7 Features to consider in a Bluewater Sailboat | Interview with Dick Beaumont

This week, Adam sat down with Dick Beaumont, the founder and CEO of Kraken Yachts, to talk about about all things sailing and boat design for Bluewater sailboats. This is Part 2 of our interview series with him. Part 1 can be found here: • The TRUTH about BLUEWA...
Dick has sailed over 250,000nm including many remote regions of the world and is currently sailing his 66ft Kraken Yacht called White Dragon.
He runs a magazine and podcast called Ocean Sailor which can be found here:
Magazine: oceansailormagazine.com/
Podcast: oceansailormagazine.com/podcast/
Kraken Yachts: www.krakenyachts.com/
Timestamps:
0:34 - Offshore boats vs Generators
1:39 - How can you stop fuel getting contaminated?
5:10 - What are your 7 Key ´Must Have´s´ for a bluewater boat?
13:37 - How does a solent rig work?
15:58 - How does a solent rig work in heavy weather?
20:03 - Can a boat outrun the weather?
22:18 - What are your thoughts on bluewater catamarans?
28:55 - What are some other considerations for a blue water sailboat?
31:26 - What are the design features of a round shaped hull?
33:30 - Why did you start Ocean Sailor Magazine?
37:22 - What are your thoughts on other blue water boats (such as Garcia)?
39:59 - Can you sail in high latitudes on a Kraken?
41:26 - Do your dream!
Music Credits
All Music from Epidemic Sound
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Adam and Khiara are making sailing videos and adventures around the world on our 1981 Tayana Vancouver 42. We plan to sail around the world and make our way back to Australia.
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[@joecucch8261]

My electric lazy boy prevents me from leaving the dock further then my extension cord...

[@jaksmith6465]

unfortunately. he presents a problem about sailboats and then says hes only going to make like 5 boats a year. So what do people who want a 38 or 40ft boat and dont personally know him do ? Shame only one "acceptable brand"

[@svhappymondays]

Outstanding interview, i see the plastic fantastic supporters are out in force, he was talking about safety in a true blue water boat and what and why he has built them, to what hes learned over years of sailing i thought the points he made about the modern boats were spot on,

[@bravofighter]

To be fair, his position on swing keel boats is based on his sailing ethos. Here in the US, you could sail for years, never visit the same town twice, and never cross water with swells over 1 meter. If we want to do the Great Loop or pound around the Bahamas, a deep keeled boat won’t do. The Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, and Keys all require a shallow draft and the ability to adjust the rudder. This is why the US loves plastic motor yachts.

[@mikepl5926]

Very interesting, I have been sailing for 50+ years with a wide variety of boats all across the world and came to much the same conclusions as Dick, my fears are hitting something, fire (including lightning), going overboard and loosing a mast. I couldn't find the boat I want so I am building my own 80 footer which is similar to his design with integrated keel, skeg etc. My hull is much thicker than his with very high strength non osmotic resin, a deeper keel, wider and flatter profile (I turn the engines on if I want to go upwind), solid with stringers below the waterline and nidacore above and in the decks (no wood in the boat at all, termites are terrible in a boat). I also have bonded in tanks from the keel to above the waterline at the front half of the boat which gives me a second layer of protection and finally I have a full collision bulkhead and 5 full watertight bulkheads across the boat along with a fully isolated engine room. Each watertight area has its own high volume pump out line and I can loose two watertight areas without it effecting the seaworthiness of the boat . It is center cockpit with fully enclosed pilothouse with steering positions in both, and 6 inch solid toe rails and ss guard rails / full pushpit and pulpit, all lines and controls run back to the pilothouse and there is a stern diving platform and ladder for in water work and diving (a rope around the prop in Biscay taught me the need to be able to get in and out of the water easily). It has ketch rigged keel stepped masts with oversized rod rigging which is bolted right through to the keel with ss plates, in mast hydraulic furling, backstays, Cunningham's and hydraulic winches, anchor winches (3 full sized anchors and chains) bow and stern thrusters etc. Not a fan of high power electrics and batteries on a boat. One thing he doesn't mention is engines, I have twin naturally aspirated manually injected 320hp MAN diesels (old school) with tankage for 3000 miles in 5 tanks and multiple fuel filters / fuel polishing system which will drive the boat at 12 knots along with twin northern light generators for power and hydraulics (everything is duplicated or triplicated) . Whilst you cant outrun the weather I want to get as far as possible from it. The engine room is completely isolated from the boat with its own auto close air supply and vents and has ir, smoke and fire detectors, cameras and halon flood extinguishers, no gas on board. There is also an very high capacity engine driven pump and nozzles for firefighting and full centralized fire and smoke detection in each cabin. I think safely is paramount in a deep water boat, not cost, performance or sexyness. Modern boats scare the c**p out of me and I wouldn't go out of sight of land in one.

[@paulbennett7743]

Some good points about centre cockpits, out running weather and skeg hung rudders. However, in my opinion - its really not a Bluewater boat. More senior people who rely on electric winches to move massive sails on 68 foot boats in a serious blow - are setting themselves for impending disaster when the power is lost and they need to revert to a winch handle (and only have their 70 year old wife to help them). It is the same logic as pretending you can out run the wind. One day the fantasy will catch up with you. The boat is lovely but in my opinion it is too big and there is too much reliance on mechanics and electronics to maintain an advantage.

[@MetalDetectingSwansea]

Would be interesting to have him sit down with Brian from Sv Delos

[@darrylcox8267]

Interesting interview. He’s very knowledgeable about his narrow focus of the blue water sailing vessel. Obviously, it would have been better if he had discussed where they are with solar and/or wind generated power vs relying on a diesel engines and diesel generators. That just makes me sick. How can it be a true blue water boat if you’re constantly looking for ports to buy fuel and possibly not even making your own potable water onboard? He’s obviously built a safe boat because that’s his main concern … which is good. The trade off is he’s also got a draft of about 8 feet. There are a lot of places where an 8+ foot draft just isn’t going to get you into port due to reefs, etc. You sure aren’t going to be running the ICW up the eastern United States of America, you’d be constantly running aground.

[@colbydowns2268]

Thank you for conducting interviews where the interviewer allows the person being interviewed to speak!

[@iainhunneybell]

Not Oyster or Discovery? 🤔

[@MarkKelly1974]

This is without doubt one of the best two part series I have ever watched. Excellent interview of Dick. So much thought has obviously gone into the design and build of his yachts. It has provoked me in so many ways. His comments show he has a significant experience and understanding of blue water yachting. Well done to all involved.

[@Farwalker2u]

I would think that the amount of research and planning that should go into buying a blue water sailboat would lead one to consider the pros and cons of types of rudders, keels, and the material from which the hull is constructed. But you don't know what you don't know.

[@brentclarke1841]

Great interview with Dick Beaumont,, anybody thinking about a sail boat purchase should watch this entire video,,, Dick answered so many questions I had,, again great interview Thank You,, so much information here about " Blue Water Boats ".... Honestly people should watch this interview before buying a Blue Water Sail boat,,, You might just change your mind on what kind of sail boat you buy (( I Did ))... 👍😎👍

[@azul_5157]

Awesome, I've been waiting for the next installment. Had to interrupt the playback of your meeting with Polar Seal to watch this. This one and your discussions with John K. have probably truly been my most favorite videos on KZbin! Look forward to more.

[@MrBobVick]

Have sailed 2 & 3 Mast steel hulls, raced beach cats & had a few fiberglass mono-hulls. Beach cats are fun, but is amazing how much damage is done to cruising cats, even the better ones. You both have taught me a lot, thanks guys.

[@Crowscratch_HauntedLibrary]

Thank you! So informative. Dick is a wealth of knowledge, insight, and a natural raconteur.

[@larrymacaluso9051]

Another very interesting interview Adam, enjoyed all of it. This person certainly has an extensive amount of knowledge in blue water sailing and l could listen to him for hours. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidwebb372]

Very interesting discussion that was logical even for me as a non-sailor - well done.

[@wizardgmb]

Great pair of interviews! The next time somebody asks the silly question "If you could invite any 3 people to join you for dinner...", I'll say Dick Beaumont and listen to people say "who?".

[@paulodonoghue5078]

Great to see you talking excitedly about your favourite subject with someone with that much knowledge and experience ! Loved the interview. Looking forward to watching your trip on the Kraken.