Steering Failure at Sea! Our Tough Sail from Sri Lanka to the Maldives Ep241

We're the Wood family - Woody, Irenka, Rowan, Darroch & Yewan. 8 years circumnavigating on a sailboat with 3 kids
• ~40,000 miles
• ~40 countries & territories
• BOOK RELEASE MAY 2026: "Mothership Adrift: A Dad's Guide to Escaping the Rat Race and Living a Life of Freedom, Travel and Adventure on the Sea with Your Kids"
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🎬 AS FEATURED IN:

▷Amazon Prime's "Adventure in Wonder"
- Sizzle Reel: https://youtu.be/0YJSjKO4js8
- Trailer: https://youtu.be/7OfAmECKj7E
▷The Telegraph: We quit rat race for eight-year sailing adventure
- Read Through: https://youtu.be/5NnprymsWC0
- Article: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activity-and-adventure/eight-year-sailing-adventure/
▷The Telegraph: We spent 8-year sailing around the world. This was the scariest part
- Read Through: https://youtu.be/w7tgipworFE
- Article: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/trips-of-a-lifetime/red-sea-around-the-world-sailing/
▷BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3ep8w192yno
▷BBC South East Today: https://youtu.be/BuJe4VtLLmQ
▷GB News: https://youtu.be/KN5yhpD1csA
▷Newsweek: https://www.newsweek.com/we-are-raising-kids-sea-during-covid19-1530315
▷Yachting Monthly Award Winner: https://youtu.be/Y1icRewwML8
▷Lonely Planet: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/families-living-on-the-sea
▷Full press: https://www.mothershipadrift.com/about
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Preparing to sail from Sri Lanka to the stunning islands of Maldives turned into an adventure we didn’t expect. In this sailing vlog, we take you behind the scenes of what it really takes to prepare a boat for an ocean passage across the Indian Ocean.

Before departure, we explored local markets and some very unusual shopping spots while provisioning the boat. Along the way, we discovered fascinating and sometimes surprising local habits that made the experience even more memorable.

Just when we thought we were ready to go, a last-minute decision to inspect the propeller revealed a serious problem — a thick rope tightly wrapped around it. Luckily we caught it before leaving the harbour.

Once underway on our passage to the Maldives, the trip quickly turned challenging. Strange noises started coming from the steering mechanism and we began experiencing steering problems. To stay safe, we ended up hand-steering the rest of the journey across the ocean — a real test of endurance and teamwork at sea.

After the long passage, arriving in the Maldives felt incredible. Our agent met us at the boat along with officials from the different authorities to complete the formal arrival procedures — a unique part of entering this beautiful island nation by yacht.

Join us for the full story of preparation, unexpected problems, and the rewarding arrival after an unforgettable offshore passage.

If you enjoy real sailing adventures, boat life, and honest cruising stories, make sure to subscribe and follow along for the next episode of our journey.
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MUSIC CREDITS:
'The Nest' & 'Memorized' by Josh Woodward
Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/
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KEYWORDS:
family sailing vlog, sailing around the world, sailing with kids, family cruising sailboat, liveaboard sailing life, offshore sailing, Amel Super Maramu, escape the rat race, financial freedom family, alternative lifestyle, quit job travel, life design, early retirement family, unconventional parenting, worldschooling, family gap year
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#EscapeTheRatRace #FinancialFreedom #AlternativeLifestyle #LifeDesign #FamilyAdventure