How We Accidentally Made It Big On YouTube

You guys are awesome. This video made me realise how long I have enjoyed watching your journey, I’ve finally figured out patreon… and I am on board. Well and truely overdue but Im here! Keep about the adventures with your little monsters!

Damn right, you should be proud. I have loved every minute 👍🏼

WELL DONE! You've enriched so many lives, and inspired many others, while recording your own experiences that will last your life time! So get out some Red, and CHEERS TO THE FUTURE!!!

When my wife and I started watching you only had 5 videos. We feel like we've been there since the beginning. Thank you SO much for sharing your life with us. I can't tell you how much better it is, even with the bad times, than television (OmG, don't get us started).

A few years ago I read the CNN article about your sailing adventures while in Barcelona. After reading the article I watched my first few videos and really enjoyed the two of you and you free spirited adventures! The next day as I walked off the jet in Charleston Riley past by me trying to catch a flight out! He had just left La Vagabonde at the city marina and was headed home! Well we became Patreon’s and have loved following your life and adventures immensely!

Love…that’s all I see.

... and for anyone interested in sailing, I am just back from circling the British Isles anti-clockwise, and can report that the Lochs and Isles of Western Scotland and Ireland are just beautiful, nearly empty too. I swear the dolphins were responding to my whistles in Donegal Bay.

Hey, I have been watching, off and on, for years now (maybe 5 ?), it has been an amazing journey. Please don't burn yourselves out, looking after 2 kids and a boat is a lot, even without movie making. Your editing skills are now (nearly) National Geographic level.

What a story. My fiance and I have started watching from the beginning, my second time, her first. It would feel almost glib to say that you guys are amazing, though you are. I think you're authentic and kind, cautious but adventurous. You are two wonderful young Australians.

My wife and I are sorry to hear Elayna’s album isn’t her favorite. We put it on the Sonos when we cook dinner all the time! Particularly after a rough day.

You two are truly amazing! My love for zea adventures live through SLV. I can hardly wait for more vids.

This was a brilliant idea for a video. Really enjoyed the look back. Riley's set decoration, ... Lol. Looking forward to Part 2 of the look-back. Amazing journey and I love being able to come along. Thanks for continuing to point us in the direction of expanding our minds, too, ... totally appeals to the college science prof in me!

Well done!!!

Elay check this out. I just saw this on YouTube and it totally made me think of you because you’re such a superhero. https://youtu.be/rP4ovacUN9I.

Really interesting. I remember some of the early days and wondering what this was all about. Huh, two Australians meet on a Greek Island, boy meets girl. How probable is that? And the times where I couldn’t find a video … weren’t they on an adventure crossing? Maybe internet is a problem. I hadn’t quite realized that I was looking forward to the next video. My retired friends frequently talk about the sailboat they want/are getting/etc. I say, watch this series and remember how old you are. At 70 are you up for this? And it’s not all about meeting pretty women on Greek Islands. What a wonderful journey. I have a cabin on an island peninsula. That is my ocean sojourn. And I believe I was called by the ocean to get closer. So now I have my cabin where I try to spend as much time as possible, but the world constantly seems to try to pull me away. I can’t wait to get back is a frequent thought.

I have been following you on here for the past 5 years. It was your personality, your humor, the love of living and lets not forget the cringey videos that got me hooked. Amazing recap of how it all started. Thanks for sharing and letting us experiance it through your eyes.

Only channel I watch with a smile on my face the whole time no matter how down I may feel!! Love you guys!

You are welcome, but it is I who have to 🙏 you💯% ! ……. You should know; All the disagreements it has caused with my wife Who does not want to sail😅 And yes Riley, I feel that the amygdala does get bigger when I got my two girls🥲

Absolutely incredible!!!! You two have come so far and should be extremely proud. It’s so interesting being someone who’s followed your journey since the beginning and watched you grow. I remember the day exactly when ur video popped up on my laptop. I was in a pretty bad place mentally and the amount of joy and hope your videos brought into my life. I can’t even explain. Thank you so much, u two are a true inspiration and we appreciate all ur hard work to make it all possible xxx

I've just watched the whole video no problems, noticed some of you guys are having trouble. I'm in Western Australia, not sure if it's got to do with location.. good luck 😊

The bangs, can't stop thinking He-Man 🤣

Up and viewing again7:53est. Last comment

Aaaa nope not available again 7:46est ; they must be working on it - - - tech clutch

9/13 oops

Visio back up 8/13, 7:42EST

also do we know when next video is due to be posted? 🥰🥰🥰

Same here, I am unable to watch the video - also inspired to watch from the beginning and I get the same message from episode 5 - I believe.. hopefully they will get this fixed

Same here watched a bit of it yesterday but today it's saying this video is private.....?

I can't watch either... It's working now...

Yea, Watch video 9/10 but today gray screen says, “private” ; sign in if patron to view. But, I’m signed in, but video 9/8/21 still not available for viewing. Does anyone know whats up with this?. Can see everything else on my acct., and comment here.

I can’t seem to watch the video..it says it’s unavailable?☹️

I was laying in bed early last year's summer with a wave of heavy long-covid. All my plans faded, I didn't have the energy for the most normal things, like showering or cooking a small meal. I used to be an active much normal 30 year old, always with a bucket load of plans in my pocket of what to try next. And now I wasn't able to do anything. It became a depressive, and frightening situation, especially since no one ever heard about long-covid back then and no one knew if it might be a different illness altogether. During on of the first weeks of my "troubles" I discovered your channel. I started watching from the early episodes. Your kindness and your soft style realy took me in. I was rooting with you all the way up to now-time. The adventures you lived through gave me some light at the end of that awfull tunnel I had to walk through and I was able to relive a sort of summer vacation from my bed. I guess its not always easy to see what digital work achieves, but rest assured you gave me some of the hope and lighthearted joy I needed. Gladly became a patreon. Thank you for your work and dedication <3

same :(

Can’t watch the video…it’s on private…how can i watch it ? I am a Patreon already

So much love. Well said.

And we love you!!!! Your relationship with one another and with life is just the best. And the sailing and adventures are awesome as well. Thanks for this!❤️❤️❤️

Great video and a prime example of why you’re the #1! sailing couple on YT. So nice to listen to you talk about what’s going on in your thoughts and lives. Without the silly canned dialogue: “Are you super excited about going to the store?!!!” I’m the stink pot guy living and exploring for 5 years now on a trawler. Riley expressed it so well. I can’t imagine living another life or being away for a long period of time. We met twice when you were in Newport. I commented on one of your videos not long after that how genuine and humble you are and that still shines through your videos today. Keep it up. Can’t wait to see the tri.

Love to you all!! Looking forward to your next adventure. And Riley have you considered a “ Rod Stewart” haircut! That would look great on you!🥰🥰🥰💕❤️💜

Love

I was 13 when the first episode came out. I remember stumbling across it during class, on my brand new ipad that I was supposed to be using for my first year at high school. That night I played it for my dad saying "look how cool!!! did you know people did this?!!". At 13 the idea of sailing around the world was as fictitious as the 'Pirates of the Caribbean'. What followed was late nights with my dad watching movies like the mostly silent 'all is lost' (which came out around that time) and other classics like 'Captain Ron' waiting for another Sailing La Vagabonde movie to appear. When they did, I would watch, rewatch and then watch again until another showed. Not long after, I was assuring my dad..."one day i'm gonna do what they're doing, you know". So I started sailing at my local sailing club. As I grew, I watched the channel do the same, moving away from 'the good bad and the ugly' theme song and into refined and polished creative content. Im now 20, currently studying and working as a sailing instructor teaching the trade to children, adults and individuals living with disability. I still cant get over that I get paid to do it! Watching this retrospective look back on all the content was in a way personally nostalgic as every little clip brought me back to the time when I first watched the episode. Being stuck in Melbourne lockdown when mental health is at an all time low, this episode (which I know was probably sparked from the youtube algorithm monster) took me on an unexpected ride through my adolescence. Only recently was I in a position to become a patreon, ive been wanting to do it for a while as a way for I guess paying back for the inspiration, guidance and role modelling that honestly shaped me as a person. Im not usually someone that comments but I thought id post about these past 6 years from a 'followers' perspective. And I guess more personally as a means to voice my thanks...... so thanks!

I began watching you about two years ago while recovering from cancer surgery. I had just purchased a bigger sailboat but was having to put plans on hold until I got well. Your videos along with a couple others really helped keep my spirits up. Thank you! Fair winds!

it was meant to be for you two, so happy to see so much joy and adventure in your lives, you guys are blessed!

Loved Adam's Amygdala bit that Riley shared, never heard Dad's got the effect as well, yet another amazing gem of knowledge you have shared.

I discovered you guys in March 2020 while I was sick with covid-19 and binge watched from the beginning (14 day quarantine). The first video saw was Riley's rant on why catamarans were safer. I guess I was in early "adopter" of covid but took a while to find you guys. Became a patreon a couple months later. You guys are enjoy to watch and I'm very thankful.

😊⛵ noticed a ring on your left hand Elayna.

You guys don't understand what you have done for me! I was very ill a few years ago when I came across your channel. I was raised in Victoria British Columbia and my dad use to take us for weeks on end on the Pacific in our 24 ft bayliner. Years later I now am in Toronto Canada. I had this deep yearning for the ocean and your guys videos popped up when i was very low. Let me tell you i binged watched the shit of all your content as it truly let me escape in to the deep blue providing me with extreme healing on a soul level through your content. My favourite content is your earlier videos and this just brought so many happy vibes! love you guys I owe you a lot

Hey guys, I jumped in at video no.3. Haven‘t sailed a mile, haven‘t even been on a sailboat back then. After learning to sail in Berlin and on North Sea/Baltic, I started skippering with a friend of mine in saronic gulf in 2017. We arranged some cabin charter cruises. On one of them I met a beautiful girl I totally fell in love with. Now we have two kids (Elias 2y 6m, Eila 6m). Sadly we are only vacation sailors until now, but we are training hard for our own boat, the med, the atlantic,… my kids and I are ready. Just my wife needs to tackle her sea sickness. Long story short: thank you for so many great years. Wouldn’t have the life I have without the two of you! Thank you!

The video set up is very much appreciated 😉 Love this video, thanks for the insights!

🥲

Love it love it love it!!!! Thank you so much for taking us along, providing us with a way to see the world from a different point of view. Keep it up, can't wait to join you on your next adventure! And extra points for the Dutch song at the end :-)

I got teary eyed watching this! Love looking back on your journey and feel so lucky to get to share in your exciting adventures. Thanks 😊

thank you for sharing, so happy for you guys and your adventure. I think it's amazing the life you guys live and that you get to share the adventures with your kids. We've been subscribers for a few years, and will continue on. Good luck on your new adventure back on the old boat and cheers!

Started watching in year 9 now I have just left Uni and have a full time job. How time flies. Great watching you guys can’t wait to see the new boat.

I discovered your channel a month ago and I am binging your movies ever since. ☺️ I absolutely love your story and it got me back into sailing a bit more now! My parents are sailors for 20 years now (not full time though). As a child/teen I was never much interested in it all and now I can’t wait to see more of your journey and get back on my parents boat again! THANK YOU 💙

Thank you SOOOOO MUCH for creating and sharing this “How it all began” story. We found out about you sometime in 2018 and have been loyal and huge fans since the first video we watched. Thank you for all the hard work and creativity!

I’m so grateful to be able to watch you guys and experience sailing through your videos ! Love you guys so much

Love you guys !

You guys are truly the poster family for the artistic, cosmos energy, God!!

Awesome video! Thanks guys! I'm all teary now too!

not even two minutes in im crying

Big love to you guys! I was watching some of your older episodes yesterday thinking it’s insane how far you both have come. So much of what’s happening to you two just seems like fate.

Yep, you nailed it, flat out, and its my pleasure to be a patron. Now get back out there damnit! ;) Although you've also nailed being on shore.

We love you guys!!!

We love you too... the whole family.

Ok just finished watching……….seriously l got emotional when Riley got emotional…. WTF 😂

Guys, that was epic. Thank you so much for sharing and for making me teary, once again... You both are so genuine and I hope you know how many of us that you've never met in person love you like family. Keep being awesome and you know we can't wait for the next one! Cheers!

Such wonderful memories. I’ve been watching for 6+ years and still look forward to the videos. Elyana thank you for your persistence in the early years. Riley you are a very lucky man. Fully understand when you get emotional. Hard not when you look at what you two have accomplished and your wonderful family. Jack

A lot of flashes from the past. I remember most of them and appreciate the ride you've given me for the last six years. Yeah, I was one of those first 70,000.

What a video guys! One of my favourites for a while, just so nice to reminisce and reflect sometimes and you both do it so well and so honestly on camera! Xx

love it that your loving it!

Even though we will probably never meet, I like to consider you all my friends. I joined you just before the Outremer and have been enjoying your adventures since. Thanks for sharing this with us and any part of your life is of interest to us. I am sure I can speak for most of the community. Love you guys and wishing you well on this next chapter whether it be the Outremer or the Rapido.

Elay, Riles, little Lenny and Dars....I have been watching your story unfold for three years now. You are such an inspiration! Keep doing what you do because you are making a difference for good in peoples lives.

I don't know what the best words are to express how proud of you guys and how happy I am for you, your accomplishments and your journey! Simple words, BIG feeling! xoxoxoxo.

I’ve been watching for years. It’s fun to hear about your evolution. I had to laugh because your “set” looks so much like the “between two ferns” videos.

Riley, I know your parents must be very proud of the young man you have become. I am 65yrs old and just saw a side of you that you try to keep hidden. It is called sensitivity. You are a great father and your boys will be great young men having you teach them all the things you will while growing up on the boat. With Alaina by your side Anything is possible for the 4 of you. She is Ying to your Yang. Together you make an amazing couple. Keep it up. Love from Florida.

We all can’t thank you enough for letting us be apart of your journey! ♥️

Awe, guys this video is awesome, seriously so much fun to watch. First, the opening is so great, really well done. Next, wow Elayna was such a baby, not that she's old now but wow she was so young (and without bangs:-)). I love the part where Riley says "the relationship was fairly new so I probably wasn't too rude", made me laugh because we are on our best behavior early on in relationships but things to change, not that we're rude but the filters come off, made me chuckle. I know you guys think the early video's are "cringe worthy" but trust us patrons, they are so endearing to us and it's so important to see where you started. They really are fun to go back and watch. I had to laugh at the set design comment, I did take notice of the symmetrical nature and thought it very intentionally framed the speaker on camera, well done Riley. I just want to close with one thought, while we patrons enjoy and look forward to your videos, it's important that you not become a slave to it. Do it if YOU enjoy it not because you feel you have to. To thine own self be true. Peace and Love.

This is exactly why I love you guys and support you. You are hard workers, and the YT success was accidental and very reluctant initially on Riley's part. His discomfort in early videos is clear (and hilarious)!

Love your story that has now evolved into a family story. Keep of the epic work and thank you for inviting us into your story!

Been watching a long time and knew some of the story, but it is always good to revisit it. The two of you spawned an unbelievable number of sailing channels, but you blazed the trail. I only watch you and Sailing Uma, partly because Dan is Canadian like me, but there is something about watching a family growing right from the start. In some small way, we're all family thru the two of you. The Bahamas is not doing too well with COVID so when you go there stay cautious and be careful.

Riley and Elayna - loved this video and seeing you vulnerable Riley - what a great man you are to be willing to share that...we all love you.

Hi Elayna and Riley! So good to see your story. It's good timing, just before the "next" chapter in your life takes off!

Thanks so much for this great thoughtful video 🤗 I love watching and I’m so happy for your success. What a wonderful adventure! As a grandma, who doesn’t get to see her grandkids very much, you both and your little ones are endeared to me. Take care and I’m so happy I joined your Patreon page.

So many memories! ...and more to come! Thanks for this 1 & we all wait for the next adventures! You do, we watch! Luv'ya!

I luv ur story! You guys you both are so fun & cheerful. sometimes I watch ur older videos while I’m working on my computer just because you make me feel cheerful🥰 I really like how you luv your fans, making videos, and your place in life. and being a wife & married for more than 30 years, I do think we forget to thank each other for our parts in building our lives. So, I want you two youngins to really thank each other for all you both have done! Riley, I totally get how hard it is to allow yourself to be out in front of the public being such a humble guy. Elayna, thank you for your persistence! You had a vision. Some women would give up with resistance especially in a new relationship! And Riley, you really have the most amazing patience. You both have such a humble, happy & loving spirit! ❤️ You make a great team! So cheers to all you have done! So looking forward to getting to hang out and see all you will do! Cheers to new adventures! 🥂

Great video, am quietly proud to be one of those 70k. We had just started having kids and given up our charter boat in the BVI and needed a sailing fix to supplement the biennial charters that replaced it. Loved the trip down memory Lane, there must be loads of scope for more? How about a lighthearted (or heartfelt) series on LVB cooking and catering over the years😂

Aw that was lovely! Thank you.

I liked the sound effects when Riley talk about the link that sounded like a camara

great editing

Thank you for sharing

Please get your hair cut.

Great episode!

Yep. That works. Alayna, the artist and Riley, her muse. Still reckon it'll be good seeing the episode where you move into your house (with sauna), on an inlet with a dock for several boats. Or a lot because the boys are running charters. (It's not for the money, it's for the chicks) Yep, it's me too.... a warm fuzzy feeling with each episode. And Riley, I get it. I sometimes feel a little silly when I find myself with tears of joy over your latest. (have been over the lot, several times, and keep finding stuff I missed on earlier viewings). Keep the recycling going.... love it

man!!!! this makes me want to re-watch everything from the beginning. i think it would be awesome for you guys to re-visit some of your old episodes and have you guys react to them.

You know when you are where the universe wants you to be it just clicks. Everything after that is done with tremendous power because it carries a little piece of the source of everything along with it. In case you haven't figured it out yet you don't cry less with age, you cry more! Keeping that in mind is the only way we have to soften the wave when it hits. Life has a lot of things that are counterintuitive like that. How soon to Vietnam?

Even though ive watched all your videos and know the storey it was so cool to hear you talk about the journey like this. Amazing!! and you really are inspiring people who have bought so much joy to my time watching you from at first injured with a broken back, then again after surgery with a busted shoulder. My wife does the big eye roll when I start talking about you guys as if I know you in person hahaha I think you deserve the success you have achieved and should be emotional! look at what you have done together! so freaking awesome!! I did have a chuckle when Riley was saying how he was "rude" back around the time of the 2nd video and getting cranky when Elayna would "sneak off" to edit very funny imagine what may of been if those subsequent videos were never made?? Congrats again guys on your channel and your boys and I look forward to watching along with whatever you share with us down the road

So very well done. Thank you so very much.

Loved this one, how nostalgic! Certainly made me miss my own backpacking experiences! Being on the road and living rough in new places every few days - that kind of freedom is addictive! Good on you both for taking a chance on each other, and this life - thanks for sharing it!

Wow, you have been holding out on us! These retrospective video’s are great. I love hearing the back story of your lives. You need to go back and do a directors commentary on all your episodes and put it out as a box set. I’d buy it. 😀 I think Riley needs to stop cutting his bangs, he’s all emotional now. (Seriously dude, those bangs gotta go!) lol Maddog no more! I can see it know, he’ll be in a trimaran that can do 28 knots in a light wind and he’ll be taking a reef, because “it’s too scary going that fast”. 😂 JK Riley!! Great video guy’s! Keep up the great work!

What an amazing journey. It takes a lot to break the status quo of what you think you SHOULD be doing and just live your life the way you want. You guys handle things well together and are honest in your process. I look forward to seeing you back on the water again. xo

soooooo nice xo

So fun to reminisce and hear about the back story. Keep the good times rolling. Excited to see the crew of 4 back on the water. Any places that you haven’t seen yet in the Caribbean?

It is so weird that you made this video. About two weeks ago I went back and started watching from the beginning. I’m up to episode 50. One of my favourites was when you sat on the bottom of the ocean with your fishing rod. 💜

You guys are an inspiration, thank you🙌🏻. Very happy to be apart of the journey. I might have to go back and watch all the first videos again😆

Hey guys, sent you DM. Hope you can read it.

Elayna's music was the first thing I ever bought from a YouTuber and I still listen to it regularly. What a beautiful voice. I think Riley is correct and if there is any time for it, Elayna should make more music. That purchase of Elayna's music led me to buy the SLV sailing guide and then I subscribed, and now I contribute via Patreon, and also to Australian wildlife centers and whatever else comes along. You should both be very proud. Both of the life you've built on YouTube and of your family. Keep it going guys, you're awesome! ❤️

Thank you for sharing your journey with the world! We love you guys!!!! 🥰🥰🥰

So simple but effective video. Riley got me tearing up too! Thanks for sharing your lives with us. It’s actually lucky us, you guys listened to the possibilities that making simple videos for friends could be shared with the world. ❤️

Nice video! #between two palms... is what Riley was going for. Full baskets are too distracting:)

❤️

Ok straight up just watch first ten min and have a smile. Thank you. Been having a bit of a down day, been in lockdown (Melb) way to much and work is dead so things are a bit on the downer side. Your vid popped up, watch a bit whilst having a bite and now lm smiling again. You guys did that. Freakin awesome 😎

I feel so lucky to be a part of the journey, even if it’s just watching from the sidelines ❤️ what a spectacular story

Madre mia. Dat's one helluva edit job putting that retrospective together. Made me so tired, I'm going to bed!