Bluewater Sailboats 101: Under the Boat (Part 1)

[@RonAcierno]

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!

[@thelastpirate]

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!

[@ronacierno6705]

@@thelastpirate Hey man, honored to have been mentioned! much love.

[@RobertAlexanderRM]

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 KZbin. Cheers from Rome

[@richardbell5792]

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.

[@restrothunderroad]

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. 🤙⛵

[@mortenua8979]

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 ;)

[@timtrinkaus7072]

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!

[@albertfunk1176]

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.

[@sudosu4133]

I like your new format James. You know your stuff and it is nice you share that with others.

[@maxsuarezmuller7186]

I usually don't comment on video's but I loved this one, will watch more of your video's for sure!

[@mrstephenthomas100]

Very well put together content James. Tell, show, tell again, and recap ! Think I got it all.

[@cracich]

James, I never comment on KZbin 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

[@Sommers234]

Hey James! Always a pleasure to hear your expert views on sailboats.

[@dancundiff3316]

James, this may your finest work. i will have to view 2-3 times to absorb it all!

[@robertlaird6746]

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.

[@csillsg]

It is great to see you sharing your experiences, it´s of tremendous value!!! Congrats and greetings from Chile!

[@roadboat9216]

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.

[@ronm3380]

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.

[@thelastpirate]

Ah that's awesome to hear. Makes the work worth it. Much love, my brother.

[@judd-sv-galileo]

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

[@juanjosegarcia8499]

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!

[@Richard-h9i]

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

[@johnclatworthy1824]

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.

[@iznasen]

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!

[@BigDreamsBoating]

I live on a trawler and own a 40ft sailboat just love boats. Great content really enjoyed and even learned a bit . Thanks

[@rtbinc2273]

Thanks so much. Things I've wonder about for years.

[@valeriesorrells]

awesome video!!! Love the layering of the hull to get a better view of the differences.

[@WillN2Go1]

Terrific video. A lot of amazing and useful information. The patch you describe at about 17 minutes actually works really well. I've seen KZbinrs 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.

[@robertgold2643]

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 😎

[@icemantree]

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!

[@Chris-zo5ze]

Looking forward to this series.

[@SSBN506]

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.

[@danieloliver20]

Not sure if there are a million sailors watching KZbin, but every one of them should watch this first episode, and those to come! Well done mano... ☠️

[@martinmontes6170]

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

[@thelastpirate]

Yes, I'll be there. Not sure what day, as I'm flying through Miami, but I'll get up there eventually.

[@meow1990_2]

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.

[@CameronPrice-sail]

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…..

[@blankvirtue]

Fantastic simpifying explanation of complex subjects.Thank you for explaing these things

[@willcottrell4528]

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!

[@thelastpirate]

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.

[@thelastpirate]

Hey everyone! If you learned something give this video a 'LIKE'. Much love!

[@SwimmingInTheOcean12]

I’m due to view your old boat soon with a view to buy. Coming from the UK to USA 20th oct onwards.

[@Captain_Amory]

amazing content and such a great delivery of teaching

[@Mass-jab-death-2025]

NO !

[@jorgenadam]

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.

[@thelastpirate]

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.

[@erikjalefors9377]

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 !

[@nortonmolly]

James you are a great teacher/ communicator 👍👍

[@thelastpirate]

Thank you :)

[@Jason114752]

Thanks for continuing the sailing content. I appreciate this type of information. Good video!

[@incep]

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.

[@davejob630]

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.

[@daneulekowski929]

Great episode James.

[@harrymerritt7745]

James this is more like you. Nice to see

[@stevethurlow9059]

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

[@peterrichards8762]

Very informative, James thank you

[@markcostello9483]

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.

[@charleselmer9848]

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.

[@svsalserenity4375]

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 !!

[@Ekowal1965]

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.

[@douglasmontanus1351]

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.

[@lynettehardy8653]

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.

[@petercharles6462]

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.

[@thelastpirate]

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!

[@jessiebrader2926]

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.

[@usabayermicha6178]

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

[@erikhuijsmans570]

Thanks great lesson filled with good information

[@darren5472]

Another great video James. Very interesting as always.

[@colinboniface194]

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...

[@rossalyntownsend9535]

Even people who don’t sail would love this video, just like I have fabulous ❤

[@julioerodriguez6097]

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!

[@thelastpirate]

Ahoy my Navy brother. You'll dig this new series, it's aimed at you.

[@julioerodriguez6097]

@@thelastpirate Yes, love it. Keep it up!

[@Viendopiedra5029]

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

[@earlashton1342]

Good stuff James. Once a sailor always a sailor James. You don't no me James

[@craigreynolds2539]

Awesome info James, thanks!

[@Morrisfactor]

Nicely done, James. Very nicely done.

[@dzhiurgis]

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.

[@WAZZUjohn03]

I would love to hear your candid thoughts on the newest LaVagabond. Beautiful boat, but a ludicrous choice for full time bluewater cruising.

[@AustinBoil]

After watching a few of their videos I pity the person trying to sleep with that constant hull slap.

[@turipz]

Excellent video! Thank you for making it!

[@mariuszkijowski2180]

Different, but great video James! I was enjoying it a lot. More please :)

[@robertschaper5737]

Yes, please. Enjoy wacky James but sharing his distilled experience and opinions will always deserve attention.

[@reubenlankshear1114]

Really informative.. These are great!

[@KoalityofLife]

Thank you. Waiting for the catamaran stuff. :)

[@dpolis348]

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!

[@scottwheeler2494]

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.

[@SamiAbed-tr7sf]

Thank you! Great video.

[@GB-ew8wc]

Excellent video professor. Thanks

[@kattnhatt]

great info james... thanks

[@Guyonthelist]

Thanks James, you are a gem!

[@tulioserrata]

Great video. Thank you for the VERY informative video

[@derkhawkins2575]

This was a great idea. Cheers.

[@MrGelitube]

Awesome, I love your work James.

[@ultimatist]

Excellent guide video!

[@onedisasterattatime9116]

Dude////Been following for a while...Totally enjoy your channel... Sorry you didnt get that cool house that was the old mill.....that was cool

[@blackhawkteam8625]

Kelly Peterson 46... awesome Bluewater and incredible sailing performance and comfort.... 200 + nm in a 24 hr period quite possible

[@MrAnthism]

very informative video, but we only have jeanneau's and beneteau's here only, at least at the used boats market... so we have no other option!

[@Wedontwantnowarnomore]

Holy Mousse 🤩 You are the best ever. Very professional.

[@Leo-vk6qm]

Yay, looking forward to the next videos.

[@stephenbackhus2272]

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

[@kentpaynter1350]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@mduoba]

That scene behind you… I think I know where that spot is… Isla Muheres (Cancun).

[@michaelvanwinkle7919]

I enjoyed this video. Keep them comming!

[@wills681]

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?

[@FranklinGray]

You left out a very important thing: studies have shown that the overhanging stern gives large following seas leverage which will increase the chances of a broach.

[@angelasmith3332]

Fantastic vid, thanks James!

[@timevans8223]

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.

[@livinthedreambrighteyes2032]

thank you i love these videos,now i will be lsemi retiring in about 3 years i am looking at cats ,i like the 37 snowgoose but have also been looking at the 35 gemini cat,all on a buget as i can afford to buy a well looked after one,i would love ur thoughts,tia

[@bjswope8797]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@kevinfitzpatrick-y3x]

I would love more of this!!!!!!!

[@harrykreia5371]

Very well explained and very true.

[@williambunting803]

One thing also to point out, with the wide transoms when heeled the hull follows an off center track which causes you keel to be pushed through the water partially sideways, causing drag.

[@albubogdan3552]

Amazing stuff James!

[@stoerenungeheuer543]

When I see this, I am convinced that the steel hull is the best hull type for me. 🛡 ^^