Keeping Up With The Nietzels

Karly and Evan Nietzel—aka YouTube’s @Navigating Nietzels—tailored their careers for remote work after buying a trawler, moving onboard and completing the Great Loop. Along with their pup, Ripley, they’re just getting started.

A sunny, medium shot of a smiling young man and woman posing on the bow deck of a boat with their large, fluffy golden doodle dog. The woman on the left wears a white t-shirt, brown shorts, and sunglasses while holding up a yellow triangular "AGLCA" burgee flag featuring a map graphic. The man stands behind her wearing a white t-shirt, brown shorts, a black baseball cap, and sunglasses while cradling the dog. In the top right corner, a round illustrated logo reads "TRAWLER TALK" around a captain's hat. The background shows a calm river or canal bordered by a shoreline with waterfront houses and palm trees under a blue sky.
Nordhavn logo

I met Karly and Evan Nietzel soon after the couple had spent the last year cruising the Great Loop on Northern Attitude, a 1986 Marine Trader Europa 36. They were in Anacortes, Wash., looking for a boat with a little more elbow room to take on even bigger adventures.

Their origin story is inspiring. After relocating from Iowa to Florida, the high school sweethearts that grew up boating and waterskiing saw the potential in adventure on the brine. Evan, remembering a map og the Great Loop that he can come across as a teen, convinced Karly that they can chase the sunset on a trawler and still hold professional careers.

While tailoring their lives for remote work, they found the Marine Trader and spent the next year day tripping and spending long weekends aboard to prepare for the Great Loop.

You can see their adventures on YouTube @Navigating Nietzels.

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