Fire, Flood, Listing, Engine Failures and other Dockside Calamities

Ok, disclaimer: it was more like a lot of smoke, but defiantly flooding, and engine problems. And the list was an easy fix. Getting her arse up enough for the tender? ...we'll have to see about that. But we got the essentials working and pointed her downstream. That's the next video.
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[ Music ]
''Vaseline Machine Gun" preformed by Doug Waterman

[@jhoncho4x4]

Painting your gold bars to look like lead bars and storing them as ballast was a great idea to hide them.

[@zetapal]

learned it from 'Kelly's Heroes'

[@summerforever6736]

Lol

[@Antipodean33]

There was a story of a well known yacht designer/builder here in Australia who went broke, lost everything except his own personal old sailing boat. So he set sail one day to get his head and life back together and rumor has it he stashed a heap of gold in it's keel, sailed to America, where he removed it ,sold it and started up a new business and life

[@svthorasailing4868]

Always shut all valves when not in use.

[@cgrant26]

Seeing the bow swinging around was incredible. She's not just floating, she's maneuvering under her own power. Feels pretty surreal. I can't wait to see the sails go up for the first time.

[@spaight711]

And without a bow thruster, at that! :D

[@SW-zu7ve]

@@1450JackCade Wow.....yeah most ocean liners don't have bow thrusters. I'd be shocked if a boat that small actually had them. You're worried? "She seems a bit loose" LOL! WTF? What's your engineering background? Or are you a self proclaimed "captain?" Wonder if this guy even notices how they are working as they go. Figuring it out as they go. Fixing as they go. Finding new things as they go. Its been that way from day one from even before they had sheets of steal laying in their yard waiting to become a boat.

[@SVSeeker]

Engineers? LOL! Next you're going to be asking about the plans, and which naval architect firm designed her. : )

[@Pillowcase]

I'm still impressed at how you fabricated the prop blades from scratch.

[@SVSeeker]

That was a blast. And so satisficing.

[@jammin3858]

That's what brought me to the Seeker KZbin channel way back when. I was looking for info on building a small foundry out of a 20 lb. propane tank so I could do some metal casting and the first link that popped up was to Doug's video on building his 55 gallon drum foundry. Had to keep watching to see what he was doing with it. When I saw prop blades for a sailboat, I was hooked.

[@mechfan01]

That was the first videos that drew me in to the project!

[@marinusch]

Super impressive. The blades are a very sensitive thing for a boat. Even a little imperfection had a direct impact. There is a dutch blacksmith that figured out a way to (just) sharpen the propeller blades for cargo ships, making them use less fuel, be more quiet and have less vibration. That blacksmith is now making millions.

[@Upsidedownorangejuice]

Seeing a shake down of a new ship is fascinating.

[@MyLilMule]

This is what shakedown cruises are for! Nice going, Doug.

[@conornorris6815]

I've spent about a third of my life watching you build this boat on KZbin, glad to see you making so much progress

[@tomasjosefvela1]

It's just so cool to see all these things in action. As you walk through checking through I had little snippets of all the videos I've watched through all these years as you and so many figured out and built them... amazing.

[@yashaashayeri7055]

I've been watching your videos for years now. Seeing SV Seeker in the water makes me emotional now. What a project, Doug! Bravo!

[@flintlocke1001]

I never thought I would be this excited to watch someone launch their own boat, but I am. Awesome!

[@doughudgens9275]

One of the most important things you built Doug, is a community of friends and helpers for this journey! That is a glorious thing that has not been recognized enough! Well done sir.

[@nathanheston]

Those batteries will be a great asset. Love seeing the systems getting some run testing. Looking forward to seeing the push off. Congrats again!

[@dennisreeves632]

Great video Doug. Totally Surreal to see you on the water after so many years of some back breaking work. Enjoy your victory, we all are. Thank you for taking us along on your adventure.

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Over here from Patreon to feed the YT algorithm. My dad would agree with you when you said "leave them alone, wait until they have questions." Good to see Bart out and about. Take care and sail on.

[@mgrantom]

Congratulations on getting SV Seeker finally launched and operational! I was down in Port Isabel last week and I think we have finally seen the last of this winter. Hope you can head to the Gulf and thaw out real soon.

[@TODDFINK1]

Thanks for the vid! It's amazing that you have the forethought to film even while trying to learn your boat.

[@joopterwijn]

So beautiful to see Doug (and team) coming into tune with Seeker,… solving all the challenges one by one and getting it done!

[@bobm2331]

Man Doug, it feels and looks real. AND it comes with real problems to solve. And to think you spent 10 years learning how to solve problems. Sure wish you could still stop somewhere down river or on the Arkansas so folks could come see. You're in my prayers every night.

[@renem6441]

What an amazing boat you built!! The engine sounds powerful!!

[@SVSeeker]

She did well.

[@Prolitiker]

So happy to see Seeker in the water. I wish you all the best and lots of fun on this ongoing adventure!

[@jburgerman1]

Congrats Seeker! Happy to see, this, and looking forward to all the new adventures.

[@HeikoQuant]

Cool, a loo with a "sink the boat" lever. You should stick a Post It on it saying "do not sink boat". And possibly more Post It notes next to the 200 switches and breakers saying "Not this one! That one!". So many things to keep in mind with Seeker. I hope you'll be training the crew mercilessly or this is not going to end well.

[@SVSeeker]

Crew are who built this boat, they are not your typical crew. : )

[@kiwiwifi]

@@SVSeekerHere is my 2 cents. Checklists keep boats afloat. Departure checklist, docking checklist, fueling, stores, emergency, mani overboard, watches, Systems checklists with diagrams I.e. where r the thru fitting located, their function, bung locations, pumps FUN FUN FUN

[@HeikoQuant]

@@SVSeeker Don't get me wrong. I enjoy every minute of the Seeker story, but today I started to wonder, what would happen, if you went overboard in a storm. I would probably fight my way to the dingie. Panic, a lot of switches and levers and the head honcho taking a swim? But again, you never cease to amaze, I guess, you have things under control.

[@patricktaylor760]

Don't forget that with way on the boat the shaft won't stop. The prop will act like a fan being pushed by air, or this case water. Waiting for it to stop would mean waiting for the boat to slow enough for friction losses to overcome the forces from your prop wash.

[@rudywoodcraft9553]

Thanks for continuing to bring us along on the adventure!

[@infl]

Man oh man is this exciting! You’ve been waiting longer than I have and it still feels like an eternity to me. Watching you do this has helped me get the motivation to go out and build stuff. The other thing you taught me is I watch too much youtube. Lol

[@samisim0]

Ive been watch you since you first started! .. very proud of your perseverance and dedication thank you for continuing to share with us .. cant wait to see you on the OPEN WATER! ..

[@steveberkshire3804]

You got it all handled and make it all look so easy..awsome!! What a great creation,so smart.Thanks for sharing the good with the bad.

[@bbrut3332]

Every newly launched boat has teething problems. Glad to see you are using logic to solve the problems. I had an old wooden cruiser with a 6-71 Detroit that had a rugged manual gear box that was fool proof and had the ability with the manual Johnson bar to be able to feather the prop in forward or reverse from just a few turns of the prop to mechanically locking it in gear. Made docking and close manuveoring an easy exercise in a heavy wooden 45'er. It's been 30 years since and I cannot remember the maker. It was used by the navy on the small landing boats during WW2. I am sure someone remembers the maker.

[@markjennings2315]

Off the dock!! The real launch! Congratulations. Well done!

[@williamsampson5319]

so amazing to see it on the water!!! im sorry but when i was in OK i took a picture of myself on your street but had to leave to catch my plane. ive been watching for many years your work ethic and life tips have truly helped me.

[@jsquirre]

It's damn nice seeing seeker sitting in some water! Congrats Doug!

[@jamarie1972]

Lovely to see you playing around in Seeker again getting her ready for new adventures. Cheers Doug

[@ibeattheleaves5005]

I love this entire adventure, keep moving forward!

[@danmcleod7365]

I have been watching this show for about 5 years , this was awesome!

[@themerrigans2734]

Watched this. Reminds me of when we rebuilt our house, every day my fix it list got bigger and bigger, until finally it wasn't. Now I sit and watch Doug forge ahead. Interesting stuff.

[@raymondbrace2413]

Mark the feathered position with a fether. There should be some around nearby.

[@justinlaaksonen6972]

Congratulations sir!! I’ve been casually watching for years and you are an inspiration to us all. You have completed a mountainous task one small step at a time. I’m very happy to see you get in the water, best wishes on your journey ✌️

[@davidmedley9652]

Now the real learnings begin! Great episode!!

[@MarcBeaulieuisGreat]

Brings me back to my first shakedown 😊 So excited for you!

[@moya034]

Watching you build it was fun, watching you operate it in water is even better.

[@DrCyberpunk1987]

amazing! Glad to see everything's coming together!

[@andrewmullen4003]

Nice one Doug, steep learning curve, doing great

[@jeremiahgriffith8795]

The biggest smile your show has ever given me, and ty! You sir have a motor boat, yes that was awesome!

[@tonyruiter]

Man this is awesome Doug! Going to be incredible to see her underway!

[@donnakawana]

I'm so so excited for the journey an adventure... It's always a crazy job working out the kinks .. Seems like you have the rite ppl for the right jobs!! Fare winds an following sea's guy's.. Thanks for sharing your lives an S/V Seeker with us!! Forward to great adventures??! ✌🏼💗😊❣️

[@tomkeppler1717]

Great to see all the work it takes to get this boat going

[@SVSeeker]

Yup. If you want to just put it in and go, you're best off shopping at Bass Pro. : )

[@lmsrich]

@@SVSeeker thats what she said

[@m.webber5118]

Outstanding video, Thanks Doug

[@jeffreymurdock8366]

Looking good Doug. Things work out a bit at a time. Looking forward to seeing the boat going down river.

[@berndm9743]

Ahhhh.....the joys of boat ownership. One small step at a time until everything is perfect. Good work!!!

[@BreakingWavesNews]

Man you have come so far over the years. I remember way back in the day writing you and offering to come out and do odd jobs like clean up and being an extra hand just to learn. Congrats brother.

[@jammin3858]

After watching the building of it for years, it's so incredible to see Seeker finally coming to life. Like Frankenstein's monster, but prettier and much more fun. It's ALIVE!

[@dj2574]

Brilliant to see it moving .. well done Doug

[@shopstuff5]

It seems as though ever since I started watching every episode is yet another adventure. Good! As it should be. For me my next can't wait is the day you point the bow out to sea. Good work, learning to solve problems is all of the fun!

[@IFlyHeliz]

You are doing great, there are always things to fix/move/adjust

[@jim-me9wm]

So relieved to see her answering the helm, looks like she's going to be a very gentle lady at sea.

[@gbpg2016]

Can’t wait for the next video. Have fun and enjoy your first cruise on the boat.

[@LOWKEYDANGER]

I love the boat sir 👍 incredible craftsmanship if I must say.

[@talesoftheinlandseas5063]

Gosh, after following seeker for a few years, it just looks unusual to see her as a little boat in the water. It's so weird how on land she was a Goliath, but in the water she looks small and elegant. Best wishes Doug. You did it! Now the boat is in the water, so it's time to sail! Please come up to the Great Lakes sometime, we'd love to see Seeker on our freshwater seas!

[@PHENN7]

How would he get to the great lakes unless he had the boat hauled there? I thought he was planning on heading to the Gulf of Mexico.

[@talesoftheinlandseas5063]

@@PHENN7 the Great Lakes are connected to the ocean via the St. Lawrence River, which goes from Lake Ontario to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, near Nova Scotia. He would sinply have to sail up the East Coast and down the St. Lawrence River

[@westy7294]

Wow its actually done and in the water. Well done

[@pumpkinwickens8326]

I’ve been watching this boat be built it’s amazing to see it moving

[@bulletproofpepper2]

Thanks for sharing!

[@keithvanbrunt6721]

Our soling was ass heavy from the addition of an outboard. We just put a couple of cases of beer in the forward hold. 27 foot boat. you might need more than a couple a cases of beer. Good job getting the boat going.

[@dylandrouin3085]

Can’t wait to see it sail!

[@krisquinney637]

I've been enjoying watching these videos for years so excited to see you take her down the river

[@stevepickett9852]

congratulations your on the water and moving!!!! Great Job!

[@RoyBlumenthal]

That's a fairly complex little machine-containing-machines-containing-machines you've built! Great work!

[@georgel5308]

Honestly it’s amazing it balanced as good as it did on first go great job.

[@alargebeaver]

Beautiful!

[@izbiz671]

You just getting started Doug...enjoy the journey!!!

[@Antipodean33]

Mate this build is the most impressive I've seen, the effort is immense, the brain effort is immense everything about this is huge. Your brain is working like a Swiss watch, there is so much to think about it's not for the average mortal mind to even try to comprehend. Well done Sir, you are about to go and enjoy the fruits of your labor

[@SVSeeker]

Thanks but it's just a matter of breaking it down into smaller parts. And if my brain is special it's because I'm dyslexic. : )

[@DHarri9977]

Very cool, working the little kinks out, and off you go!

[@Nigel2Zoom]

Very exciting to see Seeker getting underway from the dock. Just a few minor glitches but she's gonna be a fine sailing vessel.

[@lpd1snipe]

When I was in the US Navy and then the Merchant Marine we had the luxury of ballast tanks so we could adjust the trim of the vessel with seawater, fuel Etc. I realize you don't have the luxury of ballast tanks on your vessel that you built. It''s really cool to finally see it in the water!

[@andrewwheeldon3027]

This is epic! What a great video... Onwards and upwards! Can't wait till the nexg one!

[@nhblackdc5]

You got this buddy! I believe in you!

[@tfab110]

Congrats Doug !! Very exciting !!

[@Daniel_cheems]

She's a floater and a beauty! Congratulations Cpt Doug!

[@adamwarlock8263]

experience is the best teacher. im so fuckin proud to see yall come so far. were with you in spirit!

[@ladyrita3667]

beautiful episode. Thanks

[@mattmead2623]

The motor sounds fantastic

[@jeffkrupke3810]

So awesome glad you were able to debug all the issues and got to push off.

[@SVSeeker]

Yeah, that was a bit suppressing but never discount the magic of duct tape and bailing wire.

[@jeffkrupke3810]

@@SVSeeker never do.

[@p3512at]

Looking Great!’

[@SlipFitGarage]

Good to see Hollis is back. I had a great time visiting with him at the pre party at the hotel the night before the main party. I wish I was back in Tulsa (even though by the time I see this video, the boat is probably down river by now) helping to get the boat river ready. Great job to everyone involved. Looking forward to seeing video of Seeker motoring down river. Where's Brandon?.... He should be there showing off his boat handling skills! lol (yes, I'm sure he's working his real job right now)

[@djmjr77]

Great job team!! Cant wait for the next vid!!

[@wherekengo]

Woohoo! So cool to see her leave her safe home. Onward and upward

[@stevenjohnson4770]

Awesome job!!! 👌

[@LLUEVE]

It moved. Proud moment! Do it Doug!!!

[@cana125dh7322]

Wow. Its been such a journey. God Bless.

[@hellodarren]

Really enjoued this, thanks for sharing! Looking forward to the next episode!

[@ptykiller]

Holy smokes I am freaking out!! I wanna see it motor down the river already!!! LOL. But all kitted out with the sails and everything will be a sight to behold!

[@tyler19xx76]

Finally in the water, I like it! can't wait for the next video!

[@badbadbob1]

Your getting it all together. Best of luck on first trip out and back.

[@SVSeeker]

Actually the first trip was to Three Forks Harbor where I am tonight. There is no back. Only further out. : )

[@10swatkins]

I am so happy for you Doug :)

[@clannishkobra8965]

From flat sheet steel to maiden voyage. Been an amazing adventure heres to many more

[@mikebills9343]

Few teething troubles to be expected ! Your the man Doug 👍🏻

[@bobedwards8896]

I remember seeing this ship on the net like 15 years ago....So cool to see this ship actually getting finished. I do wonder if it wouldnt just have been easier and cheaper to get an already made boat and fix it up.

[@SVSeeker]

Only been building it for 10 years. : ) And yes, if you are not interested in learning any new skills then by all means, buy a boat.

[@mrmatt2525able]

Been watching for a few years! Awesome video! Great work

[@jhgross1988]

Doug you are an amazing man.. trim is fore and aft and list is port and stbd. Keep it up man

[@Levi_Allen]

HELL YEAH! excitement is at an all time high

[@haydenwatson7987]

If your toilet is below water level, you need to have a vented loop in between the pump and the bowl. For safety you need a vented loop and any line that has an outlet below the waterline to break the siphon because it is too dangerous to rely on turning the valve the correct way.

[@SVSeeker]

You can't pump from a vented loop. : )

[@davidlecottage]

Test, break, fix - well done! Going back to first principles is proper engineering.