THE HELM

for sailors, liveaboards, & dreamers

Where sailing meets soul. Join the Helm and get weekly insights on adventure, purpose, and the profound journey of life at sea. Get The Helm in your inbox every Friday.

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quotes

The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea. -- Isak Dinesen

Love & Unconventional Living: The ultimate Parallel

Living unconventionally, like love, isn't a destination but a continuous creative act that demands everything while promising nothing except the chance to become more fully alive.

yin yang sailboat

why the journey to simplification is the first step to freedom

True freedom emerges when we embrace simplification as a conscious choice, discovering that our limitations can become out greatest guides.

Kambo vs Sea lice: ancient frog medicine to the rescue

A chance encounter with invisible jellyfish leads to an unexpected lesson in traditional healing and the wisdom of stepping outside conventional solutions.

kiteboarding el cuyo

What is wind?

Wind, nature's most enigmatic force, teaches us about transformation and change.

"This is important training for even more intense times to come."

What role can sailors play in creating ripples of unity and resilience in an uncertain world?

Sailing Couples: You NEED a 3rd Pole

This simple yet profound tool can transform your partnership and help you with everything from buying a boat to choosing your next destination.

21 examples of Sailor Slang we Use in Everyday Conversation

Many common expressions in English owe their origins to nautical slang, reflecting the enduring influence of sailors and their vibrant, efficient language on how we communicate today.

The Philosophy of Choosing Your Next Sailing Destination

Where to go next is a philosophical journey that asks us to reconcile our thirst for the unknown.

The Psychology of Couples Docking

Docking isn’t just a test of skill. It’s a crash course in communication, trust, and navigating pressure as a team.

Which Liveaboard type Are you?

This quiz is designed to uncover your liveaboard archetype, reflecting the core values and motivations that shape your journey.

The Helm is a media publication which aims to inspire, guide, and connect a growing global community of liveaboards and alternative lifestyle enthusiasts.

‍Learn more about us here.

LIVEABOARD TYPES

LIVEABOARD TEAMS

ASPIRE

begin your liveaboard journey

the maddening experience of "almost-a-liveaboard"

The in-between phase is emotionally... complex.

wealth wave

A liveaboard sailor's path to wealth

A case for why moving away from traditional security might actually be the smartest path to building real wealth.

George Webster OSS

How My Grandfather's Sailing Legacy Finally Found Me

Life has a way of hiding our soul's inheritances in plain sight, waiting for the right moment to reveal them.

Finding Connection Beyond Language

An evening of broken Spanish, street tacos, and deeper-than-expected connection in a small Mexican village challenges assumptions about language barriers and human connection.

Community Insights: Surprises of Liveaboard Life

Reddit’s liveaboard sailors share the challenges and joys of life on the water.

What Happens When You Tell People You Plan on Living on a Boat?

Sharing your liveaboard plans reveals fears, cheers, and a wide range of interesting reactions.

Hard Skills That Help You $ave Big

Learning certain DIY skills before owning a boat can save you thousands in maintenance costs.

The Courage to Choose Differently

Living on a boat asks you to embrace both freedom and discomfort with equal courage.

When Everything Depends: Navigating Decisions as an Aspiring Liveaboard

Navigating the uncertainty of the liveaboard lifestyle begins with embracing ambiguity and using purposeful frameworks to guide our best decisions.

LEARN

figure it out as you go

wealth wave

A Liveaboard Sailor's Path to Wealth

A case for why moving away from traditional security might actually be the smartest path to building real wealth.

graphic sailboat

DOES FLAG PRESTIGE REALLY MATTER?

While “prestige” may feel outdated, playing to the system can smooth your journey and even boost your boat’s value.

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create sacred space whereever you are

Even the most temporary spaces can become havens with small rituals and mindful presence no matter where you are.

boat galley cookbook

Provisioning Books for Liveaboards

A curated list of books that offer expert advice, practical tips and strategies for provisioning.

What’s Splurge-Worthy When Living Aboard

A big part of living on a boat is about finding the balance between budgeting wisely and knowing when to splurge.

How to Tell a Great Tall Tale

Storytelling has always been at the heart of maritime culture, connecting sailors across generations with tales of adventure, humor, and transformation.

Understand VAT as a Non-EU Liveaboard

From temporary Importation to VAT-paid and VAT-unpaid boats, proper planning avoids surprises.

A Liveaboard’s Guide to Legally Navigating Europe

Learn how liveaboards navigate the Schengen Area's 90/180 rule, from tracking days and planning routes to managing unexpected challenges.

What You Need to Know About Reflagging Your Liveaboard Yacht

Explore the ins and outs of reflagging and deflagging your liveaboard yacht.