Ever wonder what it actually takes to feed a family living full time on a boat? Join us aboard our 80-foot steel schooner, The Alaskan Gypsy, as we cook for a crew of seven while exploring the wild coastline of Alaska. From bear sausage making on the deck of our sailboat in Seldovia, Alaska, to sourdough creations from Tenekee Springs, vegetable fermenting, and family meals with kids pitching in and the everyday rhythm of life at anchor, this is the real side of family liveaboard living. Life isn't always about dramatic adventures. Sometimes it's sharing meals, solving little problems together, and creating memories in one of the most beautiful places on earth. If you enjoy: • Alaska • Liveaboard boat life • Sailing and cruising • Family adventure • Homesteading • Off-grid living • Prince William Sound .....you're in the right place. Subscribe and come along as we continue exploring Alaska aboard our home. Chapters 0:00 Life aboard begins 1:08 Preparing a family meal 3:45 Everyone pitches in 6:52 Cooking on an 80-foot schooner 10:45 Making sausage together 13:05 Family life aboard 17:35 Campfire cooking 18:00 Another day aboard The Alaskan Gypsy

After months away, we returned to Homer, Alaska with the Gypsy and walked straight into one of the busiest weeks we've had all year. Preparing an 80-foot schooner for five kids, sorting through decades of tools and belongings, tackling boat projects, processing wild game, stocking the galley, and making decisions about what comes with us for the next chapter. What was supposed to be a quick stop turned into seven days of organized chaos. For Scott, it meant revisiting a place he'd called home for over 40 years. For all of us, it meant preparing the Gypsy for a summer of adventure in Prince William Sound. From tearing out old carpet and chasing down last-minute parts to loading supplies and welcoming the kids aboard, this is what life looks like behind the scenes before the adventure begins. Thanks for coming along with us. ⚓ Subscribe for more liveaboard adventures, Alaska cruising, family life, and life aboard our 80' steel schooner. #alaska #liveaboardlife #princewilliamsound #boatlife #familyadventure Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Prince William Sound 00:33 First Time Bringing the Gypsy to PWS 00:56 The Kids Go Full Alaska Mode 01:22 Returning to Homer After Months Away 02:29 40 Years of Stuff and Hard Decisions 03:19 Loading, Unloading, and Boat Projects 03:45 Goodbye Carpet 04:53 Organizing the Gypsy for Summer 05:53 Processing Bear and Stocking the Freezer 06:47 What Do You Bring for the Next 10 Months? 07:48 Leaving Homer for Prince William Sound 08:30 Opening the Can of Worms 09:42 Preparing for Five Kids Aboard 10:54 Renovations in the Middle of Moving 12:21 The Missing Anchor Part 13:53 Waiting on a Critical Delivery 14:33 Airport Pickup Mission 16:11 Delaying Departure 18:24 Finally Ready to Leave 19:17 All Five Kids Aboard the Gypsy 20:10 Exploring Prince William Sound 21:11 Living the Alaskan Gypsy Life

Before the commercial fishing fleet's completely depart and the harbor empties out, we take a tour through Homer Harbor, one of Alaska's most unique maritime communities. Audrey starts the tour with a look at the fishing boats, water taxis, yachts, sailboats, and working vessels that call Homer home. Along the way she shares stories about life on the water, a recent anchor-dragging adventure, and why this harbor is such an important gateway to Kachemak Bay. Later, Scott joins in to share some of the local knowledge he's picked up after decades working around Alaska's marine industry. From Bristol Bay gillnetters and seiners to landing craft, tenders, boatyards, and the challenges of navigating Homer Harbor's massive tides, you'll get a closer look at the vessels and people that keep Alaska moving. Whether you're a boater, fisherman, or simply curious about life at the end of the road in Alaska, we hope you enjoy this look around the Homer harbor. #alaska #homeralaska #commercialfishing #bristolbay #boatlife #sailing #kachemakbay #workingwaterfront #maritime Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Homer Harbor 01:09 Summer boating season in Alaska 02:38 Fishing boats of Homer 04:04 The Milo & Scott's history in Homer 06:41 Water taxis and life around Kachemak Bay 08:41 Commercial fishing culture 10:33 NOMAR and Alaska-made marine gear 12:58 The Gypsy arrives in harbor 17:37 The Polar Bear landing craft 19:30 Entering Homer Harbor at low tide 20:59 Northern Enterprises boatyard 22:14 Harbor tour by boat 24:26 Commercial fleet, charters & tour boats 25:55 Final thoughts from Homer Harbor

We're less than a week away from picking up the kids, and one thing was on our minds: filling the freezer. As we worked our way along Alaska's remote outer coast, we started spotting black bears feeding on the spring greens. After checking regulations, passing on opportunities that didn't feel right, and spending hours glassing beaches and grassy flats, Scott finally got his chance. For us, hunting has never been about trophies. It's about providing healthy food for the family, respecting the animals that sustain us, and staying connected to the wild places we call home. This spring black bear will become burger, sausage, roasts, and countless meals shared around the table with our kids this summer. And as if Alaska wanted to add a little extra magic to the day, a rainbow appeared behind us just as everything came together. Thanks for coming along. Chapters: 00:00 We need meat before the kids arrive 00:16 Bears on the beach 01:32 Is hunting even legal here? 02:54 Moving on to find a better spot 04:07 Planning the hunt 05:46 First bear sighting 08:20 No luck in this bay 10:38 Exploring a new area 11:38 Perfect bear habitat 11:57 A bear finally appears 12:59 Scott moves into position 14:27 The shot 15:06 A beautiful spring black bear 15:33 Food for the family 15:56 Bringing the bear back to the boat 16:24 A successful day in Alaska #Alaska #BlackBearHunt #LivingOffTheLand #WildFood #AlaskanGypsyLife #BoatLife #RemoteAlaska

After nine months of being in Southeast Alaska aboard The Alaskan Gypsy, it was finally time to point the bow north and commit to one of Alaska's most legendary passages: the Gulf of Alaska. Once we rounded Cape Spencer, there were few places to hide and hundreds of miles of open water ahead. What followed was more than 66 hours running nonstop at sea aboard our 80-foot steel schooner. The entire trip lasted 7 days for us and included around rolling swells, endless daylight, whales, porpoises, sunsets, wildlife, a surprise halibut, a surprise meeting up with friends, and even a visit to our past wilderness home site. This trip turned into more than just getting from Southeast to Homer. As we approached Kachemak Bay, memories of another chapter came flooding back. These are the waters where our family first began building the life that eventually led us here. The bays, anchorages, surf charters, old friends, and familiar coastlines that shaped so many years of adventure. Arriving aboard The Alaskan Gypsy felt less like reaching a destination and more like closing a circle. Join us as we cross the Gulf of Alaska, make landfall on the Kenai Peninsula, and return to the waters where this way of life first took root. Chapters 00:00 Leaving Southeast Alaska 00:55 Committed at Cape Spencer 02:29 First Hours in the Gulf 06:56 Sunset at Sea 09:04 The Autopilot Comes Back to Life 12:16 Boat Projects Underway 17:27 Day Two of the Crossing 20:52 Whales in the Open Gulf 23:18 The Reality of an 800-Mile Passage 29:25 Why We're Making This Journey 34:05 Land Appears Again 36:18 Meeting Friends Offshore 41:10 Welcome to the Kenai Peninsula 42:24 Halibut for Dinner 43:14 Finally Out of the Swell 50:10 Incredible Whale Encounter 55:09 Through Wildcat Pass 58:17 Rounding Gore Point 1:04:21 Sailing at Last 1:06:29 Entering Kachemak Bay 1:10:45 Returning to Familiar Waters

The Gulf of Alaska is calling, but first there's still work to do. Join us aboard our 80' steel schooner, The Alaskan Gypsy, as we spend our final days exploring Southeast Alaska while preparing for one of our biggest voyages yet. From Whale Pass and Coffman Cove to Rats Harbor, Thorne Bay, and Ketchikan, we're soaking in every mile before turning our bow toward the next adventure. Along the way we share our honest impressions of these remote communities, discover potential anchorages, enjoy a beautiful evening under sail, and encounter humpback whales feeding in the sunset just before arriving in Ketchikan. Back in Ketchikan, the Gypsy returns to a place that was home for many years. We reconnect with the boat's previous owner, lend a hand on a project, gather supplies, and begin checking off the final items on our Gulf crossing preparation list. This episode has a little bit of everything: 🐋 Sunset humpback whales ⛵ Sailing Southeast Alaska 🗺️ Exploring Whale Pass, Coffman Cove, Rats Harbor & Thorne Bay ⚓ A return to Ketchikan 🔧 Engine maintenance and oil changes 🛠️ Autopilot and steering upgrades 🌊 Preparing for a Gulf of Alaska crossing Thanks for joining us aboard The Alaskan Gypsy. Chapters 00:00 Preparing for the Gulf of Alaska 00:38 Cruising through Whale Pass 05:02 Why we're heading to Ketchikan 06:26 Exploring Coffman Cove 09:45 Checking out Rats Harbor 15:07 Discovering Thorne Bay 20:23 Float houses and waterfront life 29:50 Raising the sails 32:04 Sailing toward Ketchikan 33:07 Humpback whales at sunset 38:24 Arriving at Tongass Narrows 40:14 Exploring Refuge Cove 42:23 Docking in windy conditions 44:01 Visiting the Gypsy's previous owner 45:36 Ketchikan adventures 47:24 Leaving Ketchikan behind 48:17 Engine oil change before the crossing 51:03 Autopilot and steering upgrades 57:57 The next chapter begins

Exploring a remote Alaska boat graveyard led to unexpected treasures, salvaged wood, working bilge pumps, and proof that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. 🍎⚓ A quiet evening paddle turned into a full-blown treasure hunt in a remote Alaska boat graveyard. What started as a quick look around old abandoned fishing boats quickly became an adventure through decades of maritime history. From salvaged yellow cedar and stainless steel parts to old bilge pumps that somehow still worked, Scott couldn't help himself. This video is dedicated to Scott's dad, who has always appreciated the art of finding value where others see junk. As they say... the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Join us aboard our 80-foot steel schooner, The Alaskan Gypsy, as we explore Alaska's forgotten boat graveyard and search for treasures that might find a second life aboard the Gypsy. Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back to the Gypsy 00:47 Exploring Alaska's Boat Graveyard 03:05 Searching for Salvageable Treasure 07:45 Old Engines, Copper & Forgotten Boats 08:38 Don't Let This Happen to the Gypsy 13:34 Climbing Aboard the Jubilee 16:45 Hidden Gems Inside an Abandoned Boat 19:25 Salvaged Tables for the Gypsy 26:34 Nearly Falling Through a Shipwreck 30:43 Copper Treasure Discovery 33:12 The Salvager's Dream 39:37 Do the Shipwreck Bilge Pumps Still Work? 45:48 Two Out of Three Survive! 46:43 Audrey's Verdict on the Treasure Hunt 48:36 Going Back for the Tables 51:43 Salvaging Yellow Cedar Slabs 54:13 Why Old Wood Tells a Story 58:18 Treasure for Audrey's Rock Collection 1:03:07 One Last Look Around 1:05:38 More Hidden Treasures Found 1:07:31 A Gift for Audrey 1:13:36 Back to the Boat Graveyard with Company

What started as a simple roofing project turned into one of the most meaningful conversations we've had in Port Protection. After winter storms damaged the covered porch at Veronica's off-grid homestead, we headed over to help replace the aging panels before fishing season pulled everyone in different directions. But as the work unfolded, so did the story of how Veronica found herself living in one of Alaska's most remote communities. From unexpected loss and life-changing decisions to off-grid living, self-reliance, and finding community in Port Protection, this is a glimpse into the life of someone who chose a very different path. Along the way we tackle a much-needed homestead project, enjoy a rare sunny day, and share another reminder of why we keep returning to this special corner of Alaska. Life out here isn't always easy, but the people make it worth it. Thanks for joining us aboard The Alaskan Gypsy. 📍 Port Protection, Alaska

Three trees had already fallen on this remote Alaska cabin. But the biggest threat was still standing. In this second and final chapter of our hazard tree removal project near Port Protection, Alaska, Scott takes on the largest and most challenging tree of the entire job. After lessons learned from the previous day, it's time to put the rigging, wedges, chain hoists, and come-alongs to work. What makes this project especially unique is the perspective. Join us high in the canopy of towering spruce trees, looking down at the cabin and views above from the shoreline below. From ground-level chainsaw work to aerial views from the treetops, you'll experience every step of this remote Alaska project from angles few people ever get to see. With steep cliffs, massive trees, and a cabin directly below, every decision matters. The goal is simple: remove the final hazards and give the homeowner peace of mind before the next storm rolls through. Life aboard The Alaskan Gypsy continues to bring us into some incredible places and unforgettable projects. Thanks for joining us for another adventure in Southeast Alaska as we live self reliantly 4 seasons in Alaska aboard our sailboat.

Living aboard our 80’ steel schooner in remote Southeast Alaska means the work is never ordinary. In this episode, Scott paddles ashore from the Alaskan Gypsy to help remove dangerous trees looming above a seaside cabin in Port Protection on Prince of Wales Island. After storms and blowdowns damaged the property and nearly knocked the cabin off it's foundation, the goal was simple but not easy: get the hazard trees down before they came down on the cabin again, generator shed, or tent. With limited tools from the boat, old rigging line, a pulley, wedges, a ladder, and plenty of improvised problem-solving, this turned into one of the most technical and suspenseful tree-felling jobs we’ve filmed. Remote Alaska life is beautiful, but it comes with real work, real risk, and a lot of figuring things out as you go.

Living remotely aboard our sailboat in Alaska means finding creative ways to build, repair, and repurpose what the coast gives back. In this episode, we explore an old wilderness ship graveyard and salvage weathered hardwood from a forgotten shipwreck to use inside the Gypsy. What looks like driftwood and debris at first glance turns out to be beautiful old-growth lumber filled with history, character, and saltwater stories. From paddle boarding heavy timber back to the boat to imagining future cabinetry and interior projects aboard our steel schooner, this became one of those unexpected Alaska days that felt equal parts work, treasure hunt, and reflection. CHAPTERS 00:00 Wrangell Shipyard Arrival 00:17 Salvaging Shipwreck Wood 02:42 Alaska Gypsy Sequence 06:10 Hunting Through the Boat Graveyard 07:13 Plans for the Gypsy Interior 08:10 Bringing Old Wood Back to Life 10:07 Paddle Boarding Lumber Through Current 11:01 Floating Lumber Yard

It's a long one folks! (And if you started watching it May 24 I apologize, the audio at the end was not great, but it is not fixed so you can CLEARLY hear Scott's conclusions!) If you like watching Scott problem solve and work on a project while improvising in remote Alaska, you'll enjoy the suspense and ingenuity of this video . A remote homestead in Southeast Alaska needed our help! A broken excavator stranded on the beach, and one very stubborn repair mission. During this episode, Scott paddleboards ashore from our sailboat the Alaskan Gypsy with tools in a dry bag to help a friend whose John Deere excavator is not operating, at all. What started as a suspected starter replacement turned into days of troubleshooting, cramped spaces, mystery wiring, fuel shutoff solenoids, and full-on backwoods mechanic mode. In remote Alaska there’s no easy call to the dealership. No roadside service. Just determination, improvisation, and figuring it out one bolt at a time. This is the kind of work and problem solving that quietly keeps remote Alaska moving. Helping friends out in their quest to self reliant living is a win-win Alaskan Gypsy experience. Chapters: 00:00 Intro to the Job 00:49 Paddleboarding to Shore With Tools 01:56 The Remote Beach Property 03:03 Meet the Broken Excavator 04:33 Accessing the Starter 06:23 First Troubleshooting Attempt 08:00 Swapping Starter Components 10:25 Testing the Starter Motor 13:15 Hopeful Breakthrough 16:16 Installing the New Motor 22:28 Moment of Truth… Nothing 26:55 End of Day One 29:53 Unexpected Generator Find 33:09 Finally Breaking the Bolt Loose 35:38 Better Cranking, Still No Start 36:53 Fuel System Troubleshooting Begins 40:14 Chasing the Fuel Shutoff Solenoid 46:30 More Diagnostics in the Rain 54:03 Suspecting the Fuel Supply Problem 56:22 Back for Another Round 57:39 Replacing the Full Starter 01:03:08 First Successful Crank 01:06:04 Discovering the REAL Problem 01:11:05 Digging Into the Wiring 01:16:26 The Hidden Loose Connection 01:17:37 Finally Solved 01:18:00 Reassembly Begins 01:20:34 Wrapping Up the Repair

We anchored the Alaskan Gypsy near an old trailhead outside of Wrangell, Alaska and set off by paddleboard to explore a place neither of us had ever been before. What started as a simple morning hike turned into an incredible journey through Southeast Alaska rainforest, abandoned mill history, raging glacier-fed water, edible plants, and a stunning hidden mountain lake. Along the way we share what safety gear we bring for remote Alaska adventures, why paddleboards work so well for beach access from a sailboat, and some of the realities of wilderness travel in bear country. We also explore remnants of an old sawmill deep in the Tongass National Forest and forage fiddleheads and medicinal Devil’s Club shoots along the trail. This easy hike near Wrangell turned out to be one of the most beautiful hidden spots we’ve explored so far in Southeast Alaska. Alaskan Gypsy Life documents self-reliance aboard a sailboat in Alaska, lived day by day, season by season, and the projects and adventures along the way. Chapters 00:00 Why we chose paddleboards 00:29 Morning intro aboard Alaskan Gypsy 01:04 What safety gear we carry ashore 03:08 Bear protection & hiking prep 05:23 Leaving the boat at anchor 06:28 Paddleboarding to shore 08:12 Why we prefer paddleboards over the skiff 09:16 Arriving at Mill Creek Trail 12:05 Exploring the old mill site 16:00 History of the abandoned mill 19:17 Massive old sawmill equipment 21:57 Foraging Devil’s Club & wild plants 24:23 Glacier-fed river views 26:11 Mainland Southeast Alaska wilderness 29:19 Boardwalk trail through the forest 31:46 Arriving at Virginia Lake 33:29 Exploring the lake shoreline 38:05 Rain squall rolls through 39:25 Leaving Virginia Lake 44:15 Returning to the beach & checking the boat 47:04 Harvesting fiddleheads for dinner 51:53 Paddleboards survived the bears 53:07 Heading back to the Gypsy

A day of tree felling in the remote wilderness of Southeast Alaska. We anchored the sailboat near a friend’s developing cabin site on Wrangell Island to help clear dangerous trees that were putting his cabin at risk with the prevailing winds. Chainsaws, stale gas, rusty chains, excavators, blown-down timber, and plenty of chaos. Pretty standard Alaska spring startup energy. 🌲⚓️ Living aboard our steel schooner means every stop turns into an adventure, and this one involved dropping trees right along the coastline while waking equipment back up after winter. Some cuts went smooth… some definitely didn’t. Welcome to real life in coastal Alaska.

After exploring a remote “secret beach” in Alaska, we spotted towering red cliffs from the water and couldn’t stop wondering what was up there. So we grabbed the paddleboards, climbed ashore, bushwhacked through the forest, crossed creeks, scrambled loose rock… and yes, Audrey twisted her ankle almost immediately 😅 What we found felt like another world. From columnar basalt cliffs and hidden ponds to wolf sign, seaweed snacks, and views overlooking the Alaskan Gypsy far below, this turned into one of those wild Alaska explorations that reminds us why we live this way in the first place. Most people will never see places like this. Honestly, even most people who visit the beach below probably wouldn’t make this hike. This is life aboard our 80’ steel schooner in remote coastal Alaska. Exploring slowly. Following curiosity. Sometimes limping back to the paddle board afterward. If you enjoy real Alaska adventure, off-grid boat life, wilderness exploration, and honest moments out here, thanks for being along for the ride. Chapters 00:00 Another universe 00:16 Where even are we? 00:45 The hike begins 01:10 Why we keep doing this 01:23 Climbing above the beach 01:31 Red cliffs & columnar basalt 04:33 Reaching the cliff top 04:54 Spotting the Gypsy below 05:37 Views across Sumner Strait 06:01 Massive scree slopes 06:15 Hidden pond discovery 08:35 Exploring the shoreline 09:15 Seaweed snacks in Alaska 11:04 “Nothing goes to waste here” 11:22 Obsidian discovery 11:28 Heading back down

Back aboard the Gypsy after wrapping up work in Port Protection, we dropped anchor beside a beach locals told us about… a hidden stretch of shoreline filled with colorful stones, polished agates, driftwood, mist, and wild Alaska energy. What started as a failed fishing mission turned into one of our favorite explorations yet. We spent hours wandering the beach in the rain, filling buckets with rocks that looked painted by hand, listening to strange owl calls in the forest, and watching orcas cruise past the boat. This is the kind of day that reminds us why we live this way. Self-reliant sailboat life in Southeast Alaska, one strange and beautiful anchorage at a time. Chapters 00:00 Back on the high seas aboard the Gypsy 00:27 Trying to catch dinner 01:04 Heading to a secret beach 03:31 Anchoring for the night 04:19 First look at the hidden beach 05:31 The psychedelic rocks begin 06:52 “This is magical.” 08:09 Exploring deeper into the forest 09:12 Strange sounds in the woods 11:13 Searching for the mysterious owls 13:01 Endless unique rocks and agates 15:25 Orcas arrive near the Gypsy 17:35 Rainbow Beach discoveries 19:25 The long walk back 20:23 Five gallon buckets of rocks 21:41 Returning to the Gypsy 22:44 “Maybe the best day ever.”