
A young couple decided to quit the rat race and gave up their jobs to sail around the world - despite never having set foot on a sailing boat before.

Matt and Jessica Johnson, both 32, decided to give up their 'American Dream,' quit their jobs, sell their possessions and raised enough money to buy their dream boat in 2008.

After practising for three years, the duo were finally ready to set sail and drift into the sunset and have not looked back since.

Leaving behind everything they knew, the adventurous couple departed their hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan on August 12, 2011, and have so far explored 16 countries.

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Matt and Jessica Johnson, both 32, decided to give up their American Dream and purchased a boat in 2008

Wanting a furry crewmate, the duo decided to adopt a cat called Georgie from a no-kill shelter in 2012, to join them on their adventures

From the colourful, brimming culture of South America, to the turquoise, crystal waters of the Caribbean and some European-style western islands, the explorers have experience some of the most beautiful locations in the world

After practising for three years, the due were finally ready to set sail and drift into the sunset, and have since had many adventures

The adventurous couple left behind their hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan on 12th August 2011, and have so far explored 16 countries

From the colourful, brimming culture of South America, to the turquoise, crystal waters of the Caribbean and some European-style western islands, the explorers have experience some of the most beautiful locations in the world.

Wanting a furry crewmate, the duo decided to adopt a cat from a no-kill shelter in 2012, to join them on their adventures.

Now one of the most well-travelled cats, globe trotting feline Georgie has accompanied them to 13 countries and has even done some swimming.

To keep the moggie from the waters when they are sailing, Matt and Jessica ensure that Georgie is in the cockpit or below deck, wearing a harness and leash for safety.

Jessica said: 'She does very well with the sailing and is more steady on her feet than we are. She loves sitting on the deck and watching the fish over the side of the boat when we are at anchor.

'We found out she can swim when she jumped overboard in Grand Cayman. She swam around the back of the boat and climbed up the ladder.'

Now one of the most well-travelled cats, globe trotting feline Georgie has accompanied them to 13 countries and has even done some swimming when she jumped overboard

Selling all their belongings, including their house, cars and personal items, allowed them to save up enough money to fund the trip

They are still getting by on their savings years later, living frugally and saving money wherever they can, and often opting for dinner on deck instead of expensive restaurants

Matt and Jessica claim that being together 24/7 and visiting incredible places like Machu Picchu in Peru, has made their 10 year relationship stronger than ever

PLACES THEY HAVE VISITED Bahamas Jamaica Cuba Grand Cayman Honduras Guatemala Peru Columbia Belize Mexico The Azores Madeira of Portugal Canary Islands of Spain Sint Maarten British Virgin Islands US Virgin Islands Advertisement

Before their trip, both had successful careers with Matt working as a sales manager at a car dealership and Jessica as a billing specialist for a auto insurance company.

Selling all their belongings, including their house, cars and personal items, allowed them to save up enough money to fund the trip.

They are still getting by on their savings years later, living frugally and saving money wherever they can, and often opting for dinner on deck instead of expensive restaurants.

On average, they spend around £700 a month on diesel, docking feeds, boat maintenance, insurance, food shopping, eating out, entertainment and general costs, and have even created a breakdown of costs on their blog, mjsailing.com, for readers who are considering planning their own ocean adventure.

Matt and Jessica claim that being together 24/7 has made their 10 year relationship stronger than ever.

They said: 'Our lives were the typical American Dream. Go to school, get married, buy a house, start a career. So far we've also left out the part of having 2.5 kids.

'For too long we had spent all of our weekends in front of the TV without ever doing anything productive or enjoyable. We realised this needed to change.

'I think that sailing the world has been great for our relationship. There's no walking away from an argument when one person gets mad at the other, you have to keep working together until the job is done.

'As for being with each other 100% of the time, we don't mind at all. We have always liked to be around each other.

'We'd also been hearing stories from so many others that had been putting their dream on hold until retirement and for one reason or another (health, financial, etc.) until their dreams were no longer attainable. We never wanted that to be us.'

Birthday fun! Matt and Jessica said they started to travel after hearing stories from so many others who had put their dream on hold until retirement and for one reason or another (health, financial, etc.) their dreams were then not longer attainable, and the pair never wanted that to happen to them

On average, they spend around £700 a month on diesel, docking feeds, boat maintenance, insurance, food shopping, eating out, entertainment and general costs

The couple have created a breakdown of costs on their blog, mjsailing.com, for readers who are considering planning their own ocean adventure.

To keep the moggie from the waters when they are sailing, Matt and Jessica ensure that Georgie is in the cockpit or below deck, wearing a harness and leash for safety

Matt and Jessica now have their sights set on further afield, although they realise that crossing larger distances can be a challenge in deep waters.

When previously crossing the North Atlantic Ocean on their Sabre 34 Targa boat, they found themselves in an unexpected storm 1,000 miles from nearest land.

'It's been amazing but there have been some challenges. When the storm hit, we thought we might lose the boat. Winds rose up to 55 knots and the seas built to 5 metres.

'This went on for 2-3 hours. We were ready to abandon ship and jump onto our life raft.'

Thankfully the couple did not give up on their dreams and have no plans to end their oceanic exploration any time soon.

The couple realised they spent all of their weekends before they left in front of the TV without ever doing anything productive or enjoyable and felt this needed to change

A room with a view! The couple have witnessed beautiful sights from their boat like the view of Big Trunk Bay on Virgin Gorda in British Virgin Islands

Before their trip, both had successful careers with Matt working as a sales manager at a car dealership and Jessica as a billing specialist for a auto insurance company

Jessica and Matt from their wedding 11 years ago. The duo feel sailing the world has been great for their relationship as there's no walking away from an argument when one person gets mad at the other

The couple have visited Cienfeugos in Cuba, along with countries such as Mexico, Peru, the Bahamas

Time to explore! Matt lying on a picnic blanket and Georgie the cat tied up in Horta, in the Azores

At once with nature! The couple spy Minke Whales swimming alongside the boat as it sailed