These Sailors and Filmmakers Live Amazing Lives. Here's How You Can Do It, Too

As independent TV producers, the couple is responsible for their very own successful production called “Distant Shores” from which they derive their income. The TV show has been translated into 28 languages and has been seen by millions around the world.

Paul and Sheryl have spent more than $100,000 on camera gear and editing equipment. The series is professionally scripted and filmed specifically for television.

Making use of modern technology

Modern technology has, however, opened new possibilities. A GoPro camera allows you to shoot above or under water, while drones enable you to shoot amazing aerial shots. Every island or marina has an internet connection of some sorts that will allow you to upload your videos to YouTube. And so your adventures begin!

The story of Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu of La Vagabonde.

Realising his dream

Une publication partagée par Sailing La Vagabonde 🎥⛵️🌴 (@elayna__c) le 19 Janv. 2017 à 14h50 PST

Riley worked offshore on oil rigs and in the mines of Western Australia, saving every possible dollar to buy a half-decent yacht. When Riley discovered that yachts are half the price in Europe compared to Australia, he travelled to Italy in 2003 and bought La Vagabonde, a 2007 Beneteau Cyclades for roughly 73,000 € — an absolute bargain.

Air tickets and the yacht survey set him back another $4,700 while some improvements to the yacht came at a cost of 15,000 €. His insurance cost was 3,000 AUD a year. When Riley picked up the yacht in Italy, he had only about ten hours of sailing behind his name.

Meeting Elayna

Une publication partagée par Sailing La Vagabonde 🎥⛵️🌴 (@elayna__c) le 3 Janv. 2017 à 13h11 PST

Riley sailed to Greece when he met Elayna, who was working as a musician for a travel company. The couple fell in love and Elayna agreed to join him on his journey around the world. Elayna found Riley’s unused video camera on the yacht and starting filming their adventures. When she wanted to post these videos onto YouTube for her friends and family, Riley was sceptical. After much convincing, he obliged. A friend then advised them to use Patreon, a crowd-funding site. Currently, they have over 1,331 patrons on Patreon who donate from $5-$200 per episode with a current total of $8,917 per episode. They have uploaded 112 videos since October 2014 (about four episodes every month) generating a substantial income.

With the help of Patreon

Thanks to Patreon they have been able to continue their journey around the world, documenting their voyage and calling sailing their full-time jobs. This enabled them to buy new filming equipment, do repairs to their yacht, and put food on the table. But most importantly, they have been able to remain independent, declining large companies and sponsorship deals whom they did not feel comfortable to represent. Says Riley: “Now this adventure and the entire project surrounding it are completely funded by the income we get from producing the sailing videos. Some of this comes from YouTube advertising, but most of it comes from pledges and donations. Straight from the people that enjoy watching the videos. Because of the support and love we’ve received, we are now able to fund our sailing and travels 100% and continue releasing our videos for free!”

The attractive couple is very spontaneous, fun-loving and interesting people who share both their good times and bad times with their audience. From tears after their dinner slid off the table on the floor or the pot full of spaghetti that tipped off the stove during rough weather — to joyous moments when they have crossed the Atlantic.

They are honest and frank and will admit when they messed up or don’t know something. After watching their series you will soon realize that living on a yacht is not all moonshine and roses. That is why this story is such a success.

Brand-new Outremer catamaran

The couple recently saw an Outremer catamaran when they arrived in Venezuela and was extremely impressed. The owner of this yacht was working for the Outremer company and he was also a keen follower of the La Vagabonde episodes on YouTube. He gave Riley the email address of the CEO of the Outremer company and after much negotiation, Outremer agreed to provide a new catamaran at a reduced price and take out a loan on La Vagabond’s behalf which Riley and Elayna will pay back from the monies they receive from Patreon. Outremer will obviously get much media publicity with this venture.

The couple have travelled over 31,000 nautical miles together now and have more than 270,000 subscribers with over 30 million views on YouTube. They have just received their $1 million OUTREMER 45 catamaran on the 4th of March 2017 with much media publicity in La Grande Motte, in the south of France.