In this episode we travel to a new corner we haven't been before; the picturesque Kotor. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and must stop in Montenegro is this 2,000+ year old town, set up the steep hillside. We were lucky enough to drop anchor on a day when there weren't any cruise ships in town. We head in for a wander around the old town and enjoy it's charm. Even the view from anchorage of an evening was something special. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

A typical week living aboard - how we get groceries, local events, making the boat more homey, plus finding a safe anchorage from some upcoming winds. Shane also jumped on our friends boat to help them as their windlass broke when trying to hide from the upcoming winds. Join us next week as we get on the more and travel to the amazing town of Kotor - an old town and walls built up a mountainside, set amongst a picture perfect backdrop - a must stop when in Montenegro.

In this episode we side dock outside the marina to finish reinforcing the solar arch frame. In the chaos of it all, we forget about our package that we needed to collect from the customs agent - a critical safety device to have onboard. We are SO excited to get the solar panels connected and to finally be able to charge our boat from the sun. However, the dark clouds are rolling in and we are in for some big thunderstorms.

As I'm so far behind on videos, I thought it was best I give a real time update of how we spent the European summer, where we have travelled and what the plan is over the European Winter (Aussie summer ☀️). Hang in there with the videos, it wasn't exactly what we had on our vision boards! but was pur reality nonetheless. BUT we are about to turn a corner and we start to see more places and have more adventures 🩵🇬🇷

Following the install of our Victron battery upgrades and stormy weather, after two weeks we finally leave the marina, which happens to fall on the Captain's birthday. With a bit of a mad dash back to the boat, we enjoy being back on anchor and a slow pace of life.

After living on Smile, a Lagoon 450f Catamaran, for 7 months and getting very familiar with her, we thought it was time to do a full boat tour. We cover just about everything both inside and out, except maybe the internet (which is Starlink by the way). This would have to be our most requested video. We hope you enjoy having a little insight of what it is like living on a boat. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

We return back to Smile after spending a few nights away. We get straight into unpacking what we collected from Croatia. We have 4 days left in the marina and to get our electrical system upgrades complete. Will we get it all done? It is a rush right until the end, when a storm keeps us from leaving. If you haven't already hit 'Subscribe' as our next video will be our most requested one; a full boat tour! Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

We wake up in Bosnia and drive to the most amazing waterfalls; Kravica Waterfalls. These are a must see while in Bosnia. We took a super fresh dip and enjoyed some lunch overlooking them. Our plans fell through that afternoon and we needed to find another nights accomodation on the fly while Google Maps took us to the wrong border... The weekend turned back around when we got to Podstrana and enjoyed a lovely afternoon with friends. Up with the sun the following day we took the coastal road through Croatia back down to Montenegro and Smile. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

While we have no power on the boat, we take the opportunity to do a road-trip through Bosnia on our way to Croatia. We see the beautiful scenery of the country, are greeted warmly by the locals and check out the famous Mostar Bridge, which is on the Redbull Cliff Diving Circuit, and Old Town. If you haven't watched part one of our upgrades yet, I suggest you do - https://youtu.be/oKJyzN71hJc Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =)

If you haven't watched part one of our upgrades yet, I suggest you do - https://youtu.be/oKJyzN71hJc In this episode we continue to live on boat as the electrician makes progress with our battery & solar upgrades, do some small tasks ourselves, and plan our road trip to Bosnia as we will be without power for a fee days. Want early access to our videos? We now have Patreon... - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =) Just found us? Check out our first episode to follow our adventure from the beginning - https://youtu.be/6K7fb6m9CRc?si=DNFOQR8nufkJmuki

We are finally heading into the marina to get our major boat upgrades on our Lagoon 450f catamaran completed, which will change our live-aboard sailing experience entirely. Over the next two weeks our goal is to get the below installs completed, with Victron Energy being the heart of our setup. The set-up; - 5x 300 amp-hour Victron New Generation (NG) batteries, giving us a massive 1500 amp-hour lithium battery bank - 5,000-watt Victron Quatro Inverter - Victron Lynx Smart BMS (battery management system) - Victron Cerbo GX - 6x solar panels giving us a big 2.5kW of solar power - Rainman Water Maker which will make us up to 140L/hour - 8x Sirocco fans We've built a system designed for total independence and comfort; to be off-grid, blue-water cruisers with no need to stop in and power up at marinas. As there is A LOT going on here, we have broken it into smaller episodes; Part 1 - Overview of planned upgrades & they begin Part 2 - Living on-board while the upgrades continue Part 3 - Road-trip through Bosnia while the boat is without power Part 4 - Final days in the marina, a mad rush - will we get it done? Part 5 - FINALLY we will do a full boat tour, after living onboard for 6 months. Shane will talk all things spec and I will show you around our beautiful floating home. If you want early access to videos with some other perks, check out our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated :)

In this episode the weather finally is starting to warm up so we jump in to a spot where the freshwater from the mountains runs into the bay. We also have THE WORST luck possible after fixing the generator just 2 days prior... it nearly broke Shane. We see the fams reaction to our first Youtube video then by chance take the dinghy upstream to the most magical restaurant I've seen; an old flour mill turned nature park and restaurant. The kids loved the ducks and geese, the walls inside were lined with photos of famous people that had attended and the food was amazing. It was so good we make sure we come back here a few weeks later with friends. Reminder that we now have Patreon too if you want early access - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =) Just found us? Check out our first episode to follow our adventure from the beginning - https://youtu.be/6K7fb6m9CRc?si=DNFOQR8nufkJmuki

In this episode we FINALLY get to the bottom of our generator issues. After weeks of trouble-shooting, we get there at last. Without our batteries upgraded & solar installed yet, we have been relying on the generator for power each day. There is a roller-coaster of emotions in this one, but it feels like we have finally turned a corner. We also get blown away by the 'Black Pearl' which was once the largest sailing ship in the world. Reminder that we now have Patreon too if you want early access - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Comment on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =) Just found us? Check out our first episode to follow our adventure from the beginning - https://youtu.be/6K7fb6m9CRc?si=DNFOQR8nufkJmuki

In this episode we explore Tivat Montenegro a little more, and get the tender out to explore by water. Fun Fact - Porto Montenegro Director reached out, and let us know what the building was that we weren't sure of; "The strange looking building is our cooperate office and Yacht club. But was originally built in 1988 to celebrate the centenary of the Arsenal, the shipyard Porto Montenegro is built on. It was built as a recreation centre for the Military, complete with a 550 seat auditorium inside"

In this episode we get a little familiar with Tivat, meet with an electrician to discuss our upgrades and have to make some decisions about whether we stay here or head back to Croatia, which was the original plan, for the battery & solar upgrades...

In this episode we spend our final night in Croatia, deport and make the journey South to Montenegro. We share insight of the check in & out process, have a relatively easy, but rolly, passage down & take in the beautiful scenery of Montenegro. Reminder that we now have Patreon too if you want early access - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Commewnt on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =) Just found us? Check out our first episode to follow our adventure from the beginning - https://youtu.be/6K7fb6m9CRc?si=DNFOQR8nufkJmuki

In this episode we explore Old Town Dubrovnik, both by evening and during the day - on Easter Sunday in fact. It is a magical place that looks like a scene out of a movie. The Easter Bunny found us on our boat and we get ready to leave Croatia. Reminder that we now have Patreon too if you want early access - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Commewnt on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =) Just found us? Check out our first episode to follow our adventure from the beginning - https://youtu.be/6K7fb6m9CRc?si=DNFOQR8nufkJmuki

In this episode we arrive at Marina Frappa Dubrovnik. Shane gets straight into getting boat parts needed to repair the generator, the kids & I get out for a bit and we treat ourselves to dinner. We head over to Dubrovnik Old Town - a place high on my list over here.

Following on from Part 1 of our week in a Jugo on 40+ knot winds, we see out the tail end of the week and make the the move to Dubrovnik. If you haven't seen Part 1 yet - check it out here first - https://youtu.be/yWCNE_UyTZg Reminder that we now have Patreon too if you want early access - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Commewnt on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =) Just found us? Check out our first episode to follow our adventure from the beginning - https://youtu.be/6K7fb6m9CRc?si=DNFOQR8nufkJmuki

A Jugo approaches on our journey down to Dubrovnik, so we bunker down in what we thought was a protected bay. It hits hard along with our batteries failing, generator breaking and rationing food and water. I don't think I've ever been this scared before... Reminder that we now have Patreon too if you want early access - https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingSmile If not, a simple Like, Commewnt on Subscribe is greatly appreciated! =) Just found us? Check out our first episode to follow our adventure from the beginning - https://youtu.be/6K7fb6m9CRc?si=DNFOQR8nufkJmuki