We live on a yacht and travel the world. But our lifestyle is far from glamorous (9 photos)

Leah, 36, and Kyle Mackenzie, 34, originally from Edmonton, Canada, lived paycheck to paycheck for many years, despite both working full-time. In 2017, tired of the endless routine, they bought a sailing yacht and set out for adventure. The couple opened up about the harsh realities of their lifestyle—from life-threatening storms to being stranded in the middle of the ocean.





Leah and Kyle live on a 13-meter, $78,000 vessel with their three pets.

It has everything you need for life on the high seas: solar panels, an induction oven and electric stove for cooking, a dishwasher, two toilets, and a shower.

"We're almost entirely self-sufficient. We get our energy from the sun and use the wind for propulsion," said Lia.

"It's not as convenient as a home kitchen with modern appliances, but I enjoy cooking, and we eat well. That's enough."



At first, they rented out their house to supplement their income. But eventually, they decided to sell it and "sever all ties with land."

Leah quit her job as an auto mechanic, and Kyle continues to work remotely as an accountant.

"One salary is enough to get by," the woman says. "Now you realize how little a person needs to be happy. Some months we spend $0, and others we spend a lot, for example, if we need major repairs or a large supply of groceries. It's still less than what we spend on a mortgage, a car, cell phone service, streaming services, food delivery, and so on."







Since setting sail, they have visited 23 countries and traveled more than 30,000 nautical miles. Their route took them across the glaciers of Alaska, along the west coast of Canada and the United States, and through Central and Latin America. They crossed the Panama Canal twice and circumnavigated the Caribbean.

"I love that I can reach parts of the world that few people have ever seen. These places feel like another planet—they're isolated and incredibly beautiful," Leah admits.

They recently completed their most ambitious trip yet: crossing the Pacific Ocean from Panama to French Polynesia. It took 35 days.

Leah shared that their life isn't all beaches and cocktails. She admitted that she and Kyle had moments of doubt.





The main drawback is separation from loved ones and the lack of familiar comforts. Plus, it takes a lot of work to keep the yacht running.

"This lifestyle is full of ups and downs. Yachts often break down, and we need to be mechanics, plumbers, electricians, and know how to fix things when they're tossed around in a storm or even upended in the middle of the night." You have to be confident. No one will come to your aid if something happens in the middle of the ocean."

Over the years, the couple has found themselves in many dangerous situations. Leah recalls how they once lost control of the boat during a storm and drifted in the middle of the ocean, nicknamed "the dangerous middle."



But the pros outweigh the cons: "The ocean is our living room, and the islands are our backyard. There's always something to do and new to see. Yes, it's challenging, but we intend to continue doing it as long as it's enjoyable and possible. I love learning about cultures, meeting new people, trying local food and drinks, and experiencing things I never thought possible."

The couple recently ordered a new catamaran in the Philippines and are currently heading there.