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Best YouTube Sailing Channels

Posted on by Katamarans

Whether you’re a dreamer, a salty sea dog, or someone just looking to escape the 9-to-5 grind for a few minutes, YouTube sailing channels have become popular entertainment following those chasing adventure on the open ocean.

But what makes a good sailing channel, and which ones are worth subscribing to? Let’s dive in.

What Makes a Good YouTube Sailing Channel?

A great YouTube sailing channel balances a few key ingredients:

  • Engaging storytelling: More than just boat maintenance or wave shots, it’s the human journey that hooks people.
  • Scenery and adventure: Turquoise water, remote islands, dramatic storms — this stuff never gets old.
  • Transparency: Real talk about the highs and lows of the sailing lifestyle goes a long way.
  • Consistency: Regular uploads and a consistent style keep viewers invested.
  • A unique perspective: Whether it’s a family circumnavigating the planet or a couple braving the Arctic, a distinctive voice matters.

When Did YouTube Sailing Channels Start to Be a “Thing”?

Sailing content has always had a niche following, but the genre really took off in the early 2010s. The explosion came around 2014–2016 when channels like Sailing La Vagabonde and SV Delos proved that sailing content could go viral — and even become a full-time career. With the rise of Patreon and YouTube monetisation, cruisers began funding their adventures by sharing them online, and a whole subculture was born.

Some Examples of Great Channels

Here are a few standout channels that have built loyal followings:

  • Alluring Arctic: Stunning high-latitude expeditions
  • Parlay Revival: Rebuilds & wild adventures, having the time of their lives.
  • Sailing Ruby Rose: Great sailing insights on their Seawind 1370
  • Wildling Sailing: Full on restoration and sailing project
  • Erik Aanderaa or NBJS – the opposite of Champagne Sailing
  • Tulas Endless Summer – From a Crowther cat to a Seawind 1170, these guys have mixed it up over the years
  • Cat Great Circle: Stunning drone footage from an Outremer 55
  • Sailing Loveworkx Solo sailing around the world powered by positivity
  • The Cruising Kiwis Fun-loving family sailing the planet on a Belize 43
  • Sailing La Vagabonde – Aussie couple Riley and Elayna have sailed across oceans, had a child on board, and even sailed Greta Thunberg across the Atlantic.
  • SV Delos – Pioneers in the genre, they’ve been documenting life aboard since 2009, with a focus on off-grid living, diving, and exploration.
  • Sailing Uma – Dan and Kika are an artsy, DIY-loving couple who fixed up a cheap electric-powered sailboat and created one of the most stylish channels out there.
  • Sailing Zatara – A family of six who sold everything and went all in — bringing humor, honesty, and parenting on the water into the spotlight.

What Makes Them Great

Each top channel offers something slightly different, but common traits include:

Personality: Viewers fall in love with the people just as much as the places.
Educational value: Whether it’s boat projects, global cultures, passage planning, or life hacks, people love to learn.
Cinematic quality: Drones, underwater footage, and epic sunsets help. Or skiing down a Greenland glacier.
Authenticity: The more real it feels, the better. Yes, even the meltdowns.

The Most Watched YouTube Sailing Channel

That title goes to Sailing La Vagabonde, hands down. With over 1.8 million subscribers and hundreds of millions of views, their combination of travel vlog, family diary, and adventure series has struck a serious chord with viewers worldwide.

The Top 5 Sailing Channels (by Followers)

As of 2025, here are the top sailing YouTube channels based on subscriber count:

Sailing La Vagabonde – ~1.8M+
SV Delos – ~900K+
Sailing Zatara – ~600K+
Gone with the Wynns – ~580K+
Sailing Uma – ~500K+

Which is Better: High Production or “Real” Content?

Here’s where things get personal. Some love the polished, drone-filled, colour-graded videos that look like National Geographic or BBC Earth productions. Others prefer the raw, less-edited, slice-of-life style that feels more like Gonzo journalism with friends. a mix of the two is good, we reckon.

Both have their place. If you’re looking to escape into beautiful visuals, high production is the ticket. But if you want a more intimate look at life afloat — with all its chaos and charm — then the less-polished, “real” content may resonate more.

How Much Money Do the Top Sailing YouTubers Make?

Who knows? That’s their business and good luck to them. If we were to take a stab at it, (and it is a stab), we’d say that income varies widely and depends on several factors:

  • YouTube Ad Revenue: $2–$5 per 1,000 views is common. The top channels can command additional fees from individual video sponsorship deals (eg the AG1 supplement drink advertised by La Vagabonde)
  • Patreon Support: Some channels make $5K–$30K/month from fans alone.
  • Sponsorships & Affiliate Links: Deals with sailing gear brands or tour companies can add thousands per month.
  • Merch & Courses: Selling branded gear or online courses brings in additional revenue.

Estimated monthly earnings for top channels:

La Vagabonde: $50–$60K+ from all sources combined.

SV Delos: ~$30–$40K+

Zatara/Wynns/Uma: Likely $20K–$30K depending on uploads and sponsorships.

It’s a steep sided pyramid. The top channels will earn a large slice of the overall revenue pie, enough to fund full-time travel, boat upgrades (or even loans to purchase), and even save for the future. There’s alot of work involved in this – producing the content, editing, optimising, commercial deals, PR, follower support etc.

Final Thoughts

YouTube sailing channels have turned into a legitimate career path for many. Whether you’re watching to learn, to dream, or to escape, there’s a channel out there for every kind of viewer.

And the best one? It’s personal.

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