Do we NEED a BIGGER Boat? - Kraken 50 Review | S09E09

Thanks to AeroPress for sponsoring today’s video!

[ KRAKEN YACHTS ]
Make sure you check out Kraken's YouTube channel: @KrakenYachts

Sailing around the world is risky and no matter how hard you try, you’re never going to completely eliminate that risk. But what if you could buy a boat that eliminated as much risk as humanly possible, without compromising comfort.
Well then you’d be buying a very expensive boat
Designing and building a Bluewater boat is always a compromise between three things; Seaworthiness, comfort, and affordability. For most of human history, Seaworthiness was by far the most important factor when choosing a boat for long distance voyaging. But today the vast majority of new “bluewater” boats are designed from the ground up, to be sold at boat shows. Seaworthiness is something that is not very marketable because green sailors find it hard to recognize at a glance. So boats that value seaworthiness struggle to compete when their interiors are smaller and their price tags are bigger, than all the other boats at the show.
But there is one up and coming boat builder that refuses to even go to boat shows for one simple reason. Kraken yachts, lead by it’s founder, Dick Beaumont, have decided that they will stop at nothing to build the most seaworthy, and yet very comfortable, long distance blue water cruiser in the world. This week we had the chance to tour the Kraken yard here in Turkey as well as to do a full review of their flagship model, the Kraken 50.
So what exactly do you get when you spend over a million dollars on a bluewater boat?
And, the question that’s been in our minds ever since we did this tour, is it time for us to upgrade?

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[umur]

Thumbs up for the Turkish boat building industry.Spearheaded by a hardy Englishman, engineers, technicians and infrastructure to support everything boating is something to be proud of for a sail boat owner (Turkish merchant mariner) like me. You can see the Kraken 50 is a boat you can take to circumnavigate the world without any doubt in your subconscious. Again a great video as usual from a very likeable family. Enjoy Turkey and thanks friends..

[jbl]

What an absolutely fabulous sailboat! This video was put together so much better than 99% of all the other sailboat tour videos I've seen. Dick is not only a boat building genius, but he's also a great man who obviously loves life and cares about the people who sail in his boats. Thanks so much for introducing him to us.

[casybond]

One of the best Kraken videos. Kraken looks great inside too, unlike the many IKEA-feel boats others make. About no-gas: Worked on an older boat, tearing out the gas installation; we found hand-tight, almost loose fittings (on copper tubing), tucked away up in a cupboard.

[Charlie-Oooooo]

One of the best 30 minute Kraken videos I've seen yet. This felt like a very "personal' boat review, for lack of better word - and anyway, all the nitty gritty specs are on the website. It’s also Dick Bowman's warmth towards people. He's become one of my favorite salty dogs in the community, and the fact that he's now building these beautiful boats is such a wonderful contribution to the market choices out there. It really feels like he's brought his 'A' game 💯 and thought of everything, based on his extensive sailing experiences. You can feel his heart and soul in the design. I hope he writes a book about how he gathered up all his experiences to build this smart, stout and work-of-art blue water boat - totally 'pimped out' ;-)

[rileybri]

Of all the blue water boats out there this is the one that excites me the most. You know the saying that if I win the lottery I won't tell anyone but there will be signs. This would be one of them. It's just such a well thought out boat.

[fredbrooks]

I just realized why I like you guys and your channel…. I really feel comfortable with your videos, the style you both use for delivery of your message and your honesty. I also liked Dick’s closing statement, ”…….. Don’t die saying I wish I would have done this…”

[larrysparks]

The last two videos you have put out are highly informative while still being entertaining. Keep up the good work.

[wallykramer]

Eliminating propane is so practical and such a future-proofing aspect. Two or three years ago, SV Delos got rid of all their propane too. Mostly it was motivated by eliminating the irritation of finding new adaptors for each country, but also for increased safety. That was combined with a more capable electrical system which supported induction burners all around. Probably for the oven too.
The cup holder gave me a chuckle. I have no doubt the yacht industry is placing lots of flashy accouterments all over that do nothing to improve the safety and seaworthiness of their vessels. It is really refreshing to hear of a boat builder who makes the safety and durability job #1!

[svfairisle]

Didn’t think you’ld manage to leave Turkey without stepping on a Kraken! Good to see Dick doing so well, one of the very few people putting together a boat for proper cruising.

[pittsman]

Bird in the hand…you sold me on you Atticus II. Dream on but stay grateful for what you have. Glad Desiree came up with the “but Atticus II is our home” statement. Probably not a great thing for a sailor to say but “stay grounded”. Enjoy the laurels of your hard work (no small task!) getting your current boat exactly the way you want. Your mental health will thank you. Have a great day, and enjoy your adventurous spirits!

[danalloyd]

I only just found your channel this morning and I must say, these are the best video(s) out there on sailing. You both are so honest with yourselves as well as your viewers on the highs AND the lows of living at sea. I’ve been contemplating sailing for many months now but have had many doubts about it until this morning, thanks to you two and, the Kraken builder, Dick. I’ve heard it before but he emphasized the point of ‘ not living your life, and then say, I wish I had done this or that’ (I paraphrased a little bit there.) It would be so easy for me to do that but, the three of you, the strength of your boat, it’s fit and finish and, all the little details and upgrades, which were awesome by the way, have truly given me the confidence to pull the plug on land lubber life and, live out a dream. Thank you both and, your beautiful little girl, for sharing your lives with us. May the Lord bless you in the next exciting chapter of your lives. Ps… I loved your boat, it was so refreshing to see a home so well taken care of and loved, without all the T & A shots for a few extra views and money from supporters. Thank you so much!

[hairyscotman]

Mr. Kraken was brilliant!!! A very smart team by having you detail his boat. Your descriptions were perfect....I'm SOLD!!! BTW, your daughter is cuter by the day....

[conradlogan]

I had enjoyed the interview with Dick by Mil.Falcon awhile back (also nicely done)
The Kracken is definitely a boat that sets standards higher than much of the current main stream production yachts.
You guys would definitely enjoy the upgrade—-but as you said, your needs are currently met with what you have
Thanks for another great production

[SuperCamij]

Okay. The access for maintenance is amazing! Seeing you squeeze & stand on your head is entertaining. A beautiful boat!❤️

[turipz]

One question though - most chainplates fail not as you described it (the paper clip analogy), but rather because the holes into which the standing rigging lines connect to grind away over time and become oval in shape until they eventually break from just getting too thin at the "eye" part that connects it to the line. Another common failure happens when you encase stainless steel in something that prevents oxygen from getting to it, which can lead to "crevice corrosion".

When that happens - you need to (and in most boats - you can) replace the whole chainplate. How do you do that with the chainplate being fully embedded into the fiberglass hull like it is in the Kraken?

[chrismack]

Thumbs up on the aeropress plug - nicely done, and it's the first sponsor bit in a sailing video that doesn't go on and on and i have to skip past. Thanks for keeping it short and to the point. Actually made me want to get one!

[khristopherhobkirk]

I love how Dick is in all the pics. Awesome. Seems like a really good guy when included in the video and loves what he does for livening.

[lplate]

I could listen to Dicks views on sailing which are so logical all day, and to see it all encompassed in a Kraken is amazing. Great episode folks.

[johncrisp]

Beautiful boat. So nice to be with an owner who understands first hand.

[Who.is.Clinton]

Man oh man that Kraken 50 is beautiful, solid, sleek...Dear Santa:-)