Shock of returning home for family after 8 years sailing around the world

After 8 years sailing around the world, the Alan Wood family faces significant financial pressure as living costs in the UK have doubled.

In 2017, Alan Wood, 57, his wife Irenka, and their three children left their hometown, tired of the rat race. On their 16-meter sailboat, S/V Mothership, the family sailed 40,000 nautical miles, visiting over 40 countries and territories before concluding their journey in 2025.

When they set sail, their three children were 5, 8, and 11 years old. The family rented out their home in Brighton, East Sussex, to cover their mortgage and living expenses. Approximately 25% of their remaining income came from producing videos on YouTube and Patreon.

For 8 years, the family's living expenses on the boat remained at 2,000 USD per month. Electricity came from solar panels and a hydro-generator, while domestic water was sourced from a seawater desalination system or collected rainwater. Onboard, the couple spent about two hours daily homeschooling their children.

According to Alan, learning primarily occurred through practical experience. "Observing seals in the Galapagos Islands was like studying geography and biology. Learning to sail taught them physics. Our children also regularly encountered new languages and cultures," he stated.

In 2022, their eldest daughter, Rowan, 16, returned to the UK early to attend school. By May 2025, the entire family decided to return to the UK after escaping a boat filled with men "pointing AK-47s at them" in the Red Sea. That year, their two sons, Darroch and Yewan, reached the age to prepare for national standardized exams.

Upon returning to their home in Brighton, the two sons had to adjust to 6 hours of schooling daily, as well as new ways of making friends and integrating. Alan noted that most of his children's current communication happens via phone and computer screens.

The family's biggest challenge is financial, with living costs increasing to 4,000 USD per month. "The impact of inflation is significant. Weekly shopping costs have nearly doubled, and electricity and heating prices truly surprised us," Alan said.

According to the UK's Office for National Statistics, consumer prices in 2025 were approximately 34% higher than in 2017.

Their old, inefficient gas stove forced the family to switch to a wood-burning stove, but each bag of dry firewood now costs over 130 USD.

To stabilize their lives, Alan is writing a memoir guide about their journey, while Irenka has started a gardening business and works as a sailing instructor.