Alternative World Sailing Community

[Painted Skies]

Over the last 30 years, I thought I'd heard about most of the cruising communities out here - and was particularly intrigued by the recent attempt at 'sea-steading' in Thailand. But it seems there is always one that flies under my radar...

Yesterday we took a Virgin Australia flight to Perth (on the way to Johannesburg) and read in their in-flight magazine about a group of sailboats that have created an informal floating commune. Here's a photo of the article; its a bit hard to read so I'll just quote it:

"ALTERNATIVE WORLD SAILING COMMUNITY
A caravan of sailing boats, this floating commune of green-living hippies is drawn together by a common vision of sustainable travel. The fleet, lead by the flagship Starseeker circumnavigates the world, experiencing new cultures, taking on hitchhikers, and raising money from performance. They also accept donations of bitcoin on their website."

Starseeker | Alternative World Sailing Community

In a way, I suppose we are all a part of this alternative community - well, except perhaps for the bitcoin part.

[john61ct]

Sounds like a tribe I'd love to join. . .

[Singularity]

Originally Posted by Painted Skies

...In a way, I suppose we are all a part of this alternative community...

I agree with this...just not the commune part, except maybe ad hoc communes with different people coming and going all the time.

I'm reminded of the joke "Introverts of the world unite!! Separately."

[unbusted67]

Originally Posted by Singularity

I agree with this...just not the commune part, except maybe ad hoc communes with different people coming and going all the time.

I'm reminded of the joke "Introverts of the world unite!! Separately."

A cruiser's anchorage is pretty much a commune. LOL

[Mike OReilly]

Pretty much everything about this community appeals to me … except the community part.

[Q Xopa]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Sounds like a tribe I'd love to join. . .

I thought you are more of a regulations and standards sort of guy?

They are indeed living an enviable life style.

I see they are asking for donations for a new engine to continue their nice life.

Where's their pride? If they are fit enough to sail they can surely work to earn their way of life.

So to me they are trying to live on other peoples dime. Wouldnt we all love to do that.

I think most people here will work to buy their new engine. Gainful employment to make some cash, sell, trade some skills or time or help someone or something.

I am currently working away from home and many western comforts in the wilds of Pakistan, away from my family, getting older, etc trying to earn some cash to pay for my boat refit and future cruising.

Most of us have made these sacrafices to buy our freedom.

Ok I'll get off my Soapbox now.

[john61ct]

No harm in asking, those who give voluntarily are being given the satisfaction of helping others, spreading joy in the world.

And no, rules for rules' sake is not my thing. Useful as functional guidelines to follow though. can sometimes help to reduce life's uncertainties

[Q Xopa]

Originally Posted by john61ct

No harm in asking, those who give voluntarily are being given the satisfaction of helping others, spreading joy in the world.

And no, rules for rules' sake is not my thing. Useful as functional guidelines to follow though. can sometimes help to reduce life's uncertainties

I coulda swore I saw you say on many a occasion you wouldnt consider anything not AYBC or UL certified, LFP only chem etc. Musta got you mixed up with someone else.

If handouts are what youre comfortable with.

Most Sailors I meet are not only proudly self sufficient but are also very giving of their time and efforts to help others. To me that is a far greater joy than asking others for the fruits of labours so they dont have to labour.

For someone with such definite views on many things I am impressed by your moral flexibility.

[Bill Seal]

share this alternative culture around the world and self-sustain ourselves financially
Sorta like standing at a freeway off-ramp with a cardbord sign and declaring yourself self sustaining

[category4jay]

This group makes the Delos crew look like 9-5 white collar execs. So I can’t tell but are all these boats together or at different locations in the world as their website shows?

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by Q Xopa

Musta got you mixed up with someone else.

No just mixing limited perceptions with more complex reality. Saying "I'm not judging them for that" has nothing to do with what I myself would want to do or not. Drug use, sex work, hairstyles, monogamy, tattoos, don't do those myself but if you want to, go for it.

[belizesailor]

Self sufficiency thru dependency on others...no peanuts from me.

[model 10]

One of the boats is in the Rio Dulce now (Orfin.) Story is, they had an engine failure coming up the river and then somebody stole their dinghy that same night. They turned out to be amazing musicians for the Rio and are often playing the local. I see they have another dinghy now, so things are looking up for them.

[laika]

Spent some time perusing their links to various projects around the world.. Projects around the globe | Alternative World Sailing Community Some interesting stuff there. A couple dudes building a wooden Ingrid 38 from bare timbers.. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAi...WB1xCp6uuUo0VA

Also cool there are some viable old school shipping companies out there trying to make a go of it.
https://fairtransport.eu/about/
sailcargo inc.

[Sojourner]

OMG THANK YOU!! We're obviously of the slightly-commune bent on Wake already, and I personally spent time in a few myself many moons ago. Auroville in south India, for instance, an amazing amazing non-religious non-sexual commune near Pondicherry... such an interesting, alternative life! Anywhoo, these guys look like a load of fun, wish they were in the Med! Gonna have to hit them up and say hi, if y'all will excuse me...