S4#24. Aluminium Portofino 52 UPDATES - 3 New Features.Romantic Symi in Leopard 45 Catamaran.

This week we feature several tech updates for our Portofino 52 from anchor rollers to increase the power, high quality lifting stern platforms and top quality hypalon dinghies now being made by Portofino....
We also share the very difficult mooring process in Symi harbour and how they squeeze boats into spaces that appear narrower than the boats themselves. We share how we cope and the disasters that we had to deal with....
Then we share the amazing town of Symi with it's beautiful architecture, strong links to the sea and their Freediving expertise with their hero diving to 88m for 3 minutes 58s without any equipment to help fix an anchor problem in 1913!!! Probably a feat difficult to match as he had to do heavy manual work down there.... Just incredible.
We experience Easter on Symi with fireworks and lots of dynamite - yes DYNAMITE that was so loud our chests and hearts were pounded with the larger explosions. We experience midnight mass and free BBQs on Easter Sunday as the town provides free food to everyone!!!
Also our Patreon, Jill provides advice to anyone wanting to join as a Patreon as some folk have had trouble getting it to work.... Thanks Jill!!!
Join our Patreon : www.patreon.com/BarefootDoctorsSailing - from $3/episode
Our Patreon option starts from only $3 per week, and will allow our supporters to enjoy live updates, early release and much more! In Dubai Jan 2025 (aboard the new Portofino 52) you would be able to join us for the launching party and test sails!!! We are also offering boat build tours with sailing off Dubai to share the progress of the P52 build and provide whatever sailing or life discussions that YOU want us to provide during all of these events..... It is a very exciting prospect and we have been requested repeatedly to give advice, take folk sailing, teach sailing techniques etc etc.... So here it is!!!
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[@Charlie-Oooooo]

Thanks for the island tour! Yummy lamb! I wonder, instead of using the engines to tighten the bow line, does anyone ever opt to use a stern winch? Seems less risky, no? And thanks for the Portofino update. So excited for you guys, to be getting close to completion! 👍 All the best! ❤

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

HI Charlie, yes I have seen some people use a winch on their stern to create the extra tension and it is "easier" physically. Judging how much rope to put out the front is the tricky bit and we have laterly put the bow line on our anchor winch to have the freedom to loosen or tighten as required. It is much easier to decide how far off the wall you want to be, tie the stern likes to that distance and then tighten the bow line on the windlass till you are happy! I should show that in the next episode!

[@AndreasNorlin]

Oh, they even have buoys now, that makes it a lot easier! When we were there in 2013 you had to anchor and reverse in yourself. The wind is tricky. When everyone had left the boat my father endedup as the only thing saving the cat from hitting the 'rock dock'. He was sitting on the suggarscoup pushing away with both legs until he got help 15 min later. Lovely place though, enjoy!

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Yes, that's right - and I heard anchors were often tangled as folk dropped them across others in the squeeze! This is much better than that now.

[@Coleen-Love]

Love these videos! -- SUGGESTION -- I know that this is a risky thing to say, although it shouldn't be, but if I can make a suggestion... my friend had his teeth straightened at age 45 and it made such a huge difference. For the first time I heard people tell me that he was really good looking. Don't underestimate the effect as it is significant and you will be shocked at how people respond to you. Just a small suggestion. I think it can be done while sleeping and takes a few months or a year.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks Coleen for the suggestion but we're a lot older than 45 and now into retirement. Our appearance is lower on our priorities than enjoying life.... I was not aware that anyone even cared!

[@Coleen-Love]

@@barefootdoctorssailing8567 ....fair enough for sure! As a girl it bothers me that so much attention is paid to every single part of my appearance.. uggh... But it seams to be reality and now I look at myself for hours every day to see what I must fix better. It must be nice to be over 45 and be done with that stress!

[@Steve757-fl1hd]

Always happy to see you guys post. Great content. Every time I see someone do a stern in tie-up I freak out and I’m not even there. Well done. I can breathe now. Thank you.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

@@Steve757-fl1hd Thanks for the comment Steve and after you’ve done it over and over, you do get used to it. But in a strong cross wind the anxiety will likely rise again!

[@michaelm2683]

They should build you a matching Aluminum Dingy!

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

We did ask them about that but at this time they are too busy just building the big boats, sorting out all the fine details and they will consider it when they are in the production groove in the future. Having an all aluminium tender seemed to be a good idea to match the brand!

[@juergenzenner4219]

Great idea that even the dinghy is from the same company!! Great episode. Thank you

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Yes its great and makes it so easy for us - avoids freight and accessing supplies elsewhere too!

[@gbsailing9436]

Hi John and Eli!!! It was so good to see your vlog for this week tonight in sunny Sydney. We've been experiencing unusually warmer weather her for the past week so, for winter, Cronulla feels especially Mediterranean. I must say, I'm surprised you took the risk with BDS with her sale so close. How's that going by the way? Please excuse my ignorance, but could not the captains of boats on either side of you take a line from your boat, go to the harbour wall and tie it off or pass it through the loop and bring it back to you allowing you to then winch yourselves into position back up against the wall? Rather than having to reverse - with all the stress and risk that that entails? This would also allow more time to control the length and tension of the one off the bow to the bow to be adjusted as necessary. Love the features on the 52. I noticed the camera between the hulls on your old cat. Will you (or should I say; how many and where) be adorning the 52 with cameras too? Can you do an update on that and the mechanism for the ladder between the tramps up front, Please? As always: Fair 💨's and following 🌊's!!!

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Hi Garth, noce to char from you as always! Glad your weather is good and hope it stays that way! We are having interest in the boat from different parties with varying requirements - so only want it for next season or late this year so that might become an option if folk don;t want to take it over mid season here. Yes folk on each boat could take lines ashore for the boats - but two problems - they are often not on the boats and secondly the harbour guys take control and TELL you what to do and they are there to catch the lines when you are in. Folk are very good at helping fend each other off when on board though... Not sure what camera you are talking about on the "old cat" - as we have not had a camera between the hulls on any boat. Perhaps it was a drain hole on the Leopards that look like a mounted camera. We will have several camera on the P52 - at least 3 (boom Furler, main view, possibly anchor view and down view from mast). Eli wants an underwater one to see reef and dolphins but there are practical issues with that... When we see the front tramp ladder, we will share the mechanism that is quite clever. Keep well and glad the videos are interesting for you!

[@gbsailing9436]

@@barefootdoctorssailing8567 Thanks for the prompt and lengthy reply. I understand about the camera/s. So much to plan and learn about! All the best.

[@barryholiday8998]

John, I recently saw a video of an Atlantic 70 with free standing double masts. What’s your opinion of this setup? That Greek town looked picturesque. Can’t wait to visit on my own yacht.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Hi Barry, I have seen some boat like this in the past and the benefits seem very high (no rigging weight and risk but I presume the downside is that the mast has to be much heavier to have the inherent strength without the support of shrouds and diamonds. Properly designed, they simplify the construction and maintenance enormously.

[@seawench555]

Oh my lovelies, was there a sober moment in there at all, I think I must of missed it!!!!!🤣 thinking of u both and ur guests having the times of ur fabulous lives.🤗💯 much love. So are we having the dingy with the little helm or normal tiller and room for a pony🤣

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Room for pony! Eli always needs space for her pony!!!

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

The Islands are so distinctive. The Stern first mooring system is a bit crazy... but not so much from the position as the packing in of your pride and joy side to side .. a Greek port boat like a car definately needs built in parking bumpers.😂🧙🏻‍♂️ I like the anchor ⚓ lifting roller lever. Simple and effective.... re the lifting platform it certainly makes tender loading and un loading easier and could be used to ease access the dock or water for anyone with mobility problems either motile or wheel chair bound. Ive seen a couple of new monohulls using drop down platform transoms where the bench across the back of the transom swings aside and out to form a pascerell/gang plank.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks for the comments Clive and yes, Med mooring is certainly something you have to get used here. After a while you do get used to it though! Yes those sterns that fold out to make a step across are good and they now do that on the HH44 too!

[@bishopkinlyside8477]

Hi there barefoot doctors. Wow sounds pretty stressful , it seems to be very crazy. Thank God you guys are experienced with your catamaran. Imagine going in there when you first get your yacht/catamaran/boat. Anyway, wonderful to see you guys. Hope you enjoy yourselves and have a really romantic time together. Cliff from Logan City Queensland Australia 🇦🇺

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks so much, cliff!

[@DJPetrou]

I don't understand why you don't warp yourself back to the quay to tension the mooring bouy? Why all the reversing drama?

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

The tension on the front buoy is too great to do manually so they "tell" you to use the engine to create the tension and they they take the lines to tie on... I found it easier to use the anchor winch to create the tension after tying the lines to the correct distance from the wall. I think the mariners there want to have really tight mooring buoy line to avoid wash back to the wall when the waves from the big ferries occur.

[@kornflakesjunkie]

in the unlikely event of a downburst like at the Bayesian, assuming the catamaran would flip, you could still escape through the escape hatches at the bottom right? And the behind the sliding doors at each side are watertight compartments? Really looks incredible the design!

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Yes, this whole issue of "escape hatches" are nonsense. Firstly the boat is not sinking as they will all float upside down so you do not need to escape in a hurry. You can swim through the saloon and out the underwing, exit through the transom doors in the master side and there will also be formal escape hatches that are fixed panels that can be broken if you want to use them.... Certification requirement...

[@paulsmith6553]

Symi looks very nice. I was surprised to hear that hydraulics drives the platform vs servo motor driven.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

My mistake - they are electric motors but I saw what looked like hydraulic pistons but was wrong. We will share more details on the platform when we see it in Dubai.

[@geofferyrobertson6608]

do you 2 speak any other languages other than English ?

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Not really - I speak enough French for simple conversations and we both know many of the basic words in several languages - Greek, Turkish, Indonesian (Bahasa) and Bislama (South Pacific pigeon English). The trouble is when you stop using them, we forget them very fast and get very rusty - and confuse one language with another - eg Italian and Spanish...

[@alanmolloy3661]

BIFFO the name for your new boat 🚢

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks Alan - what is your logic?

[@geofferyrobertson6608]

a beautiful spot there

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks for your comments again Geoffery!

[@ianh2674]

Thanks folks, another interesting video and some useful features on the P52.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Glad you enjoyed it, Ian! nice to hear from you.

[@mikephillips9311]

Wish you would post how much additional design weight the articulating/submersible stern platform is adding to the boat.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

@@mikephillips9311 Hi Mike, I understand it to be 200kg but presume there is some difference with the different models…

[@mikephillips9311]

@@barefootdoctorssailing8567 Thanks for such a quick reply. That's more weight than I estimated. I wonder with the use of more exotic materials if perhaps that could be reduced some. Good luck with your build!

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

@@mikephillips9311 The usual weight is 400kg and the leopard 50s are 500kg. The exact weight is 240kg - I checked today… That is achieved using aluminium instead of SS…

[@mikephillips9311]

@@barefootdoctorssailing8567 Much better!!! So many wonderful ways to utilize a platform like that!

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

yes, we loved it when we had it on the Leopard 50.

[@limericcntelosnet]

What a beautiful narration. Thank you for that.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

@@limericcntelosnet You’re very kind Crystal!

[@ahminmabed5166]

Another fabulous travel show guys. Cheers

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Glad you enjoyed it again Ahmin!

[@ericseidel4940]

Welcome in Med mooring ';oD And you didn't see whats happening when there is NO dock helpers in a dinghy to help you ^^

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Those Mariners seem to be around all the time. If you knew what to do, you could do it yourself...

[@Frank-E]

What length should the rope be for us who is new to this kind of mooring?

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

@@Frank-E hi Frank, you do need some long lines for Med mooring to the shore and we have 2x50m lengths that are useful for that. Occ we add the 20m line to the end if it doesn’t reach and the two 50m can also be used together for your second anchor in a storm.

[@davidmartin3947]

Informative AND entertaining as always! If you have time, I would be interested in the rationale of Portofino for choosing an inflatable dingy instead of a fully rigid one, such as the AST or OCT models.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Hi David, glad you liked the video. The downsides of the carbon dinghies is that they are prone (and very sensitive) to penetration damage so if you run into coral or sharp rocks on the shore, they will crack. We much prefer the aluminium base (not GRP as that is brittle and heavier) as that is really good for running up beaches at speed which you often need to do when there are breaking waves on the beach. It also just dents if you run over rocks or come down on rocks in swell in shallow water.... The main downside is that the tubes can get leaks but with covers, their lifespan is extended and they are more forgiving when beginners drive them into the stern of your hulls!

[@davidmartin3947]

@@barefootdoctorssailing8567 That makes a lot of sense. Again, it seems possible that basalt fiber would do better than carbon fiber or glass fiber for abrasion resistance, although not as good as aluminum, and for weight in between carbon fiber and glass fiber, but it is difficult to evaluate the moment as no one is yet making them , which is also an excellent reason for not buying one, and instead going for something being produced! ;-)

[@davidmartin3947]

As someone who knows nothing at all about the matter, I am free from all prejudice! ;-) Having had a quick look round though, I can't discover what the rationale for the inflatable bit on a tender is. Some folk, can't give links here unfortunately, simply strap fenders to the sides of the dingy, which act both as a bouyancy aids and prevents damage coming alongside. No deflation worries, and the cheap fenders can simply be replaced as needed. Of course the right amount of bouyancy needs to be calculated, but you end up with a much cheaper indefinitely durable boat without the hassles and complications of inflatability, patching etc. What am I missing?

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

The inflatable is much more buoyant that solid dinghies, more comfortable to ride on because they are soft, more forgiiving when you drive into your own boat or other by accident and don't break when dropped / bashed / hit rocks (as long as you are using a aluminium base), have really good planing qualities etc...

[@davidmartin3947]

@@barefootdoctorssailing8567 That is straight solid dingies against inflatables, which is not what I am saying. I can't post links unfortunately, but the suggestion I have seen pictures of simply strap (securely) fenders on to it, so they carry out the function of the inflatable part where you need it, but can't puncture and are easily replaced.

[@nikolaimariaromanov8384]

❤❤❤

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Nice to hear from you guys!

[@constantinealexandrakis]

Easter in Greece is one of the things i miss the most since i left. Thank you for another wonderful Video.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

@@constantinealexandrakis Glad you liked it Constantine. What part of Greece is your family at- we are back in Greece again now?

[@constantinealexandrakis]

@barefootdoctorssailing8567 I grew up in the suburbs of Athens. My mom and brother and most of my family still live there. Though my grandmother was from the island of Samos. I was just there, came back to US mid-August. Would be fun meeting you there, would love to show you around. But i won't be back definitely before New Years, maybe even till next summer.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

We love Greece... and Australia...

[@constantinealexandrakis]

Australia is on my bucket list. My cousin moved there from Greece, works as a psychologist in Melbourne, and loves it.

[@Jo.King_]

👍😂😂👍

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks for watching Jo!

[@johnphillips8088]

👍🏼❤👍🏼

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks very much John!

[@Seagole2]

Liked n shared

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

We appreciate it very much, thanks!