Everything You Always Wanted To Know
Joshua Smith
Founder and Editor at Cruising Freedom
This is the definitive guide on Back 2 Basics Adventures for 2024.
Over the last several years, I have spent many hours watching and researching everything I could about Jack, Az and Fran to learn more about their story.
(Yes, I really am *that* obsessed with my fellow Aussie YouTube creators 😃)
In this article, I’ll be covering:
➜ How Back 2 Basics Adventures afforded their boat
➜ How they make their money through YouTube
➜ What boat do they have and its upgrades
➜ Who is Fran and does she have uncensored content
➜ If Strick and Fran are still together
➜ How you can start living on boats just like them
So you’re in the right place.
Now before we start, a quick intro from me…
The Cruising Freedom Author
Ahoy, Matey! I’m Joshua from Australia.
I’ve built the perfect business to sail the world.
A business model which can allow me to:
➜ Own a catamaran debt-free
➜ Go for weeks without WIFI
➜ Create semi-passive income
➜ Inspire others to dream big
But more on that later… 🙂
Back 2 Basics Adventures FAQs (2024)
Boat Name
There is no official name for their boat, but they call it the Salty Dingo. This is because of how often they use it and the rough conditions they put it through.
They almost lost their trusty Salty Dingo boat recently in Cyclone Lucas off the Western Australia coast.
Their friends have a small trailerable sailing catamaran called S/V Tiki.
Crew Members
Jack Strickland (age 35) from Queensland, Australia.
Aaron ‘Az’ Gallagher (age 34) from Queensland, Australia.
Tom Strickland (age 36) is also in on some adventures.
But let’s forget about the boys for a minute because Fran is clearly the most popular addition to the Back 2 Basics Adventures YouTube channel and has blown up the views and subscribers.
Strick and Fran
On the 19th of June, 2022, Strick and Fran formed their own channel away from the Back 2 Basics Adventures main channel, calling it B2B Castaways (Strick and Fran) as it was just themselves.
Naturally, the channel become incredibly popular immediately as they brought their audience over from Back 2 Basics Adventures. It doesn’t feature AZ or Tom.
Now, you’re probably keen to find out more about Fran…
Fran’s full name is Francesca Pusceddu and she is 35 years old. She is an avid surfer with a love for spearfishing and snowboarding. Fran’s nationality is half Maltese and half Italian.
I’ve had multiple guys asking me if Fran has an OnlyFans account. The answer is a simple no. She doesn’t offer uncut footage so please stop asking. 👍
They continue to follow a Catch and Cook philosophy while enjoying sailing, kayaking and exploring new frontiers.
And the best news?
Strick and Fran are still together! The reason you don’t see them on Back 2 Basic Adventures is that they now have their own channel. Occasionally, Strick might do a video by himself on there but not Fran.
There was a conspiracy theory that they had separated, but this isn’t the case. I do think Strick will propose to Fran at some stage this year!
The Boat
Back 2 Basics Adventures own a 1995 Haines Hunter V17 fishing boat with registration number PZ338Q.
Sometimes they also use a Sportsman 19ft Riflebird.
Upgrades
They have kitted their main boat out with dive tanks, fish finders, AIS, EPIRB and Chartplotter.
Location
Back 2 Basics Adventures are from Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia.
They have also spent a considerable amount of time in Cooktown, Weipa, Cape York, Torres Strait as well as the Whitsunday Region on the Great Barrier Reef.
Similarities with their channel can be made between them and YBS Youngbloods from Exmouth, Western Australia.
Past Cruising
They have so far explored in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Indonesia.
Affording It
The boys didn’t come from rich parents but simply worked hard as tradies for multiple years, saved up enough cash and then started YouTube several years ago.
It was only their 2nd video that ABSOLUTELY blew up online:
Their infectious nature, ethics for the ocean and sheer authenticity won the hearts of many viewers from around the world, not just in Australia.
They have been able to capitalize on their vast viewership and purchase their recent boat for cash.
Net Worth
Some YouTubers have definitely become millionaires.
As of 2024, Back 2 Basics Adventures are worth a staggering $2,700,000 Australian dollars, or approximately $1,900,000 US dollars.
This is based on their boat’s value, their online business and the strong influence they have in the marine market globally.
As YouTube influencers, they have been offered many free products including fishing equipment and even expensive boats given their large audience on social media.
Making Loot
So then, how do they actually make money on YouTube? I’ve done the research and here’s exactly how they do it…
➜ They sell their own B2B Adventures merchandise
➜ They run their own Patreon account
➜ They also allow ads on their YouTube channel
With this in mind, it’s estimated that the guys from Back 2 Basics Adventures are making $12,700/month on their YouTube channel. Pretty impressive hey?
They don’t accept sponsorships at this stage but are seeking to launch their own range of fishing equipment through their online store.
Collaborations
They have made multiple collabs with other YouTube creators in recent times, and the most notable was the recent video with Sailing La Vagabonde. Many similarities can be made between both channels.
Another channel that has strong similarities is Sailing Nandji. I look forward to seeing a collab with them too!
Big Moments
While they’re bloody fun to watch, they have had some interesting experiences such as:
➜ Breaking their motorboat while towing
➜ Almost hitting their EPIRB and getting rescued
➜ Having a scary encounter while camping on a remote sand strip at night (were they pirates or just Indonesian fishermen?)
➜ Getting fish hooks caught in body parts (ouch!)
But fortunately, they have kept smiling through most of this! But there was this one near-death incident in 2013.
It was Jack’s best mate Az who blacked out while free diving that was the worst experience:
There are many lessons worth learning from that incident. I’m glad that Az is OK and that Jack made the documentary for all of us to learn.
Future Plans
Where to next? With Australia’s borders now fully open, we can expect to see them exploring further afield. Will buy purchase their own sailboat? More than likely!
Even better, I believe one of the major manufacturers will probably sponsor them based on how engaging their videos are!
Edit: My prediction was correct! They just got sponsored by Genesis. 🤩 They definitely deserve every bit of success.
Key Takeaways
What can we learn from the boys?
➜ Create epic content for YouTube
➜ Tell a real story worth sharing
➜ You don’t need an expensive boat
➜ Be willing to take risks for the rewards
And of course, find a beautiful mermaid just like Fran. We all have to agree that she is absolutely gorgeous! 😍
Conclusion
Jack and Az are legends in Australia, paving the way for many of us to explore our own backyards in the pursuit of fun, freedom and fulfillment.
They remind us every that that life is too short.
So what are you waiting for?
Put down your smartphone.
Open the front door.
Pack the car.
It’s time to get out there and explore!
Create Your Own Cruising Freedom
Hey! 😃 it’s Joshua again…
I’ve been very inspired by Back 2 Basics Adventures and their travels…
Some say I’m obsessed, but living on a boat full-time is what I’m planning!
They’re living the dream, but that dream isn’t actually that far away.
I mentioned earlier about discovering the #1 cruising business model.
With this exciting opportunity, I’ll be able to:
➜ Generate a sustainable full-time income through learning basic skills
➜ Fund the purchase of a liveaboard sailing catamaran without any loans
➜ Do it without selling to friends and family (I found a better solution!)
➜ Share my lifetime passion for sailing, cruising and global adventures
Keen to discover more? Jump on the free training right now. 👨🏻💻
(I share more about it on the next page…🙂)