How to make your boat sail better

The follow up to my beginners how to sail video. Whisker pole, boom preventer, reefing, heave-to, weather helm, lee helm and center of effort.
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[@allbushnocraft3031]

Mate that weather helm chat was the best explanation I’ve ever heard top job

[@samholmessailing]

Wow, thanks

[@allbushnocraft3031]

You’d make a great sailing teacher very clear and practical

[@coldisle]

Sam …the more I see of these Ken and Barbie, GQ guys and supermodel wives YouTubing from yachts that most people 3x their age could never afford…or want….I appreciate your adventures and authenticity that much more. Thanks.

[@britishcomedybroncorothschild]

Agent Ken & Agent Barbie

[@pcarter5992]

Sam: Excellent presentation. You should do a part three about heeling and rounding up. Many newbies such as myself don’t have a sense of what is normal heeling and if rounding up is something to fear.

[@GUNNER67akaKelt]

Also, when to reef would be a good inclusion.

[@lostpony4885]

Seeing a lot of these extra spars and lines mentioned and used, its really great to have what they are exactly walked through so i understand what im looking at better. Thanks!

[@samholmessailing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheCornucopiaProject-bd5jk]

You did a nice job explaining weather helm. It’s fun experimenting these with these concept on a small responsive boat, like the hobbie cat you sailed to the Bahamas last year. Make a part 3 for sure.

[@timwebb8153]

SO glad you did a segment on heaving-to! It's a skill that I'm always surprised by how many sailors don't know. I almost always raise/lower/reef the main while hove-to, since the main is out of the equation, so it's easy to do that. Even if you aren't making any sail adjustments, it's a great way to just take a break and regroup while singlehanding.

[@samhunter8880]

I've been watching sailing videos and sailing for 8+ years. This is hands down the best explanation of sail trim and weather helm I've ever seen. I like all your videos, but the ones where you talk about the technical stuff are the best!

[@kirkrobbins9090]

Sam, I've been sailing on inland lakes in boats from 10' to 22' with a Hobbie cat thrown in the mix. for the past 53 years. NOW I better understand weather helm! Thanks😅 I've always thought you might be a little wreckless, maybe crazy with what you've accomplished, but as you explained your setups. I began to see you've anticipated situations and prepared your boat so you’re ready to handle them! Even more impressive!

[@nicolasstanley1392]

Thanks! That bit about heaving to is something I’ve never learned and I’ve struggled with making adjustments single-handed

[@rhcppunk]

This was next lvl for me 👍🏼🙏🏼 I want to see more, spinnaker, gennacker, anchoring, knots and stuff like that. I love how you keep the fluff out and go direct to the useful stuff.

[@livingsimplytosimplylive6817]

This has been most helpful. You have my vote for a part three

[@MarkShaw-u8h]

Sam this was so helpful in showing in a practical way just what you do to overcome issues on board. Feel more confident on my own boat now with this knowledge. Thank you and I look forward to episode 3. Sooner the better!

[@shawnlund]

That was awesome Sam, I for one hope you keep explaining how things work on a sailboat for those of us with big dreams 😀

[@hansdegroot652]

Do one about how not to sink

[@collinchap3990]

Perfect timing! I just re-watched part 1 last night! Im researching and attempting to plan some sorts of circumnavigation myself and learning to sail is first in line. Big thanks Sam!!

[@samholmessailing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lonniekropf808]

Thank you, I like the training videos. I’m currently taking sailing lessons, and this one really helps me understand boat balance… now to put it into practice next Friday. Looking forward to part 3. Aloha.

[@chrissterba501]

Absolutely loved this video (along with the first one you had made). As mentioned on the first, I really like how your instructional videos compliment the other videos out there. Your first video did a lot that helped explain both the main and head sail (whereas many other videos had not). This video has a multitude of sailing conditions and how to's which again I have not found much of in other videos which was again very helpful! Funny, even the handheld prop boat really helped best visualize certain conditions on a smaller scale (and in a single frame perspective). Thanks as always for sharing and yes, please go for a 3rd when you have the time. Take best of care!

[@GUNNER67akaKelt]

Best explanation of weather/lee helm I've heard. Thanks!

[@Techgnome21]

That's for the lessons. Great camera work.

[@windinmysails]

Sam, thank you so much! I’ve learnt so much about some really useful stuff in this video. The way you explained everything was so clear and demonstrated so clearly at the same time. I just wish we were heading into the sailing season instead of retiring to the warm sofa too much (UK), so I could go out and try this all out. 👏🏻

[@Josh-e2l]

Awesome, ive always wanted you to do a follow up. Your first how to sail video was the one that got me onto your channel. One of the better and easy to follow videos out 👍

[@samholmessailing]

Awesome, thank you!

[@russ01539]

Hi Sam. Im part way through my various courses, gearing up to the day skipper course once Ive got past the complete novice stage (Your name was mentioned alongside a few expletives when doing the capsizing part of level 1 - because you are my inspiration in my sailing journey). It was Part 1 that inspired me to start learning, so Ive been waiting for part 2, so many thanks for part 2, as I am learning all of this at the moment, but seeing you doing it on a sailboat in real time was perfect in helping me to understand the concepts Ive been learning in theory classes. I cant wait for part 3, but please, dont leave it another year, by then Im hoping to cross the channel in my boat. Again, many thanks for this invaluable video tutorial, it was 'awesome'.

[@samholmessailing]

Thanks!

[@uglybird650]

Excellent video as ever . One point to pick up on , when you hove to / crash tack or put the hand break on , the tiller is lashed to the leward side for a reason . Your backed jib is trying to turn you to starboard and your rudder is opposing this motion. The main can be then eased to the point of balance. You're 5hen just drifting with any tide .You did mention lashing the tiller, just didn't explain why . Looking forward to seeing more tips .

[@edwardfinn4141]

Nice radial sails

[@MegaTriumph1]

Beautiful day for a sailing lesson. Interesting as always. Nice job Sam very informative.

[@timwebb8153]

Good stuff Sam! I'm sure that with those new sails you're really discovering what your boat is capable of. One thing I like to do on my boat is to set the autotiller for a given course, then play around with sail trim until that AT is hardly working at all - very small corrections, and only working against very light weather helm. That's when I know she's trimmed just right.

[@Boatyarddog]

Yeah, New Sails are a whole new topic on what advantage new sails have over old.

[@mammaholmes]

Could you have text on the screen for definitions of some of the terms that are second nature to you, but maybe not all of your viewers: sheets, halyards shrouds, main, jib, boom, mast. We might have forgotten since the last how-to You could even put the written definition of a term you're explaining: heeve to, reef, weather xx... See i already forgot! Seeing if in print might help me remember for the test (haha). And maybe wear your pdf to set a good example. Excellent camera work Ann-Elin!

[@icholash]

Such a nice young man. Very courageous too.

[@samholmessailing]

Great idea.

[@samgillard4415]

Get to a point where you don’t need someone else to tell you the answer, learn it well enough then it won’t be a problem g

[@williamturner1517]

Try Google. Dictionary. Self help.

[@Boatyarddog]

Terminlogy, is easy to look up. Most all sailing books cover this. Try "sailing for dummies" Not because it fits, but its a great starter book.😊

[@Sutcliffe371]

I remember a guy from our church lost his life when the boom in a failed jibe tossed him over, great job Sam , always gotta be so alert.

[@jasoneyes01]

Thanks Sam! You are motivating for future sailors. I want a boat so bad watching you travel to these wonderful destinations. Maybe getting used to these places you forget how beautiful they really are. Can't wait for part 3.

[@KevynSmith-s5j]

This is really awesome I'm trying to find someone like you honestly to take me out and learn from I've spent most my life on the west coast of the US from forks to Baja worked as a life guard and on fishing boats(sport fishing anyway) but I'd love to do a series like this for people like me that learn as they go along by seeing and or doing. Very cool

[@KevynSmith-s5j]

Oops Learn to sail specifically and it'd be cool to parasailing with yeah lived that video in the alps I think

[@fronbogi5048]

I just got my Sam Holmes Sailing shirt and it is very comfortable and not like cheap material either it just feels good.

[@ppope2]

Great video! I understood the concept of a preventer and whisker pole and reefing but never seen details of how they are rigged like this. I sail Hobie cats a little bit and always been curious about the bigger boats. Love your content man would love to see episode 3.

[@collarandhames]

Wonderful Sam. So much information that I will use next season! I recently got a whisker pole, and definitely need to up my boom preventer game and reefing is something I've been trying to wrap my head around for sure! Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge. I appreciate you and love your videos. Cheers from Canada!

[@pnwcruiser]

Nice overview! Since you asked for input, some may not be familiar with powering down a sail by increasing twist, reducing load along the upper portion offering a quick way to respond to building conditions; and how to so so with jib lead and mainsheet/traveler/boom vang adjustment. Could be worth a mention in a follow on video. Your videos are great Sam, much enjoyed. And your sails are looking sharp.

[@alfred7350]

Hi Sam, I bought a 30ft yacht this summer with absolutely zero experience. Doing some work on it at the moment but it’ll be in the water in April. Obviously having no experience I’ve been watching loads of videos trying to learn everything but things like whisker poles, reefing, jibing were always missing or not quite relevant to yacht sailing (mostly dinghies) so I have been mostly cross-interpreting how these work. This video confirmed all of my interpretations good stuff 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@otherbubba2813]

Thanks for the video! Have always wondered what was meant by balancing the sails, and now I know 😊. I learned a lot from this video! Now I need to get a sailboat…😅

[@888buzzz]

Excellent explanation of weather helm and how the degree of heel affects it. It took me years of sailing dinghies to figure that out. Thanks Sam!

[@Boatyarddog]

Boom brakes are awesome! I have a Dutchman. Works well, adjustable tension wheels. Can be used as a preventer as well.

[@rocksonrocks5321]

That was great, explaining weather helm/lee helm especially. I always have trouble with my little Cat22 turning into the wind, constantly adjusting the tiller minder drives me crazy. Just finished my second season of sailing, still learning, I'd say I'm just slightly above novice with my biggest accomplishment of leaning to heave to, which I did by accident the very first time, but figured out what had happened and never looked back. It's great for me because I'm usually single handing so I use that to pull the main sail down which makes me think the main has nothing to do with heaving to. I think the wind, if coming from, say, the port side pushes the head sail making the boat want to turn to starboard, the rudder is locked to steer it back to port, so I think they cancel each other out and the boat just slides sideways. Be safe, take care.

[@AwsomeLifeofBrian]

Excellent Sam! Sail area + Wind speed + Righting momment, airfoil, hydro foil and reefing down! Always know when the Boom is coming over!

[@samholmessailing]

So true!

[@Scrotalyser]

I know all this stuff but really enjoyed listening to this guy. Superb teacher.

[@bowdezaufa2609]

Excellent video. Definitely up for a part 3

[@frithmoore6631]

such a cruisy way of teaching, thankyou!

[@brycegroff6787]

Excellent follow-up to the intro video, I'm glad you went deeper into some intermediate techniques!

[@roystyffe2790]

Great video! I have recently joined a sailing co-op in Victoria on Vancouver Island! The sailing here is fantastic with lots of wildlife! I appreciate your honesty, and I'm going to stay with protected waters! Enjoy!

[@abelvanstaveren5979]

Part three on mainsail and jib trim would be great!

[@whitec59]

Thanks for talking about the weather helm always thought it was just too much sail didn't think about the balance between the sails

[@josemcheremm]

Great video as always! Part 3 would be great, maybe it could focus on sailing with a Spinnaker: deploying, trimming, jibing, dousing, etc. Thanks for all of the great content! BTW, about a month ago I was at that famous wind surfing beach in Greece (Vasiliki). I thought I was going to moor next to you on that little town dock but didn't see you when I got there. I asked the nice woman that was taking the payments if she had seen a little blue sailboat called Pickled Herring and she told me you had left the day before. It would've been really cool to meet you since your videos are part of the reason why I have been living on a little sailboat for the past year. Anyways, keep having fun and making awesome videos and maybe we will coincide next year somewhere in the Med. I'm hauling out in the Greek Island of Leros in a couple of weeks to do some boat maintenance and then going back home to Mexico for a couple of months to spend some time with friends and family but will be back to the boat early next year.

[@comeandtravel1]

Looks like you had nice weather in Saranda! That was a great lesson with everything explained well. Cheers from St. Simons Island!

[@davecisneros5285]

Thanks, Sam. Very helpful!

[@cliffordwilliams9597]

Would love to see a part III ! Maybe covering passage making e.g. weather, routes, seasons, marinas, bridges, logistics etc?

[@g00nshow]

Hi Sam - I really enjoyed this video (as all of yours). My wfe and I are just starting out sailing (I'm mid-fifties!) and although we have RYA Day Skipper rating this was still really informative and entertaining. Thank you. :)

[@georgepalm2307]

Very good job explaining things

[@utahjag]

Thank You for all of the time and effort of making this video! Awesome to see you do so many things as you explain them, so engaging and fun. Hope to see more!

[@ni59gel]

An excellent video. I thought you explained all the points very well while demonstrating them. I'm sure your able bodied assistant was invaluable in helping with this one.

[@dogshark9]

Thanks v much Sam, I've needed a video on reefing & whisker poles for a while now. Currently sailing west coast islands of BC in my first boat - partially inspired by yourself & your videos. Please keep them coming!

[@Bill-wz6tw]

I like this instructional kind of video Sam you should make more of these as time goes on. I love all of your videos though so it doesn't matter to me all that much this is just a nice change of pace

[@nicolasstanley1392]

This was exactly the video I needed Sam and it’s a good thing you provided it since it’s your fault I went and bought a 26 foot sailboat anyways 😆

[@AdventureYachtSeaMonkey]

Fantastic. One of the best ‘how to’s’ I’ve watched. Thanks mate.

[@mikejelinek1413]

Great video Sam! Sam, I'm curious would you ever consider sailing a boat home for someone for a fee? You should be teaching people to sail, you have an excellent demeanor for it.

[@TomG315]

You explain it very well. Thank you for all your videos!

[@marcusmacleod]

He’s got a nice way of explaining things so they are clear. Subscribed 👍

[@samholmessailing]

Thanks for the sub!

[@markmahan6768]

A very helpful video, you're a natural teacher Sam. Thanks so much!

[@moomin110]

Great video! I've always luffed the sails to put a reef in but will give it a go sailing downwind after watching this. Thank you!

[@mailbagps]

When I look at a boat for making a passage I always dive and clean the hull because that makes boat sail better. Also I check for big weight items onboard. It doesn't make sense to carry non-paying cargo. I think your sailing skills for passages improve if you do some racing. Racing is a pretty good way to break stuff more often which is always fun.

[@jeffmercier1974]

Great stuff, it was a lot of information, but I didn't feel overwhelmed, thanks for sharing ✌️ Moving your preventer forward makes sense to me, more leverage less stress on attachments 👍

[@peterjopson5950]

Cheers Sam good explanation on those aspects… I can never stop learning

[@nsashah]

this is what sailing Chanels are for learning to sail, most people don't now how to sail and have sailboats only using at 2 bft

[@RoryL83]

That was great Sam! Thanks! I need to rewatch that about 3 more times.

[@culleen01]

Great video Sam you’d make a great instructor. I’ve been struggling with reefing when the wind gets up. I got some great tips from this video thanks

[@MESECKJUNK]

This how to video was very informative for balancing the helm. Thank You.

[@StevoBolgakov]

please continue with Sam's sailing lessons great content!!

[@bybeka1]

Very well explained, Sam!

[@samholmessailing]

Thanks!

[@mindebrolis9582]

Worth noting that when you heave-to, you can balance the drift by tensioning or releasing the main sheet. Also I loved one explanation of the heave-to drift: like a feather falling slowly, with the forward/backward motion

[@marcelofonte8274]

1.Your videos are awesome! One of my favourite channels 2. In terms of trimming sail’s you have a lot to learn. In most of the videos the sails are incredibly bad trimmed. Easily you lost 1 knot witch as you know in long legs represents a lot of miles/time

[@samholmessailing]

There is always more to learn

[@duncanmcdowall]

crystal clear man. great explanations! 💪 So many people make it so complicated.

[@stantsimbas7829]

So informative, thank you Sam

[@shabbydoris]

Good job, Sailor Sam - you helped me a lot in this video. Fair winds, Dude!

[@bootmenow]

Thanks for this video Sam. This is a really helpful one. Not many KZbinrs have taken it to this level teaching their fan's their knowledge. Kudos to you. I've finally made some progress on my 22. Not sure its going sailing this year. Just not ready for it yet. But I made a bunch of progress and discovered there were two booms, both with sails. A newer one with a Dacron sail and the original larger with a roller furling main. Its a Morgan 22. Lots of work to do but I'll be sailing next year on Lake Huron and then hopefully other locations after that... hoping for Keys or Bahamas in spring of 2025.

[@edbeatty]

Thank you so much for this instruction.

[@stevegreen3897]

More of this. You have one of the best channels. Thank you.

[@samholmessailing]

Will do!

[@tomhodges534]

Great video! Really appreciate your insight.

[@feanor3876]

Good background camera work from your assitant. You're a good teacher, possible revenue for you sam.

[@andreasnoraas1429]

Thank you very much for this video I hope you keep making more how to videos, because like one of the commoners said I have big dreams and I’m going to need all the help I can get

[@JP-lz3vk]

Sam using the "How to Sail" as an opportunity to show off his nice new clean sails....😆 ETA: And I learned some good stuff so thanks!

[@fransdriesen1311]

Hands on explained.. very good..

[@samholmessailing]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@RoyCook-f1t]

Hi Sam, very nice, I have been watching your video's. For years, I am sailing a 26ft yacht Good News 2, for 30 years. out of Durban South Africa, hope to see you in S.A . someday. Cheers safe sailing Captain Cook Durban Harbour .

[@piecebeapawnuian1810]

Yes on part 3! Thanks Sam, really enjoy your channel.⚓

[@samholmessailing]

You got it!

[@cmorgan4515]

Thanks Sam definitely informative hope you do some more safe sailing

[@granularSodacan]

Great stuff, Sam.

[@jeffw.6821]

You two make a great team.

[@davidhuckaby832]

Nicely done!

[@SailingAndInvesting]

Great video and probably the only video on boat balance (that I have seen anyway). The cleat on my boom vang is at the bottom of the mast. I do have some issues getting the line to unclear. I may reverse it. At 20:00, I think you meant to say reef going directly upwind.

[@windwaterandSandra572]

Thank you so much!!! That was very useful for me.

[@bishopdredd5349]

Thanks for the lessons!

[@ruudsmith3836]

good explanations, your camera person helped make this presentation

[@stevecoakley-lt6wf]

Brilliant, thank you for the effort you put into your excellent videos.

[@chrisauld7003]

Rt on man, great tutorial. Reef early Reef often 🎉😊

[@billh2294]

Great video with great explanations. My understanding is that a boom kicker is used to raise the boom on a boat that does not have a boom topping lift. Some one please correct me if I am wrong.

[@saxophool]

Nice video. Only improvement I would suggest would be a shot or two of the director of photography.😎

[@costasvrettakos]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@Gah0uf]

I’d love to see a part 3 with some spinnaker sailing, specifically how you handle it solo.