Need Vs. Want: Things to Consider When Outfitting A Sailboat For Ocean Cruising
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- čas přidán 5. 06. 2023
- The Cruising Dream Mini Series - Episode 2
This is a special mini series where I try and break down common questions I get for people who are just getting into sailing or who are interested in long term cruising but are having trouble finding out information about various aspects of the life.
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Fair Winds,
James
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I was the manager of the parts dept for Catalina Yachts for years in Woodlad Hills, CA I worked directly under the owner Mr Frank Butler. I can tell you that the quality of his boats were first and foremost before profit. But he has passed, I don’t know what the quality is now but while he was in charge quality was priority.
I remember Frank. I sold Banshee sailboats in Westlake and when Frank moved there he didn’t like seeing someone else’s boats on the lake. We helped him design a new boat I think the Capri 14 which he traded us for our Banshees. I had a Catalina 30 in Santa Cruz and it was a really fun boat that everyone like to go out on.
My 73' cat27 is still going strong.
@@danger1240 AWESOME!!
Good to know ty
Your channel, and Sam Holmes Sailing, are easily the most useful and entertaining channels.
Sam started doing stupid things, I had to stop watching his channel..
Lots of great information here! 37:02 Having sailed tens of thousands of miles, built and repaired boats, I quickly learned that most people are simply incapable of major repairs. Echoing what you said, the more abilities you have, the more pleasant your sail will be. Make sure you have sufficient spare parts and the proper tools to repair or install them. The next thing; if you plan to sail with a partner or spouse, it is vitally important that both of you are equally committed. I delivered a number of boats from Mexico back to the states after a wife or partner jumped ship. I agree about not needing a water maker, but having one can completely change your ability to anchor for a much longer period.⛵️⛵️⛵️
This video series is amazing! You could write a book off of these topics. This is the most straightforward guide to start sailing so far :)
Especially
Another thing I would add to a must have is a large variety of tools I had more tools on my boat than I did in my garage. when things go wrong and you need a certain wrench or a certain screwdriver or what have you it is nice to know that you have a surplus of a variety of tools.
Not to mention having doubles of most wrenches because you always lose tools overboard
@@SailorJames absolutely!!
@@SailorJames No one uses a lanyard! Just tie a fisherman's knot. I watched one irreplaceable part after another go Sproong! over the side. A piece of string.... some duct tape. My rigging knife has been on a lanyard since I got it two years ago. On board for 3 months? Always carried it, used it everyday, in the worst conditions. I'm pretty sure the lanyard never kept it from going overboard, not even once. Doesn't matter.
@@WillN2Go1 I’ve been sailing for over 50 years. I can’t remember the last time I lost a tool overboard. But, I did lose a bicycle..lol
@@TinCupChalice40 Thanks Greg, This is a helpful data point. (I'm also the guy who turns out on deck with my PFD, dangling safety lines, on a sunny windless day for a simple docking. So I can probably relax a little.) Sorry about the bicycle, but that's also a good data point because it tells me you're not one of those fuss budgets who think the rest of us are incompetent because, "Well, I _never_ make _that_ mistake." Cheers.
I was so glad to hear you talk about what you don’t need to ocean sail. When I watch Sail Life and Sv Delos, I’m blown away by the systems they’ve installed. Even if the equipment is free, those guys are electrical and computer wizards. It scares me away from ocean sailing. You’ve brought me back! Thanks.
For electrical Lights, two cheap tablets with Navionics and a phone/handheld VHF charger. Powered by a 50W solar panel and LiFePO4 battery all
Great information. I really like your no nonsense approach and I think that your concept can also be used in many other contexts. A great mini series. Keep up the good work :)
I love you man! This is great, got my first boat a few months ago! No clue what Im doing of course…. But I’m learning. Can’t wait for 59 North!
Good for you! Find really good sailing channels, read a few good books and maybe a few safety courses . Start with short sails then short trips then who knows where you'll find yourself! Fair winds⛵
Terrific video. I just sailed across an ocean on a brand new $700k catamaran. re: Seawind? They make really great boats, but the problems you describe are absolutely typical. Three things I can say about Seawind? They need to do a better job on their rigging & outfitting, and customer support, but that 1260 is a strong boat. 7000 nm of often hard sailing, slamming! At the beginning I noted some reference points between parts of the boat, doors, etc After all that sailing everything was exactly where it was at the beginning.
Mmost places in the world don't have access to the parts and things needed to fix them. And the manufacturer's promise, "We'll fly someone over to the Philippines to fix any problems' turned into, a chronic leak and 'We'll fly someone.." was "Cut off the wooden top of the door jam and pull down the headliner ... " On the cat, the gas strut for the main lazerette broke because a common part that sells for 60 cents was unavailable. I fixed things with coat hangers from having my laundry done in Vietnam. (I saw those hangers, gave a big tip and put them right into my duffel!) New boats and old boats have problems. They're both headaches. (Maybe a three year old boat owned by someone who knows how to sail and fix things would be ideal.) My experience with the new cat made me decide that I don't actually want a new boat. I want a boat that is the most functional it can be. On the new boat there was nothing anywhere to hang anything on, the clutches/ropes were mismatched (the wrong sizes for the other), the rigging chaffed, we didn't have any extra rope on board. The tools were few and dysfunctional. The gas alarm kept going off. I was given grief for 'all the crap' I brought on board. Over three months we used almost all of it. Had we bought all the stuff I recommended, we'd have used all of it too.
We had Starlink, worked great, but we kept Iridium Go. Absolutely. We had a watermaker, worked great. If we had sun or an engine running we could take showers, run the clothes washer. If James or anyone else had asked for water we'd have hooked him up, no problem. We had to re invent the wheel tying the dinghy down. There weren't davits or any possible 'method.'
I've got a 20 year old Hunter with 20 year old Ray Marine electronics. They're effectively obsolete, can't be repaired., but tey still work mostly. AIS is on a Chrome book., sometimes I can get it to work. Ten years old would've been no problem. I won't sail them across an ocean, but I do plan some 200+ mile multiday fishing trips using it.
What I really liked about my boat is it's been upgraded to cross oceans. Extra tanks, Whitlock steering, a Hydrovane, After three months of amazing sailing and fixing even more 'amazing' boat problems on the cat, I'm going to sink some money into my Hunter. That's right, 'sink.' zero expectations I'll recoup any of it if I sell. That's okay. I'll either sail it until I'm too old, sell it cheap to a friend.
My boat aced its survey. (It shouldn't have, but I'm not complaining.) I mention for a new boat or my old boat, "10% of its value in costs each year." Everybody scoffs at this, brokers, owners, instructors. I think it's absolutely valid. I feel really lucky that I don't have to sell my assets on land to afford my boat.
Best tip is right here in my comment. Did you spot it? Other peoples' boats. I jumped on the chance to sail from Vietnam to Canada as free crew. Three months. Huge commitment, wasn't all vacation. I bought a lot of stuff out of my own pocket that I didn't have to. (It's telling when you pull a roll of duct tape out of your shopping bag and you're told, "We already have a roll." As Bette Davis once said, "Hang on, it's going to be a bumpy ride." It still cost me a lot less than if I'd done 7000 nm in my own boat. And when we got to Canada I stepped off the boat without worrying about finding and paying a marina. I'm still not sure I want to chase James around the world, but now I know that I can do it. I wonder if Balance, or HH, needs some delivery sailors.....? Second best tip? Live above a dance club for a year. I did. Onboard, I slept through slamming in three meter waves, being bounced up, being weightless every two minutes (South China Sea out of Vietnam) I slept through it! I enjoyed it.
I literally just finished the first part of the series and you drop this! Impeccable timing 😊
I'm buying a 27' to livaboard and start the whole life from scratch. This series is awesome. Of course, I've watched every single video of yours already most several times so that's a great foundation. It's amazing to see from when you were first sitting down at that table buying Tritea to here. It's a wonderful inspiring life story. Helps me to know I can do what I plan. One step at a time. I've had life changing events that made me realize it's time. Time to change it my way.
So, thank you again for all you do to share your world with us, and the wisdom. It's a priceless gift seeing...yeah...it can be done.
I would go with a 30 You won’t be disappointed. Catalina 30s are fairly inexpensive and they’re very beaming there’s a lot of room inside of them you get the most for your dollar with that vessel
@@TinCupChalice40 too big for me. You almost never see people solo sailing those. I figure there's a reason. But you are right, you can get them pretty cheap and they are roomy. I don't want something so big it intimidates me and I don't enjoy sailing as much as I can. There's something about the 27 that is more suited to solo. You see a million videos of it. I had a 25 I loved and lived on it for a couple of years. 25 was pretty small. I figure the 27 will be just right. I'm not going to sea. Just coastal is my dream. Chesapeake bay, Pamlico sound.. maybe further some day.
@@williamtownsend3279 I have never heard anybody say that before. I’ve been selling for over 50 years I had a Catalina 30 for 25 of those years I always felt it was the perfect size but I’ve never heard anybody call it “too big”. At least referring to my boat lol. ( I couldn’t resist, it was right there, down the center of the plate..lol). Good luck.
Thanks, James, I'm enjoying this series. Lots of opinions out there, but since leaving the States you've had to face several difficult situations and shown you're up to it, and that your thinking and planning have been on the mark.
These are good feet on the ground (ocean) reminders.
I was surprised that you didn't put standing rigging up there with new sales and vane.
You're right of course. Everyone likes the idea of a watermaker and shedloads of solar and batteries.
If the standing rigging needs to be replaced it’s an obvious must do.
Outstanding and excellent content . Currently in the middle of a refit on my 69 Alberg 30 Good ol boats . All the best from western Canada
Great video answering the big questions thanks!
Love this series!
Awesome, James!
Great video Thank you!
Great insights…great series.
Rich information series, thanks James!
Great info. Fair Winds
Episode 2 is fantastic.
Great information 👍
Great series...thanks a lot !!!
Best deal on sails is Far East Sails in Hong Kong , best German fabric and lowest price over all competition!
You make my day better. Thanks
Brilliant informative, Thankyou
You’re a great teacher! Thanks for these 🙏⛵️
Really informative. Thanks!
Brilliant James...just brilliant!!
Hey James. I have loved your series. I had not seen any until you left CA. You were clearly going through some stuff. Your journey has been honestly inspiring man. One step at time. Thanks for the effort I know it takes to share it with us man.
Another great one James. Thanks and much love
Thank you James for your knowledge and information on these subjects 👍
Great job on the video. You hit the nail on the head on several topics.
Great Seris James !!
Excellent thank you
Wonderful lesson
Thanks James, for sharing! A very good & useful video!
Another great Video James. Thanks for sharing - really informative and valuable insights I much appreciate 😊
What a great series of videos…i been a follower since the beginning days and have enjoyed all of the videos and knowledge you passed on to us
Good advice, thank you. I taken lots of notes... ❤
Such good reveal of so many questions we need to know. I'm so grateful.
Great insight.
Very well put together James. Although I haven't yet done ocean sailing but mostlly coastal sailing, I have been reading lots of great books about sailing, following other sailors and getting into a lot of things and pretty much I know all you are talking about. But that certainly will help lots of new sailors out there. Thanks for putting the effort and time to do these videos.
Thank you for good, down to Earth (or rather down to water) advices 🙂
I watched the first video and this is one is just as excellent. Great work, I'm certainly going to watch the whole series.
Thank you so much for this informative video. I really appreciate this very much.
Very good.
😊
He is an incredibly great Sailor.
Hi James! I’m a long time follower of yours and continue to look forward to every time you release new videos. I really appreciate this kind of advice. One day I hope to break free and cruise for extended trips. You have answered so many of my questions. Thank you!
I have sailomat 601, Now totally out of business, I was replacing eyebolt, same one not available, since then control rod fell off must go diving. I had 2 wind vanes kept this one since it was already installed. Other one I sold to Sam Holmes, he has sailed over most of North Atlantic. I would buy it back for what I sold it.
Awesome vid, 😊
Great reality check. I need to re think my next boat James. Fantastic advice
Brilliant stuff mate. I’m obsessed with the idea of living aboard before i retire and your videos are very useful in my planning.
Enjoying your new series and all your other vids. When I was a kid I lived aboard a 37ft Colvin Saugeen Witch from the 70's that did the inside passage to Alaska with my family. She was a aluminum hulled gaff rigged ketch and was an absolute beast at sea in the big swells. Older boats like yours are built like tanks and often worth the refit.
Thank you so much. You've pointed few things I've been sure of myself, so I just got more confident in these, but also some that I even didn't think about.
Great information
Excellent break down of needs and wants James👍
Thank you Maaaate 🙏😉
Thank you for another great video James. Hoping to get first sailing lessons in next month and go from there.
Brilliant video, so much good information and I couldn't dispute a single one of your opinions. I'm busy preparing my boat currently and it's good to feel that I'm not too far off the mark with my decisions so far, thank you🙂
Great video James, happy sailing.
Thanks cuz, came across your channel, I've been pining to get into sailing and now the seed is fully sowed.
Chur from a Kiwi in Oz who can't wait to learn more from you...next sell me old car to find it haha
Excellent talk!
This is all gold as im about to buy my first sailboat
Excellent James, concise and to the point. Thankyou. 🙏🙏🙏🌈🌈🌈
Gold mate. Thank you very much
Thank you
Good one James!
I am a small sailboat sailor-although I can afford a “proper” seagoing boat I am lured by small boat passage making stories.
Micheal Mann-Little Breeze a Montgomery 15-SoCal to Hawaii no GPS! Good book “Little Breeze to the West”
Tinkerbelle a OldTown 13’ converted day sailor-sailed by Cleveland’s own Micheal Manery. Massachusetts to England-Good book also. He was greeted by a Russian sub during a lull and they gave him a bottle of Vodka and sent a message to his wife!
Roger Taylor has a incredible 3 book series chronicling his multiple 80-90 day voyages on MingMing 1-2 converted 20 ish feet daysailors from the UK to the high Arctic. I would take his Ming-Ming 2 at 23’ anywhere on the Earth!
Tim Teplow in a Potter 19 SaFran to Hawaii. Hardest time of the trip was Going out of San Fran bay under the bridge!
And Finally
Strawanza a little known Montgomery 17 that did SoCal to New Zealand with intentions of sailing to Namibia but the sailor abandoned plans because of personal problems back home. It is currently in Australia.
I myself have a Montgomery 17 which I plan on Sailing SoCal to Hawaii within the next 3 years!
Of course a couple of crazy thrill record seekers in silly short boats.
Be well and keep up the great work!
Acrohc Australis - a short boat, but not silly! Owner built and circumnavigated by Serge Testa. Serge wrote a book too- '500 Days: Around the world on a 12 foot yacht.
I screenshot all of this to refer back to. Thank you!
Damn I wish CZcams let you like a video more than once
Excellent, well thought out and explained. Bit surprised you didn't say AIS receiver would have been on your required list. 👍
True about new boats. I helped deliver a brand new St. Francis 50ft. Cat from Cape Town to Annapolis MD. In 2016. Was delayed over a week with repairs to rigging and plumbing, then engine problems in the Caribbean. Overall, it was a wonderful boat after kinks worked out. You're on the right track with buying a tried and refitted boat or a remodeled classic car. You are never going to get your money back on either.
It's only worth it if you enjoy the build yourself. Enjoyed the video today, thanks.
really very very good mister thanks for putting in the time to make these series , as a new boat owner here in Norway im doing what you have done and can relate to this... can't say enough......well done sir ... would get on paterion but i'm using all my money to fix up this beauty and to buy shit for boats ain't cheep !!!!
I do appreciateappreciate your experience and advice about needs vrs wants. The previous owner of our 1991 BCC 28 did a 12,000 mile Atlantic loop. We have a refrigeration unit. It's a maybe we want, but we don't use it much. We've added a small B&G Zeus chartplotter but weren't sure what to do with the old Garmin. After you mentioned using somewhat outdated hardwired chartplotters in tandem with another newer unit is a good idea. Thanks for the info!
Awesome dude
James, you are an incredible wealth of experience and information. If you're not planning to already, I may make an archive of this channel or at least download all your videos for safekeeping. It is that valuable. Thanks for sharing!
Watching your channel has inspired me to buy a boat for cruising around the UK, at first!
As someone nearing the end of their refit, this was great! Thank you. I have redundancies, but your advice was even more helpful. Tech advice 18:00
Thanks again for a great episode. I agree with you on most topics. Less equipment is good. Less chance of things breaking down. But make an episode about solar cells, batteries and the amount of equipment that draws electricity. only a suggestion. Good luck.👍😊
Thanks
Just getting to know your channel James 👍👍 really enjoyed the holly and you live stream. I’ll take a step back and watch from start of your postings soon.
Fantastic video very informative indeed. Yes I have noticed a lot of the sailing you tuber have their boats with all the new gadgets. Luckily most of them are very capable of repairs themselves and have spare parts with them already. And in some cases the manufacturer of what ever malfunctioned flies a team or has a satellite facility in where they are or close to, but not in all cases.
Definitely a lot to think about if planning to purchase a boat to do long sails.
Sail Safe
I love your channel! You hit me in the gut a couple times, but I'm out cruising on a hunter... with starlink 😂 she's doin fine so far! Your videos are an inspiration, keep it up!
May all be well with you Bro. 😃👍
Your episode reminds me of a trip in the Sahara desert, where many had fancy stuff all over their car(4x4) for adventure, then after several weeks, all you wanted is the damn thing not to break down, and all you cared about was water, fuel and tires that didn't collapse under the strain, abuse and heat. Suddenly everyone was becoming modest. My most important item on board is a good anchor with a solid line and chain. It's the hand break of the sea.
Of all the CZcams sailors out there, you’re by far the most relatable. You’re someone anyone could see you in a cafe and easily sit down and have a coffee with (as long as you’re not BEING interrupted). Other creators focus more on entertainment, shock value, luxury, bikinis & boobs, etc; whereas your channel is the nuts & bolts of getting sh*t done! I began watching you when you had just got you SV, and yup… she was bare bones for sure. The trouble you went through with the engine… wow! But you did it and since then you’ve come SO FAR! Even getting kicked in the proverbial b*lls shortly before leaving port and dealing with the side effects of that, your perseverance was amazing to witness… those weeks of highs and lows, wind and dead calm, dangerous containers drifting at sea… you battled thru and managed to limp your way into harbor. That solidified your character to me and I’m sure to many many others‼️ You absolutely DESERVE all the good things that have come from your channel, and all the fantastic things yet to come. Huge respect man!
Awesome series BTW, ready to binge it now. Cheers from 🇨🇦
🤠👍🏼☮️
Thank you so much for this thoughtful and kind comment 🙏🏻
@@SailorJames You’re more than welcome! You truly DO deserve it, and nothing but kind and thoughtful comments from everyone. You keep doing what you’re doing, I can’t wait to see the full scope of the great things coming to you. 👍🏼☮️
Got a 33 cape dory recently love it
Great boats 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
And to take it to the extreme, Australian sailor Serge Testa circumnavigated (over 3 yrs) on his self built aluminium boat which was a shade under 12ft !!! Not that it is something I would wish to do. To me a 30ft boat is the minimum length to do some serious cruising, though plenty have sailed on smaller boats. The ideal length I think is actually 34 ft, (eg a S&S 34).
At the moment I am in the process of potentially buying a 30ft boat, and it’s a proven blue water boat (Swanson 30). It’s 48 yrs old and is extremely strong..The boat has a new engine, new sails, new primary self tailing winches, new folding prop with a sail drive, and new B&G wind instruments. Having sailed on this boat (harbour racing) and worked on it over the last 2 years I am comfortable in knowing its a very capable boat. It doesn’t have a shower and the head is cramped. The galley is only ok, nothing flash and there are a raft of minor improvements which could be made to improve its cruising ability but it’s competed in many major offshore races (S2H etc) and cruised to NZ and back from Tassie (2.5K nm each way).
Out here in Oz, boats are way more expensive to buy than in the US. I expect it going to cost me around $30K. And it needs some work and further upgrading, but the major costs have previously been dealt with.
I agree with your thoughts re use of inbuilt chartplotters vrs something like an Ipad, and initially this would be my approach also, but in truth I would like a chartplotter on the boat in addition to the other nav systems (inc charts).
Re radar, yes for most situations it’s not really necessary but an AIS receiver/transponder personally and importantly if you are a solo sailor these days I think actually makes a lot of good sense re your own safety at sea, especially if your making passages or sailing in crowded shipping zones. If your only coastal cruising then perhaps it’s not necessary.
Having crossed the Tasman crewing on a 40ft boat we had an Iridium go and predict wind and yes it was so good to have this. Another option for such communication is a Garmin inreach. Starlink at this stage I would avoid.
great advice, considering a Pacific Seacraft.
Pacific Seacraft my shortlist too…great pedigree!
Make sure your boat has a European CE A certification. Certified up to 63 knots (just below hurricane force).
why?
#1 Love your list and why people just never get off the dock. I do have one critique, the #1 way to SAVE $$$ on a sailboat.
NIT: IF you own a heavy duty sewing machine you can make your own sails from "old worn out sails" saving yourself FAR more than the cost of the sewing machine. Requires your TIME. Almost no one does it even though they should. All of the hard bits in old sails are 100% reusable in nearly all cases as well. For most, Sailing is a LUXURY to them, not actual work and they do not want to put in the effort. Eventually UV degradation happens but you would be surprised how long "old worn out sails" resewn actually last(10+ if not 15 years of continuous sailing when everyone tells you to get rid of sails ~7 years old. Besides you can continue to get FREE "old worn out sails" from other people and will eternally have "free" new sails. 100% sure everyone can make their own staysil and storm sail from old worn out sails saving the cost of the sewing machine all by themselves. It is frankly emmbarassing what people will pay for those VERY simple sails instead of making them with a sewing machine.
#2 Learn to apply bottom paint yourself by using the tides and beaching your boat instead of costly haul outs. Once again, a non cored boat is quite nice here...
Someone who isn’t a sail maker can’t make sails, they can sew fabric into the shape of sails but they will by no means perform the way actual sails perform
@@SailorJames Its not rocket science to get the shape you want. If you apply your brain for a bit it is not difficult at all. Sorry you feel intimidated... so do many others who haven't even tried. Just farm it out and spend gobs of money for something you can do yourself.
You are wrong 👍🏻
@@SailorJames Ah yes, the guy who has never even THOUGHT about HOW to make a sail is telling me I am wrong... Good one... Ah yes, you are so right, voodoo magic is required to make a proper sail... Hint: All it takes is observation of how a sail functions and a little knowledge on how to sew.
@@w8stralwow, you stooped to insulting someone who simply disagrees with you. ….
Great wisdom my boat a catamaran built in uk by an expert cat and boat builder done 40000nm what you said is true she’s ready to go now minor tidy needed😊
Great content, many thanks. I was a delivery skipper for many years and I love your "keep it simple" attitude. There were just a few items I would add to your list and strongly advise single-handers on smaller boats, apart from the most important one "Knowledge" of your boat and its systems. If you do not have RADAR then a VHF with AIS is really useful, an EPIRB, a life-raft, a proper sea anchor, a solid medical kit and knowledge of how to deal with cuts and broken bones. "Knowledge" is the single most important resource. Practice sailing locally, close to the shore, but for example, if you do not know how to change a fuse you might want to think twice about going out to sea in boat. It is a wonderful life, but if you have any weaknesses the sea will find them. Take it seriously and it will reward you beyond measure.
Thanks!
Thank you 🙏🏻
Great vid, just wondering if having a tender would make the list of things you need? Thanks
Lovely episode two but I was hoping for something on the important subject of Anchors (and cables) etc. as a "Must Have" item on a yacht!
svtriteia.bigcartel.com/product/archive-video-pdf-happy-hooker-anchoring-workshop
Anchors are obviously a must have as are sails
2 is 1 and 1 is none, totally agree.
I teach the USCG Captains course.
Many of my students want to start a fishing charter business.
The ones that succeed are the ones that understand needs vs wants.
Many spend so much money on all the gear they have always wanted but is not needed and then their business fails.
Thank you James , it's a wonderful initiative. Of course , the 30 ft or under boat size is geared realistically to solo sailors or fusional relationship couples of modest physical proportions . 😊 A part from that , a great reality picture .
“the 30 ft or under boat size is geared realistically to solo sailors or fusional relationship couples of modest physical proportions.” That sentence made me laugh out loud 😂
😂
Shout Sam in the Ranger 24! I used to sail a Ranger 24 (Libertad) on the Chespeak when i was a teen!
Kind of like back pack camping and Glamping - you need to choose how comfortable you want to be - and know the positives AND THE NEGATIVES of your choices.