

Sailboat living in British Columbia's Southern Gulf Islands gives us access to some remarkable places. This time, a few days aboard W. Grebe led to hiking the old homestead orchards of Prevost Island. Mary and I sailed our classic wooden gaff-rigged sailboat to Prevost Island with no particular agenda. We found a quiet anchorage, went ashore for a walk, and ended up following traces of the people who homesteaded here long ago—old orchards, abandoned farms, forgotten clearings and fruit trees still growing wild in the forest. It was supposed to be nothing more than a quiet couple of days away. That's one of the things I like about sailboat living. The sailing gets us somewhere, but often what happens after we drop the anchor becomes the story. W. Grebe is our home. She's a classic wooden sailboat with a traditional gaff rig, and Mary and I live aboard her in the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia. From here, we explore the islands and coast by sail, finding quiet anchorages and going ashore to see what's there. Sometimes that's hiking through an old homestead. Sometimes it's fishing, gathering wild food, exploring a beach or following some small clue in the landscape simply because we want to know where it leads. Living aboard a sailboat has changed the scale at which we explore. A place doesn't have to be famous or dramatic to be worth visiting. Prevost Island is only a short sail from home, but travelling there aboard an old wooden boat, anchoring for the night and exploring on foot makes it feel very different from simply arriving somewhere by road. That's increasingly what I want these films to be about. Not just sailing. Not just destinations. They're about living a little more deliberately and remaining curious about the places around us. There will certainly be plenty of sailing British Columbia's coast aboard Grebe. There will also be traditional sailing and old wooden boats, hiking, wild food, fly fishing, remote places, natural history and the people and stories connected to these landscapes. Some adventures will happen almost within sight of home. Others will eventually take us much farther away. For now, we're exploring the Southern Gulf Islands and the Salish Sea—one anchorage, island and unexpected discovery at a time. ABOUT W. GREBE W. Grebe is a classic wooden gaff-rigged sailboat and our full-time home. She is based in the Southern Gulf Islands on Canada's Pacific coast. Living aboard Grebe gives Mary and me a way to explore British Columbia by sail and to spend more time in the landscapes that have always interested me. This channel follows our life aboard her rather than simply documenting passages from one harbour to another. Sailing is part of it, but so is everything the boat allows us to reach. ABOUT THIS TRIP We sailed W. Grebe through the Southern Gulf Islands to Prevost Island, British Columbia, where we anchored for a couple of days and went hiking ashore. Prevost still carries traces of its agricultural and homesteading history. Old orchards, farm sites and fruit trees remain scattered through a landscape that has largely returned to forest. We didn't set out specifically looking for them. We simply started walking and followed what we found. That's exactly the sort of day I hope to have more of. ABOUT THIS CHANNEL I'm John Fraser. I've spent much of my life outdoors—fly fishing, hunting, gathering wild food and learning to pay attention to landscapes and the things living in them. Now Mary and I live aboard W. Grebe in coastal British Columbia. This channel is where those parts of my life come together: sailboat living, traditional sailing, wooden boats, hiking, wild food, fishing and exploring the coast. It isn't intended to be a conventional sailing channel or a highlight reel of constant adventure. It's simply a record of the life we're choosing to live and the things we find interesting along the way. If that sounds like your kind of thing, subscribe and come along. CHAPTERS 00:00 - Preparing to set sail 01:20 - Starting the old diesel 02:00 - Underway 05:19 - Failed anchor at Portland Island 11:29 - Setting sail for Provost Island 12:20 - Anchored at Provost Island 12:40 - Going Hiking 17:12 - Huge Maple Tree 18:29 - Finding the Ancient Orchard 23:40 - Going Home MORE FROM ME Food Afield — wild food, field knowledge and stories from the natural world https://foodafield.substack.com/podcast Instagram — Food Afield https://www.instagram.com/foodafield/ #SailboatLiving #Hiking #SailingBritishColumbia

Food Afield Podcast – Field Note: Purging Clams You dug the clams. Now what? One of the most common questions from new shellfish harvesters is what to do once the clams come home. In this Field Note episode, John Fraser takes a closer look at the process of purging clams, why people do it, what it actually accomplishes, and some of the misconceptions surrounding it. You’ll learn: * What purging is and why it matters * Whether purging removes contaminants or simply reduces grit * How clams feed and filter water * Different approaches to purging shellfish at home * Common mistakes that can kill your harvest before it reaches the table * Practical handling tips to improve eating quality This short Field Note episode fills in one of the gaps left from our clam harvesting documentary and provides practical information for anyone interested in gathering shellfish for themselves. Food Afield is a documentary-style podcast exploring wild food, traditional skills, hunting, fishing, foraging, and the stories that connect people to the landscapes they inhabit. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Host: John Fraser Follow along on Instagram: @johnfraserswildlife If you enjoyed the episode, consider following the show and leaving a rating or review. It helps more people discover the world of wild food. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit foodafield.substack.com (https://foodafield.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

Clams of the Pacific Coast At low tide, the Pacific coast reveals one of the most reliable food systems in North America. In this episode of Food Afield, John Fraser heads onto the beaches of the Gulf Islands to gather butter clams and basket cockles while exploring the deeper history of shellfish harvesting along the coast. This is not simply a conversation about digging clams. It is a look at tides, seasonal knowledge, coastal food systems, and the long relationship between people and intertidal ecosystems. The episode explores: How tides shape food access on the Pacific coast Butter clams and basket cockles Reading productive beaches The difference between gathering and random searching Shell middens and Indigenous sea gardens Why shellfish became such reliable coastal protein Clam preparation and handling The atmosphere and sound of harvesting food from the edge of the Pacific Food Afield is a documentary-style exploration of wild food ingredients — hunted, fished, and foraged in their season. Hosted by wilderness guide and writer John Fraser. Subscribe for future episodes covering wild ingredients, seasonal gathering, field skills, and food culture from the Pacific coast and beyond. #FoodAfield #WildFood #ClamDigging #Foraging #PacificCoast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit foodafield.substack.com (https://foodafield.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

Today we finally take W. Grebe, our old wooden sailboat, out under sail for the very first time. We raise the main, test the foresail, get a visit from The Reluctant Adventurer, and—of course—make a few mistakes along the way, including a potentially large docking near-miss that taught us a lot about how this boat handles in weird conditions. Of course, because this is a first time for something important with the boat, we are joined by Rick and Anna @WhatsNext-acrc You know things are interesting when Rick is involved. This series documents the honest, real process of learning an unfamiliar boat, fixing what needs fixing, and getting her ready for winter cruising and a larger journey to Scotland and beyond. If you want to support the journey, you can join the channel as a paid member. And if that’s not possible right now, liking, subscribing, or sharing helps more than you know. John's sailing jacket: https://amzn.to/3WZdXBd This is an affiliate link. John will receive a small commission on the sale of this item. 🪶 About the Channel I’m John Fraser. I walked away from a comfortable life to see what’s left when you strip things down to the essentials—wind, water, and work. This channel is the record of that choice: a slow effort to build a life that’s more honest, and a little more wild. 📸 Follow the Journey Instagram — @johnfraserswildlife If you want to support the work I’m doing here, consider joining the channel as a paid member. It helps me keep making these videos. And if that’s not in the budget, a like, share, or subscribe means more than you know. //www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6diCN-nm_nUS-BS-hJHTA/join Chapters: 00:00 – Sailing Grebe for the first time! 01:30 – Sails go up 04:32 – Foresail goes up 07:59 – The Reluctant Adventurer pays us a visit 08:35 – Docking mishap!

Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6diCN-nm_nUS-BS-hJHTA/join My first outing with W. Grebe. Rick @WhatsNext-acrc and I take the sailboat out into the channel to test the adjustable prop and get a better feel for how she handles out in the open. In this video, I take a step back to reflect on the past two years of life changes, the lessons learned, and the new direction I’m carving out for my adventures and this channel. While we’re not out fishing this time, I share my thoughts on returning to fly fishing, planning purposeful sailing trips, and preparing for winter adventures in nature. This is a behind-the-scenes look at how I approach adventure with intention, blending the joy of fly fishing, sailing to remote spots, soaking in hot springs, and foraging for wild food. I also dive into the practical side of things—cleaning fly lines, organizing gear, and setting the mental framework for purposeful exploration. Whether you’re a fly fisherman, sailor, adventurer, or simply someone looking to reclaim passion and purpose in your life, this video gives a mix of reflection, practical insight, and inspiration for planning your own adventures. What You’ll See in This Video: Moving the Grebe to the Winter Slip – Boat prep and winter planning Returning to Fly Fishing – Thoughts on getting back to the roots of why I fell in love with fly fishing, with clips from From The Wild https://www.fromthewild.ca/ Life Change Challenge – Reflections on personal growth and challenges over the last two years New Channel Direction – How I’m integrating sailing, adventure, hot springs, and fly fishing into a cohesive lifestyle channel Winter Fly Fishing Gear Prep – Cleaning lines, organizing gear, and setting up for the season Purposeful Sailing – Using sailing not just for adventure, but to reach fishing spots, hot springs, and wild foods with intention I talk openly about what it’s like to shift direction in life and content, the lessons I’ve learned from setbacks and successes, and how focusing on purpose, preparation, and passion can make every adventure more meaningful. If you’re looking for inspiration for your own life, tips on planning your next adventure, or just a peek into the process of returning to the activities you love, this video is for you. Why Watch: Gain insight into creating a purposeful adventure lifestyle. Learn how to prep for winter fly fishing and sailing trips. Get inspired to reflect on your own life changes and growth. See a behind-the-scenes look at the planning and mindset that goes into meaningful outdoor experiences. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro Highlights – Quick preview of the video 00:36 – Moving the Grebe – Winter slip preparations 07:22 – Returning to Fly Fishing – Reflections and past footage 09:39 – Life Change Challenge – Lessons from the past two years 11:15 – New Channel Direction – Adventure, sailing, hot springs, and fly fishing 12:49 – Getting Started – Preparing gear and mindset for the season 13:06 – Winter Fly Fishing Prep – Cleaning lines and organizing gear 17:00 – Purposeful Sailing – Using sailing to reach wild destinations Connect & Follow: Website: rewildtheman.com Instagram: @rewild_the_man YouTube: Subscribe for more adventure, fly fishing, and sailing content Adventure isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how you approach it. Planning, preparation, and purpose make the difference between a trip and a meaningful experience. Let’s get ready for winter, the adventures ahead, and the life changes that push us to grow.

Our liveaboard sailboat tour! Each day we get closer to casting off—but there’s still a mountain of work to do before we can sail north toward Scotland. In this video, I’ll show you around the inside of our sailboat—the small, well-worn space that’s becoming home. A lot of you have been asking for an interior tour, so here it is: the galley, the berth, the storage, and all the corners where we’ve tried to make a simple life work on the water. Along the way, I’ll talk a bit about what still needs fixing, the jobs left before we can leave, and what it really feels like to live aboard while preparing for a long voyage. If you’re new here, this channel follows our slow, rugged journey toward a wilder, freer life—one small repair, one storm, and one sunrise at a time. You are the reason we create this content. If you want to help keep these stories alive and be part of this journey, you can join the crew — it’s the support from this small community that keeps the wind in the sails and the cameras rolling. You can join right here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6diCN-nm_nUS-BS-hJHTA/join Here is the channel that inspires me. @AlluringArctic Juho and his partner Sohvi live on their sailboat and sail arctic waters. It is a wonderful channel and they seem like wonderful people. We won't copy them...but I admire what they do. ⚓ Chapters 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - Pilot House 02:31 - The Galley 05:29 - The Navigation Desk 07:20 - Dining 08:54 - Wine Cellar 09:15 - The Quarter Berths 09:54 - Forward Berth 13:10 - The Big Picture 🪶 About the Channel I’m John Fraser. I walked away from a comfortable life to see what’s left when you strip things down to the essentials—wind, water, and work. This channel is the record of that choice: a slow effort to build a life that’s more honest, and a little more wild. 📸 Follow the Journey Instagram — @johnfraserswildlife

Step inside our old wooden sailboat, W. Grebe. In this video, I take you through the pilot house — the heart of this old sailing vessel — and show the electronic controls, navigation systems, and the unique variable pitch propeller setup that makes Grebe handle so differently under power. This is a quiet look at life aboard a classic wooden boat. You’ll see where I helm the boat, how the engine controls work, and what it’s like to live and work on a small yacht built for real, practical seamanship. The pilot house is more than just a wheel and throttle — it’s the command centre for everything that happens on board. We're starting to think about the logistics of sailing W. Grebe to Scotland! In this episode: 00:00 – Preview 00:21 - Rainy Weekend 02:00 - Ancient Radar 05:13 - Join The Community 05:55 - Echo Sounder 06:51 - Radio 07:40 - Traditional Navigation 08:57 - The NW Passage 09:40 - Getting To Scotland 11:00 - How I Pilot Grebe 11:53 - Variable Pitch Prop The Grebe isn’t a modern yacht — she’s a working piece of local maritime history. The variable pitch propeller is an interesting system that lets the skipper adjust blade pitch instead of engine RPM to control thrust. It’s smooth, efficient, but difficult to master at marina-speed. For those who’ve followed my channel, you’ll know I live aboard full-time. Every video I share is filmed and edited here on this boat — powered by the same systems you’ll see in this video. It’s a slower, more deliberate way of living: learning the old skills, understanding the sea, and keeping a vessel like this alive through care and curiosity. If you’re new here, welcome aboard. I make films about: Sailing to Scotland Wooden sailboat restoration Life aboard a sailboat Traditional seamanship and navigation Quiet moments at sea The art of living simply and deliberately Every week I share a glimpse into this life — sometimes a repair, sometimes a meal, sometimes a quiet passage across calm water. If you enjoy this kind of storytelling, subscribe and help keep this channel afloat. ⚓ About Grebe Grebe is a 1970s-era wooden gaff-rigged sailing yacht — heavy, seaworthy, and built for coastal cruising and exploration. Her variable pitch propeller system, diesel engine, and wheelhouse layout reflect a different era of craftsmanship — one where boats were designed to be understood and maintained by their captains. 🧭 Support the Channel If you want to help keep these projects going, here are a few ways to do that: 👉 Subscribe and share this video with someone who loves wooden boats. 👉 Comment below — I read every one. 👉 Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6diCN-nm_nUS-BS-hJHTA/join