Bluewater Sailboats 101: Outside the Boat (Part 2)

Learn how to choose the perfect bluewater sailboat for offshore cruising, focusing on critical topside features and rig setups. Avoid the common pitfalls and find the safest, most capable sailboat for sailing around the world.

❤️ THESE VIDEOS TAKE A TON OF WORK; CONSIDER SUPPORTING US ❤️

Useful Links:
USCG Capsize Report from 1972:

Bob Perry Design Reviews (All):

Lessons from the CNB66 Tragedy:

Champagne Hippy Story:

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Companies we love:

Chapters
00:00 - What you’ll learn in pt.2
1:10 - How Freeboard and Sheer Affect Sailing
4:24 - How to Spot a Wet Sailboat
5:03 - Why do Offshore Sailors Prefer Cutter Rig Boats?
7:37 - Which Rig Type is Better - Sloop, Ketch, or Solent?
9:50 - Why is Heaving-To so Important?
12:43 - Inspecting Topside
14:18 - Inspecting the Deck
15:42 - Inspecting Hatches
16:51 - The Bluewater Transom
18:02 - Words of WARNING
19:25 - Summary
22:54 - Boats Under $100k
24:43 - Boats $100k-$250k
25:59 - Boats $250k-$500k
27:39 - Boats Over $500k

[Siralantoon]

Never had a boat, never really sailed and never felt the call of the sea.
So why am I sitting here watching you.
Partly because I find boats very beautiful but mostly because knowledgeable, enthusiastic people are intrinsically interesting and uplifting.
I have subscribed and look forward to future video's.

[markbigalke]

Having circumnavigated on a Cherubini 44 Ketch over 9 years, this is EXCELLENT advice.

[paulrasmussen]

What I love is that he’s had the experience of fixing all of the fancy features. It’s so not worth it. Simplicity and safety is the best sleep at night

[robertgranafei]

Excellent advice, and hopefully those new to sailing will follow it. An observations: the illustration for the West Sail 32 is really a Hans Christian 33T which in fact is a very dry boat. In the 100k and under category I would recommend the Contest 38s which is not only properly built but also a very good off-shore boat. Finally, thank you for featuring my Hans Christian 48T Bravura . I had her custom built in 1987 and owned her for 32 wonderful years. She carried me and my crew safely and quickly over 50, 000 nm without serious failure or concern. A true blue water boat.

[SalingSamantas]

You know what jims. I'm impressed. I know you got a lot of hours to see or miles or whatever you want to call it days, but most people miss most of the very valuable points you're making. It's so important to have a simple out to see. You know even a roller furler is a danger out to see if it works. It's great if it fails you're screwed simple as best

[nearlynativenursery]

The absolute best presentation on the many critical features of true voyaging cruising boats. Experience provides reasoning and logic and it speaks the truth always here.Very well done James.

All the Very Best!
Jim Rodgers

[panheadbob]

"Don't listen to the Hype". As a Beginner, I've been waiting to hear this Statement. Just subscribed because you confirmed what I've been thinking, ...🤔

[davidbarten]

James, I'm 63, with 52 years on the helm. I've owned 7 boats, and driven hundreds... Your words are SFA!! (So ucking ACCURATE) - seriously touching on the key components of boat review, choices, rakes to step on... I know you would throw my boat under the Cruise Ship but like you said it's a trade off and hundreds of them have already globe trotted... and I get my varnish wholesale...and a sucker for pain it's my second one!!! Wishing you and your family the best! If I dip on the farm / castle building series I already did that when my kids were born and sold Sea Whisper for a ranchita...Anyway thanks for some great content!! You know your shizzz...

[webheadusa]

James, my thoughts after watching 1 & 2 of 2: If what I know now I had known when I was 18, I would have headed to Florida walking the docks to get on board a sailboat as crew to learn. Had that boat been you or someone with experience like yourself, I would have been like a sponge - wanting to learn about all aspects of the boat, sail selection, sail material, how to plan movement, navigation. weather, tide, current, charts, tools, how to repair, where to go, and whatever else. I would have wanted to be educated. Your 2-part series and the episodes with Plucky discussing what different types of boats offer are eye-opening. So much to learn, so much terminology. Best I can do now is to watch the channels and enjoy the content. Terrific 2-part series. See ya! :¬) Webhead USA

[rafaelhubbard]

Great emphasis on the heave-to capability.

[theapwight]

Originally coming across your channel I thought you were just another sailor with a hot chic sailing around trying to make me jealous. Well you've got game when it comes to sailing knowledge. I like it👍

[rickydee]

Many thanks .i have learnt much from this video.i have watched many hundreds of videos on all things sailing but have never seen a video where the information was so well thought out and concise .you coverered every aspect of yacht selection here .many thanks

[christopheroconnor]

I don’t always trust YouTube but when it comes to advice about hull leaks, I’ll trust a submariner.

[colmidge]

Fantastic advice, best ive seen on how to choose a boat.

[mikehoy]

This was well done. Good point about heaving-to not just being for heavy weather. My dad and I would do it even in relatively gentle conditions just to have a comfortable lunch.

[lovetoride]

Thank you for these two videos. You have taught me important aspects about offshore sailing!

[Darthtonious]

Sounds like great advice. My dream boat is a Moody DS 48. This video makes me feel better about never being able to afford one lol

[wihdinheim]

oh wow I'm going through all of your videos (love the content!) and I gotta say the long hair rocks, I was almost shocked to see this one ;) awesome videos captain, fair winds!

[demetrisdemetrious]

lol 😂😂😂 don’t want to see my grandma standing on the mast
great advice just what I needed
I sail a Hanse 430e which is comfortable fast beautiful boat but changing it for a 390 Najad as I am now heading out to ocean sailing
So watching this has cemented my decision for a change even more
Great advice
Thank you

[danield]

This is the best sailing advice I've heard.