Saltwateranddiesel

Navigation isn’t just about knowing where you are. It’s about knowing when.

Course, speed, distance and time have always been connected. Long before GPS and chartplotters, accurate timekeeping was one of the foundations of navigation — and even aboard a modern vessel, I wanted an independent mechanical way of keeping accurate time on my wrist.

That’s why the Tutima M2 Coastline has earned its place aboard Sophie-X.

This isn’t a watch we’ve chosen as a luxury accessory. For Saltwater & Diesel, it’s a navigation tool.

Automatic. Robust. Easy to read. No charging cable, no phone connection and no reliance on the boat’s electrical system. Wherever Sophie-X goes, accurate time stays with me.

From the UK to the Philippines, through thousands of miles of coastline and countless watches at the helm, this M2 Coastline will be there doing the job it was chosen to do.

And finally, a huge thank you to James, Sophie and the team at Clarindon Jewellers, our Official Timepiece Partner, for the incredible service, support and genuine enthusiasm they’ve shown for the Saltwater & Diesel expedition.

This one isn’t going in a display cabinet. It’s going to sea. ⚓⌚

⚙️ PROP PITCH — ONE NUMBER THAT CAN CHANGE HOW YOUR BOAT PERFORMS.

A prop marked 15 × 15 looks simple enough — but that second number can make the difference between an engine working comfortably and one that’s being overloaded or over-revved.

As we work through Sophie-X and prepare her for the journey, we’re looking at the entire propulsion system — not just whether the engine runs, but whether the engine, gearbox and propeller are properly matched for what we’re asking the boat to do.

For us, outright speed isn’t the priority.

Reliability, pulling power, sensible cruising RPM and fuel economy are.

We’ve put together this graphic to explain the basics of propeller pitch and why getting it right matters.

👇 Boat owners — have you ever changed prop pitch? What difference did you actually notice?

Let’s hear the real-world experiences in the comments.

⚓ PIRATES. YEMEN. SOPHIE-X.

This is one subject we knew we’d eventually have to talk about.

Our planned route towards the Philippines takes Sophie-X towards the Red Sea, Yemen and eventually the Bab-el-Mandeb — an area where security will have to be taken very seriously.

The ship in this photograph is D182 Schleswig-Holstein, the German Navy destroyer I served aboard. Back then, dealing with threats at sea was a very different proposition.

Sophie-X is a 22-foot boat. She isn’t armed like a destroyer, she isn’t fast, and by the time we reach that part of the world she’ll be our home.

So what do we actually do about piracy?

Tomorrow night we’re going to talk about it properly — the risks, avoidance, preparation, when we’d decide not to proceed, and what our priorities would be in the highly unlikely event Sophie-X was threatened.

Tuesday • 9PM UK • Facebook Live

Before we do, I want your opinion:

Would the situation around Yemen stop you going — or would you assess it when you got there? 👇

⚓ PIRATES, YEMEN & SOPHIE-X

There’s a reason we chose this photograph.

That is D182 Schleswig-Holstein, the German Navy destroyer I served aboard. Long before Sophie-X and Saltwater & Diesel, this was part of my life at sea.

Sophie-X obviously isn’t a destroyer — she’s a 22-foot, 1979 working boat — and eventually we’re planning to take her through one of the most complicated sections of our route: towards the Bab-el-Mandeb and the waters around Yemen.

People have already asked us the obvious question:

“What about pirates?”

First and foremost, we don’t intend to meet any.

Our real protection will be intelligence, timing, routing, situational awareness and avoiding an unacceptable situation before Sophie-X ever enters it. Security conditions will be assessed when we actually approach the region — not based on what they look like today.

An attack on a little boat like ours is highly unlikely, but unlikely doesn’t mean something gets ignored.

Sophie-X won’t just be a boat by then. She’ll be our home.

And if somebody ever does threaten that home at sea, our priority will be very simple:

Do everything reasonably possible to make sure Sophie-X and her crew come out of it in one piece.

No heroics. No Hollywood. Preparation, seamanship and getting home safely.

So here’s tonight’s question:

Would the security situation around Yemen stop you from attempting the route — or would you make the decision when you got there? 👇

⚓ You’ve seen the short clips. Now come and follow the whole journey.

Sophie-X is a 1979 working boat being prepared for something she was never really built to do — take us from the UK all the way to the Philippines.

We’re documenting the entire process: the preparation, the engineering, the mistakes, the decisions, the setbacks and eventually the miles themselves.

The quick updates will keep coming here, but our full Captain’s Logs are on YouTube.

If you’ve been following Sophie-X on Facebook or Instagram, come across and join us there too. We’re still right at the beginning — and that’s probably the best time to come aboard.

🎥 Search “Saltwater & Diesel” on YouTube and subscribe.

⚓ Leaving Chaos Behind.

⚓ Every part we buy is a decision.

Today marks another milestone for Sophie-X.

These are the first spare parts to officially go on the shelf for our expedition from the UK to the Philippines.

One thing has become very clear while planning this journey:

Out there, you can’t just pull into your local parts store.

Every spare we carry is something we believe could keep the expedition moving if the unexpected happens.

So here’s a question for everyone who’s worked on engines, boats, motorcycles, trucks or machinery…

What’s the ONE spare part you would never leave the dock without—and why?

We’re building our onboard inventory now, and we’d genuinely like to hear your experience. Your answer might even help shape what goes aboard Sophie-X before we cast off.

👇 Tell us your one “must-carry” spare in the comments.

⚓ Saltwater & Diesel – Leaving Chaos Behind.

After the disappointment with our first mug samples, we had a decision to make.

We could either accept something we weren’t proud of… or start again.

We chose to start again.

At Saltwater & Diesel, we’re not interested in putting our name on merchandise that doesn’t meet the standard our supporters deserve.

That’s where Toxico stepped in.

From the very first conversation, they understood what we were trying to achieve. They’ve helped us turn our vision into reality with high-quality, full-colour, double-sided mugs that we’re genuinely proud to send out.

A huge thank you to everyone at Toxico for stepping up when we needed it most. Your support, professionalism and quick turnaround have made a real difference to this project.

To everyone who has already ordered a Founding Series mug—thank you for your patience and your trust. We believe the wait will be worth it, and we can’t wait to show you the finished enamel mugs.

This journey has never been about pretending everything goes perfectly. It’s about solving problems, adapting, overcoming setbacks and moving forward.

Adapt & Overcome. ⚓
Gez Toxico