Sailing Hjem: From North Shields to the Open Sea
One couple, one dog, one sailboat. And an unconventional honeymoon, that turned into a full-time voyage across wild coastlines, quiet anchorages, and the open question of what “home” really means.
Faye and Rob didn’t plan to become full-time sailors. What began as a creative honeymoon idea to buying a boat instead of booking flights. This soon unraveled into a much deeper lifestyle shift. With their Welsh terrier, Yewy, and a Catalina 400 named Reach Out, they set sail from North Shields, UK, imagining they’d return after a loop around the coast. But the journey kept expanding: through squalls, sunsets, and solitude, they discovered a new rhythm. Sailing Hjem isn’t just their project title, it’s a quiet mission to redefine “home” not as a place, but as something carried in motion, connection, and open water.
At-a-Glance
Web Name: Sailing Hjem
Names: Faye & Rob…and Yewy
Generation: Gen Y
Travel Type: Full-time Sailing Couple with dog
FI Status: Partial with remote earning *
Travel Regions: UK, Northern Europe, Atlantic-bound
Media Platforms: Instagram, YouTube, Facebook
Backstory
Before they were full-time sailors, Faye and Rob lived in North Shields, UK, near the Fish Quay where fishing boats outnumber dreams of open water. Rob was rooted in a conventional 9-to-5 job. Faye, according to interviews, was the dreamer of travel and adventure. In the lead-up to their wedding, instead of booking a beach resort honeymoon, they sold their house. That wasn’t the plan initially. It was only after seeing how much it cost to travel that Faye suggested, “Why don’t we buy a boat instead?”. So, with some prior sailing experience, they took a gamble: they purchased Reach Out, a 40-foot Catalina yacht. In a real sense, it wasn’t just a vessel, it was an exit ticket from normalcy.
The Shift
The journey began as a symbolic homecoming: they named the project Hjem, a local English and a Norwegian word for ‘home’. The intention was to sail full-circle around the UK and return to where they started – yes, ‘Hjem’. But as the miles racked up and the weather both punished and rewarded them, something shifted. The goal was no longer to return, it was to stay out. Sailing, once a romantic dare, became their new reality. That change wasn’t instant. It built over quiet anchorages and sea journeys, slowly forming a lifestyle centered around movement, presence, and self-reliance. Their joy of sailing, navigating & steady adaptation to sea life turned the trip from a honeymoon adventure into a new identity.
How They Made It Work
Their financial model is more intuitive than formulaic. Rather than save for early retirement, Faye and Rob sold their home to fund the journey. They cut expenses by learning DIY boat maintenance and documenting their sailing life on YouTube and Instagram. Over time, their storytelling has gathered a loyal community. They don’t advertise coaching or sell merchandise; their focus is purely on authentic storytelling and inspiring others by example. Their income appears partially supported by content monetisation and part-time digital work, though they remain private about specifics. Their greatest asset is not their bank balance, but their flexibility: making time for experience over accumulation. see Disclaimer*
Where They Travel & Why
Starting in the British Isles, they navigated past rugged cliffs, military harbours, and misty lochs. Their sailing arc included the south coast of England, Wales, the Isle of Man, and through the locks of Scotland’s northeast and back hjem. After 1,600 nautical miles, they set their sights on the Cantabrian coast of northern Spain. Their destination choices reflect a love of nature, solitude, and culture . . . and local cuisine. Spain’s dramatic coastline, its blend of ocean cliffs and green valleys, enchanted them. As their skills improve, they aim for a transatlantic passage toward the Caribbean and possibly South America. But there’s no rush. Every leg is savoured. Each place offers lessons in weather patterns, anchoring tactics, or local stories. And food. They do love the food.
Challenges & Real Talk
Life at sea isn’t endlessly romantic. Rob and Faye have faced gear failures, squalls, seasickness, and the emotional weight of doubt. Sharing a compact space with a dog requires patience and structure. In interviews, Faye speaks candidly about moments where the dream wavered, when navigation anxiety kicked in, or when repairs drained morale. Social media may show sunset views, but they also post candidly about frustration, exhaustion, and fear. Their honesty about learning everything from scratch shows this isn’t just a lifestyle, but a curriculum. They’ve turned setbacks into know-how and isolation into confidence.
What Keeps Them Going
Their “why” isn’t about ticking destinations off a list. It’s about connection: with each other, with nature, and with a version of life where time is theirs to command. Together, they find meaning in simplicity: hoisting sails, sharing meals in remote bays, or teaching their terrier, Yewy, how to balance on deck. The dream is no longer hypothetical. It’s embodied in the rhythm of tides and the freedom to say no to schedules, cities, or convention.
And, we’re fairly sure the local food and wines also keeps them going.
Advice to Readers
“Don’t wait to be ready,” Faye said in an early video. Their advice is grounded in realism: Start small. Charter before you buy. Learn by doing. Don’t assume you need vast savings. Instead, question your costs, needs, and fears. Take one calculated leap at a time. They’re not selling a fantasy. They’re sharing a blueprint: slow down, simplify, and see what’s on the other side of comfort.
. . . did we mention their love of local cuisine, food, and cooking? Visit their YouTube channel to see & feel their love of life, sailing, a dog, and cuisine.
Links to More
(*) Disclaimer: Income stream and Financial Independence (FI) details are drawn exclusively from publicly available sources. No inference, harm, or misrepresentation is intended toward any individual or entity.
