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If you tried to connect with your cruising buddies in the year 2000 when Marinalife first started, the best way to round them up for a rendezvous would have been an old-fashioned phone call or using your VHF radio, hoping to get in touch.
Marinalife has been helping connect boaters and marinas for 25 years and with the rise of social media and mobile apps, the evolving digital world is significsntly improving the convenience of connection. We have developed many great partnerships over the years including the Young Cruisers' Association (YCA), a group of wanderlust water-lovers who teamed up to build a like-minded community and provide resources, connections and a lifelong journey unique from your average cruising club.
Since 2018, the tribe has grown from a few hundred cruisers scattered across oceans to nearly 15,000 members worldwide. We thought it would be fun to hear from YCA founder Brian Currier and a few members about how they use technology to help connect the boating community in 2025. In 2024, Currier and his team launched the new SeaPeople app which is designed for current boaters or anyone interested in boating culture to help them connect with fellow seafarers anywhere in the world.
Whether you’re at sea or grounded in port, the SeaPeople app connects you with worldwide cruisers to share the spirit of adventure, camaraderie and community. The app provides live connections that improve any trip with features such as weather updates, location services and the ability to hail nearby boaters.
“There’s always been a major problem in the industry and it’s something all cruisers have become accustomed to — regardless of where you are in the world, there’s no single, central tool to find your friends or club members on a map,” says Currier. “You meet amazing people who have an impact on your life, but it’s often short-lived as we lift sail to ports unknown. We decided it was time to bring the ‘boat card era’ to the digital world and help boaters connect.”
Currier says YCA prides itself on supporting a movement rather than a company and represents anyone who refuses to wait for retirement to chase their dream of living on the water. “For those who have really gone after it and already moved aboard their ship, we aim to fuel their fire for adventure and their need for community. For those on the fringe of selling their belongings and convincing their family they’re still sane, we’re the spark on those crunchy, dead leaves,” says Currier.
Marinalife caught up with a few of the YCA members and asked them about what drives their passion for life on the water. We love hearing their stories and how the boating community continues to expand and evolve with the use of new technologies.
1. What or who inspired you to want to live onboard?
Working in Hawaii’s dive industry gave me a deep love and respect for the ocean, but the idea of living onboard didn’t fully form until I crewed with Delos, Rick Moore, and met Riley and Elayna, an Australian couple from Sailing La Vagabonde. These incredible people showed me possibilities and sparked a dream that has since become my reality. Without their inspiration, I wouldn’t be where I am today leading expeditions on the high seas
2. What are the biggest changes/trends you have seen or experienced in the last few years as a liveaboard cruiser?
The shift is undeniable — more young adventurers are embracing the cruising lifestyle. Traditionally this was viewed as a pastime for the retired or wealthy but now with the rise of remote work, people are combining sailing with their careers. It’s inspiring to see a new generation redefine what it means to live and work at sea and chart their own courses in more ways than one. YCA shatters the stereotype that sailing is only for retirees, and the SeaPeople App has been a game-changer for us, connecting us to eager crew members from all over the world. It’s incredible to see so much talent and energy flowing into this community, fueling the future of cruising.
3. Tell us about one of your most challenging/crazy experiences while cruising.
Stormy nights and relentless waves are tough, but they’re nothing compared to leading a crew of 24 young sailors and content creators on two expedition vessels. Managing “boat- mances,” clashing personalities and complex logistics often feels like balancing on a tightrope during a hurricane. Yet, there’s magic in the madness — when everyone comes together, the team’s combined strength always pulls us through.
4. What are three tips for anyone considering transitioning to cruising as a liveaboard full-time?
1. Balance Land and Sea: Don’t let the boat feel like a cage — take time for land-based adventures. A change of scenery works wonders.
2. Stock Spare Parts: I’ve earned the title “King of Spare Parts” for a reason. Out here, being prepared is survival, so pack extras — especially water pumps.
3. Slow Down: Cruising isn’t a race. When we finally eased our pace, we discovered how much more rewarding the journey became.
5. What’s your ultimate cruising goal or dream destination?
Antarctica, without a doubt. Our expedition vessels were designed for cold climates and extreme adventures. I dream of navigating through icy fjords, encountering incredible wildlife, and experiencing the raw, unspoiled beauty of the southernmost continent. That’s the pinnacle of exploration in my eyes.
1. What or who inspired you to want to live onboard?
Greg was inspired by a Belgian sailor who sailed around the world in the ’80s with no budget or modern technology. That story sparked his dream of giving sailing a try. As for me, Julie, I didn’t know a thing about sailing until I met Greg. He inspired me, along with incredible women like Liz Clark and Laura Dekker, who’ve carved their own paths on the water. Deciding to live full-time on our boat might sound like a bit of a cliché, but we kept thinking: if not now, when? Life is unpredictable and we didn’t want to miss the chance to see the world and experience what living aboard is all about.
2. What are the biggest changes/trends you have seen or experienced in the last few years as a liveaboard cruiser?
One of the biggest shifts has been the rise of technology. Life aboard is now much more connected and convenient thanks to tools like Starlink for satellite communication, solar panels for power and water makers for self-sufficiency. Real-time weather updates and route-planning apps make cruising safer while remote work tools allow more people to sustain this lifestyle for the long haul.
3. Tell us about one of your most challenging/crazy experiences while cruising?
We sailed from Sardinia to Sicily and as we approached, we saw a massive storm brewing ahead. 100 miles from shore, the horizon lit up with flashes of lightning, like a giant curtain in the distance. Our course was set to take us straight into it. At that moment, we had to make a choice: alter our course and hope it was the right call or push through and hope for the best. Greg kept his cool and quickly decided to change our course by 90 degrees. We ended up catching just the edge of the storm and although it was intense, we made it through safely. In the end, everything turned out fine, but it was a moment we won’t forget.
4. How has your involvement with YCA helped you?
Our involvement with YCA has been such a rewarding experience. It’s given us a sense of belonging in a community of like-minded people who share our passion for sailing and adventure. Through YCA, we’ve met so many amazing cruisers from all over the world, forming friendships that feel like family. It’s reassuring to know we’re not alone, especially when navigating challenges or new places.
5. What role does technology play in your cruising lifestyle, and what tools or apps do you rely on most?
We use weather apps like Windy, WindFinder and PredictWind to track forecasts and adjust our plans if needed. Weather can change so fast at sea, so having reliable info is a must. We also rely on a few handy apps for daily life. DONIA helps us make sure we’re not anchored in Posidonia, which is very important here in the Mediterranean. SeaPeople is great for connecting with other liveaboards and finding out where everyone is, while Navily and NoForeignLand help us find anchorages or practical things like supermarkets, laundromats, etc.
1. What or who inspired you to want to live onboard?
Actually — I did — as well as my friend Dan. When I was 17, we used to go weekend cruising and loved dropping anchor and chilling out for the night and bringing friends on board to have great parties. We had no idea people lived on boats and sailed around the world. We searched through the papers for boats that were in Australia and figured we could move there, work in the farms and fields, and make some cash picking strawberries, kale and other vegetables through the summers, and sail around during the winters. Anyway, that plan didn’t work out. I’ve since realized, many people have tried this.
2. What are the biggest changes/trends you have seen or experienced in the last few years as a liveaboard cruiser?
Energy storage. I think the biggest technology jump must be lithium batteries but only since their recent price drop. You can now get lithiums for the same price as expensive brand AGM’s per usable watt, and battery capacity makes a huge difference to a cruiser, especially on a year-round liveaboard. Having days of intense energy usage available makes cruising a lot easier.
3. Tell us about one of your most challenging/crazy experiences while cruising?
Without question, managing the Odyssey Sailing Festival. I didn’t really know what it was going to be when I started organizing the first one, but the whole planning process and the execution of the actual week with logistics of 12 boats and 150 people was a lot. Combining that with hosting the entire week, going through the emotions with everyone, and seeing the skippers smash it was very rewarding.
4. What are three tips for anyone considering transitioning to cruising as a liveaboard full-time?
1. Have a strong relationship with the crew — boyfriend, wife, kids, friends, etc. Make sure you embark on this journey when everyone is 100% aware of the challenges.
2. Be prepared to spend more money than you thought you would. Once you have just started and are on the move, you will quickly realize the extra cash can really improve your quality of life — so have it ready. ACs and water makers and big inverters and electric toilets will start to become appealing very quickly.
3. Forget the cruising plan you first made. Don’t even try to stick to it — aim to leave the dock and take it as it comes.
5. What’s your favorite cruising destination or marina you’ve visited on your journey thus far, and what makes it stand out to you?
Arriving in Marina de Horta in the Azores. Horta is an incredible little place, and the vibe downtown is absolutely boom town. The party is right on the dock with sailors and liveaboards everywhere, a good music scene, and so much cruising history. There are paintings on the quay walls from decades of sailors from every part of the planet. It’s incredible.
1. What or who inspired you to want to live onboard?
The desire to travel through the tropics led us to discovering boat life. On a previous trip we met a young couple who sailed across the Atlantic to cruise the Caribbean and we followed their incredible journey on Instagram. At the time, the thought of us doing that never crossed our minds and we didn’t even know how to sail. However, while stuck at home during COVID, we started watching YouTube travel videos and began to explore the world of liveaboard cruising. As cliché as it sounds, we owe a lot of our inspiration to YouTube. Thanks to that and a loathing for corporate desk jobs, after a couple years of planning and support from our friends, we made the leap and bought our boat S/V Isla.
2. How has your involvement with YCA helped you?
Our introduction to boat life started with the YCA. We reached out to members and joined before we even bought our boat. As “newbies,” we didn’t know if our dream was a crazy reach or totally doable. Meeting up with peers reassured us that we could make it happen and wouldn’t regret it. Once we got our boat, we already had a community to follow and link up with in The Bahamas. We had the best first year cruising because of the people we met and befriended through the YCA. These are all lifelong friends now and we continue to make more friends everywhere we go.
3. Tell us about one of your most challenging/crazy experiences while cruising?
Our first few months aboard come to mind. With no experience, we bought a boat, and after a month of prep, sailed over 1,000 NM down the U.S. East Coast by ourselves. We crossed a container ship’s stern so close that the prop wash spun our boat! Since then, we’ve been hit with a 50-kt squall while sailing, had whales following us at night just meters off the boat, and sailed to a new country to get a piece of coral removed from an eye. Most recently, a bat flew into our boat going 15 NM off the coast of Guatemala while on overnight passage to Mexico. The bat flew into Gabby’s face and prompted us to hunt down rabies shots in rural Mexico upon entry. There’s never a dull moment when cruising!
4. What role does technology play in your cruising lifestyle, and what tools or apps do you rely on most?
Technology plays a huge role in our liveaboard lifestyle, enabling us to live and work remotely while cruising. Our most used tools/apps are Starlink for the internet, Navionics for electronic charts and the Windy app for quick weather data. We also use tech for staying connected with other cruisers; however, this has been lacking. We are excited for the SeaPeople app to rise in this area. It really has potential to be a more central solution for linking sailors and staying connected, as well as letting friends and family follow along on land.
5. What are the biggest misconceptions people have about the liveaboard lifestyle, and how would you address them?
A big misconception is that this lifestyle is all sunshine and rainbows. In fact, it’s mostly hard work and dedication. Cruising doesn’t just come easy without a lot of effort and planning. We like to say, “the highs are high, and the lows are low.” This isn’t necessarily a misconception that needs addressing, but sometimes when people mention how lucky we are to be living this dream, we enlighten them a bit on what it takes to make this dream a reality. We do think we are fortunate to be liveaboards, but we also appreciate the work we put into it.
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