We bought a 44ft bluewater cruiser for a round-the-world adventure. Then we discovered marina waiting lists, expensive berths, deep draft limitations and the reality of learning to sail. Here's what happened.

We finally anchored out for the first time after weeks of nerves, overthinking and obsessively checking anchor alarms 😅 From awkward buoy pickups at West Mersea to peaceful nights on the River Roach, this was the trip where boat life finally started to click for us.

How many watts of solar do you need on a boat? A real UK liveaboard guide covering system sizes, energy use, Starlink demand, and what actually works for full-time off-grid sailing.

They say living on a boat is a cheaper, simpler way of life. And while the freedom is real, the 'hidden' costs can be a wake-up call. From the £1,000 rudder repair to the reality of £96/month internet, we’re breaking down everything that sits outside the neat little budget—so you can go into boat life with your eyes wide open.