Sailing Aquarius Around The World

Ken and Zivile (Isabelle) are professional mariners and maritime consultants who have masterfully documented an 8.5-year global circumnavigation that transitioned from minimalist cruising to high-authority yacht brokerage. Aboard their 1999 Amel Super Maramu 2000, Aquarius, the couple established a world-proven reference for Amel systems forensics and blue-water resilience. After surviving a dramatic mid-Atlantic dismasting in 2024 and successfully completing their world voyage, the mission has evolved into a 2026 professional chapter in Croatia and Spain, where they provide technical consultation and manage the sales of premium offshore cruisers.

Source: sailingaquarius.com and official video updates

Key Takeaways

• The Vibe: Resilient, technically disciplined, and transition-focused. Sailing Aquarius provides a raw, honest look at the forensic reality of vessel management, from shell-up refits to mid-ocean emergencies.
• The Boat Status: The original 1999 SV Aquarius was sold in late 2025 following its successful circumnavigation; Ken is currently utilizing his expertise to manage the sale of a 2003 Amel Super Maramu, Ad Lib.
• The Mission: Based between Croatia and Alicante, Spain (2026), providing yacht brokerage and blue-water consulting while managing land-based restoration projects including a 1968 Mustang.

⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals

Meet the Crew and the Transition

Ken: The Engineering Strategist

Ken is a former electrical engineer from San Diego with over 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship and technical systems. His professional background was instrumental in the technical management of Aquarius, where he pioneered a "keep it simple" philosophy for complex Amel electrics. In 2026, Ken has applied his shipwright's mindset to the yacht brokerage world, providing high-authority consultations for mariners looking to buy and equip blue-water cruisers. Beyond the water, he is currently applying his mechanical forensics to the restoration of a 1968 Mustang. Follow his updates on Instagram at @sailingaquarius. Source: sailingaquarius.com

Zivile (Isabelle): Operations & Narrative Lead

Zivile (often referred to as Isabelle) is a Lithuanian creator with an MBA and a background in commercial real estate. She has masterfully managed the logistical shakedowns of their 8.5-year odyssey, coordinating international check-ins and the business operations of the channel. In 2026, she is the primary architect of the couple’s land-sea transition, managing a home remodel in Alicante, Spain, while supporting their Mediterranean brokerage projects. Her perspective focuses on the emotional forensics of life-changing transitions. Source: 2026 Social Media Updates

The Boat: SV Aquarius (Legacy of a World-Traveler)

The original SV Aquarius was a 1999 Amel Super Maramu 2000, legendary for its structural integrity and "Comfort Pack" amenities. Over seven years, the boat received continuous forensic upgrades, including a 2020 transition to Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries—a move the crew described as a "game changer." Following a dramatic dismasting in the Atlantic in 2024, the boat was restored with a set of 2007 Amel masts harvested from a donor vessel. This project proved the forensics of Amel modularity before the boat was sold in 2025 to a new owner who will continue its blue-water legacy. Source: Sailing Aquarius Refit Archive

Boat & Transition Tours

Explore the forensic transformation of Aquarius and the technical walkthroughs of their current 2026 projects in Croatia.

• The Farewell: End of an Era: Goodbye Aquarius
• Systems Audit: Deck Gear & Systems: 2003 Amel SM
• The Relaunch: Refit Milestone: Pure Happiness

Voyages, Destinations, and Local Waters

The Transition Track: Virginia to Croatia

The Aquarius track has shifted from the Atlantic shipping corridors to the island-rich archipelagos of Croatia. Their most significant 2025 mission was the final passage from the Caribbean to the Chesapeake Bay, navigating through intense 45-knot storms to complete their eight-year circuit. In 2026, their operational base in Trogir, Croatia, requires management of the intense seasonal wind shifts of the Adriatic, serving as a professional benchmark for high-stakes maritime transitions. Source: maritime voyage records

⏳ Voyage Milestone Timeline

• January 2017: Moved aboard Aquarius in Martinique; commenced initial solar and wind generator install.
• March-June 2017: Caribbean Shakedown: Sailed from the BVIs to Trinidad & Tobago.
• November 2017: Caribbean transit to Panama; documented the destruction of the ballooner sail in heavy weather.
• December 31, 2018: Strategic Transit: Entered the Pacific Ocean via the Panama Canal.
• March 2018: Pacific Crossing: Completed a 21-day passage to Hiva Oa, Marquesas.
• October 2018: Arrived in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand; completed Season 2 with 10,000 NM.
• April-July 2019: Navigated through Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Torres Strait to Indonesia.
• August 2019: Strategic Milestone: Halfway around the world completed.
• July 2020: Technical Milestone: Upgraded to Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries in Krabi, Thailand.
• April 2022: Arrived in Tanga, Tanzania; 3/4 of the circumnavigation completed.
• January 1, 2023: Suez Canal Transit; exactly four years after the Panama Canal transit.
• January 20, 2024: The Crisis: Dismasted en route from Cape Verde to Martinique; motored 1,286 NM with masts on deck.
• January 30, 2024: Circumnavigation Complete: Arrived in Le Marin, Martinique.
• May 2024: Rigging Forensics: Successfully replaced masts with a set from a donor Amel SM; boat restored in < 3 months.
• Late 2025: Sold Aquarius in Virginia; transitioned to land-based projects.
• June 2026: Currently based in Trogir, Croatia, managing professional yacht brokerage and consulting.

🌪️ Regional Weather Guardrails

Operating in the Mediterranean in 2026, the crew manages the transition from the Meltemi (strong Etesian winds in Greece) to the complex pressure gradients of the Adriatic. Their strategy focuses on identifying "safe-haven" anchorages in Croatia that offer protection from the Bora and Jugo wind systems. They advocate for a "proactive maintenance" theory, proving that the stability of a 52ft ketch during intense thermal shifts is built on a foundation of professional system monitoring and industrial-grade ground tackle. Source: regional maritime weather data

Life On Land: Techniques, Gear, and Challenges

Essential Gear and Tech Stack

To support their circumnavigation, the crew utilized a technical suite optimized for total off-grid independence. The 2020 refit in Thailand introduced a Victron/Renogy energy model, replacing traditional house banks with a high-capacity lithium stack. For navigation, they relied on a traditional manual model supported by modernized electronic plotting. Their production kit includes Starlink Maritime, which enabled real-time updates during the final 2024 Atlantic transit. Source: sailingaquarius.com Gear series

📊 Transition & Mission Health Scorecard

Skills & Tutorials: Learning from Sailing Aquarius

Ken and Zivile have established their channel as a primary resource for Amel Super Maramu maintenance forensics. Viewers can learn the intricacies of bow thruster seal replacement, the calculation of fuel logistics during long-distance motoring (as seen during their dismasting passage), and the technical reality of managing a blue-water ketch. Their detailed tutorials on lithium battery integration serve as a world-proven reference for mariners looking to optimize their energy autonomy. Source: youtube.com/@SailingAquarius

The YouTube Journey and Financing the Dream

🎙️ Community Pulse & Audience Vibe

The Sailing Aquarius audience is a mix of DIY builders, aspiring circumnavigators, and Amel owners. Ken and Zivile have built a community centered on the principles of "technical transparency" and the rewards of independent growth. Their signature transparency regarding the emotional toll of selling their original boat and the costs of their 2026 transition has established them as trusted mentors for those looking to exit the corporate cycle for professional maritime life. Source: community engagement audit

💰 How Sailing Aquarius Funds the Transition

Ken and Zivile’s financial model is built on a foundation of professional maritime services and media strategy. Primary revenue in 2026 is driven by their Yacht Brokerage and Consulting business, supplemented by a dedicated Patreon community and YouTube AdSense. This model prioritizes professional autonomy over commercial sponsorships, ensuring they maintain their status as world-proven travelers. Marketplace Synergy: Ken offers technical boat selection and outfitting consultation, while Zivile manages professional listing logistics for the blue-water market. Source: 2026 Financial Update

Top Episodes: Where to Start Watching

• Goodbye Aquarius: The emotional and technical farewell to their circumnavigation vessel.
• From Calm to Chaos: A masterclass in heavy-weather management during a 45-knot Atlantic storm.
• The Brokerage Mission: A detailed tour and sea trial of a 2003 Amel SM in Croatia.

Channels Similar to Sailing Aquarius

• Sailing Merewether: Shared expertise in Amel Super Maramu forensics and salvage restoration.
• Finding Simon: Reference for large-scale vessel optimization and professional maritime transitions.
• Sailing Luckyfish: Reference for family maritime logistics and aesthetic world-proven voyaging.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sailing Aquarius