Hahaha. Thank you so much buddy, I really appreciate it! A drone is in the works! But in the meanwhile I’ve got some good friends with drones who are safer pilots then myself. Lol. Although… there was this one time Travis crashed his drone. 🙃🥸
If taking a 26 foot Macgregor across is impressive you should check out Sam Holmes Sailing, he crossed to the Bahamas on a 16 foot Hobie Cat. He also sailed a 23 foot boat from Cali to Hawaii. Or Wind Hippie Sailing...she's been sailing her 28 foot boat from Maine to PR, through the Panama Canal and is currently in New Zealand.
Have you even been on UA-cam? Content like this is a dime a dozen. It comes down to the content creator and their liability and entertainment abilities. Based on that he's pretty chill. I dig it.
Having a big boat you can live on that only draws 6 inches of water opens up a whole new world. I like what you're doing and the enthusiasm you bring to your videos. I subscribed.
The Bahamas from Florida should not consist of deep keel boats. So many cruisers maintain a state of panic any time moving about the shallow waters is needed. I couldn't do it that way. From West Palm beach to the West End its about 65 miles. Traversing it in two hours cost a fortune in fuel but in 7 to 8 hours might be much less using 30-50 HP The right kind of boat for me would mean a cabin and generator for a/c when desired. Not a fishing boat where your family is subjected to the heat and sun all day for hours at time.
I live in South Florida and I remember my first trip to Bimini and it was amazing crossing the ocean and going on the same journey this guy did. We stopped in the middle of the ocean. Camped on the boat and never really touched land till I got back! Ate fresh fish we caught. Such an amazing experience! We never had a boat that had that sort of draft though! so amazing!
My Dads cousin was in the navy and he was like a grandpa to us kids. I have four younger brothers and we all sailed from fort lauderdale to bimini back when I was in 8th grade, which was 1995. I totally share your enthusiasm about the color of the water. It seriously cures depression, and makes your soul jump for joy! We sailed over night and woke up to this amazing island. I dont remember specifics, but we did snorkel the famous shipwreck down there which I did with flippers and a mask. It was unreal! I used a waterproof disposable camera, wish I had those photos still! More people need to get out on the open water, im telling you it will solve so many internal struggles within us. The water, waves, wind, salt just does something amazing to your mind! I want to go sailing again so bad! Im currently in the tampa area.
Wow this is awesome Shawn. I really appreciate you sharing this experience and your perspective. The islands are special indeed and I hope you get the chance to go back someday. I promise your next trip will be even more incredible. Cheers my friend!
Oh this brings back memories. My very first solo trip was from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini back in the late 80s on a fiberglass over wood trimaran with nothing but a compass and paper chart. Didnt quite account for the strength of the gulf stream and ended up quite north of Bimini but did eventually get there. Good times.
This sounds amazing and what an adventure! Very cool you got to experience this with such simplicity. That’s how it was done for ages and ultimately the greatest way to connect. This was simply how it was done and what I was fortunate enough to witness growing up in the 80’s in south Florida. A Compass was key! Back then you could plan on hitting Bimini right after dark and easily see the light on the radio tower from afar which made it easier as well. Now with all the infrastructure in Bimini ( casino/hotel) you can easily navigate to the light at night. Pretty easy run back and forth but it terrifies most folks. Cheers to your experience and thank you so much for sharing!
Forrest, another awesome video brother. Your seemingly endless excitement, motivation and gratitude is infectious! It’s clear to me your parents did an awesome job, you’re a testament as to what people can do when they put in the hard yards. Congratulations on the partnership, you’ve worked freaking hard for it! Looking forward to seeing Jonah again, I bet he’ll be happy with all those supplies. Keep it up from Australia 🇦🇺
Man oh man, I can’t tell you how appreciative I am to have folks like you watching these videos and sharing your insight/ enjoyment. Thank you Matt and I’m stoked for you to see the next part of this adventure! Cheers!
Forrest, you’re a standup guy and an awesome person. You deserve all these great things coming your way and we’ll be rooting for you every step of the way! Congrats and awesome video brother! 🤙
Love those LiPO4 batteries. Use them for all kinds of projects. I'm not seeing any solar panels on your boat. Simple project to add and a great way to keep your electronics powered and your starter battery topped off. A 100w solar panel and a 30A charge controller can be had for less than $200 and give you all the 12vDC you could need.
dude. i just got a catalina 22. ive been out 2 times. i used the main and a 150% jib. i taught myself that far. this is the best and most descriptive channel i have ever seen. finding someone that does this feels impossible. thank you for what you do. thank you.
First time watcher here. Commenting as i go. I feel your Fueling pain brother! My Bass boat has a Merc 250 2 stroke hanging off the back, I found out really quick why it has a 56-gallon cell. with 2 gallon oil res!! She a thirsty girl too! LOL I've only been out beyond land visibility a couple times in my life, definitely a humbling experience as you said. Trips me out how the water can flatten out and be smooth as glass, as if you could get out and take a walk across it. Then in the next moment you're in 10 ft swells!! WOW that water is BEAUTIFUL absolutely amazing!! Definitely on my bucket list of trips to make!
Thanks so much Jason , stoked to have you watching and thank you for sharing/commenting. Dude, that’s a big tank but makes total sense! Big motors need to eat! Haha
Hahaha. Thank you so much Stephen, I appreciate you sharing this and my heart will always be attached to The Bahamas my friend. It feels more like home to me then where I live stateside. Cheers and maybe one day our paths will cross!
First time viewer love your excitement. The first time I saw a Mcgregor masterpiece up came blasting by us at John pennacamp it just felt weird I did meet the young couple and they gave me a tour it was impressive. Bimini is or was one of my favorites I used to work on a yacht back in the 70s and this was our staging area on dozens of crossings and I loved the natives and made a lot of friends back then. It was always fun to watch the old Chalks float planes come in and out and run aground. No development like now. I’ll be watching thanks for the ride.
This is one of the coolest boats I’ve ever seen and I thought about doing the same thing but didn’t know how it would handle because a sailboat sits right on top but you did it!!!!!! Soooooooooo coooooooooollll!!
Congratulations on the FGCI sponsorship. You make fiberglass work look easy. And the low cost projects are great content. 👍 Can't wait to see you get your own shop and out of the sun into some shade.
Thank you Steven! The beauty with glasswork is anyone can really do it. Just takes a little practice and screwing up. Haha. I think you’ll really like sone upcoming vids too. Cheers!
Thanks Jeffrey! Crazy right?!?! I actually built one years ago and cut off the cabin , made it an open 25’ skiff and it floated in about 3”-4” of water. True story! Cheers!
Hahaha. I try my hardest Buddy! I wish I had more time, but luckily, I’ve done a ton of filming and over the next several weeks prepare to be bombarded! Cheers!
Oklahoma here!! Just found your channel!! Love your videos!! How cool!! Love all the treasures !! I’ve never seen the beautiful waters.. in person anyways!! Maybe one day!! Definitely my number one bucket list!! I better hurry up being I’m already 61🤣🤣 Hey age is just a number so I’m counting on getting to see those pretty waters one day!! Keep on keepin on doing what makes your heart smile!! Fun!! Fun!! Fun!! 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
This kinda blows my mind. I'm familiar with this boat, but never thought about using it this way. I think it would make an awesome Great Loop boat. Keep having fun!
Great project. This is a great way to give old sailboats a second life as "SUV" boats. I bet you could even charter them for inshore day trips/weekends. Cheers from N. FL.
Thank you Karl! Yes, I agree so much… waaaay too many good boats out there that are deemed junk. I like the idea too! Cheers and thanks for the continued support!
I never feel so free and vulnerable as you do on these crossings! This reminded me of my trips over to the Abacos as a kid, thank you so much! If you ever want some help with a trip over to Grand Cay, give a holler...
@@diywaterworld They are still putting things back together on Grand since Dorian but, Rosie's is open, customs moved to Grand Cay now, and the reef is amazing!
Yes I know a lot of that region is still working to rebuild. I’m the states it can take years to recover from a hurricane , in the islands, more like decades :(
You got a great deal on that MacGregor. I have a 26-X that I haven't put the mast up on yet. Your idea of using it as a motorboat is nice. I could take my boat to the Bahamas right now if I wasn't interested in restoring its ability to sail. I live in Merritt island, you are welcome to park at my dock and watch rocket launches from my roof if you want. Let me know next time you want to take the boat across to Bimini again. I would love to bring my boat along too. Maybe we can start some sort of Macgregor ex-sailboat club.
Loved your video. Great energy. I knew right away this was a McGregor you put a big motor on. I'm an aircraft Composite guy and knew this boat could do it years ago. How great to see you doing it and now I'll be điving into the rest of your episodes.
Right on David and thank you so much for sharing and being a part of this channel! I hope you like some of the other vids and maybe one day pull the trigger on a project! Cheers
Great video! Glad I found your channel, we are outfitting a new “project” boat. New throttle kit and cables are next. Your carry along kits made me realize we could use some of those extra items as well. You never know with a 23 year old boat! Thank you!!
Thanks so much! I’m actually working in a really detailed video showing exactly how I plan / execute and pack for these trips. I’m sure you guys will find it interesting! Cheers!
Cheers Alec to the same boat! Crazy part is I didn’t think $1k was a good deal for the hull haha. But apparently it was! Granted, it was hull only, no motor, no trailer, and missing most of the rigging/components required for sailing. Regardless, it suited my needs and now is being put to use! :)
@@diywaterworld No, you did very well. By the way, Do you know where I can get a trailer for it. I sold mine a 1 1/2 year ago because I didn't have a place to keep it, and now I'm selling it so the new buyer will need one. I've kept it in a slip at a marina all this time.
Congrats on the partnership! I've done some business with FGCI and they are really great people. Unfortunately my fiberglassing skills aren't as good as their customer service, so my project is still a mess unfortunately. 😂Keep up the good work Forrest!
Oh man, hahaha, too funny 😂 at least you’ve got a great sense of humor! And Heck, at least you’re doing it Andrew! Practice makes perfect right?! Cheers and good luck on the project!
Omg! One of my dreams is to live on a boat! I need to find a knowledgeable person like you to teach me everything you know. I'm over on the Gulf side of Florida.
This is beyond inspiring... Although, I missed the launching points. I thought you guys were going to launch from the keys, just as a "shortest-distance" kind of thing...but, I thought I heard you say, you were sailing to Miami from about the 10:41 point in the video? This is a spectacular channel. You're the kind of guy I'd apprentice for, for free, just to learn... Learning a trade like fiberglass via video just doesn't cut it. It's an incredible starting point, though. Would love to learn how to service, maintain, repair my 93 Evinrude 150. And, yes, I'll never forget the first time I saw water that blue in the Bahamas. You can't possibly describe that kind of beauty to someone. Pictures don't do it just it, it just makes it look fake. It's almost tough to believe your eyes, initially. Anyway...thank you for sharing!
Hey Buddy, That is Aweeeesomeeeee.. Love the super awesome build, beautifull beach, drone improv and the exploration vibe.. keep them comming.. Cant wait to take a trip that way with you..
I did that once! I emphasize once! In a 19 foot Rankin with a six cylinder Volvo and 280 outdrive,left port Everglades made it to Freeport, on my way back I ended up in Merritt Island.
AHhh! So happy to see the start of the new season, and what a great video to do it with! Totally stoked to see more of this adventure! Congrats on the sponsorship! Comes at the perfect time, I'm literally in the process of buying a boat that needs some fiberglass work :)
As I have said before you are an inspiration to many I have never been to the Bahamas but I will one day been looking for boats since I started watching your channel and the boat you have in this video opened up my mind for ideas it is exactly what I'm looking for I just would like to have sails also help save that fuel bill again thanks for all the inspiration and amazing views advice and all around awesome time be safe hope to meet you one day thanks
Thank you so much Eric! This is definitely a pretty awesome platform and would honestly be just as awesome with a newer 4 stroke 30-40 hp. Probably do 10-12 knots while sipping on fuel! And for sure, would love to meet one day ! Cheers!
I have a jetski with broken fiberglass shell. My plan is to turn it into a fishing jetski with live well etc. Slow going but this is making me want to work on it again. Thank you!
I owned a McGregor and by doing away with the centerboard, that boat is going to rock terribly!! It was designed as a sailboat, not really a powerboat. The center board is essential for keeping the boat somewhat stable..the boat has a round bottom and is quite wet.(spray) Filling in the centerboard hole was a Huge mistake! Good Luck.
The Johnson 115hp engine is a V4 1726cc engine. When you have a 1.7litre 4 cylinder 2 STROKE, of course it’s a thirsty engine! 😂 Most efficient with the correct prop, which you don’t have. Pushing the correct vessel, which you also don’t have. A 3cylinder 70hp johnno would be a better pick.
Hahaha right?! I remember fresh out of high school trying so hard to find a cheap sailboat. :/ and yes agreed, looks waaaay better without mast/rigging. Cheers!
I recently bought a 2000 macgregor26x with a used 2006 Honda 50 hp outboard ! I’m still learning to use the sails but motoring around is awesome ! It’s a very versatile boat ! I even bought a Honda gas generator and an lg portable air conditioner that I use with it ! It’s an awesome boat 🛥️!
Great video. That's more of a hybrid planing/displacement boat than a true sailboat. If it were a displacement hull sailboat you'd be lucky to break 8mph.
AMAZING channel you've got going on here!! I got my first boat during covid, had some fiber glass repairs done under the boat & now I'm fascinated on how to do it myself next time! Absolutely SUBSCRIBED, love your vibe, love your story, love your channel!!! Keep it up brother! 🔥🔥🙌🙌
I’ve been waiting for the next video Forrest, it's been a minute. Your 50 MPH skiff build series has motivated me to see how fast I can go with my 1648 riveted jon boat. My 1648 has a 1993 25 Evinrude with a 10 x 13 propeller. I’ve had the boat about 20 years and have beat the heck out of it over the years and it keeps on going. Anyway, I took it out for the first time since COVID, after pressure washing the boat & motor. I put a new impeller in it, at hit the local river. I topped out at 31.6 MPH with an empty boat, just me, basic USCG equipment and six gallons of gas. I’m gonna take it out again with a mini tach, and record the WOT MPH & RPM, before I make any changes. I wonder how much HP it will take to get 50 MPH in my 1648 Jon boat?
Thanks so much for sharing and I feel your wanting to see the final vid on the 50 mph skiff! I’ve been wanting to do it justice and made a couple changes hence the extra delay. It will be up very soon! And right on! You’re cruising in that boat! I’ve learned to go from 30-40 mph takes some work, but 40-50 is a whole other ball game. Hopefully you’ll learn tips / tricks in my final vid! Cheers!
🌴this was one of your craziest adventures , and how cool is it now you’ve hooked up with FGCI there 3/4 of a mile down the road from me in St Pete , I’ve got a 11’ ft three seat fiberglass mini flats skiff project if your interested 🤔 , that water in Bimini is freak’n Awesome, have fun, 🏝👊🏼👍🏼
Thank you Dave! I’m so glad you enjoyed the first part of this adventure! And right on, I’d love to see your project skiff! Shoot me an email and let’s discuss! Cheers!
I just got turned on to your channel by one of the guys on the 26X page. I just bought mine three weeks ago and doing the same thing you did. I’ve removed all the rigging and going to use it as a motor cruiser. I live in KC, but have a beach condo in Pensacola, FL. So I’ll be doing the ICW down there! What a great video!! Thank you so much for putting it up!
Premixed is mentioned as some motors have a 2 quart reservoir where a pump within icing the the motor mixes the oil and fuel to a predetermined ratio verses you mixing the oil in a can .
Omg that water is beautiful! You don't even need a fish finder lol. I would love to see a video of you on a electric only boat with solar, a wind generator and a water generator! I wonder how far on a charge and how long to recharge the batteries while "dead in the water"....... Keep doing your thing man!
i think this is the coolest boat yet. i would love to see more info on it. Just something about a boat that you go down a creek in and cross the gulf stream
That really surprised me. I was really expecting 8 knots with a huge wake and the bow to the sky!! It looks really stable and controllable at 19mph. The hull may have been designed as a semi-displacement instead of a displacement hull. Beautiful boat for 2 grand!
My MacGregor 26 had a 60 horsepower Evinrude E-Tec and it was very efficient and pushed the boat along at 20 mph cruising. You have room for 2 12gal fuel tanks under each cockpit seat. That 115hp 2 stroke is going to go through that fuel like crap through a goose..
Hahaha. Oh man. Jonah would crack up reading this. I’m not much of a fisherman but…. Do promise to show plenty of fish on the deck and grill soon. Cheers!
Great content. If it were me, I'd carry lots of extra fuel in case bad weather came up unexpectedly forcing you alter your course to avoid it. It happens. If you don't have enough fuel to go around a storm, and not enough to turn back, you'll be in trouble.
Great point and definitely good practice. I had an extra 12 gal but had a fuel leak in the old tank. Had to abandon it. Regardless, I was very comfortable knowing that the time of year I made this video, there are no random storms, especially early morning, and with the weather being what it was , front locations, barometric pressure, it was a magical week with flawless weather. Weather doesn’t just come from no where. Not during the winter. And lastly, I keep close tabs on fuel consumption and have no problem altering/ slowing down to conserve. :) great advices and thank you for sharing! Cheers
No one on UA-cam is making content like this, keep it up! FGCI, get this man a drone!
Hahaha. Thank you so much buddy, I really appreciate it! A drone is in the works! But in the meanwhile I’ve got some good friends with drones who are safer pilots then myself. Lol. Although… there was this one time Travis crashed his drone. 🙃🥸
If taking a 26 foot Macgregor across is impressive you should check out Sam Holmes Sailing, he crossed to the Bahamas on a 16 foot Hobie Cat. He also sailed a 23 foot boat from Cali to Hawaii. Or Wind Hippie Sailing...she's been sailing her 28 foot boat from Maine to PR, through the Panama Canal and is currently in New Zealand.
Have you even been on UA-cam? Content like this is a dime a dozen. It comes down to the content creator and their liability and entertainment abilities. Based on that he's pretty chill. I dig it.
We feel like we make good stuff too… ;-)
Actually, it's a guy that did it on jetski
Having a big boat you can live on that only draws 6 inches of water opens up a whole new world. I like what you're doing and the enthusiasm you bring to your videos. I subscribed.
Thank you so much Rob for sharing this and the sub! Glad to have you here!
The Bahamas from Florida should not consist of deep keel boats. So many cruisers maintain a state of panic any time moving about the shallow waters is needed. I couldn't do it that way. From West Palm beach to the West End its about 65 miles. Traversing it in two hours cost a fortune in fuel but in 7 to 8 hours might be much less using 30-50 HP The right kind of boat for me would mean a cabin and generator for a/c when desired. Not a fishing boat where your family is subjected to the heat and sun all day for hours at time.
I just appreciate how much you appreciate life and are getting the most out of it. It doesn't have to be expensive.
I live in South Florida and I remember my first trip to Bimini and it was amazing crossing the ocean and going on the same journey this guy did. We stopped in the middle of the ocean. Camped on the boat and never really touched land till I got back! Ate fresh fish we caught. Such an amazing experience! We never had a boat that had that sort of draft though! so amazing!
My Dads cousin was in the navy and he was like a grandpa to us kids. I have four younger brothers and we all sailed from fort lauderdale to bimini back when I was in 8th grade, which was 1995. I totally share your enthusiasm about the color of the water. It seriously cures depression, and makes your soul jump for joy! We sailed over night and woke up to this amazing island. I dont remember specifics, but we did snorkel the famous shipwreck down there which I did with flippers and a mask. It was unreal! I used a waterproof disposable camera, wish I had those photos still! More people need to get out on the open water, im telling you it will solve so many internal struggles within us. The water, waves, wind, salt just does something amazing to your mind! I want to go sailing again so bad! Im currently in the tampa area.
Wow this is awesome Shawn. I really appreciate you sharing this experience and your perspective. The islands are special indeed and I hope you get the chance to go back someday. I promise your next trip will be even more incredible. Cheers my friend!
Yep and I have always moved back currently in Sebastian fl on the river is my backyard
Oh this brings back memories. My very first solo trip was from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini back in the late 80s on a fiberglass over wood trimaran with nothing but a compass and paper chart. Didnt quite account for the strength of the gulf stream and ended up quite north of Bimini but did eventually get there. Good times.
This sounds amazing and what an adventure! Very cool you got to experience this with such simplicity. That’s how it was done for ages and ultimately the greatest way to connect. This was simply how it was done and what I was fortunate enough to witness growing up in the 80’s in south Florida. A Compass was key! Back then you could plan on hitting Bimini right after dark and easily see the light on the radio tower from afar which made it easier as well. Now with all the infrastructure in Bimini ( casino/hotel) you can easily navigate to the light at night. Pretty easy run back and forth but it terrifies most folks. Cheers to your experience and thank you so much for sharing!
I can see how exited you are to show us what you are up to. You have thousands of people going on the ride with you. Its freaking fun.
Forrest, another awesome video brother. Your seemingly endless excitement, motivation and gratitude is infectious! It’s clear to me your parents did an awesome job, you’re a testament as to what people can do when they put in the hard yards. Congratulations on the partnership, you’ve worked freaking hard for it! Looking forward to seeing Jonah again, I bet he’ll be happy with all those supplies.
Keep it up from Australia 🇦🇺
Man oh man, I can’t tell you how appreciative I am to have folks like you watching these videos and sharing your insight/ enjoyment. Thank you Matt and I’m stoked for you to see the next part of this adventure! Cheers!
Forrest, you’re a standup guy and an awesome person. You deserve all these great things coming your way and we’ll be rooting for you every step of the way! Congrats and awesome video brother! 🤙
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the support as of great energy you guys share! Cheers!
Love those LiPO4 batteries. Use them for all kinds of projects.
I'm not seeing any solar panels on your boat. Simple project to add and a great way to keep your electronics powered and your starter battery topped off. A 100w solar panel and a 30A charge controller can be had for less than $200 and give you all the 12vDC you could need.
dude. i just got a catalina 22. ive been out 2 times. i used the main and a 150% jib. i taught myself that far. this is the best and most descriptive channel i have ever seen. finding someone that does this feels impossible. thank you for what you do. thank you.
First time watcher here. Commenting as i go. I feel your Fueling pain brother! My Bass boat has a Merc 250 2 stroke hanging off the back, I found out really quick why it has a 56-gallon cell. with 2 gallon oil res!!
She a thirsty girl too! LOL
I've only been out beyond land visibility a couple times in my life, definitely a humbling experience as you said. Trips me out how the water can flatten out and be smooth as glass, as if you could get out and take a walk across it. Then in the next moment you're in 10 ft swells!!
WOW that water is BEAUTIFUL absolutely amazing!! Definitely on my bucket list of trips to make!
Thanks so much Jason , stoked to have you watching and thank you for sharing/commenting. Dude, that’s a big tank but makes total sense! Big motors need to eat! Haha
You are a Bahamian in my eyes now my friend, after that saying about Exuma. Lol. Thank you for sharing my beautiful country with the world kind sir.
Hahaha. Thank you so much Stephen, I appreciate you sharing this and my heart will always be attached to The Bahamas my friend. It feels more like home to me then where I live stateside. Cheers and maybe one day our paths will cross!
You have emulated the following quote; thank you.
“The most important decision you will ever make is to be in a good mood.”
-Voltaire
This man is doing what we only think about, amazing!!
First time viewer love your excitement. The first time I saw a Mcgregor masterpiece up came blasting by us at John pennacamp it just felt weird I did meet the young couple and they gave me a tour it was impressive.
Bimini is or was one of my favorites I used to work on a yacht back in the 70s and this was our staging area on dozens of crossings and I loved the natives and made a lot of friends back then. It was always fun to watch the old Chalks float planes come in and out and run aground. No development like now. I’ll be watching thanks for the ride.
This is one of the coolest boats I’ve ever seen and I thought about doing the same thing but didn’t know how it would handle because a sailboat sits right on top but you did it!!!!!! Soooooooooo coooooooooollll!!
Congratulations on the FGCI sponsorship. You make fiberglass work look easy. And the low cost projects are great content. 👍 Can't wait to see you get your own shop and out of the sun into some shade.
Thank you Steven! The beauty with glasswork is anyone can really do it. Just takes a little practice and screwing up. Haha. I think you’ll really like sone upcoming vids too. Cheers!
I'm amazed at how shallow that big of a boat floats.
Thanks Jeffrey! Crazy right?!?! I actually built one years ago and cut off the cabin , made it an open 25’ skiff and it floated in about 3”-4” of water. True story! Cheers!
Sorry if it’s been said but that boat came with a secondary emergency power system, a mast and sails. Lol.. Great MPG
Looks like fun!! Keep it up.
This is hands down one of the coolest channels I have came across! Wish I would have found it sooner! Very cool project by the way too!
Congratulations with FGCI that’s all I use . Great products.
Cheers my friend! And thank you! I’m pretty stoked about it! FGCI ROCKS!
Congrats on the deal, Forrest! That's awesome! So happy for your continued success!
Thank you so much Elle!
Man, I'm so tempted to move out to Florida. It looks beautiful and I know the fishing is epic..
🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾 many thanks Forrest and FGCI!! Best products combining with the best videos!!
Thanks my bro! Excited for our summer!
Seeing the stuff you pack laid out like that is helpful, can't wait to see your ditch bag info. Your content and projects are awesome!
Thank you so much Brian! And yes, ditch bag , navigation, and emergency stuff was all in the car and will be shared in next video. :) cheers buddy!
Dude!! That thing MOVES!!! Love it.
Finally! Fresh content. Obviously you owe us nothing but was stoked to get a new vid
Hahaha. I try my hardest Buddy! I wish I had more time, but luckily, I’ve done a ton of filming and over the next several weeks prepare to be bombarded! Cheers!
Oklahoma here!! Just found your channel!! Love your videos!! How cool!! Love all the treasures !! I’ve never seen the beautiful waters.. in person anyways!! Maybe one day!! Definitely my number one bucket list!! I better hurry up being I’m already 61🤣🤣 Hey age is just a number so I’m counting on getting to see those pretty waters one day!! Keep on keepin on doing what makes your heart smile!! Fun!! Fun!! Fun!! 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
You Sir are amazing! Keep up the good work!
This kinda blows my mind. I'm familiar with this boat, but never thought about using it this way. I think it would make an awesome Great Loop boat. Keep having fun!
Indeed, I believe it would as well and dig the idea. With a new 4 stroke it would do awesome ! Cheers and thanks for sharing!
Great project. This is a great way to give old sailboats a second life as "SUV" boats. I bet you could even charter them for inshore day trips/weekends. Cheers from N. FL.
Thank you Karl! Yes, I agree so much… waaaay too many good boats out there that are deemed junk. I like the idea too! Cheers and thanks for the continued support!
Premix, because some engines, like Yamaha RD motorcycles have oiling systems that mix it for you.
I never feel so free and vulnerable as you do on these crossings! This reminded me of my trips over to the Abacos as a kid, thank you so much! If you ever want some help with a trip over to Grand Cay, give a holler...
Right on! It’s something one has to experience in person to fully grasp. And heck yes, I’d love to do a trip
One day to grand, let’s brainstorm!
@@diywaterworld They are still putting things back together on Grand since Dorian but, Rosie's is open, customs moved to Grand Cay now, and the reef is amazing!
Yes I know a lot of that region is still working to rebuild. I’m the states it can take years to recover from a hurricane , in the islands, more like decades :(
You got a great deal on that MacGregor. I have a 26-X that I haven't put the mast up on yet. Your idea of using it as a motorboat is nice. I could take my boat to the Bahamas right now if I wasn't interested in restoring its ability to sail. I live in Merritt island, you are welcome to park at my dock and watch rocket launches from my roof if you want. Let me know next time you want to take the boat across to Bimini again. I would love to bring my boat along too. Maybe we can start some sort of Macgregor ex-sailboat club.
Right on and thank you! I love the idea of the motley mcgregor crew 😎🤣. Let’s keep in touch! Cheers!
@@diywaterworld Sounds like a plan!
Loved your video. Great energy. I knew right away this was a McGregor you put a big motor on. I'm an aircraft Composite guy and knew this boat could do it years ago. How great to see you doing it and now I'll be điving into the rest of your episodes.
Right on David and thank you so much for sharing and being a part of this channel! I hope you like some of the other vids and maybe one day pull the trigger on a project! Cheers
If you had the mast, rigging and sails you could do the trip without gas.
Great video! Glad I found your channel, we are outfitting a new “project” boat. New throttle kit and cables are next. Your carry along kits made me realize we could use some of those extra items as well. You never know with a 23 year old boat! Thank you!!
Thanks so much! I’m actually working in a really detailed video showing exactly how I plan / execute and pack for these trips. I’m sure you guys will find it interesting! Cheers!
28:53 , sir you an absolute mad lad . mad respect to you!
Love your personality and enthusiasm
Thank you so much!
Bro, you have the exact boat that I have here in southern California. However, you got a heck of a deal.
Cheers Alec to the same boat! Crazy part is I didn’t think $1k was a good deal for the hull haha. But apparently it was! Granted, it was hull only, no motor, no trailer, and missing most of the rigging/components required for sailing. Regardless, it suited my needs and now is being put to use! :)
@@diywaterworld
No, you did very well.
By the way, Do you know where I can get a trailer for it. I sold mine a 1 1/2 year ago because I didn't have a place to keep it, and now I'm selling it so the new buyer will need one. I've kept it in a slip at a marina all this time.
Great enthusiasm Forrest, very clever sailboat mod… just like the days in Rio ! Cheers buddy.
Thank you so much buddy and haha, sone things never change! 😎👊🏼cheers!
i live in Daytona, its always been a dream of mine to adventure to the bahamas solo
Congrats on the partnership! I've done some business with FGCI and they are really great people. Unfortunately my fiberglassing skills aren't as good as their customer service, so my project is still a mess unfortunately. 😂Keep up the good work Forrest!
Oh man, hahaha, too funny 😂 at least you’ve got a great sense of humor! And Heck, at least you’re doing it Andrew! Practice makes perfect right?! Cheers and good luck on the project!
Omg! One of my dreams is to live on a boat! I need to find a knowledgeable person like you to teach me everything you know. I'm over on the Gulf side of Florida.
This is beyond inspiring... Although, I missed the launching points. I thought you guys were going to launch from the keys, just as a "shortest-distance" kind of thing...but, I thought I heard you say, you were sailing to Miami from about the 10:41 point in the video? This is a spectacular channel. You're the kind of guy I'd apprentice for, for free, just to learn... Learning a trade like fiberglass via video just doesn't cut it. It's an incredible starting point, though. Would love to learn how to service, maintain, repair my 93 Evinrude 150. And, yes, I'll never forget the first time I saw water that blue in the Bahamas. You can't possibly describe that kind of beauty to someone. Pictures don't do it just it, it just makes it look fake. It's almost tough to believe your eyes, initially. Anyway...thank you for sharing!
Hey Buddy, That is Aweeeesomeeeee.. Love the super awesome build, beautifull beach, drone improv and the exploration vibe.. keep them comming.. Cant wait to take a trip that way with you..
Thank you Maurice! Love your support and encouragement always buddy! One day we’ll definitely make a trip! Cheers!
I did that once! I emphasize once! In a 19 foot Rankin with a six cylinder Volvo and 280 outdrive,left port Everglades made it to Freeport, on my way back I ended up in Merritt Island.
AHhh! So happy to see the start of the new season, and what a great video to do it with! Totally stoked to see more of this adventure!
Congrats on the sponsorship! Comes at the perfect time, I'm literally in the process of buying a boat that needs some fiberglass work :)
Thank you Kirk! I’m excited to share more and to hear you’ve got a new project. Congrats and cheers!
As I have said before you are an inspiration to many I have never been to the Bahamas but I will one day been looking for boats since I started watching your channel and the boat you have in this video opened up my mind for ideas it is exactly what I'm looking for I just would like to have sails also help save that fuel bill again thanks for all the inspiration and amazing views advice and all around awesome time be safe hope to meet you one day thanks
Thank you so much Eric! This is definitely a pretty awesome platform and would honestly be just as awesome with a newer 4 stroke 30-40 hp. Probably do 10-12 knots while sipping on fuel! And for sure, would love to meet one day ! Cheers!
Great video and congratulations on the sponsorship Forrest!!!⚓️
Thank you so much Robert! I always appreciate your positivity and comments! Cheers!
I have used fgci for years! Awesome channel!
Heck yes! FGCI ROCKS! And thank you such, much appreciated!
I like the boat and the fact you can get low draft with all the comforts. Not a bad catch!
dude, this is exactly what i want to do. you just gave me the motivation to get it done. 👍
Hell yes John! That’s music to my ears! Go for it!!! 😎
I always wanted to do it on a 16 Compact
Definitely interested. It was my uncles bass boat. I would love to have it redone and on the water fishing!❤️❤️😎🇺🇸🎣
Cheers Pat and thank you!
Great video. I bet that hull didn’t know what to think, going that fast. Lol. That thing was used to probably 6-9 knots.
Hahaha. Right?! It is built so solid it actually rides really well surprisingly!
love the skinny water, and cool color. Keep the energy coming!
Thanks Ed! That water and island is hard to beat! Thanks for watching and sharing!
I have a jetski with broken fiberglass shell. My plan is to turn it into a fishing jetski with live well etc. Slow going but this is making me want to work on it again. Thank you!
I owned a McGregor and by doing away with the centerboard, that boat is going to rock terribly!! It was designed as a sailboat, not really a powerboat. The center board is essential for keeping the boat somewhat stable..the boat has a round bottom and is quite wet.(spray) Filling in the centerboard hole was a Huge mistake! Good Luck.
Love from the BAHAMAS 🇧🇸
Right on and thank You! Glad to have you watching. Thanks for the positivity! 👊🏼
Didn’t know Johnny Sins liked boats too 😮 awesome videos
I just died laughing. 🤣 I wonder how many people are now googling Johnny Sins. 🤦🏻♂️😅. Cheers!
The Johnson 115hp engine is a V4 1726cc engine.
When you have a 1.7litre 4 cylinder 2 STROKE, of course it’s a thirsty engine! 😂
Most efficient with the correct prop, which you don’t have.
Pushing the correct vessel, which you also don’t have.
A 3cylinder 70hp johnno would be a better pick.
My man climbed a tree to get the shot. That’s being committed to the adventure and the game.
Right on. I live in Stuart and want to take my repowered little boat over there this year! Cool video!!
Heck yes Kenny! Shoot me an email, let’s discuss, there’s a couple of us thinking about a late summer trip. Cheers!
That looks like onea those little mcgregor sailboats they are pretty cool ive seen people water skiing behind them
Haha yes! It sure is! And right?! Those old videos were nuts , seeing a masted sailboat cruising pulling a skier?! Too crazy! Cheers!
You are the best. Anytime you need a hand I am free. Just few hours away. Lol. The learning experience is amazing
Right on Sean and thanks so much! I’ll take you up on that for sure! Shoot me an email and let’s discuss. Diywaterworld@gmail.com
That's a nice lil boat for $2k. Wish I had that back when I was in high school. Looks better without the sail. Lol.
Hahaha right?! I remember fresh out of high school trying so hard to find a cheap sailboat. :/ and yes agreed, looks waaaay better without mast/rigging. Cheers!
I recently bought a 2000 macgregor26x with a used 2006 Honda 50 hp outboard ! I’m still learning to use the sails but motoring around is awesome ! It’s a very versatile boat ! I even bought a Honda gas generator and an lg portable air conditioner that I use with it ! It’s an awesome boat 🛥️!
Great video. That's more of a hybrid planing/displacement boat than a true sailboat. If it were a displacement hull sailboat you'd be lucky to break 8mph.
Thanks for making this video, I’ve been waiting for years to see if someone would try this. Well done and Keep it up.
Great adventure. You should do some fishing while you here. There are alot Good eating fish.
Thank you so much, and oh you can bet I do! It’s my primary source for food. :) cheers!
that tool box tho....This is so good Forrest!
Sava my man!!! Hahaha. Thank you buddy , I really can’t wait to have you join me one of these days! Redirect Em!!!!!!!
Awesome videos 👍 by far the best boat chanel I have ever watched
AMAZING channel you've got going on here!! I got my first boat during covid, had some fiber glass repairs done under the boat & now I'm fascinated on how to do it myself next time! Absolutely SUBSCRIBED, love your vibe, love your story, love your channel!!!
Keep it up brother! 🔥🔥🙌🙌
I’ve been waiting for the next video Forrest, it's been a minute.
Your 50 MPH skiff build series has motivated me to see how fast I can go with my 1648 riveted jon boat.
My 1648 has a 1993 25 Evinrude with a 10 x 13 propeller. I’ve had the boat about 20 years and have beat the heck out of it over the years and it keeps on going.
Anyway, I took it out for the first time since COVID, after pressure washing the boat & motor. I put a new impeller in it, at hit the local river.
I topped out at 31.6 MPH with an empty boat, just me, basic USCG equipment and six gallons of gas.
I’m gonna take it out again with a mini tach, and record the WOT MPH & RPM, before I make any changes.
I wonder how much HP it will take to get 50 MPH in my 1648 Jon boat?
Thanks so much for sharing and I feel your wanting to see the final vid on the 50 mph skiff! I’ve been wanting to do it justice and made a couple changes hence the extra delay. It will be up very soon!
And right on! You’re cruising in that boat! I’ve learned to go from 30-40 mph takes some work, but 40-50 is a whole other ball game. Hopefully you’ll learn tips / tricks in my final vid! Cheers!
Brilliant way to get alot of boat with an outboard. Very cool.
Thanks so much Milo! Glad you enjoyed the vid!
Another great video, I am definitely going to do Thais. First I have to get my truck running. I have a skoolie and want to mount it on a barge .
Thank you so much Brian! And right on, I say you do it! Cheers!
🌴this was one of your craziest adventures , and how cool is it now you’ve hooked up with FGCI there 3/4 of a mile down the road from me in St Pete , I’ve got a 11’ ft three seat fiberglass mini flats skiff project if your interested 🤔 , that water in Bimini is freak’n Awesome, have fun, 🏝👊🏼👍🏼
Thank you Dave! I’m so glad you enjoyed the first part of this adventure! And right on, I’d love to see your project skiff! Shoot me an email and let’s discuss! Cheers!
I just got turned on to your channel by one of the guys on the 26X page. I just bought mine three weeks ago and doing the same thing you did. I’ve removed all the rigging and going to use it as a motor cruiser. I live in KC, but have a beach condo in Pensacola, FL. So I’ll be doing the ICW down there! What a great video!! Thank you so much for putting it up!
115 on a sailboat - AWESOME - That's a first!
Hahaha. Right?! Next up , a new mercury 600 ! 🤣🤣. Cheers buddy!
Man, that is a badass boat! You’ve given me many ideas!
I've watched almost every video you've made. Awesomeness!!! Great work on the boats and videos. Keep it up, please! 👍 👍
Ok I’m buying a sail boat, converting it and doing this.
Premixed is mentioned as some motors have a 2 quart reservoir where a pump within icing the the motor mixes the oil and fuel to a predetermined ratio verses you mixing the oil in a can .
Ahhh yes. Makes sense! Thanks for sharing, now I know! Cheers!
Been waiting for this one! Looks amazing out there!
Yes!!!!! Now let’s get Pottcake out there! Summer 2023 Skiff-pedition
Omg that water is beautiful! You don't even need a fish finder lol. I would love to see a video of you on a electric only boat with solar, a wind generator and a water generator! I wonder how far on a charge and how long to recharge the batteries while "dead in the water"....... Keep doing your thing man!
Those putty sticks and j b weld are amazing pulled a flywheel with a lug wrench and popping the top with a ball pean hammer while applying pressure
Thank You Forrest, I luv what you're doing. 😎
Thank you Dan! I really appreciate it! Part 2 uploads today! Cheers!
Dude you are inspirational my G. I am in love with that boat.
i think this is the coolest boat yet. i would love to see more info on it. Just something about a boat that you go down a creek in and cross the gulf stream
Thanks so much Stephen! I’ll definitely be doing more of a walk thru in upcoming episodes. Cheers and thanks for the comment!
Great energy bro. Love your channel
Thank you so much Caleb, I truly appreciate this. Cheers my man 👊🏼
Very cool set up it's a great alternative 115 looks perfect for it great scores on both
Fun adventure as always! That 115 had that hull planed out well! Crazy…
Thanks so much Mark! I Always enjoy your comments! And right?! This thing scoots!!! Cheers buddy
That really surprised me. I was really expecting 8 knots with a huge wake and the bow to the sky!! It looks really stable and controllable at 19mph. The hull may have been designed as a semi-displacement instead of a displacement hull.
Beautiful boat for 2 grand!
Ah! A Macgregor! I thought that outline seemed familiar! Yeah, a nice planing hull. That explains the 25 knot speed!
What a happy life ! Feel soo bad for the people stuck in an office ..!
My MacGregor 26 had a 60 horsepower Evinrude E-Tec and it was very efficient and pushed the boat along at 20 mph cruising. You have room for 2 12gal fuel tanks under each cockpit seat. That 115hp 2 stroke is going to go through that fuel like crap through a goose..
Just found your channel🎉 What an adventure! Throw some fishing in, and I'm 100%😂
Hahaha. Oh man. Jonah would crack up reading this. I’m not much of a fisherman but…. Do promise to show plenty of fish on the deck and grill soon. Cheers!
Enjoyed your video as always. It's always interesting to see your boat modifications.
Glad you enjoyed the video and stoked for you to see part 2!
@@diywaterworld Looking forward to it!
Great content. If it were me, I'd carry lots of extra fuel in case bad weather came up unexpectedly forcing you alter your course to avoid it. It happens. If you don't have enough fuel to go around a storm, and not enough to turn back, you'll be in trouble.
Great point and definitely good practice. I had an extra 12 gal but had a fuel leak in the old tank. Had to abandon it. Regardless, I was very comfortable knowing that the time of year I made this video, there are no random storms, especially early morning, and with the weather being what it was , front locations, barometric pressure, it was a magical week with flawless weather. Weather doesn’t just come from no where. Not during the winter. And lastly, I keep close tabs on fuel consumption and have no problem altering/ slowing down to conserve. :) great advices and thank you for sharing! Cheers
As a sailboat person (I also love your skiffs and might build one), but you got a steal on that boat.
🎉 let's go to Bahamas yeh baby 🎉 I think that you should try surface drive on this amazing skiff boat ⛵ it will work perfectly
All these boat Crossing to the Bahamas videos always remind me of grand theft auto vice city and the Scarface game lol. It's beautiful out there 👌👍