Firstly, thank you for the outpouring of positivity, which I'm not at this juncture sure I deserve. This moment, I count only 26 (update: 68) unsubscribes, which means a lot. I will read and reply to every single comment. But now it's 11pm, and I need to kick this lurgy before my events this weekend. (update: I'm replying in groups of 30, so I give them all proper attention. Over 400 so far, but I will catch up) Also, I've intentionally not made this a 30min detailed explainer, as I anticipate questions or 'why can't you....?' suggestions and l'll engage with them properly in a video.

“The good seaman weathers the storm he cannot avoid, and avoids the storm he cannot weather.”

A wise call. There’s a real skill in judging how dangerous is to dangerous.

That must have been a tough call after putting in so much work. But understandable and right. All the best with the adventures, thanks for taking me along and providing outstanding entertainment. Hopefully I'll have 2 channels to follow now. Alex and Alan.

Good for you for not letting your ego get you into serious trouble by taking a single propulsion vessel into a challenging environment after realizing that that was a poor decision in the first place! It shows the wisdom and confidence of someone who makes a living by going to places that would kill the rest of us. It's been a fun ride and we'll be sad to see Alan go away. But we will look forward to your next adventure and your next series of excellent programs!

I can't help but feel disappointment, but we don't live in a fairytale, and sometimes real-life decisions have to be made. I wish both of you the best, Alex will remain in my subs list, and Alan will always have a little place in my heart.

I have no involvement with boating, and yet I have been glued to this channel, and to Tally Ho and Arabella. I enjoy the problem-solving, the design work, the unfamiliar locales, the skills, explanations of the systems. I knew nothing of this nautical world, and now I do. Sure, I'll stick around because whatever you present will be new to me. Thanks.

I completely agree, a single point of failure close to shore is not too much of a risk thanks to the wonderful RNLI but where there is a long distance to cover between land it becomes a significant problem in the event of an engine failure. I hope that all your hard work on Alan can still be put to good use. It would be a pity to se it go to waste.

In Dutch we have saying:"Beter ten halve gekeerd, dan ten hele gedwaald." which loosly translates to " it is better to stop half way than to persevere in an error." I find it commendable that you stop your journey with Alan here on the Shetlands after the Engine malfunction and subsequent reassessment of risks. I look forward to the upcoming Alan episodes and your further endeavors whatever they may be.

We were moored a couple of places away from Alan in Wick, after we'd just had a fairly rough trip down from the Shetlands, and wondered if you really knew what you were taking on. It sounds like you've been a victim of mission-creep, and are absolutely right to stop when you realised that Alan wasn't suitable for what you want to do. The Sheltand Islands have more boat museums per person than anywhere in the UK, and a great tradition of finding new uses for unused boats, so I hope Alan finds a satisfying new life.

oh damn, that's sad news. but i get it. well it's been a fun ride. thanks for the trip so far, Alex.

Thanks for the journey so far. Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.

Thank you for sharing Alan’s adventure with us. I’m sticking with you for more adventures.

Oceans require the same degree of respect as sub zero conditions. A clear headed, gutsy decision. The correct thing to do. Very impressed. Carry on.

Chin up! It’s been an awesome ride and I am looking forward to what is to come. 👍✨

That's a shame. But it sounds like the right thing for you to do. I hope Alan finds a good home and I'm curious what you get up to next.

I found the channel because of Alan, but have come to appreciate your humour and storytelling much more than even the projects at hand. I hope I am not alone in this. Now onwards and upwards, even if there is no Alan V2 in the future I am very interested to see whatever it is you are going to show us in the future.

Alex, a very sensible decision, but it's been an amazing journey. Alan certain has captured our imaginations, but the demands of KZfaq should not be put above you and your crews safety. Looking forward to your further adventures and well done for all you have achieved.

Hi Alex, it was the boat-building that likely made YT suggest you to me, but I'm here for everything you're up to, and especially your wonderfully British way of phrasing things. It's lovely, amidst this sea of Americanised content "standards", to have someone who sounds completely like home, as it were 😊 I'll be sad to see plucky little Alan part ways with you but also much happier that you're not risking several lives to a questionable Bukh not designed for inverse-Viking trips across the North Sea. Wherever life takes your channel next, I'll be here.

Hi Alex, I really enjoyed all the Alan content, but what I really enjoy is your style of video making, presenting and delivey. I'll stay subscribed to see what happens next! I think you've made the right decision, safety at sea is paramount and so is confidence in your boat. Best wishes from Australia!

Dang. And I just bought 12 new hand grinders.

I like your style, Alex. I am happy to keep enjoying your videos on whatever topics seem like a good fit for me. A friend of mine taught me this year that life isn't linear and that I would be foolish to believe so. We zig. We zag. We try. We fail. We succeed. We continue. For what it is worth, I live in Seattle and watching Alan's videos has helped me overcome a lot of fears. So tomorrow, I am viewing a liveaboard boat here, for what I hope will be many Puget Sound adventures. Thank you for your example.

I started watching a couple years ago shortly after I bought a camper van. Your experience renovating Alan paralleled my experience fixing up my camper, but with a twist. I've enjoyed your dry wit, and really like your video making style. I'm sad to see Alan go, but the journey was the fun part. I suppose whether it ended with Alan finished and exploring the Arctic, or ended now, eventually the funny build videos would have to end. You made the right call not going beyond the limits you are comfortable with. I'm glad to have been exposed to some of your exploration videos in the process, and look forward to seeing more of those when they pop up in my subscription feed. I hope you find more projects to document working on, as I need constant updates on the status of your metal grinder.

Alex, I am a sailor who has sailed high latitudes up in Alaska. I have to say you are making the right choice here. The life boat project was neat, but it was a crazy gamble to run around the open sea on. That being said I would love to see you take on a sailboat and continue that way, I am sure there are plenty good full keel boats around there looking to be loved the way you have poured your heart into Alan.

as a sailor who has been through 20 to 30 meter waves in the north Atlantic, only get on the boat if you feel it's safe. I'll stick around, i really enjoyed Alan, and the sled dogs episodes. hope to see some more artic exploration in your future. i heard there are new water falls seen in Greenland.

Loved the journey mate, you should be very proud and even more proud of not being too foolhardy to come unstuck offshore! I for one will be sticking about to see what happens next…! All the best and I hope Alan and Alansøn find a great new home!!!

For we the viewers, it is disappointing for the outcome of Alan but we should remember as viewer of youtube, Alex has blood sweat and tears invested in Alan! Please remember that. Alex, Chin up, you are making the right decision!

Been watching since the start of Alan, its really been a great run. Love all the videos. I respect you for making such a difficult decision regarding all of this. Your time was very well spent and people will be able to enjoy the videos of this great build for a long time. Looking forward to you next adventure. Cheers from Sweden.

A sad, but understandable decision. Been watching you work on Alan since near the beginning of the project, it's how I found the channel. While I had high hopes it'd all pan out, I see how it's become a major time/money sink, for something that has grown out of it's original scope and is taking away from your other endeavors. I'm glad to stay on for your other projects and expeditions. I hope you're able to find Alan a new owner, who will love and cherish him as much as you have. God speed.

A sad but sensible decision. I have watched every episode and enjoyed them all. I look forward to your future adventures.

You're safety and the safety of any crew you would have had is the most important thing. I have enjoyed the journey over the last few years and am looking forward to seeing where the channel goes. Cheers to you and Alan! Thank you for all the hard work you have put in. I feel a kinship with you and will support your work going forward.

All the man hours, all the money involved, all the dreams...ended. This has to be painful, and for that, I'm truly sorry and feel bad for you. I'm sorry.

Having spent the last 8 years working at sea and a great many hours working on lifeboats, I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t intentionally cross such an isolated stretch of open sea in one. There is no alternate means of propulsion and totally enclosed lifeboats aren’t particularly well suited to their installation. The main problem for me however is maintenance. The way lifeboats are designed and built means there are parts that you are physically incapable of accessing without getting destructive. Other components are accessible only through removing parts of the structure, whilst the rest is a genuine nightmare when the thing is up on the davits, let alone a tossing sea. I’ve seen them fail often enough to know how likely it was to happen to you and I wouldn’t want to be in that situation myself.

I came for Alan but I’ll stay for Alex and the content that’s coming!

I was just up at Tuktoyaktuk for the summer solstice and the sea was calm with no sea ice in sight. My third time to the Arctic Ocean for the summer solstice. I completely understand your love of it up there.

Thank you, it's been entertaining to follow the story of the project, looking forward to the next projects that you share.

Looking at the comments they are all positive and im just stuck for anything to add. One thing for sure is your a very honest man, confident, self assured, just have a break and not a breakdown as your as human as the rest off us. Alan was my brother's name and after buying his first ex lifeboat in Fife it broke down in a gale crossing the Forth to east Lothian and a navy vessel rescued him, only his pride was damaged. Take good care of yourself and grateful thanks from me. Regards Robert

Thank you for bringing us along on this amazing journey. I look forward to chapter 2 , what ever that may be . I’m sure it won’t disappoint . Thanks again .

I'm really sorry to hear this, I've really enjoyed this project. I feel sorry for you, it must be hard to face this decision. It's such a cool thing and I wish I was close enough to give Alan a new home!

That must have been an incredibly hard decision to make, lots of time and money have gone into Alan but sometimes you’ve got to cut your losses and venture down a different path, you must have learnt a huge amount carrying out such a project so I’m sure your can put your unstoppable enthusiasm and skill into something else, it’s been an amazing journey to watch so thank you for sharing both the highs and the lows,

best wishes to you and Alan. I'll keep watching.

Hey Alex, appreciate the openness and transparency. Definitely a sad day for the channel but understandable. I’ll send you an email separately. ❤ some of us aren’t going anywhere.

That’s a tough call to make but if you question your safety then it’s the right one. I’ve enjoyed your Alan videos and look forward to seeing future projects. Stay safe and thank you!

You’re absolutely doing the right thing. Safety comes before anything else and you are being very responsible. It’s sad but it’s been an interesting journey for you and here’s hoping that as you travel on in a different direction we will all see that you made the right decision.

Thanks for the glorious stories along the way Alex and Alan, I will stick around for sure!

I’m here because I love your style of videos. Your outlook and humor and the effort and love you put in to everything you do. Yours and spear it animal are two of my favorite channels for that reason.

Sad. I appreciate everything done so far. Glad that safety and sensibility overcame ego and ambition. I subbed for Alan. I hope she finds a good home.

Sorry to hear that the Alan journey ends here. I too will continue to support you especially since we both share the same dry humor. Thanks for all the hard work you have put into this project!

Congratulations on achieving what you have. A pragmatic decision. Hold your head high. Thank you for taking us along. 90% of what I watch is boat related but I look forward to following what you do next. Cheers

Thank you Alex!

Totally understand safety always comes first when at se ,good luck with your future endeavours and looking forward to seeing your up and coming videos.

Jeez man this came as a shock. I've followed you from the start where I somehow dropped on one of your early vids of Alan, then binge watched the lot to catch up and followed you ever since, so I really feel for you knowing how much work you've put into Alan including whilst enroute! Its no doubt the right call (given a single engine with no sails) but wherever your next adventure take you I'll be there as I'm staying subscribed! Stay safe!!

I think one of the reasons your channel is so popular, and why your followers are so loyal, is that you seem authentic in what you convey. Stopping a project that isn’t working, and being open with viewers about that, seems completely in keeping with your vibe. Long may your channel continue and best wishes with all your future endeavours. I’ll be sticking around, waiting impatiently for whatever your next instalment might bring

Fair enough buddy, looking forward for your future adventures.

Everything that you have done has been in good faith and it has been good to come along on the journey with you and Alan but your safety and anyone else with you is paramount and therefore I commend you for your honesty and I for one will keep watching the channel.All the best for the future.

I think it's a good call you must always think of the safety aspect of all things you do. Allen and yourself have grown to be splendid pair, and I for one wish you could continue the adventure. But if it's not safe to go it's just not and I commend you on that decision. Hope to see more of you in the future.

It’s been a fun adventure. Can’t wait for the next adventure i’ll be hopping along for the ride

Wise man! Good on you Alex. Looking forward to what you teach and show us next, whatever direction that may be.

Best wishes to you and for your future endeavours

never any regrets for doing the right thing, it's been a great journey so far and excited to keep seeing what you (and Alan in his next life) get up to

I must admit when my boat was along side yours at Benfleet and you told me of your plans, I did think to myself is that the right boat for the job. These ships lifeboats are unsinkable and self righting and will go over waves and through them, they were never made for long offshore travel. For safety and security two engines are essential. You have done very well to get to where you are and are to be congratulated on that. I wish you well for the future.

Thanks for taking us along for the ride, It was always on my mind that you only had a single engine. I'm looking forward to what you do next. So long Alan.

Alex you are the best!! Keep going toward the next project for sure we will be waiting 😁

Your expedition northwards highlights a commitment to uncovering challenging realities with compassion and insight. Your work truly makes a difference! And I am Floating Village Life.

The saddest part (to me) isn't that Alan won't get to go on an expedition, but that he won't be able to stick around as a companion to the channel in the future. I felt awful when I sold my first car and I have to imagine it feels even worse than that for you. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into him, and for bringing us along for the ride, and I look forward to seeing what you work on next :)

Sad news but wishing you (and Alan) all our best in your next adventures

A hard choice but I respect your decision. Sometimes it is necessary to move to more practical vessels.

The very best of luck to you. It's been a great journey but safety comes first. I hope that there is some way for Alan to continue. Keep your chin up.

Long term subscriber, looking forward to the arctic stuff. It was always a pleasant surprise to see. I imagine the sense of how big a deal this change is, is much bigger for you than us! Definitely going to stay. Looking forward to the new direction.

Its been a painfully enjoyable run and i cant say im not disappointed. I wish you well and i really really hope you stick to your promise of finding Alan a good home.

Offshore small craft need redundancies. You made the right call, and those right calls are often harder than not. Keep safe, keep sailing, keep calm, and carry on. Thanks again friend.

I am absolutely gutted for you. I have enjoyed both Alan and your artic videos so keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing more from you.

Ive watched since the beginning of Alan. I absolutely love getting to watch your process of working towards your goal. I am excited to see you continue on your journey regardless of the equipment used! You've done a great job! Im not going anywhere

Alex it has been a great journey, maybe not the end we all wanted. Continue the great work and I will follow you on the next one

Nearly shed a tear, with the thought that there will be no more Alan videos to come. If there are more videos where we get to watch paint, glue, epoxy dry and the occational angle grinder action I am there for it.

Alex we are here for you and your videos not just allen we want you to stick around and if that means what you have explained in this video we understand you have the best judgement out of anyone on this project ! Take some time off for yourself you deserve it and need it ! We appreciate you taking us all along with you its been fun and we cant wait to see what you do next ! 😊

Well done Alex. Tough call but the right one. Have really enjoyed watching Alans progress and will certainly miss the updates but looking forward to what comes next.

all the best to the both of you and safe journeys

You did a good job of putting logic before emotion - I know I struggled with that when I first heard the news. I'm sure whatever future projects you take on will be equally exciting!

Don't look back and lament this has been entertaining and educational. I can't wait to see what you have coming up next. Please keep the channel alive or if you move, give us a forwarding address/channel. Thank you Alex

Sad news but well explained and reasoned. Thank You Alex

I"m so sorry to here this Alex. Your reasoning is sound, and I'm sure it's the right decision for you. I can't wait to see what you apply yourself to next.

Basically the only youtube series I've been closely following ever. I am excited for the future of this channel, your channel is truly unique.

It's been wonderful to watch your journey.... Stay safe 😎

An honest and open explanation from a person with obvious integrity - I’ll still be subscribing 👍

I am with you Alex your content has always been very good thx

Well, I was so looking forward to adventures to come but I have enjoyed the ride! Think I will stick around to see what happens next.

I watch because you are unique in your thinking and your presentation, you entertain with your personality and long may it last, all breakups are sad but Alan will find a new home and you will continue with your quest, I look forward to the next episode

Truly a sad day but I can totally see your reasoning and in my opinion it's the right decision, I subscribed for the boaty content but i've enjoyed the other adventure content as much so i'm not going anywhere. I wish i had the space and use for an expedition lifeboat but unfortunately not, I'm sure you'll find the right custodian that can make use of the work you've done and take Alan on to the next adventure.

Wow, Gutted. You must be distraught. Please don't decommission Alan too much. He is a better option left intact. Stay safe Alex. Best wishes

Hard video to watch, harder still to record... Thank you for being open and honest. Also thank Alan for helping me through lock down, watching the update videos is how I remember 2020.

Alex - I’ve been watching since the beginning of your channel and your working on Alan was what initially caught my attention. With that being said, it’s the overall journey (your journey), your insight, knowledge and your in the field learning that keeps me, and will continue to keep me watching. As long as the grinder doesn’t disappear, you’ll be fine.

All good. Be safe mate. Maybe just use in your local area. You learnt alot and helped others learn at the same time. Many thanks

Alex, this has been the single best boating series that I've had the pleasure of watching. And an amazing display of work ethic. Thank you. I am looking forward to the rest of the Alan videos, and for whatever you bring us in the future. Hopefully the right buyer comes along soon.

Thanks for the transparency Alex! It is a good call to stop with Alan before some sort of A catastrophe. You have put so much effort Into Alan and in exchange. You have learned a lot a new thing. I'm looking forward to the new content and adventure!!

Good call, looking forward to what’s next!

Experience is the thing you get right after you need it. At least this experience didn't have fatal consequences. I'm sure the adventure will come when you're good and ready, Alex. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing what comes next after Alan. 👍

mmm it was a fascinating journey to get here, and thank you for your honesty, maybe we need to fit skis under Allen so he could become a base camp for your Artic adventures... i look forward to your new Adventures...

Doing the right thing often is difficult, but in this case clearly understandable. I look to the future and your next adventure. Good Luck wherever that takes you.

Thanks Alex