A SAD DAY - THE WANDERING HILLBILLY IS UP FOR SALE - AND UPDATES ON INSURANCE AND SALVAGE 

Someone once told that if you can solve your problems with money, you have no problems! You have your health, you have everything! All the best to you in all your future endeavors!

Absolutely feeling your pain, Alan. We've certainly missed you and your adventures. Now, I guess we'll have to wait to see what shenanigans you get up to next. Stay strong, Mr & Mrs Carter.

Selling your boat breaks our hearts but we completely understand. We look forward to your next chapter.

Thanks for updating your followers your integrity keeps shining through and I truly believe that you will be rewarded in the end thanks again

We just got back from the BVIs on a MarineMax trip to Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island, etc. It was absolutely incredible, and your videos helped me a ton in my Captaining. Thank you for all you’ve done!!!! 😎

Amazing how quickly life can change. Your video shows your heavy heart. You come across as a strong and determined person and good luck with the legal actions.

So Sorry Alan but certainly understand. You and your family are a Class Act and we look forward to future adventures by train, land, and sea!!

I’m so sorry! We had the pleasure of meeting you at the marine max event in June 2023. We were there because of your wonderful videos. One of our best trips ever. We are going with my son and his family next year, hope to make it a yearly thing! You have been a true blessing to us and so many others! Look forward to what’s next.

I missed your videos. My wife and I have been to a lot of the islands you've shown. It brought back many great memories. Thank you.

God bless you and your family. And thank you for the joy you gave us with your channel letting us follow along your adventure.

Glad to see you back here!! Hillbilly 2.0 or not, take us on your upcoming adventures!! Sending you both healing love and peace🥰🙏💖✨️🙏🥰💖✨️

We live right by Bradford Marine....5 minutes from our house! You're in good hands there, as you know. Tough call, but seems like the right one at this point. Cheers to the next adventure! Hillbilly will return!

As a fellow boater, I feel your pain. I hate that this happened to you and your beautiful boat. I really miss your videos of your adventures in the BVI. They always reminded me of my first sailing trip through the BVI. Wishing you and your wife the best and hope we see you back on the water soon! I can tell it’s where you were meant to be.

I am so sorry to hear this. I love watching ALL of your videos about you and the BVI. God Bless and wish the best of luck in the future.

Thank you in advance for keeping the lessons learned flowing -very valuable to hear what you’re finding to other big cat owners that have been lucky or enough not to have this happen to them yet!

Stay positive Alan. Sorry to hear of the news. You have given so much to the community via your videos and sharing of all your wonderful trips. Can't wait to hear of the future adventures! Please continue to share the lessons... and experience gained from the event. It helps us ALL to learn as mariners. THANK-YOU!!!

Thanks for the update - very sorry to hear about the situation and ultimate decision. I just got back from an 8 day sailing charter in the BVI (after many from St. Marten over the past years) and I leveraged a lot of your past videos, advice, and suggestions. It's a stark lesson that everything is not all unicorns and sunshine when owning/operating a boat in paradise. I hope you can eventually get past this and get back on the water. All the best.

I'm sorry to hear you're having so much trouble. Best wishes for the future.

*Virtual Hug* When bad things happen to GOOD people most definitely applies to this tragedy. My deepest sympathy to you Alan, and your lovely wife and family. This may bring little consolation, but at least the Wandering Hillbilly (Aquila 54) will live on forever, in the wonderful videos you produced from your past adventures. They may be too painful to watch at this time. But one day, they will bring back cherished memories of happier times. Blessings to you and your family, Alan.

Glad to hear that you and all family is fine!!! Had been thinking that something bad happened during your hiatus from updates. Sorry to hear about your yacht situation. Cannot wait for your future BVI vids but I am very excited about your trip across Canada as I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 👍🏻

Good to see you back. Stay positive. Thanks for all you do!

All the time! Keep your chin up. We love what you are doing and can't wait to see what great things are in store for you!! All the best!!

My gut is wrenched hearing the news. SO sorry it’s been so hard. We’re still here Alan, and I look forward to future updates.

Sorry to hear about your loss, I really appreciated your videos about your travels through the BVI. I am from South Africa, so had to clue what that BVI stand for, so after a few videos you let it slip what it stands for, so you also gave me a geographical lesson. May The LORD BLESS you and the family and that your dreams been fulfilled again. Andre Pieterse.

Thanks for the update! Not what I was hoping to hear, but you are alive and in good health. Have fun in your upcoming adventures and I look forward to seeing your videos in the near future. God Bless you and your family!

I am sorry you are not getting communication from your insurance company, I spent 25+ years in the Insurance claims industry, and the MOST important thing to ensure every party at ease is personal communication and details. It is sad that you are going through this!

Thank you for the update Alan. So sorry for your loss and what you are going through with the insurance and salvage companies. You have done so much good and inspired many people to live a better life and please keep those facts in mind as you go through these issues. Please guard your health and all the best for your future endeavors.

I so love the positive tone you have on your channel, in spite of gut-wrenching life experiences. Your fellow Omaha fans are rooting for ya!

They always say when you get thrown from the horse, you get back up, brush yourself off, and get back in the saddle. Sounds like you’re on the right track. Keep doing what you’re doing and remember that insurance companies are in the business to make money. I love your channel and watching your journeys. You won’t be fully happy until you are back at the helm. Praying for you and your wife during this trying time.

Excited for you to start your new chapter. One day I trust you’ll look back at this and be thankful for everything that transpired. The Wandering Hillbilly’s real message was about inspiration, fun, and the possibility of dreams coming true. And that message can’t be sunk or grounded or f’d over by insurance.

What a disgraceful situation, the scalping of these insurance companies and salvagers is insane.Good luck mate.

Thank you for the update, at least the WHB is back on US soil. Your experiences on the WHB and all your friends and followers are priceless, so all is not lost. Looking forward to the next update and chapter of this story. Hope our paths cross again, maybe on a SD cruise. Best Regards

Wishing you the best of luck! Can’t wait to see your next adventure. Keep your head up!! Your great.

Hi Alan, I’ve been anxiously awaiting to hear an update from you! This is not the news I was hoping to hear. My wife and I are currently on our bareboat charter heading to Great Harbor for another afternoon at Soggy. When we planned this trip we were hoping to see you. Thus us our 15th bareboat charter here. Many things have changed over the years both positive and negative but the BVI remain beautiful. I’m very sorry the insurance provider isn’t communicating but I’m not surprised. I’ve been through insurance related challenges before. They work on their own time table. Love hearing about all of your adventures so please keep them coming!!!!

Man, so sorry to see you go through this heartache. My wife and I are think g of you guys and hope for the best.

Feeling your pain. Good luck in your next endeavor. I'll be watching.

Thanks for the updates and look forward to future vids. Peace from Canada.

hi there Allen I am so sorry to hear about the crap you have been going through.. you have been the inspiration for me to find a way to get to the BVI. I am an over the road truck driver. but I hope at some point me and my wife can get down there and enjoy some of the stuff you have shared with us!! . I hope you keep us up to date on what is going on, even if it is just on regular life shit. bless you and your family, and hope to see more vids no matter what the content is from you.

My heart is breaking for you, the pain is clear from your facial expressions, take care, this too shall pass

Alan, we're so sorry to hear the news. We've followed you from the beginning and were so excited for you guys when you took delivery. It was your great videos of the BVIs that made us take our first bareboat charter in the BVI and eventually move to Florida from Seattle. After selling our second yacht in Seattle, we thought we could easily buy our next (especially since Ally is in the yacht industry), but the insurance game is a whole different story. Two years later we're still boatless. We just learned that some companies in South Florida are now requiring a licensed captain for 55+ (that's been a policy for a few years), but now they are requiring a BACK-up captain - some two. Coupled with the fact that what we paid for a 50' yacht in Seattle, that same yacht in So Florida would be 3X the price in insurance. If you need anything down here, let us know. Ally works right next door to Bradford (and used to work for Roscioli) and we're happy to help in anyway to help get her sold. Thank you for sharing your journey! Scott and Ally

Totally get it. Good to see you. Good things are coming in the future😊

Heartbreak after a stupid mooring ball breaks. You got us to the BVI and now my wife loves it. All the best and we hope to see the Hillbilly 2.0 at some point

Love my brother. I hope everything gets resolved soon.

We are so thankful for your channel, my family and I get stuck watching your adventures over and over again. Good things happen for good people and you and your family will prevail in the end of all this. We look forward to any content you produce and will be looking forward to your next adventures!

Thanks for the update

Good luck my friend..

That’s a shame, a stressful situation I’m sure, if you manage to sell the boat you can put it behind you and pursue the insurance company in the background. Hopefully you have got some good legal advice. We visited the BVI for the first time in Feb this year and our itinerary was made solely by watching your videos and we had a great time so thank you. I have got a feeling it will work out fine in the end, I certainly hope so. Take care

We are glad you are back. Looking forward for what is next. 💪

Alan, we met you in Leverick a few years ago right before you took delivery of the Hillbilly. Try and keep the positive attitude you had then! We will be patiently awaiting the Hillbilly 2.0, if thats whats in the cards for you! Best wishes! Brian & Jillian

Wow! Can’t imagine what it is like going through this traumatic dealings. Look forward to seeing that Canadian train ride. My wife and I are thinking about doing that in the coming years. Cudo’s on the calm address to what you are going through. And you and God got this. It is never shocking to me to see what God does in our lives. Many, many, many, stories of my own that God has shown off - and I relish in the stories, every opportunity I get. God bless and I am truly looking forward to seeing more videos of your amazing journey!

Hey Alan! We missed you! Your caring and sharing never stops. Even on tough days. We learn and get away in your videosmso much, please carry on. Its hard to imagine going through all of this. There has been a fire in a nearby by marina here in Europe and 22 boats burtn down. It is a horror even to think about it. But your mindset resets us and gives us motivation never to give up. Thank you and rock on! 💪💪

So sad to hear about The Hillbilly 🙁. I will miss her fun on the water. I am sure you are utterly exhausted from dealing with all the red tape! I hope you can recoup some of your losses on the sale. Hang in there! Looking forward to seeing your new adventures 🥰❤️ Take care

Sorry to hear the almost final outcome. Sounds like bad faith on the part of your insurance company. I really enjoyed your behind the curtain looks into boating, and believe me I’ve looked at every catamaran 70’ to 80’ and they are impressive. I’ve decided that a catamaran doesn’t really fit my projected needs and have narrowed it down to an explorer yacht with trans Atlantic (possibly Pacific) capabilities. But, that doesn’t mean I haven’t learned some valuable information from your adventures and boat ownership. I really appreciate the effort you put into producing the videos. Hope you get back on that horse in the future, and know that you’ll be a wiser and more knowledgeable captain from your experiences with the Hillbilly. Thanks again (that train trip sounds interesting, I’ve actually been looking into some trips in a private rail car). Fair winds.

Thank you for the update. Been wondering what was up. It is a tuff choice but has to be done. My homeowners Ins did me wrong back in 2013. Had massive water damage and they refused to pay. Had to gut the house on my own dime then short saled the home. Lost everything. I feel for you. We hope the best for your future boating Captain 🫡

Sad day for sure but you it seems like you did everything I would have done in the same circumstances. I've been boating for over 40 years and you took precautions but stuff just happens sometimes. The water is a powerful thing with a mind of it's own. Sorry for the loss but hey adventure can be difficult. God Bless!

The next big adventure is right around the corner. I see a giant RV with a crazy paint package in your near future. The "Rolling Hillbilly?"

Thank you for sharing. Sorry for your pain, and I will be interested to see where life leads you, as you don't seem to be someone who quits. Prayers for you and yours.

Thank you again for always sharing your experiences with us. So many of us have lived vicariously through you and your videos. It was sad to see what you and your family have had to go through with the end of TWH1, and I'm sure we've only seen a small portion of how it has affected you all. On a lighter note I'm (and no way am I alone) excited to hear that a TWH2 may be in the future at some point. As always I wish you and your family all the best, and a big thank you for letting us all tag along on the journey!

You have done great! Dont let anyone else take that from you. You have done what most of us cannot do. So we live through your stories and adventures. Please get another vessel but this time make it a steal full displacement vessel, I personally think you would love them. Aquila is also nice but go for the more slower speed and longer range. Just my opinion. thanks for the vids.

Sorry to see the boat have to go, best of luck for you and your wife.

You will get thru this. Love your show Eric

Good video, good info. I had a similar situation... Find out what jurisdiction has judicial authority over your claim and look up their statutory obligation to respond (pay or deny) to your claim. You'll get a letter that day.

Just seen your video I'm sad for you and family it was so much fun seeing you and your family having so much fun I know it's going to be hard to get the money back but they can't take the memories you created I pray to God you get back all you deserve to do it again prayers are with you and your family

Hope to see you back soon 🙏🙏

Stay strong mate, feel your pain, look forward to the video explaining what has happened behind the scenes regarding insurance & salvage. Keep in touch, Swanny

Wow!! That sucks. I feel bad for you but it's good that you and your wife are taking the time to heal and not rush into anything. That insurance company has got some nerve to leave you hanging like that. Anyway on a better note I am glad you are well. And I look forward to more cool videos. Take care of yourselves, Jersey Lou

Thanks for the update. Hoping for a good outcome for you. Stay strong and keep up the fight. Take care.

You are the best my brother! I’ve learned a ton from you about a lot of different items which I humbly thank you for! I am curious and know it’s probably a little early, but what type of vessel are you thinking about for a possible Hill Billy 2? Hang in there and have a blessed day!

❤ sad to see the boat go. Have been a follower of the channel since the beginning. Love you, your family, and your style of reporting the journey. Will be watching carefully for your return. Don't leave us!

Damn! Missed your videos and was wondering what was going on. I am so sorry to hear the news BUT you have your health and no one else was injured. Good luck in your upcoming litigation.

So sorry to hear this. We have a 44 power cat and had an incident (while on the hard) and now entering litigation with the insurer. Sad that the beauty of our passion of boating, can be tainted by the greed of insurance companies. Best of luck with your future adventures. My wife and I have really enjoyed watching your videos.

I am so sorry for all the stress you and your wife have gone through. Personally, I have fought with insurance companies due to our boat was heavily damaged from a severe storm as we traveled on America's Great Loop, so I feel your pain. But my friend I look forward to more of your wonderful adventures and the stories that you tell. May I also tell you that we did buy another boat after a few years of fighting with the insurance company and some soul searching but the love of being on the water and wanting to still complete America's Great Loop adventure. So, please keep tell us your fans along with your family and friends your adventures. Thanks, and kind regards

You get people out there like myself. Going to BVI in two weeks on a 58’ FP. When I get back we’re visiting Staniel Key. Thanks for the push.

That's appalling and sorry that it's happened to you ! I have enjoyed your videos and was gutted for you when the boat was damaged. All the best with the legal challenge.

I truly hate this for you. And selfishly, I hate this for me as well. I've been going to the BVI, on and off, since 2009 and love seeing you show the places I've been, and some of the places that I've never seen. Obviously you are still dealing with the emotional trauma of your situation, but we all know that you will get through it and come out better in the the end. I look forward to seeing the next great chapter in the Wandering Hillbilly saga. Stay strong and thank you for this update.

You don’t know me, but hopefully I’m one of your thousands of viewers who really enjoy your content. I just found your site a few weeks ago and enjoy it immensely. As for the haters, ignore them. I’m in my late 50s and your advice to enjoy life now is invaluable. I recently went in on a new Sunreef 80 Catamaran with others that will be in the BVI’s half the year and very excited about it. You should be proud of all the amazing information you have given to all of us, especially sharing your excitement about boating and enjoying that beautiful part of the world. Again, I don’t know you, but I do know how much you enjoy exploring the BVi’s and know that you will make it happen again.

Wow, my heart breaks. Thank you for the ride and I truly hope there is a Hillbilly Two. Best of Luck.

So sorry to hear about your insurance company giving you problems. I hope its rectified quickly and you can get back on the water. So great your planning some other adventures in the meantime!

Hello Alan, I watched all your videos, you made me want to buy a boat, you made me want to live this colorful life. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You and your wife shared part of your life and your passion with great simplicity and this is what initially attracted me to watch your many and very interesting videos. You hinted at a possible return with the Hillbilly 2! It makes me happy to know that you haven't given up. To your wife and you, I hope you make the best possible decision(s) that will live up to your aspirations. Huge thank you for everything and I wish you only good things in your life, because you are really good people. Very sincerely Luc Lapointe

Good luck mate hope things work out for you.we need the insurance companies to be held accountable. It needs a government inquiry.

I just wanted to reach out and thank you for the great videos you’ve made, and I look forward to more in the future! I’m a pilot on the USS Eisenhower and your videos were a nice mental break from deployment, my fiancé and I hope to make it down there for our honeymoon and these videos have given us some great inspiration, so thank you!

So Sorry to hear. Loved your videos & you can see in them you loved your boat. Good LUCK Buddy.

So sorry to hear this - loved your boat and adventures! Just hoping for you that it is true that good people win out in the end.

I wish you the best of luck. I hope things turn out better for you. At least you’re alive in your family and friends.

Great to see you again, keep the dream, sorry what you are going through, but it will pass (hopefully soon), Hope you get another boat to get out to the BVI.

I know that was such a tough decision, especially when I think back to the episode when you stepped aboard the Hillbilly for the first time. As I shared with you before about bouncing back after you've hit rock bottom: You'll be back and sharing more BVI videos with us before you know it. Keep the faith brother as we all have faith in you.

I’m sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time with the insurance. I wish you and your wife happiness and joy when this is all behind you.

Glad to See you back. Love you Channel. You'll Love Canada. Ive Taken the Train right Across. will Be a good adventure. Good Luck From Candada

I recommend Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe. I have had relatively good experience with insurances but it was always standard auto, causality and liability … from what I hear boat insurance can be a different situation. You may also wish to contact your home state’s Insurance Commission or the insurance company’s home state Department of Insurance, they may be able to get some action. Good luck to you.

Keep your chin up Allen! We love you and your family, along with your channel. You have inspired us more than you can ever know! Please at some point blast the insurance agencies in this country, they have too much power, they take in too much money, but NEVER want to cover anything! Time to call them out for what they are! God speed my friend, from one Texan to another! You got this! ❤❤ NOTHING but love brother 💙

wow, that is nuts that they would not even send their own adjustor!

having only recently discovered your channel I am very upset for you and your wife and I do hope that you enjoy your new adventures and hope you are back in the B V I very soon as your videos brighten up what is a particularly grey and wet summer in th UK. I do wish you both the very best.

Good call. Sometimes, for your own sanity, you have to take a loss

Sad to hear you’re selling but totally understand. Very interested in the insurance story when you’re ready. Cheers.

So sad watching your video, All you've done for the BVI/Virgin Islands. I can't wait to see you back on the water.

“This too shall pass.” Glad to see you back!

Hi Alan. Just found your channel. I'm a Hillbilly from the hills of Kentucky myself. Looks like you had a bad situation you could not have done much if anything to change. I had no idea these anchor balls and boat insurance and salvage rescue could be such an issue and a POA! I'm not a sailor by any means. I have a 14 ft Jon set up for duck hunting, a kayak and a canoe. In a past life I think I may have been a Sea Captain because I find myself drawn to steel explorer yachts, like the Bering 60s to 80s, no bigger. I will never be able to afford one, and that's OK. I have traveled a lot. Did my 20 years in the military. Would a steel yacht have fared any better than your yacht? Best of luck to you and your wife. I hope, when the pain is less, and your ready to get back on the seas you will fix your boat, or buy another and get back out there and ride those waves. Rangers... Lead the Way!

Your an awesome man stay strong my friend ❤

Good luck Alan! Prayers comin at you!!

So sorry this has happened to you. You seem like a very mellow guy who didn’t deserve this. I follow other boater channels and they all experience the same with boat insurance and regulations. Hang in there and I l😅ok forward to your next adventure