World Cruising Boat

[@kharlax]

Dear Michael. Thank you so much for all your videos! We're a Danish familiy, with three kids (4, 8 and 11 years), dreaming about sailing to the Caribian and back, starting summer 2026. And seeing your videos is a great help preparing for this journey. Thank you again for all the work you're doing, and the great books on your homepage! Best Regards, David

[@andyjamesable]

I absolutely love your videos Michael. I just wish you did a few more. I am also reassured by your senior status, like you I am a senior member of the human race, I have just spent the last 14 months fitting out my Corbin 40 in Malaysia and will now spend some time cruising around the Thai islands before coming home to the Gulf of Thailand. Creaking bones, failing eyes, inability to fold myself into small places and the rest can all be damned !!!

[@SailingGently]

Andy, I recognise: Creaking bones, failing eyes, inability to fold myself into small places and the rest can all be damned !!!.... But Here in Spain it's worse and in the Caribbean where I will be in a couple of weeks a lot of the aches and pains diminish. I now more frequently employ others to fix the things, but horizons still beckon and I will carry on sailing and messing about in boats until I go toes up I reckon... I loved Thailand and envy you your cruising ground

[@tomreid3244]

Michael - another excellent insight into the world of sailing - I’d expect nothing else! Look forward to the next one

[@SailingGently]

Thank you Tom. So pleased you enjoyed it

[@philipstrachan6212]

Fair Winds to you too Sir. Thank you. Another gem!

[@SailingGently]

Thank you kindly Phillip. So pleased you liked it

[@esling77]

I have always enjoyed watching your Videos and TY for sharing your vast knowledge . This Video is a bit of a gift as you have opened my eyes to a few brands of Boats I wasnt going to look at. looking forward to more and TY again.

[@SailingGently]

Glad you liked it. Choosing a boat is a mixture of knowledge, wallet and heart!

[@ooweesaler]

What a fascinating review of boats. We have your gentle sailing guide to the med. We are in the process 🤞of swapping our boat to get something with good sun protection rather than an open cockpit. We then plan on taking it to the west coast of Spain. A little cooler than the med. We have just returned from a charter in Thailand and whilst in a stunning sailing area it was pretty hard work living with the humidity full time.

[@SailingGently]

Fingers crossed.. Break a leg.. I enjoyed Thailand but every time I fly back to the Caribbean it takes a week or 10 days to acclimatise again!

[@ryananthony6416]

Always look forward to your videos Michael. Nice to have you reaffirm our Moody 425 blue water cruiser choice. Cheers

[@SailingGently]

You bet Ryan. A Moody 425 is perfect.. I would take one anywhere

[@ericbuckner8182]

Loved the show. I think im going for the bene 37.5 . You always impress me with your kind candor. I feel motivated and squared away . After watching your show. Well done thank you

[@SailingGently]

Thank you Eric. I must say I am very pleased with my Beneteau. Brilliant French design and easy to sail

[@MH-np2lw]

Another great video Michael. Thank you for the time and effort. Looking forward to getting my little Swift18 back in the water for the season. Not quite bluewater category one can dream,

[@SailingGently]

Nothing wrong with small boats. I had some great times with my 22 ft Galion... and never dreamt I would ever have anything bigger...

[@beneastwood1336]

Hi Micheal! I met you on the docks in Le Marin last year as I passed through on my Catamaran Sage. Headed down that way again after sailing up the east coast of the USA. Hope to run into you on one of these Caribbean islands, I’ll keep my eyes peeled for Golden Haze!

[@SailingGently]

Sounds good Ben... I loved East Coast USA - got as far as Washington DC... See you in Le Marin!

[@svcrucible8303]

My first boat was a Baltic 37, perfect to singlehanded and shorthanded with my wife. It was just the IOR interior; settee with pipe berths and bench seating on strboard and port with a keel steeped mast meant a cramped existence when at anchor or port. Upsized to a Baltic 43, and just about finished the refit; just hanging out in the bigger beam boat makes life onboard much more enjoyable. great to see another one of your videos, always informative.

[@SailingGently]

You've made a great choice I think. All that 'spartan' stuff is not fun! Glad you liked the video

[@tdorisabc123]

excellent video, it's maddeningly difficult to get good recommendations on long distance blue water cruisers, and what information there is out there is mainly manufacturers' sales pitches and forum posts that only ever talk about what boats aren't suitable for long distance cruising. Thank you for spelling it out in plain english!!!

[@SailingGently]

I am so pleased you found it interesting.. Thank you for watching

[@amorfo9127]

Your experience is gold...concise presentation, well organized, thoughtul info...how not to love this channel?

[@SailingGently]

Thank you. So pleased you enjoyed the video

[@thryce82]

really appreciate this. just solid advice none of the other nonsense of most yt channels. makes me miss my days in the navy waking up anchored outside of Hong Kong. gl out there

[@SailingGently]

Chad hi, thank you for the kind words - I enjoyed Hong Kong as well, spent some six weeks there filming for a BBC drama series called Warship... Wonderful experience...

[@farmerjimbob67]

Excellent video, thank you. I chose a Westerly Sealord,centre cockpit and built like a tank and relatively easy to keep up together. At 39’ she just ducks under the 12m rule and is easily handled solo or with a couple on board. As a side note she was an ex charter, can you believe for 10! If you didn’t know each other prior to boarding you certainly would very well by disembarkation 😂

[@SailingGently]

Great boats but 10!!! I really like CC and Westerly's and think you probably have the perfect cruising boat...

[@farmerjimbob67]

Thank you, currently kitting her out, bigger winches, inner forestay, feathering prop, replaced all hatches and port lights and Hydrovane steering. Must say if I could have found an Ocean 43…. a rare beast.

[@SailingGently]

We were so lucky! Viewed Paw Paw and then purchased her the next day! Mid you Sealords are lovey boats too. Sounds like your going to have a wonderful blue water boat.. All the right gear

[@akumar7366]

Always enjoy yoir Vlogs.

[@SailingGently]

So pleased you liked it. Thank you for watching

[@PeterAcrat]

Thank you Michael.

[@SailingGently]

You are very welcome Peter. Glad you liked it

[@patrickhorgan8389]

Sound experience, advice, as always. Thank You.

[@SailingGently]

My pleasure Patrick. So pleased you found it interesting

[@svsalserenity4375]

Every aspiring sailor looking for a bluewater boat should listen intently to what you are saying , Get the right boat for the job. We have a Bristol 45.5 and will be heading offshore soon .

[@SailingGently]

Your Bristol sounds perfect.. Very good choice... Fair winds. Glad you thought the video was OK

[@svsalserenity4375]

Thank you , you as well. Hope to see you in the islands if you are still cruising down there next year.

[@SailingGently]

@@svsalserenity4375 I'm based in Martinique.. Come by and say hello.

[@IIAShadowII]

Idk I love my steel boat. But I use high-grade 2 part epoxy...

[@kevgermany]

Hmmm. Entry cost... Running cost. And the training. Thanks. Might not make it.

[@stevev5510]

Sage advice... as always. Fair winds my friend

[@SailingGently]

Thank you Steve. Glad you liked it.

[@jofishca]

Love your common sense videos. We recently 22:19 bought a Lagoon 42 and also had owned a Westerly Sealord. We think both are the cat’s miaow. Heading from the Med to the Caribbean in ‘25. Hope to run into you there. Cheers from JOLI

[@SailingGently]

Both lovely boats.. Yes, do look me up in Martinique. You will be in good company as most of the boats are cats...

[@johnsmall9729]

Thank you Michael. Fair winds to you too!

[@SailingGently]

Thank you kindly

[@talesofcanterbury42]

Lovely as ever Michael.

[@SailingGently]

So pleased you liked it! Thank you.

[@hemeoncn]

Thanks Michael. Great video. So much info. Now just need the money. :-)

[@SailingGently]

I never had enough for the boat I really really wanted but always found a reasonable compromise ... eventually... Good luck with the piggy bank!

[@johnsmith-up2of]

Scandinavian center cockpit if I was rich. I stick to the coast and own an Omega 30, fast as anything. Probably will move up to a Hanse 34. But I do have the blue water itch. Dig your channel! Fair Winds to you

[@SailingGently]

I know the financial problem John, but there are lots of superb 2nd hand boats out there and Blue water sailing to distant shores is very pleasurable and special

[@johnsmith-up2of]

If you’re not rich then it helps to be handy ;)

[@SailingGently]

@@johnsmith-up2of Absolutely!

[@RoryL83]

God that was brilliant, really enjoyed every word of wisdom. Thanks!

[@SailingGently]

Pleased you enjoyed it Ian, When I was putting it together I wondered how many folks would be interested?... Amazing response!

[@4218charlie]

Always interesting listening to people that know things

[@SailingGently]

Charlie, a lot is trial and error... boats are a never ending learning curve

[@joshtavenner8083]

Thank you for the wisdom.

[@SailingGently]

Glad you liked the video Josh

[@selmatrudellisailing]

Thanks for video. Like it. Myself i found a Elizabethan 29 at Helgoland, affordable for me. The most important thing to me is the future maintenance costs. Due to the shallow draft of 1.3m i plan to sail fom Hamburg through the canals to river danube. Down through Sfantu Gheorge and out to black sea. Saw a Delanta 75 do this way last year so it should be feasible.

[@SailingGently]

The boat that taught me to sail was an Elizabethan 31 - wonderful boats. I think you have chosen well

[@steveclancy6474]

Always a gentle joy.

[@SailingGently]

Thank you Steve :-) pleased you like the videos

[@sailingyoumeandjosapea6770]

Yeah I like your style you’ve been there done it got the T shirt valuable knowledge well done sir 👍

[@SailingGently]

I have just always liked messing about in boats and taking them to 'places' _Glad you enoyed the video

[@whackerjacker]

Such sound solid advice once again. I hope your making a few Bob out of these videos, well deserved if so

[@SailingGently]

Glad you liked the video. I make a small amount out of the channel but a lot of pleasure writing, shooting and editing the productions

[@SuperJV4x]

what would be a typical monthly maintenance cost for a boat in the 36 foot range?not counting consumables like food and fuel. presuming it was well maintained when purchased. Thanks

[@SailingGently]

Depends: If you keep it in a marina: 2500-6,000 PA Insurance (depends on experience etc) 800 - 1200PA Annual liftout and antifoul 1-2000 PA Engine service /oil change 600-1000P A upgrades and fixing things 2000 PA Could be more - depends how DIY you are.... Frankly its always more than you expect and I never keep a spread sheet... the 'potatoes' are $, Euro, pounds

[@hughburgess4168]

I absolutely loved this Michael. Superbly presented and told. Hope to leave Northern Ireland soon to somewhere I can winter sail. I need to be in NI April to September. Where do you recommend that has sheltered anchorages, good value marinas…and heat!

[@SailingGently]

Hugh hello, I have a series of Med Marina videos 6 in all kzbin.info/www/bejne/honClWiaoa-Vj7ssi=x-Vu0ogWHEmJn804 is episode 1 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4vQe2d5gdifd7ssi=gyoBsRyN6U5DNblg is Ep 5 - Eastern Med kzbin.info/www/bejne/jV6slWiPdt2NfrMsi=fdLhraAjxhbwKtLy Ep 6 central Med. Be aware that there is nowhere in the Med that does not have a winter when sailing is 'optional' but the eastern Med is the warmest. By far the cheapest is Tunisia but the more popular marinas are pretty full. After that is Turkey where the prices vary enormously bu is a wonderful cruising area. Hope that helps Michael

[@dutchglobetrotter4513]

I part-time crew on an Oyster 56. Absolutely can I single sail and even dock that boat all by myself. The maintenance on the other hand is a different story, no way I can maintain a boat thet big with just me.

[@SailingGently]

I always found single handing stern to docking in a cross wind challenging in my 43 if only because of the distance from the helm to throw mooring lines - and your right - the maintenance gets bigger with the boat size

[@jamieopulence]

I know that view - in Marbella ❤ Just finished my competent crew a few months back. Am this week doing my day skipper theory and soon I’ll do my day skipper practical - most likely next month. If you would like some sailing assistance, I’ll be happy to oblige - if you are here that is. All the best, Jamie (from Marbella)

[@SailingGently]

Jamie hi, I'm off to London tomorrow for a few days then flying back to Martinique start of March. I'm in Ricardo Soriano. Good luck with your theory and skipper practical... Don't have a boat in Europe anymore

[@SuperJV4x]

May I ask your educated estimate - what is the maximum amount of time a smaller yacht (36+-) can provision to be able to be at sea for several people without landing for replenishment of supplies? assume solar and water maker in use and no major repair issues encountered. Thanks!

[@SailingGently]

5-7 weeks eating 'normal food supplemented by a bit of fishing - six months to a year using specialist - military food - fishing for variation. fishing = trawling a couple of lines over the stern and an assortment of lures... Water would be the major issue fueling the watermaker...

[@stevenschapera2888]

Depends how many people, adults vs kids etc.

[@IIAShadowII]

Would love to see what you thought about my 55ft steel ted brewer

[@SailingGently]

Of course there are some beautiful first rate steel boats out there but for me 55 ft is a bit big for a couple to handle and maintain but I could be wrong - Often am!

[@simonforbes2453]

Might I ask what you would recommend for a liveaboard cruiser on a smaller budget and under 10m Michael? To sail from the UK to the Med and back. I was wondering about a Sadler 29 or 32? Do you think they are a bit light to be comfortable at anchor? Simon.

[@SailingGently]

Nothing wrong with Sadler's Simon, good boats. I had an Elizabethan 31 for years and really rated her. 30ft ish Westerly or Moody are also good...

[@BastaCrew]

We just bought a Jeanneau Voyage 12.5 (1989) and I am refitting it since October. It seems to be built quite strong, do you know that type of boat? Is it a good boat for bluewater sailing? Cheers Roman

[@SailingGently]

Roman hi, Boats of that era were very well constructed and much heavier layup than those of today. You can go anywhere in her IMO

[@philmcmaster2770]

“ 100 years ago when I was intending to sail to Australia “ 😂😂😂

[@SailingGently]

Said in jest Phil ...but then I did...

[@JLChandler93]

Hey Michael, do you offer consultations via phone or video chat? I'm a 30 year old American, with a dream of sailing 6 months out of every year, starting in the Med. You're clearly full of wisdom and sailing experience, and I would be grateful to hear your thoughts on my plan.

[@SailingGently]

Hi JL, I'm back in the Caribbean in 3 weeks time when our time zones will be similar... Email me [e-mail] and you can set up a zoom or skype call - happy to chat

[@JLChandler93]

@@SailingGently Wow. Thank you Michael. I just sent you an email!

[@markybolton]

You can tell this is aged when he said a 40 ft cat has less room then the 32 ft mono

[@SailingGently]

Mark hi, I was talking about the sleeping areas only... I found the two relatively narrow hulls are more confining in this aspect than a smaller mono hull

[@davidstorer5551]

With concrete. You must use, basalt instead of steel .

[@SailingGently]

Thank you David... There are some lovely ones out there but you do need to know something about it before you buy a 2nd hand one...

[@captainandthelady]

Remember back when Eric and Susan Hiscock sailed the world in a 30 footer?

[@SailingGently]

I adored their books... Wonderful couple. Didn't realise it was so small a boat... I remember the phrase 'Why are we sailing battleship courses?' and that encouraged me to keep closer inshore when day sailing in order to see things....

[@stevenschapera2888]

And the Purdeys!

[@captainandthelady]

@@stevenschapera2888 And many others.

[@chris-yale]

👌👌👌

[@SailingGently]

Thank you Chris

[@dancarter482]

_Aluminium expedition catamaran - the bigger the better!_

[@SailingGently]

Dan I really liked some of the Aluminium boats I sailed in company with.. I'm sure your right but I have never owned one!

[@dancarter482]

@@SailingGently David D. got the balance right using Chris White/Nigel Irens concepts; kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKDCpWyhaKhknMU

[@SuperJV4x]

ps: my wife and I are watching the entire Doctor Who series from start to finish. Or at least up to the late 1980s.

[@SailingGently]

So pleased your enjoying them. I came back to the show a few years ago when I started getting requests to appear in productions for the Blu-ray editions and the producers would send me viewing copies of the shows 'to remind me'! I was pleasantly surprised how well they stand up 40-50 years later... and they were better than I remembered... There was some pretty good television generally, back in the day, I think...

[@HikerBikerMoter]

Introducing intellectualism and class in the yt sailing community 😊 (82 books and counting)

[@SailingGently]

Thank you Louie - that's hyperbole but I'm glad they please you

[@HikerBikerMoter]

@@SailingGently british style of reasoning is always a class act - best regards🤝

[@RichardEberhart_Rialta]

Very surprised not a single mention of the most prevelent cruisers out there, Tayana. Take my owners bias out of it, the perry designes dominate the top 10 lists of best blue water cruisers and you will be hard pressed not to see a tayana 37 at a lot of anchoages around the world.

[@SailingGently]

You are absolutely right Richard.. Tayana are superb ocean going boats and I knew when I started listing some constructors I miss out important ones but I was just trying to indicate the sort of boat I would go blue water in ..... and Tayana certainly fits the bill

[@TheAegisClaw]

Kraken 50 seems pretty close.

[@SailingGently]

Good looking boats...

[@deerfootnz]

Too fat, too heavy, too much load on the crew because they are too fat & heavy. I hate skeg rudders. There are fin & spade boats that are strongly built & still light enough to sail well. I am NOT talking Beneteau, Hanse, Bavaria etc. Designers such as Schumacher, Dashew, Adams, Radford etc

[@SailingGently]

Boats are so personal - and it depends on your cruising horizons. Mine are now much closer and my little Beneteau 323 suit me fine but I wouldn't want to try to sail around the world in her!

[@SailingGently]

Boats are so personal - and it depends on your cruising horizons. Mine are now much closer and my little Beneteau 323 suit me fine but I wouldn't want to try to sail around the world in her!

[@garyhawkesford2253]

Garcia ? You havnt mentioned.

[@SailingGently]

Gary hi, I missed out lots of possible brands but I was trying to suggest a type...

[@astrayalien]

I cant help thinking, if it was 1620 you'd make a pirate captain i'd be happy to serve under. Ahh, good times.

[@SailingGently]

I would have enjoyed being a buccaneer apart from having to sail with all those blokes!