Hello James, very much enjoyed your video....just a couple of quick corrections (full disclosure, I am part of the Kraken Team): The Kraken skeg is a thick, stainless steel (not aluminium) piece that is dropped in from the top. Similarly, Kraken no longer uses a two part (port+starboard) process to fitting the lead, followed by a encapsulating the entire lot. Instead, now, the entire lead ballast is placed into the completed, integral keel cavity. There is no risk of 'splitting' as you mentioned, as there is no left and right side. You are also very spot on with respect to your fiberglass / grp repair comments. However, another set of important points involve what happens before a repair is needed, or in other words, to prevent damage. These points involve layup content (that is, what type of material and what direction of fibers, the latter of which should follow anticipated load directions), process (wet on wet is FAR stronger than adding glass to dried layers), and finally, shear volume of layup (17 layers, as in a Kraken, is better, and allows multidirectional fiber placement, than 8 layers). Thanks for a great video!
Very cool of you to take the time to inform all of us. Sounds like you guys are constantly improving the design. Must be fun to be on the team :) I should have guessed that skeg was stainless... Much love, my brother, & thanks for the comment!
I grew up sailing with my father who I always considered one of the greatest sailors I've ever know. We were at sea for three months every years and sailed from our Mediterranean to Madagascar and Panama. You Sir are the first person that inspires me in the same way: deep real life knowledge very well presented. Maybe the most useful video EVER I stumbled on UA-cam. Cheers from Rome
Great video James - no right and wrong, just pros and cons to consider for the type of sailing you want to do. Simply explained and easily understood. I learned a lot, really useful. Cheers.
I've never heard anyone explain fiberglass and how to repair it quite like this. You've always been a great communicator and the skills really shin here. 🤙⛵
Great video and clear explanations. I bought my first cruising sailboat a few years ago. I'm almost 70 ;-) Tiny budget, sailing single handed and COVID all conspired to bring me to a very old Bristol 27. Full keel - check. Solid glass - check. Impossible to backup - check. Looking forward to cruising ;-)
I clearly had the completely wrong boat for offshore sailings with my Hanse 430e glad that did not stop me, I had a incredible few years sailing many thousands of nautical miles in everything from arctic ice filled waters in Greenland to tropical archipelagos in the BVIs We rigged the boat according to safety recommendations from offshore regatta rules as well as adding some extra measures of our own. We sailed quite a bit up wind, but we very seldom hit the wave lengths that would make our boat slam in open waters. But it did happen in shallow waters, and we changed our route or slowed down to avoid it. Here is my recommendations if you want to sail a fast modern boat but want to be comfortable: Make sure that you are not in a rush, pick good weather windows look at multiple models, and have a plan B, do weather routing for your boat type and get weather reports underway to adjust.
Novice sailors make decisions like these, and they endanger themselves, the crew, and the rescue teams. That boat is not built for offshore sailing at 60°N+. You can buy much more capable boats for that journey.
Love this video format. Presentation of options and the pro and cons presented by someone who has been there and done that rather than presenting marketing material from manufacturers. Well done sir.
I grew up from an infant racing 6 M class. After 18 years old, I never crewed again; but I did learn a lot from my engineer father about boat design. From bowsprit to stern; from mast to keel, my father was redesigning and always changing something to make the boat faster. Your analysis is spot on. Well done.
James keep these types of videos up you have the experience and wealth of knowledge with all of your time you have spent on the water in all the different types of boats. Great job loved the video!
Well @James, that was BY FAR the best summary of blue water hull design issues and choices. Superb. Confirmed many of my own biases and taught me a few new pieces like ‘fat bottomed boats’ (well, broad sterns) being poor at upwind pointing. And I guess explaining the point that “the room of terror” is indeed unusable while at sea and so those gorgeous looking forepeaks are useful only as storage space while offshore. On that point, I guess you missed the benefits of aft master cabin and centre cockpit, but maybe they come with the next part? And I guess ‘details’ like fin rudders being great as they can be balanced, while the downside of being skeg-hung is all the weight of the water is on the turning mechanism. Mind, with an Iberian orca anywhere need me, give me skeg-hung all the way. Also, prop-shaft v saildrive for blue water (obvious answer!). The one part I didn’t understand was the performance of the twin rudders downwind. The boat would be upright when sailing downwind, so how did the twin rudders benefit her? I’d expect them to come into their own upwind while heeled? 🤔
having done numerous solo navigations and Atlantic crossings in na number of different sized vessels I have found your explanation / guidance you offer to new and experienced sailors well thought out and carefully explained. The expectations of novice sailor, fails to take into account the skills / knowledge learnt the hard way by those sailors. You state at the beginning of your intro the situations you have found yourself in. I recognise the knowledge you impart into your reviews. I too have experienced, in extreme environments, conditions that have tested the crew beyond their skill. The selection of craft has gifted the crew a second chance when a more experienced crew would have travelled without threat. Some people buy an estate car and some buy a supercar, often the result is at the first intersection or traffic lights. I hope some where around the worlds oceans we meet, it will be a pleasure to meet you.
I have had 5 serious cruising boats. One full keel, one extended fin and spade, and 3 large fin and skeg. All were encapsulated lead fully molded hull/keel. Never any probem with any in tens of thousands of miles of cruising. I would be hard pressed to have a serious cruising boat with a sail drive and twin rudders. Saildrives are a cost cutting make do. Cheap up front and trouble the long run. Twin rudders just stick out there completely unprotected and screaming “foul me, break me”! Great video with lots of info. Thanks.
🎉 awsome. Best learning video. Like the new trend of some youtubers talking about the topic. Specially in europe we dont have much of those good yacht builders. Would be nice to bring old shapes back to affordable yachts.
Great video, very informative. All I would add as an owner of a sailboat form the 70s then 80s and now 2k’s is yes the hull may be stronger and the keel and rudder also if you hit something hard. But one thing my 70s and 80s boats had that made me like the 2k designs much better is less wood where it should not be. My older boats had plywood in the bilge, compression post and deck. This all caused problems that way outweighed any of the other plusses of older designs. I know you were not saying get boats from the 70s and 80s anything newer is just not built well. But if you want a skeg hung rudder a keel without a grid no dule helms no wide transom 90% of what you are now looking for are very old boats. We have so many people at out club who use this guide to a good sailboat and end up with endless problems like the Catalina smile or C&C smile sagging compression posts soft decks and just the problem that old boats are just very old. So, I agree with you mostly on your assessment of a good blue water boat my problem is they don’t really exist without all the down sides of a very old boat with its design flaws or a huge budget.
James, I never comment on UA-cam stuff, but I just have to say- this is one of the most cogent, thoughtful, and articulate episodes you've ever done. It's clear you have a wealth of knowledge, though not always evident in all your videos. But this is excellent. Very well done
The introductory video on this topic is very well done, James. I can imagine that people looking for their “ suitable” boat would reward your expertise.
This video takes me back in life! I sold my first boat this year and being sad now hoping to buy a second one next year so your video is important for me. Thanks a lot! I'm waiting for new videos ;)
I have a 1991 Dehler 34. My first yacht. I asked around and also saw the crash test video before buying it. I checked out quite a few other brands first. I have have owned it since 2013. It is cast iron keel, spade balanced rudder, folding prop. Has very little prop walk and sails hands off the wheel for the most part. In fact some crew over controlled it! Needs to be quite big waves / swell (3ft) before it gets a bit bouncy. Doesn't really heel steeply as it has a low free board. Amazingly quick (4kn in F2, 9kn in F6). No fancy interior but comfortable for 2 - 4 weeks holidays. Very easy to handle and trim so much that within a few hours novice crew can get the hang of it (tacking / gybing and after about 3 mooring attempts will have it more or less figured out too. Sadly keel has to be removed due to age to check the bolts as an insurance requirement. Yes big and expensive job - but won't need checking for 10 years after that. Great video and just confirmed my thoughts and decision.
I've very impressed at your ability to explain your credentials so eloquently. What a fantastic job, strong A type with a humble teacher type of explanation.
great video I trust my 1966 3/4 keel, attatched rudder hull over anything built since the 70s oil crisis. the amount of resin difference is staggering...it feels like ferro-cement if you tap on the hull anywhere from the waterline down its so think of just glass. ironic that these are among the cheapest grp hulls you can get nowdays
Great video mate. Only flaw I see with it is that you were clear and concise and can’t therefore stretch into an agonizingly long series of hype and bs in order to maximize its monetization. ;)
James, you have just produced a much needed and fantastic presentation on a important subject matter. Well done and great to see you active again. it was superb that Jerome Rand interviewed you on his podcast. Jim Rodgers
My first time seeing your channel. I’m looking for a cruising boat (probably a Cat, but open to a mono) for my family (only 3 of us) and this video has already helped in that process. Thank you…..
Thank you, James. I’ve been watching your channel for some years now and I was a little worried when you moved to Portugal but now my mind is at ease and I am enjoying your new format very informative much information that I would otherwise not even know about I also believe that you will be building, your channel with this new format It is because of your years of experience and many miles that you sailed on different boats makes you a wealth of knowledge for all sailors worldwide and God bless you and your family. Thank you. RJ
Not sure if there are a million sailors watching UA-cam, but every one of them should watch this first episode, and those to come! Well done mano... ☠️
Very good James! You are a sailor with very good experience, and in other videos of yours from the past I have already heard you tell navigation rules and tricks! So it will be great to hear everything you can teach us! Un saludito!
Yes, I like this content and been watching from day 1. The credential part was very much appreciated especially with the 24years in Navy. Well Done James! Sending love and appreciations from Morocoo!
Excellent video James! You have a huge amount of knowledge and experience so thank you for sharing that. I met you at the Newport Boat Show and told you that you and Plukky inspired me to sail. Each time i go out sailing i want to keep going. These videos will help me make a decision on the boat i will need for longer adventures.
Terrific video. A lot of amazing and useful information. The patch you describe at about 17 minutes actually works really well. I've seen UA-camrs do this one layer at a time. Why??? I bought a friend's busted up fiberglass & kevlar kayak. It had blown off his dock and his neighbors hauled it back up without first draining out the water. It bent completely in half. Huge holes. One was almost a foot across. Looked horrible. I beveled the edge of a smaller hole then cut out concentric patterns in the fiberglass. (the largest goes on the bottom, the smallest on top.) This hole wasn't round so how would I line up 8 layers of glass? I just stacked them, saturated them with epoxy. Put some epoxy around the edge and put it in place. All the layers give it a lot of stiffness. It was slightly flat, but I just faired it out later. It was easy and effective. I don't even know how I'd do one layer at a time. The first layer would be a nightmare. At first I tried to match the original kevlar layer and the glass layers. I have no idea how to figure this out. And Kevlar was too much to work with. (I got Claus Shears that could cut it, but no clue how to epoxy it without ending up with a huge sticky pile of jagged fuzz.) Didn't matter. The glass only patches worked great. And patching the tapered hole effectively unifies the entire hull good as new. (Just uglier unless you fair and gelcoat.) I think every boat owner, especially blue water off the grid sailors should learn how to do this. Once you've done it once, no hole will ever scare you. And of course if someone else has been holed, you can save their boat.
I am a big fan of Cape Dory boats for many reasons..thick hulls, all lead ballast inside the hull, plenty of bronze hardware, and one of the best hull shapes..I have sailed all models except for the 40 and 45
Spent a lot of time on Navy Luders 44's. The stern overhang provided a couple benefits. Older race handicaps measured static waterline length; large overhangs meant when heeled your effective waterline length increased = more speed. As you mentioned, in following seas the stern would lift. Once we were caught offshore in a late nor'easter; broad reaching with trysail and storm jib in 50-60 knots with 15-18' seas was actually comfortable. The stern would rise as every wave approached and the boat would accelerate to 9.5+ knots (pretty awesome for those old lead sleds). Sadly, that feature is not very useful for 98% of a cruising life, and modern weather routing (with prudent seamanship) means you are REALLY unlikely to ever find yourself in the situation we sailed through almost 40 years ago.
This is exactly the type of experiential knowledge we need more of!! I would love to make a video of comments like this. It would be really cool to animate the stories. Thank you for this. Keep em coming!
Hey James, the single best video on various designs and the effects of designs on performance and safety. I wish I had come across your vids earlier and I am now deep diving into your channel. See you at the Boat Show cannot wait to see your Oyster. Judd
Good well rounded advise so far. Large over hang sterns were a way to improve waterline on a serious heel, and go faster... Think about it. Boat heels over, water line increases there for, hull speed increases because of the longer water line...
Like all of your videos, this was very educational. Ilike that a lot! I was hoping that you'd discuss swing keels with all the others, as I am interested in a Wauquiez Hood 38. Your previous discussions about solid glass hulls had a big influence on this choice. Thank you.
Due to a technical malfunction the rental company in Athens, Greece gave us a much larger Jeanneau 41 with dual rudders. Everything you said in the video is spot on! The dual rudders give excellent performance when sailing, and when the boat heels you will always have at least one of the rudders fully submerged in the water for better steering. But, it was absolutely hell to maneuver it inside a tight marina. You couldn't prop wash because of the location of the rudders, and you needed 2½ knots to get some sort of momentum! It handled like a ferry and was very susceptible to be caught in the wind.
I hope everyone watches this video , sailors need to have this information to make the right choices and stay safe. Safety is always the number one priority !!
Hey thanks for this video. I’m a naval architect and have good experience, but I really agree with all your assessments and I will definitely see the rest of your videos and learn from you.
Don't forget that some boats are only partially cored. Solid below the waterline and cored above. My own hull is like this. 6mm skins, 25mm core. Super strong and stiff. Core makes a far stiffer boat than solid glass. Fully agree on comfort of a good off shore boat.
stumbled on your channel via the Rescue Yara series and really enjoying this education vid... perfect balance of explanation and examples to help someone new like me understand (and remember)... i know this might be a change of direction (lets call it tacking 😅) in your channel but hope you continue this educational series... looking forward to the next!
Thanks James, some of the most sensible advice on YT IMHO.. I'm looking for a cruising liveaboard I can sail up and down Australia's east coast and then over to Scotland when I'm skilled up....I'm thinking 80-100k ...so this content of yours is very timely. Subbed.
Really interesting, thanks. Particularly good on the performance of the boats you've delivered. Would like to hear more about the pros and cons of some of these brands' design etc, particularly in light of - as you point out - the way racing (not cruising) influences design. I own a 1974 Contest 29, and I look around the Marina here in Brighton, UK wondering about how the more modern shapes and features on boats here have come about, and the benefits (or not) over my old classic!
I mention contests as one of my picks in the second part of this series. It's hard to get into particular brands, and comparisons, as I'm trying not to single anyone out, or make it seem like one boat is better that another, I'm just trying to teach what works in an offshore setting. Everyone thinks their boat is the best, if I start comparing it will alienate and cause problems. I think the best way to disseminate this information is to be objective, and come at it from a 'use case' angle.
Hi James, glad to find you again! I was the guy in Bakon sails Annapolis I said hi and we talked about your channel. You are a real sailor and I hope to have a beer together someday. Are you here for the boat show? cheers and stay safe bro
Good work! I am learning on a ip 27 full keel. You give me more confidence I will have less problems with my "lack for experience." I sail around the Tampa Bay. In good conditions, she holds course without me at the helm. It does suck going backwards. Keep it coming. You should build your own vessel.
Hi, IP 420, (2000) just returned to Scotland after 2 seasons in the Caribbean, spending the Hurricane season up the East Coast from West Palm Beach, ( anyone visiting the US avoid this place like the plague the customs are truly horrible) up to Annapolis. She has looked after us well, ( 10 mt waves off the Bay of Biscay and the mother of all lightening storms off the Dominican Republic, etc, etc) reverse is like Russian roulette, she just goes where she wants, we do have a bow thruster which helps a little.
Great video. You seemed a little apologetic at times in video for doing this, but I REALLY appreciated the explanation and historical background you gave for your observations and points. One issue I might add to your discussion of rudders is not only the question of skegs to protect rudders but also the question of watertight bulkheads fore of the rudder post or posts to prevent catastrophic water ingress when boats hit things at sea, e.g. whales, sunfish, debris, etc. I have read more than a few recent accounts of boats sinking in 15 minutes after their spade rudder was struck and water rushed in and flooded the whole boat. A watertight bulkhead fore of the rudder post can limit such flooding to an aft compartment and save the boat from sinking.
I think you've finally found structure for your channel. It can still be eclectic to have variety. But have a clear repeatable path to share your stories will secure your channels longevity.
James, the first time I have seen your face for a long time. Lots of very good information in this video, pay attention everyone, he knows what he is talking about! Good to see yah mate, Aloha from the Big Island.
Awesome Video! Very informative, you presented a lot facts that I didn't knew. I'm also prior US Navy (8 years) but on surface boats. I left the Navy in the 2000. Now I'm retired and trying to get back to the water. My goal is to buy my first bluewater cruiser in the next three years. Thank you!
Good vid, and good topic, James. You have confirmed many of my own thoughts. Thanks. Maybe I will make it to Annapolis on Friday and run into you. Have a few questions regarding Oyster 485 also, which you could help me with. Ciao for now
I am a fan of blue-water sailboat design. I have studied it for many years. Recently, I have watched videos that defend the more modern designs. I find these arguments somewhat persuasive. But what it seems to come down to is performance and in-harbor livability vs. Durability and ease and economy of maintenance. The more modern designs have the former. The older designs have the latter. It appears to me that stiffness is equated to over-all strength. And I think this is a dangerous notion. An eggshell is quite strong in compression, providing such is uniform. But for point loads, it's a different matter. Then, it cracks easily with a relatively modest load. Add to that the bigger sail plans and more complicated rigging and you get more expensive maintenance, starting with the haul outs on. Greater care has to be used in every step of the process. With a long keel hull type, it may be possible to ground out between tides and do simple bottom maintenance such as cleaning and repainting the bottom and maybe replacing anodes.
Just got a Jeanneau. It’ll be my learning boat. I know I want a bigger bluewater boat next but now I have no clue! Like you said, it’s all a compromise! What the “best” bluewater 50’ ish that isn’t a bazillion $$? I want comfort and space and to not, you know, die. 😂
Hey James, Nice video. Hopefully you guys can find a great spot to grow your family while also being close to a harbor. Re your hulls shape discussion, looking forward to a list of your fav blue water boats. All the best
had seen your web for years but never watched any - did enjoy this dvd. I have 10,000 miles cruising solo plus some racing.. I am a big fan of rudder's on the stern ,not through hull
Hi James, been following you since the old plywood cat!……..nice haircut! Great video! Hallberg Rassy owner. very happy to see you again but not the hole in the Hallberg Rassy 42!
Me too. I remember the just scraping by.. depending on the catch to eat. Living a very vagabond life that was enviable. Suppose everybody has to grow up eventually. Delos is a good example too. The days of half naked crew that could change season to season are long gone. Damnit. But it points out that the mission changes. Comfort and room for the family is now the deciding factor. Safety is always paramount but how you obtain it varies with boat type and a dozen other factors. I know no better influencer to discuss this. While I miss the more carefree James with his boat babe I think you are even more happy. That's a big win as we all get older.
Thank you for for that video. Never too old to learn something. I would like to go cruising in my retirement. I'm on the fence between cat and mono so Im waiting on your thoughts.
Nice one James; a clear overview. Twin rudders: interested in opinions about interactions with sea mammals, specifically orca. There are many recent, documented encounters where pods of (possibly) adolescent orca have destroyed rudders offshore Spain resulting in emergency situations. It could be isolated pod behaviour but I'm pondering whether the twin rudder configuration stimulates this behavioural response. For clarity, I'm thinking aloud here, not suggesting that twin rudders are the cause. Opinions?
Hello James, very much enjoyed your video....just a couple of quick corrections (full disclosure, I am part of the Kraken Team): The Kraken skeg is a thick, stainless steel (not aluminium) piece that is dropped in from the top. Similarly, Kraken no longer uses a two part (port+starboard) process to fitting the lead, followed by a encapsulating the entire lot. Instead, now, the entire lead ballast is placed into the completed, integral keel cavity. There is no risk of 'splitting' as you mentioned, as there is no left and right side. You are also very spot on with respect to your fiberglass / grp repair comments. However, another set of important points involve what happens before a repair is needed, or in other words, to prevent damage. These points involve layup content (that is, what type of material and what direction of fibers, the latter of which should follow anticipated load directions), process (wet on wet is FAR stronger than adding glass to dried layers), and finally, shear volume of layup (17 layers, as in a Kraken, is better, and allows multidirectional fiber placement, than 8 layers). Thanks for a great video!
Very cool of you to take the time to inform all of us. Sounds like you guys are constantly improving the design. Must be fun to be on the team :) I should have guessed that skeg was stainless... Much love, my brother, & thanks for the comment!
@@thelastpirate Hey man, honored to have been mentioned! much love.
@@ronacierno6705 imposter
I grew up sailing with my father who I always considered one of the greatest sailors I've ever know. We were at sea for three months every years and sailed from our Mediterranean to Madagascar and Panama. You Sir are the first person that inspires me in the same way: deep real life knowledge very well presented. Maybe the most useful video EVER I stumbled on UA-cam. Cheers from Rome
That is a beautiful thing to say. Thank you for that, Robert. Much love from Cartagena
Great video James - no right and wrong, just pros and cons to consider for the type of sailing you want to do. Simply explained and easily understood. I learned a lot, really useful. Cheers.
I've never heard anyone explain fiberglass and how to repair it quite like this. You've always been a great communicator and the skills really shin here. 🤙⛵
Great video and clear explanations. I bought my first cruising sailboat a few years ago. I'm almost 70 ;-) Tiny budget, sailing single handed and COVID all conspired to bring me to a very old Bristol 27. Full keel - check. Solid glass - check. Impossible to backup - check. Looking forward to cruising ;-)
I clearly had the completely wrong boat for offshore sailings with my Hanse 430e glad that did not stop me, I had a incredible few years sailing many thousands of nautical miles in everything from arctic ice filled waters in Greenland to tropical archipelagos in the BVIs
We rigged the boat according to safety recommendations from offshore regatta rules as well as adding some extra measures of our own. We sailed quite a bit up wind, but we very seldom hit the wave lengths that would make our boat slam in open waters. But it did happen in shallow waters, and we changed our route or slowed down to avoid it.
Here is my recommendations if you want to sail a fast modern boat but want to be comfortable: Make sure that you are not in a rush, pick good weather windows look at multiple models, and have a plan B, do weather routing for your boat type and get weather reports underway to adjust.
Novice sailors make decisions like these, and they endanger themselves, the crew, and the rescue teams. That boat is not built for offshore sailing at 60°N+. You can buy much more capable boats for that journey.
Love this video format. Presentation of options and the pro and cons presented by someone who has been there and done that rather than presenting marketing material from manufacturers. Well done sir.
I grew up from an infant racing 6 M class. After 18 years old, I never crewed again; but I did learn a lot from my engineer father about boat design. From bowsprit to stern; from mast to keel, my father was redesigning and always changing something to make the boat faster.
Your analysis is spot on. Well done.
James keep these types of videos up you have the experience and wealth of knowledge with all of your time you have spent on the water in all the different types of boats. Great job loved the video!
Well @James, that was BY FAR the best summary of blue water hull design issues and choices. Superb. Confirmed many of my own biases and taught me a few new pieces like ‘fat bottomed boats’ (well, broad sterns) being poor at upwind pointing. And I guess explaining the point that “the room of terror” is indeed unusable while at sea and so those gorgeous looking forepeaks are useful only as storage space while offshore. On that point, I guess you missed the benefits of aft master cabin and centre cockpit, but maybe they come with the next part? And I guess ‘details’ like fin rudders being great as they can be balanced, while the downside of being skeg-hung is all the weight of the water is on the turning mechanism. Mind, with an Iberian orca anywhere need me, give me skeg-hung all the way. Also, prop-shaft v saildrive for blue water (obvious answer!).
The one part I didn’t understand was the performance of the twin rudders downwind. The boat would be upright when sailing downwind, so how did the twin rudders benefit her? I’d expect them to come into their own upwind while heeled? 🤔
Incredible wise, fast and accurate explanations, thanks!
having done numerous solo navigations and Atlantic crossings in na number of different sized vessels I have found your explanation / guidance you offer to new and experienced sailors well thought out and carefully explained.
The expectations of novice sailor, fails to take into account the skills / knowledge learnt the hard way by those sailors.
You state at the beginning of your intro the situations you have found yourself in.
I recognise the knowledge you impart into your reviews.
I too have experienced, in extreme environments, conditions that have tested the crew beyond their skill. The selection of craft has gifted the crew a second chance when a more experienced crew would have travelled without threat.
Some people buy an estate car and some buy a supercar, often the result is at the first intersection or traffic lights.
I hope some where around the worlds oceans we meet, it will be a pleasure to meet you.
I have had 5 serious cruising boats. One full keel, one extended fin and spade, and 3 large fin and skeg. All were encapsulated lead fully molded hull/keel. Never any probem with any in tens of thousands of miles of cruising. I would be hard pressed to have a serious cruising boat with a sail drive and twin rudders. Saildrives are a cost cutting make do. Cheap up front and trouble the long run. Twin rudders just stick out there completely unprotected and screaming “foul me, break me”! Great video with lots of info. Thanks.
🎉 awsome. Best learning video. Like the new trend of some youtubers talking about the topic. Specially in europe we dont have much of those good yacht builders. Would be nice to bring old shapes back to affordable yachts.
Excellent review. Anyone setting out to buy a boat should see this. Fair, balanced and fun!
Great video, very informative. All I would add as an owner of a sailboat form the 70s then 80s and now 2k’s is yes the hull may be stronger and the keel and rudder also if you hit something hard. But one thing my 70s and 80s boats had that made me like the 2k designs much better is less wood where it should not be. My older boats had plywood in the bilge, compression post and deck. This all caused problems that way outweighed any of the other plusses of older designs. I know you were not saying get boats from the 70s and 80s anything newer is just not built well. But if you want a skeg hung rudder a keel without a grid no dule helms no wide transom 90% of what you are now looking for are very old boats. We have so many people at out club who use this guide to a good sailboat and end up with endless problems like the Catalina smile or C&C smile sagging compression posts soft decks and just the problem that old boats are just very old. So, I agree with you mostly on your assessment of a good blue water boat my problem is they don’t really exist without all the down sides of a very old boat with its design flaws or a huge budget.
I like your new format James. You know your stuff and it is nice you share that with others.
James, I never comment on UA-cam stuff, but I just have to say- this is one of the most cogent, thoughtful, and articulate episodes you've ever done. It's clear you have a wealth of knowledge, though not always evident in all your videos. But this is excellent. Very well done
The introductory video on this topic is very well done, James.
I can imagine that people looking for their “ suitable” boat would reward your expertise.
This video takes me back in life! I sold my first boat this year and being sad now hoping to buy a second one next year so your video is important for me. Thanks a lot! I'm waiting for new videos ;)
I have a 1991 Dehler 34. My first yacht. I asked around and also saw the crash test video before buying it. I checked out quite a few other brands first.
I have have owned it since 2013. It is cast iron keel, spade balanced rudder, folding prop.
Has very little prop walk and sails hands off the wheel for the most part. In fact some crew over controlled it! Needs to be quite big waves / swell (3ft) before it gets a bit bouncy. Doesn't really heel steeply as it has a low free board. Amazingly quick (4kn in F2, 9kn in F6). No fancy interior but comfortable for 2 - 4 weeks holidays.
Very easy to handle and trim so much that within a few hours novice crew can get the hang of it (tacking / gybing and after about 3 mooring attempts will have it more or less figured out too.
Sadly keel has to be removed due to age to check the bolts as an insurance requirement. Yes big and expensive job - but won't need checking for 10 years after that.
Great video and just confirmed my thoughts and decision.
I've very impressed at your ability to explain your credentials so eloquently. What a fantastic job, strong A type with a humble teacher type of explanation.
great video
I trust my 1966 3/4 keel, attatched rudder hull over anything built since the 70s oil crisis. the amount of resin difference is staggering...it feels like ferro-cement if you tap on the hull anywhere from the waterline down its so think of just glass. ironic that these are among the cheapest grp hulls you can get nowdays
Great video mate. Only flaw I see with it is that you were clear and concise and can’t therefore stretch into an agonizingly long series of hype and bs in order to maximize its monetization. ;)
James, this may your finest work. i will have to view 2-3 times to absorb it all!
Hey James! Always a pleasure to hear your expert views on sailboats.
James, you have just produced a much needed and fantastic presentation on a important subject matter. Well done and great to see you active again. it was superb that Jerome Rand interviewed you on his podcast. Jim Rodgers
I live on a trawler and own a 40ft sailboat just love boats. Great content really enjoyed and even learned a bit . Thanks
My first time seeing your channel. I’m looking for a cruising boat (probably a Cat, but open to a mono) for my family (only 3 of us) and this video has already helped in that process. Thank you…..
James this is more like you. Nice to see
My boat is from 76 , its flippin bombproof with full glass hull , fin keel and skeg hung rudder =) Great Video explaining a lot of pros and cons !
Thank you, James. I’ve been watching your channel for some years now and I was a little worried when you moved to Portugal but now my mind is at ease and I am enjoying your new format very informative much information that I would otherwise not even know about I also believe that you will be building, your channel with this new format It is because of your years of experience and many miles that you sailed on different boats makes you a wealth of knowledge for all sailors worldwide and God bless you and your family. Thank you.
RJ
It is great to see you sharing your experiences, it´s of tremendous value!!! Congrats and greetings from Chile!
Very well put together content James. Tell, show, tell again, and recap ! Think I got it all.
I usually don't comment on video's but I loved this one, will watch more of your video's for sure!
Not sure if there are a million sailors watching UA-cam, but every one of them should watch this first episode, and those to come! Well done mano... ☠️
James, great video!
One of the most educational videos I have ever watched. Thanks.
Very good James!
You are a sailor with very good experience, and in other videos of yours from the past I have already heard you tell navigation rules and tricks!
So it will be great to hear everything you can teach us!
Un saludito!
Yes, I like this content and been watching from day 1. The credential part was very much appreciated especially with the 24years in Navy. Well Done James! Sending love and appreciations from Morocoo!
Excellent video James! You have a huge amount of knowledge and experience so thank you for sharing that. I met you at the Newport Boat Show and told you that you and Plukky inspired me to sail. Each time i go out sailing i want to keep going. These videos will help me make a decision on the boat i will need for longer adventures.
Ah that's awesome to hear. Makes the work worth it. Much love, my brother.
Terrific video. A lot of amazing and useful information.
The patch you describe at about 17 minutes actually works really well. I've seen UA-camrs do this one layer at a time. Why???
I bought a friend's busted up fiberglass & kevlar kayak. It had blown off his dock and his neighbors hauled it back up without first draining out the water. It bent completely in half. Huge holes. One was almost a foot across. Looked horrible. I beveled the edge of a smaller hole then cut out concentric patterns in the fiberglass. (the largest goes on the bottom, the smallest on top.) This hole wasn't round so how would I line up 8 layers of glass? I just stacked them, saturated them with epoxy. Put some epoxy around the edge and put it in place. All the layers give it a lot of stiffness. It was slightly flat, but I just faired it out later. It was easy and effective. I don't even know how I'd do one layer at a time. The first layer would be a nightmare.
At first I tried to match the original kevlar layer and the glass layers. I have no idea how to figure this out. And Kevlar was too much to work with. (I got Claus Shears that could cut it, but no clue how to epoxy it without ending up with a huge sticky pile of jagged fuzz.) Didn't matter. The glass only patches worked great. And patching the tapered hole effectively unifies the entire hull good as new. (Just uglier unless you fair and gelcoat.) I think every boat owner, especially blue water off the grid sailors should learn how to do this. Once you've done it once, no hole will ever scare you. And of course if someone else has been holed, you can save their boat.
I am a big fan of Cape Dory boats for many reasons..thick hulls, all lead ballast inside the hull, plenty of bronze hardware, and one of the best hull shapes..I have sailed all models except for the 40 and 45
Nice job mate! Solid info-pinions, glad to see you looking well, will watch more.
Spent a lot of time on Navy Luders 44's. The stern overhang provided a couple benefits. Older race handicaps measured static waterline length; large overhangs meant when heeled your effective waterline length increased = more speed. As you mentioned, in following seas the stern would lift. Once we were caught offshore in a late nor'easter; broad reaching with trysail and storm jib in 50-60 knots with 15-18' seas was actually comfortable. The stern would rise as every wave approached and the boat would accelerate to 9.5+ knots (pretty awesome for those old lead sleds).
Sadly, that feature is not very useful for 98% of a cruising life, and modern weather routing (with prudent seamanship) means you are REALLY unlikely to ever find yourself in the situation we sailed through almost 40 years ago.
This is exactly the type of experiential knowledge we need more of!! I would love to make a video of comments like this. It would be really cool to animate the stories. Thank you for this. Keep em coming!
Great video brother. Greets and much appreciation from beautiful Greece.
Great info and depth on all the topics! cant wait for the multihull video!
Hey James, the single best video on various designs and the effects of designs on performance and safety. I wish I had come across your vids earlier and I am now deep diving into your channel. See you at the Boat Show cannot wait to see your Oyster. Judd
Good well rounded advise so far. Large over hang sterns were a way to improve waterline on a serious heel, and go faster... Think about it. Boat heels over, water line increases there for, hull speed increases because of the longer water line...
Nicely done, really. Got the whats and why’s covered in record time and didn’t leave anything out. And not preachy 🙏 Looking forward to part 2 😎
Like all of your videos, this was very educational. Ilike that a lot! I was hoping that you'd discuss swing keels with all the others, as I am interested in a Wauquiez Hood 38. Your previous discussions about solid glass hulls had a big influence on this choice. Thank you.
Due to a technical malfunction the rental company in Athens, Greece gave us a much larger Jeanneau 41 with dual rudders. Everything you said in the video is spot on! The dual rudders give excellent performance when sailing, and when the boat heels you will always have at least one of the rudders fully submerged in the water for better steering. But, it was absolutely hell to maneuver it inside a tight marina. You couldn't prop wash because of the location of the rudders, and you needed 2½ knots to get some sort of momentum! It handled like a ferry and was very susceptible to be caught in the wind.
Looking forward to this series.
Hey everyone! If you learned something give this video a 'LIKE'. Much love!
I’m due to view your old boat soon with a view to buy. Coming from the UK to USA 20th oct onwards.
amazing content and such a great delivery of teaching
NO !
I hope everyone watches this video , sailors need to have this information to make the right choices and stay safe. Safety is always the number one priority !!
awesome video!!! Love the layering of the hull to get a better view of the differences.
Bravo amazing information congratulations for the informative and supportive work.
Thanks so much. Things I've wonder about for years.
James you are a great teacher/ communicator 👍👍
Thank you :)
Fantastic simpifying explanation of complex subjects.Thank you for explaing these things
Even people who don’t sail would love this video, just like I have fabulous ❤
Great episode James.
Good stuff James. Once a sailor always a sailor James. You don't no me James
Very good video and information.
I love learning this. Thank you.
Hey thanks for this video. I’m a naval architect and have good experience, but I really agree with all your assessments and I will definitely see the rest of your videos and learn from you.
Don't forget that some boats are only partially cored. Solid below the waterline and cored above. My own hull is like this. 6mm skins, 25mm core. Super strong and stiff. Core makes a far stiffer boat than solid glass. Fully agree on comfort of a good off shore boat.
stumbled on your channel via the Rescue Yara series and really enjoying this education vid... perfect balance of explanation and examples to help someone new like me understand (and remember)... i know this might be a change of direction (lets call it tacking 😅) in your channel but hope you continue this educational series... looking forward to the next!
cool, glad to see you back, great videos. I've followed you since your exciting cat days..
Its one of your better videos interesting and informative keep up the good work
Thanks James, some of the most sensible advice on YT IMHO.. I'm looking for a cruising liveaboard I can sail up and down Australia's east coast and then over to Scotland when I'm skilled up....I'm thinking 80-100k ...so this content of yours is very timely.
Subbed.
Really interesting, thanks. Particularly good on the performance of the boats you've delivered. Would like to hear more about the pros and cons of some of these brands' design etc, particularly in light of - as you point out - the way racing (not cruising) influences design. I own a 1974 Contest 29, and I look around the Marina here in Brighton, UK wondering about how the more modern shapes and features on boats here have come about, and the benefits (or not) over my old classic!
I mention contests as one of my picks in the second part of this series. It's hard to get into particular brands, and comparisons, as I'm trying not to single anyone out, or make it seem like one boat is better that another, I'm just trying to teach what works in an offshore setting. Everyone thinks their boat is the best, if I start comparing it will alienate and cause problems. I think the best way to disseminate this information is to be objective, and come at it from a 'use case' angle.
Hi James, glad to find you again! I was the guy in Bakon sails Annapolis I said hi and we talked about your channel. You are a real sailor and I hope to have a beer together someday. Are you here for the boat show? cheers and stay safe bro
Yes, I'll be there. Not sure what day, as I'm flying through Miami, but I'll get up there eventually.
well next time pal and congrats for your family! you are always welcome to Maryland :).
Very informative, James thank you
Good work! I am learning on a ip 27 full keel. You give me more confidence I will have less problems with my "lack for experience." I sail around the Tampa Bay. In good conditions, she holds course without me at the helm. It does suck going backwards. Keep it coming. You should build your own vessel.
Hi, IP 420, (2000) just returned to Scotland after 2 seasons in the Caribbean, spending the Hurricane season up the East Coast from West Palm Beach, ( anyone visiting the US avoid this place like the plague the customs are truly horrible) up to Annapolis. She has looked after us well, ( 10 mt waves off the Bay of Biscay and the mother of all lightening storms off the Dominican Republic, etc, etc) reverse is like Russian roulette, she just goes where she wants, we do have a bow thruster which helps a little.
Awesome info James, thanks!
Great video. You seemed a little apologetic at times in video for doing this, but I REALLY appreciated the explanation and historical background you gave for your observations and points.
One issue I might add to your discussion of rudders is not only the question of skegs to protect rudders but also the question of watertight bulkheads fore of the rudder post or posts to prevent catastrophic water ingress when boats hit things at sea, e.g. whales, sunfish, debris, etc. I have read more than a few recent accounts of boats sinking in 15 minutes after their spade rudder was struck and water rushed in and flooded the whole boat. A watertight bulkhead fore of the rudder post can limit such flooding to an aft compartment and save the boat from sinking.
Nicely done, James. Very nicely done.
I think you've finally found structure for your channel. It can still be eclectic to have variety. But have a clear repeatable path to share your stories will secure your channels longevity.
Yes, please. Enjoy wacky James but sharing his distilled experience and opinions will always deserve attention.
James, the first time I have seen your face for a long time. Lots of very good information in this video, pay attention everyone, he knows what he is talking about! Good to see yah mate, Aloha from the Big Island.
Really well done!
Great video. However, a lot of focus on docking and upwind sailing when most bluewater sailors try to avoid those!
Keen to see next one, thank you.
Thank you. Waiting for the catamaran stuff. :)
Outstanding advise!!
Awesome Video! Very informative, you presented a lot facts that I didn't knew. I'm also prior US Navy (8 years) but on surface boats. I left the Navy in the 2000. Now I'm retired and trying to get back to the water. My goal is to buy my first bluewater cruiser in the next three years. Thank you!
Ahoy my Navy brother. You'll dig this new series, it's aimed at you.
@@thelastpirate Yes, love it. Keep it up!
Thanks great lesson filled with good information
Thanks for continuing the sailing content. I appreciate this type of information. Good video!
Another great video James. Very interesting as always.
Good vid, and good topic, James. You have confirmed many of my own thoughts. Thanks. Maybe I will make it to Annapolis on Friday and run into you. Have a few questions regarding Oyster 485 also, which you could help me with.
Ciao for now
I am a fan of blue-water sailboat design. I have studied it for many years. Recently, I have watched videos that defend the more modern designs.
I find these arguments somewhat persuasive. But what it seems to come down to is performance and in-harbor livability vs. Durability and ease and economy of maintenance.
The more modern designs have the former. The older designs have the latter. It appears to me that stiffness is equated to over-all strength. And I think this is a dangerous notion. An eggshell is quite strong in compression, providing such is uniform. But for point loads, it's a different matter. Then, it cracks easily with a relatively modest load.
Add to that the bigger sail plans and more complicated rigging and you get more expensive maintenance, starting with the haul outs on. Greater care has to be used in every step of the process.
With a long keel hull type, it may be possible to ground out between tides and do simple bottom maintenance such as cleaning and repainting the bottom and maybe replacing anodes.
Just got a Jeanneau. It’ll be my learning boat. I know I want a bigger bluewater boat next but now I have no clue! Like you said, it’s all a compromise! What the “best” bluewater 50’ ish that isn’t a bazillion $$? I want comfort and space and to not, you know, die. 😂
great info james... thanks
Hey James, Nice video. Hopefully you guys can find a great spot to grow your family while also being close to a harbor. Re your hulls shape discussion, looking forward to a list of your fav blue water boats. All the best
had seen your web for years but never watched any - did enjoy this dvd. I have 10,000 miles cruising solo plus some racing.. I am a big fan of rudder's on the stern ,not through hull
Hi James, been following you since the old plywood cat!……..nice haircut! Great video! Hallberg Rassy owner. very happy to see you again but not the hole in the Hallberg Rassy 42!
Me too. I remember the just scraping by.. depending on the catch to eat. Living a very vagabond life that was enviable. Suppose everybody has to grow up eventually. Delos is a good example too. The days of half naked crew that could change season to season are long gone. Damnit. But it points out that the mission changes. Comfort and room for the family is now the deciding factor. Safety is always paramount but how you obtain it varies with boat type and a dozen other factors. I know no better influencer to discuss this. While I miss the more carefree James with his boat babe I think you are even more happy. That's a big win as we all get older.
Thank you for for that video. Never too old to learn something. I would like to go cruising in my retirement. I'm on the fence between cat and mono so Im waiting on your thoughts.
Really informative.. These are great!
Nice one James; a clear overview. Twin rudders: interested in opinions about interactions with sea mammals, specifically orca. There are many recent, documented encounters where pods of (possibly) adolescent orca have destroyed rudders offshore Spain resulting in emergency situations. It could be isolated pod behaviour but I'm pondering whether the twin rudder configuration stimulates this behavioural response. For clarity, I'm thinking aloud here, not suggesting that twin rudders are the cause. Opinions?
Amazing stuff James!
Awesome, I love your work James.