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Charlie Borland and Captain Geo Ouell

Are You Looking For a Low Cost Adventurous Lifestyle in paradise?Are you looking for an adventure during your college Gap Year? Or do you hate your job or parts of your life? Are you living paycheck to paycheck and tired of making ends meet? Are you looking for a simpler, lower-cost adventurous life? If you are, you are not alone. It seems the more money you make the higher costs become and can result in a life of simply getting by.

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Are You Looking For a Low Cost Adventurous Lifestyle in paradise?Are you looking for an adventure during your college Gap Year? Or do you hate your job or parts of your life? Are you living paycheck to paycheck and tired of making ends meet? Are you looking for a simpler, lower-cost adventurous life? If you are, you are not alone. It seems the more money you make the higher costs become and can result in a life of simply getting by.

Learn How EASY Change Can Be People are leaving the rat race in record numbers, searching for a more meaningful, cheaper, and simpler way to live and many have chosen tropical blue water sailing.

That is exactly what Captain George did 20 years ago when he left his job to be a sailboat crew member. Since then he has logged over 25,000 sea miles sailing across the South Pacific sailing to remote tropical beaches, uninhabited islands, visiting foreign cultures, and more. He started out as a new crew member and now, is a licensed Captain and this course will show you how to you can become a crew member.

Sound appealing? If so, this course is perfect for you. We created it to show you just how easy it is to fill your gap year, put the rat race on hold and fulfill your dream of an adventurous, lower-cost lifestyle, all in paradise.

In this course you will learn:

  • How to become a crew member, even with no experience.

  • How you can travel to paradise almost for free.

  • What a crew members job is.

  • An overview of a boats inner workings.

  • An introduction to weather and navigation.

  • What to pack and take with you.

  • How you can communicate with family & friends, even from the middle of the the ocean.

  • How to stay safe at sea and on land.

  • What you need to visit foreign lands.

  • Ways to make money.

  • and more.

You might be surprised to know……..

That you can sail and explore tropical paradise for almost nothing? Captain George once enjoyed 3 months sailing in an absolute true PARADISE: along Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and his total out-of-pocket costs were $300. Yes, $300 for 3 months.

Did you know you can make money while cruising? Captain George had a job as Captain of a tour boat at a luxury resort in the South Pacific and his salary was $65,000 per year.

There are many ways to make money as a blue water cruiser and we’ll show you how we and other cruisers do it. So if you do not have a lot of money, don’t worry, this course covers many ways to earn some income to further your adventures in paradise.

This course IS NOT so much about how to sail but instead, how to make life-changing decisions and create that simpler, lower-cost life you seek. This course also provides you information on where you can get your own Captains certifications for higher-paying opportunities.

Are you wondering if you have to give up your current life to do this? No, we cover ways you can leave for the short term or the long term, and have a dream adventure, or the dream life.

What are the course requirements?

  • Absolutely nothing.

  • Oh, except a sense of adventure.

  • A desire for life change, or at least a short adventure.

  • No experience or knowledge is required. We show you in the course where you can get all the experience you need.

  • What will you get from the course?

  • Unlimited access FOREVER.

  • Udemy's

  • All future lectures are included in the course.

  • Over 25 lectures, 2.5 hours of content.

  • An understanding of life at sea.

  • An introduction to boats and features.

  • Learn what you need to take with you.

  • Learn how to find paid crew member positions.

  • Who is the target audience?

  • Anyone who understands the idea that ‘You will never know, if you never go. ’

  • Anyone looking to try something new, no matter short term or long term

  • Anyone who has spent a lot of time daydreaming, and now wants to take action

It is also

  • Lots of experience.

  • A lot of money.

  • A license or certification of any kind.

  • This course provides many of the important details and removes that Fear of the Unknown by showing how safe the oceans are in our modern world and will help you get started on planning a single adventure or a change in lifestyle.

    So don't wait. Life is too short. Signup and take a test drive and understand if it is not for you can take advantage of that 30 day refund policy. No questions asked. And no feelings hurt.

    Remember: You will never know if you never go.

    Enroll now

    What's inside

    Syllabus

    You will learn how easy it is to get started, where, and how.
    How to contact me.

    In this lecture we look at what is included in this course and this will familiarize you with what you will learn.

    Read more

    This lecture looks at crew members, also known as an ocean hitchhiker, and their duties and roles as crew members.

    This lectures describes what it takes to be a crew member with everything you need to know (or how little you need to know) and how you can find a boat looking for crew.

    This lecture looks at the steps that may be necessary for some people to put their 'land life' on hold while getting ready to live a 'cruising life.' We look at tropical weather vs. northerly/southerly weather, health issues and sailing, and what to do if you own a home vs. renting.

    This lecture looks at the many ways you can take care of your financial business remotely while on an ocean voyage such as auto bill pay and online banking, credit cards, and the need for cash.

    This lecture observes the many ways you can stay in touch with all your family and friends from anywhere in the world. We look at radio options, offshore internet, GPS, and today's amazing technology that allows you to communicate with family and friends.

    This lecture examines health concerns, prescriptions, insurance, and how to deal with medical issues while cruising and visiting other countries.

    This lecture covers the many, or not that many, things you want to take on an ocean voyage. We look at clothing, safety gear, personal items, and everything that would make your trip safe and comfortable.

    Captains are king of the boat and this lecture looks at the Captains role and the crew members role, and how to vet a Captain to decide whether you want to join them as a crew member.

    There are safety items that should be on a boat and this lecture looks at many of them. Not every boat carries every item, so this lecture shows you what to look for before deciding to join a boat as crew.

    A Ditch Bag is a safety bag in the rare case of abandoning ship and this document shows what one might include.

    This lecture is an introduction to weather and wind and how to use the online weather resources and tools to plan a safe passage without concern for the weather.

    Pilot charts are very valuable to a Captain and show the wind and weather for accurate forecasting. This vide shows what all the symbols and features mean.

    When it comes to navigating a boat around the worlds oceans, times have changed. This lecture gives you a quick look at today's amazing technology designed for navigation. You will then have an understanding of what is available and why you want it.

    Navigational charts are still used to aid in navigation and this lecture demonstrates finding the GPS coordinates for a any destination. You can then enter those points into your navigation system and have an accurate route for your voyage.

    This lecture discusses the steps to prepare the boat for setting sail including prepping the sails, putting everything away, and provisioning all the supplies needed for teh voyage. .

    Once at sea, the crew falls into a routine and shares duties like night watch. This lecture looks at that routine and the crews duties and also covers how the boat works from bathrooms to showers, bunks, and more.

    It is important to understand how to prevent injuries and stay safe at sea. This lecture looks at staying safe on board, piracy (or lack of it), sea life in the ocean, life rafts, insects, and more.

    Since a boat is moving through the water, it is important to understand how to prevent injuries, seasickness, and other ailments. This lecture looks at preventative measures and remedies for teh most common problems.

    This lecture is SO IMPORTANT because it covers cooking and eating, food supplies, and meal planning while at sea.

    The places that sailing can take you is what makes it so rewarding and enjoyable, but there are specific steps to consider when visiting a port in a foreign country. This lectures looks at some of the most common steps to entering a country.

    For many cruisers, the need to make money is important and this introductory lecture shows many ways that cruisers earn money an some are very innovative. The hair stylist who lives on a boat, the Varnishers, the mechanics, and more.

    If you need to make money there are many things ot consider. Do you wish to work in a foreign country or start a business? This is a complex subject and laws vary by country, so this lectures includes how people do it.

    For full time cruisers, blogging is a very valid way to make money and we will look at how to get started.

    Many bloggers make money from them and this lecture explores some of those successful blogs and the variety of ways you can set yours up to do the smae.

    Everybody loves to photograph and when you combine that with writing, the doors open to many more opportunities and this lecture explores some of them.

    Course wrap up.

    This page contains any links to resources to guide you to a cruising life.

    Traffic lights

    Read about what's good
    what should give you pause
    and possible dealbreakers
    Details how to put one's 'land life' on hold, which may appeal to those seeking a temporary escape or a more permanent lifestyle change
    Explores ways to make money while cruising, which can help learners fund their adventures and extend their time at sea
    Provides an introduction to weather and navigation, which are essential skills for anyone considering a life at sea
    Focuses on becoming a crew member, even with no prior experience, making it accessible to those new to sailing
    Covers safety items that should be on a boat, which may help learners evaluate the safety of a vessel before joining as crew
    Requires learners to vet a captain to decide whether they want to join them as a crew member, which may be difficult for novices

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    Reviews summary

    Sailing for adventure and lifestyle change

    According to learners, this course is a highly inspirational guide (positive) for those dreaming of a life at sea without prior experience or a large budget. It focuses on how to transition to a sailing lifestyle, covering practical aspects like finding crew positions (positive), what to pack, communication, and basic safety. Students appreciate that it clearly states it is not a sailing instruction course (neutral) but rather a blueprint for making the life change and finding ways to fund your adventures (positive). While some find the sections on making money a bit general, the course is widely praised for removing the fear of the unknown (positive) and providing actionable steps for beginners to start living their dream (positive). It's ideal for those seeking a lower-cost, adventurous lifestyle (positive) away from the traditional 'rat race'.
    Course has limited total duration.
    "At around 2.5 hours, it's quite short for such a big topic."
    "While informative, I wished some sections were more in-depth."
    "The brevity makes it accessible, but you'll need more resources afterwards."
    "Quick to get through, but only scratches the surface on some points."
    Clarifies course scope upfront.
    "Good that they make it clear this is about the lifestyle and finding crew, not how to sail a boat."
    "I appreciated that the course description and content managed expectations about not teaching sailing skills."
    "If you want to learn navigation or boat handling, this isn't for you, but it's great for everything else."
    "It's a guide to the cruising life, not a sailing school."
    Ideas provided for earning money.
    "The section on making money while cruising gave me some interesting ideas."
    "I found the suggestions for income streams helpful and varied."
    "Explores how people earn money on the go, which is crucial for this lifestyle."
    "Provided different angles on how to fund the travel, though some parts felt a bit brief."
    Offers actionable steps for novices.
    "Very practical advice on how to find a boat and become a crew member even with no experience."
    "The tips on packing and basic safety were very helpful for someone starting out."
    "I learned concrete steps on getting started, which was exactly what I needed."
    "Provides a clear path forward for those who are complete novices to sailing life."
    Sparks excitement for lifestyle change.
    "The course is very inspirational and truly makes you believe this dream is possible."
    "Really motivated me to start planning my adventure now instead of just dreaming."
    "An excellent starting point to understand what's required for this lifestyle."
    "I felt a strong sense of possibility after finishing the modules."

    Activities

    Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Leave the Rat Race, Sail the World, and Fund your Adventure with these activities:
    The Complete Sailor
    Gain a foundational understanding of sailing principles to enhance your experience as a crew member.
    Show steps
    • Obtain a copy of 'The Complete Sailor'.
    • Read the sections on basic sailing terminology and boat handling.
    • Review the chapters on navigation and weather forecasting.
    Review Basic First Aid
    Refresh your knowledge of basic first aid to prepare for potential medical situations at sea.
    Show steps
    • Review online resources on basic first aid techniques.
    • Practice bandaging and CPR techniques.
    • Familiarize yourself with common medical emergencies at sea.
    Create a Packing List
    Prepare a detailed packing list tailored to a sailing adventure to ensure you have everything you need.
    Show steps
    • Research essential items for a sailing trip.
    • Create a list of clothing, gear, and personal items.
    • Organize the list by category and prioritize items.
    • Review the list with experienced sailors for feedback.
    Four other activities
    Expand to see all activities and additional details
    Show all seven activities
    Document Your Trip
    Create a blog or video series to document your sailing adventures and share your experiences with others.
    Show steps
    • Choose a platform for your blog or video series.
    • Document your experiences with photos and videos.
    • Write engaging content about your adventures.
    • Share your content on social media.
    Develop a Budget Spreadsheet
    Create a detailed budget spreadsheet to track your expenses and manage your finances while sailing.
    Show steps
    • Identify all potential expenses for a sailing trip.
    • Create a spreadsheet with categories for each expense.
    • Track your actual expenses and compare them to your budget.
    • Adjust your budget as needed.
    World Cruising Routes
    Research potential sailing routes to plan future adventures and expand your knowledge of global cruising.
    Show steps
    • Obtain a copy of 'World Cruising Routes'.
    • Explore different cruising routes and their characteristics.
    • Identify routes that align with your interests and experience level.
    Attend a Sailing Meetup
    Connect with experienced sailors and learn from their experiences to further your sailing knowledge.
    Show steps
    • Search for local sailing meetups or clubs.
    • Attend a meetup and introduce yourself to other members.
    • Ask questions and learn from their experiences.
    • Exchange contact information and stay in touch.

    Career center

    Learners who complete Leave the Rat Race, Sail the World, and Fund your Adventure will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
    Yacht Crew
    Yacht crew members work on yachts, performing various tasks such as maintenance, cleaning, and assisting passengers. This course is specifically designed to teach individuals how to become yacht crew members, even with no prior experience. The course covers the duties and roles of crew members, provides an overview of boat mechanics, and offers guidance on staying safe at sea. The information taught in this curriculum also introduces weather patterns and navigation. This course may allow aspiring yacht crew to travel to paradise virtually for free, and can teach a crew member how to do their job.
    Expedition Leader
    Expedition leaders plan and lead trips to remote or challenging destinations. This course may be incredibly helpful for aspiring expedition leaders, as it covers numerous aspects of planning adventurous voyages and managing life at sea. The course explains the various steps that can be taken to get ready to live a 'cruising life'. The course's focus on safety protocols, communication strategies, and understanding boat mechanics may give an expedition leader the knowledge they need to thrive. Also, gaining a basic understanding of weather and navigation makes this curriculum even more potent.
    Travel Blogger
    Travel bloggers create and share content, such as writing, photos, and videos, about their travel experiences. This course may be useful for aspiring travel bloggers by providing insights into low cost travel, adventurous lifestyles, and exploring paradise. The course specifically mentions blogging as a way for full-time cruisers to earn income and provides examples of successful blogs. The course's emphasis on communicating from remote locations, visiting foreign lands, and documenting experiences may help travel bloggers generate engaging content. Learning to plan and execute exciting voyages, as well as sharing those experiences effectively assists a travel blogger.
    Travel Videographer
    Travel videographers create videos that document and showcase travel experiences. This course's emphasis on adventure, lifestyle change, and low cost adventures make it a strong potential starting point for a career as a travel videographer. This course may be useful for an aspiring travel videographer by teaching them what they need to take with them. Also, the course emphasizes planning for life at sea, which may be critical for success.
    Cruise Director
    Cruise directors oversee all aspects of the passenger experience on a cruise ship, from entertainment to activities. This course's lessons on life at sea and communication may be helpful for those who wish to become cruise directors. This course emphasizes the preparation of the boat for setting sail, including prepping the sails. Understanding boat features can help a cruise director succeed. Also discovering how to stay safe can enable a cruise director to ensure the safety of those under their charge.
    Social Media Manager
    Social media managers handle social medial accounts for an organization. This course may be helpful for social media managers who look to curate content for travel companies or those that provide sailing adventures. This curriculum makes an introduction to the ways that cruisers earn money, by showing how to get started blogging. Social media managers may find it most helpful that they will learn how to stay in touch with and contact those who give them support.
    Tour Guide
    A tour guide leads individuals or groups through locations of interest, providing information and answering questions. This course emphasizes adventure, exploration, and visiting foreign cultures. The course's focus on preparing for voyages, understanding foreign customs, and communicating from remote locations may be useful for anyone who seeks to become a tour guide, especially one who leads tours in exotic or overseas locations. Additionally, the course covers topics like weather and navigation, which may be valuable for guides leading outdoor excursions. Learning about effective communication and safety protocols can help a tour guide provide a fulfilling and safe experience for their groups.
    Sailing Instructor
    Sailing instructors teach individuals how to sail. While this course does not directly teach sailing skills, it introduces the lifestyle, inner workings of boats, and basic weather and navigation concepts which may be useful for those interested in becoming sailing instructors. The course also provides information on where to get Captain's certifications. This course may help an aspiring sailing instructor understand the bigger picture of sailing and life at sea. An introduction to boat features can help a sailing instructor succeed.
    Travel Agent
    Travel agents assist clients with planning and booking trips. This course may be useful for travel agents seeking to specialize in adventure travel or cruises. The course offers insights into low cost travel, exploring paradise, and life at sea. Learning about destinations, travel logistics, and communicating with clients from remote locations may allow a travel agent to plan unique and fulfilling trips for their clients. Also, discovering what you need to visit foreign lands can help a travel agent.
    Photographer
    Photographers capture images for various purposes, including artistic expression, documentation, and commercial use. This course may be useful for photographers interested in specializing in travel or adventure photography. The course's material on exploring paradise, documenting experiences at sea, and visiting foreign cultures may provide valuable inspiration and opportunities for capturing unique images. Furthermore, the course touches on using photography in conjunction with writing, which may be helpful for those interested in selling their work. Learning what you need to take with you can help a photographer be prepared.
    Freelance Writer
    Freelance writers produce written content for various clients and publications. This course may be helpful for freelance writers seeking to specialize in travel or adventure topics. The course's material on exploring foreign lands, experiencing life at sea, and finding unique adventures could provide valuable source material. Furthermore, the course touches on blogging and creating content while traveling, providing practical advice for aspiring freelance writers who wish to document their journeys. Learning to identify compelling stories and communicate them effectively may help a freelance writer.
    Dive Instructor
    Dive instructors teach individuals how to scuba dive. While this course doesn't focus on diving, the general information about adventurous lifestyles in paradise, life at sea, and visiting foreign lands may be useful for those who aspire to become dive instructors, especially those who want to work in exotic locations. The course's emphasis on safety at sea and understanding foreign customs may be especially helpful. An increased knowledge of how to respond to medical emergencies, and how to budget time and money may give one who wishes to become a dive instructor a leg up.
    Marine Biologist
    Marine biologists study marine organisms and ecosystems. This course provides a general introduction to life at sea and may be useful for aspiring marine biologists who are interested in conducting research on boats or in remote locations. The course's coverage of safety at sea, boat mechanics, and communication from offshore may be helpful for those planning to spend time on the water. Understanding boats and what they are capable of may help a marine biologist.
    Harbor Master
    A harbor master manages a harbor's operations, ensuring the safety and efficiency of maritime traffic. While this course does not directly train individuals for this role, it introduces key concepts related to boating, navigation, and life at sea. The lessons found in this curriculum may be useful for an aspiring harbor master. Understanding boat features can help a harbor master succeed. Though an advanced degree is not necessarily required, knowledge of nautical principles or maritime experience is often expected.
    Translator
    Translators convert written or spoken language from one language to another. This course, with its focus on international travel and exposure to diverse cultures, may be useful for aspiring translators, especially those aiming to work with travelers or in the tourism industry. The course emphasizes communicating with others while abroad, which may be useful for translators seeking to bridge communication gaps between people of different linguistic backgrounds. The enhanced cultural sensitivity the course imparts may help a translator.

    Reading list

    We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Leave the Rat Race, Sail the World, and Fund your Adventure.
    Is an invaluable resource for planning long-distance sailing voyages. It provides detailed information on various cruising routes around the world, including weather patterns, currents, and potential hazards. While the course focuses on becoming a crew member, understanding different cruising routes can help you make informed decisions about where you want to sail. This book is commonly used by experienced sailors and cruisers.
    Provides a comprehensive overview of sailing techniques, boat handling, and navigation. It's a valuable resource for understanding the fundamentals of sailing, which can enhance your experience as a crew member. While the course focuses on crewing rather than sailing itself, a basic understanding of sailing principles will make you a more valuable and confident crew member. This book is often used as a reference by sailing enthusiasts.

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