About
On August 25, 2025, a 36-foot steel yacht named White Shadow sailed into Plymouth, England, flanked by an RNLI guard of honour. At its helm was Barry Perrins, 68, a man known to over one hundred thousand followers as “The old Seadog.” His arrival marked the end of an extraordinary nine-year, 30,000-mile solo circumnavigation of the globe. This was no mere travel vlog; it was the culmination of a life-altering quest documented on his YouTube channel, “Adventures of an old Seadog.” The channel’s mission, stated plainly, was to show “the bad as well as the good, the heart aches and the triumphs of one mans’ quest to live his dream.” Perrins delivered, chronicling everything from idyllic island encounters to life-threatening storms and a period where he was officially declared missing at sea.
Adventures of an old Seadog: History and Growth
Barry Perrins is a British national from the maritime city of Plymouth, Devon. His connection to the ocean is foundational; prior to his global voyage, he served as a volunteer lifeboatman, an experience he credits with instilling the self-rescue skills and worst-case-scenario planning that would prove essential to his survival. But his history reveals a man of layered talents. Long before he was a sailor, Perrins was an accomplished musician. A 1980 newspaper clipping recognizes him as a “four times British champion euphonium player,” a guest soloist with the Grimsdyke Brass Band—an early proof to the discipline that would define his later endeavors.
The catalyst for the voyage was profound loss. Following the death of his parents, Perrins was left with a small inheritance and a critical choice. Instead of a “flashy car,” he decided to pursue a life of meaning. He bought the White Shadow—a unique, hand-made 2004 Van De Stadt Seal 36 with a round bilge steel hull and modified coach roof—in Portugal. After a winter living aboard and preparing the vessel, he set sail in June 2016.
His YouTube channel, however, had a much earlier origin. Created on March 5, 2007, it lay dormant for years, its early history hinted at by a circa 2008 “Big Brother audition video for channel 4,” indicating a long-held ambition for media performance. The channel was ultimately repurposed to become the logbook for his life’s greatest adventure.
Adventures of an old Seadog: Content and Style
Perrins’ content strategy is a deliberate departure from the high-frequency, low-depth model of daily vlogging. He films material over several weeks, allowing him to be selective and craft a compelling narrative for each episode. His stated aim is to “avoid bland and mundane” and ensure “at least one or two exciting and interesting events in every video.” This approach results in a significant time lag; in a September 2025 interview upon his return to the UK, he noted his YouTube series was still depicting his time in South Africa.
To bridge this narrative gap, he employs a well-organized two-tiered information strategy. His Facebook page serves as the source for “‘realtime’ up-dates and news,” providing immediate connection with his audience. Instagram offers a visual diary of his progress. This allows the YouTube channel to function as the polished, definitive chronicle of the journey.
His production is a solo affair, utilizing an extensive arsenal of equipment including a Canon R50 main camera, a Canon 200d backup, two Osmo action cameras, an Insta 360, a DJI gimbal camera, and two drones (a Magic mini2 and Mavic pro). Audio is captured with a Rode external microphone, complete with its “sponge and dead kitten attached.” He edits on a Macbook using Final Cut Pro, admitting with characteristic humility that for technical problems, he will “get the help of a younger person who understands computerie stuff!”
How Adventures of an old Seadog Makes Money
Perrins has constructed a resilient and diversified business model that extends far beyond YouTube ad revenue. Direct fan support is channeled through Patreon and PayPal. The PayPal link, paypal.me/seadogadventures, reveals a key piece of his digital history, as contributions are processed under the name “Cudaworld.” Perrins confirms in his video descriptions, “that is me,” directly linking this business name to his identity.
This “Cuda” alias connects to a parallel career in music. A ReverbNation profile exists for “Barry Cuda Perrins” in the Indie/Pop genre. This musical pursuit is a core part of his current brand. He operates a dedicated music YouTube channel, “Barry Seadog Perrins,” and in December 2023, he released an original single titled “Halfway.” The track is distributed commercially on Apple Music and Amazon Music, though he steers his most dedicated fans to Bandcamp, noting it is his “preferred link”—a subtle indication of a more favorable revenue share. His music and video copyrights are held by a firm named Jollygoodshow productions or used under license.
Adventures of an old Seadog's Collaborations
Though his journey was solo, Perrins was an active participant in the global network of YouTube sailing creators. In Panama, he documented a “YouTube Sailors party on a deserted island” with Dale and Justin of the channel Dj’sdives and Johan and Malin of Ran Sailing. He has also referenced his friendship with the creators of Between Sea and Sky. These connections provided crucial social support and cross-promotional opportunities, embedding his solitary voyage within a larger digital community.
Adventures of an old Seadog: Public Reception
The conclusion of Perrins’ voyage was met with significant public acclaim. His August 2025 arrival in Plymouth was a major local event, covered extensively by media outlets including ITV News, BBC News, and specialized publications like Marine Industry News. There are no public controversies or scandals associated with Perrins or his channel. Minor criticisms found on sailing forums—focused on technical matters like being overly cautious with sails or the timing of hull cleaning—represent typical audience feedback rather than any substantive issue.
The true drama of his channel is not manufactured; it is the authentic, documented struggle against the elements. The most harrowing incident occurred during his multi-month Pacific crossing, when he was posted as missing. After 71 days without contact, he was located by a French Air Sea Rescue aircraft and later made landfall on Hiva Oa. Other incidents include requiring assistance off the coast of North East Australia, battling a serious leg infection (cellulitis) at sea, and enduring critical equipment failures. The COVID-19 pandemic forced an unplanned 18-month stay in New Zealand, extending his voyage from a planned seven years to nine. As Perrins himself stated, “Regularly, you are facing the fact you might die — I am not exaggerating.”
Adventures of an old Seadog Today
Having successfully completed one of the most demanding feats of human endurance, Barry Perrins is not resting. His current plans involve a complete refit of his trusted vessel, White Shadow, before embarking on his next adventure: a comprehensive sailing tour around the coasts of the UK and Ireland. His nine-year journey stands as a powerful public record of resilience, masterful storytelling, and the unwavering pursuit of a life defined not by possessions, but by the richness of experience.