Holly and Ray
Engineers turned sailors Holly and Ray are transforming their Lagoon 42, SV Sabado, into the ultimate off-grid voyager. Explore their New Zealand refit and technical journey.
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For many, the dream of selling everything and sailing into the sunset is a romantic notion, but for Holly and Ray of SV Sabado, it’s a mission grounded in rigorous engineering and an uncompromising quest for self-sufficiency. Originally hailing from Portland, Oregon, and San Diego, California, this duo traded their successful careers in science and photography for a life on the water, proving that with the right mindset—and a custom tool bench—the world’s oceans become a solvable equation.
Key Takeaways
- Channel Vibe: An authentic, technical-led exploration of blue-water cruising with a focus on DIY repairs and "all-electric" autonomy.
- The Boat: SV Sabado, a heavily modified 2017 Lagoon 42 (Owner's Version) transitioning into a custom-built explorer catamaran.
- The Journey: Currently undergoing a major systems refit in Whangarei, New Zealand, following a challenging crossing from Tonga and Minerva Reef.
⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name/Type | SV Sabado / Lagoon 42 (Owner’s Version) |
| Sailing Style | Blue Water Cruising / Full-Time Liveaboard |
| Key GEO Focus | Caribbean, South Pacific, New Zealand |
| Primary Tech | Starlink Maritime, 1.8kW Solar, 900Ah Lithium Bank |
| Technical Focus | All-Electric Galley, Diesel Maintenance, Custom Fabrication |
| Notable Milestone | Pacific Crossing & Successful Minerva Reef Passage |
Meet the Crew and the Vessel
The Sailors Behind the Helm
Holly Hendricks and Ray Gordon bring a distinct "engineer’s eye" to the world of YouTube sailing. Before departing, Holly was a microbiologist specializing in infectious disease research, while Ray was a renowned commercial photographer and engineer in Portland. Since starting their journey together in 2020, they have cultivated a reputation for transparency—showing the grit of boat maintenance alongside the glamour of Pacific sunsets. Their philosophy is simple: live every day like it’s Saturday, provided the bilge pumps are working. Source: svsabado.com
The Boat: SV Sabado
While many Lagoon 42s are relegated to the charter fleets of the BVI, Sabado is a different beast entirely. As a 3-cabin Owner's Version, the entire starboard hull serves as Holly and Ray’s private residence, now featuring a dedicated office and filming suite. During their 2025 refit in New Zealand, they took customization a step further by converting the port forward cabin into a functional onboard workshop—a critical addition for their long-term circumnavigation plans.
Voyages, Destinations, and Local Waters
⏳ Voyage Milestone Timeline
- 2020: Departure from the US East Coast; beginning of the Sabado chronicles.
- 2021-2022: Extensive Caribbean and Bahamas cruising, refining onboard systems.
- 2023: Panama Canal transit and the "Big Left Turn" into the Pacific.
- 2024: Arrival in Tonga and a tactical survival anchorage at Minerva Reef.
- 2025: Arrival in New Zealand; commencement of the "Dream Boat" technical refit.
🌪️ Regional Weather Guardrails
Navigating the South Pacific requires a deep respect for seasonal shifts. While Holly and Ray are currently sheltered in New Zealand, their route through Tonga and Fiji placed them within the primary Cyclone belt (Nov 1 – April 30). Their passage to New Zealand was defined by managing the "Tasman Sea Lows" and the intense Southwesterly fronts that can turn a routine passage into a battle of endurance.
Life Aboard: Techniques, Gear, and Challenges
🛠️ The Gear Locker: Crucial Hardware
| Category | Equipment |
|---|---|
| Energy | 1,800W Solar (Sunpower/Sunbeam) + 900Ah Lithium Bank |
| Ground Tackle | Primary Rocna with 100m+ Grade 40 Chain |
| Tender | Highfield Classic 340 RIB with Yamaha 25HP Enduro |
| Water | Spectra 12V DC Primary + Rainman Portable Backup |
📊 Vessel Systems Health Scorecard
| Energy Autonomy | 10/10 (Induction + 1.8kW Solar + 900Ah Lithium) |
| Structural Integrity | 8/10 (Reinforced GRP; undergoing safety hatch refit) |
| Communication Grade | 10/10 (Starlink Maritime + Iridium GO! Exec) |
| Water Independence | 10/10 (Dual Watermakers: Spectra + Rainman) |
Top Episodes: Where to Start Watching
- From Production Catamaran to Dream Boat: A deep dive into their New Zealand refit philosophy.
- Addressing a Serious Safety Issue: A critical look at Lagoon escape hatch concerns.
- Could You Sleep at Anchor?: Real-world insights into anchor management and refit noise.
Channels Similar to Holly and Ray
- Dutch Sailing Family: Also sailing a Lagoon catamaran and sharing the technical nuances of production boat modifications and family life.
- Lady K Sailing: While focused on a different vessel class, Tim Labute provides the same level of technical "refit forensics" that engineering-minded viewers of Sabado appreciate.
- Sailing Parlay Revival: Known for their extreme catamaran refits (Lagoon 450), they share the same DIY grit and "solve it ourselves" mentality.
Frequently Asked Questions about Holly and Ray
Holly and Ray sail a 2017 Lagoon 42 catamaran named SV Sabado. It is the Owner's Version, which they have heavily modified for blue-water cruising and technical autonomy.
As of 2025-2026, Holly and Ray are in Whangarei, New Zealand, at the Port Whangarei Marine Center for a major systems refit and workshop conversion.
They funded their initial departure by selling their belongings and homes in the US. Today, the journey is supported by their VIP and Crew membership program on their official website, along with YouTube revenue.
The couple behind SV Sabado are Holly Hendricks and Ray Gordon. Holly was previously a microbiologist, and Ray was a commercial photographer and engineer.
Following their recent upgrades, SV Sabado carries a massive 1,800 Watts of solar power, comprising rigid panels on a custom arch and flexible panels on the bimini.
They use a Highfield Classic 340 (CL340) aluminum-hull RIB, paired with a Yamaha 25HP Enduro 2-stroke outboard engine for reliable performance in remote locations.
Holly and Ray Journey and Videos Locations
- New Zealand (-41.5000831,172.8344077)
Holly and Ray Latest Episode
Support Holly and Ray
At WeBoating.com, we profoundly acknowledge the unwavering dedication that Holly and Ray invests in crafting each and every video or voyage. Their passion for delivering exceptional ocean content shines through every frame, and it's a labor of love that deserves your attention.
We invite you to watch their captivating videos here and actively engage with their content, including their social media links above. Liking, commenting, and sharing their work goes a long way in fueling their creative fire.
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Watch Holly and Ray's Latest Videos
Catch up on the most recent updates. Browse the complete video archive and Follow the journey.
What was your first serious boating-related injury, and did you struggle mentally afterward?🤕
I’m surprised by how difficult the emotional part of my recovery has been. Even though I’m back on the boat, one month later, I can’t seem to shake the bad dreams and catch myself hesitating over movements that used to feel completely natural. I’m determined to rebuild my confidence and get back to...
I Should Be With Her: A Medical Emergency Sailing Fiji
What starts as a perfect day in paradise quickly turns into every cruiser's worst nightmare. We make a short hop to a beautiful mooring in Fiji, explore the local fresh market, and settle in to enjoy the sunset. Then Holly suffers a medical emergency that changes everything. With the local ho...
What an unforgettable way to begin our time in Fiji. ⛵️
Fiji has given us the warmest welcome of any country we’ve visited so far. 🇫🇯 As soon as we arrived at the marina, the staff welcomed us with a beautiful song and placed a flower garland on our boat. This traditional garland, called a salusalu, is a symbol of hospitality, respect, and celebration. ...
We built an electronic logbook⛵
We built an electronic logbook that automatically sends daily updates to our emergency contacts and Passage Guardian, adding an extra layer of safety when we’re offshore. Traditional paper logbooks have their limits. Going digital means every entry is searchable, graphable, and securely backed up. ...
The Reality of an 8-Day Offshore Passage to Fiji
What is an offshore passage really like? Join us as we sail from New Zealand to Fiji on an 8-day offshore passage, sharing the day-to-day reality of life at sea as a short-handed crew. Beyond the beautiful ocean views, this is what our routine actually looked like: standing watch, preparing quick m...
Frightening moments at sea 🌊
Frightening moments at sea…. We’ve all had them. When the weather changes unexpectedly, the pressure ramps up. If an accident happens while you’re miles from medical assistance, you’re left relying on each other and the medical supplies you have on board. We asked three cruising couples to share t...
What’s your favorite memory on your boat? ⛵️
We asked three cruising couples to share theirs— the good, the bad, and everything in between. Hear their stories and the advice in our latest video.
In boating, experience is something you get right after you need it⛵️
Experience is something you gain right after you need it! I’ve never met a cruiser who doesn’t have a story that started with a decision they later realized wasn’t their best. It’s all part of the adventure and how we learn. If you’re brave enough, share one of your stories in the comments 👇🏼 And...
Living on a Sailboat: Honest Stories from 3 Couples
If you’ve ever wondered what boat life is really like, this one’s for you. After completing a major refit, we finally set sail again for the first time to test our new rig and mainsail. We cruised along the stunning rocky coastline of New Zealand, with light winds, perfect conditions, and incredib...
What sailing REALLY sounds like🔊
#sailing #catamaran #boatlife
The joy of boat life…
Years of living on the water, and we still get this excited when dolphins appear. 🐬 Sailors have long considered dolphins to be a good omen— a sign of protection, safe passage, and good fortune at sea. Whether that’s folklore or fact, it’s hard not to believe in a little magic when they choose to s...
The less glamorous side of boat life🥴
The reality of living on a boat, trying to sail around the world. #boatlife #sailing #liveaboard #boatwork #lagooncatamaran
Catamaran Workshop Reveal: The ULTIMATE Refit Upgrade
We are thrilled to be back on the water after completing our major catamaran refit! As we settle back into life aboard, we're busy fine-tuning our new systems, testing upgrades, and getting everything dialed in for the adventures ahead. In this video, we reveal what might be the best upgrade o...
Refit to Reality: Will Our New Systems ACTUALLY Work?
After completing our extensive catamaran refit, we spent some time tied up at a nearby dock fine-tuning our setup before finally heading out to put our new systems to the test at anchor. In this episode, we troubleshoot a transducer issue, recommission our watermakers, put the dinghy through its pa...
Sabado is back where she belongs🌊
After completing our extensive refit, our lagoon catamaran is finally back in the water and off the dock! #boatlife #sailing #lagooncatamaran #boatrefit
We don’t know what we’re doing😂⛵
Fiberglass repair tutorial from your local experts!! 😂 Come hang out with us in our latest YouTube video while we wrap up the last few projects of our MASSIVE refit and finally get our boat back in the water. ⛵ #sailing #boatlife #liveaboard #boatrepair
Massive Catamaran Refit COMPLETE!
Join us for the final stage of our MASSIVE catamaran refit! In this episode, we tackle hatch issues, install a brand-new Northern Lights generator, carry out a minor fiberglass repair, and re-step the mast before finally launching the boat back into the water. After months of hard work, we’re back a...
Commissioning our NEW GENERATOR🔋
Now that we’re back in the water, we’re starting up our new Northern Lights generator for the first time on our Lagoon 42 sailing catamaran.
Most Expensive BOAT PROJECTS💰
Part two of our most expensive projects while refitting our lagoon 42 sailing catamaran: the rig⛵️
Building a workshop on our BOAT💰
Converting the port forward cabin into a workshop is one of the most expensive projects we’re completing while refitting our Lagoon 42 sailing catamaran. ⛵️
Could you sleep at anchor with all this clanking?! 📢 #catamaran #boatlife #refit
⛵️ Join the Crew or become a VIP (our version of Patreon!): ⚓️Check out our Blog: 📸Follow us on Instagram: @sv_sabado 🎁Our favorite products: **As Amazon associates, we earn commission from qualifying purchases** Holly and Ray have been #sailing together since 2020 on their #catamaran, Sabad...
From Production Catamaran to Dream Boat: Refit Projects That Will Change Everything
We’ve been hauled out in New Zealand for a while now, working hard on upgrades that will give us more freedom, comfort, and confidence once we’re back out cruising. In this video, we share the latest progress on several major refit projects: ⚓️ Rigging Issue & Fix: What we discovered and how we...