25 Years Living Off-Grid on a Self-Built Floating Home

Charlie built this beautiful off-grid float home in a remote channel on the west coast and has been living on it full-time for the past 25 years. His wife, Ellen, is a newbie to the lifestyle and joined him there 6 years ago. Together they have lived a quiet life in tune with the weather and the seasons. In this video, we get a peek at their beautiful home and some insight into the systems, the work, and the challenges that come with living this way.

The couple relies on solar power for electricity (supplementing with a generator on grey days), they have a wood stove for heat, propane for cooking and laundry, and a composting toilet for their waste.

There is a floating greenhouse and some raised garden beds on the deck that provide approx. 50% of their fresh vegetables in the summer. The rest of their food is bought at the grocery store in bulk so that they can stay out for 6 weeks or longer at a time.

Their home is quite remote and it's water access only, so have a couple of open boats, and one enclosed boat for travelling in rough or cold weather. The couple says they sometimes have to wait more than a week for a weather window to make a safe trip away from the cabin.

In this video, we get a peek at their beautiful home and some insight into the systems, the work, and the challenges involved in living this way.

"Charlie and Ellen acknowledge and express our gratitude to all those people and businesses who are on the grid and provide supplies and services that help us maintain our ability to live out where we do, off-grid and in the wilderness. We are so fortunate to be where we are and we know we couldn’t do it without their support.”

A very special thank you to Charlie and Ellen for sharing their story with us, and to Lukáš for making the trip all the way out there to film them. You can see more of his work here:

Thanks for watching!

Mat & Danielle

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COMMENTS
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CREDITS
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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.

Editing Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives

Filming Credits:
Lukáš Hyrman

#offgrid #floathome #floatinghouse

[ExploringAlternatives]

Thank you for watching! A little note from Charlie and Ellen:
"[We] acknowledge and express our gratitude to all those people and businesses who are on the grid and provide supplies and services that help us maintain our ability to live out where we do, off-grid and in the wilderness. We are so fortunate to be where we are and we know we couldn’t do it without their support.”

[Felix-Mueller]

This is probably one of the best off-grid-homes I've seen so far, it looks like its a painting and very well thought through. Love it.

[OFFGRIDOUTPOST]

I love how He uses the words "we, our, us" when referring to their home. He has been there 4 times as long but treats his woman like she has been there the whole time too

[seanlavelle]

I'm blown away by this. These people have such an amazing setup it's unreal. I envy them, it would be a dream to live like them. The house is awesome and how he used all that driftwood to make furniture out of is great. Thx for the video 👍🏻

[thinkplanetearth]

Really remarkable what he's built over 25 years. I really appreciated their candor about the challenges of living there. She mentioned that as an extrovert she missed her family quite a bit. I think it takes a certain kind of person to be that isolated. And I also liked her addressing that there will come a time, soon, where their aging will make living out there a bit too challenging and therefore will have to move. Too often I've seen videos where that type of living is romanticized. I'm sure moving, especially for him, will be very bittersweet.

[angieemm]

This is the perfect balance between off-grid and modern conveniences. This is what I aspire to be. I want to be self-sufficient but I am not willing to give up my clothes washer and dryer!

[atcay]

This is absolutely AMAZING! This man is a genius builder... I actually can't believe what I'm watching, this is beyond incredible... Growing vegetables and all what the actual!
Well done guys this is truly incredible and I still am in shock, I 💖 this so much! All the best guys and much love ❤️ from 🇦🇺🐱

[somethingkindawonderful]

To say this is a work of art is an understatment ! The hauling of materials alone is beyond impressive . Well done !!

[henryravu]

the most beautiful offgrid property in the world... amazing.

[douglasharley]

now, that's life! *respect.*
i especially like how they live an off-grid life close-to, and benefitting-from, nearby civilization.

[nanchesca]

Amazing life they have built there and must be very difficult having to leave it one day soon. I wish them lots of new adventures in their new home!

[annA]

I can well understand your heartbreak in having to leave. A little piece of heaven built by yourselves. Wonderful. 🙂

[jenniferweng]

Never had anyone remind me so much of the late Norm McDonald. Love your houseboat, it’s absolutely lovely. Best part is you get crab whenever you want!

[gablewebsolutions]

This is so incredible! I was enthralled from the moment the video started. You are living the dream, I just wish you could have a family member or friend that could live with you and help you with everything so you don't have to leave your beautiful home! Wishing you the best of luck!

[jamiebray]

I absolutely love that stair case. ❤️ I can see your deep emotional attachment. It's in every building every piece of furniture you built from driftwood. What you built is the most beautiful piece of Eden I've ever seen. Someone like you moving to an active town will be a huge change. I wish you the best in that change.

[debbielicis]

That ending was very sad. I didn’t think you would move away from something that you are loving & singing the praises of. I would move there in a heartbeat, it looks like a rewarding, fabulous life.

[noturcinderella]

That house is the creative expression of their soul and I think it is beautiful what they were doing and how they lived. Truly inspirational that he made his dream a reality. Love it!

[kellymartell]

Wow! This is beyond heaven. The ultimate lifestyle with creativity and freedom. Pure happiness.

[gear]

so awesome, thank you Charlie & Ellen for sharing you wonderful floating home.... best wishes ....

[RIPRUSTYTHANKSFORTHELAUGHS]

This man is my hero 😊 not just saying that . I love how he has conducted himself ! Thank you for sharing this