We often get questions about our crazy life, the gear we use, finances and etc. I wanted to create a place where it would be easy for YOU to find any questions you may have. Here are our most frequently asked questions. We will continue to update it as we get more 🙂
FAQ’s
Boat Stuff
Who is Tula? 
Tula was Billy’s very first sailboat(click here for a tour). She was forgotten about and rotting away in a boatyard when he found her. He brought her back to life and sailed her down to Florida to escape the cold of the northeast. Tula’s engine broke down in Jupiter and that is where our story began together. The word Tula means balance in Sanskrit. We kept the name on our channel because she was where the endless summer started. Staying balanced is important on the water but also extremely important in life in general. She is a great reminder to stay balanced in everything we do.
Monohull, trawler, or catamaran??
Catamaran all day every day. We will not be living on anything other than a catamaran any time
soon.
What kind of boat is Adrenaline?
1988 40’ Crowther Spindrift Catamaran
Can we see a boat tour?
We did a tour of Adrenaline a few years ago and are in the process of making an updated version! Will post ASAP.
What do you use for navigation?
We use an iPad (with cellular capabilities) with Navionics as our primary GPS.
Here is a link to an in-depth explanation of what we use and how it works.
What are some things you don’t like about boat life?
It can be HOT and buggy. Wet and rough. Slow and uncomfortable. BUT we wouldn’t trade this life for the world. If we could add anything to the boat just for pleasure (ignoring electrical needs, cost, and practicability) I would say an A.C. and Billy says brand new engines.
Our Relationship
How did you meet? 
Tula knew it was time for Billy to stop the solo sailing so she broke down right in my home town. We ended up working together for about a year and then we sailed away together.
Here is my debut on Tula’s Endless Summer 😀
Do you plan on having kids?
Isn’t Jetty a kid? JKJK YES definitely but not anytime soon!
How long do you plan to keep up this lifestyle?
As long as possible. We love boat life and everything that comes with it!
When are you getting married?
Wouldn’t you like to know?! me too 😉
How do you handle fights in such a small space?
First off we try to avoid them BUT living, working, and playing together 24/7 obviously we have our disagreements. We TRY to get over any issues quickly either by saying sorry, admitting we were wrong or trying to make the other one laugh just to get away from the subject. We know we love each other, we know we love this life, and we know how lucky we are to have each other. Sometimes it just takes a little reminding.
Jetty the Gypsy
Where does Jetty go to the bathroom?
We get asked this all the time and I always think it’s so funny. Just like other dogs Jetty gets walked multiple times a day. These walks may be on beaches instead of sidewalks but all the same. If we happen to be sailing offshore overnight (which does not happen too too often) she goes on the trampoline. She sees the boat as her home and does not like to go to the bathroom on here. However, she will if she has to. We think daily exercise is very important for both us and Jetty so we do our very best to get off the boat as much as possible.
What kind of dog is Jetty?
Her dog mom was a cattle dog mix rescued from a high kill shelter in Alabama. Her dad was MIA. In other words the most perfect mutt there ever was.
Is it hard to travel to other countries with a dog?
It can be but I do a lot of research to figure out where we can and cannot go, what vaccines she needs, if import permits are required, etc. Here is what I did to prepare to sail with a dog in the Caribbean.
Did you know Jetty has her own YouTube Channel?!
She would greatly appreciate it if you would subscribe! 😉
Travels
Where are you going next?
We will be in Grenada until November 2019. From there we will slowly work our way up the Caribbean Islands. We want to spend as much time as possible at each one. Our goal is to be back in Florida by June 2020. After that nobody knows 😉
Any plans to cross an ocean?
Not this year but we definitely want to do something big in the coming years!
What has been your favorite place to visit so far?
Oh boy, that’s too hard. Each island has its own unique beauty and wonderful things about it.
We compiled two lists of or favorite Bahama Islands, On and Off the beaten path.
We also LOVE Grenada but there are still so many places we have yet to see!
Health
Do you work out every day?
We try to do some sort of exercise every day. This includes an actual body weight/sandbag circuit, run, swim, hike, or just a long walk with Jetty. When we are in Florida or New York we renew our gym memberships and go religiously. We believe it is VERY important to keep our bodies moving and get our heart-rates up. However, if we are doing a multiple day sail the last thing we want to do is move around a lot.
Do you wear sunscreen?
Yes! Sunscreen is super important. The sun is extremely strong and can do major damage if we are not careful. We wear Raw Elements sunscreen to protect our skin, polarized sunglasses for our eyes, and usually a hat and UPF shirt as well.
Money, Money, Money
How do you make money while living on a boat?
We have been lucky enough to turn making videos for YouTube into a full-time job. We have multiple different sources of revenue to keep us diversified but they all stem from our audience on YouTube. These income sources include Google ads, Patreon, sales from our online store (The Tula Shop), affiliate marketing, and every once in awhile a sponsor deal. We use to work seasonal jobs and save up to travel for a few months at a time. For more info about our income click here.
How much does it cost to live on a boat?
Here are our expenses from 2018. Obviously, it all depends on your own needs, where you are, and what kind of boat you have.
Clothing and Accessories
What bathing suits does Sierra wear?
Living on a boat I have quite a few. Some of my favorites include MGSurfline, Jolyn, Vaya Island, Kovey, Cheeky Carlyle swim, or anything I can find on sale.
Where can I get Billy’s straw hat?
We now carry them in The Tula Shop😉
Where are Sierra’s whale and tiger shark leggings from?
Our friends at Waterlust make a bunch of crazy cool sea creature leggings and now board shorts too!
Gear
What dive gear do you use?
We both use Cressi Freediving fins. Billy wears a Hammerhead Mask and I wear a Mares Mask with a simple cressi snorkel.
What cameras do you use?
Our main camera is a Canon G7X.
All underwater footage is from a GoPro 7 or 6.
We use an old DJI phantom 3 standard for drone flying while sailing and a Mavic Air for all other areal shots. Sierra’s camera for taking still shots is a Sony a6000.
What paddle board do you have?
We have a Flying Fish Bermuda Inflatable SUP that we left in the states (big mistake! NEVER leave without an inflatable paddleboard!)
Our Surf SUP is a Flying Fish Board Co. board as well. Billy helped John, the owner, design it and it is perfect for performance longboard style sup surfing.
I hope this answered any questions you may have had. If you have any questions that were not answered feel free to ask!
Thank you for reading, watching, and being a part of our crew.
We love you all!
~Sierra
Awesome adventure you two are having! I wish they had YouTube when I was your age because I would have done the same thing in documenting my adventures of sailing and free diving. It really seems as though you two have an awesome relationship together that is full of love. Well, your videos show that side of it anyways.
Do you both live in Florida whwn you aren’t sailing ?
What happened to Marlin?
Billie & Sierra,
I have thoroughly enjoyed your videos and am very envious!!
Billie you remarked a few videos ago that you have to constantly clean electrical connections because of the salt air and corrosion. I am in the electronics business, lived on the coast in Corpus Christi, Texas and have had 3 sailboats and a number of power boats. Both in business and boating I rely on a product called Tronic Kleen. It is wonderful for all types of electronic connections; plugs, jacks, power supplies, bulb sockets etc. It is safe on plastics, contains no Freon TF and comes with a straw that you insert in the nozzle to get into small places or jacks in units.
If there is a way to ship you a can directly, I would be happy to do so. I buy it by the case (12 cans) for only $50.65. If you go direct you have to buy by the case. Four Star Chemical 3137 E. 26th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90058 (323) 266-7111, orders@FourStarChemical.com.
Keep up the great videos and smooth sailing. With much respect to you both and Jetty, George
Thank you for keeping your videos clean, wholesome, educational and fun. My grandsons, ages 7 and 8, love to watch with me. I never worry about inappropriate content. We have a 28′ cruiser we use for coastal adventures and we delight in keeping up with you guys. Keep up the good work – and stay safe!!
Billie, sorry your having engine problems and I should have sent you a message the first time you mentioned the trouble. I’ve been a diesel mechanic for over 35 years and when you mentioned the fact that your dipstick was being blown out that’s not a good thing. The very first thing I would have done is a compression test on the engine especially given their age and hours of use. A compression test would have to be performed by a mechanic with the proper adapter to fit your Yanmar engine. It’s not an expensive test to have done and will tell you a lot! I really think what you have is just a case of badly worn piston rings. If this is the case they could be replaced with a minimal expense if you purchase a repair manual for that engine and do most of the time consuming labor yourself. It’s not rocket science especially when you have a manual that tells you step by step.
Hi Billy,
In the introduction of your video in the part when you are kiteboarding, is a shark trying bite you?
Happy New Year
Roy
Hey guys me and my husband love your videos! The two of you are such an inspiration!!! Quick question on one of your earlier videos I believe it was the one valentine’s day you were on the trawler you mentioned about making a trip to Patagonia… did you ever make it?
01/07/2020
I have a dock available for your use at West End, Grand Bahama in Old Bahama Bay. Nice beach, pool, marina, restaurant, and exercise equipment room.
Call 407 855 2526.
Dr. Dave
Oh man thanks so much!! Would it fit our 20′ beam? any chance you could shoot us an email? Tulasendlesssummer@gmail.com
I would like all signed autographed photos of the three of you and girlfriend in bikinis signed bikinis calendars I hope you’re all safe and well what is the weather like there it is snowing in Scotland snowed in fan of yours in Scotland Stephen Melvin 13Northwood drive newmains
Billy what sandals are you wearing when you hike? Are they waterproof?
When are you two getting married?
Roger/Athens Ga
Hello Billy, just curious. Your cat is a Crowther Spindrift correct? I was watcher another YouTuber, Sailing Zingaro, his cat is also (was) a Spindrift. Zingaro’s hull came apart, could have been a real disaster but he managed to get it to land. Have you seen this and if so how it the structure of your hull holding up?
Love your channel and stay safe
Hi Guys, my wife and I sail a 42 foot cat ( an Australian design called a Hitchhiker, designed by John Hitch who was very good friends with the bloke that designed you boat, Lock Crowther ) we just almost completed full refit and as part of that we are changing the rigging to dyneema. I’ve organized all the dyneema and all the other bits and pieces including a black cover sleeve for the dyneema. I’m starting the splicing very shortly and I would like to ask you if you can explain how you got the sleeve over the dyneema. it doesn’t look easy to get the sleeve over a 15m piece of dyneema, but I think the cover is a very good idea. maybe you have some advice.
we enjoy your videos.
Kind regards,
Doug and Carmen
S V Living Water
Sierra, you mentioned in a post you have a favorite pair of shoes that can hike and go into the water. Are they keen’s? What type are they exactly?
Why are you selling the catamaran? Buying another boat? Or going back to land?
Ok Guys,
So now we know it’s a Seawind, but is it the 1190s with daggerboards and outboards, or the slightly larger 1260 with mini keels and inboards?
Tim
Hi guys. Just a thought and a suggestion. The mounting between the camper and the truck needs a little give . On the front if you extend the steel shaft down lower you can install a heavy spring below the bed. You can then tension it accordingly. I couldn’t see the rear system but I believe you can probably do it similarly. The reason for this is that the body will flex. If there is no give it will strain the hard connection points on the camper and the bed. Just a suggestion. But all the truck camper manufacturers recommend this.
Hi..this is Mike & Cindy Manbeck..we live in Charleston SC….we have 24 foot pontoon…We love your videos..they are all outstanding…We are so happy that you are getting a new cat..great choice..Seawind builds a beautiful boat..I was wondering what size Seawind are you getting..?..also I hope that you find good home for old boat…you guys have done alot of work on her..I love my t-shirt that I bought from you…if you ever get by Charleston we would love see both of you…God speed enjoy your time up north for the holidays…stay safe and healthy….Mike & Cindy…
Will you be getting your pirate shirts back in stock that u r out of? Also do you have a camera u use for videoing outdoor shots? Besides the go pro and drone? I’m looking for something small that does video and has zoom capability, if u may recommend something thanks so much!!!! Love u guys so much❤️
Hi,
Thanks for the great content. I just discovered your channel and I am binge watching.
I have some questions about the Corsair 880 as follows:
1. Can you reef the self tacking jib? Just by furling part of the jib in as you would a non self tacking jib on a furler?
2. How hard would be to reef the self tacking jib and main sail if single handing? What are the steps? What type of difficulty did you have as mentioned reefing on your first solo sail? Was it just unfamiliarity or something that on what you have to do to reef a Corsair is relatively difficult?
3. Can you “heave to” in a Corsair 880? Have you tried it? How did it go?
Regards,
Peter A Cole
Hi,
Many thanks for the great vids.
Would it be possible to add the fish fighting belt to your Amazon store or please let me know the name/brand and where to buy it.
Regards,
Joseph
Hey!
tell us more if you can about your next boat.
my wife loves the catamarans so we charter one every so often.
i love the speed of tri, plus we had one when i was a kid so …
i know the cats have more space but how do you give up the speed long term?
Hello. I am a big fan. I live in Michigan and I heard your coming to Michigan I would like to see you even if it’s seeing you just gas up your truck. I live in Muskegon Michigan on lake Michigan. I’ve been watching you for about two years and I’ve seen all of your videos.jlt3442@yahoo.com
Hello,
You may wish to update the FAQ’s now that a wedding is pending for 2022.
(it cut out before I finished)
Congrats on the wedding,
Kindest regards,
Donner
Is there a cruising guide to the Gulf Coast of FL that you would recommend?
Hi guys, we noticed you are in our beloved u.p. We have been following you for three years or so. If you aren’t hell-bent on leaving the u.p. extremely soon, we would love to do a meet-up and treat you to dinner and drinks. This needs to happen before you are too far away. We love your work, keep it up.
Eric and Leigh, Cedarville, MI
71922182330
Simple question: Would you comment on the pros and cons of blue water sailing in the 880?
I love your videos and watch all the time. My wife and I are shopping for a boat probably a trawler. I was wondering if you had insurance on yours and who did you go through? I’m hearing scary stories about insuring an old boat. Keep up the vids and good luck to you guys. Thank you
I watched your latest video and realized your wearing rain pants on deck while the boat is moving. Seems this would be dangerous if you should fall in the ocean. What would prevent ocean water from filling the water proof pants and taking you beneath the surface. Can you escape from the rain pants? Are you wearing a life jacket?
Concerned for your Safety. I have followed you for many years and met you in Bahamas. You making boating fun!
Gene
What was the brand and model of the projector you got to watch movies onboard?
I have a question, you’ve probably already answered, But! Here it is. How did you buy your most resent Cat ? My wife and I are planning to buy a new cat and wondered how you went about purchasing yours. Did you use a broker, or could you deal directly with the factory. I watch your videos and noticed that when you received your new boat, it seemed like you delt with the shipping directly, and not through a broker. I also noticed you personally hired a rigger to step your mast. Did you purchase your boat directly from the factory? Looked like you guys were trying to do as muchnas possible on your end to buy the boat. Would you recommend the best way to purchase a new cat?