Laura and Ross Colledge made the life-changing decision to quit their traditional jobs and move their family to a yacht docked in Greece. Feeling disconnected from their family due to their hectic work schedules, Ross working long hours and missing out on their children’s formative years, the couple wanted to provide their children with an exciting, adventurous upbringing. They also wanted to accommodate their children’s extra educational needs, including one son with ADHD and suspected high-functioning autism. To make this dream a reality, they remortgaged their house, bought a yacht, and set sail in the summer of 2019.
The Colledge family started their journey in Mykonos, sailing through various Greek islands, eventually settling in the Ionian Islands. Laura and Ross, both water enthusiasts, have enjoyed their sailing lifestyle for five years despite the challenges it brings. Maintaining a work-life balance and routine is challenging due to the unpredictability of sailing life. Ross serves as the family’s boat captain, while Laura is the first mate. They also run BoatFit, an online health and fitness site, and Sailing Holly Blue, a platform that chronicles their adventures, some done in the nude. Their children, Noah and Josh, are homeschooled and attend online school while sailing, making friends from around the world of all ages.
The family plans to broaden their horizons once they achieve residency in Greece. They aim to upgrade to a bigger boat when their children outgrow their current vessel. They have made several additions to the boat to improve their living conditions, including solar power, lithium-ion batteries, a watermaker, and other modifications that allow them to live off-grid and be self-sufficient. Collaborating with sponsors from their social media accounts has helped fund many of these renovations. Laura emphasizes the mental health benefits of living so close to nature and being at the mercy of the elements, which she finds grounding and helps put trivial matters into perspective.
Living on a yacht has deepened Laura and Ross’s relationship and strengthened their respect and admiration for each other. Sailing life can be a 24/7 pressure cooker that requires learning when to pick battles and where to compromise. Laura believes that living such a lifestyle allows individuals to discover if they are truly with their soulmate. Despite the challenges and uncertainties that come with sailing life, the Colledge family finds fulfillment in their unconventional lifestyle. They value the opportunities it provides for personal growth, connection with nature, and strengthening family bonds. The couple’s decision to leave behind the traditional grind and embrace a more adventurous way of life has brought them closer together and created lasting memories for their family.
