The TRUTH about BLUEWATER Sailboats | Interview with Dick Beaumont (Part 1)

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 1 of our interview series with him. When released, Part 2 will be linked here.
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/
0:57 - How did you get into sailing?
3:35 - What was your first boat?
4:07 - How did you first learn about Bluewater boat designs?
5:45 - What is your definition of a 'Bluewater boat’?
10:00 - What are some key features of a bluewater boat?
11:56 - Why are most boats built with blade rudders nowadays?
12:16 - How is the rudder of a Kraken yacht formed?
13.47 - What is your boat history? How did you eventually build a Kraken?
18:52 - The creation of Kraken Yachts
21:37- What are your thoughts on blade and twin rudders for blue water cruising?
28:9 - what is the history of twin rudder? Where did they come from?
32:14 - Is there a boat for all purposes?
33:06 - What is Kraken’s Zero Keel?
37:44 - Are bigger boats harder to sail?
38:07 - How can you sail a large sailboat shorthanded?
Music Credits
All Music from Epidemic Sound
Stock Footage Credits:
Storyblocks
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[@richarddebenedettoph.d.3769]

I have listened to hundreds of sailing focused interviews over the years with some of the most iconic sailors and experienced interviewers and documentarians. This is up there with the best of them. Informative, articulate about some very complicated issues, and at the same time conveying a sense of warmth and respect for and between both of you that gave the entire process the feel of a conversation between friends. Great job Adam, you have a real talent for interviewing and explanation. Keep it up! Looking forward to more. Fair winds.

[@NoBody-me5me]

WHAT AN INTERVIEW, I could listen to him for days, outstanding questions and logical answers, can't wait for Part 2...

[@philipmatthews7128]

Adam what an intriguing interview, I know nothing about sailing but thoroughly enjoyed your chat with Dick. He is such a great speaker. Looking forward to the second part. Time just flew by watching the video. Love watching your adventures with Khiara.

[@sl1pg8r]

I absolutely LOVE these informative videos. Can't get enough. THANK YOU!

[@sanchiaparker3730]

Adam, honestly you’re such a good interviewer, you come across as so genuine and warm, it really sets the tone for the interview like I’m watching a chat between friends. As you know, I watch for you guys and I’m not really into boats but this captured my attention the whole time haha. Great work fam 🤩

[@happycamper4329]

Another great interview Adam. Thanks so much for taking the time to do these kind of interviews. Those old salties have a wealth of knowledge that needs to be passed on via these types of vlogs - and I love hearing their no-BS attitude about the differentiation between bluewater and production yachts because I, for one, am learning a great deal.

[@NotOnYourLife]

Bravo! Dick gets it and has the guts to tell the truth. I applaud you both for helping to get this information out there. Sailing is gaining in popularity again and it is important people have an understanding of the differences in design and why it matters. I look forward to part two with Dick.

[@209turtleboy]

Thanks Adam, I was just reading about Kraken and Dick Beaumont and his philosophy's about keels just the other day. What a pleasure to see and hear him talk about it.

[@AlexGoesSailing]

Awesome interview! So much wisdom and I can’t wait for part two!

[@jandropmann3916]

I have been following Kraken Yachts but often find it hard to find detailed videos and walk throughs. This was an amazing video and the first on KZbin that made me actually click that little ring :) thank you for all your hard work, dedication and passion. I can’t wait to see the next

[@travandchar]

Great to see Dicky. Haven’t seen him for years! He sailed with my dad a few times and taught my wife and daughter to scuba dive. I’ve just taken on my dad’s boat, a 1962 Neptune with an integrated keel and rudder :-)

[@chicobicalho5621]

This has been an unbelievably enlightening video that completely changed the way I look at sailboats. Thank you a million times for posting it.

[@Mike7O7O]

Excellent interview. You got hold of an excellent subject matter expert and you let HIM talk with occasional gentle prompts from yourself. Many many professional interviewers talk too much and minimise the time available to hear the interviewee. You manage to avoid that trap. Really, really well done. That hour or so was pure gold and as someone intending to buy a boat in which to circumnavigate, I was hanging on every word. Thank you so much.

[@ChristopherD-M]

Excellent video Adam!! One of the best you've made!! What a character Dick Beaumont is.

[@karaDee2363]

Wow, a huge thank you goes out to Mr.Beaumont for sharing his vast knowledge & sailing experience. Such an interesting interview filled with information that may help save many sailors lives.

[@wizardgmb]

A fascinating interview with Dick. He has definitely been around long enough to know what he is talking about and has the experience to back it up. I'm looking forward to part two! Keep up the great videos and above all STAY SAFE ⛵❤️😷

[@simon7790]

An excellent interview. This guy knows what he's taking about.

[@jims5338]

I love how informative the interviews with these guys are!

[@jamieminton172]

MORE PLEASE! I love these "Blue Collar" interviews. By that I mean down in the dirt, practical, everyday knowledge from an everyday sailor. It is difficult to take someone seriously in polo shirts, pompoms and sport coats.

[@SuperHaptics]

Blue collar with more milions than i can count probably 🤣

[@jezzam99]

Thanks for arranging such a great interview, very insightful and gives everyone some perspective and knowledge with which to assess their own risk and design preferences.

[@oceansquatch1481]

Awesome! Lots of ocean knowledge in this interview. Can’t wait for part two!

[@redwordsLou]

Great interview! Appreciate it look forward to part 2🤙

[@tomstimmel1264]

Outstanding interview and extremely interesting content! Looking forward to the next installment! Thanks Adam!!!!!

[@paulnorval9646]

Great session Adam, looking forward to the continued conversation. You certainly are able to have your guests freely give their wealth of experience and information ✅.

[@ChasingForever]

Great interview, packed with wonderful info on these boats.

[@DonaldGregg-xu1bp]

This was great! I learned a bit and enjoy these technical discussions. Nice change of pace.

[@kimmosiven1625]

Thank you for this interview! It helps me to clear my head and confirms what I want from the boat. I've been sailing Jeanneau 44 production boat last couple of years and I totally agree with Dick about the seaworthiness and safety of the bolt on keel and and spade rudder of it! Excellent Interview!

[@larrymacaluso9051]

Great video Adam, l will never own a sail boat at my age, but l enjoy listening to a person explain the differences between them in such a plain and sensible way, l look forward to the next one. Thanks for sharing.

[@Neilhuny]

Completely fascinating discussion! Thank-you for this series of interviews

[@TheEarthwinders]

Great stuff. Learned a lot and am looking forward to Part 2. Thanks!

[@jvodan]

Absolute ripper of an interview mate. Well done. I am looking forward to Part II.

[@nonaparker564]

Absolutely amazing interview.Loved it from start to finish.So much knowledge shared.Well worth watching.

[@SailingTanker]

The knowledge and information is astounding. I'm nw sold on the single reinforced keel. WOW !

[@philpaige9770]

Fantastic interview. Can't wait to hear his other definitions of a real ocean blue water sailboat. The hull, keel, and rudder are rarely seen or described in advertising videos and yet is the foundation of flotation and movement. His yachts are a far cry from the Mayflower my ancestors sail on to New England.

[@larryundlin6844]

Thank You both for an incredible interview. Best interview I've ever. Thank you !!

[@colbydowns2268]

I don't comment on many videos; but I really enjoy these interviews. The one with John was outstanding too. I love to see Adam and Khiara living their day-to-day; but having a few of these discussions about boats, the sailboat industry, and cruising are really fantastic. Keep 'em coming!

[@SailingMillennialFalcon]

Will do! Thanks for watching (and commenting this time) 😊

[@dancordellsailing]

Extremely informative, looking forward to part 2!

[@moesailing6008]

Brilliant! I could listen to Dicks boat stories and boat integrity for hours. Thanks for Sharing!

[@markbuskens6070]

Adam, that was great!!!You asked serious questions that I anxiously wanted the answer to.I can’t wait to watch the 2nd part and get the other 5 qualifications of a true bluewater capable sailboat .I want to watch the video on your trip on the Kraken now.Thank you for doing this episode,I learned a lot but also agree with every thing he said and then explaining why he believes that was very informative.Hope you can do many more interviews with this man!!!Very good insight with a sailor with thousands of miles and many years on bluewater experience.Many thumbs up 👍👍👍👍🙏🙏

[@donrumph1]

Excellant discussion, wish I had heard it 40 years ago. Please keep up with this type of programming.

[@wazza2013]

I learnt more in this video about boat construction than all the others. An excellent video and great content for all those dreaming of sailing. So much better than some of the other sailing content out there.

[@sphynx098]

Been looking forward to this! I've been super interested in the K50 for quite a while now. Can't wait for the sailing footage!

[@kerriturner3981]

Thank you- this was excellent and I am looking forward to part 2. Well done 👍

[@kristaready8812]

I don't usually like the interviews nearly as much as the sailing and exploring but this interview was fascinating!

[@danieloliver20]

Adam, excellent interview, looking forward to Part 2!!

[@Barbreck1]

Thanks to Dick and Adam for that very informative and entertaining interview.

[@G0KAD]

Brilliant, obvious, and needs to be said loud and often. Looking forward to part2.

[@VictoriaWargaming]

That was super educational and useful, and has reinforced some of my concerns with bolt on keels and non-skegged rudders. cheers.

[@BartRuijter]

God it's such a pleasure to hear Dick speak. When I don't look it's like I'm hearing Mark Knopfler talk about blue water cruisers! Brilliant interview

[@richhamel6810]

Brilliant interview, can't wait for pt II.

[@johnwalker6711]

Brilliant interview from such a knowledgeable guy , i recently bought an Endurance 35 cutter rigged sloop and is reassuring to know it was on the list of his safe bluewater cruisers

[@Garryck-1]

Also, you're an excellent interviewer, Adam. You ask intelligent questions, then get out of the way and let the guest say what they wish. So refreshing compared to interviewers that try to dominate the conversation with their own ideas and opinions!

[@GypzyJack]

Great video, Adam...great topic with a very interesting sailor. It confirmed all of my reasoning for hunting down the boat of my dreams! I have a target, and only need to cash up now to end a 35 year false start. Strangely, a year ago I got into a heated discussion with someone on a review channel of the Amel 60, a brand which in my opinion was iconic and was originally a benchmark for blue water cruisers, but which latest 4 models I had described as being a "very pretty Mediterranean marina hoppers" aimed at the charter market for precisely the reasons Dick elicited as being the shortcomings of these modern luxury racer designs. Great stuff, mate. Keep 'em coming.

[@tullahomaC]

Fantastic chat!!!! Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to Part 2!

[@fredthornes5087]

Living here in the PNW, or Robert Perry-ville, it's nice to see his influence being perpetuated. Great interview!

[@mckenziekeith7434]

You mean 40 year old ideas of Bob Perry being copied today. I don't think Bob would design a "bluewater" boat like this today, unless the client really wanted it. He has kept up with developments.

[@cliffmainor4255]

Adam does NOT disappoint! Gr8 installment, brother. Keep it coming. And yes, thank you!

[@troyanderson8879]

Absolutely LOVED this session!

[@markwentzell1969]

Great interview and looking forward to the "second half". Very curious about the full list of the 6-7 characteristics that Dick sees as critical for a "blue water" cruiser. Curious if he has more suggestions for older boats for those of us who love the idea of the Kraken but just out of our price range. Love these informative interviews.

[@ericfleming5522]

Internal ballast, integrated keel, protected rudder, protected cockpit snug enough that you always have somewhere to brace your feet on the leeward side with sufficient scuppers to drain quickly, keel stepped mast, longitudinal stringers as opposed to a grid. Just guessing but I'd be surprised if I got more than one wrong--nearly everyone who believes "bluewater" is an objective term tends to have the same basic list.

[@secondprize]

@@ericfleming5522 I bet shaft drive too.

[@donk.5730]

Well Done ADAM, I loved hearing Dick's experience answering such great questions. But more importantly, I'm so glad you know how to ask a good Question, and actually listen to the complete answer. So many 'armchair'-interviewers' need to see your videos. Cheers, from a current armchair-sailor ! ....Look forward to more thoughtful, educational work from you and yours...

[@mikedickman2021]

Can only echo the praise for an excellent job . Looking forward to the next one. Thanks.

[@timmitchell8784]

Absolutely awesome!!! Thank you so much for doing this.

[@crdorado1195]

That was probably the best video on sailing i have ever watched. Look forward to the next parts...

[@jimheaven]

Really enjoyed that video. Dick knows his stuff and made perfect sense. Loved it, thank you!

[@richardherndon1541]

Wow! That was awesome! That was an incredible amount of wisdom packed into 40 minutes!

[@grahamholland7323]

Absolutely fascinating interview. Thank you so much!

[@davidmoore5021]

Thanks for sharing. Lot of wisdom there and I’m looking forward to the next video.

[@miket1638]

Absolutely sucked into this interview. What a great knowledge share. Rudder and keel convo was awesome. More! More!

[@mzungu4770]

Didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Thanks!

[@DaveJohnEllis]

Great interview, informative, lots of learning whilst being enjoyable. Great stuff

[@mermaidNpink]

Great perspective, can’t wait for the next one! Had my wife looking at photos of our keel and rudder.

[@shabbydoris]

Good job, Adam - brilliant interview; Mr Beaumont made some complex information easy to understand. Now for the next part :-)

[@alittlebitofmischief3540]

Small world, this sailing world we live in. I met Dick and his family whilst anchored off Dunk Island in 2012. He was there in Moonshadow, his Tayana. We bumped into each other as we headed down the coast. We had his daughter Laura on board Camelot for NYE on Sydney Harbour later that same year. Nice guy. Steve SV Voila!

[@iainlyall6475]

great adam, can't wait for parts 2,3 and 4 :-)

[@albertlabos8400]

Fascinating and very informative interview. I enjoyed it immensely and benefitted quite a lot. Many thanks to you both.

[@chiefenumclaw7960]

Excellent Guests! Much obliged.

[@allanhester1391]

Entertaining. Informative. Brilliant. Thanks to both of you for making this video. AL Vancouver, Canada.

[@SH-fi8sn]

So good! This and the interviews with John have taught me so much. Any way you can make these kinds of interviews a regular feature?

[@SailingMillennialFalcon]

We’ll try our best! 😃

[@life.sunsets.sunrises]

Great information and edit , looking forward to the next one

[@boblivingston4841]

Cabo Rico is a full keel no blade rudder and Pacific Seacraft is a skeg mounted rudder.Both fine blue water sailboats.Great interview Dick is spot on.

[@downwind_david]

Great insights... great interview... great work, Adam.

[@captcook4718]

Super informative! Very well done Adam. Thank you. Somehow, I feel a little better about sailing my 50 year old Chris Craft Caribbean.

[@sailingtheworldwithgreengh6239]

Glad you mentioned Tayana! We've owned a Tayana42 for 20 years. 40,000 miles around the world. It can take more than the crew can.

[@brucef5874]

Brilliant the most informative presentation I have ever heard on KZbin

[@CheersWarren]

Great interview. One interesting point For the advocates of the skeg and rudder design, you probably know Nigel Calder, he damaged his rudder in Spain I believe and the strong skeg was also damaged and transferred that damage into the hull,under engine etc, he was unable to find a local repair facility with the capability to fix it properly so I had to fix it himself with Spanish help and then later I had to completely redo it when he got to a better yard this took a year and a half out of his sailing life on that boat , it’s all documented in professional boat builder magazine by Calder. A spade hung rudder, would have been a lot easier to repair particularly if the rudder tube was well above the waterline as most of them are on good boats. While not something to be recommended it is possible to replace a spade hung rudder in the ocean which Pipa Hare had to do in her last vendee global challenge has she lost one of her twin rudders.( she had a spare!) I’m not saying you want a breakaway rudder but over strong skeg can be an issue too! Cheers Warren

[@barrybarnes96]

i'll take a catamaran with kick up rudders. if you're rich enough for yachting why would you buy an uncomfortable cramped monohull anyway.

[@tyroneshulace3203]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2nFl51ogt1pa80

[@tyroneshulace3203]

There are many other factors & design elements. Is it an independant partial skeg? Is it a full skeg protected rudder? Is the skeg integral in the fin keel or full keel design? An integrated full skeg is going to have much greater impact resistance than a bolt on skeg. Bruce Roberts designs went through this whole evolution of skegs. Calder made it to port. That is all that counts. What happens after that is at best secondary.

[@Themothershipsailing]

@@barrybarnes96 have you sailed a catamaran at sea? They’re hideous and the motion is god awful.. yep, I’ll take a cramped seaworthy monohull everyday!

[@richardelder256]

Of course you can design a externally hung rudder that hangs on gudgeons and pittles from a vertical transom and can be changed out in mid ocean. I even designed one that integrated with a swim step to preserve the end plate effect.

[@d4376818]

I live in north eastern Canada on an island called Newfoundland where heavy seas are a norm. In my search for the right sailboat, I'm finding a lot of misinformation and bias's on many particular brands of boats. Wanting to get into sailing I have been researching the internet trying to find valued information on Bluewater sailboats. ADAM, you nailed it in your interview with Dick. I learned more in this 40n minute interview than all my hours of research. AWESOME and I can't wait for part 2.

[@SailingMillennialFalcon]

We’re very glad to be of assistance mate! Thanks for watching 😁

[@stephenwilliams1364]

Buy an old Schooner

[@randystrand908]

Awesome info in this interview. Thank you!

[@fortsmith8200]

Awesome! What an interesting, informative interview, thank you both.

[@pjtaberner]

Phenomenal knowledge - engrossed by it -THANKS FOR SHARING

[@bravofighter]

What a great interview! I read just this past week that the US race boat in IMOCA class hit a log and capsized off the coast of Florida. This goes to his point, the amount of junk floating around the oceans is insane, not even counting orcas chewing rudders off. I thought that event was a one-off, but it ISN’T! A great many British sailors jump across to Spain to summer in the Med in decidedly NOT blue water yachts and have their boats completely destroyed by a pod of small whales simply being playful and curious. I’ve been considering a blue water boat for my next lift, and been watching a lot of KZbinrs on their adventures, which is how I found this interview. Every single one has found half-sunken yachts on every corner of the globe, and only ONE is still ghost sailing the world with no crew, Paul McGettigan’s Swan 48. The older boats can now be had for under $10,000 US, and if you shop around boat yards in the autumn around the northern US, you’ll find boats where someone’s accrued slip fees are beyond the value of the boat, and the yard has put it up for sale, as-is. Usually, these boats will sell for pennies on the dollar, and you can find some fantastic old boats already in a shop that will happily fix what’s wrong to get some profit back into a lost cause, no transport necessary. Big old full-keel yachts are out of style these days, but they sure do press on across the world, don’t they?

[@berlymahn]

Ages ago during Carrier-Oiler along side underway fueling, I saw a submerged sail boat get hit by the oiler. impact resembled a small explosion of water. lots of stuff out there. Thanks for the tip on finding an old boat.

[@waterdog226]

That was terrific! Our daughter and son-in-law recently purchased an older Taiyana and they bought it because of that keel, and other great things about it. I went on one sail with them in Guatemala, on Lake Izabal. It was a fun day. They are having some upgrades done and eventually hope to go seriously blue water sailing.

[@beunks]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Great interview.

[@tjflynn1014]

Awesome interview, I found it incredibly valuable and informative.

[@chappyd5109]

Excellent question and answer session. This was well done and so interesting,

[@anthonybeck2384]

Outstanding- very informative 👏🏻👏🏻

[@luislopez3963]

Adam tell Mr Beaumont thank you so much 🙏 in helping us want to be sailors searching for good information to help us one day achieve our dreams. We have so much respect for him and the Captains that have shaped our history and future for the better. Thank you Adam, thanks mate 👍

[@robertwhyte-moffat3770]

Great interview, what a fascinating chat. Thanks!

[@neilcarpenter9602]

Loved it!! Thanks young fella

[@ElsieNewcombe]

fantastic thanks for shareing this interview and all the real world experience Dick has

[@tcobb775]

Excellent video Adam. Dick's opinions largely match the reason why last year I decided on an Amel 54 over the 50/60. Fantastic channel, keep up the good work!

[@treycobb1936]

@@TOMVUTHEPIMP I think you're confusing the AMEL 54 with the newest models (which still have their place in the market IMO). As Dick said, there is no perfect bluewater sailboat. Most cruisers I've met respect the older AMELs, even if they aren't their cup of tea. I completely understand the reasons they have for not preferring AMELs. We each have our preferences and never call one another's boat "junk" for it. Regardless, my "junk" took me safely across the Med coast of France the past month so I'm content to stick to real world experiences over YT commenter sh*tposts.

[@johnfahy6353]

I like this guy , he tells it like it is . He is very knowledgeable.