My 1st Sailboat- Completing a 51ft James Wharram Catamaran Started by TheBoatSmith

[@seancrutchley8081]

Let’s see this project !! Keen as to watch it!

[@SquallyWaters]

I worked with David on this boat. Crazy journey. Best of luck to you!

[@lucaschueli984]

Hello dear Blue, greetings from Thailand. I'm Luca, 78 years old Swiss-Italian, sailed here 40 years ago and now Im restoring my 45 years old fiberglass/kevlar catamaran on a deserted beach.

[@lucaschueli984]

In the last 40 years I've been involved in boatbuilding (another catamaran, inflatables and others) and in biodiversity research in the Mercury archipelago in Myanmar (Burma). I hope to join you in Rajah Ampat in a couple of years! Wishing you a successful rebuild. Have you considered a double masted junk rig? Easy to build and perfect for a Wharram!

[@FatherBlue]

@@lucaschueli984 greetings Luca! Happy new years! What an inspirational and incredible journey you’ve had thus far! Inspiring to say the least! I can’t wait to make those dreams a reality one day and to hopefully meet in the raja Ampat some day soon my friend! 🙏🏽💙

[@FatherBlue]

@@lucaschueli984 we are still in the design phase of how we want to fit the boat out this a junk rig being a potential! Only time will tell where we land with this all!

[@broccattley8919]

What a beautiful boat, i love Wharams. I have been in the boatbuilding game for a long time, the hard work has been done (to an extent) paint and systems are time consuming but not as labour intensive as the hull build, it will amaze you what a good team can achieve even if they don't have experience as long as your all willing to ask the questions someone will be willing to answer them. The naysayers are just jealous that they don't have your gut, passion or your success . Best of luck on this journey.

[@FatherBlue]

@@broccattley8919 thank you sir!!

[@holisticaustralia]

Congratulations 🎉😊

[@ExtraordinaryHorizons]

Can't wait to follow the journey on this one!

[@JustinCaseSolarPower]

Subbed. This looks like it's going to be a very interesting project done with passion. Looking forward to watching the build completion videos, and watching you grow as you learn. Respect.

[@FatherBlue]

Thanks for the sub! I appreciate the support!

[@christianHoogenboom]

Great project and way of thinking❤Bless all

[@kaisailor1]

Hello my friend. I just saw your video on Practicalsailor. I'm so happy to have found your channel. I had been living in Thailand for the past 6 years, until the end of 2023. I was living on Phuket Island but moved to Pattaya for a new teaching job. This was also my plan, to build a Wharram Tiki or a Pahi. I like the Tiki design better. Anyway, after a year there and after Covid. I realized that I couldn't stay in Thailand and afford to build my boat. So at the end of 2023 I went back to the USA. I used to build boats in Florida, for many years. I built both power and sailboats. The largest being 70' powerboats and 46' being a monohull sailboat design. However, I am at present getting set up to build a 40' (hopefully) Wharram here at my home in Ohio. It's going to take me a couple of years with the weather here. And I am now building a boat structure to construct the hulls in. My space is tight and requires some earth-work and levelling of the building site first. My dream is to also sail the S.Pacific on my floating home. I have always been the adventurous sort and have lived aboard and travelled on two other sailboats that I restored and refitted in Florida before moving to Thailand. All I can say to you is good luck and Fair Winds! I am a new subscriber and wish you all the best in 2025! If we make it perhaps I will see you over there at some future point. It's just awe inspiring to see another 1%'er following their dreams. Be well, I wish you all the success in the world! Happy New Year Sir.🎉🎉🎉

[@rolandtb3]

A journey, a passion, a mission.

[@FatherBlue]

@@rolandtb3 I’m just looking to inspire others to do the same with there goals my friend!

[@richieedwardsworld]

I am so excited to watch you building this for at least the next five years. Don’t listen to the naysayers.

[@dinkylawler3314]

That's a bad ass cat! Super cool layout. Really looking forward to watching your dreams come true!

[@FatherBlue]

Thank ya! I can’t wait to follow this journey with ya!

[@jonisoininen4792]

Happy to see your enthusiasm! Great project to aquire! Godspeed you! I'll be following your adventure!

[@luckytoastsebastian]

Thanks Eddie. I'll watch your passion.

[@FatherBlue]

Thank ya sir! I’ll try to do my best to document the entire experience for you and everyone else! Thank ya for the support!

[@Radmacdaddy]

Watching closely. Been hoping there would be more vids on this boat. What a great layout and starting place. If it were me I’d paint EVERYTHING, I think it will help to see what you really have. All that raw epoxy is confusing to get one’s head around. I’ve been working on my Tehini Ha’Nu’Na in SW Ireland. Love your ambition, vision and dream. Make it happen 😋 Hope to see you on the water some time🤙🏼

[@FatherBlue]

More to come! I appreciate your support! I can’t wait to show more and deep dive into this project with all of yall!

[@glenrogers7014]

I saw this boat on Facebook marketplace. I am so glad that you were doing a series on finishing this boat I’m very excited for you and to watch the progress. Good luck!

[@FatherBlue]

@@glenrogers7014 thank ya! I can’t believe it was on the market for how long it was! I very excited for the future of this project indeed!!

[@glenrogers7014]

@ I too watched the few videos that David did on this boat. Good luck. I know there was a time limit to remove the boat from its location. Hopefully you can do that without much trouble.

[@FatherBlue]

@ all sorted out! Thank ya ! You’ll see the next updates show all of that hopefully soon!

[@floridanick]

Wild I seen electric motors for sale in Labelle and now found this after seeing Boatsmith page this is wild. I think the boat was or is in Jupiter?

[@ExposingReflections]

I saw your great interview on "Practical Sailor" with Tim. You're definitely an inspiration and definitely worth following.

[@FatherBlue]

@@ExposingReflections thank ya my friend!! I’m glad ya found us! I can’t wait to keep on progressing with this story! It’ll be an amazing one for sure!

[@PaulGriffith]

I hope you get a chance to watch Wildling Sailing. He is completing/restoring a Wharram Pahi 42.

[@psystealth]

very fortunate...goodluck !

[@FatherBlue]

Thank you my friend! 💙

[@lucaschueli984]

Try workaway volunteers for help! Especially since you have lots of painting, but also some good technical guys!

[@FatherBlue]

@@lucaschueli984 we would definitely invite and be blessed for any and all help on this vessel once the Al really starts to roll for this! I and very well appreciate of any body that would love to graciously donate time to help us out!

[@ThePilgrim38]

Stick closely to the Wharram philosophy and you will be just fine. I built a tiki38 from scratch, i know the music

[@FatherBlue]

Thank ya! I sure will! I can’t wait for the finishing line! But until then, it going to be an amazing journey!

[@ThePilgrim38]

@@FatherBlue you cannot believe the resources you will find in yourself and others on this kind of project

[@FatherBlue]

@@ThePilgrim38 ohhh I can already attest to that! The community support has been amazing thus far in providing resources and a lending hand! I honestly can’t wait to get back to the vessel to begin all of this work! It’s overwhelming but so exciting in the very same realm! My next update will be why and what brought me to this decision! And the showing the obstacles of moving this into its next build site!

[@mrsmith3554]

its a great boat design. I wish you the best. Its going to take a lot if grit to get it on the water but hey the hardest parts have already been built.

[@FatherBlue]

Im in it to see it fully through! i cant wait to show all of you guys this journey!

[@davefoster7770]

You are officially the party boat. You will have more deck space than Mars. Good luck.

[@FatherBlue]

@@davefoster7770 lol 😂 hahaha I can’t wait

[@baked_beanz2660]

Very inspiring!

[@FatherBlue]

Glad you think so! Thank ya!!

[@careylogan7639]

Hey dude, that's my dream boat too!!!!! You definitely have a diamond in the rough. I subscribed and am anxious to see how much you are going to learn over the course of the next few years. I envy you dude! I am so excited to see how this project goes forth from this point forward. Keep the faith and work your ass off. I wish I could be there to help. In a Mexican accent...jew can doo it man!! You have a great attitude and I know jew can do it bro. You are awesome homes!! Livin' da loca bro!!!!!

[@FatherBlue]

@@careylogan7639 hahahaha thank ya big dawg!! We got a lot on our hands. But I’m very confident in the goal! Keep watching it’s only gonna get so much better man! Thank ya for the support!

[@careylogan7639]

@@FatherBlue You are a rare individual. I wish I could do more for you than just subscribing and commenting.

[@FatherBlue]

@@careylogan7639the support is more then enough my friend! Things will fall in place. And I’ll hopefully be able to inspire many others to chase there dreams as well! Thanks for that! This is why I keep on pushing!

[@markthomasson5077]

Huge project, if it just you. That said not being ply is excellent especially if going to the Tropics. My advice is to keep everything as simple as possible. Forget the deck house, Bimini etc for now. Do consider what will happen if (when) you hit a reef / log / container and put a large hole below waterline. Divide the hull by full bulkheads with watertight doors Working with epoxy is actually very easy, as it has a long cure time. Just be extra careful to never get it on your skin, it can give long term sensitivity. And always use peel ply, an additional cost in itself, but you end up using less epoxy. Definitely consider electric, there is plenty space for solar. Don’t go for second hand diesels, you will spend half your time fixing them. Three good anchors. Consider a modern junk rig, the Junk Rig Association has lots of info. Best of luck.

[@FatherBlue]

@@markthomasson5077 thank ya for the feedback! Lucky enough each section of the hill is already separated by permanent bulk heads! It was really a lucky find! Thanks ya for all the suggestions! Please as the project progresses don’t hesitate to chime in with more recommendations! I’m looking at brand new diesels currently, I would like the idea of the electric drive, but just don’t trust it for ocean crossings 😅 (then again I have no experience, I’m going by the words of others). There’s stil a lot of to figure out, so let’s see where we end up with this all!

[@markthomasson5077]

@ great. So many folk, who otherwise really know what they are doing, crossing oceans in boats with not waterproof bulkheads. Carrying enough diesel to motor a significant distance would weigh down you catamaran and kill its sailing performance. Whilst on a sunny calm day you would be able to move at a couple of knots all day with solar. You may only be requiring the motor to come and go into port. When tacking you may / will get caught in irons occasionally, the instant power of electric can prevent that.

[@wayneanderson1641]

Don't even think of electric propulsion on that type of boat.

[@FatherBlue]

@@wayneanderson1641 definitely don’t plan on it! The tech is just something I don’t trust fully yet! We are leaning a lot more towards dual outboards

[@lucaschueli984]

I'd also consider electric, with a diesel generator plus solar. You end use much engine Trans Pacific if you choose the right season/ routing

[@Clover12346]

Walk and the way will appear.

[@FatherBlue]

My mom always told me, be proud of what you do, and do it the best to your ability and everything will fall into place! 💙

[@KarlFullerNZ]

That's so true. I designed and built a 60ft steel yacht and the doors kept on opening till it was complete.

[@FatherBlue]

@@KarlFullerNZthat’s how it’s honestly felt! Also I’ve been following your personal page for some time! Before I even got this vessel! Keep up the great work! I’ve leaned a lot from you thus far!

[@KarlFullerNZ]

@@FatherBlue That's great to hear! I'm a great believer in 'intention' and the confirmations that come. A guy helping me for a short while, one day stopped work for a moment and said "everything seems to happen for you as it needs to" I think because you're doing this project for the greater good, it will happen and don't get in the way of it by going for perfection. Pick a standard, stick with it and as others have said, focus on what you need and not what you want. You've got this and I look forward to watching your journey . One of the commenters suggested a Junk Rig and like anything, there are reasons for and against. Some good reasons are cost, easy safe and reliable to use and you could even make the sails yourself with success. Some would argue you won't have windward sails and to some degree that's true but your catamaran design is in my opinion not optimised for that point of sail anyway so you could end up with expensive sails you won't get the most out of. Check out one of Pete Hill's junk rigged catamarans, he has a world of experience and would probably be only too happy to give you some advice as would many in the junk rig community. images.app.goo.gl/guerLsu8vA8D6VVU7

[@antonbloemendal3812]

Can you put subtitlls on for me, that is easier for me to follow, I am curious how you will manage this building, I wish you succes with this project.

[@FatherBlue]

I just fixed that! thanks for making me aware of that issue! hope ya enjoy the video!

[@floridanick]

Are you in Labelle also?

[@seventeenreasonsails]

I love reptiles and boats. I am restoring a 61 cabin cruiser. If you have questions I would love to help.

[@FatherBlue]

@@seventeenreasonsails thank you sir! I will keep you in mind as we progress on this journey! I appreciate your support with this adventure we just started!

[@brika2044]

You can do it

[@FatherBlue]

thank ya!! i know we can!

[@ashley-tm1uk]

very ambitious project that i’m certain you will be greatly rewarded…i’ve completed a very comprehensive refit of a 42 vagabond years ago, and it was worth every moment and $$ spent… are you aware of the possibility of registering your yacht as a research vessel and receiving grants for conducting legitimate work?…if not, find a way to do this , and it can subsidize the cost of building and operating …the duties often pale in comparison to the rewards…i’ll be watching ….best of success no matter how you skin the cat…pardon the pun…. cheers!

[@FatherBlue]

@@ashley-tm1uk I had no idea this was option! I knew too all of this and this world! I will 💯 look into this! It would help me tremendously with the project! Thank you for suggesting this! Any info you might have please feel free to send it my way! Thank you!

[@ashley-tm1uk]

i don’t exactly know the process for receiving grants, but the man that bought my vagabond 42 had a friend who was a professor at a university who wrote and applied for the grant…it was successful, but don’t know the details of amounts…i do know that his duties and responsibilities to maintain it were not that stringent…hope you can use this idea..best of success!

[@c.a.mcneil7599]

You will get into the know of epoxy !

[@olafk2297]

The previous owner always chages plans, it seams, outboard to inboard engines, position of the steeringwheel and so on.

[@FatherBlue]

@@olafk2297 how did ya find that out? Curious, I know the story but I wonder how much of this has mad it out to the public before I deep dive into sharing it later.

[@TownSea]

I'm Indonesian 🇮🇩👍🙏

[@FatherBlue]

@@TownSea ohhhh!! I love the country in so many ways!! What part are you from?? My experience is with Jakarta, sorong, and the raja Ampat! Thank you for chiming!!

[@TownSea]

@FatherBlue I was born in North Sulawesi. My childhood I moved from Maluku, Kalimantan, Sorong, Bali, Jakarta. Now I live in Bandung but often do activities on the South Coast of Java Island. Glad to see your POLINESIAN Boat Video. My dream is also to build my own boat. Good luck, best wishes and Warm greetings from Indonesia 🙏🇮🇩

[@Tjalie-j6i]

Ahh, a Tiki.

[@Tjalie-j6i]

You could build a saloon on it at this stage. Take it from a Tiki to a Catamaran for realz.

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

​@@Tjalie-j6i Best model for the size is either the Islanders or a larger version of Vasco Pyjamas.

[@Cold_Blooded_Gems_]

Hey familiar with west systems !

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

See this guy for how to do things differently kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqKuhWhvYrCtY8Usi=rJV--fORkU_BkMGV. But you will not go far wrong by following James Wharrams sailing ketch rig wingsail ideas. Safety, simplicity and ease of sailing and repairs all built to match the vessels hulls.. I didnt follow the original build how are the beams and central pod assembled to the hulls.. there was an evolution of ideas with Wharams . But dynema lashings is as strong if not stronger than steel. Hubb doing hurricane repairs ...how to work fast and strong .. like the Dutch builders kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIPEq6Oge9CAd8Usi=WcG-N_hVWjWUDWX2 E power at work kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4qoooKsd9Wsmassi=tmwu9c7-9LcURjpp

[@themistyrainforest]

first lol

[@FatherBlue]

Ayyyyyyy hahaha 😂

[@themistyrainforest]

new goal unlocked! Sail Indo with @fatherblue. killing it man! so cool. Imagine exploring the islands and discovering new species.

[@Tjalie-j6i]

Yeah, scrap the mermaid idea. It just doesn't look good.

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

Maybe just as a couple of locals to make you some local figureheads or Mohi 🗿. For brilliant decorations see the various previous Wharrams and Zig Zag a young couple who've built their own in the Carribbean. Start searching the net for images inside and out of different boats ..old adverts and articles ..about Wharrams.

[@Antipodean33]

Oh man you've got no idea what is before you, if you don't have deep pockets you'll never finish this cat. You've never stepped foot on a sailboat (I can tell that just by how awkward you move on this one and it's not even on the ocean) and you've got no idea about building and working on a sail boat. I wish you the best but I give you very little chance of getting this beast anywhere close to be ocean worthy

[@FatherBlue]

@@Antipodean33 the neat part of this whole journey is that it’s mine and not yours! I appreciate your input. Have a great day my friend!

[@jonasgamborn9255]

@@FatherBluesuper good answer. Good luck mate!

[@floridanick]

Damn what a hateful comment 😂 hope he proves your ass wrong

[@Antipodean33]

@@floridanick Truthful isn't hateful, get your mind right

[@kaisailor1]

Many years ago, I also felt this way. I felt the ocean calling me and moved to Florida. I quit my masters program in the dead of winter and moved to Florida with the express intent of buying a sailboat and learning to sail. Then as fate would have it, I took a job at a boat building company and learned everything that I could...after several years and two of my own restorations and living aboard in those years. I can only say that if a person puts their mind to it and stays focused on their dream. It is extremely doable. This man has everything he needs to make it happen. I've seen people with less ingenuity and drive make it happen. And he's starting out with a massive advantage. I believe that he can do it. He's committed and he's invited the world along on his journey. For the good and the bad.

[@RobbyO-p5p]

Oh boy, you f’d up

[@FatherBlue]

@@RobbyO-p5p hahaha 😅 how so my man?

[@KarlFullerNZ]

Sounds like you'd be surprised at what people can achieve with the right attitude. He seems to have it.

[@practical-sailor]

Great work guys!! Love to chat about it sometime. I dropped you an instagram msg. Love to hear from you!

[@FatherBlue]

@@practical-sailor dude!! Never in a millions years!! I appreciate this! I’ll get in contact ASAP!

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaq8aZadjKqeoqcsi=QdLsDXFMbZn50ypq Sail Life is Madds and his wifes channel.. hes in Florida.