What makes a GREAT Bluewater Sailboat? - With John Kretschmer

This is part two of a a mammoth interview i did with the great John Kretschmer wherein we discuss al things Bluewater sailing for both Mono-hulls and Catamarans.
If you would like to see more of John he is currently offering a webinar training series covering a vast range of Bluewater topics
you can find more information on those at ; johnkretschmer...
Time stamps
01:25 What would you put on a billboard?
03:02 Do you think 'Bluewater' is a subjective term?
04:36 Key criteria for your idea of a Bluewater boat
04:48 Walk through tour of Quetzal
19:00 design trumps construction
19:23 Tracking explained
20:33 how do you know if a boat is going to track well?
21:30 Thoughts on twin rudders?
22:37 Take the hell out of the boat
23:50 Passage making mentality
24:30 thoughts on reefing
25:40 Not all Knots are created equal
26:50 The single most important item
27:20 Weight of Dacron?
29:17 The most important thing to learn as a Bluewater sailor
30:28 How to improve your reefing performance
31:20 Bluewater sailing and Cats?
34:24 Can you heave to in a cat?
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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[@Lana_Warwick]

Interesting @30:00. One good thing about our Aussie Education System (Public or Private), mandatory swimming lessons, boating at school camps, or as rec during the week.

[@philandlyndachristieson8808]

I didn't realize what I had learned from thousands of miles of hard sailing until listening to your excellent interview with John. He could have been describing Windora, and my own feelings. I've tried the cat thing too. You can't give that guy enough respect. ⛵🌍⛵🌏⛵🌎. Phil

[@lulabus5906]

I love the way everything is explained so even a complete noob like myself can understand it. Great episode 2. 👍🏻

[@michaelvanwinkle7919]

great information for those of us interested in blue water sailing.

[@charlespickering2726]

Makes perfect sense to feel the boat talking to you. Even in cars you drive them long enough you get a feel of what sounds like it should and when something doesn't and what that means and how to correct it.

[@robertlemoine3500]

Great program,I’m not a sailor but I enjoy two people discussing their passion

[@PaulBKal]

Great wisdoms shared there. Thanks to both John & Adam. Lifelong Aussie sailor here, now in early 60’s, looking for THE boat to live aboard and sail the Pacific with my wife. Got close a couple of times, but still looking, and now have more clarity to my thinking as a consequence of this discussion.

[@AverageJoeShmo]

Love this episode! Never been sailing in my life but have fallen in love with sailing channels and this episode really explains alot with using terminology i understand even being real green on sailing! Great job!

[@gjeess1]

Ditto

[@wilfdarr]

Sailing is starting up again (woke up this morning to a stack of emails re: race night Wednesday)! Get out there!

[@timothyblazer1749]

The Pardeys have said that multuhulls can use paraanchors off the bows to settle the boat and "heave to". They have a whole section on it.

[@grumpus3046]

What the hell....an add for true green lawn maintenance on a boating video. I can now die happy in the knowledge that I have seen it all. That is all.

[@timm6112]

Probably the most informative (in a real and practical way) video I have seen on sailing. Great talk. Thank you for this.

[@nsw1959]

Excellent excellent interview. While watching this, I had an old Navy friend message me that he was interested in a bluewater boat. I sent him this link. Great info for someone in the market and also for those who already have a boat. Cutters are great but I still love my Ketch rigged Pearson. You two rock. Hope you get to the US sometime.

[@billcoggins593]

I listened to all of both experiences. What a plethora of knowledge .

[@jbfrodsham]

A legend. The sailors sailor. I have started to read Johns books.

[@listenering]

Would love it John had someone do a sailing channel tagging along on his teaching cruises.

[@rwplace]

Great interview again. Always great to listen to someone speak with so much experience backing his opinions up. Now, you need to figure out how to do an interview with Bob Perry.

[@snakeplisken4278]

Brillant! Thanks John. Going to read your books now! More interviews with great guys like John please. I am sure John can share a 100 more hours of real seamanship ...but you better keep those beers coming, or I have South African Red Wine... Thanks Guys.

[@shawnbartley9223]

so pleased I went back and watched part one first, brilliant i learned so much, thank you.

[@Ellis01234567890]

This is great to watch for someone like myself. I'm not able to sail yet because of financial reasons. I'm trying to build enough passive income so I have the free time to live my life while I'm young. It's going well so in a few years I will be on the water actually enjoying life. Till then I'm trying to learn as much as I can about sailing from the internet and books while I can so I will be better prepared on the theory side of it, but of course that's no substitute for real world experience. But in the mean time videos like this are a god sent where I can actually listen to experienced sailors. Thank you.

[@SoundzAlive1]

A lot of really good points and yes I did learn some different ways of doing things. A real pleasure and thanks you both nailed it! André

[@dcollo7800]

Two great guy's, thanks I learnt allot.

[@derekh5355]

one of the best vid I have ever watched on tis topic. REAL and very informative. Thanks

[@johnphillips519]

Thanks for sharing your great knowledge John Kretschmer👍

[@richardofoz2167]

Adam and John, thanks for a great talk.

[@lizweller1361]

Wow, these interviews are awesome!! Guess I'm a little late to the party, but I'm really digging your videos and your vibe! Thanks to John and the two of you for all your hard work and great advice!

[@petec9686]

Love listening to John and other experiences bluewater sailors who question the wisdom of modern deep fin keels and twin rudders. Those bots have their place. It’s called a race course. Give me a long fin and beefy skeg or maybe even a full keel any day.

[@eliciahalterman1961]

Loved this!! Thank you so much for posting 🤗

[@kylepalmer8730]

This guy is pretty good.

[@iainhunneybell]

Would have loved to see the stern and bow setup inside. Store and workshop up front?

[@dale7436]

I may have been in Uncle Sam's Canoe Club but having been on a big ship (LOL. LST) in a typhoon, I'll let everyone know that when John introduced us to his bunk, it hit home. I did not tie myself into my bunk and I was 12 inches below the deck above and ended up on the floor. His bunk will allow you to get a good sleep and like he said, SLEEP is a must.

[@sergest-pierre6160]

This one is even better. Thanks.

[@iaincphotography6051]

Very enjoyable and friendly, a learning experience.

[@peterstarkey1360]

G'day, just loved the interview....brilliant....NOW the question was asked can you heave to in a cat....well my answer to that is , in my 45ft Derick Kelsal designed cat.... YES...the slick created was sweet...steering was hard to stb & back winding the jib, swing centre board up....cheers...oh & l agree always reef at night & if you think you should reef , you should of already done it...the alternative isn't worth it

[@maohadad8392]

I just discovered this - really GREAT dialogue.

[@glassman51]

Hey Adam and Kiara, love these interviews with John, so much to digest that I will certainly watch this a couple more times. Glad things are loosening up for you guys and looking forward to some real sailing in the future, cheers

[@bobmiller5352]

Big great Thank You !!! Such a pleasure, could stay hors listening to bot of you.!! Part #3 pls..!!!

[@aarnmn]

That was absolute gold

[@JaminSilbaugh]

Fantastic!

[@svStargate]

Really interesting video

[@gregorysprimont550]

Great interview, I really enjoyed it.

[@superformOG]

talking about the characteristics of a blue water boat, mine ticks all the boxes :) but that's why I bought it.

[@ciaranbyrne62]

Well done🙂your not daft

[@davidforbes7772]

Buy John's books. They are great reads.

[@pmarr98]

Enjoyed that video a lot. Thanks for sharing

[@stevetsigounis6535]

Fantastic interview...!

[@edrosenberger6947]

Great interview Adam with those questions that lighted up John's bluewater knowledge. I'm glad I stayed but I almost left do to your incessant interruptions. There were several times that John started talking about an interesting topic and was permanently shut down by your interruption or by talking over him....sorry, but it is a sore point with me. Unlike me, John handled that well. At any rate....thank you for this very informative interview!

[@nbender182]

Just excellent!

[@danieloliver20]

I could listen to John and you all day long. Nothing like REAL experiences to back up opinions, thanks guys again!

[@dboboc]

John can listen to himself all day long too.

[@dannydonnelly8345]

Wish I could give many thumbs up!

[@MichaelBuck]

Just a superb interview with imvaluable knowledge shared from one fo the greats of sailing. Iv'e saved this one and will review many times and will probably go look to buy ALL of his books now. SUch a seaman and gentleman, so glad he was so laid back about working with all. Thank you so much for doing this and look forward to more like this, maybe a part II with John, I could spend hours absorbing his knowledge and experience. God Bless you both!

[@tonyoreilly2637]

Thanks, both of you, very informative, just subbed.

[@RichardRaynerBIZ]

Great interview, thanks heaps!!!!! He’s right, Kiwis and Australians make the best sailors:)

[@jonnorousseau3096]

What about the South Africans, we got a mention in there too, and if you've sailed off the southern coast of Africa off Agulhas and Cape point you'll appreciate why

[@sebrofseven]

Awesome video, thank you. We have a little Cape Dory 22/Alberg Design. What are your thoughts of larger Cape Dory's as far as blue water capable? TIA

[@ciaranbyrne62]

Doesn't Sam Holmes Sailing channel here on KZbin have a 28ft Cape Dory and he's just crossed the Atlantic? I think it is and it seems very seaworthy. Check it out. I have a Pandora mk1 22ft and a Westerly 22ft here in the UK. I'm new to Sailing but I hope to learn. I'm motoring along at the moment 🙂

[@sebrofseven]

@@ciaranbyrne62 Yes, I now watch Sam on every episode. My post was quite a while ago when I first purchased a 22 CD. Best to you!

[@genieclarke7346]

Brilliant

[@trev9874]

brilliant thanks

[@Kamabushi999]

If you cant anchor in the Bahamas? what is the use?

[@ktd9]

What makes a Great Blue Water Sailing vessel? Simple answer....one with Khiara as part of the crew 🥰

[@fordyceeldred9409]

Spring Cove Marina - Solomons Maryland

[@kpatterson7009]

What boat was this filmed in?

[@PanceriMarco]

perfec

[@micheldawes1]

I wish there was a double thumbs-up button! ;-)

[@leighbeckett]

I gave up after while. I'm in an environment where I have to use headphones which may make the problem worse but the voices in the background were just too distracting

[@aaronmit6584]

If you want to know how sea sickness feels try VR lol

[@andrewking9454]

short answer: MONEY

[@skippercirelli2097]

I just discovered this - really GREAT dialogue.

[@michelkooiman3835]

This is really great. John is an amazing guy. I could learn so much from him.

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

A Bluewater boat will have a continuous bulwark running the length of the boat and ending only at the bows. Lifenetting is never a waste of money. A blue water boat will have a least two head sails (as in a clipper configuration). A BWB will always have a rugged wind-steering devise. A BWB will have a deep, well bilge and real sea births (never an open sided double bed). A BWB will have a guimbled range and oven. A BWB will have a manual pump to access the fresh water tanks. A BWB will always have a real life raft and ditch bag ready to go.

[@michaelwilliams5132]

Wow John is a super down to earth man. Humble, kind and has the time of day to answer questions with patience even though he has answered them 1000 times. Thats what makes a legend. Great interview thankyou

[@noraelkin2727]

Two of the most informative videos I have watched! Thanks! And yes, please more!

[@jessglaze2182]

Can I just say what a pleasure it was to watch this series. I could listen to ya'll talk and feed off the wealth of knowledge from John for hours. Excellent videos. Keep up the good content.

[@goulash75]

Might I say, possibly better than part one! Loved this two part interview. Thanks Adam and John. (And thanks Khiara for letting to boys carry on so long :)

[@davefoster7770]

Become one with your machine. Reef early. It's like advice for life. It applies to so many things and is good advice for many non sailing activities. Awesome vid. Thanks for your efforts. ;)

[@7drobin]

I have bad memories of sailing my dad 6m beach cat in the 70's. You can't round about in stiff wind, and you will capsize, pol watzit or break more than wind in difficult situations. Done it all. I have tried tri, which I love but they also are troublesome (maintenance, costs and generally breakdowns). I have had many monos, and I trust them; long keels and protected daggers. Rather wide and medium displacement. I do coastal navigation, but I always assume the worse possible situation. Never had a major yet! I love the depth of knowledge and clarity of expression. Well done.

[@shaneriehl223]

Loved this interview! It's so nice to hear from someone both knowledgable and humble to share a great perspective. Much preferred to the bickering knowledge that you find on the sailing forums out there!

[@pkane5472]

I can't add anything to what was already said about John and his incredible knowledge about sailing. Adam did a great job as well as the "moderator".

[@easemailboxes]

There is clearly too much lingo and culture in sailing to make it inviting to someone like me who knows zero about it. I look fwd to the day I can download an AI skipper who will take in all the variables and auto adjust the boat, rigs and sails. Until that day I am suitably intimidated enough to stay with a power boat.

[@easemailboxes]

Great video regardless though, very informative.

[@nonaparker564]

Great interview Adam.What a lovely man John is.

[@tomfuhs6801]

Awesome video. John is such a wealth of experience and knowledge and he has the rare ability to present it without sounding like an overbearing know-it-all.

[@monsterhog1118]

I don't know Jack about sailing but that's a cool dude

[@paulnorval9646]

Well done Adam, a great conversation with John. It was like sitting in the cabin with you whilst you two went back and forth!

[@corylenihan2736]

wow , What a great interview Adam. Well done. John is such an intriguing guy. Thanks for that. Stay safe.

[@maohadad8392]

Two of the most informative videos I have watched! Thanks! And yes, please more!

[@larrybraden6640]

Man I could listen to this conversation for hours. John is a really cool dude and very knowledgeable. I enjoyed this Adam. Thanks

[@cliffmainor4255]

And again... THANK YOU Adam and John for this part two. Well worth the wait. Like others have said, I could sit and listen to you two banter about for at least three or four coolers ;-). Brilliant!!!

[@billregan1981]

Awesome! Reading John's book 'Sailing to the Edge of Time' now and contemplating my next cruiser. Great interview, thanks for sharing.

[@markd1070]

Two episodes in one week, we are spoiled. Woohoo.... This sailing channel can only keep growing.....its a secret gem....that will people will discover!!!!

[@jonarmstrong8877]

One of the best sailing vids on youtube...love the discussion!

[@CPcamaro]

Very good interview, thanks. I"m sort of curious what John thinks about in-mast furling (or automatic furling in general) as a solution for being able to reef in heavy weather. Kind of wish that had come up!

[@paidgovernmentshill_6950]

Really good content,matie! This is what i love about KZbin - there's so much dross but every now and then you find a gem of wisdom from someone who REALLY knows, and has lived, what they're talking about . I've sailed for ober 40 years but my experience isn't a fraction of John's. I'd much prefer to listen to his advice than learn through my own mistakes. Especially offshore.😮

[@user-retsailor]

I've been watching your vids from 5 ? years ago, catching up. Primarily started watching them because of your boat, the Tayana Vancouver 42. I love it ! I would only say, and I don't really know; it seems like its so heavy that it doesn't sail well in light air. It probably just starts to sail halfway decent at 15 knots+. Am I wrong ? The Tayana 37 is lighter but, a person loses so much by downsizing just a few feet. You lose alot ! Was looking at a Gulfstar 39 Sailmaster also but, its kind of a strange setup with the forward galley and raised saloon. Maybe its just me. Love your vids.

[@brownnoise357]

Watching the video I agree 💯 with nonslip and no timber up on deck, and a hard Diodger. I do not agree with having Any Canvas at the extremities ofvthe boat at the bow and the stern which introduces a seesaw motion when heaving to. So his Sail design may suit him, but doesn't suit me, so for example, that rules out a Ketch Rig, and a Cutter Rig. For me, what is important is removing Seesaw ,everage which means Sloop Rigged, with a 3.5 reefing heavy Offshore constructed Battenless Triradial Furling Main, with at least the last 1.5 of Reefed Sail, split into reinforced challenge 9.11 Sailcloth, So after the second reef is in the Mast, you have a 1.5 left, that can be left like that, or if really bad, you can reef further, to be left withn0.5 of Sail close to the Mast CoG of the boat, with no leverage to wreck heaving to. and while still making progress, and the Sail fully backed by the support of the rest of the Sail sharing the load inside the Mast. Not having Battens, and having Triradial Construction Recovers most of the performance obtained from having Full Battens, but your Sail Life and Sail Shape gets extended significantly, Deep Draft on Any Cruising Sailboat, is nothing but a serious disadvantage for little to no advantage over a long Keel Shallow Draft (which perform more than satisfactorily, in Waves of 60ft plus, like I experienced in the Gulf Stream on my Long Keel shallow draft Endeavour 32, and with its clean Hull when running away Out of the Gulf Stream from the Forecast incoming Tornadoes exceeded the Hull speed when heading for a Harbour of Refuge. we hit 7.25 knots for a considerable stretch, which was enough to get into the safe Harbour and Anchor up, before the Tornadoes arrived, enough time in fact to make sandwiches and a cup of Tea. That was one Scary Race against time, but great fun as well. Obviously other choices work for other people, but I know what works for me, and I'm sticking with it, and it's probably est that I don't buy one of that guys boats, or it likely won't suit the Compromises needed to work the way I want things to work. ffs, Deep Draft on a Cruiser ? Pass. 😅😅😅

[@RealMikePannone]

Great conversation. Because of this discussion, I just bought two of John's books...Sailing a Serious Ocean and At the Mercy of the Sea. Keep up the great work. I'm grinding through your archive....and enjoying and learning as I watch you all work through bettering your boat. Also, very impressed with Kiara's baking skills and her willingness to get real dirty jobs done. Cheers.

[@brownnoise357]

PS agreed about Heeling and Backups forAutopilots, however, with a long keel shallow Draft, and sailing a long way, the amount of leeway is seriously overstated in my honest opinion. With autopilot off, or not present, once making way nicely, direction I've found is stable enough to be pretty much Hands off, and just keep an eye on the Compass heading, and the GPS track on your plotter, and make occasional adjustments as necessary, and I've found them to be pretty infrequent adjustments at that. I may go for Windvane steering as a backup, but tbh, a Bowthruster itself is a steering backup as well isn't it ? Bob. 👍eta. Sailing at 80% dramatically reduces Wear and Tear, as well as breakages for Cruisers. Weather helm is an important feedback for reefing early. Weird Corkscrew motion, is why I'll never have a Catamaran, as the wave pattern that produces it, really isn't that uncommon, and while it didn't make me Seasick - thanks Stugeron- it was seriously a head messing up motion, which I haven't experienced with Trimarans, such that I almost Bought one, then when digging into costs of ownership, Berthing and hauling out etc, Ruled that right out. 👍

[@aphilippinesadventure9184]

Bluewater boat...needs a bluewater sailor. Of disasters I read about, almost every failing was not the basic design of the boat or it's condition. Instead, I read about equipment and maintenance failure, poor preparation, poor planning, and a big one, carelessness. We have a full keeled Skookum that will not win any races except the race to survive in the worst conditions. Everything is oriented towards the possibility of failure and bad luck. Engine always kept tip-top shape, everything maintained in our rigging. Skookums are built like little ships anyway, but we do not assume those little bilge pumps can keep up. If we are still afloat, we can pump about 10,000 GPH independently of engine or battery power. Batteries are not under the sole but split into two groups, each well above the Engine level (AGMs) We keep a good stock of repair materials. We keep an extensive supply of Medical emergency supplies as well as redundant communications gear. If you are "Out there", if something fails, who are you going to call? You had better be up to fixing it yourself. For most KZbin folks, this is pretty boring stuff, but looking good in a bikini is way down the list from being able to fix the steering or bleed the diesel injectors.

[@sailingsvtesla9052]

Adam, that was the most informative video, a guy like me who is in the market soon for his own "blue water sailboat" could have possibly watched. Thank you tremendously. John is a very down to earth guy. I will be reading/listening to his books and soaking up all the knowledge I possibly can for sure. Cheers Mate, RJ

[@robertlee8042]

You’re talking about getting over powered. I’ve never gotten over powered. And it did not stop me from winning a 1,500 mile race. Of course the lion’s share of winning a 1,500 mile race is weather.

[@historystuff.2835]

so what boat brands are perfect blue water sailboats? I'v been searching for a long time now to the point where I'm starting to get frustrated because I'm not able to make my mind up. Oyster, Amel, Kraken and Tayana (any other blue water boats i should consider) are some of the boats I'm leaning towards maybe not Kraken but the other 3 definitely, I plan to sail with my gf someday who'll probably be wife by then and we also plan on having kids so safety is my main concern...I'd really like your input everyone. Thanks in advance

[@ciaranbyrne62]

In the UK to get insurance to sail around Europe you have to have a minimum of 26ft with an inboard engine. Otherwise it's a 12 nautical mile offshore limit. So I consider 26ft plus as a Bluewater cruiser 😉

[@mikelewis7003]

Good practical advice from John..we met John and Molly in Annapolis in 1985 when he was planning a trip through the North West Passage. Nice to see him again!!!

[@colingrant321]

Awesome video. Sounds like an apartment on water might not be practical for crossing oceans. King bed healed over 30+ degrees...

[@shawnbartley9223]

fantastic gentlemen, great interview and so much more to consider now cheers for that, lol I'm with Daniel Oliver I could listen to john's advice all day long and I would love to crew even for a day the next time you find yourself in Australia John.✌❤

[@lydiaajohnson]

I vote for John to be God. I love sailing and living on my boat, but seriously suffer from sea sickness in a rough seaway. I can’t even help crew. Big guilt.