Alan, your humble nature and candour make you deserving of the love and support you are receiving from around the world. It's all going to work out just fine. Keep the faith!

Thank you for educating us, sharing with us, and allowing us to be part of your journey

Excited to see your spirit is not broken

I’m glad you are in a better headspace! Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

Onward and upward. You're the best!!

We are pulling for you. Our family took the trip of a life time because of you and your videos. We will be back, and I am glad to hear you will be too. I hope for the best for you and your boat! Thank you for being so transparent and open throughout this process.

you are an inspiration. Love your attittude

How a man faces pain is a testament to his character, your still going and I learning more stuff strength. Great videos wish you well

I’m a zero seasoned sailor, but have been so inspired by your videos. Can’t tell you how happy I was when this video dropped. I thought based upon the last I might not see the hillbilly again. The information passed along and the manner in which you state it, from plugging your intake in the gulf, to this very unfortunate accident continues to educate and inspire. Don’t stop. Rise of hillbilly 2.0….

I can understand your feelings. Three years ago in Florida keys we purchased a new World Cat 26' boat. On first ride out, Chart plotter went dark. We stopped to adjust and a 38' boat came crashing onto our stern. Our Port engine was damaged, and T top completely destroyed. Sh!t does happen. We were just blessed to be alive. It takes time to get over these things. Boats can be replaced. Be thankful that no one was injured. Keep up the great videos and great attitude.

What a humbling experience. Good luck regrouping and thanks for sharing an incredibly vulnerable ordeal.

You are truly blessed to have Simon in your corner.

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

I am indeed

Bal bal bal. . . Never leave youre boat alone in those conditions !

hey💌 hey💌 hey!!💌 so happy you are in better spirits and coming back to us with the update! Thank you for sharing all the great info, especially the "salvage insurance" report. stay strong!

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

Thank you

I have a lot of respect for you. Great content, great subject and you are well spoken and easy to listen to, plus your videos are incredible. I wish you well. 😊

Hoping for the best! Thanks for the update.

The true measure of a man is not realized or seen when he is at the top, but when he is in the valleys on the journey to the top once again. You have displayed your true character publicly and it is brilliant. Always forward Alan. Always forward. - Bob Wall

Thank you for the update. Keep at it. Stay positive!

So good to hear from you Alan. You have a lot of support and love from all of us. Cant wait for the future updates

again, so sorry that this happened. The advise you just gave to all of is amazing! Thanks for taking the time to do this.

The sail will always be with you! Thank you for your channel,post and experiences along the way.

Needed this hopeful message!!! Looking forward!!!

Wow, very informative update! Thanks for the video.

So happy to see you in better spirits! I know the journey ahead is going to be tough, but I know you can and will do it and we will be right there with you! Chin up Captain! Jay

Thanks for sharing! Hope you keep us viewers updated. Good luck to you

More power to you, I really wish you the best, and I would love to see you on board your amazing Aquila ❤❤❤

Grat video We are all here holding your back, just keep doing your thing. Keep it up

Glad to see you getting back on the horse, love your videos Alan.

I started watching your videos because of the BVI content you have shared, including best places to eat, walk around and of course moorings. My mouth was on the floor during the entire last video. Although it was devastating to watch, I am excited to see you so positive with high hopes for the Wandering Hillbilly. Honestly cant wait to see next weeks episode with updates and future plans. See you next week!

A positive attitude and the will to move forward is your strength. Wish you the best

Glad to see you coming round Alan and so glad you're getting so many positive messages, you deserve them all. Really hoping the Hillbilly is repairable. You both will come out of this far stronger, for the experience 👍 Love from England, Neil x

Glad to hear your spirits are better. I’m now hooked on your story.

Nice. Proud of you, Alan. You are also continuing to teach people like me a lot of good lessons.

So good to see you again. Keep your chin up. Bless

Hang in there, my man. Good times ahead!

I’ve been anxiously awaiting this update and I am so relieved to see you in a better space and even optimistic! Praying for good results from the surveys, I know regardless great things are in your future and you’ve got a lot of people that will be there right with you!

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!!

Alan, I am so grateful you are sharing your story and experience. By doing so, you are potentially saving someone else the heartbreak you are going through. It is evident you are not alone in the heartbreak, by the comments of others, as am I, we too are heartbroken for you. SHIT does happen but how you handle it is what truly makes you a Captain. THANK YOU, CAPTAIN

God bless you I’ve been watching your videos for a while now and love everyone of them. I really don’t have anything catchy to say I just want to say I love you buddy and it’s all gonna be OK in the long run.

Looking forward to seeing you back out on the water, love the videos.

Great update, looking forward to more good news. Good to see the Wandering Hillbilly patched up and on the road to recovery.

You will back on the boat and all the better......Looking forward to your great life on video for all to see.....Fair winds from Texas.

Alan, you have a beautiful soul and it shows through on all your videos. I almost didn’t watch your first video because I thought, why watch an old man just like me, but I watched and was taken in by your humility and centered personality. I’m hooked on your adventures, your videography and your editing skills.

Alan, the fact that you can take the hardest hits that life deals you and still get up and continue says it all. You are winner.

Thanks for continuing to share with us Capt Alan! Appreciate everything you have done for the community:)

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

Alan, I count myself among the many “invested” in your journey. You chronicle an alternate reality for myself and a myriad of other aspirant dreamer “captains”, separated by the opportunity, means and/or simply the balls to do what you are doing. It is a joy to witness, and you are clearly a very decent human being. Following you is watching this alternate version of ourselves…the highs, the lows, and now the horrendous. It obviously can’t compare to what you are feeling…but yes…this one hurts. I am grateful that nobody was seriously injured! Best wishes in whatever you choose to do going forward…I will be rooting for you!

Glad you are feeling better about this experience. I can imagine it shook you to your core. I hope everything works out for you and you are back on the water as soon as possible. Good luck.

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

I hope so too!

Alan,I am sorry about your boat and hope all will be well soon.Im glad everyone was ok.Went to BVI last week and chartered a power cat.It was an amazing trip.One of my best friends set everything up and invited me.Your videos was an inspiration for me and I will definitely return.

I wasn't going to make a second comment knowing how overwhelmed you are with the accident. I do want you to know you have set the bar for inspiration and fortitude for me to follow in the future. Thanks Alan and Godspeed.

Glad to hear that your mood improved after what was clearly and understandably a heart wrenching experience. Hope that the Hillbilly can be fixed. I only found your channel a day or so ago, but love it already and hope that more will follow. I live in Iowa and never been boating, but enjoy watching because I love big machines, on sea, on land, doesn't matter. The more complex the machine, the more I love to see it at work. I'll likely never be in a position to have a boat or anything, but then I saw the footage of the Hillbilly heading to shore, my heart sank. As I said in comments of that video, I'm glad no one was hurt. I'm sure it could have been way worse, and your guy Simon sounds like the best person anyone could possibly know. Looking forward to seeing how things go and hoping to see Wandering Hillbilly back on the water in future videos. Stay positive and hang in there.

I have been logging onto KZread to check your channel every day since the last video to see an update. You have been my inspiration to get into sailing myself, and it breaks my heart to see what happened to you and your beautiful yacht. I hope you're able to rebuild and get back out there. I captained my first bareboat charter last summer after watching all of your videos for inspiration. it was an incredible experience and I can't wait to do it again. My dream is get my own boat and take my friends and family out all the time like you have been. I believe I can make it happen in the next several years. Watching your videos and following you gave me the courage to do it, and I will be forever thankful for that. I will send the Hillbilly all good vibes and hope to see you on the water one day. Captaining a vessel though a place like the BVI is an experience like none other.

Looking forward to following your adventures as you bring The Hillbilly back to life! Thank you for sharing each and every part of this experience.

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

Our pleasure!

Its good to see you in a better mood and with an optimistic outlook again!

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

Thabks

Thanks for the update. There is a lot of good information you gave for a guy like me that has no clue about mouring balls and boat travel. Your rock.

I captained a sailboat in the BVI with my family twice in the last year…..because of you, thank you. I hope to see you out there.

Alan, I'm so glad to see you in better spirits in this video. Time heals all wounds, and with time you'll again realize, you did everything you could have done. I look forward to seeing what is instore of the Hillbilly and all the adventures ahead. Best wishes!

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, I will

Thank you for the update, Alan. It is great that your spirit remains unbroken. You are providing valuable information to many. Best regards.

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

You are very welcome

We are currently in the BVIs and will be bareboating our charter next week. Thanks for all the inspiration, your videos were a great source of information for us in planning our trip. I was sad to hear of your misadventure, the important thing is that you and your crew are uninsured and safe. The boat can be replaced. Hope to see you on the water again soon.

I'm so glad to see your spirits are lifting. My husband and I just bought our first big boat. 'Big boat", it's only a 37 ft sea ray, but it's our joy. So I kind of get it. Being on the ocean has given me back something I had taken from me 12 years ago. I broke my back and have been unable to continue my horse trading career. But, being abroad this boat, well.... you get it too. Freedom, adventure. Conquering your fears at doing something new.Ill be watching and wishing you well, as you return to your former self and excitement. You got this.👍🏼👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👋🏼❤️👍🏼much love....OLE TUBB BOAT👋🏼

glad your outlook has improved. I can't believe some people would say negative things about your experiences after you have inspired so many of us in such a positive.. Literally the only thing I ever judged you on was your selections of scotch on your boat. And that is very correctable flaw. Seriously, Love ya man. You inspire me with every video.

Thanks for the update Alan! You’re doing great!

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

Awesome, love watching your adventures and know that no Challenge doesn't come unless you are ready for it. Yes better it will be and so are you for the experience, your sharing will make many others better as well. Thank you for your service Alan, that is one of things that makes life worth living! Rock on Brother.

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

You got that right!

Keep your head up! This too shall pass…. Life continues. Enjoy your videos and you inspire me! I too am in the film industry and I am behind you!

Great update.... I love your videos, we too got inspired by you and took a crew of 8 last year to the BVI's and used your 10 day itinerary.... it was awesome. We are going back for sure!! I also have had the experience of finding my boat not exactly where I left it, and it was a terrible day, not nearly as big and beautiful a yacht as yours, but it was all I had...also was a failed mooring (in an overnight storm) lots of emotions that day but it eventually faded and we're still sailing 30 years later...good luck, I'm cheering for you!!

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for tho

Great news!!! You Go!!!!

Glad to hear you are doing better and more positive about the future.

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

Thanks

I miss you and the ever-revolving crew! I can't wait to see the Hillbilly back in the water, taking us to some exciting places.

Good luck Alan. Love the video's

I am a landlocked neighbor from Wyoming that dreams of sailing after I retire in 3 years. I have really enjoyed your videos and wisdom. The captain who sent you the message you read is right. You are a captain and a sailor. The real deal. I hope to park my boat next to you some day and get to meet you and say hello and thank you for the knowledge you shared.

Huge HEART to you and your future!

You Rock! Keep the Faith🙏🙏👍💪

Good to see you back! Great post and amazing note from that experienced mariner. Shared your channel to a few new followers. Everyone loves the content. See you in the BVI’s sometime soon.

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

Much appreciated!

You’ve got this Alan! Can’t wait to see you crush the 2.0 of your journey!

YES!!!!!! So happy you are back. Whatever happens with the insurance, thank you for the channel and your spirit. Kinda bummed at the dingaling however looking forward to watching the comeback.

Great to watch this vlog mate and to see that you’re in recovery mode. Hopefully the surveyors will give the go-ahead for the repairs and you’ll be back on the water soon - what a bugger about “Your Ding-a-Ling”. Thinking of you mate, cheers Swanny PS I like the “little 54” in the background!!!

Thank you Alan for the update. I am really hoping that the Hillbilly can be fixed and you can be sailing again.

Hello Alan, thank you for giving an update. I am so sorry about what happened to The Hillbilly. I am so glad to see your spirits are better. As a boat owner, seeing your video about the grounding was heartbreaking. Your videos have touched and inspired so many people. Keep doing what you're doing, and know that we are all pulling for you and hoping to see you back out there.

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

Thank you, I will

Love this Capt,fear is what if faith is even if! You my friend give all of us faith,looking forward to seeing your next endeavor

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

Thank you

Great video Alan, glad to see you are "keeping the faith".... I look forward to following the progress!!

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

You and me both!

Alan, I have shed tears more than I'd like to admit while watching your channel. All happy tears until this recent incident. I'm glad to see that you are in a better place mentally. I can only imagine how you must have felt. Just know that you have brought joy to so many peoples lives by simply sharing your experiences. Thats not a small thing. You have inspired me to dream bigger. Hang in there good brother, we are all rooting and praying for you!

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

Thank you so very much!

Sorry to see the issues you've had, wishing you and your family all the best. Hope you get the Hillbilly back asap! 🙂

So sorry for your troubles. We’ve enjoyed your videos since the beginning. As boat owners we empathize with how painful this has been. Such a beautiful boat. We’re heading for our 2nd charter this spring and thanks for the tips! We’ve been concerned about mooring since this happened to WH. Wishing you all the best.

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

As odd as this may seem to you, but what happened also put me into a funk and I’ve been waiting with anticipation as to your next update. My father once said to me “The sea is a lovely lady but she can also kick your ass”., and sadly sometimes “it” happenes as it did to you and to the “family” who has lived vicariously through your videos. The information you have expressed in your update again shows to all the wisdom and spirit we’ve come to expect from you. Following seas and fair winds will be your destiny!

Alan, thanks for sharing your experience... Your video inspires us to keep on, keeping on. I have not made a file for mooring issues, now I will. Your lesson is a lesson for all of us. Be safe and good luck. I hope to see you on the water some day!

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

Sounds great!

I have followed your channel for some time Alan, it is not just about the boat. What makes your channel so good is the humanity and spirit shown throughout. We enjoy your fun and we feel your pain. I look forward to seeing you overcome this challenge. 🤗

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you

Alan it’s great to see your “chin up” and you planning for the future. Thanks for the update. BTW something that may help your travels to and from Tortolla…..American Airlines has a nonstop flight from Miami to Tortolla. From west coast or Midwest you should now be able to “one hop” to the BVI

Don't give up! You inspire us! Stay the course!

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

That's the plan! Thanks!

Good luck Alan, I wish you the best. I spent 1990-95 sailing my 47' from BVI to Trinidad and back a few times, it is a great place to be and I'm happy to say I leave in a week for a bare boat charter in BVI. I'm really looking forward to it. By the way my first charter there was in 1985 for my honeymoon. 90-95 was with my wife and 2 very young children. Next week is with my 2 children, their spouses and 5 grandchildren. Sort of a reunion and showing their spouses and children what it was like to live on a sail boat. There is nothing I would trade for those memories.

Love the positive attitude sir good on you

Thanks for the update! Hope you get back out there!

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

I hope so too!

Keep going , Don't give up ... We love the BVI .. Going to be there this April ..

We LOVE you Alan

Love that ⚓️🌴💜 great quote

Saving up for a charter with my family to the BVI in the next couple years . Videos like yours are the inspiration. Stay strong. One thing I have learned from boating is the great times far outweigh the not so great times.

Alan, this too shall pass. I was crushed for you to see your last couple videos. But you are a staple in this BVI boating community and I will eagerly await your return...And I know you will return soon! I started sailing just last year and am already planning my 4th trip on a big cat. This is partially due to boating enthusiasts like yourself. Best wishes Pal!

So glad to hear you are not giving up.

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

Nope

Glad to see you in better shape! Best wishes!

@thewanderinghillbilly

5 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Because of you, I will be bringing friends and family to BVI for a week or more to give MarineMax a try. Sorry for the pain in your journey. BUT you have inspired us!

I pray that you can get your boat fixed and get back on the water. Always look forward to your videos.

It was so great to meet you at the Hull Shield booth this past week. Keep the faith brother! It will work out. Dwight

From one boater to another , It hurts our hearts to see what happened . Thank you for the information re Salvage insurance !! Gotta check ours out now ! Praying for quick and easy resolution for you .