sailboat refit youtube

Attainable Adventure Cruising

The Offshore Voyaging Reference Site

• Refits, What You Need to Know

When I think back on over 18 years of publishing this site and discussing our articles with you, our readers, it is clear to me that the subject of refits, including how to do them well and, even more importantly, whether to do them at all , is one of the most important things we write about in our continuing effort to help more people get out there offshore voyaging.

A refit of an older boat done well can make it possible to get out there cruising for a fraction of what a new, or even fairly new, boat would cost.

But a refit that goes wrong can destroy enough of the owner’s hard-earned savings to adversely affect their financial situation for life. I kid you not, unless you are crazy-rich a bad refit can be a life-altering event, and not in a good way, particularly these days when investment returns are low and employment returns more tenuous, so that financial recovery is way harder than it was when I made my refit mistake .

So to help you do a good refit we have just reorganized all of our articles on the subject. And while doing that we realized that there are different ways to get the job done, so we have split the articles up by author:

Andy Schell—Three Refits

In four articles, Andy Schell , professional sailor of 59 North and the On The Wind Podcast , shares the stories of his and Mia’s three refits—these two are even crazier than Phyllis and me, in that I was 58 by the time I completed my third refit, he’s done three before 33!

• The state of the boat at the start.
• The new gear they chose.
• The things they fixed and changed.
• The things they didn’t.
• And, most important of all, what it all cost and how long it all took.

This is solid-gold information that will help anyone get out there and stay out there, refit or not.

Clip on, this is an incredibly valuable, although sometimes rough, voyage through the refit sea.

Colin—An Offshore Sailboat for US$100,000

Few people in the world have sailed, worked on and fixed more different types of boats than AAC European Correspondent and professional sailor, Colin Speedie.

In four articles Colin uses that expertise to share how to select an older boat and then refit it into a simple and safe offshore cruising boat, all for US$100,000 or maybe even a bit less.

John—Planning a Refit

We are dreaming of palm trees and surfing the listings at YachtWorld for a boat to take us there, but wait, have we thought about how we will actually make this happen? Or is that level of planning even possible?

Yes, it is. In this ongoing series I take a step-by-step approach to planning a refit using the experience I have gained doing three refits, as well as what I have learned from Andy and Colin, coupled with consulting with industry experts in each field.

This is a deep dive into the stuff that will really make the difference between a successful cruising boat and a floating nightmare that will bleed us dry, both emotionally and financially.

Please Share a Link:

Refits Child Topics:

• Lessons From Three Refits
• Offshore Sailboat For US$100K
• Planning and Budgeting a Refit

More Articles From Refits:

• Are Refits Worth It?
• Refitting an Old Boat Can Work…For Some
• Restoring A 30-Year Old Boat: What It Takes
• That’s One Way To Do It…

Nice updates, and I totally agree that these topics are the ones most people are busy with when wanting to get into serious cruising.

After many decades exposed to questions about boats and what to do with them, I think there’s also another side to the questions, which might be the more important side: What type of person will take on the project?

We all have different qualities, and we all change through life. Taking on a boat refit for the first time is definitely going to change you in many ways, in addition to probably new practical skills. Most who finish the project judge it as something they are happy to have done, but not all. Close to all who don’t get to the end of it either see it as a life changing failure, or mentally block the realisation.

I’ve come to think that it seems possible to mostly predict how it will end by looking at the personal properties and preferences, and how that pairs with the type of project chosen. I frequently see fascinating old wooden boats that could be amazing if fixed up. I have the skills and stamina to be able to finish it, but I can see the quantity of work and cost. I just don’t want that much.

Those who take it on are normally real professionals with that type of boat, or “dreamers”. The latter might love much of the process, but often have zero appreciation of how much or how long. If remaining in that “dreamer” state, they will also not get to the end of a very easy project. Our mental choices dictate how a project looks to us and how we are able to get progress.

This is just scratching the surface, of course. Perhaps this could be the topic of articles here? How to find out what your mindset is. How to match that with the right type of boat. How to take care of your wellbeing while taking on a boat. How to not loose your spouse by getting a boat. More?

A very good point. As to an article, already done:

https://www.morganscloud.com/2020/02/15/a-sail-away-offshore-cruising-boat-for-less-than-us100000-its-a-lot-about-you/

https://www.morganscloud.com/2020/01/06/a-sail-away-offshore-cruising-boat-for-less-than-us100000-part-1/

There is an excellent post every Sunday on YouTube called “ Refitting Athena’ Sail Life, from Denmark. Just about everything you need to know about refitting an old boat, and entertaining to follow his progress. The best show of its kind.

Also quite remarkable: the story of Duca and Roberta in Brazil: https://www.youtube.com/c/OddLifeCrafting/videos Highly interesting, honest, and heartwarming.

It’s my ‘Mads Monday’ here in Brisbane.

Also very good is a trawler rebuild “Project Brupeg”, a couple of fellow kiwis in Bundaberg completely redoing a big old trawler. I get a lot of value out it because of the steel boat aspect.

The other really well loved couple here in Australia are Troy and Pascal’s “Free Range Sailing”.

But enough using John’s platform to spruik other people’s channels; I’ll get into even hotter water than usual. Still I think it’s worth saying that the arrival of the sailing YT channel has had a big impact on our world, mostly for the better I think.

MC remains an essential source in my view, the mere fact of John charging for membership weeds out a lot of rubbish and ensures people put a value of their behaviour here. But with that in mind I’d really enjoy it if John could find his way to put up more YT/Patreon video based material. I’d imagine he’s got reasons to be reluctant, but it’s worth a think about.

I’m all good with talking about other sources of information. Definitely don’t think we have the lock on truth.

That said, we will not be going down the video path except for the way we use the medium already to illustrate a specific thing that lends itself to be explained that way in a short video. We can’t be all things to all people and long form writing is what we do best.

I also have very real concerns about the way in which these videos promote projects in a fun, and often romanic way, without providing all the facts or any hard analysis, so I think there is a place for us providing that missing information. The unrealistic romanticization of induction cooking and electric drive is a classic example. And don’t get me started on the way that these videos make brutal rebuilds look like a good idea.

John, to add to your point: I lost count of youtube channels, where a young couple takes on a complete rebuild of a long neglected or seriously worn out or hard-grounded or hurricane-damaged sailboat. As if that’s the best idea in their lives, because the boat was almost free.

So I have heard. I fear that’s just inspired by “misery loves company”. The added tragedy is that these people are, I’m betting, almost all those who have never owned a boat before and so not only are they susceptible to this kind of disaster-project, they don’t have the skills and knowledge to do the refit right so in the end they have a boat no one else wants.

I think the idea of a quick and easy re-build of a boat in doubtful condition is today’s version of the un-grounded romantic fantasy that has deluded many would be cruisers. For a previous generation it was Arthur Piver telling them that they could whack together a sea-going vessel out of old packing crates over the course of a couple of week-ends. It doesn’t work out that way. This is a great series, tempering the dream with real data – the cash, the time, the skills and the iron will needed to see a major project through. And, perhaps it’d be fair to say that all boats are ongoing rebuilds. Being “done” is a very temporary state of affairs, because there is always something else coming up in the repair, replace, upgrade cycle.

Great comment with a lot of wisdom from someone who has clearly been out there. Good analogy to the Piver craze of the 60-70s too. I remember it well.

Hi Rich, Well said. About being «done», I’ve been asked an obscene number of times something like “when is it finished?” My answer is always: “Haven’t you noticed it’s a boat? Boats never get finished!” 🙂

I took a look last night. Yikes, that’s no refit, that’s rebuild and is a graphic demonstration of what Andy, Colin and I caution against getting involved in, at least for a person who actually wants to get out there. Clearly the guy is very smart and skilled, but cutting perfectly good bulkheads out of a boat is not the way to cruising.

I agree John. It’s like watching the Iron Chef cooking show compared to Julia Child. It’s entertainment. Keep up your present format. Thanks

In his defense I have to say that Mads is well aware of this – he’s stated quite a few times that the rebuild is an entirely legitimate part of the experience for him. He clearly loves planning, doing the work, learning new skills, obsessing over details and solving problems.

The good news is that he’s sticking to a very disciplined timeframe and should be in the water soon.

Correction – out of the marina soon. Let’s just say he’s highly motivated by an impending date with his fiancée.

The obsession of Mads for details ? Naaaa he work well but far away attention to beautiful…is to raw…

I refit 2 boat completely … I got the fortune to work in a shipyard and a with experience you can really figure out the final cost of the total refit. Is a an expert job .. not for the dreamers…… dreamers sunk with their boat😜 because didn’t figure out the cost and the experience you need to have. Also many other guys around that refit. I got for perfection….This is the result of my experience https://youtube.com/c/sea4see

Practical Boat Owner

• Digital edition

10 of the best Youtube boat restorations

• Kass Schmitt
• August 1, 2020

Video blog reviewer Kass Schmitt shares 10 of her favourite Youtube boat restorations - as reviewed in the pages of Practical Boat Owner magazine

Boat restoration projects on Youtube never get old – for a start: the boats are often older than the people restoring them! But for anyone considering taking on a project, immersion in a few of the channels listed below may provide inspiration, techniques and help you avoid common pitfalls.

The video bloggers themselves will usually answer sensible questions, but do take the time to read through some of the comments below the line, as quite often even wiser heads prevail. Just be aware that your quick 15-minute video could easily turn into a three-hour read late into the night!

In no particular order of preference, here is a wide range of Youtube boat restorations that I have reviewed in my regular column in Practical Boat Owner magazine. Enjoy!

1. Tally Ho – Sampson Boat Co

In the lead up to lockdown, Leo Goolden and his small team at the Sampson Boat Company were making huge strides on the rebuild of the 1925 Fastnet Race winning yacht, Tally Ho , even if one of those strides was… in the wrong direction.

After fitting all the new deck beams and carlins they discover a good number are not actually white oak but a timber with the wicking characteristics of red oak.

Leo takes the sensible decision to redo them.

History of Tally Ho (RORC presentation / Ep.48(Pt1)

In Summer 2019, Leo gave a talk at the Royal Ocean Racing Club In London, which he kindly recorded and published on YouTube for the benefit of those of us who were not able to attend.

2. Sailing Yacht Kora

The number of channels inspired by Leo is also growing. There’s a buzz about 17-year-old Ashmole Faire-Ring’s channel Sailing Barge Growler , documenting his ambitious rebuild of a wooden sailing barge, but more to my taste is the channel Sailing Yacht Zora . Kinsale-based Rhys Walters is rebuilding a Koopmans (senior) designed steel blue water cruiser. The aim is to sail her to the Canaries, the Caribbean and beyond. She’s already sailing again and the focus is now on the interior fit out. With over 10,000 subscribers, I reckon this channel is going places.

3. Motor launch Gesida – Back Down On The Boat

Another Leo-inspired series that’s charmed me is Back Down on the Boat . Durham-based baker Paul Spooner is renovating Gesida , his ex-Admiralty wooden motor launch. We see him single-handedly reinstalling the reconditioned 750lb engine, a challenge for anyone, but even more impressive considering that Paul has ME and needs a wheelchair half the time. In addition, he muses on the benefits of boat work on his mental health. I’m sure many can relate when he says that it’s more than a hobby, it provides an escape from the trials of life and motivation to persevere when things get hard.

4. Westerly Centaur Lagertha – Sailing LAGERTHA

A refrain I frequently hear is that (insert name of) popular channel has become boring now that the boat’s in good shape or they’ve upgraded to a newer, shinier model, or they’ve learned how to sail, and are now spending all their time spear-fishing and sharing ceviche recipes. If you relate to that sentiment and need an antidote…

Yorkshireman Layton Barr of Sailing LAGERTHA has recently bought a Westerly Centaur, renamed her after his favourite viking shieldmaiden, and plans to fix her up and then go explore the Norwegian fjords… once he learns to sail. Expect to learn a thing or two about marine electronics from Layton, as that’s his profession. He’s pretty sure we’re not going to like the new livery he’s got planned.

5.  Lightship South Goodwin – Harry Dwyer

Professional video director Harry Dwyer has created a surprisingly engaging video on his channel Harry Dwyer about removing a huge quantity of expanding foam from inside a decommissioned lightship. The project takes nearly two years and the team displays an impressive amount of persistence and ingenuity.

As a reward for his filmmaking services, Harry is given the lightship’s tender, an Avon Sea Rider SR4 RIB. So he also made a series of videos about renovating the RIB.

Project Speedboat Part 7

6. Hurley Silhouette MkII Misumi – Alex Goes Sailing

The COVID-19 lockdown has led to the birth of a number of new channels, as frustrated sailors get busy in the editing suite instead of on the water. One that caught my eye is Alex Goes Sailing , in which a resourceful young lad from south-west London acquires a 1960 Hurley Silhouette MkII for £60 and slowly rebuilds it before embarking on a number of trailer-sailing coastal adventures in the Solent and Devon. Alex has since traded up to a £300 1970 Vivacity 650 bilge-keeler. One to watch.

7. Pearson 36 Uma – Sailing Uma

Meanwhile, at the Mayflower Marina in Plymouth, Sailing Uma ’s Dan and Kika managed to finish a number of ambitious projects on their Pearson 36 and relaunch before the UK lockdown began. Recent episodes see them replacing their electric motor and shaft drive with a snazzy second-hand Oceanvolt saildrive propulsion system and working with their friends at Multimarine to design, construct and fit a carbon fibre bowsprit in anticipation of adding a Code 0 to their sail wardrobe. If you don’t have friends willing to knock up a carbon fibre sprit for you don’t worry, I’m reliably informed that the lower portion of a windsurfer mast can also work.

(The Uma’s are always busy with new DIY – here’s their ‘Creative Tiny Wood Stove Installation’)

8. Carter 33 Chak Matay – Bums on a boat

Bums on a Boat is another channel chronicling the rescue of a classic that many would consider a lost cause. In this case it’s a modern classic, a Carter 33 built in Greece in 1974. The rescuers are an entertaining young American couple who, after sailing some time in the Caribbean, hauled out in Luperon, Dominican Republic to discover serious structural issues. I recommend starting from the haul-out at episode 62.

9. Gamelin Madeira 37 Chuffed – Vet Tails Sailing Chuffed

Meanwhile, in Mexico, sailing vet Dr Sheddy on Vet Tails’ Sailing Chuffed rises to the challenge of being the suddenly single owner of her 1990 Gamelin Madeira 37, while continuing to do her admirable voluntary work of providing lifesaving treatments to pets and wildlife.

10. Leopard 50 Happy Together – Sailing SV Happy Together

YouTube’s recommendation algorithm suggested I check out Sailing SV Happy Together , which is the closest thing I’ve seen to an episode of MTV Cribs for yachties. Randy and Lenny are an American couple in their 50s who last year traded up their Leopard 48 to a new Leopard 50, and, after taking delivery of the boat, proceeded to spend an eye-watering amount of money on extensive upgrades to, well, everything they could think of, in preparation for their eventual participation in the World ARC Rally.

Refit guide: Sailboat refit done right

Published April 7, 2023 · Updated April 7, 2023

If you’re planning a sailboat refit, you know it can be a daunting task. Whether you’re preparing for an offshore voyage, upgrading your vessel, or simply maintaining your boat’s systems, a comprehensive refit guide can be an invaluable resource. In this post, we’ll provide a detailed checklist for every sailboat refit, including tips and tricks to help ensure a successful outcome.

Introduction

A refit is the process of upgrading or restoring a boat to improve its functionality, safety, and overall appearance. This may involve anything from replacing outdated equipment and upgrading systems to overhauling the interior and exterior of the vessel.

Regular refits are essential for maintaining the safety and performance of a sailboat. Neglecting a vessel’s maintenance can result in costly repairs, decreased value, and even endangering the crew’s lives. A refit is a comprehensive maintenance plan that involves assessing the boat’s condition, identifying areas for improvement, and performing necessary repairs and upgrades.

Without regular refits, small issues can turn into major problems. This could include a deteriorating hull, failing rigging, or outdated electronics, which can put the boat at risk in heavy weather conditions. In addition, regular refits can help to maintain a boat’s value, and even increase it, as a well-maintained vessel is more appealing to potential buyers. A refit can also ensure that a boat is equipped with the latest technology, making it more efficient and easier to handle. Overall, regular refits are essential for keeping a sailboat in top condition and ensuring safe and enjoyable sailing experiences.

Pre-Refit Planning

Setting a budget:.

Before embarking on a refit project, it’s essential to read our refit guide and set a budget. It’s important to have a realistic idea of how much the project will cost, and to allocate funds accordingly. When setting a budget, consider the cost of materials, labor, and any unforeseen expenses that may arise. It’s also important to factor in any upgrades or improvements that may be necessary to meet safety standards or legal requirements.

Assessing the boat’s condition:

Assessing the boat’s condition is a critical step in the refit process. Before beginning any work, it’s important to thoroughly inspect the vessel to identify any areas of concern. This may include checking the hull, deck, rigging, and mechanical systems. Identifying any deficiencies or weaknesses early on can help prevent more significant issues down the road.

Identifying areas for improvement:

Once the boat’s condition has been assessed, it’s time to identify areas for improvement. This may include anything from upgrading outdated equipment to modernizing the interior or exterior of the vessel. Consider your goals for the refit and prioritize improvements based on their importance and feasibility.

Choosing the right time for a refit:

Timing is an important consideration when planning a refit. Many boaters choose to undertake a refit during the offseason, when the boat is not in use. This can help minimize the impact on the boater’s ability to sail or use the boat. It’s also important to consider the time required for the refit and ensure that it fits within your schedule and budget.

Developing a refit plan:

Developing a comprehensive refit plan is crucial to the success of the project. The plan should outline the scope of the work, budget, timeline, and any necessary permits or approvals. It’s also important to consider the skills and expertise required to complete the work and ensure that all necessary resources are in place.

Refit Guide: To-Do List

As part of our refit guide, we want to give you an example of interesting areas to cover in a refit. A refit plan usually brings up a to-do list. A generalized to-do list could look like this:

Hull and Deck

• Inspecting the hull and deck for damage
• Repairing any damage found
• Cleaning and painting the hull and deck
• Upgrading hardware and fittings
• Replacing lifelines and stanchions

Rigging and Sails

• Inspecting the rigging for damage
• Replacing any worn or damaged rigging components
• Upgrading to high-performance rigging
• Replacing worn or damaged sails
• Choosing the right sails for your sailing style

Electrical and Electronics

• Inspecting the electrical system for damage or wear
• Upgrading to a modern electrical system
• Installing new electronics, such as a chartplotter or autopilot
• Replacing old batteries
• Adding a battery monitoring system

Plumbing and Sanitation

• Inspecting the plumbing system for leaks or damage
• Replacing worn or damaged hoses and fittings
• Upgrading to a modern sanitation system
• Adding a watermaker or water filtration system
• Installing a holding tank for sewage

Interior and Comfort

• Inspecting the interior for damage or wear
• Upgrading to more comfortable cushions and bedding
• Installing heating or air conditioning
• Upgrading the galley appliances

Safety Equipment

• Inspecting all safety equipment, such as life jackets and fire extinguishers
• Replacing any expired or damaged equipment
• Installing additional safety features, such as a man overboard system
• Upgrading to a modern EPIRB and PLB

Deck and Cockpit Upgrades

The deck and cockpit of your sailboat are where you’ll spend most of your time, so it’s important to make sure they’re comfortable and functional. Consider adding or upgrading features such as a bimini top, cockpit cushions, or a swim platform.

Add or upgrade deck hardware such as winches, clutches, or tracks.

Paint and Cosmetic Upgrades

A refit can also provide an opportunity to improve the appearance of your boat.

Consider repainting the hull or topsides, or adding new graphics or logos. You can really go creative here.

A sailboat refit can be a daunting task, but with a comprehensive refit guide and checklist, you can ensure a successful outcome. By carefully planning your refit, addressing the hull and deck, upgrading electrical and plumbing systems, improving the interior, and enhancing safety and navigation, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a safer, more comfortable, and more reliable sailing experience.

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Meet Sailing Magic Carpet: A Refit to Take on The World

Meet Maya and Aladino! This dynamic duo has been filming and documenting all of their sailing adventures and boat restorations on their YouTube Channel, Sailing Magic Carpet ! In today’s video, the sailing couple uses our 2 Part Epoxy Primer to put a bomb-proof first coat on the interior of their sailboat, and we get the feeling they may have done this before on a few other boats. Check out the video of the week with this industrious sailing duo. Maya met Aladino back in 2017 while he was restoring their first boat, Magic Carpet; a 28ft Vindo sailboat. They launched her just a few days after they got married and began their travels around the Mediterranean, through Europe, and up to the Netherlands. While Magic Carpet awaits them in the Netherlands as their primary residence, they purchased a new sailboat, a Cape George 36, Magic Carpet II, here in the US and have started a huge refit project! They are restoring Magic Carpet II to get her ready for an around-the-world voyage. They have three months here in the US to make the most of each day and get a good portion of the boat work finished. In this week’s episode, Maya and Aladino get started with applying the first coats of paint to the interior of the boat. They are going in with our 2 Part Epoxy Primer to prime the parts for the V-berth and chain locker. This epoxy primer dries quickly for fast overcoating, is easy to sand, and will provide them with excellent adhesion and gloss retention for the topcoat . As Maya applies two coats to the parts of the V-berth with a natural bristle chip brush , Aladino does some “boat yoga” as he climbs into the chain locker to get the first coats of primer on! Their future plans and dreams revolve around this restoration, leading them one step closer to their adventures on the open ocean. Be sure to subscribe to Sailing Magic Carpet so you can follow along with this huge refit! Thanks for watching!

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How to survive a multi-year refit

In this episode we are going all in on boat projects! ? My guests are Chris and Kelly from Youtube channel Sailing Adrift  and they have just recently completed a multi-year refit of their sailboat from the early 1970s. In fact, at the time of recording, they were just  one week  away from splashing and it was really great to chat with Chris and Kelly at this point in their journey. They had been working really, really hard, completely rebuilding the boat – and they filmed the whole thing for Youtube – and they actually didn’t have any sailing experience, so all this work was built on the idea that the sailing life will be as amazing as they  think  it is. So join us as we chat about how they survived the multi-year refit, what it entailed and what’s next.

Links mentioned in this episode  ⬇️  

? Sailing Adrift on  Youtube

? Sailing Adrift  website

? Sailing Adrift on  Instagram

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Sailboat Refit for a Transatlantic

• By Lesley Davison and Tim Murphy
• Updated: January 26, 2021

The germ might not have sprouted on the Spanish Camino de Santiago in June 2013, but it found fertile ground there. By bicycle we were traversing the 1,000-year-old pilgrim’s route to the mythical crypt of St. James, and on crossing into Celtic Galicia, where the landscape starts feeling witchy, we both realized we wanted to travel more deeply along Europe’s outpost edges. We’d each lived in European capitals before, but now we wanted to dwell in places still older than those: not Madrid but Catalonia, not Paris but Brittany, not Dublin but Connemara.

Cycling was a great way to travel deeply in foreign countries, and we proved to ourselves that even in remote places, we could fix flat tires and adjust cables as simple mechanisms faltered. But our scope was ultimately limited by the twin 20-liter paniers each bike carried, and that revelation soon set us off to thinking about sailboats for some extended traveling. After many months exploring the yacht-brokerage market, in fall 2017 on Florida’s Atlantic coast, we found the right boat for our project: a 1988 Passport 40, designed by Robert Perry. She was Hull No. 141 of the 148 P-40s built in Taiwan between 1980 and 1991, and we named her Billy Pilgrim —a nod to our own peregrinations but also to the Kurt Vonnegut character who came unstuck in time. He or she; never they: Billy P abides gender fluidity but abhors sloppy grammar.

Porthole Project

The Punch List

The Passport 40 was perfect for us in a hundred different ways. Still, there’s no getting around Billy Pilgrim ’s 30 years of living. We knew that a shakedown would reveal items to update and refit. Sure enough, by the time we sailed from Florida to our home port in New England, we loved Billy P all the more, despite a pressing short list of shortcomings. One category earned its place at the top of the list: leaks. Fixing those became our priority when we hauled the boat for winter at Maine Yacht Center in Portland.

Tim has worked through boat problems before. As a teenager, he slept aboard his family’s liveaboard CT-41 ketch surrounded by Tupperware to catch the downpours from a leaky cabin top. Since then he’s partially refit a 1974 Vineyard Vixen 29 (see “A Jade Mist Dream Come True,” CW, October 1998). Lesley’s experience with boat ownership was limited to a fleet of kayaks and a 1985 Boston Whaler 15. She’s owned homes built more than a century ago and knows that when you address one problem, you inevitably uncover others, and that sometimes it seems best to just leave the damned dominoes alone rather than set off the whole series. Still, this particular home would also be oceangoing, so it was clear that some projects couldn’t be ignored forever. We went into the refit as enthusiastic amateur marine technicians, eager to learn. Yet the more we got into it, the more we realized there are some things the eight-hour-a-day guys know that we didn’t even know we didn’t yet know.

We determined that unwanted water was coming into the boat from three sources: portholes, chainplates and hatches. The process for stopping the leaks at each source suggested the same steps: Remove the items without damaging vital parts; keep track of what went where; and re-bed the parts snugly so that they don’t start leaking again.

One crucial choice stood over every part we removed: Repair it or replace it?

Re-bedding Portholes

On examination, the gaskets that seal the glass lens in the porthole frames weren’t compromised, nor were the frames themselves. Water was instead leaking in through the cabin house around the edges of the porthole assembly. We determined that five of our 10 portholes needed re-bedding: one on either side of the V-berth, two portside in the galley, and one above the starboard settee.

Each Hood porthole assembly comes in two parts. Installed from inside the cabin is the body of the porthole, which comprises the glass lens, stainless-steel frame, hinges, and a flange that protrudes from inside to the exterior. Outside the cabin, a flat trim ring fits over the protruding flange and provides surface area for sealant. Both the frame and trim ring are secured with wood screws into the plywood cabin side and are bedded in marine adhesive sealant.

Removing the wood screws was straightforward enough. But in order to remove the porthole, we had to break the seal of the 30-year-old sealant without damaging either the stainless fittings or the cabin sides. It may have been crusty and leaky, but it sure didn’t want to let go! We rank amateurs started by using a series of putty knives, screwdrivers and pry bars, working around the edges of the frame, slipping in the blades to loosen the sealant, and prying to get it to release from the cabin side, while at the same time trying not to scrape up the surface or bend the stainless trim ring. A slender putty knife with a certain amount of stiffness worked best to get under the edge and move around the trim ring’s circumference to break the seal. After our initial trials, one of the trained professionals at Maine Yacht Center came by to offer advice and provide us with a selection of small wooden wedges to replace our metal tools when we’d broken the seal. We were now able to move our tools and break the bond on another section.

Once the exterior trim ring came off, we had to break the seal on the porthole flange inside the boat. To do this, we started from the outside by bonking the flange toward the interior with a rubber mallet, trying to move it evenly so that the porthole would slide out at the same angle it had been inserted through the hull—challenging because we were still working against the ancient sealant. Our first porthole removal was not entirely elegant. Some of the melamine surface inside the cabin got a little chipped, but we hadn’t ruined anything vital. One down, four to go!

For the remaining portholes, our friends at Maine Yacht Center provided us with a simple custom-made porthole puller: a wooden contraption that looks kind of like an old-school vise with two feet. Using the puller, you still have to break the seal of the old goo under the trim ring. That done, you put the two feet of the puller against the interior cabin side and the other end against the outside edge of the flange; then you torque the nuts of the two bolts, thereby pushing it toward the inside of the boat. This was a revelation, a process far tidier than our bonking method.

With the portholes removed, now it was time to clean up the surfaces before reinstalling them. Both the porthole assemblies and the cabin-side holes through which they pass needed some work. The water that had seeped in had made a mess of things.

So we cleaned up all the nasty debris, using sandpaper and a stiff brush to get any loose chunks off, then we sealed all the plywood edges of the cutouts with thickened West System epoxy. In the worst spots we applied polyester filler with a putty knife, taking care not to alter the shape of the hole. On the stainless-­steel porthole assemblies we used a wire brush, sandpaper and even a Dremel tool in the spots that showed some pitting corrosion. All cleaned up, our parts were ready to be installed.

One charming moment came upon removing our second porthole, when a little note fell out of the cabin side. In Mandarin, we later learned, it read, “Good luck for selling your boat.” It was a sweet surprise to hear from one of the souls in Taiwan who had built our boat decades before.

We now needed to be very clear about two things. One was labeling. All the portholes we’d removed looked like they were the same size and shape. That wasn’t exactly true, but it was important that everything got labeled, to a kind of ridiculous extent. The second thing came before we started with the re-bedding: We vigilantly covered everything. We taped all edges religiously; we had tons of gloves and rags easily accessible; we covered any nearby surface with cardboard or plastic.

For our marine adhesive sealant, we used white UV-resistant Sikaflex Marine 295. Working with this stuff is ­basically like working with the insides of a well-toasted marshmallow. We tried hard not to get it on anything; once cured, it’s a nightmare to get off. So we taped around the work area, leaving about a quarter-inch gap to make a nice fillet around the edge of the frame or trim ring. We kept a trash bag ready to receive all of the nasty we were about to produce. We squeezed generous gobs of Sikaflex on all the parts (not just the backs of the trim rings, but also inside the tubular part of the porthole flange that protrudes through the cabin side) so that when we fastened them back into place, an ample amount oozed out the entire perimeter. This was our proof that the sealant filled all the voids where water might be tempted to leak in. Then we secured the trim rings and frames with new stainless-steel wood screws. With a clean gloved finger we made a nice fillet around each edge. Before it cured, we carefully pulled our tape, leaving an elegant arc of sealant between cabin side and stainless plate. This is really a four-handed job so that one person can remain goo-free and can clean the stainless with water-soaked rags. Our final step was to clean up all the unintended Sikaflex before it set and then gaze with pride. The fine white line of that fillet was the only visible sign of all our work.

Chainplate Project

Re-bedding the Chainplates

Chainplates are hidden workhorses. Before this project, Lesley hadn’t really been conscious of their existence. Ours are flat strips of stainless steel that pass through the deck. Below deck, they’re through-bolted to structural members massively laminated to the hull. Above deck is a hole in the chainplate through which the shroud terminals are pinned. These unsexy but crucial pieces of steel carry all the dynamic sailing loads, holding up the mast against all the forces from the sails and the waves.

On each side, the Passport 40 has four shrouds and therefore four chainplates. Capping the hole in the deck through which each chainplate passes is a flat, thin, rectangular steel cover; the receiving end of the chainplate sticks up through a slit in this cover. It looks kind of like a light-switch cover about 1/16-inch thick and mounts flat on the deck. Because the Passport has 4-inch bulwarks around the deck perimeter, seawater or rainwater sometimes stands deeper than these chainplate covers. It’s a recipe for leaks and crevice corrosion. Once we determined that we’d need to pull and re-bed all eight chainplates, we decided it might be a good time to add an upgrade: a step or a riser, which would raise the deck cover above the level of soaking saltwater pools. This presented us with a design project.

Inside the cabin, we removed the teak cladding that conceals the chainplates. Next, we carefully removed and labeled all of the grounding wires that were attached for galvanic bonding. Because these showed 30 years of corrosion, Tim replaced all the ring terminals and sealed them with heat-shrink tubing. Then we removed the nuts, washers and bolts from the chainplates. On deck, we removed the cover plates, which were attached with sealant and wood screws into the deck. Finally, we had to wiggle the chainplates out of their slot through the deck. Of course, inside the boat the chainplates are located in one awkward place or another: inside cabinetry in the head, behind other cabinetry in a hanging locker, or in the saloon. Each set of bolts required a different set of yogic contortions to access, but we are fortunate in that Lesley is right-handed and Tim’s a lefty, giving us options for any configuration. In several places we could read a nasty tale of leaked water. We had to release the grip of the old sealant and slide the chainplates up through the deck without distorting them. Our rubber mallet and some more bonking from above helped to free them. We again labeled everything compulsively, cleaned up any water damage, and gave white surfaces some fresh coats of paint.

Lesley made paper templates to create new risers from 3/8-inch fiberglass sheet—higher than standing water but not so high as to introduce toe-stubbers. In this new configuration, the screws that hold the deck covers in place would no longer penetrate the deck or sit in standing water, diminishing the likelihood of new leaks. Lesley cut out the risers on a band saw, then rounded the corners with a sander and sprayed each with Awlgrip. The new risers are a thing of beauty, and now the plates and their fasteners sit well above any standing water on deck.

When it came time to reinstall, we had to make a decision about how removable the new risers would be. Should we bed them to the deck with epoxy (­permanent) or Sikaflex (removable with a bit of ­effort)? What kind of legacy were we leaving for the imaginary future owners of Billy Pilgrim if they were ever going to re-bed or replace their chainplates? The Trained Professionals we consulted strongly advocated for Sikaflex, not epoxy, and we followed their advice. After ­examining the chainplates to ensure that they were still sound (they were), we refastened them with all new stainless-­steel bolts, washers and nuts. This step presented some puzzles to detangle. Some bolts originally ran from fore to aft and others from aft to fore in order to fit inside the teak cladding. In some places it seemed like the interior furniture was built around the chainplates when the boat was built in Taiwan, and it took some fiddling around before we got everything snugly in its original place, bolts tightened and grounding wires reattached. Now we were ready to reseal from above.

We made a dam underneath each hole that the chainplates traveled through on the deck using 3M Strip-Calk butyl tape—the Trained Professionals call it dum-dum tape—which comes on a roll and is basically the consistency of chewed gum. This way enough Sikaflex can be injected to fill in the gaps, but the Sikaflex won’t drip into the whole cavity under the deck. From above we taped around the risers, as we’d done with the portholes. Next we squeezed Sikaflex to fill the hole around the chainplates, covered the ­bottom of the new risers so that it oozed out all sides to seal that bond, then covered the bottom of the steel deck plates to seal them onto the risers. Finally, we fastened the deck plates with stainless-­steel wood screws, which no longer penetrated the deck. One less opportunity for water to come in!

Replacing and Installing New Hatches

The last of our three leak-eradicating jobs was perhaps the most straightforward: hatches. Billy Pilgrim has four—two big, two small—all made by Atkins & Hoyle in the mid-1980s. The aluminum struts had collapsed on themselves, and we sometimes found little chunks of powdered aluminum in the V-berth sheets. Previous owners kept these hatches open with wooden blocks, a proposition that always bespoke smashed fingers. More ­consequentially, the aluminum frames of two of the hatches were cracked—not a case for re-bedding or repair but rather full-on replacement.

Hatch Project

For the past 20 years, Tim has either directed or judged Cruising World ’s Boat of the Year event, giving him the chance to see and sail more than 500 new sailboats, as well as the gear that’s installed on them. That experience led him to prefer Lewmar Ocean series hatches, both for their security and user-friendliness. And no more wooden blocks to hold open the hatches.

Removing the old hatches was very much like removing the portholes and employed many of the same tools. Same goes for cleaning up the surfaces on which the hatches sit.

The main puzzle this job posed was that the frames of the Ocean hatches are slightly smaller than the composite bosses that are molded into the boat’s deck. We fashioned a solution from a ½-inch-thick flat marine plywood, finished off in the same way Lesley finished the chainplate risers. For each hatch, we cut out a piece whose outside perimeter matched the outside edge of the boss, and whose inside cutout matched the inside of the hatch frame. We used wood screws and Sikaflex to fasten them—no more aluminum powder in the bed!

Better still, no more unwanted water in the boat.

Billy Pilgrim has a permanent mooring in Gloucester, Massachusetts, but spent the COVID-19 summer of 2020 hauled out at Maine Yacht Center in Portland, Maine, where Lesley Davison and Tim Murphy visited on self-quarantined day trips so that work could progress.

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10 Best Sailing YouTube Channels

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

If you've been planning to join the Big Blue for a sailing escapade, then you've probably watched and drawn inspiration from numerous sailing YouTube channels that are available on the web. But which are the best sailing YouTube channels? Well, let's find out.

There are a lot of pessimistic individuals out there who are probably trying to dismiss sailing YouTubers and the massive audiences as another ascendancy of what might be referred to as the "couch-potato" society. Whatever your opinion on this matter, we strongly believe that sailing YouTube channels is an excellent and modern way of exposing our beloved sport not just to sailors but to other people as well. And unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard or even watched several sailing YouTube channels. But which ones are the best of the bunch?

You probably do not have much time to go about research for the best sailing YouTube channels. For this reason, we've made it our duty to ravage through, do thorough research, and present you with the 10 best sailing YouTube channels. This means that you can now easily watch the glorious sailing lives that these YouTube sailors share with millions of viewers.

So if you want some inspiration or a way of learning a thing or two about sailing, you've come to the right place. These sailing YouTube channels are beautiful, fun, and will teach you a thing or two about sailing.

Table of contents

Sailing La Vagabonde

This is a sailing YouTube channel that's run by Australian video bloggers Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu. Founded in 2014 when the couple met in Greece, this sailing YouTube channel documents the couple's life aboard their sailing catamaran known as La Vagabonde.

This Australian couple has so far sailed over 90,000 nm across many oceans and is inspiring millions of viewers to explore living on the ocean as an alternative option. This lovely couple sustains its sailing lifestyle publishing weekly YouTube videos. Having received noteworthy media attention for sailing with Greta Thunberg from Virginia to Lisbon to raise awareness on Climate Change issues, the couple has attained patrons who are always willing to fund their travel and sailing expenses.

Onboard the La Vagabonde, they have established roles. Whitelum is tasked with taking care of boat maintenance and sailing logistics such as checking the weather and planning ahead of sailings while Carausu is tasked with cooking, cleaning, and editing the videos.

Subscribers: 1.47 million

• ‍ Spearfishing a Deserted Island! (Sailing La Vagabonde) - Ep. 12
• BOAT LIFE: Our Morning Routine Onboard
• Our Tiny Home on the Ocean
• Sailing Around the World (Sailing La Vagabonde) - Ep. 1 Intro & Sailing Turkey
• TIGER SHARKS surround our boat. WE SWIM WITH THEM! 🦈 Ep.197

Sailing SV Delos

When Brian Trautman bought a sailboat 2008, he had never envisioned that he would be so immersed in it that it would become his home; a part and parcel of his lifestyle. More than a decade later, this sailboat has covered more than 70,000nm, visited over 46 countries, and helped in creating more than 200 YouTube videos.

As one of the original and the best sailing YouTube channels, Sailing SV Delos has become a sensation among sailors as it documents the travels and adventures of a lovely crew aboard the sailing vessel, SV Delos. The crew often includes the boat owner Brian, his brother Brady, Brian's wife Karin Syren, and crew member Alex Blue. The team also invites crew members to help with sailing, boat maintenance, cleaning, and, of course, filming.

Sailing SV Delos has always kept it real and chronicled several ocean passages including some of the most challenging and intense weather conditions such as a severe lightning storm that the crew had to deal with on their way to Madagascar.

With his experience as a former electrical engineer, Brian Trautman has been able to make several improvements to the boat to ensure that they remain environment-friendly whenever they sail. The crew has also contributed to several philanthropic activities such as giving $50,000 to charities and contributing to restoration efforts in Dominica after the island was ravaged by Hurricane Maria.

Subscribers: 581K  

• ‍ Buzzed by the U.S. Coastguard Chopper
• How long can we survive out here?
• When STUFF BREAKS 😭 Middle of Nowhere
• Birth of the Two Titty Yacht Club!

Gone with the Wynns

If you want a sailing YouTube channel that offers an unscripted tale of an eccentric couple who left their everyday life to become perpetual travelers and experience whirlwind adventures, you've come to the right place. Known as Gone with the Wynns, this sailing YouTube channel chronicles the adventures of prominent travel vloggers Jason and Nikki Wynn.

The couple started by chronicling their travel adventures by buying an RV and undertook an epic road trip in search of endless exploration across the country. They went around North America and even trekked around Alaska and admit that they'd have stayed there forever had it not for the fact that they suffer from what they term as incurable sedentary life phobia.

The couple then decided to sail around the world and have been on a sailing voyage of more than 10,000nm. The couple has always been inspired by their unparalleled desire to explore, grow, learn, and share their travel experiences. To them, sailing is far more surreal as it's almost akin to exploring the world as it was done in the 1400s.

Subscribers: 333K

• ‍ Boat Tour - Custom Built Off-Grid Expedition Yacht
• First Impressions of Big Boat Life
• Daily Life aboard an Expedition Boat
• BIG BOAT LIFE & Diving Into The Surf
• SAILING THE WORLD WITH ONLY 6 MONTHS TO LIVE

Free Range Sailing

A lovely couple named Troy and Pascale, shares with the world their off-the-cuff voyage in remote Australia in their 30ft yacht named Mirrol. With their minimalist lifestyle, the couple has endeared itself to millions of viewers across the world who are always eager to see how they do more with less.

This couple has documented their simple life in some of the remotest locations in the world with the main aim of showing the rest of the world that self-sufficiency is the way of life. They show their viewers how to cruise around some of the remotest locations in Australia as they indulge in other activities such as fishing and adventure.

Subscribers: 92.5K

• We're Sailing to the Kimberley!
• LIFE ON A SMALL SAILBOAT Working, Cooking, Sailing & Exploring in our Tiny Home
• Finding Fish 🐠 🎣🐟: It's Easy When You Know How
• The Nude Latitude

RAN Sailing

If you've been looking for a sailing YouTube channel that has no fakery and no fuss, RAN Sailing is meant for you. This channel revolves around the incredible life of Johan Hammarlund and Malin Lof, an adventurous Swedish couple who were looking for a different and unique lifestyle.

Four years ago, the couple decided to sell everything they owned and set sail on its 1987 custom-built Beason aluminum sailboat. They've sailed to various destinations including their homeland of Sweden, Alaska, and Seattle. In 2019, the couple welcomed a daughter, bought a bigger boat, and continues sailing the world as a family.

They've also sailed the Pacific and have attracted even more fans across the world as they showcase an incredible Swedish lifestyle with no fuss. And despite the Coronavirus pandemic, they've assured their fans that they'll ensure that they never leave the couch as they set sail despite the current situation.

Subscribers: 103K

• The Beginning Of An Adventure
• Provisioning for an Ocean Crossing
• Drama Aboard a Swan 60
• A Crazy Or Perfect Boat? 6 Cabins In A 52 Ft Boat!
• Getting Boarded At Sea

Tula's Endless Summer

You've probably wondered whether it would be possible to bring your lovely pet to your sailing escapades. Well, a young couple known as Billy Swezey and Sierra Groth have been showing that it's possible and very inspiring thanks to their Tula's Endless Summer sailing YouTube channel.

Their sailing adventure started in 2013 when Billy bought a dilapidated boat in an abandoned boatyard in New York and set about restoring the boat. Billy, who describes himself as a water bug, then met the lovely Sierra in Florida. Since then the couple together with their dog, Jetty, have been inseparable as a Dream Team and have shown the world that taking up sailing as a lifestyle is very possible.

This lovely family has sailed in the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and other destinations on their Tula, as well as other boats. Bill describes himself as a jack of all trades who has been surfing, kiting, diving, paddling, and doing everything in the ocean. On the other hand, Sierra is a lovely girl who wishes she had the power of breathing underwater. And what about, Jetty the Gypsy? Well, this dog has seen and done a lot more than most people will ever do in their life.

In essence, Tula's Endless Summer is a superb sailing YouTube channel that vividly chronicles the life of a young and lovely couple going about their sailing escapades.

Subscribers: 132K

• CROSSING THE Gulf Stream To West End (Grand Bahama)
• How Much Does It Cost To Live On A Boat?
• First Time on an Electric Foil (We Brought Our Dog!)
• COAST GUARD INCIDENT..
• She Was FEEDING SHARKS!!!

Sailing Uma

Neither Dan Deckert nor Kika Mevs grow up sailing and never dreamt of buying a sailboat just to cruise around the world. But soon after graduating, this gorgeous couple founded a successful architectural design-consulting firm as a way of earning a living. Fortunately, Dan and Kika soon realized that the rat race wasn't their cup of tea. They both had dreams of traveling the world and seeing for themselves of the earth was a beautiful place. Again, they had been inspired when a friend advised them not to buy a couch!

Having realized that the conventional life wasn't meant for them, the couple bought a sailboat named UMA even though they didn't know anything about sailboats or sailing. They had to Google their way out and restored their lovely boat to their liking. They came up with a 5-year plan to learn step by step before sailing around the world. The plan was to start with a small boat and learn how to sail on a lake before getting a vessel that they could use for their offshore adventures.

Despite the steep learning curve, this lovely couple had solutions to many problems during their sailing escapades and now is showcasing their sailing escapes in one of the best sailing YouTube channels around. So far, they've visited 22 countries, covered 18,358 nautical miles, and have incredibly used zero gallons of diesel.

Subscribers: 254K

• Naked Night Dive + Exploring the Baths
• BOAT TOUR: The Modern Interior of our 50 yr old DREAM YACHT
• 5 Years Living offgrid on an ALL ELECTRIC Sailboat
• Biggest Waves We've Ever Seen — DAY 10 / North Atlantic Crossing
• HURRICANE SURVIVAL TACTICS (I Stayed on the boat)

Sailing Doodles

With one of the most-watched sailing YouTube channels on the internet, Bobby White and his partner Laura began their sailing escapades after Bobby suffered a medical scare in his late 30s. He was good-looking, had a flourishing career as a corporate pilot, flying the rich and famous around the world. He had suffered a stroke and his career was gone just like that!

After healing, Bobby sold everything he owned and bought a C&C 37-foot sailboat. Along with his two lovely dogs, he set sail from his native Texas to the Caribbean. He made the wise move to document his new life and that is how Sailing Doodles came to be. With his partner Laura, Bobby admits that chronicling their sailing journey on YouTube isn't as easy as many people think but it's certainly worth it to share and inspire others in a very cool way.

Subscribers: 289K  

• ‍ No Bikini Needed
• Sailing Miami Style
• Beautiful Skipper - Sailing from Phuket
• Who Needs Clothes on a Private Island?
• Group Shower on the Isle of Capri

Whitespot Pirates

Who said that sailing was only a man's stuff? Well, if you've been thinking so, you might want to have a second thought. Nike Steiger has been inspiring girls all over the world to take up sailing. Through her Whitespot Pirates YouTube channel, she's been documenting her solo-sailing escapades after she bought an abandoned boat in Panama.

For the last 6 years, she's been sharing unscripted videos of her voyages in her 30-foot aluminum boat named Karl. In addition to keeping it real with her adoring viewers, she's comprehensively detailed the wonderful highs and cyclonic lows of her sailing life. To top it all, this is an award-winning YouTube channel that documents Nike's astonishing voyages.

Subscribers: 79.6K  

• UNTIE THE LINES - A Weekly Solo Sailing Documentary
• Crash! Boom! Bang! - UNTIE THE LINES IV
• The Sailboat I bought is a COMPLETE DISASTER!
• Arriving In PARADISE With My Sailboat. A DREAM come true!
• Solo Sailing Cuba: I Am Not Allowed To Go Ashore

It takes a lot of guts to sell all your possessions and begin sailing around the world. While many couples cannot even contemplate taking such an action, it's exactly what Matt and Jessica Johnson did as soon as they realized that their life had become boring as a result of spending a lot of time in front of the TV.

But instead of taking up yoga or exercising, they decided to make a radical change by selling everything they had in their possession and began sailing around the world. Today, MJ Sailing is one of the most popular sailing YouTube Channels. This is a couple who left everything including their careers and took up a great hobby without ever regretting it.

Subscribers: 125K

• Our Engine Has Been Still for 10+ Years ... Will It Start?
• A Tour Of The Boat Graveyard
• Our Bank Account After 5 Years of Cruising & a Refit
• Our Thoughts on Going Bare
• Exploring the NUDE BEACH of St. Barth's!

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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What we know about Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed early Tuesday after being hit by a cargo ship, with large parts of the bridge falling into the Patapsco River.

At least eight people fell into the water, members of a construction crew working on the bridge at the time, officials said. Two were rescued, one uninjured and one in serious condition, and two bodies were recovered on Wednesday. The remaining four are presumed dead. The workers are believed to be the only victims in the disaster.

Here’s what we know so far.

Baltimore bridge collapse

Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship , sending at least eight people from a construction crew into the water. Follow live updates and see photos from the scene .

How it happened: The container ship lost power shortly before hitting the bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said. Video shows the bridge collapse in under 40 seconds.

Victims: Divers recovered the bodies of two construction workers who died , while finding other vehicles trapped and probably containing the other victims, officials said. They were fathers, husbands and hard workers . The entire crew aboard the container ship Dali survived . First responders shut down most traffic on the four-lane bridge after the crew issued an urgent mayday call. It saved lives, Moore said.

Economic impact: The collapse of the bridge, which severed ocean links to the Port of Baltimore, adds a fresh headache to already struggling global supply chains . See how the collapse will disrupt the supply of cars, coal and other goods .

History: The Key Bridge was built in the 1970s and spanned the Patapsco River. Rebuilding the bridge will probably take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars, experts said.

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