Sailing La Vagabonde Sells Rapido 60: The Collision & Future Plans

The Decision to Sell the Rapido 60

• ⚓ Riley and Elayna of Sailing La Vagabonde are selling their $2.1 million Rapido 60 trimaran after 11 years and three boats.
• 💡 This decision marks a significant departure from their full-time sailing life, moving away from upgrading to a larger vessel.
• 🧠 The choice was mentally and emotionally exhausting, with constant second-guessing about letting go of their dream boat.

The 2:40 AM Collision Off Japan

• ⚠️ The catalyst for selling was a violent collision at 2:40 AM off Japan when a fishing vessel struck their boat, cracking its skeleton.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The impact caused structural damage and left a profound emotional scar, especially hearing their children scream.
• 🛠️ Although the boat was repaired and deemed seaworthy, the experience of the home breaking apart left a lasting impact.

The Journey and Evolution of La Vagabonde

• 🌱 Riley Whitelum, with no prior sailing experience, bought his first monohull in 2013 and learned to sail from books and YouTube.
• 🗺️ He met Elayna Carausu in Greece, and together they built a popular YouTube channel, transitioning from a monohull to a catamaran (La Vagabonde 2) where their first son was born.
• 🌍 Their fame grew after sailing Greta Thunberg across the Atlantic for a UN conference, and their second son was born on the water.
• 🚀 The Rapido 60 (La Vagabonde 3) was their most ambitious project, custom-built in Vietnam over two years, requiring the family to relocate.

Why the Sale Now?

• 💰 Despite the Rapido 60 being a perfectly performing, high-value vessel (costing $2.1 million), it demands constant attention and maintenance.
• 🏡 The family no longer lives on the boat full-time, with their children attending school, making the unused boat a financial and emotional burden.
• ✅ The sale is a deliberate choice, not a forced one; they are not desperate and will keep the boat if their valuation is not met.

The Next Chapter: Off-Grid Farm and Simpler Boat

• 🌾 Riley and Elayna plan to build an off-grid farm on land to provide a stable home for their children.
• ⛵ They intend to continue sailing but with a much simpler, older wooden boat or trawler, seeking something that doesn't demand their entire life.
• 🧭 This move represents a significant lifestyle change, trading their famous sailing life for a new, less demanding adventure.`,