Is Buying an Old Boat Worth It?

This week we are so excited to share something totally new for the Alaskan Gypsy Life channel! It's our very first YouTube collaboration, filmed right here in Wrangell, Alaska, with our new friends Blaine and Janis from Onboard Tangaroa (The Never Ending Sea Trial). A lot of you have told us over the months, “You need to meet Tangaroa!” ......and you were right! It was so clear that their channel, their story, their boat, and their approach to this lifestyle all carry the same soul, grit, curiosity, and love for old vessels that brought us to the Alaskan Gypsy. The second we stepped aboard Tangaroa, we understood why their community loves following them. These two are the real deal with so much experience. They are sailors, longtime liveaboards, thoughtful craftspeople, and hosts with giant hearts (and a badass silver battleship-looking boat). What’s in this conversation? This isn’t a tour video or a tech breakdown (that's to come later...;).... this is a conversation mostly between Scott and Blaine sharing the simliar stories of how we ended up with old boats for very different reasons… yet ended up with surprisingly similar stories. We talk about: Was buying an old boat actually worth it? How each of us found our boats (and what almost happened instead…) Why Tangaroa chose aluminum and why we ended up with steel Pros and cons of refitting older hulls Their incredible backstory working on yachts in New Zealand and beyond How Blaine transformed two Cummins 6.7 truck engines into marine powerplants Living aboard full-time + the reality of “the never-ending sea trial” Leaving the shipyard before everything is finished… and why that’s okay This collab was such a gift. There’s something special about sitting down with people who get the creative chaos of refitting a boat, filming the process, and trying to stay warm in the middle of a cold November in Alaska. Please go show Blaine & Janis some love, subscribe to their channel, and watch their video of visiting the Alaskan Gypsy: 👉 Onboard Tangaroa – The Never Ending Sea Trial https://www.youtube.com/@OnboardTangaroa Tell them Audrey and Scott sent you! Thanks for being part of this journey with us. We're just getting started. :) — Audrey & Scott Alaskan Gypsy Life CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro — Meeting Tangaroa 01:10 Walking to the Dock in Wrangell 02:00 First Look at Tangaroa (the “silver battleship”) 03:00 Warm Welcome Onboard 04:30 Sitting Down for the Conversation 05:10 The Story Behind the Name “Tangaroa” 07:20 Their Sailing + Yachting History 09:40 Why They Chose an Older Boat 13:10 Aluminum vs Steel vs Fiberglass 14:50 The Boat They Almost Bought 17:00 Finding Tangaroa in Alaska 18:30 Climate Differences & Refitting for the North 20:10 Blaine’s Engine Innovation (Truck Engines → Boat Engines) 23:00 The Never Ending Sea Trial 24:00 What Cruising While Rebuilding Actually Looks Like 26:10 Advice for Anyone Leaving the Shipyard Unfinished 28:00 Closing Thoughts