Former software engineer Brian Trautman, working for years at companies like Microsoft, realized that the most enjoyable part of his day was the bus ride to and from work. This realization prompted him to make a major change.
After two years of saving, Trautman sold all of his possessions, including a three-bedroom townhouse in Redmond, Washington, and set out on a two-year sabbatical to sail the world. However, his two-year plan to come back and figure out his life did not materialize as planned.
In 2008, Trautman bought a 53-foot sailboat called the SV Delos for $398,000 with a $81,000 down payment. The boat boasts three cabins and two bathrooms, with Trautman making his final payment on the boat in 2019.
While his initial savings of $48,000 ran out, forcing him to rack up debt through credit cards and cash out his 401K, his journey led him to meet his future wife, Karin. Together, they started a YouTube channel, Sailing SV Delos, which has now become their main source of income.
Living on their sailboat comes with its challenges, such as limited space and negligible access to fresh fruit and vegetables. The couple spends about $1,900 a month on boat insurance, maintenance, fuel, and utilities, as well as $250 a month for satellite Wi-Fi.
The family has traveled to over 45 countries and has logged 70,000 ocean miles. Trautman and his wife briefly moved back to land when their daughter was born but soon returned to life on the sailboat.
As their daughter grows, they are considering moving back to Sweden full-time so she can grow up around Karin’s family and culture.
Trautman summarizes his transformation saying, “This trip changed my DNA at the core where I’m a different person than I was when I started. I have a different view on priorities and what’s important in my life. The time that I have to spend with friends and family and loved ones is what matters.”