The Ultimate Guide to Sailing Nahao
Here's Everything You Wanted To Know
Joshua Smith
Founder and Editor at Cruising Freedom
This is the definitive guide on Sailing Nahao for 2023.
Over the last few years, I have spent 75 hours watching and researching everything I could about Sailing Nahao as their channel is so captivating.
Because I really am *that* obsessed with Ben and Ashley! 
If you wanted to know:
➔ How Ben and Ashley afforded their boat
➔ How they make their money today
➔ What boat they have and its upgrades
➔ How you can start crossing oceans
Then you’ve definitely come to the right place.
Many consider this site to be the Wikipedia of the YouTube cruising community.
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…. 🙂
Sailing Nahao FAQs (January 2023)
Boat Name
Sailing Nahao, previously named Marheva.
Crew Members
Ben Stobbart (age 39)
Ashley Stobbart (age 41)
Willa Stobbart (age 2)
Their son Bodhi Stobbart was born in November 2021.
The Boat
Nahao is a 2005 Lagoon 410.
This often isn’t consider a blue water cruising catamaran as it’s best for the charter market.
And yet, Ben and Ashley have made it work for their cruising adventures.
Upgrades
Nahao has had many upgrades:
➔ A Code Zero and Main Sail
➔ 1200w of solar panels + D400 mount
➔ 3000W Victron inverter
➔ Iridium Go + Antenna
➔ Badelf GPS puck + iPad for navigation
➔ New Dacron Sailbag which Ashley made herself
➔ New Hardtop custom-made by Just Catamarans
➔ 10ft Inflatable Dingy with 15hp outboard
This video explains some of their favorite gear:
Location
Nahao is currently in Madagascar:
Past Cruising
Nahao has been sailed extensively to:
➔ North America
➔ Venezuela
➔ The Panama Canal
➔ Columbia
➔ The South Pacific (Coconut Milk Run)
➔ New Zealand
➔ Papua New Guinea
➔ Indonesia
Affording It
After the loss of Ashley’s father, Ben and Ashley worked hard, invested and sacrified much for 7 years to afford their catamaran. The boat cost approximately $320,000 and required additional work to be cruiser-ready.
Net Worth
As of 2023, Sailing Nahao has an estimated net worth of $1,670,000 USD. This is based on the value of their boat, online income and stock portfolio.
Making Loot
In 2023, Sailing Nahao makes money on YouTube with:
➔ YouTube advertising revenue
➔ Affiliate links on their website
➔ Ben works daily on his startup
➔ Selling sailing fan merchandise
➔ Brand sponsorship with Precision Sail Loft, OceanRodeo, Steiner Optics and Brnkl
It’s estimated that their combined income averages $10,000/month which is enough to allow them to keep sailing.
Collaborations
Sailing Nahao hasn’t collaborated with any YouTube channels, however, they have a close connection with Sailing Zatara.
Big Moments
Sailing Nahao’s remarkable moments in cruising:
➔ A video on defending against pirate attacks
➔ Catching some seriously big fish while sailing
➔ Coming across a sinking catamaran on an Atoll
➔ Assisting with an amazing boat build in Indonesia
➔ Crashing into a rock after 4 years of cruising
➔ Being approached at sea while cruising
➔ Almost getting arrested in the Maldives
This is perhaps their scariest encounter where they were almost boarded in Seychelles:
Future Plans
Sailing Nahao have become quieter on their YouTube channel since the arrival of Willa. They have done shorter coastal cruising trips.
Due to Bodhi’s recent birth, the family had temporarily stopped sailing and filming, instead re-publishing older content plus life updates.
Now they’re in the Maldives and we’re not so sure where they’re off to next.
Key Takeaways
There is much we can learn from Ben and Ashley:
➔ Living on a catamaran is normal
➔ You can cruise and work remotely
➔ A production catamaran is still fine
➔ Affording a boat requires some sacrifice
➔ Work hard so you can live your dreams
Conclussion
In the wise words of Ben and Ashley: Never grow up.
We look forward to seeing their adventure continue with their two children too. This would be the ultimate #worldschooling experience.
Creating Your Own Cruising Freedom
Hey! 😃 It’s Joshua again….
Clearly I’ve been very inspired by Ben, Ashley and their travels…
Some say I’m obsessed, but sailing the world is my childhood dream.
Nahao is living the dream, but that dream isn’t actually that far away.
Earlier I mentioned about finding the perfect cruising business model.
With this exciting opportunity, I’ll be able to:
➔ Generate a sustainable $15,000/month with proof (yes, seriously!)
➔ Fund the purchase of my first sailing catamaran without any loans
➔ Do it without selling to friends & family (’cause that’s icky, am I right?!)
➔ Share my lifetime passion of sailing, cruising and global adventures
Curious to learn more? Jump on the free training right now. 🔥