Hi and welcome aboard @SailingAstridTheWombat We are Gav and Shezz and two and a half years ago we bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 sailboat with absolutely no sailing experience and jumped straight into the deep end of liveaboard sailing. Our very first passage was just over 700 nautical miles, launching us headfirst into the world of bluewater cruising, learning to sail, and real life at sea. Since that moment, we’ve been fully immersed in boat life, documenting the journey of turning a production cruising sailboat into a capable, self-sufficient home as we prepare for full-time liveaboard life. From major sailboat upgrades and off-grid power systems to everyday maintenance and skills building, we’re learning what it truly takes to own, sail, and live on a boat while working toward our goal of sailing around the world. If you’re into sailing adventures, beginner sailing, sailboat ownership, cruising lifestyle, and traveling the world by sailboat, our journey is all about real-time learning, ocean freedom, and building the confidence to chase long-term world cruising under sail. After an incredible long weekend at anchor, it’s time to raise the sails and begin our journey back across Moreton Bay—one of the most iconic sailing destinations in Australia. In this episode, we take you along for a real, unfiltered look at liveaboard sailing life as we leave our anchorage and head back out onto open water. This is what sailing in Australia is all about—changing conditions, beautiful coastlines, and the freedom of off grid sailing life. We walk you through the process of preparing the sailboat for passage, pulling anchor, and navigating Moreton Bay while dealing with wind, tides, and boat traffic. Whether you’re a beginner sailor or an experienced cruiser, this episode gives you a practical look at what it’s really like to sail a boat day-to-day. As full-time liveaboard sailors, every passage is part of the bigger journey of sailing around the world. From trimming sails to finding the best course across the bay, we share the decisions and challenges that come with life on a sailboat. If you’ve ever dreamed about sailboat living, cruising Australia, or learning how to sail, this video is packed with valuable insight and real sailing experience. Moreton Bay offers a perfect mix of protected waters and exciting conditions, making it an ideal playground for sailors and boat owners alike. Along the way, you’ll experience the beauty of Queensland’s coastline, the rhythm of life at sea, and the satisfaction of a smooth sailing passage. If you’re searching for liveaboard sailing Australia, sailing Moreton Bay, how to sail a boat, sailboat life, off grid sailing, or tips for beginner sailors, this episode is for you. We’re all about sharing the highs, the challenges, and the reality of living on a sailboat full-time. Join us as we continue our sailing adventure, exploring Australia by sea and working toward our ultimate goal of sailing around the world. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow along for more sailing adventures, liveaboard lifestyle content, and real-life cruising experiences from aboard our sailboat. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:03 Waking Up On Anchor 02:22 Anchor Up and Away 03:15 Head Sail Out 05:56 Motor Sailing in Low Wind 07:43 Head Sail In 08:22 Back to the Marina 10:43 Sailing Questions With Gav Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. Join us now as we settle into liveaboard life and get our boat ready to take off and sail around the world. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors and get ready to take off and explore the world by sailboat. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

Hi and welcome aboard @SailingAstridTheWombat We are Gav and Shezz and two and a half years ago we bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 sailboat with absolutely no sailing experience and jumped straight into the deep end of liveaboard sailing. Our very first passage was just over 700 nautical miles, launching us headfirst into the world of bluewater cruising, learning to sail, and real life at sea. Since that moment, we’ve been fully immersed in boat life, documenting the journey of turning a production cruising sailboat into a capable, self-sufficient home as we prepare for full-time liveaboard life. From major sailboat upgrades and off-grid power systems to everyday maintenance and skills building, we’re learning what it truly takes to own, sail, and live on a boat while working toward our goal of sailing around the world. If you’re into sailing adventures, beginner sailing, sailboat ownership, cruising lifestyle, and traveling the world by sailboat, our journey is all about real-time learning, ocean freedom, and building the confidence to chase long-term world cruising under sail. Join us for an unforgettable Australia Day long weekend sailing adventure as we set sail for the spectacular Moreton Island Sandhills on our liveaboard sailboat! In this episode of our liveaboard sailing life, we leave the marina behind and head out into Moreton Bay for a relaxing cruising trip, anchoring off the famous sand dunes of Moreton Island. If you love sailing adventures, cruising life, sailboats, off-grid living, and travel by boat, this episode is packed with the kind of experiences that make the liveaboard sailing lifestyle so special. Celebrate Australia Day the ultimate way—anchored off the stunning shores of Moreton Island while living the dream of full-time liveaboard sailing! In this episode, we take you along for an unforgettable Australia Day adventure as we share the true Aussie spirit with our American sailing friends, showing them exactly what this iconic day is all about. Join us as we explore the crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches of Moreton Island, one of Australia’s most incredible sailing destinations. This video is packed with everything you love about off-grid sailing life: pristine anchorages, epic marine encounters, and laid-back beach vibes. We get up close and personal with incredible marine life, including stingrays and shovel-nosed sharks, giving you a front-row seat to the beauty of ocean wildlife while sailing in Australia. As liveaboard sailors, this is what the cruising lifestyle is all about—freedom, adventure, and unforgettable experiences. We drop anchor, head ashore, and dive straight into classic Australia Day traditions. Think beach cricket with mates, a sizzling Aussie BBQ on the sand, and plenty of laughs as we introduce our American friends to true Australian culture. If you’re into sailing, sailboats, or dreaming of sailing around the world, this episode is packed with inspiration. Whether you’re a beginner sailor learning the ropes, a seasoned cruiser, or just someone who loves travel and adventure, this is the kind of day that makes the liveaboard lifestyle so special. From anchoring tips to exploring remote islands, to embracing off-grid living on a sailboat, we share the real side of life at sea. This is slow travel at its best—disconnecting from the busy world and reconnecting with nature, good friends, and simple pleasures. If you’re searching for liveaboard sailing Australia, sailing Moreton Island, off grid sailing life, sailing adventures, or what it’s really like to live on a sailboat full-time, this video is for you. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow our journey as we continue sailing around the world, chasing new destinations, and living life on our sailboat one anchorage at a time! Chapters 00:00 Sailing to Moreton Island 01:07 Rolly Anchorage 01:43 Australia Day on Moreton Island 02:58 In the Tender 03:23 Arrival of the BooBee Bouncer 03:28 Beach Party at Little Sandhills 04:14 Stingrays and Shovel Nosed Sharks 09:53 Cricket on the Beach 11:39 Back on the Sailboat 12:34 Sunset in the Anchorage 13:00 Questions with Gav Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. Join us now as we settle into liveaboard life and get our boat ready to take off and sail around the world. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors and get ready to take off and explore the world by sailboat. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

Hi and welcome aboard @SailingAstridTheWombat We are Gav and Shezz and two and a half years ago we bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 sailboat with absolutely no sailing experience and jumped straight into the deep end of liveaboard sailing. Our very first passage was just over 700 nautical miles, launching us headfirst into the world of bluewater cruising, learning to sail, and real life at sea. Since that moment, we’ve been fully immersed in boat life, documenting the journey of turning a production cruising sailboat into a capable, self-sufficient home as we prepare for full-time liveaboard life. From major sailboat upgrades and off-grid power systems to everyday maintenance and skills building, we’re learning what it truly takes to own, sail, and live on a boat while working toward our goal of sailing around the world. If you’re into sailing adventures, beginner sailing, sailboat ownership, cruising lifestyle, and traveling the world by sailboat, our journey is all about real-time learning, ocean freedom, and building the confidence to chase long-term world cruising under sail. Join us for an unforgettable Australia Day long weekend sailing adventure as we set sail for the spectacular Moreton Island Sandhills on our liveaboard sailboat! In this episode of our liveaboard sailing life, we leave the marina behind and head out into Moreton Bay for a relaxing cruising trip, anchoring off the famous sand dunes of Moreton Island. If you love sailing adventures, cruising life, sailboats, off-grid living, and travel by boat, this episode is packed with the kind of experiences that make the liveaboard sailing lifestyle so special. After a beautiful sail across the bay, we drop anchor near the incredible Moreton Island Sandhills, one of the most unique natural landmarks in Queensland. With golden sand dunes rising dramatically behind the beach and crystal clear water surrounding our boat, it’s the perfect spot for a weekend cruising getaway by sailboat. Living aboard full-time means moments like this are why we chose the liveaboard sailing lifestyle as we prepare for our dream of sailing around the world. This trip is extra special because we’re sharing the Australia Day experience with our American friends! What better way to introduce them to this iconic Australian holiday than with a classic Australia Day BBQ on the beach and a game of cricket? From explaining the traditions of the day to enjoying great food, sunshine, and laughter by the water, it’s the perfect mix of sailing adventure, travel, and cultural fun. As liveaboard sailors preparing for long-distance cruising, weekends like this are also about practicing anchoring, exploring new anchorages, and enjoying the freedom that comes with off-grid sailing life. Whether you’re a beginner sailor, a boat owner, or someone dreaming about quitting land life to sail the world, we share the real experiences of living aboard a sailboat and exploring incredible destinations by sea. If you’re passionate about sailing, cruising sailboats, liveaboard life, offshore sailing preparation, and travel adventures, this episode will give you a taste of what it’s like to explore Australia’s coastline by boat. The Moreton Island Sandhills by sailboat are truly a must-visit destination for anyone cruising Moreton Bay. Follow along as we continue our journey of liveaboard sailing, boat life, sailing adventures, and preparing to explire the world by sailboat. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:39 Sail Preparation 02:15 Sailing Plan 06:19 Boat Engine Check 06:37 Leaving the Marina 09:00 Tender Solution 10:50 Moreton Island Sandhills 12:39 Arriving at the Anchorage 13:55 Exploring the Anchorage 14:32 Stingrays 15:46 Back to the Sailboat 16:06 Questions with Gav Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. Join us now as we settle into liveaboard life and get our boat ready to take off and sail around the world. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

Hi and welcome aboard @SailingAstridTheWombat We are Gav and Shezz and two and a half years ago we bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 sailboat with absolutely no sailing experience and jumped straight into the deep end of liveaboard sailing. Our very first passage was just over 700 nautical miles, launching us headfirst into the world of bluewater cruising, learning to sail, and real life at sea. Since that moment, we’ve been fully immersed in boat life, documenting the journey of turning a production cruising sailboat into a capable, self-sufficient home as we prepare for full-time liveaboard life. From major sailboat upgrades and off-grid power systems to everyday maintenance and skills building, we’re learning what it truly takes to own, sail, and live on a boat while working toward our goal of sailing around the world. If you’re into sailing adventures, beginner sailing, sailboat ownership, cruising lifestyle, and traveling the world by sailboat, our journey is all about real-time learning, ocean freedom, and building the confidence to chase long-term world cruising under sail. In this episode of our liveaboard sailing life, things take an unexpected turn when a routine check leads to a sudden skin cancer diagnosis on my lip. What followed was extensive skin cancer surgery that we never saw coming while living aboard our sailboat. Life as liveaboard sailors preparing to sail around the world is usually filled with adventure, sailing, and freedom—but sometimes the journey throws challenges your way that you simply have to face head-on. Join us as we share this very real and personal chapter of our liveaboard sailing journey. From the shock of hearing the diagnosis, to undergoing skin cancer removal surgery, and finally returning to the boat for recovery, this episode shows the less talked about side of the off-grid sailing lifestyle. Living on a sailboat means adapting quickly, and recovering from surgery while continuing liveaboard boat life definitely tested us. While most of our channel focuses on sailing adventures, cruising life, and preparing our sailboat for long-term world travel, this video highlights how health and real life still happen even when you live on the water. We talk openly about the experience, the surgery, and what recovery looks like when your home is a liveaboard sailboat instead of a house on land. If you love sailing channels, cruising vlogs, liveaboard sailing lifestyle videos, and sailboat life content, this episode gives an honest behind-the-scenes look at life beyond the highlights. Whether you're a beginner sailor dreaming of living on a sailboat, an experienced cruiser, or someone planning sailing around the world, this is part of the reality of pursuing an adventurous life. Our channel follows our journey as liveaboard sailors preparing to sail around the world, upgrading our boat for off-grid sailing, installing solar systems, exploring anchorages, and sharing the everyday ups and downs of sailboat living. From sailing adventures and cruising destinations to boat projects and life lessons, we document the full experience of chasing the dream of world cruising by sailboat. If you enjoy content about liveaboard sailing, cruising life, sailboat adventures, off-grid boat living, and preparing a sailboat for long-distance cruising, make sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue our journey. Topics in this episode include: • Skin cancer diagnosis and surgery • Recovering from surgery while living on a sailboat • Real life challenges of the liveaboard sailing lifestyle • Preparing for sailing around the world • Behind the scenes of off-grid sailboat living Join us as we navigate both the challenges and the adventures of liveaboard sailing life while continuing to chase our dream of sailing around the world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:31 Another Skin Cancer 08:48 Surgery Day 10:20 Arrival at the Hospital 11:33 Surgery Done 12:07 Back on the Sailboat 14:33 Syringe for liquids 15:06 Dressing Off 16:14 Brushing Teeth 17:09 Storm Hitting the Boat 19:50 New TV on the Sailboat 20:25 Feeling Better 21:11 3 Weeks Post Surgery Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. Join us now as we settle into liveaboard life and get our boat ready to take off and sail around the world. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

Hi and welcome aboard @SailingAstridTheWombat We are Gav and Shezz and two and a half years ago we bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 sailboat with absolutely no sailing experience and jumped straight into the deep end of liveaboard sailing. Our very first passage was just over 700 nautical miles, launching us headfirst into the world of bluewater cruising, learning to sail, and real life at sea. Since that moment, we’ve been fully immersed in boat life, documenting the journey of turning a production cruising sailboat into a capable, self-sufficient home as we prepare for full-time liveaboard life. From major sailboat upgrades and off-grid power systems to everyday maintenance and skills building, we’re learning what it truly takes to own, sail, and live on a boat while working toward our goal of sailing around the world. If you’re into sailing adventures, beginner sailing, sailboat ownership, cruising lifestyle, and traveling the world by sailboat, our journey is all about real-time learning, ocean freedom, and building the confidence to chase long-term world cruising under sail. In this episode of our liveaboard sailing journey, we dive into the real side of boat life — improving comfort onboard, tackling unexpected problems, and sharing the experience with friends as we continue preparing our sailboat for sailing around the world. Life on a cruising sailboat is never just about sailing; it’s about constantly adapting, upgrading, and learning as full-time liveaboard sailors. One of the biggest projects in this episode is upgrading our onboard comfort by measuring and fitting a new mattress for our sailboat. When your boat is your full-time home, sleep matters, and creating a comfortable living space is a huge part of sustainable liveaboard life. We walk through the challenges of working with limited space, unusual boat shapes, and the practical realities of improving life aboard a cruising sailboat. But as every boat owner knows, one job often leads to another. While preparing the cabin, we uncover something many sailors eventually face — mould on a sailboat. Dealing with moisture, ventilation, and condensation is a constant challenge in liveaboard sailing, and discovering mould means turning the boat inside out to clean, investigate, and prevent bigger issues down the track. This episode shows the honest reality of sailboat maintenance, problem-solving, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps a boat safe and comfortable for long-term cruising. Amid the projects and cleaning, we also welcome visitors onboard, sharing a glimpse into the social side of liveaboard cruising life. One of the best parts of living on a sailboat is the community — friends stopping by, sharing stories, and experiencing life afloat together, even while the boat is mid-project. If you’re interested in sailboat living, beginner sailing, boat ownership, or dreaming about traveling the world by sailboat, this episode highlights both the rewarding and challenging sides of the cruising lifestyle. From boat upgrades and maintenance to everyday moments onboard, this is real life at sea — not just the anchorages and sunsets, but the work that makes those moments possible. Follow along as we continue transforming our sailboat into a comfortable, self-sufficient home ready for bluewater cruising and long-term adventure. Every upgrade, every challenge, and every lesson brings us one step closer to our goal of liveaboard sailing around the world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:33 Storm Update 02:52 Boat Mattress 05:35 Sketching the Angles 07:34 Mold on the Sail Boat 09:00 Repacking Clothes 10:04 Airfryer 11:11 Lazarette Shuffle 14:35 Boat Visitors 17:48 New Bed Update Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. Join us now as we settle into liveaboard life and get our boat ready to take off and sail around the world. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

Hi and welcome aboard @SailingAstridTheWombat We are Gav and Shezz and two and a half years ago we bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 sailboat with absolutely no sailing experience and jumped straight into the deep end of liveaboard sailing. Our very first passage was just over 700 nautical miles, launching us headfirst into the world of bluewater cruising, learning to sail, and real life at sea. Since that moment, we’ve been fully immersed in boat life, documenting the journey of turning a production cruising sailboat into a capable, self-sufficient home as we prepare for full-time liveaboard life. From major sailboat upgrades and off-grid power systems to everyday maintenance and skills building, we’re learning what it truly takes to own, sail, and live on a boat while working toward our goal of sailing around the world. If you’re into sailing adventures, beginner sailing, sailboat ownership, cruising lifestyle, and traveling the world by sailboat, our journey is all about real-time learning, ocean freedom, and building the confidence to chase long-term world cruising under sail. After spending three unforgettable days at an incredible anchorage, it’s time to pull up anchor and sail back across the bay — and this passage turns out to be anything but ordinary. In this episode of our liveaboard sailing adventure, we say goodbye to crystal-clear waters, peaceful anchor life, and off-grid living before setting sail once again aboard our home on the water. Life as liveaboard sailors preparing to sail around the world is never predictable, and this sail proves exactly why. On our way back, we encounter an unexpected visitor — a large sea snake swimming alongside the boat — a reminder of just how wild and alive the ocean can be when you choose the sailing lifestyle and slow travel by sailboat. As full-time sailors, every trip teaches us something new about comfort, safety, and making life onboard more practical. During this passage, we also tackle a real-world sailing challenge: improving visibility at the helm. Sitting comfortably while maintaining proper visibility and control is essential for long passages, so we work on a clever helm solution that makes steering easier and safer — a small upgrade that makes a big difference for everyday sailboat living. This episode captures the true rhythm of liveaboard boat life — peaceful anchorages, unexpected wildlife encounters, problem-solving at sea, and the constant learning that comes with preparing for long-distance cruising. Whether you’re a beginner sailor dreaming of ocean travel, a sailboat owner looking for practical ideas, or someone inspired by the idea of travelling the world by sailboat, this is real sailing life behind the scenes. Join us as we continue documenting our journey toward full-time world cruising, sharing honest moments of off-grid sailing, boat upgrades, sailing adventures, and life afloat. Subscribe and follow along as we prepare our sailboat for global adventures, learn new sailing skills, and embrace the freedom of slow sailing and liveaboard life. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:47 Dinner Onboard 02:48 Incoming Storm 04:00 Sail Plan 05:38 Anchor Up 08:40 No Wind 09:11 Boat Jobs Underway 10:22 Weird Clouds 12:34 Helm Solution 13:42 Sea Snake 15:43 Back to the Marina Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. Join us now as we settle into liveaboard life and get our boat ready to take off and sail around the world. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

Hi and welcome aboard @SailingAstridTheWombat We are Gav and Shezz and two and a half years ago we bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 sailboat with absolutely no sailing experience and jumped straight into the deep end of liveaboard sailing. Our very first passage was just over 700 nautical miles, launching us headfirst into the world of bluewater cruising, learning to sail, and real life at sea. Since that moment, we’ve been fully immersed in boat life, documenting the journey of turning a production cruising sailboat into a capable, self-sufficient home as we prepare for full-time liveaboard life. From major sailboat upgrades and off-grid power systems to everyday maintenance and skills building, we’re learning what it truly takes to own, sail, and live on a boat while working toward our goal of sailing around the world. If you’re into sailing adventures, beginner sailing, sailboat ownership, cruising lifestyle, and traveling the world by sailboat, our journey is all about real-time learning, ocean freedom, and building the confidence to chase long-term world cruising under sail. In this episode of our liveaboard sailing journey, we continue our adventure at Moreton Island after sailing across the bay and anchoring near the famous sandhills. What looked like an ordinary anchorage turns into something incredible as the tide drops, revealing a stunning sand bar in the middle of the bay. This is the magic of cruising sailboat life — constantly changing landscapes, remote locations, and wildlife encounters you simply can’t experience on land. As full-time liveaboard sailors preparing for sailing around the world, these are the moments that remind us why we chose life on a sailboat. At low tide, we head off the boat to explore the sand bar, wading through crystal-clear shallows surrounded by untouched nature. Before long, we’re sharing the water with sea turtles and stingrays, gliding effortlessly over the sand beneath us. Encounters like this are what make off-grid sailing life and bluewater cruising so special. This episode captures the true essence of boat life — freedom, nature, and discovering hidden places that only sailors can reach. From anchoring in beautiful locations to exploring tidal sandbanks and swimming in remote waters, this is the lifestyle that draws so many people to liveaboard sailing and world travel by sailboat. It’s not just about passages and destinations; it’s about the unexpected wildlife, the shifting tides, and the adventure waiting just off the stern. If you’re interested in sailing adventures, beginner sailing, sailboat ownership, or dreaming of traveling the world by boat, this episode shows the incredible experiences that come with the cruising lifestyle. We share the reality of living aboard, learning as we go, and turning everyday anchorages into unforgettable experiences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:25 Turtle 01:55 Exploring a Sandbank 05:14 Another Turtle 06:20 Stingray 08:01 Walking the Tender 10:05 Back on the Sailboat 10:38 Beers on the Sandhills 10:01 Solar Battery Check 14:20 Stingrays and Turtles 16:26 Back to the Tender 16:49 Cockpit Lights 18:56 Tender Up For The Night Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. Join us now as we settle into liveaboard life and get our boat ready to take off and sail around the world. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

Hi and welcome aboard @SailingAstridTheWombat We are Gav and Shezz and two and a half years ago we bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 sailboat with absolutely no sailing experience and jumped straight into the deep end of liveaboard sailing. Our very first passage was just over 700 nautical miles, launching us headfirst into the world of bluewater cruising, learning to sail, and real life at sea. Since that moment, we’ve been fully immersed in boat life, documenting the journey of turning a production cruising sailboat into a capable, self-sufficient home as we prepare for full-time liveaboard life. From major sailboat upgrades and off-grid power systems to everyday maintenance and skills building, we’re learning what it truly takes to own, sail, and live on a boat while working toward our goal of sailing around the world. If you’re into sailing adventures, beginner sailing, sailboat ownership, cruising lifestyle, and traveling the world by sailboat, our journey is all about real-time learning, ocean freedom, and building the confidence to chase long-term world cruising under sail. In this episode of our liveaboard sailing journey, we explore the incredible coastline of Moreton Island and climb to the top of the famous sandhills for one of the most breathtaking views we’ve ever seen from our cruising sailboat. After sailing across the bay and anchoring off this wild and remote island, we head ashore to experience the natural beauty that makes this destination so special for sailors, cruisers, and lovers of boat life. Living as liveaboard sailors, we’re constantly reminded that some of the most unforgettable experiences come from places you can only truly reach by boat. Moreton Island is a dream stop for anyone interested in coastal cruising, anchoring in remote locations, and combining sailing adventures with land exploration. From the water, the towering sandhills look surreal — but climbing to the top reveals sweeping views of the ocean, coastline, and our tiny floating home anchored below. This episode captures the heart of cruising life and slow travel by sailboat. We leave the boat behind for a few hours, hike through soft sand, and take in the raw, untouched landscape that makes island sailing and world travel by sailboat so unique. It’s moments like this that balance the practical side of sailboat ownership — maintenance, upgrades, and passage planning — with the adventure and freedom that come with life at sea. If you’re interested in liveaboard sailing, beginner sailing, sailboat living, or you’re a sailboat owner dreaming of bigger adventures, this episode shows the lifestyle side of bluewater cruising. It’s not just about miles sailed; it’s about the places your boat can take you — hidden beaches, dramatic landscapes, and views you have to earn. We are preparing our boat and ourselves for sailing around the world, and experiences like this are a huge part of that journey. Exploring islands, anchoring off remote shores, and discovering nature from our floating home is what liveaboard cruising life is all about. Follow along as we share real boat life, sailing adventures, and the path toward full-time world cruising — one anchorage, one island, and one unforgettable view at a time. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:22 Leaving the Dock 03:35 In Moreton Bay 04:10 Head Sail Out 04:44 Anchored at Moreton Island 06:27 Sunset on Anchor 07:38 Sunrise 09:16 Sourdough on the Sailboat 10:01 Solar Battery Check 10:39 Little Sandhills 12:50 Climbing the Sandhill 13:46 On Top of the Sandhill 17:04 Stingray 17:42 Sourdough Time 18:01 Solar Upgrade Check Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. Join us now as we settle into liveaboard life and get our boat ready to take off and sail around the world. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

Hi and welcome aboard @SailingAstridTheWombat We are Gav and Shezz and two and a half years ago we bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 sailboat with absolutely no sailing experience and jumped straight into the deep end of liveaboard sailing. Our very first passage was just over 700 nautical miles, launching us headfirst into the world of bluewater cruising, learning to sail, and real life at sea. Since that moment, we’ve been fully immersed in boat life, documenting the journey of turning a production cruising sailboat into a capable, self-sufficient home as we prepare for full-time liveaboard life. From major sailboat upgrades and off-grid power systems to everyday maintenance and skills building, we’re learning what it truly takes to own, sail, and live on a boat while working toward our goal of sailing around the world. If you’re into sailing adventures, beginner sailing, sailboat ownership, cruising lifestyle, and traveling the world by sailboat, our journey is all about real-time learning, ocean freedom, and building the confidence to chase long-term world cruising under sail. In this episode of our liveaboard sailing journey, we leave our peaceful anchorage and sail back to the marina — shifting from island life to the reality of boat jobs and preparing our sailboat for long-term world cruising. This is the true rhythm of liveaboard sailboat life: sail, maintain, improve, repeat. After spending time at anchor living the off-grid sailing life, it’s time to get stuck into the smaller tasks that come with owning and living on a sailboat. While the big upgrades might be done, boat maintenance never stops, and every job we complete gets us one step closer to our goal of sailing around the world. From system checks and minor repairs to ongoing improvements, this episode shows the practical side of cruising sailboat ownership. We sail back across the bay, enjoying the simple pleasure of being under sail, before tying up at the marina where the tools come back out. This is real liveaboard cruising life — balancing adventure with responsibility and learning what it truly takes to prepare a bluewater cruising sailboat for offshore passages and long-term travel. If you’re interested in sailboat living, beginner sailing, boat ownership, or you’re a sailboat owner working through your own project list, this episode will feel very familiar. There’s always something to fix, adjust, clean, or improve when you live on a boat, and these small jobs are just as important as the major upgrades when it comes to safety, reliability, and comfort at sea. Our journey is all about turning our cruising sailboat into a capable, self-sufficient home as we work toward full-time liveaboard sailing and traveling the world by sailboat. These marina days may not be as glamorous as tropical anchorages, but they are a vital part of the cruising lifestyle and what makes long-term offshore sailing possible. Follow along as we show the behind-the-scenes side of boat life, the constant learning curve of liveaboard sailors, and the steady progress toward our dream of sailing around the world — one small boat job at a time. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:05 Leaving the Anchorage 04:20 Shezz at the Helm 04:41 Weekend Review 06:47 Lines Ready 06:28 Sundowners 08:51 Entering the Leeds 10:28 Into the Slip 12:06 Light Repairs 14:44 Sourdough on the Sailboat 16:10 Shower Bilge Repair Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. Join us now as we settle into liveaboard life and get our boat ready to take off and sail around the world. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

Hi and welcome aboard @SailingAstridTheWombat We are Gav and Shezz and two and a half years ago we bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 sailboat with absolutely no sailing experience and jumped straight into the deep end of liveaboard sailing. Our very first passage was just over 700 nautical miles, launching us headfirst into the world of bluewater cruising, learning to sail, and real life at sea. Since that moment, we’ve been fully immersed in boat life, documenting the journey of turning a production cruising sailboat into a capable, self-sufficient home as we prepare for full-time liveaboard life. From major sailboat upgrades and off-grid power systems to everyday maintenance and skills building, we’re learning what it truly takes to own, sail, and live on a boat while working toward our goal of sailing around the world. If you’re into sailing adventures, beginner sailing, sailboat ownership, cruising lifestyle, and traveling the world by sailboat, our journey is all about real-time learning, ocean freedom, and building the confidence to chase long-term world cruising under sail. In this episode of our liveaboard sailing journey, we drop anchor in a beautiful island anchorage for a few days of true off-grid sailing life — and it’s the perfect chance to properly test our brand-new solar upgrade on our sailboat. This is real cruising sailboat life as we prepare for sailing around the world, balancing boat systems, ocean living, and a little bit of paradise. We’ve recently upgraded our solar panels, batteries, and onboard power system, and now it’s time to see how our off-grid power setup handles everyday liveaboard life. From running the fridge and charging devices to powering our essential gear, we’re closely monitoring how our sailboat electrical system performs while we live at anchor like we would on a long-term bluewater cruising adventure. But this episode isn’t just about boat upgrades and sailboat systems — it’s about the lifestyle that comes with living on a sailboat. We spend our days swimming straight off the boat, exploring the island beach, and enjoying the freedom that comes with anchoring in remote locations. This is the dream of cruising life, slow travel by sailboat, and world travel by boat. As the sun goes down, we share sundowners with friends in the anchorage — one of our favourite parts of the sailing community and liveaboard lifestyle. These moments are what make cruising under sail so special: simple living, ocean views, good company, and complete freedom from life on land. If you’re interested in sailboat living, liveaboard sailing, boat life, beginner sailing, or you’re a sailboat owner dreaming of sailing the world, this episode shows both sides of the journey — the practical side of building a capable, self-sufficient cruising boat, and the incredible lifestyle that comes with it. Follow along as we turn our boat into an ocean-ready home and take more steps toward our goal of sailing around the world. This is real liveaboard cruising life — solar power, saltwater swims, island beaches, and sunsets at anchor. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:28 Arriving at the Anchorage 03:31 Swimming Off the Boat 04:16 Tender Off The Deck 05:06 To the Beach 06:28 Sundowners 07:45 Cockpit Lights 08:12 Early Morning Swims 10:23 Breakfast on the Sailboat 10:45 Anchor Up Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. Join us now as we settle into liveaboard life and get our boat ready to take off and sail around the world. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

We finally did it — our major solar upgrade on our liveaboard sailboat is complete, and it’s time for the real test. In this episode of our liveaboard sailing journey around the world, we leave the marina behind for an overnighter at anchor to see how our new off-grid solar power system performs in real cruising conditions. No shore power, no marina hookups — just renewable energy, the open water, and life on a cruising sailboat. This is a huge milestone for us as liveaboard sailors preparing to sail the world, because this solar installation was the last major boat upgrade before we begin longer passages and remote anchoring. If you're into sailing, sailboats, cruising life, boat projects, marine solar, or off-grid living, this episode shows what modern cruising sailboat life really looks like — the work behind the scenes and the freedom it creates. After weeks of boat jobs and upgrades, we finally get to enjoy the reward: dropping anchor, swimming off the boat, exploring, and spending quality time with friends. This is the lifestyle so many dream about — full-time sailing, living on a boat, slow travel by sailboat, and ocean adventure — balanced with the practical side of maintaining and upgrading a cruising yacht. Whether you're a beginner sailor, experienced cruiser, future liveaboard, or just love watching boat life and sailing adventures, this video gives a real look at testing a solar-powered sailboat system while enjoying the simple moments that make this lifestyle worth it. We share the reality of liveaboard life, anchoring out, managing power usage, and building confidence in our systems before bigger voyages. Follow along as we move closer to sailing around the world, becoming more self-sufficient, and embracing off-grid cruising. Expect sailing, anchoring, ocean swims, boat life with friends, and the kind of peaceful moments you only get when you choose travel by sailboat. If you love sailing adventures, liveaboard cruising, sailboat life, marine upgrades, and world travel by boat, you’re in the right place. It's been two years since our first sail in @SailingAstridTheWombat actually that means it's been two years since our first sail ever. That's right two years ago we bought this Beneteau Oceanis 430 and pulled the sails up for the first time ever when we brought her home. A sail that stretched 700 nautical miles from Townsville in Far North Queensland Australia to Moreton Bay in Brisbane Queensland. Each experience we have and each new sailing skill learnt just keeps bringing us closer to taking off to sail around the world in our Beneteau Oceanis 430 @SailingAstridTheWombat living our boat life dream. We hope you enjoy our content. Please hit subscribe and follow our journey to full time sailing around the world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:13 Storm Update 01:54 Sail Plan 03:19 Leaving the Marina 04:34 Headsail Out 07:13 Slow Sailing 09:25 We Hit Our Goal! 09:55 Cleaning Fenders 12:19 Easing the Sheet 14:30 Sailing Race 14:57 Solar Upgrade 17:06 Engine On 18:56 Wombat Rounding Up Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. We are Gav and Shezz an Aussie couple with a dream to sail and scuba dive around the world. We bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 in October 2023 with zero sailing experience but the belief that we can do this. We have filmed our journey from looking for boats, buying the boat and downsizing our house so we can liveaboard and all the messy wonderful life stuff in between. Join us now as we settle into liveaboard life and get our boat ready to take off and sail around the world. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

Living aboard a sailboat means every upgrade turns into a full-on boat project — and in this episode of our liveaboard sailing journey, we’re taking on a major solar and battery upgrade while docked in the marina. As we prepare our sailboat for long-term cruising and sailing around the world, reliable power on board is essential, and that means tearing into the boat and dealing with the chaos that comes with it. To install our new solar power system and battery bank, we had to completely clear out the cabin, turning our floating home into a construction zone. This is real boat life — messy, challenging, and incredibly rewarding. If you’re a sailboat owner, beginner sailor, or dreaming of travelling the world by sailboat, this episode gives an honest look at what it takes to upgrade and maintain a cruising sailboat while living aboard full-time. While we’re stuck in the marina, we make the most of it by knocking over a long list of liveaboard boat jobs. From maintenance tasks to small repairs, these marina days are all about preparing our sailboat for future offshore sailing and extended cruising. This is the behind-the-scenes side of liveaboard sailing around the world that doesn’t always make it into the highlight reels. Of course, life aboard isn’t all work. When the tools get packed away, we escape the marina and head to the beach for a refreshing swim — a reminder of why we chose this lifestyle in the first place. It’s all about balance: hard work on the boat, freedom on the water, and enjoying the simple moments in between. If you’re interested in sailing, boats, off-grid solar systems, sailboat upgrades, or the realities of living on a sailboat, this episode is for you. Follow along as we share the highs, the mess, and the lessons learned while preparing our home to sail further, stay longer, and live more independently at sea. It's been two years since our first sail in @SailingAstridTheWombat actually that means it's been two years since our first sail ever. That's right two years ago we bought this Beneteau Oceanis 430 and pulled the sails up for the first time ever when we brought her home. A sail that stretched 700 nautical miles from Townsville in Far North Queensland Australia to Moreton Bay in Brisbane Queensland. Each experience we have and each new sailing skill learnt just keeps bringing us closer to taking off to sail around the world in our Beneteau Oceanis 430 @SailingAstridTheWombat living our boat life dream. We hope you enjoy our content. Please hit subscribe and follow our journey to full time sailing around the world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:50 Solar Plan 04:12 Cockpit Lights 06:12 Sailboat Airconditioning 07:20 The Ecoflow 2 10:17 Solar Blanket 11:12 Sailboat Stern In 12:05 Update on the Solar 15:30 Beach Day 17:20 Solar Upgrade 18:16 Boat Back Together 19:00 Boat Mattress Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. We are Gav and Shezz an Aussie couple with a dream to sail and scuba dive around the world. We bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 in October 2023 with zero sailing experience but the belief that we can do this. We have filmed our journey from looking for boats, buying the boat and downsizing our house so we can liveaboard and all the messy wonderful life stuff in between. Join us now as we settle into liveaboard life and get our boat ready to take off and sail around the world. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

In this episode of liveaboard sailing, we experience one of the most intense storms we’ve ever faced while living aboard our sailboat. In our last video, we made the call to pull anchor and sail directly into a storm, pushing hard to reach the marina before an even more severe weather system arrived. As full-time sailors preparing to sail around the world, we knew this decision could make all the difference. What we didn’t expect was just how extreme the next day would become. Less than 24 hours later, the marina was slammed by a severe storm cell with winds clocked at 75 knots and massive hail measuring 15 centimetres in diameter. Boats surged violently against dock lines, visibility dropped to zero, and the sound of hail and wind was deafening and relentless. This was no ordinary storm — this was extreme weather that tested every liveaboard sailor, every cleat, and every line. Once the storm finally passed, reality set in. This episode takes you through the post-storm damage assessment, as we inspect our sailboat, check rigging, lines, and surrounding vessels, and process what just happened. The adrenaline fades, the exhaustion hits, and the raw emotion of surviving a major storm — becomes impossible to hide. But this video is also about something bigger than damage and destruction. It’s about the sailing community coming together. Neighbours checking on neighbours. Sailors helping sailors. Sharing tools, lines, advice, and support. This is one of the most powerful parts of the liveaboard sailing lifestyle — the unspoken bond that forms when boats and people go through extreme conditions together. If you’re a sailboat owner, beginner sailor, or dreaming of travelling the world by sailboat, this episode shows the real side of boat life that rarely makes it to social media. Storm preparation, marina life, recovery after severe weather, and the emotional highs and lows of living aboard a sailboat are all part of the journey. This is real sailing. This is resilience. And this is why the sailing community feels like family. Each experience we have and each new sailing skill learnt just keeps bringing us closer to taking off to sail around the world in our Beneteau Oceanis 430 @SailingAstridTheWombat living our boat life dream. We hope you enjoy our content. Please hit subscribe and follow our journey to full time sailing around the world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:40 Hail Hitting the Sailboat 03:30 Water Leak 05:39 Storm Over 06:45 Checking the Sailboat 07:25 Storm Damage Assessment 11:55 Checking Marine Solar Panels 13:14 26hrs After the Storm 13:38 More Storms Predicted 16:36 Solar Upgrade Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. We are Gav and Shezz an Aussie couple with a dream to sail and scuba dive around the world. We bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 in October 2023 with zero sailing experience but the belief that we can do this. We have filmed our journey from looking for boats, buying the boat and downsizing our house so we can liveaboard and all the messy wonderful life stuff in between. Join us now as we start to get our boat prepared for liveaboard life. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

What happens when you pull up anchor knowing a storm is coming—and sail straight into it anyway? In this episode of our liveaboard sailing adventure, we leave the safety of the anchorage and head directly into deteriorating weather as part of our real-world preparation for sailing around the world. Living aboard a sailboat full-time means learning to work with the weather, not just waiting for perfect conditions. As we hoist sails and turn into strengthening winds, this sail becomes an important heavy weather training session. We practice reefing early, managing sail trim, handling rough seas, and making calm, deliberate decisions when conditions are far from comfortable. This episode is about far more than rough seas and dark clouds. It’s about building confidence offshore, understanding how our sailboat performs in challenging conditions, and developing the skills every sailor needs before taking on long-distance cruising and bluewater passages. Whether you’re new to sailing or an experienced sailor, heavy weather is something all sailors eventually face—and learning how to prepare is essential. If you’re interested in liveaboard life, sailboat cruising, or preparing for ocean sailing, this video offers a realistic look at what it takes to get ready for full-time cruising and long-term travel by sailboat. We share honest moments from onboard as the weather builds, giving you an inside look at the decisions, teamwork, and seamanship required when sailing in less-than-ideal conditions. This channel follows our journey as liveaboard sailors preparing to sail around the world, sharing the highs, the challenges, and everything in between. From storm sailing and anchoring techniques to everyday life on a sailboat, we document the reality of choosing a life at sea. If you love sailing videos, sailboat adventures, liveaboard sailing, and traveling the world by sailboat, make sure to subscribe and join us as we continue preparing for our global sailing journey. Thanks for watching and welcome aboard! Each experience we have and each new sailing skill learnt just keeps bringing us closer to taking off to sail around the world in our Beneteau Oceanis 430 @SailingAstridTheWombat living our boat life dream. We hope you enjoy our content. Please hit subscribe and follow our journey to full time sailing around the world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:44 Waking Up On Anchor 04:24 Anchor Up 04:55 Anchor Problem 06:43 Rain Washing the Sailboat 07:33 Sailing Into the Storm 09:04 Another Storm Coming 10:49 Storm Clouds Closing In 13:54 Storm Hitting the Sailboat 15:30 26 knots 16:00 32 knots 16:11 35 knots 18:05 Sustained 36 knots 19:50 Made it Through the Storm 21:02 Entering the Leeds 21:19 Docking 23:05 Engine Off Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. We are Gav and Shezz an Aussie couple with a dream to sail and scuba dive around the world. We bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 in October 2023 with zero sailing experience but the belief that we can do this. We have filmed our journey from looking for boats, buying the boat and downsizing our house so we can liveaboard and all the messy wonderful life stuff in between. Join us now as we start to get our boat prepared for liveaboard life. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

In this episode of our liveaboard sailing around the world series, we anchor at the famous Sandhills of Moreton Island and spend the day exploring one of the most beautiful island destinations in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Moreton Island is a must-visit location for sailors, cruisers, and liveaboard boaters, known for its crystal-clear water, white sand beaches, and protected anchorages. After sailing across Moreton Bay, we carefully choose our anchorage and settle into the calm conditions behind the sandhills. Anchoring a sailboat in places like this is a huge part of the liveaboard sailing lifestyle, and it’s moments like these that make travelling the world by sailboat so special. With the boat secure, we head ashore to explore the beach, walking along the shoreline and taking in the natural beauty that makes Moreton Island such a popular cruising stop. This video is a real look at life at anchor, showing what it’s like to live on a sailboat and explore remote islands by boat. If you’re a beginner sailor, new boat owner, or someone researching sailing destinations in Australia, this episode offers inspiration and insight into everyday cruising life. From anchoring out, beach exploring, and enjoying the freedom of sailing, this is authentic liveaboard sailboat life. As the day comes to an end, we return onboard to experience a peaceful sunset at anchor. Watching the sky change colours over Moreton Island while the anchor lights come on across the bay is one of the most magical parts of living aboard a sailboat. These quiet evenings are a reminder of why so many people dream of sailing full time, off-grid boat living, and long-term cruising. If you enjoy sailing vlogs, liveaboard sailing Australia, anchoring at islands, sailboat cruising, and exploring islands by boat, this video is for you. Subscribe to follow our journey as we prepare for and work towards sailing around the world, sharing real experiences from life on our liveaboard sailboat. Each experience we have and each new sailing skill learnt just keeps bringing us closer to taking off to sail around the world in our Beneteau Oceanis 430 @SailingAstridTheWombat living our boat life dream. We hope you enjoy our content. Please hit subscribe and follow our journey to full time sailing around the world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Anchor Down 02:50 Cleaning Marine Solar Panels 03:26 Exploring Ashore on Moreton Island 05:49 Finding a Fender 06:20 Birdlife on Moreton Island 07:38 Moreton Island Camping Grounds 10:30 Exploring in the Tender 12:14 Back on the Sailboat 13:00 Chess 15:00 Anchorage 16:13 Sunset in the Anchorage 19:03 Anchor Lights 19:42 Christmas Message Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. We are Gav and Shezz an Aussie couple with a dream to sail and scuba dive around the world. We bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 in October 2023 with zero sailing experience but the belief that we can do this. We have filmed our journey from looking for boats, buying the boat and downsizing our house so we can liveaboard and all the messy wonderful life stuff in between. Join us now as we start to get our boat prepared for liveaboard life. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

We leave the marina and set sail for Moreton Island for a weekend escape — taking advantage of a narrow weather window before severe storms arrive. With major weather systems forecast to move in soon, this trip is all about timing, planning, and making the most of calm conditions while they last. This is the reality of liveaboard sailing, where every sail is shaped by the forecast. We’re full-time liveaboard sailors currently living in the marina while we prepare our sailboat for a future sailing around the world. While we’re not offshore yet, weekend sailing trips like this are essential for building experience, confidence, and seamanship before long-distance cruising. When storms are predicted, knowing when to go — and when to stay — is a critical sailing skill. In this episode, we sail across Moreton Bay to Moreton Island, using the brief calm period ahead of the incoming storms. From checking weather forecasts and choosing the right departure time to navigating changing winds and sea conditions, this video shows what real boat life looks like for cruising sailors in preparation mode. This is everyday life for sailboat owners and liveaboards, balancing adventure with safety while living aboard full-time. Moreton Island provides the perfect destination for weekend sailing, offering beautiful anchorages, island scenery, and valuable experience for sailors learning to manage weather windows and coastal passages This episode is ideal for anyone interested in sailing, sailboats, and liveaboard life, including beginner sailors, people new to boat ownership, and those dreaming of travelling the world by sailboat. You’ll see how short coastal trips play a vital role in preparing for long-term cruising and bluewater sailing, especially when weather systems and storms are part of the equation. Using calm conditions before the storms hit allows us to test systems, practice anchoring, and continue preparing our boat for future ocean passages. Trips like this are stepping stones toward becoming confident cruisers and eventually leaving Australia to sail around the world. If you enjoy liveaboard sailing adventures, honest boat life, real weather decisions, and the journey toward long-term cruising, this episode is for you. Subscribe and follow along as we chase weather windows, sail to stunning islands, and work toward our dream of sailing around the world, one weekend sail at a time. It's been two and a half years since our first sail in @SailingAstridTheWombat actually that means it's been a year and a half since our first sail ever. That's right a year ago we bought this Beneteau Oceanis 430 and pulled the sail up for the first time ever when we brought her home. A sail that stretched 700 nautical miles from Townsville in Far North Queensland Australia to Moreton Bay in Brisbane Queensland. We are now preparing to move onboard and to sail around the world. Join us to see the challenges as we continue to learn to sail, prepare our boat and make changes so our boat feels like a home. We are moving onboard in just a few weeks so our sailing dream is getting closer and closer. Each experience we have and each new sailing skill learnt just keeps bringing us closer to taking off to sail around the world in our Beneteau Oceanis 430 @SailingAstridTheWombat living our boat life dream. We hope you enjoy our content. Please hit subscribe and follow our journey to full time sailing around the world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:42 Sail Plan 04:05 Fenders In 05:50 Head Sail Out 08:00 St Helena and Green Island 11:00 Rope Bags 14:10 Big & Little Sandhills Moreton Island 16:53 Anchored 06:30 Turtle Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. We are Gav and Shezz an Aussie couple with a dream to sail and scuba dive around the world. We bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 in October 2023 with zero sailing experience but the belief that we can do this. We have filmed our journey from looking for boats, buying the boat and downsizing our house so we can liveaboard and all the messy wonderful life stuff in between. Join us now as we start to get our boat prepared for liveaboard life. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

Life on a liveaboard sailboat isn’t just sunsets and smooth sailing — it’s constant maintenance, problem-solving, and a never-ending list of boat jobs. In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of real liveaboard sailing life as we tackle the everyday jobs that keep our sailboat moving, safe, and ready for long-term cruising. From fixing small issues that pop up without warning, to staying ahead of preventative maintenance, this is what full-time sailboat living really looks like. When you live on a boat, you quickly learn that every system matters — electrical, rigging, plumbing, deck hardware, and everything in between. There’s no calling a tradesperson when you’re anchored out, so you become the mechanic, electrician, and problem-solver all in one. We also dive into our solar upgrade plans, a crucial step toward energy independence for anyone living aboard or planning to sail around the world. Reliable solar power on a sailboat means fewer engine hours, quieter anchorages, and the ability to live off-grid for longer. We talk through why we’re upgrading, what we’re hoping to achieve, and how improving our boat electrical system supports long-term cruising and life at anchor. If you’re interested in liveaboard sailing, sailboat maintenance, cruising upgrades, or learning what it really takes to travel the world by sailboat, this episode offers an honest look at the work that happens between passages. These are the jobs that don’t make the highlight reel, but they’re essential for safety, comfort, and self-sufficiency at sea. Whether you’re a beginner sailor, a sailboat owner, or someone dreaming about quitting land life to live on a boat, this video will give you realistic insight into the lifestyle. Boat projects, upgrades, and maintenance are all part of the journey — and they’re just as important as the sailing itself. Thanks for joining us as we continue preparing our sailboat for long-term cruising and life as full-time liveaboard sailors. If you enjoy real sailing content, boat projects, and honest cruising life, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow along as we sail toward our goal of exploring the world by wind power. It's been two years since our first sail in @SailingAstridTheWombat actually that means it's been a year and a half since our first sail ever. That's right a year ago we bought this Beneteau Oceanis 430 and pulled the sail up for the first time ever when we brought her home. A sail that stretched 700 nautical miles from Townsville in Far North Queensland Australia to Moreton Bay in Brisbane Queensland. We are now preparing to move onboard and to sail around the world. Join us to see the challenges as we continue to learn to sail, prepare our boat and make changes so our boat feels like a home. We are moving onboard in just a few weeks so our sailing dream is getting closer and closer. Each experience we have and each new sailing skill learnt just keeps bringing us closer to taking off to sail around the world in our Beneteau Oceanis 430 @SailingAstridTheWombat living our boat life dream. We hope you enjoy our content. Please hit subscribe and follow our journey to full time sailing around the world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:36 Fire in the Marina 02:23 Less Weight on the Sailboat 03:36 Boat Jobs 06:49 Storms on the Sailboat 07:16 Camping Show 07:57 New Outboard Harness 12:04 Outboard Lessons 15:44 Thermal Cooking 17:59 Sailboat Solar Upgrade Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. We are Gav and Shezz an Aussie couple with a dream to sail and scuba dive around the world. We bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 in October 2023 with zero sailing experience but the belief that we can do this. We have filmed our journey from looking for boats, buying the boat and downsizing our house so we can liveaboard and all the messy wonderful life stuff in between. Join us now as we start to get our boat prepared for liveaboard life. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

Spend a perfect day sailing with the family on beautiful Moreton Bay as we take you along on a relaxing yet adventure-filled episode of our liveaboard sailing life. In this video, we raise the sails, explore calm anchorages, enjoy fishing straight off the back of the boat, and dive into crystal-clear water for a swim in one of Queensland’s most iconic boating playgrounds. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor, a beginner sailor dreaming of your first voyage, or someone imagining a life travelling the world by sailboat, this episode is full of the magic that makes boat life irresistible. As full-time liveaboard sailors preparing for our journey to sail around the world, days like this remind us exactly why we chose a life on the ocean. Moreton Bay delivers the perfect mix of tranquillity and excitement—gentle breezes, dolphins on the bow, seabirds circling overhead, and endless stretches of sparkling blue water. We bring you right into the moment as we drop anchor, relax on deck, cast a line for fresh fish, and watch the family jump off the stern for an afternoon swim. This episode highlights the feeling of freedom that comes with living aboard a sailboat: drifting with the tide, exploring hidden corners of the bay, and spending uninterrupted time with the people who matter most. It’s the kind of day where time slows down, the ocean seems endless, and the world feels beautifully simple. If you've ever dreamed of stepping away from the everyday routine and diving into the sailing lifestyle, these are the moments that show what’s truly possible. You’ll see what a typical family adventure looks like for us—sharing laughs in the cockpit, spotting marine life, enjoying a fresh catch, and soaking in the incredible scenery that makes Moreton Bay a must-sail destination. For boat lovers, sailors, ocean travellers, and anyone curious about the liveaboard lifestyle, this video captures the heart of what sailing is all about. If you’re longing for inspiration, escapism, or a glimpse into what it’s like to sail full-time around the world, make sure to subscribe for more liveaboard sailing videos, ocean adventures, and behind-the-scenes life on the water. Join us for a day of sailing, swimming, fishing, and unforgettable family memories on Moreton Bay! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more weekly sailing content. It's been two years since our first sail in @SailingAstridTheWombat actually that means it's been a year and a half since our first sail ever. That's right a year ago we bought this Beneteau Oceanis 430 and pulled the sail up for the first time ever when we brought her home. A sail that stretched 700 nautical miles from Townsville in Far North Queensland Australia to Moreton Bay in Brisbane Queensland. We are now preparing to move onboard and to sail around the world. Join us to see the challenges as we continue to learn to sail, prepare our boat and make changes so our boat feels like a home. We are moving onboard in just a few weeks so our sailing dream is getting closer and closer. Each experience we have and each new sailing skill learnt just keeps bringing us closer to taking off to sail around the world in our Beneteau Oceanis 430 @SailingAstridTheWombat living our boat life dream. We hope you enjoy our content. Please hit subscribe and follow our journey to full time sailing around the world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Cuppa on the Boat 02:22 Boat BBQ 03:16 Crew Member Rosie 04:30 Sail Plan 05:15 Rosie Fender 05:32 Head Sail Out 06:02 Whale Call 06:30 Turtle 06:50 Sailing 10:25 Heeling 11:04 Swimming Off The Boat 11:50 Happy Birthday Paige 12:31 Fishing Off The Boat 13:47 Heading Back 14:24 Sails In 15:34 Back to the Marina Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. We are Gav and Shezz an Aussie couple with a dream to sail and scuba dive around the world. We bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 in October 2023 with zero sailing experience but the belief that we can do this. We have filmed our journey from looking for boats, buying the boat and downsizing our house so we can liveaboard and all the messy wonderful life stuff in between. Join us now as we start to get our boat prepared for liveaboard life. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

Join us for another action-packed episode of our liveaboard sailing life, where we drop anchor at a stunning island before facing some seriously rough conditions crossing Moreton Bay on our way home. If you love sailing adventures, anchoring techniques, and the real, unscripted moments of cruising life, this episode is for you. We start the day with a calm, picture-perfect morning as we make our approach to a beautiful island anchorage. Watch as we talk through our anchoring process, from reading the seabed to choosing the right spot, setting the hook, checking swing room, and making sure our sailboat is secure. Whether you’re a beginner sailor, a sailboat owner, or someone dreaming about traveling the world by sailboat, you’ll pick up tips and insights into how liveaboard cruisers safely settle into a new anchorage. But cruising isn’t always calm seas and sunsets… and today is proof of that. After spending time at the island, we lift the anchor and begin our passage back across Moreton Bay, only to be greeted by building swell, steep chop, and strong wind—classic Moreton Bay chaos. In this episode, you’ll see exactly what it’s like to handle a sailboat in rough conditions, how we adjust our sail plan, manage the boat’s motion, and work together as a team while the sea tries its best to throw us around. This is real-life and a reminder that the ocean demands both respect and preparation. For those dreaming of the liveaboard cruising lifestyle, this video gives a true look behind the scenes—anchoring in paradise one minute, battling messy, uncomfortable seas the next. It’s all part of the adventure, and it’s why we love this life so much. Sailing full-time teaches you resilience, adaptability, and an appreciation for every calm anchorage after a tough passage. If you enjoy sailing channels, boat life vlogs, Moreton Bay sailing, liveaboard Q&A, or videos about preparing to sail around the world, make sure to subscribe to follow our journey. We’re sharing every anchorage, every challenge, and every unforgettable moment as we continue chasing our dream of sailing the world. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe—it helps our small sailing channel reach more ocean-loving adventurers! It's been two years since our first sail in @SailingAstridTheWombat actually that means it's been a year and a half since our first sail ever. That's right a year ago we bought this Beneteau Oceanis 430 and pulled the sail up for the first time ever when we brought her home. A sail that stretched 700 nautical miles from Townsville in Far North Queensland Australia to Moreton Bay in Brisbane Queensland. We are now preparing to move onboard and to sail around the world. Join us to see the challenges as we continue to learn to sail, prepare our boat and make changes so our boat feels like a home. We are moving onboard in just a few weeks so our sailing dream is getting closer and closer. Each experience we have and each new sailing skill learnt just keeps bringing us closer to taking off to sail around the world in our Beneteau Oceanis 430 @SailingAstridTheWombat living our boat life dream. We hope you enjoy our content. Please hit subscribe and follow our journey to full time sailing around the world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:03 Arriving at the Anchorage 03:10 Testing the Boat BBQ 04:15 Turtle Sighting 05:58 Anchor Up! 06:48 Sail Out 09:02 Rough Sea State 09:49 Twenty Knots of Wind 12:29 Worsening Conditions 13:42 Back at the Marina 14:00 Carnage Below 15:30 Cleaning the Boat 16:44 Beers at the Boom Bar Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. We are Gav and Shezz an Aussie couple with a dream to sail and scuba dive around the world. We bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 in October 2023 with zero sailing experience but the belief that we can do this. We have filmed our journey from looking for boats, buying the boat and downsizing our house so we can liveaboard and all the messy wonderful life stuff in between. Join us now as we start to get our boat prepared for liveaboard life. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat

Join us in this incredible episode as we set sail through the stunning waters of Moreton Bay and experience a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with whales up close from our liveaboard sailboat. As full-time liveaboard sailors preparing to sail around the world, moments like these remind us exactly why we chose this lifestyle. Whether you're passionate about sailing adventures, fascinated by marine life, or dreaming of travelling the world by sailboat, this episode delivers all the magic of ocean life in one unforgettable day on the water. In today’s sailing vlog, we take our cruising sailboat out into the beautiful blue of Queensland’s Moreton Bay for what we thought would be a casual day sail—until a pod of whales decided to join us. Watch as we navigate under full sail, maintain safe distances, and use proper seamanship while witnessing these incredible giants glide through the water. For beginner sailors and sailboat owners, this episode also offers valuable insights into real-world sailing conditions, wildlife awareness, and what it’s like to handle a liveaboard vessel when the unexpected happens. Our channel is all about the liveaboard sailing lifestyle, exploring the world, and sharing the highs, lows, challenges, and pure joy of life afloat. If you’re curious about offshore cruising, ocean passages, marina life, anchoring techniques, or simply what it’s like to live on a sailboat full-time, you’re in the right place. We document every step of our journey as we prepare for our circumnavigation—one bay, one island, and one adventure at a time. This Moreton Bay sailing episode is packed with real sailing footage, close-up whale activity, and stunning views that highlight why so many people fall in love with the idea of travelling the world by sailboat. If you love sailing videos, yacht life content, cruising vlogs, whale encounters, marine wildlife, or dream of starting your own liveaboard journey, this video is for you. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow along as we continue our journey toward becoming full-time world-cruising sailors. From day sails and boat projects to offshore passages and island exploring, we’re excited to take you with us on every mile. Thanks for watching and welcome aboard! It's been two years since our first sail in @SailingAstridTheWombat actually that means it's been a year and a half since our first sail ever. That's right a year ago we bought this Beneteau Oceanis 430 and pulled the sail up for the first time ever when we brought her home. A sail that stretched 700 nautical miles from Townsville in Far North Queensland Australia to Moreton Bay in Brisbane Queensland. We are now preparing to move onboard and to sail around the world. Join us to see the challenges as we continue to learn to sail, prepare our boat and make changes so our boat feels like a home. We are moving onboard in just a few weeks so our sailing dream is getting closer and closer. Each experience we have and each new sailing skill learnt just keeps bringing us closer to taking off to sail around the world in our Beneteau Oceanis 430 @SailingAstridTheWombat living our boat life dream. We hope you enjoy our content. Please hit subscribe and follow our journey to full time sailing around the world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Friday Beer in the Tender 04:08 Sail Plan 04:43 Preparing to Sail 06:08 Leaving the Slip 08:05 Headsail Out 10:31 Sail In 10:42 Rolly Conditions in Moreton Bay 13:18 Whale Sighting 14:25 More Whales Please leave a comment, like and subscribe to follow our journey. We are Gav and Shezz an Aussie couple with a dream to sail and scuba dive around the world. We bought our Beneteau Oceanis 430 in October 2023 with zero sailing experience but the belief that we can do this. We have filmed our journey from looking for boats, buying the boat and downsizing our house so we can liveaboard and all the messy wonderful life stuff in between. Join us now as we start to get our boat prepared for liveaboard life. As new sailors we want to share all of our learnings and keep it real in our videos. We want to show step by step what it takes to choose a boat, buy the boat and learn how to sail. Our sailing learning curve is steep so come along with us as we learn and grow as liveaboard sailors. We promise you will have a laugh! Welcome aboard Astrid The Wombat Gav and Shezz You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook: Sailing Astrid the Wombat #sailing #liveaboard #sailingaustralia #sailingadventures #sailboat