Beau and Brandy Sailing

Beau and Brandy Burridge are American mariners who have spent a decade documenting the technical forensics of their 1971 Pearson 35, Saoirse. Originally casting off from Florida in 2018 after a shell-up restoration, the couple has established themselves as a definitive voice for sustainable, all-electric offshore living. Their journey is defined by a commitment to total diesel and propane removal, proving that world-class exploration is built on a foundation of documented engineering, custom lithium integration, and the relentless pursuit of off-grid freedom in the Caribbean.

Key Takeaways

• Channel Vibe: Technical, cinematic, and deeply authentic. Beau and Brandy focus on the "forensics" of all-electric cruising and the reality of long-term sustainable living.
• The Boat: SV Saoirse (pronounced "Seer-sha"), a 1971 Pearson 35 Centerboard sloop, world-proven through over 6,000 NM of all-electric Caribbean voyaging.
• The Mission: Currently exploring the Belize Barrier Reef for the 2026 season, documenting the performance of their 10kW electric motor and articulating solar stack in remote cayes.

⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals

Meet the Crew and the Vessel

The Sailors Behind the Helm

Beau Burridge: A former mechanical engineer, Beau brings a high-resolution diagnostic mindset to the Pearson platform. He is the primary architect of Saoirse’s all-electric conversion, applying forensic engineering to the integration of 16kWh lithium banks and custom-fabricated 48V systems. His expertise is grounded in his "No Shortcuts" philosophy, famously documented during their multi-year refit in Florida. Beau represents the definitive voice for owner-builders looking to master the technical stresses of shell-up electric vessel restoration.

Brandy Burridge: A former professional wedding photographer and health entrepreneur, Brandy manages the channel's elite visual storytelling and narrative depth. She transitioned from zero maritime experience to a world-proven offshore navigator, managing the complex domestic forensics of an all-electric household. Her journey serves as a mentor for those seeking to exit the traditional professional cycle for a life of artisanal growth. Follow her updates on Instagram at @beauandbrandy.

The Boat: SV Saoirse (Pearson 35 Centerboard)

The Pearson 35 is a legendary Bill Shaw design, known for its extreme structural integrity and exceptional tracking. Saoirse was acquired by Beau and Brandy in 2016 for just $2,200 in a "fixer-upper" state. Since then, the vessel has undergone a total systems remake, most notably the forensic removal of all internal combustion and propane systems. Key technical features include a 35ft LOA and a centerboard configuration that allows for a shallow 3' 9" draft, providing the structural integrity required for the intense reef systems of Belize. In 2026, the vessel serves as a world-class laboratory for zero-emission cruising. Source: sailingsaoirse.com

Technical Specifications & Forensics

Voyages, Destinations, and Local Waters

Top Routes and Electric Ocean Passages

The Sailing Saoirse track is a benchmark for the long-range electric traveler. Starting from their 2018 beginnings in Florida, the crew mastered the technical corridors of the Bahamas and the Eastern Caribbean. Their 2024-2025 seasons were defined by a strategic pivot to the Western Caribbean, managing high-stakes shakedowns in the Rio Dulce, Guatemala. In 2026, their focus has shifted to the ultimate technical shakedown: navigating the Belize Barrier Reef, documenting the management of light-wind motor-sailing using their 10kW electric drive. Source: Beau and Brandy Sailing Voyage Archive

⏳ Voyage Milestone Timeline

• February 2016: Strategic acquisition of SV Saoirse for $2,200; commencement of the shell-up refit.
• 2016-2018: Forensic Refit Phase: Documented the total diesel-to-electric conversion in Florida.
• August 2018: Landmark Milestone: "Untied the lines" and sailed to the Bahamas.
• 2019-2021: Navigation of the Eastern Caribbean (5,000+ NM); established high-authority electric status.
• 2022: Milestone Achievement: Completed 7-week hull overhaul and deck transformation in Curacao.
• 2024-2025: Western Caribbean chapter: Documented off-grid logistics in Guatemala and Honduras.
• January 2026: Technical milestone: Checked out of Guatemala; began the 2026 Belize mission.
• June 2026: Currently exploring the cayes of Belize, finalizing electric motor range diagnostics.

🌪️ Regional Weather Guardrails

Operating in the Western Caribbean in 2026, Beau and Brandy prioritize a "vessel-secure" strategy to manage the intense thermal shifts of the tropical summer. Their planning for the Belize mission focuses on managing the 50-knot Caribbean Squalls using the forensic flexibility of their articulating solar arch. They advocate for a "conservative window" theory for electric boats, proving that zero-emission safety is built on a foundation of professional weather forensics and Starlink-supported GRIB modeling. Source: WeBoating Maritime Weather Reference

Life Aboard: Techniques, Gear, and Challenges

Essential Gear and Tech Stack

To support their "Sustainable Freedom" mission, the crew utilizes a technical suite optimized for total off-grid independence. Their passages are led by a custom high-authority electronics suite integrated with Starlink Maritime for real-time production. For energy, they have pioneered a "Pure Solar" model utilizing 700W of articulating panels and high-capacity lithium banks managed by Victron Energy. Their production toolkit includes professional stabilized cameras used to capture the forensic reality of their mechanical repairs. Source: sailingsaoirse.com Gear Guide

🛠️ The Gear Locker: Crucial Hardware

📊 Vessel Systems Health Scorecard

Skills & Tutorials: Learning from Beau and Brandy

Beau and Brandy have established their channel as a high-authority resource for electric boat conversions. Viewers can learn the forensics of lithium battery balancing, the calculation of solar loads for 48V systems, and the technical reality of managing a total vessel refit on a $2,200 budget. They provide detailed tutorials on managing the psychological and financial stresses of long-term voyaging, serving as a roadmap for those looking to exit the corporate cycle for artisanal growth.

Overcoming Adversity on the Water

The crew's most technical test was the 2016-2018 diesel-to-electric conversion, where the management of 48V high-current forensics required a total system redesign in Florida. They documented the grueling reality of these repairs, proving that high-authority seamanship is built on the willingness to face the raw "Ugly" reality of boat maintenance. Their successful 6,000 NM electric circuit in 2026 serves as the ultimate validation of their forensic preparation. Source: Sailing Saoirse Episode: Electric sailboat motor range test

The YouTube Journey and Financing the Dream

Content Style and Production Quality

The Beau and Brandy Sailing vibe is authentic, technically descriptive, and objective. Beau's high-resolution engineering perspective is supported by Brandy's cinematic narrative skills. The production mirrors a professional maritime documentary, avoiding lifestyle "fluff" in favor of capturing the raw forensic reality of boat maintenance and sustainable maritime technology.

🎙️ Community Pulse & Audience Vibe

The Saoirse audience is a high-authority mix of DIY builders, engineers, and blue-water mariners. Beau and Brandy have built a community centered on the principles of "technical honesty" and the rewards of independent growth. Their signature transparency regarding the emotional toll of "selling everything" and the costs of their 2026 Belize mission has established them as trusted mentors for those looking to exit the traditional professional cycle for maritime adventure.

💰 How Beau and Brandy Fund the Voyage

Beau and Brandy's financial model is built on a foundation of independent community support and career-based savings from their background in engineering and photography. Their primary revenue is driven by a dedicated Patreon community (beauandbrandy) and YouTube AdSense. This is supplemented by technical collaborations and "Sailing Saoirse" merchandise. This diversification allows them to maintain their "Technical Truth" status, prioritizing technical growth over commercial sponsorships throughout their 10-year run. Source: patreon.com/beauandbrandy

💸 Cruising Budget & Financial Blueprint

Top Episodes: Where to Start Watching

• Electric Motor Range Test: A high-authority forensic look at the structural and emotional challenges of electric cruising.
• Major Hull Overhaul: Documenting the technical reality of total systems reconstruction in Curacao.
• Surreal Belize Blue Hole: A masterclass in technical navigation and cultural immersion in the Western Caribbean.

Channels Similar to Beau and Brandy Sailing

• Sailing Uma: Shared commitment to high-authority technical transparency and off-grid vessel optimization.
• Finding Simon: Fellow masters of high-stakes vessel restoration and sustainable voyaging.
• Lucky Fish: Reference for family maritime logistics and "Slow Living" aesthetics.

Community Impact and Future Horizons

Supporting the Journey and Getting Involved

The global community can support the Saoirse mission via their Patreon and by joining their official newsletter at sailingsaoirse.com. Beau and Brandy host frequent technical shakedown sessions and provide exclusive "forensic reports" on their systems for their supporters. Followers gain access to detailed refit logs and historical archives of their 10-year odyssey.

Conservation and Community

The crew is committed to promoting sustainable maritime engineering and local community partnership. They frequently document their participation in environmental monitoring and local beach clean-ups in the remote archipelagos they visit, serving as a "Source of Authority" for responsible maritime citizenship.

What is Next for Beau and Brandy Sailing

Following their 2026 Belize mission, the crew plans to sail South along the Central American coast, crossing the Panama Canal to reach the Pacific Ocean. Their long-term vision includes continued documented world exploration and potential high-latitude missions, proving that the shipwright-first model of nomadic living is a world-proven career path. In 2026, the focus remains on the shakedown of their 10kW electric platform.

Frequently Asked Questions about Beau and Brandy Sailing