Two Hundred Miles in a Garage Built Boat

[@7divad37]

I have just binged watched a couple of your videos, really nicely done, thanks for taking me on the journey through the inter-coastal waterways of Texas, we dont really have anything like that here in Australia. I have just bought a 20' trimaran to do this type of adventure sailing, in rivers and lakes, the Texas 200, Everglades challenge and race to Alaska are really inspirational.

[@robkunzig5795]

Beautifully built and painted PocketShip! Someday this east coaster might get his Green ILUR to this event! thanks for the great video - R

[@taiming71]

Cool video. You guys are lucky to have so much options down there for sailing. The shrimp looked tasty too.

[@ndsailor]

You make great videos covering this event...so envious of the event.

[@zachb8012]

So many cool boats! The pocketship fits right into the bunch. My first boat had leeboards, makes me happy to see so many of them.

[@c22narf]

Army hole used to be called Matagorda Island Air Force Base. Back in about 1969-1970 my dad was stationed out there. There wasn't housing on the base so everyone lived in the near by towns and commuted to the base every day, we lived in Port Lavaca. My brother and I LOVED to go out to the base whenever we could go. There were three ways to get there from Port O'Conner, most people rode the fast crew boat, it was a stripped down PT boat! If you weren't in a hurry or if you had to bring something big (even a car towing a boat) you could take the small ferry. Occasionally Pop would take his wide bottom 16' Ouachita jon boat with a 9.5 Evinrude and he'd fish on his way home from work! We made that ride with him several times, it was a LONG way! The best part about going out there was that you could go to the motor pool and get old rusted out military Jeeps (I think they were Willys Jeeps) and go beach combing! Those beach combing trips were some of my very best childhood memories, Pop driving, Ma sitting shotgun and me and my big brother sitting on the fender wells scanning the beach for anything cool. The prize find for adults were Japanese glass balls that were used as fishing floats. We never found any glass ones but did find a bunch of steel ones. The prizes find for a kid was a pile of spent 40mm automatic grenades (practice rounds). They occasionally used the beach for live fire target practice with jets and helicopters so if you found one grenade you might find a dozen. These things were solid gold for trading at school! I'd love to do the Texas 200 one year, maybe I could get the ol' Catalina 22 up and running and talk my brother into doing this with me. Thanks for the video, it was very good and the animation was hilarious!

[@BobLinton]

Fun adventure. Thanks for taking us along!

[@SerbanOprescu]

"You know, it's not a race - but I really want to catch those guys"! Yeap. It's a race! I've seen races before, and they sounded very much like this one! Nice job.

[@mrp1925]

Thank you for an excellent film. I think KZbin suggested it as I had looked at CLC boats in my browser. Thank goodness as it was most enjoyable time whilst stuck in the house during the UK’s lockdown3.

[@redlife1176]

I've never even been on a sail boat and I enjoyed your video. I would love to do something like this oneday.

[@MrPhilEU]

That's a cool and nice comment I hope you manage to get to sail someday. Cheers :o)

[@southjerseysound7340]

You can find small sailboats that don't need much for very cheap and even free and they are a blast. Generally speaking 20ft and under is where you want to be starting out. If you're not near the coast there's plenty of clubs that sail dingies and things like Sunfish's that are tons of fun.

[@garrycramins5608]

I've already watched this over 10 times, looks like loads of fun! Incredible job!

[@jbratt]

Garry Cramins it was a great time! After the first day it was a pleasure cruise 😄. Thank you. I have a different 200 miles I am going to attempt. Search Dirty Kanza 🚲 👍

[@garrycramins5608]

@@jbratt Your videos have sold me on a boat, picking up a Montgomery 15 next weekend! Don't believe I will be ready for the Texas 200 for another year or so but hope to see you when I do!

[@jbratt]

Garry Cramins you can do it! Congratulations on the boat.

[@bake162]

There was more than one boat which makes it a guarantee it’s a race!

[@papajeff5486]

Low country boil looks mighty fine. Like the drone shots too. Thanks for the adventure. I live in Portland, Texas.

[@jbratt]

Papa Jeff great shimp👍. The drone was a lot of fun but my spare battery was not working. The flights had to be really short. I was in Portland today. Thanks for watching.

[@roydesignedthat]

Thanks for the great video JBratt!!! I fantasize about joining you all one day but the drive from Canada is long! Did it once though so one never knows! Your video made me feel I was there! The drone footage helps but the editing was also well done! ! ! Thanks again...Best/Roy

[@RandomButtonPusher]

Wonderful report. That feast of shrimp and corn looks like a very just reward for finishing!

[@rustyholt6619]

one of the beauties of a small boat is how far you can get from big waves

[@jbratt]

I have been through some fairly large waves in it. It did make me a bit nervous. I like to stay away.

[@Lee-70ish]

Pretty little boat . Imho trailer sailers are used far more than the gin palaces which spend more time swinging on the hook than sailing. Plus it's cheap here in the UK you can pick up a decent Leisure 17(a popular two berther) for under £2000. Happy sailing guys regards from the UK

[@dgrewar]

Well done, thanks for taking time to video and share.

[@thebentley71]

I've wanted to do this in a Matt Layden Paradox with chine runners but I would also want a 3/4 keel about 3 feet deep. My grandmother had a fishing camp past the Baffin Bay, since the early 60's On the man made islands next to the intracoastal waterway. My brother & I would take our Hobie cat out in the summers, & explore all the bays & inlets. There are so many fishing camps. We would always take a Neilgide, antelope so we would have plenty of meat the whole summer. My brother had a whole made little barge with a Johnson 25. We would put our Honda 3 wheeler 110 on it, & ride it in Los Amos Creek & that's where we would always try & get a Nalgide. This had to be in 1980 or 81. My grandmother's camp was one of the oldest because she had giant palm trees around her camp. She had an old Army diesel generator. Back in the early 80's you could throw a cast net & catch good size shrimp. I sure miss the good ole days of growing up in South Texas, or the Coastal Bend as Joe Gazin always called it.

[@changurr2705]

Great Video!! The best tx200 video I've seen.

[@roydesignedthat]

Great video even after a half dozen times watching! AllthebestRoy

[@michaelargenta3856]

Can you please do some more fishing. thanks . I'm starting my boat next week . Hope to see you out there one day...

[@jbratt]

Michael Argenta the fishing along the route is excellent. I saw some huge trout and flounder that were caught. I had my hands full with the drone and camera equipment along with sailing the boat. Something had to be sacrificed 😢.

[@geneberry7114]

Lot's of fun. I did the 2014 and 2015 200, I hope to do a couple more sometime soon : )

[@jbratt]

I was there in 2015 a week after I finished building the boat. I was pretty rushed to get things done and found out a lot of things that needed to be changed. To make a long story short, I really had a rough time 😂. I stopped in Corpus Christi completely exhausted.

[@Flying4Film]

This looks like so much fun. I need to learn how to sail.

[@jbratt]

Flying 4 Film Its like riding a bike. Once you learn you don’t really forget. The first time I sailed this boat, I had only sailed once since I was 12. I did sail a lot when I was 12 though. Thanks for watching 😀👍

[@Flying4Film]

@@jbratt I was hoping to learn this summer at the marina across the street from where I live, but sadly with everything that's going on, they canceled their classes for the summer. Sailing is definitely on my short list of things to learn though!

[@jbratt]

Flying 4 Film hopefully things will get back to normal or at least close soon. Hope to see you sail the 200 one day 👍

[@scottlampe70]

Pocketship for the win!

[@jarodjohnson763]

Awesome! I would love to see a good report on all the maintenance items you have had on the boat! If I keep up my current pace, my pocketship should appear at the Texas 200 next year!

[@jbratt]

Jarod Johnson looking forward to seeing another pocketship in the fleet👍. The boat is well suited for the event. Normal extras are radio, motor and fire extinguisher. For comfort, seat padding, bedding and a fan are a must.

[@arjen-de-vries]

Hi Jarod. Super! love to see your vids ;-) My Pocketship is still under construction but probably will hit water end of this summer...

[@Fpgrillo]

Que viagem legal. Belo passeio. Lugar lindo este Texas. Fiquei feliz vendo. Abraços

[@amartini46]

That was so awesome! Thanks for the great footage!

[@mikeonabike9113]

You were catching up on that last run down to Maggy Beach. Then I shook a reef out. ;) Great video John! Looking forward to seeing you next year. :)

[@jbratt]

MikeonaBike I also had an inadvertent jibe taking the whisker pole down after I gave up the chase 😜

[@donnakawana]

New sub an I really enjoyed watching an will continue to watch! Fare winds an following sea's ❗🤘❤😊🌞🌴⛵🍷❗

[@RobertSantos-rw8dy]

Enjoyed your sail....cheers mate

[@THERedHatDude]

Wow! Great job man! Good decisions, good sailing, good video, great post production. I'd love to see a boat update video this year. Are you liking your adjustments on the basic CLC plan?, your other adds like the pole? Solar panel setup? Any changes you'd make if you were to build it again? Once we get our youngest through college, and the Lord willing, I hope to build the pocket ship for southeast lake and intercoastal sailing.

[@jbratt]

THERedHatDude the pole worked great. Normally it would have been in use around 90% of the time with the prevailing winds we have. I met John C Harris at a boat show in our area. I ask him about installing one and he had already done one on the prototype. He pulled up a file on his laptop he had with him and emailed me a diagram as we talked. Clc is without a doubt one of the best companies I have ever dealt with of any product.

[@fakiirification]

oof, hurricane Harvey... as a Houstonian... that triggered some memory...

[@jbratt]

You guys had it rough 😢. I am in Houston right now. Looks like things did dry a bit since Harvey.

[@chadbbach]

Great video! Love the drone footage. Other than day one, it looks like it was some great cruising weather this year.

[@jbratt]

chadbbach for most of day one it was good too until the wind got crazy. I forgot to mention 11 boats did make it to camp 1. It was a very similar day to the conditions on the same leg two years ago 👍

[@Mona8519]

So nice! Thx for sharing! :D

[@southerntexashomestead5028]

Looks like a lot of fun!

[@melcrose]

Look forward to you vid every year!

[@jbratt]

Thank you,I look forward to making one : )

[@glennwoodbury7384]

Your video and drone skills are improving. And per usual, nice choice of background music. I miss the tacky special effects from your first 200 video, but thanks, I'm enjoying all your work so far.

[@georgeferguson9779]

Cool video! Now I want to go!

[@huntsail3727]

Another great video and trip, congratulations on completing your second one. I do have a couple of questions: 1. What do you attribute your speed to in 2018, and the impressive number of miles per day? Did modify the boat in some way from previous years, sail more hours per day, have more favorable winds, etc.? 2. Do you use some type of self steering to give you a break from the tiller, if so what system are you using? Great job, looking forward to the next video. I am also enjoying reading the articles on the TX 200 website, lots of information. Hope to you one day.

[@jbratt]

Thanks for watching 👍. The speed on day one was due to some super strong winds. I did add a whisker pole to keep the jib from flopping when going downwind but when the winds kicked up I took it down just to be safe. The tiller has a bungee cord attached to it sometimes referred to as a tiller tamer. It helps a little being single handed but is no means an autopilot.

[@Martin-gg1up]

Enjoyed it. Thanx

[@TheRCfunny]

Great, You did it one more time !

[@ud4458]

thats some nice wah wah music for the intro

[@Canoesailor]

Great video, I'll need to come over with the sailing canoe ;)

[@jbratt]

Koos Winnips come on down!

[@pojucanpaulucci9052]

Nice vídeo. Bons ventos. .. From Brazil.

[@finscreenname]

If you do it again you should get some MRE's for the ride. Save the cooler food for the beach. After watching a few on YT some of them are down right out gourmet food in a bag.

[@jbratt]

fin screenname I’ll give it a try 👍

[@RestorationAustralia]

Very cool.😊

[@andrewebmaster5376]

Este velero puede navegar en el mar? O es solo para navegar en lagos y aguas tranquilas?

[@billl3936]

Great video.

[@joshkaiser8583]

Do you have any video tour of the boat you built and what kind is it? Looks like a nice rig

[@jbratt]

Check my channel. One of the first videos I ever shot is up there with shots of the boat

[@russellesimonetta3835]

I wish they,d offer that in 18''. Been dreaming about the Bateau 20' vagabond.

[@jdlowe2900]

Another awesome vid.

[@pablofr74]

Great video. Maybe one day i can do it also.

[@jbratt]

Pablo Rodeiro last year there were some guys that bought a boat for $200 on Craig’s list without even seeing it. Picked it up on the way, did a little work on it and completed the 200.

[@pablofr74]

Just ordered the Pocketship documentation hahahaha! Thanks!!

[@ahmetidilgursoy7080]

A job well done... 👍

[@racheldoss5961]

Great video!!

[@infomax2008]

Is you solar panels generate energy for the boat? That is a 50 w panel right? I am considering get a 50 w panel at the same location, but not sure how it performs.

[@jbratt]

I can’t remember the wattage but it keeps my battery topped of for a 5 day trip. All the lights I have a LED. I run my GPS and depth finder all day. I also run a couple of fans inside the cabin all night. I also charge my phone. I don’t put much strain on the system. It is capable of much more.

[@Captain_Bartolo]

💯 HOT sailing video!!!

[@MartinHouston]

Great video, sorry I didn't sail it with you. I hope 2019.

[@jbratt]

Martin Houston looking forward to it👍

[@randytownsend4780]

Well done

[@connorhill476]

very good

[@Sergeymurano]

Хороший фильм.Спасибо!

[@kentblairl]

Nice video and great info on the mess about. Skipper is from Flour Bluff, spent many a year sailing the Bay and Laguna Madre so it was nice to see the charts and some of the sights. Your boat looks very interesting as well, what is her name? Cheers, Clark and Skipper

[@jbratt]

Thank you! Candy-O. She is a CLC Chesapeake Light Craft design Pocketship. I finished the build 3 years ago just before my first Texas 200. Thanks for watching.

[@Jmmondeau]

Hey there. I saw a MacGreggor 1991 ish 26 s. I'm selling mine also if anyone is interested. I also want to participate in your run next year. Hope to see you guys there. Thanks for your videos. I love small boat sailing.

[@yeoldegunporn]

Awesome boat, but where do you poo for 200 miles?

[@tilenjeraj2684]

We miss your 2021 Texas 200. Still sailing?

[@jbratt]

The boat has been sitting out in the weather and is in much need of maintenance . This summer I moved it inside to work on in the shop. The work will start this winter when the temperatures cool down. One way or another I hope the boat will sail the 200 next year. It could be me or someone that buys it from me 😀

[@tilenjeraj2684]

@@jbratt saunds depressing… there are clubs for small boat owners. Maybe someone will buy it from you there. In EU there is a big interest for trailer sailers. Specifically now during Covid times. I would definitely buy it from you if you would be in EU.

[@jacksonquintana4320]

Great videos. I'm interested in building a pocketship, but I've seen a lot of bad reviews. Anyone have any thoughts on their size, handling, stability, etc.

[@jbratt]

Jackson Quintana thank you. It has been fun making them. I have not seen any bad reviews. I would be interested in seeing what the complaints are. It’s small but for its size it seems really stable. I have thought about building another boat but this one has met or exceeded all my wants and needs. The only boat I have considered is a Tri hulled boat due to the increase in speed...I always want to go faster😄. This one is so nice for storage and sleeping on board that the tri hulled boats might sacrifice but I really like building boats 👍

[@natheisler2918]

wish i could do that but my allberg 19 is on the north shore of long island ny, north port harbor, close to target rock huntington where jhon paul jones used it for target and where nathan hale was caught by the redcoats....... are there any clubs like you guys in the long island sound ???????ps great video, and very cool boat,

[@jbratt]

NAT HEISLER thanks👍 I am not sure what clubs there are up there but come on down here for the 200, although allberg 19 may need a bit deeper water than what we have to offer getting to the camps, you might be able to hook up with someone that needs crew.

[@ricklab5796]

Very inspiring videos! What paper chart are you using in the videos. It seems like a good chart of the south Texas coast?

[@jbratt]

Rick Lab they are are really nice charts, waterproof and everything. They are fishing charts called Hook-N-Line. I got them at a tackle shop but they are also available on Amazon. Thanks for watching.

[@โนวาเอวารัญ]

😲😲😲 Think you ขอบคุณมากๆค่าสำหรับคลิ๊บ

[@adamf.4823]

Seems like you have a quick little boat there. What gives her the speed?

[@jbratt]

Adam Frisoli current, waves and a lot of wind 😀. The hull speed is around 5 or so knots.

[@roydesignedthat]

A question...what size solar panel did you upgrade to? And how big is your battery?

[@jbratt]

Roy Schreyer its a 40 watt. It’s semi flexible and fits the companion cover perfectly. It is sold by Amazon ( GSP-40). The battery is a 12 volt about the size of a car battery sold by West Marine. I have running lights, cabin lights, fans, and a stereo hooked up to it. I do have a regulator between the panel and the battery.

[@roydesignedthat]

thanks!

[@Excitone]

Interesting! 0:23 what a boat?

[@tilenjeraj2684]

Hello I am interested in buying finished pocket sailing ship. Do you have any tips on manufacturer’s of this small sailing ship?

[@jbratt]

Tilen Jeraj they are pretty much all home built. If you are interested I will be selling the one in the video. I need to do some work on it if you are interested in it

[@tilenjeraj2684]

JBratt in Europe we had some small sailing boats manufacturers in late 80s. It’s hard to find good manufacturers now or boats for that matter.

[@vgaulin]

What sailboat design is at 10:09?

[@buddybopper561]

R.I.P.,,,,,,,FREDDY FENDER .

[@jtolken]

Well done. That down wind section on day one with two reefs in sure looked very scary. How did the boat handle the rough conditions?

[@jbratt]

jtolken the boat did great. I was really having fun but was dreading the turn to the right to camp 1. When I continued on to the land cut I saw a barge going to opposite direction with waves breaking over the bow. It was an amazing sight. I wished I had a camera with a longer lens...maybe next year 👍. The rudder came out of the water a couple of times. That got my attention 😜

[@robertstewart9989]

What is that boat at 13:17?

[@The1stGurehaundo]

Is that a Bruce Roberts Spray?

[@jbratt]

Galgo Carreras it’s a Pocketship by CLC.

[@KlingonCaptain]

Two questions: What are the rules? How much does it cost to enter?

[@jbratt]

They like you to keep your radio on 16 and on. It’s not a race but that really not a rule 😀. You can leave camp anytime you want and you can really camp anywhere you want. There is just a schedule so you know where most everyone will be. I have only missed a camp once. It’s $40 to join the club. Membership is required to do the 200, so $40. Thanks for watching.

[@KlingonCaptain]

@@jbratt And thank you for sharing.

[@RolandLowhorn]

And that was a little motivation video maybe I should learn how to make me a boat learn how to float

[@davidrandall2474]

Is this for homemade boats only ?

[@jbratt]

David Randall no there are a lot of production boats. I just like the added challenge 😀

[@dailymechanic6767]

Do you have the plans for the boat

[@jbratt]

Plans are available from Chesapeake light Craft.

[@sierrawhiskey5144]

Such a cute boat! Is it a kit?

[@jbratt]

Sierra Whiskey yes CLC pocketship. Chesapeake Light craft.

[@sierrawhiskey5144]

@@jbratt it's so precious. Just saw your vid giving a tour of the Candy'O.

[@jbratt]

Sierra Whiskey thanks. That was the first video I ever edited. I have learned a lot since then and still have a lot to learn. Next year’s tx200 video will be better. I have such a blast making them. Thank you for watching 👍😄

[@bongoslide]

could not see Wilson? lol

[@bennetttobey961]

What chart plotter do you have

[@jbratt]

Bennett Tobey Garmin.

[@bennetttobey961]

@@jbratt Would you mind providing the specific model because it seems perfect for what i need as i plan to do the everglades challenge soon. Love your videos and Candy-O is a beautiful boat

[@jbratt]

Bennett Tobey thank you. Good luck with your trip. I’ll check the model.

[@bennetttobey961]

@@jbratt thank you

[@4454646454]

More videos... please....

[@garrycramins5608]

If you don't mind, what size outboard do you use?

[@jbratt]

Garry Cramins it’s a Honda 1.2. I couldn’t find a 1.0 but I am glad with what I ended up with 👍

[@garrycramins5608]

Kind of an odd size, I calculated a minimum 2.5 HP motor for a displacement of upwards 1500 lbs. The Montgomery 15 has similar specs to the CLC Pocketship. Guess I will go with a Suzuki 2.5.

[@GhGh-uj9sj]

Ok

[@dreed7312]

Im guessing the lack of female crews says something about the overall rugged nature of this event, ( lack of facilities etc)

[@natheisler2918]

sorry wrong number