Bluewater Sailboats 101: Under the Boat (Part 1)

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.

Helpful Links:
USCG Capsize Report from 1972:

Bob Perry Design Reviews (All):

Lessons from the CNB66 Tragedy:

Champagne Hippy Story:

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

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Companies we love👨‍👩‍👦‍👦

⛵ Chapters:
0:00 - Intro & Overview
1:21 - Your Instructor
2:43 - The MOST Important Question
4:26 - How Fiberglass Boats are Built
6:17 - How Racing has Influenced Cruising Boats
9:11 - The TRICK to Comparing Two Boats
10:19 - Hull Shape: Double Enders
11:18 - Hull Shape: Overhanging Stern
11:55 - Keel Shape Pros and Cons
18:20 - Rudder Types Pros and Cons
20:29 - Lessons Learned
22:11 - Next Video

[loghomebuilder]

A kindred spirit. I'm a retired Navy submariner and am thinking about embracing the cruising lifestyle. I'm glad a found your channel.

[syd]

You are a natural teacher, your enthusiasm for the subject and your ability to make complex issues understandable to your audience helps make your videos easy and enjoyable to watch and your advice worth gold. Thank you Sir.

[Ravenlight_]

Former USN frigate sailor with nearly two years at sea, and boy, I do miss it. My family is grown; I'm about to remarry, and when I told her about my dream to sail the world once again, she said, ' Whatever you want. ' I don't know what that means... Anyway, I am re-educating myself about nautical life and learning about sailing seamanship, and your videos are very educational. BZ!

[richardbell]

Great video James - no right and wrong, just pros and cons to consider for the type of sailing you want to do. Simply explained and easily understood. I learned a lot, really useful. Cheers.

[Maulzy]

I have exactly zero interest in buying a boat, but I found this very interesting none the less thanks to your way of explaining and experience.

[nearlynativenursery]

Sir Capt James, your teaching and instructive methods is way above the chart of such ASA I took or other educator schools. You are in the highest group with Dick Beaumont and John Kretschmer for sure. Jim Rodgers

[pensareconfondeidee]

Hello Hello James. What a discovery on YouTube, You! An ex US-navy, speaking Spanish, with an Italian "gipsy" name, tons of sailing experience and a clear and logical way to explain things. Great! 🤩

[Simon-No_agro_tho]

One of the more helpful videos I've found with more of the real practical considerations.
Many people neglect to mention anything about the rudder and keel setup but here I'm finding answers for what should be fairly standard boat questions.
Good video thanks.

[Fastbikkel]

My only complaint with this movie here is the audio. This is seriously interesting stuff, thanks for sharing.

[AfricanFlightStar]

Thank you Capt James, such good advice! I'm with you on all counts. I'm building my short list of preferred offshore sailboats for my upcoming sailing chapter next year, and appreciate all your advice. Your consulting services are def a part of my boat-buying plans. Now on to Part 2 of this, cheers!

[no.]

Extremely useful. Clear analysis and advice that is hard to find these days.

[karenholmes]

I watched this video several months ago and then watched the Vendee Globe and saw just what you meant by how much pounding there is on that triangular shaped hull. I was constantly amazed how they could have survived the race.

[davidjackson]

On yr fiberglassing repair bevel - what supprised me was a repair job did the bevel as expected - then lays one piece along the entire bevel then builds up the shallows from there. Which now in hindsight on what you said makes better sense - as theres one link of "continuty" with the hull while backed up and supported with the inner filler build up layers. Im looking at getting a Pacific 38 built by the boat builder as his own - kaori wood with fiberglass over the top. Im not a sailor yet. And have plenty of ideas to improve what i dont like - such as normal boom set up - like being near a bad tempared drunk with a baseball bat in hand if your not careful. Im sure it was one of your videos i was watching a couple of years ago - sailing into Hawaii at night having to call the coast guard - as water was leaking into the hull. I thought it might have been engine seal or now it could have been plastic fitting snapping. Either way I dont want that so am resolved to taking prop shaft out and perminently sealing it up and make an electric system but make it like an outboard set up that you can retract the prop when not in use. Idea being to avoid potential leaks / to be able to clear prop of any tanglements / to get off the zinc system. I also want to go nice smooth 2 pac paint and wipe the hull {mow the lawns} every couple of weeks. Speaking of rudders I dont want hole through hull again and took some parts off a scrapped yacht and duly noted its rudder was completely external - like hinges or something. Im going to go electric and an engine will serve as a generator instead. I like your shows - good valuable information. Normally I watch these shows for female booty. Ahg... "3 rudders." I have a cat idea What would you know about mono verse cat verses tri. I notice the tri Ive seen basically look like a mono with pontoons. Im thinking maybe down the line for living space - turn the mono into a tri and build on top like a cat. Want the extra pontoons to serve for storage and junk out of the way.

[Aevoguitar]

I have an alpa super maica, encapsulated keel, skeg .overhang hull .i feel happy after watching this.

[icemantree]

stumbled on your channel via the Rescue Yara series and really enjoying this education vid... perfect balance of explanation and examples to help someone new like me understand (and remember)... i know this might be a change of direction (lets call it tacking 😅) in your channel but hope you continue this educational series... looking forward to the next!

[Rottingboards]

I loved the overlapping of hulls for comparison.

[foolwandering]

I can concur man you have pushed the limits I've been watching you a long time and you have pushed the limits and you know your s***

[Aevoguitar]

Your my best you tube sailor by the way, great knowledge and advice👍

[inpersonaDK]

Cool shirt and thanks for sharing. Excellent

[ECE]

James.
EXCELLENT video bro!
OMG I learned so much.
Awesome. Keep em coming. Please
👍🏻👊🏻🇨🇦