see the little things

see the little things (STLT) documents the transformative voyage of Alexander Arnold and Mandy Entken as they traded conventional European careers to live aboard, learn to sail, and cross oceans with their young son Levi. Voyaging aboard s/v Blue Juice, a 36-foot Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 361, this German-Dutch couple spent four unforgettable years navigating the azure anchorages of the Greek islands, crossing the Mediterranean, and completing a 20-day Atlantic Ocean crossing to the Caribbean. With an intimate storytelling style centered on mindfulness, parenthood at sea, and the authentic challenges of living tiny on the water, the channel has inspired tens of thousands to slow down and embrace life's simplest pleasures.

Key Takeaways

• Accessible Pocket Bluewater Cruising: Demonstrating that circumnavigating and ocean crossing do not require multi-million dollar catamarans, Alex and Mandy accomplished a transatlantic passage aboard a budget-friendly 36-foot production monohull.
• Mindful Downsizing & Parenthood Afloat: From raising their infant son Levi in a boat cabin to adopting minimalist living habits, the channel provides an honest blueprint for family travel and emotional well-being at sea.
• Real Seamanship & Offshore Crisis Handling: During their Atlantic crossing, the crew confronted ripped sails, fouled propellers, and mid-ocean engine shutdowns, documenting calm crisis management and perseverance.

⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals

Meet the Crew: Alex, Mandy & Levi

The core ethos of see the little things is rooted in the tender, vulnerable dynamic between Alex and Mandy. Their willingness to share doubts, anxieties, and small daily victories resonates deeply with audiences seeking a life beyond traditional societal milestones.

Alexander "Alex" Arnold (Skipper & Creative Storyteller)

• Primary Expertise: Visual filmmaking, digital media design, diesel engine maintenance, rig inspection, and ocean passage planning.
• On-Camera Style: Introspective, poetic, observant, and emotionally grounded, articulating the psychological shifts of shedding material comforts.

Background & Life Before the Sea

Hailing from Germany, Alex developed a successful career in commercial photography, creative direction, and digital media production. Despite career achievements, he and Mandy felt trapped in an unfulfilling urban routine of endless consumerism. Seeking deeper meaning, they resolved to downsize their worldly possessions into backpacks, purchase an affordable used sailboat in Greece, and learn the art of seafaring from scratch. Alex channelled his creative talents into crafting evocative, beautifully graded films that capture the sensory textures of life afloat—from morning coffee in solitary anchorages to the rhythmic motion of Atlantic swells.

Mandy Entken (First Mate & Mindful Living Advocate)

• Primary Expertise: Family provisioning, holistic health, watchstanding, galley cooking, and early childhood development at sea.
• On-Camera Style: Radiant, honest, empathetic, and grounded, candidly addressing the realities of seasickness, maternal vulnerability, and slow living.

Life Transitions & Motherhood Afloat

Originating from the Netherlands, Mandy brought warmth, organizational resilience, and mindfulness to Blue Juice. Her journey on the channel is especially moving as viewers witnessed her transformation from an anxious novice sailor into a confident ocean navigator who steered through ocean squalls while pregnant and later adapted vessel routines to nurture their son Levi aboard. Mandy's reflections on finding joy in simple moments—freshly baked bread in the galley, watching dolphins play at dawn—form the spiritual backbone of the channel.

Levi (The Ship's Child & Cabin Explorer)

Born into the cruising lifestyle, young Levi grew up with the Mediterranean and Atlantic as his front yard. From taking his first steps on teak companionways to observing flying fish land on deck and building sandcastles on Caribbean beaches, Levi represents a generation of boat kids raised with sensory richness, natural curiosity, and deep connection to the marine environment.

⛵ Fleet Forensics: s/v Blue Juice (Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 361)

For four years and thousands of sea miles, Alex and Mandy called s/v Blue Juice their floating home. Built by the world's largest production yacht builder, the Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 361 is celebrated for its intelligent interior ergonomics, sea-kindly hull form by naval architects Berret-Racoupeau, and manageable displacement for short-handed couples. In episodes such as The Sailor's Dream - crossing an ocean on a 36ft sailboat and Crossing an Ocean on our Beneteau 361, the crew demonstrated that meticulous maintenance matters far more than hull length when undertaking serious ocean passages.

🛠️ The Gear Locker: Outfitting a 36-Foot Ocean Voyaging Yacht

Preparing a modest Mediterranean production boat for a 3,000-nautical-mile trade wind crossing demanded focused outfitting. Alex and Mandy prioritized self-sufficiency, electrical independence, and safety over luxury gadgets:

1. Solar Power & Electrical Autonomy

Cruising at anchor and sailing across the Atlantic without continuously running the diesel engine required an efficient solar charging system. The couple fitted high-output solar panels over the bimini and stern rails, wired through smart MPPT controllers into a refreshed deep-cycle house battery bank. This allowed them to power navigation plotters, AIS, autopilot, 12V galley refrigeration, and video editing gear indefinitely under the Caribbean sun.

2. Mid-Ocean Repairs & Emergency Seamanship

During their 20-day ocean crossing, the crew encountered real bluewater adversity. In DRIFTING on the ATLANTIC without an engine and a RIPPED SAIL, their main sail blew out and the engine failed simultaneously in light air and rolling swells. Later, in FOULED PROP in the middle of the Atlantic, Alex had to dive thousands of miles from shore into open oceanic water to clear debris wrapped around the propeller shaft—an experience demanding composure, harness tethering, and shark vigilance.

📊 Vessel Systems Health Scorecard

Cruising Chronology & Geographic Milestones

The story of see the little things unfolded across four distinct, transformative chapters:

🏆 Top Episodes & Must-Watch Stories

To experience the emotional resonance and seamanship of see the little things, begin with these five standout episodes on WeBoating:

• The Transatlantic Crossing: In Crossing an Ocean on our Beneteau 361, Alex and Mandy share the triumphant culmination of their voyage as Blue Juice makes landfall after 3,000 miles of blue water.
• The Realities of Atlantic Fishing: In 20 DAY ATLANTIC crossing - CATCHING FISH like CRAZY, the crew shares the culinary excitement of landing pelagic fish mid-ocean, providing fresh sashimi in the trades.
• Mid-Ocean Emergency: In DRIFTING on the ATLANTIC without an engine and a RIPPED SAIL, the couple demonstrates honest vulnerability when dual system failures leave them drifting under heavy swell.
• Greek Island Magic: In The BEST way to explore GREECE by SAILBOAT, viewers discover the turquoise anchorages, friendly harbors, and relaxed pace that inspired them to commit to the cruising life.
• Hard-Learned Post-Crossing Lessons: In DON'T MAKE these 3 MISTAKES after CROSSING the ATLANTIC, Alex offers practical advice on pacing, post-passage fatigue, and avoiding burnout after achieving a major sailing dream.

🧭 Similar Channels to Explore on WeBoating

If you connect with see the little things' mindful approach to family sailing, pocket voyaging, and transatlantic adventures, explore these related channels on WeBoating:

• Monday Never: Will, Cat, and their daughter Maddie sailing their Contest 46 across the Caribbean, mastering boat DIY, toddler life, and ocean passages.
• Take the Waters: Brian and Mandi exploring the Florida Keys and Bahamas aboard their Beneteau 46, sharing candid DIY watermaker builds and freediving adventures.
• Sailing Soulianis: Kirk and Lauren restoring their Tartan 37 and voyaging through the Great Lakes, Florida, and the Bahamas with exceptional cinematography and design sensibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions