[Ep 9] No Address, No Problem: Solar Arch Plans & Sailing to Catalina
📦 No Address, No Problem | Solar Arch Planning + Sailing to Catalina Island ⛵️
In this episode, we juggle the logistics of planning a major upgrade to our boat, a custom solar arch, without a fixed address. From measuring curved surfaces in the most unstable anchorage to coordinating delivery on the move, it’s a crash course in full-time cruising life.
We say goodbye to beautiful Santa Barbara after an unforgettable few weeks on anchor, make a hearty pre-passage meal, and set sail for Catalina Island. Join us for champagne sailing, the struggles of nomadic life, and some cookin’ in SmoCo’s galley.
📌 In This Episode:
Solar arch design + planning on the go ☀️
How we’re getting gear shipped with no fixed address 📦
Making a cajun pre-passage meal 🍲
Leaving Santa Barbara and picking up an unwanted souvenir 🚤
Sailing to Catalina Island ⛵️
If you’re dreaming of boat life, curious about sailing of just love a good adventure, come along for the ride! Don’t forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔, and drop a comment below. We’re currently deep in project and repair land in a boatyard in Mexico and have been slow at putting our videos, but thank you for your patience and for your kind words, we appreciate them all.
————————————————————————————————————
About us
Ahoy there! We’re Armand, Liya, and Pinot and altogether we’re SmoCo Sailing. In 2018, Armand bravely embarked on his inaugural sailing lesson, and by 2020, we very spontaneously purchase the first boat we saw in person—because who needs a stable life, right? Fast forward to 2023, when we downsized, simplified- however you want to phrase it – our living situation by moving aboard, and in 2024, we waved goodbye to our jobs and set sail from our cozy little home port in Monterey, CA. Our mission? To sail wherever the wind, sunshine, and our trusty vessel, SV Cosmo, take us—no plans, no timelines, and definitely no destinations! Join our adventures aboard SV Cosmo, where we explore foreign lands and tackle life as full-time cruisers and part-time everything else: amateur diesel mechanics, plumbers, riggers, seamsters, navigators, and whatever other trade we need to learn if and when stuff breaks.
SV Cosmo
Cosmo is a 2000 Dufour Center Cockpit sailboat. Supposedly there are only 15 of these models built in the world, which would make sense since we still haven’t found an owner’s manual or proper documentation from Dufour. She is a 43 foot vessel with 2 cabins, 2 heads, and we’ve beefed her up with so many upgrades and features since 2020 we’ll need to start a whole separate series on those projects.
📸 Follow us on Instagram → SmoCo Sailing
🎥 Catch up with our shenanigans on TikTok → SmoCo Sailing
🌍 Connect with us on Facebook → http://facebook.com/smocosailing
#SailingLife #BoatLife #TravelVlog #quityourjob #sailing #remotelife #dufour #sailboat #lifeaboard #boathome #boats #sailingcouple #youngcruisers #cruisers #oceanlife #california #adventure #ocean #pacificocean #highfield #dinghy #sail #monohull #cruisers #cruisingcouple #travel #santabarbara #californiacoast #anchoring #livingonthehook #smocosailing #livingonaboat #tinyhome #sustainability #yacht #simplelife #youngsailors #sailors #boatlife #sailingcouple #offgridliving #sailingvlog #projectboat #catalina #cookinginthegalley #galley #cookingonaboat #boatgalley #towerinabox #TIAB #atlantictowers #solararch
SmoCo Sailing
We're Armand, Liya, and our doodle Pinot. In July 2024, we sailed off from Monterey, California aboard our sailboat Cosmo and began the biggest adventure of our lives. Since then, we've been sailing Mexico and beyond, sharing the real highs and lows of full-time cruising. From remote anchorages and incredible wildlife encounters to boat projects, spearfishing, weather, and everything that breaks in between. Our goal is simple: explore beautiful places, live life on our own terms, and share the journey honestly. So grab a drink, pull up a seat in the cockpit, and come sailing with us. New episodes every week.
Channel Information:
Social Media Links:
Support SmoCo Sailing
At WeBoating.com, we profoundly acknowledge the unwavering dedication that SmoCo Sailing 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.
We're also inviting you to explore the gear, sponsorships, and boat partnerships highlighted in the "[Ep 9] No Address, No Problem: Solar Arch Plans & Sailing to Catalina" video description, or directly on YouTube. By engaging with these offerings or purchasing services and items, you directly support SmoCo Sailing, their collaborators, and the brands they're associated with.
To ensure you never miss an offshore update, consider visiting their official YouTube Channel to subscribe, like, and join their community directly.
If you have any feedback, corrections, or additional information about SmoCo Sailing or their videos, please use the comment form below to share your thoughts with us.
Thank you for being a part of our community and supporting the creators we cherish. Your time and support truly matter!
Latest Episodes from SmoCo Sailing
Explore the most recent voyages. Subscribe to the channel to never miss an update!
The Discovery That Ruined Our Winter Cruising Plans & Marine Fridge Install | La Paz, Mexico | Ep 77
📍 La Paz, Baja California Sur 🌊 Sea of Cortez, Mexico The Hidden Problem That Trapped Us in La Paz for 6 Months Our quick two-week pit stop in La Paz completely spiraled! In Episode 77 of SmoCo Sailing, we return to La Paz expecting a fast turnaround; topping off water, oil changes, receiving pack...
Replacing Our Sailboat Water Tank Flow On/Off Switches | Project Mini-Sode 6
Welcome to Project Mini-Sode 6! In this quick boat project breakdown, Armand tackles replacing the on/off switches on our water tank separator valves aboard Cosmo, our Dufour 43 monohull. Managing 100 gallons of freshwater across three separate tanks: a 40-gallon tank in the V-berth, 30 gallons on...
Almost 2 years in the Sea of Cortez and we’re still in awe when dolphins swim alongside Cosmo
#seaofcortez #dolphins #sailing #boatlife #sailors #sailinglife #bajacalifornia
Our Chill Anchorage Turned Into a Recovery Mission: Lost Gear & We Had to Go | Ep 76
📍 Agua Verde & La Paz, Baja California Sur 🌊 Sea of Cortez, Mexico When everything that can go wrong does go wrong in paradise! In Episode 76 of our Sea of Cortez sailing journey, we head into Agua Verde expecting a relaxing week of spearfishing and calm anchorage days. Instead, a wedged groupe...