Everything You Always Wanted To Know
Joshua Smith
Founder and Editor at Cruising Freedom
This is the definitive guide on Bums On A Boat for 2023.
Over the last 4 years, I have spent around 25 hours watching and researching everything I could about Bums On A Boat to learn more about their story.
(Yes, I really am *that* obsessed with Joel and Michal’s channel 😃)
If you wanted to know:
➜ How Bums On A Boat afforded their boat
➜ Ways they make their money today
➜ What boat do they have and its upgrades
➜ How much they are worth today
➜ Other juicy secrets that aren’t on YouTube
Then you’ve definitely come to the right place.
Before we start, a quick introduction 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… 🙂
Bums On A Boat FAQs (January 2023)
Boat Name
S/V Chak Matay
Crew Members
Joel Schuster (age 32)
Michal Emily Schuster (age 31)
They are originally from Washington State but now sail full-time
The Boat
Bums On A Boat own a 33-foot yacht built in 1965.
Upgrades
They have upgraded their boat with
➜ ARB Fridge
➜ Cockpit bimini
➜ New V-berth cushions
➜ B&G Instruments
➜ New dinette cushions
The boat is still a work in progress.
Location
The couple has since separated:
Past Cruising
In the last few years, they have sailed in Florida, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Grenada, Greece and the Dominican Republic.
Affording It
Joel and Michal spent a mere $30,000 for their yacht which they bought with personal savings. Both had worked hard over several years and saved diligently. After selling their cars and most of their personal possessions, they had just enough to purchase their home on the water.
Net Worth
In 2023, Bums On A Boat has a net worth of $120,000.
They emphasize that they don’t have much money but regardless, they’ve made their dreams come true through ambition, will and never giving up.
Making Loot
They treat their YouTube channel as a part-time business and make $2,600/month by:
➜ Selling their own official BOAB merchandise
➜ Running a Patreon account with active subscribers
➜ Linking to Amazon with the camera gear they use
➜ Sales of MIchal’s book ‘The Art of Becoming’ which is available in eBook and Audiobook formats
They also receive the occasional PayPal donation.
Collaborations
I have Bums on a Boat also featured on the Sailing Lady Africa channel.
They are still growing their channel and haven’t been featured on any other established channels. Once they do, I’ll definitely be updating this. 🙂
Big Moments
Here are some notable things that have happened:
➜ Suffering an exploding propeller
➜ Getting smashed by a squall
➜ Being adrift in a Hurricane
➜ Watching 11 boats drag anchor
➜ Suffering a cracked hull
➜ Joel’s friends’ boat demasted
➜ Almost abandoning hope more than once
It’s been quite the journey but they keep smiling!
Future Plans
Where to next? Probably the South Pacific, and we can’t wait to cross paths!
Key Takeaways
There is a lot that we can learn:
➜ Learn through real sailing experiences
➜ Buy a cheap boat that can sail just fine
➜ Be willing to take some calculated risks
➜ Find a partner who’s happy to sail with you
And of course, have a ton of fun!
Conclusion
I’ve been watching them for a while and there’s never a dull moment. Joel and Michal share many of the same values as myself, and I’ll be tuning in for years to come!
Create Your Own Cruising Freedom
Hey! 😃 it’s Joshua again…
I’ve been very inspired by Bums On A Boat and their travels…
Some say I’m obsessed, but sailing the world is my childhood dream.
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 my first 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…🙂)
