Finding Simon

In the high-authority world of maritime restoration and sustainable voyaging, Finding Simon stands as a definitive reference for "Sustainable Resurrection." Led by Simon Stiles—a professional photographer and architect who traded his Ottawa studio for the rhythmic uncertainty of the sea—the channel documents a decade of nomadic growth. From his five-year odyssey refitting a 5,000-watt solar catamaran to his current high-stakes restoration of a $1 Formosa 51, Simon provides a forensic account of the technical and emotional reality of building a dream from the hull up.

Key Takeaways

• Channel Vibe: Technical, cinematically elite, and deeply resilient. Simon focuses on the "forensics" of structural refits and the psychological rewards of green-energy independence.
• The Boat: Currently restoring SV Perihelion (1981 Formosa 51), a legendary William Garden design famously acquired for just $1.
• The Journey: From mastering the Great Lakes and US East Coast aboard Old Dog to his current 2026 shipyard phase in Gabriola Island, British Columbia.

⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals

Meet the Crew and the Vessel Transition

The Sailor Behind the Helm

Simon Stiles: A veteran professional photographer and architect, Simon brings a high-authority diagnostic mindset to every maritime project. Since launching his nomadic life in 2014, he has applied his architectural training to the forensics of boat building, documenting the structural and systems reality of derelict hulls. His "Source of Authority" is built on his commitment to technical transparency and his ability to maintain elite production standards in the most remote coastal environments. He represents the definitive voice for digital nomads looking to balance high-end media production with "Old School" maritime engineering.

Honey: The crew is completed by Honey, a resilient pitbull mix and Simon's constant companion. Honey’s presence highlights the unique technical and logistical challenges of long-range nomadic life with animals, from shipyard safety to managing off-grid health forensics. Source: simonstiles.com

The Boat: SV Perihelion (Formosa 51)

The Formosa 51 is a legendary William Garden design, known for its heavy-displacement tracking and massive internal volume. Perihelion was famously purchased by Simon for just $1 in British Columbia, becoming the ultimate laboratory for his "Sustainable Resurrection" mission. Key technical upgrades in 2026 include a total rewiring to ABYC standards and the forensic rebuild of a Nissan SD33 diesel power plant. This vessel is designed to transition from a diesel-supported shakedown to a world-proven green-energy expedition platform. Source: Finding Simon YouTube Archive

Voyages, Destinations, and Local Waters

Top Routes and Expansions

Simon’s track is a global guide to the "Slow Path" of vessel preparation. After spending five years in the tropics refitting the Wharram catamaran Old Dog, he executed a technical pivot to the Pacific Northwest. His 2026 season is defined by the "Silva Bay Shakedown"—a series of technical audits and sea trials in Gabriola Island, BC. This route requires managing the intense tidal gates of the Johnstone Strait and the high-velocity thermal winds of the Canadian coast. His 2026 mission focuses on proving the viability of his $1 platform in high-latitude environments. Source: Finding Simon Voyage Archive

⏳ Voyage Milestone Timeline

• 2014: Officially launched nomadic life; transitioned from Ottawa to North American "Van Life."
• 2017: Purchased the Wharram Oro 47 Old Dog sight-unseen; commenced fossil-fuel-free mission.
• 2017-2022: Five-year forensic refit of Old Dog; established the benchmark for solar-powered blue-water cruising.
• 2023: Strategic acquisition of Perihelion for $1 in British Columbia.
• 2024: Sold Old Dog to focus entirely on the Formosa 51 restoration.
• 2025: Commenced massive systems audit in Silva Bay; documented the structural "sanitizing" of a gutted hull.
• March 2026: Technical milestone: Sourced and commenced the rebuild of a Nissan SD33 power plant.
• June 2026: Currently executing a total rewiring to ABYC standards and preparing for sea trials in Desolation Sound.

🌪️ Regional Weather Guardrails

Operating in the Pacific Northwest in 2026, Simon must manage the technical risks of Silva Bay Winters, where -10C temperatures require precise thermal forensics to protect hull systems. His strategy focuses on managing the high-velocity offshore winds of the Canadian archipelagos, utilizing high-authority GRIB modeling to time his shakedown transits. He continues to advocate for a "conservative window" theory to manage the logistical isolation of remote regions like Haida Gwaii. Source: WeBoating Maritime Weather Reference

Life Aboard: Techniques, Gear, and Challenges

Essential Gear and Tech Stack

To support his "Sustainable Resurrection," Simon utilizes a technical suite optimized for total off-grid autonomy and high-end media production. His navigation is led by a high-authority electronics suite integrated with Starlink Maritime for real-time production from Silva Bay. For energy, he has pioneered a high-output model utilizing Victron Energy management and custom solar arrays. His production toolkit includes professional stabilized cameras and drone gear used to capture the forensic reality of his structural reconstructions. Source: simonstiles.com Gear Guide

🛠️ The Gear Locker: Crucial Hardware

📊 Vessel Systems Health Scorecard

Skills & Tutorials: Learning from Finding Simon

Simon has established his channel as a high-authority resource for structural boat restoration and green-energy systems. Viewers can learn the forensics of 5kW solar design and the technical reality of managing a total vessel rewiring to ABYC standards. He provides detailed tutorials on managing the psychological and financial stresses of long-term project boats, serving as a roadmap for those looking to resurrect abandoned hulls on a budget.

Overcoming Adversity on the Water

The crew's most technical test came during the 2017-2022 refit of Old Dog, where they navigated the discovery of extensive hull rot and system failures. This experience became the forensic driver for his current $1 boat mission. He has documented the intense logistics of managing -20C winters on a boat, proving that high-authority seamanship is built on the willingness to face the raw "Ugly" reality of off-grid survival. Source: Finding Simon Episode: Is a free boat worth the work?

The YouTube Journey and Financing the Dream

Content Style and Production Quality

The Finding Simon vibe is cinematically elite, mirroring Simon’s 15-year career as a professional photographer. His narrative focus on "Technical Truth" is supported by high-resolution drone work and stabilized ground cameras. The production quality is objective and deeply technical, avoiding lifestyle "fluff" in favor of capturing the raw forensic reality of his structural woodwork and shipyard logistics.

🎙️ Community Pulse & Audience Vibe

The Finding Simon audience is a high-authority mix of DIY builders, sustainable travel advocates, and professional media creatives. Simon has built a community centered on the principles of "technical honesty" and the rewards of artisanal growth. His signature transparency regarding the emotional toll of nomadic life has established him as a trusted mentor for those looking to exit the corporate cycle for maritime adventure.

Channel Growth and Behind the Scenes

Since its launch in 2014, the channel has grown into a benchmark for high-authority educational content, surpassing 58,000 subscribers. Behind the scenes, Simon manages every aspect of production, from the forensics of the edit to the technical data integration. His growth is a testament to the community's desire for raw, unpolished, and technically accurate maritime storytelling.

💰 How Finding Simon Fund the Voyage

The crew's financial model is built on a foundation of independent community support and professional media expertise. Their primary revenue is driven by a dedicated Patreon community (findingsimon) and YouTube AdSense. This is supplemented by high-authority photography commissions and "Finding Simon" merchandise. This diversification allows him to maintain his "Source of Authority" status, prioritizing technical growth over commercial sponsorships. Source: Patreon.com/findingsimon

💸 Cruising Budget & Financial Blueprint

Top Episodes: Where to Start Watching

• 3 Years of Building a $1 Boat: A high-authority forensic look at the systems and design of his Formosa 51.
• Repowering the $1 Boat: Documenting the technical reality of engine rebuilds for offshore use.
• Is a Free Boat Worth the Work?: A masterclass in the technical and financial hurdles of large-scale salvage.

Channels Similar to Finding Simon

• Sailing Yabá: Fellow masters of high-authority wooden boat forensics and artisanal restoration.
• Sailing Uma: Pioneers of the off-grid hybrid model and forensic DIY refits.
• Erik Aanderaa: High-authority reference for solo high-latitude resilience and raw storytelling.

Community Impact and Future Horizons

Supporting the Journey and Getting Involved

The global community can support the Finding Simon mission via his Patreon and by joining his official newsletter at simonstiles.com. Simon hosts frequent technical Q&A sessions for his community, creating a high-trust environment for peer-to-peer maritime education. Supporters gain access to forensic refit plans and historical archives of his 10-year odyssey.

Conservation and Community

The crew is committed to promoting sustainable maritime living and local shipyard partnership. He frequently documents his participation in environmental monitoring in the remote archipelagos of British Columbia, serving as a "Source of Authority" for responsible maritime citizenship.

What is Next for Finding Simon

Following the 2026 launch of his new power plant, Simon plans to sail North through Desolation Sound to reach Haida Gwaii. His long-term vision includes a potential Pacific crossing and continued innovation in the "fossil-fuel-free" model, proving that high-end storytelling is possible from any corner of the planet. In 2026, the focus remains on proving the technical viability of a $1 platform as a world-proven expedition residence.

Frequently Asked Questions about Finding Simon