Kudos to both of you. I have read and written many marine technical documents during my 30+ year career as a Naval Architect. Your E-Book is very well done and a must-have for anyone planning to do blue water passages on a 40 to 46 foot Beneteau Oceanis of our vintage (2007 to 2012). These boats are very similar to each other in so many ways. It is now filed in my boat's e-library. Thanks for taking the time to publish it!
Thanks so much Randy we have spent quite some putting it all together so your feedback is much appreciated. Hope the book can provide you plenty of value for your journey on the Beneteau!
I still don't understand these stupid discussions going around the Web, who decides if a boat can be considered bluewater or not? Expensive or cheaper? Good or Bad? Typology and specifications? Why doesn't a specific body establish it according to strict criteria to which all manufacturers must adhere? Who controls who and how? According to what regulation? And recognised by whom? Do we still want to believe in the fairytale of the CE mark? Which, by the way, I see it written everywhere even on my underpants! So I don't think we need to be a naval architect to understand a very simple, if not obvious, concept that regardless of the builder, whether it is Beneteau or any other, there is a legislative and regulatory VOID in this sector that concerns not only the construction and design, choice of the materials and their origin, the absolute lack of supervision by any recognised third independent body from the design, the construction, up to the delivery of this type of boats, the lack of training and professional courses for the staff employed by these yards, which would make the most stubborn navigator pale. The truth is that these shipyards do what they want and their constructions have one and only one denominator the profit!
That last wave that appeared to be breaking just short of the stern is interesting. In similiar conditions (winds @ 40kn or so, big waves hard to tell how big) on other boats I've crewed, the skipper/owner usually furled the main and we sailed on trimmed jib alone, sometimes on a pole, sometimes a broad reach, and still kept our speed up with less strain on the rig. You all looked fairly comfortable here, was there at any time reason to think that a part of the rig or structure was under undue stress and liable to break (it's usually a shackle that holds the jib or genoa atvthe topnofthe mastvthat got torsion twisted and readtvto part when inspected later in port.)
People swim across the channel, row across the Atlantic and we applaud them. Do what you want. A 40ft Beneteau in comparison is a perfectly rational choice of boat, and I believe your upgrades are very well judged. A modern production boat has many advantages in design, equipment and cost. Ignore the naysayers - you're young and living the dream and your boat enables that, and I'm sure you love her for it. I say well done to both of you.
I fully agree with Philip. I am owner of a similar production boat. I made almost the same upgrades you did. I am sailing all the Med and willing to cross Atlanic and doing Carribean with her. At the same time personally I am also planning to change boat before engaging into the Pacific. But it is a choice. And I would not trust more a similar budget old blue water cruiser just becouse she « was » built as a blue water one. At the end it is a matter of redundacy. And the speed of the boat relative to the budget (and whether forecsts) provide a mitigation to the luck of redundancy. And as a matter of fact many construction boats including Dufour andf Bavaria circumnavigated the world already. It looks to me you know the long and short of what you are doing. Enjoy it. Massimo
I still don't understand these stupid discussions going around the Web, who decides if a boat can be considered bluewater or not? Expensive or cheaper? Good or Bad? Typology and specifications? Why doesn't a specific body establish it according to strict criteria to which all manufacturers must adhere? Who controls who and how? According to what regulation? And recognised by whom? Do we still want to believe in the fairytale of the CE mark? Which, by the way, I see it written everywhere even on my underpants! So I don't think we need to be a naval architect to understand a very simple, if not obvious, concept that regardless of the builder, whether it is Beneteau or any other, there is a legislative and regulatory VOID in this sector that concerns not only the construction and design, choice of the materials and their origin, the absolute lack of supervision by any recognised third independent body from the design, the construction, up to the delivery of this type of boats, the lack of training and professional courses for the staff employed by these yards, which would make the most stubborn navigator pale. The truth is that these shipyards do what they want and their constructions have one and only one denominator the profit!
Great video, straight to the point, no BS. Really like the way you’ve set up the boat, especially the rig. Excellent organization of gear and equipment. 👍🏻
thnaks again for this video that I watched for the second time (at least). I bought your 2 e-book, to thank for those explaination. My goal is to cross the atlantic (East->West) the next year...
A) there are more beneteaus on the ocean than all other brands combined, and more crossing oceans than any other single brand. B) you can cross in anything if you watch the weather window properly.
I love your videos, they have a great style and tone - please keep it up. Having discovered your channel this week I have just binge watched it all. We have an Oceanis 361 from 2003 which we purchased this year - our plan is to build experience and confidence sailing the West Coast of Scotland and North of Ireland for the next few years and then when we retire we hope to buy a slightly bigger boat - 40/45ft and see where life takes us ( somewhere warmer...). The Oceanis range of boats are certainly blue water capable with a few upgrades and careful planning. Fair winds and looking forward to seeing the rest of your adventure. 👍. Just downloaded your ebook too 👍
Thanks so much for your support! Much appreciated 🙏. I’m sure you’ll build experience pretty quick on the West coast of Scotland. Good luck on your journey and fair winds 🤙
Great vid, well put together and thought out. The main question ‘is this boat good enough for ocean crossings’ is fairly simple to answer. Every boat has somewhere a builder’s data plate, on this plate you’ll find reference to a ‘design category’ - A, B, C or D. Category A is ‘Ocean’ - designed to be capable and self sufficient in wind that may exceed force 8 and wave heights in excess of 4m. Obviously there are boats out there in category B (offshore), C (inshore) and D (sheltered waters) that are taken across oceans but consider the implications of your insurance not paying out should something happen and you have to bail into the life raft with your beacon. FYI Oceanis 40 is Class A, as are most boats above 30 ft.
I bought the e-book and skimmed it. It looks to be a concise and useful collection of what's probably been many hours of research for you. I'm learning as much as I can about sailing because that will probably be the next adventure when we have had a few years traveling in the bus. It'll be awhile... Likely when the nest is empty.
Cheers mate and thanks for the support. Sure was some research and work to put together throughout our journey. Hope it provides some value, good luck with your adventure 🤙
They said the titanic was unsinkable…so in my humble opinion damage control on any boat would be my first question on any boat crossing a body of water… people row skiffs across an ocean.
Thoughtful and thorough preps, and I can't fault your basic premise: If you are thoughtful about the production boat you choose for trade wind ocean crossings, and then you strengthen its abilities to match the demands of long distance cruising, you should have no regrets. Excellent presentation - congratulations!
Your book is an absolutely fantastic resource. For only $10 it’s a steal and a no-brainer. Many thanks 🙏 to you for doing this work. Very very helpful.
The whole debate about whether a boat is "blue water" or not is ridiculous. The most common argument being: a blue water boat must have a skeged rudder and an integral keel. Yet no one would argue that Amel, Oyster or HR (to name a few) are blue water, yet they've all done away with skegs and all have bolt-on keels. As for Beneteau specifically, the Tiki Rafiki disaster forced Beneteau to change the way they build their boats and the result is that they now have very solidly built hulls. I mean seriously, do you know how many people charter these things? If they weren't safe, they wouldn't be the largest sailboat builder in the world. So I say if a production boat is what you can afford, buy it and get out their cruising. As for the nay sayers, they're either keyboard warriors, trying to justify their $million+ purchase or will spend the rest of their lives trying to save enough money for the perfect boat. And to that I say that the perfect boat is the one that gets you out on the water (warts and all) sooner rather than later. I wish the two of you the very best in your adventures and look forward to watching your channel grow! Cheers!
Yes it’s a never ending debate for sure and your correct that the BW examples usually given have all moved away from the features that apparently make them BW suitable. We also agree there is some arguments driven purely by purchase justification. In saying all that there has been times on a bumpy crossing we have yearned for a skeg rudder and integral keel but for now we’ll stick to the best boat is the one you have rule! Cheers and fair winds!
Hi Sam & Nicole Just watched arguably one of the most informative videos for anyone with an interest in crossing an ocean in a production boat. Your openess with information is to be applauded. As you know we are in the process of planning our our journey and this video has given a lot of pointers and food for thought for us to ponder on. Thank you again. Keep safe.
Thanks for the kind comment and glad you got some good value from the vid. No worries at all and all the best with your planning to head offshore. Take care and fair winds 🤙
According to the armchair admirals, all Beneteaus immediately lose their keels and sink as soon as you lose sight of the shore. It is well known that only full-keeled 70+ year old boats are the only ones capable of crossing anything more than a puddle.
PS to my post below. Every Sailboat I have had has been a Conventional Rig with Classic Mast and Main Sail with Lazy Jacks and Stack Packs and Hank on Sails, apart from my last boat which had a Furling Genoa on a basic Sloop with no inner forestry (I don’t like them tbh) Maximum fun was bouncing around on the foredeck changing Sails, loved it. They all can be made to work but Disability forced on me learn what a total pain in the backside to work with a Classic Mast really is, hence my Conversion to - after a serious look into them in Mast Furling, and the UV protection they can offer. Battens in them cause serious wear and tear, and seriously shorten the Life of already short lived Crosscut Dacron Sails and seriously reduce furling and unfurling reliability. So as a Cruiser looking for Reliability and a long Service Life Shape maintaining Sail, I started looking for a Sailmaker that would make me a Triradial Furling Battenless Main. It turned out to be quite a long search. Usually only getting the response “We Only Make Batten Ones” Eventually, I got a Yes, we’ve made a number of them, and if you need heavy duty Offshore specification, just tick the box on the order form - this from Precision Sails, and much to my surprise, they added, that the Triradial Construction recovers most of the power lost by having No Battens ! Wow. Now they do cost from about double a Crosscut Dacron Sail, but instead of being Stretched and buggered inside three years, with occasional Valeting, and re stitching, they can maintain their shape well for over 20 years- So cost per year of Service Life Plummets. Same goes for a Furling Triradial Genoa too as Reinforced Reefing Points to retain shape can be added. Partially Furl a Crosscut Dacron one, and the Sail Shape can be buggered within a few hours. So I’m thinking of about around a 140% Triradial Genoa, to have enough Sail room to properly fit three Reefing points, or a self tacking Jib plus a Furling Reaching Code Zero to fill in the Wind angle gaps plus a Furling Gennaker depending on Sailmaker advice. Since, other Sailmakers, including Quantum, Ullman, and others have started offering Battenless Furling Triradial Mainsails as well, so things look up. Bob. 👍⛵️🌟🌟🌟
The sheeting angles can make a huge difference with rolling. Use tweakers and adjust the raveller to make it as comfortable as possible. Then sometimes a slow roll in a swell can improve performance greatly. Its called ooching.
Hello .... big congratulations !!!! It is one of the best videos I have seen, not only addressing the situation about production sailboats such as "blue waters", but also because of the order and logic posed in front of each fraction required to sail safely on the high seas or in a lagoon. . I am preparing a Jeanneau 469 with the same concepts and I felt very pleased and reflected with what they have done. Only that I will go against the traffic, from Chile to Europe, including Norway in some of my routes
Wow thanks so much for your words! 🙏 super glad you enjoyed the video and had some value to take away! Sounds like a great voyage you have planned in a nice big Jeanneau, best of luck and fair winds!
Great boat. Our friend Mark is 1.5 times around the planet on his Beneteau 393. Stay sail/cutter rig is probably the main 'bluewater' safety feature, as is your attention to detail and wear items.
There is nothing wrong with a Beneteau. I owned a 461 and it was a solid boat, quite fast and was well furnished. I had it modified from a four cabin to a three cabin to make it more livable to me. I agree with your sail modifications, it needs a self tacking jib and a third reef in the main. I had the teak decks refurbished and replaced the foredeck to give it a new life. The exhaust elbow replacement is a must. Mine was almost completely blocked. I replaced all the hoses, throttle cable, standing and running rigging, the guide wires and batteries to increase the storage to 560ah. You can never have enough! The fin keel needed some work due to corrosion. You can argue all day long about a blue water boat and I agree a steel or aluminum keel is safest, particularly with a full length keel but they are hard to maneuver backwards and slow. Amels have a fin keel and so do lots of other boats costing a lot more money and most boats today are made of fiberglass. I have heard you tubers sneer about “plastic fantastic” boats when that is exactly what their boat is. Ignore the detractors, you have a solid boat which will serve you well.
I liked it! I am an experienced blue water sailor, and on my 3rd long term boat, and in this very position of converting or changing boats, and I want to convert :-) I do not plan to be in the narrow band of conditions/locations that would sink a plastic fantastic, but spare a blue water boat....it is not a very broad band.... A side note, you should mention that the Hydrovane is essentially a pre-rigged emergency rudder, which considerably offsets the risk associated with the spade. I consider this essential insurance and peace of mind in the blue water with my 'fin n spade', never mind the great crew member it is who sails better than anyone, eats nothing, never sleeps, and doesn't miss a windshift :-)
Thanks Paul. Yes certain conditions would warrant a BW boat but the majority of tropical cruising destinations would not. We are very happy with the Hydrovane and it has served us well on passage and provided good peace of mind in event of a rudder failure. Cheers
The paddle speedsensor should be taken out after the trip and replaced with the dummy. Second I would place the wooden bungs next to the thruhulls so in case they are already there.
Modern cruisers seem so much easier to live on, which unless you plan to spend all your time in the middle of an ocean is not a bad plan. I think the real issue is acknowledging and planning for the weaknesses of a modern cruiser.
Sam Holmes sailing / wind hippie sailing both boats crossing oceans. 50 years ago there was no iridium go or windie apps, when you had to be be prepared for storms/waves. Pick your weather window and have your batteries ready.
I met a guy in Fiji who hollowed out a tree built a mast in peru and sailed across the Pacific. And a guy who bought a boat for a dollar off Craigslist on a different trip to Fiji. you can do it in all almost anything. On a production boat I would modify the rudder tube and attachment etc.& probably not heading into high latitudes
It doesn’t sound like you guys are new to this, it sounds like an extensive amount of research has been made here, Although many experts say these boats are not recommended for blue water, It’s awesome to see you guys getting it done, We’ll done,
I think it was the late Patrick Childress (RIP) who, many years ago, sailed a Catalina 27 around the world after beefing it up for sailing the oceans. Three years ago another guy I saw on You Tube sailed a Catalina 27 from California to Hawaii. Sam Holmes made a similar crossing to Hawaii on a 23 FT Ranger about a year earlier. More recently a young Polish guy built a 16 FT plywood sailboat, purpose-designed for the passage, and sailed it across the Atlantic Ocean. Webb Chiles, among his many voyages, made it 3/4 of the way around the planet in an open (no cabin) sailboat, I think it was 18 or 20 FT. Famously in 1965, 16 year-old Robin Lee Graham sailed his 24 FT sloop named Dove around the world solo. James Baldwin has circumnavigated twice in his very simply outfitted 28 FT Pearson Triton. The first time around with no engine. And of course probably the most famous sailing couple, Lin and Larry Pardey circumnavigated their 24 FT home-built wooden Seraffyn, the "wrong way" around the Southern Ocean, also without an engine. These and many other stories are proof that you don't need a Westsail, Island Packet or Pacific Seacraft to make a safe passage across an ocean. What you need is experience, good judgement, selection of proper season, route and a good weather window, and appropriate rigging and equipment. If anything, your Beneteau is probably overkill the way you've prepared it, for trade winds passages.
Amazing technical common sense. Total common sense would include not putting tinder in with gas…paper towels in gas locker!! Sorry just had to point that out. Cheers!!
I much appreciate this video. I bought my Bavaria 40 / 200s2 in Slovenia, sailed through the Med to the Canaries, milk route into the Caribbean and from there to the Chesapeake where I live. I admit that the voyage was done somewhat blue-eyed and underequipped. As I now approach retirement age with the intent to go blue water again I am faced with the decision to keep and upgrade her or sell and get a "true" blue water yacht. My first question to you would be: How about keel and rudder. I assume your Beneteau has a spade and bolted on keel, same as my Bav. Do you have any concerns on either design and did you / do you consider upgrades / strengthening ? Secondly: With all the equipment you put on, what does your boat now weigh and does that effect performance? Lastly: How much money did you spend on all the upgrades? Handbreit.
Thanks for you comment and kind words. Sounds like a nice trip you made. It’s a tough decision and on round two we could face the same decision depending on our sailing climate. Some things are heavy such as jerry cans on deck and anchor chain and I’m sure it affects our performance but we do try to keep it light. The costs added up but over time we would have spent the same on a house. We have detailed every $ spent in the ebook that supplements this episode with a large section in the appendix www.sailingbeaver.com/product/bluewatercruiser
Guys, please look up the various rallies crossing the Atlantic or Pacific or Australia upto Indo....they list the vessels, make, size ect....there in lies your answer.
And Lyn and Larry Pardy sailed round the world in a 26 ft wooden boat(talasin) no engine and only sextant and old charts. And you are worried that a forty footer is not capable. I believe it was captain Bly that sailed an open boat from africa to Indonesia. Harden up guys!
Both extraordinary achievements you mentioned and very inspirational, although neither were appropriate vessels for the job at hand. Obviously! Our boat is capable but the question was that of suitability and to that, many answers are valid. Thanks for your feedback sir.
Just about any boat 'can' cross an ocean, I do not think if a boat 'can' is the issue. Is it safe to do is the question. I personally would not do a circumnavigation in a boat that did not have a protected prop and rudder, nor would I trust a bolt on keel. Think of a cargo container 3 feet below the surface.
There is a modified attachment plate available for the Vang boom attachment. It is much more substantial and has more attachment points and was only 250 sterling. A very good investment!
We crossed the atlantic 3 years ago on our B43 which is quite similar to your boat. We made this first crossing with the boat as we bought it. We are now preparing to leave next summer for a 5 year trip and replaced, modified, reinforced a lot of stuff. New sails, purpose made (reinforced). New sprayhood and bimini with 400 watt semi flexible pv panels on the bimini. Lithium batteries and modification of alternator charging to protect alternator. New motormounts, replaced all standing rigging with dieform. Installed watermaker, …. And the list goes on and on. With our experience i could maybe make some small additions to your ebook
Good job Francis, some great boat jobs ticked off the list especially the lithiums and watermaker. If your interested the ebook can be downloaded at www.sailingbeaver.com/shop/
So what has been the cost of all these upgrades? Surely you could have bought a higher quality yacht if you'd looked around better? All those upgrades took a lot of time and patience to install, congratulations.
Thanks it sure did. We have a very detailed summary of all the costs and upgrades in the ebook. It’s a tough question about a different yacht as our plans have evolved well after we purchased and the upgrades were over quite some time but we have sure learnt a lot along the way. 🤙
The Quartermaster* Very impressive and well thought out! One thing that we carried on our Beneteau 40 c/c was a Luke 3pc. 80lb, fisherman storm anchor. This saved tons of space when broken down and could be put together with just 3 large locking pins. 100 ft of three eights triple strength chain and 300 ft, of three quarters triple braid nylon rode. When things looked hairy it was nice to know it was on board! Best wishes and safe travels!
I hope I'm correct with your names, Sam and Nicole! We do share the same boat manufacturer Beneteau. My wife and I purposely bought our 40 foot c/c for live aboard cruising. We never once felt that our boat was not a capable blue water cruising yacht! Your videos are professionally done with a great mix of actually sailing in a lot of different conditions and taking us along seeing the fantastic Islands and friendly inhabitants! Best wishes ❤️ to a beautiful couple! Steve and Paula S/V Adios
I think a lot of people could use this video as an example of how to impart wisdom with just the right amount of detail in an articulate no nonsense but friendly way . Its sort of ok ploughing through the mumblings and meanderings of happy folk with the details of their passion project but this is so different and a joy to watch . Not to mention what an excellent job youve done with the boat ! I feel you two have rare skills. Thank you so much
Excellent job setting up the boat for offshore. You might consider mounting the EPIRB on the cockpit rail. If you get rolled over at night, or have a fire which can fill the boat with smoke in a matter of seconds, you can't get to the EPIRB and it can't float free. Speaking of getting rolled, a bluewater boat will have a higher ballast to weight ratio and a narrower hull so that it comes back upright even in a severe knock down. Hull shape and weight also give a bluewater boat a slower, more comfortable motion. Crew skill and attitude are the most important factors for passage making, as well as having the right equipment on board. You can sail just about anywhere with your setup, but a "true bluewater boat" will still make a difference in the worst of conditions.
Some very good informative points here, thanks for that. A good idea with the float free beacon one worth considering. We would also have to agree with the kinder motion on heavier ballasted vessels. Cheers
More beneteau's cross oceans than any other manufacturer 😁 I argue the capabilities of beneteau daily, people who say they can't cross oceans have never crossed a bathtub and have no idea what they are talking about
Just watched your video regarding your systems on your boat. I was very impressed with your thoroughness with each system, it is very apparent you worked through each system completely. Kudos, a lot of people think that you just get on a boat and go. Just take a look at sailing gbu
You can absolutely cross oceans in a Bene, with that being said it is not a suitable long term blue water boat. Your Atlantic crossing part 3 highlighted that perfectly. You will probably make it just fine but it will be an uncomfortable and a sketchy ride at times. Uncomfortable and sketchy are not the attributes of a blue water cruiser. Humans have been building boats to cross oceans for hundreds of years and we know what designs work better than other designs. There is no sense in me listing all of the things that make the Bene less than ideal because you already know them and it doesn't really matter to your adventure. You have outfitted your boat about as well as you can considering it's limitations. I applaud you for getting out there and doing it even if the boat wasn't really designed for it long term. It makes me happy to see young people out there and sailing long term.
Very well worded there sir and couldn’t agree more. An interesting point to mention the long term suitability being limited as we could imagine the workload would be far less in rough weather on a deep and heavy BW boat as compared to our light “excited” hull shape. Thanks for tuning in 🙏
@@SailingBeaver friends that have completed an Atlantic Circuit in a Grande Solie. They said their next boat would be more bluewater. Heavier was their main consideration
@@francisverhelst9375 so I guess you sail a light boat. We have crossed the Atlantic both ways. Once in a light boat. Once in a heavy Bluewater boat. The heavier boat was far more comfy. You sleep better, it's quieter, it doesn't slam to windward. It's drier, has far better storage and fully loaded with gear for liveaboard it's faster than the light boat also fully loaded. We could not go back to lightweight boat for crossing oceans or living aboard full time. Of course you can cross an ocean in anything if you want to but some tools are better for certain jobs
@@francisverhelst9375 Comfort does not refer to rough weather but every day motion. Think about riding on top of waves versus riding through them. The boat that rides through the waves instead of on top will also have less motion and be more stable in rougher weather as well. Hull design makes the difference here.
You did an awesome job with all of your additional equipment - like inner stay, great anchor, solid self steering in Hydrovane that can be used as an emergency rudder if needed, very detailed approach to lines and blocks and probably much more. But a solid captain and crew - are the most valuable part of your boat-home and you did spectacular from everything I've seen so far. To be fair, I need to share my experience and view on an issue. I've participated in delivering a couple of Beneteaus and was able to notice an uncomfortable design feature of the boat - it is pounding while going upwind in moderate winds. However, deliveries are done on a schedule and you often forced to sail a shortest route within a time frame and often not a better one. With that in mind, knowing limitations of the design, it is easily avoidable by being flexible - like falling off and sailing comfortably and faster on a reach. Besides, nobody in their right mind would cruise upwind in moderate winds and choppy waves for so many reasons. I'm sure, that you and your boat will have a ton of success and fun while taking each other to any and many places within your comfort zone, and that zone expands with every passage you make. Fair winds and stay flexible
I noticed the pounding also when motoring a Beneteau 45 upwind into 30 knot winds. Less noticeable when sailing instead of motoring. I think it has a flat bottom, but when heeled it presents a rounded section to the water so less pounding.
Great video. this the first time we have viewed your work thanks for the insight into your work on your boat. we are in the market now. our issue with this type of boat is keeping the keel on and attempting to save the boat and every aboard if this happen in the deep blue. bolt on keels are the issue for us. you guys have done a great job on every thing above the water are there things that can be done blow the water line? again great video.
Thanks and glad to have you watching. The keel type is something worth considering and it’s difficult to say just on opinion how strong it is. Although we haven’t had issues in this department, like we mentioned in the video there is boats around that are better suited to heavy usage and primarily BW sailing. Fair winds.
Great video(s) you are making. Love to follow them. We (family of four) crossed the Pacific in a similar boat in 2018. Looking forward to watch the rest of your journey. Hope to see you Raroia/Kontiki Motu some time❤️ fair winds and following seas.
God how awful those "Internet forums" are!!!! They've never crossed a bathtub,let alone the oceans!!! Beneteau and Jeaneau are fantastic brands and they absolutely get the job done!!!! Piss on them and you two have done a fantastic job...keep it up!!!!
Nice! With all the work you did to that Beneteau she is definitely blue water capable. Although with all those upgrades she must carry a ton of excess weight. Is she overburdened and sail like a drunk pig? Has the righting balance changed? I guess I need to subscribe and watch more of your videos to see her performance LOL!
Its likely the jerrycans add quite some weight in a bad spot and a few other comfort items as it’s still our home, but we otherwise try keep it light and minimal(for a live aboard). The performance would be mostly the same as similar productions we guess. Welcome aboard 🤙
@@SailingBeaver Thanks for replying! I've always been of the opinion that, you don't need a slow, heavy, full keeled boat to do a trade winds circumnavigation. Good seamanship, route/weather planning and, meticulous attention to outfitting is 10x more important.
wow great work ! I have hardly seen an Oceanis 40 so well and thoughtfully equipped as you did (e.g. staysail). One thing is missing though....the answer of your question in the video title...I have just seen a video with the Kraken CEO and he defines the properties of a blue water sailboat as following: 1. integral keel 2. robust rudder system 3. no gas 4. thick hull 5. protected centre cockpit 6. sail handling from cockpit 7. foot braced somewhere when doing deck work 8. Keel stepped mast and heavy rig Probably your boat covers points 6 and 7. What are your thoughts on that ? Thanks for your answer and good luck for the upcoming passages !
Thankyou sir, glad you enjoyed. To answer above, firstly the Kraken boats look amazing and super tough, but unfortunately not in the budget range of anyone that sails a Beneteau. Although the ceo would be totally biased, I would totally agree with points 1, 2, 4 and 6 especially for a winter, go anywhere boat. Other points like gas and keel stepped mast seem a little off track to Bluewater relevance but interesting for thought. P.s although I love the thought of a strong skeg hung rudder, it’s not a very common on new builds anymore.. Thanks again
@@SailingBeaver well unfortunately the sea is not asking for the budget.... Maybe we can agree that you own a production boat very well equipped for bluewater cruising.... In any case all the best and enjoy your time at sea ....
Everyone has to feel comfortable with their decisions as they head out. For me, I'm thankful for my full-keel, heavy displacement double ender. Every bit of it is built like a tank. No keel bolts. No exposed rudder. It's been around the world once and we're taking it around again.
Available here on our website… www.sailingbeaver.com/product/bluewatercruiser/ Alternatively it’s a free download for our Patrons here.. www.patreon.com/sailingbeaver Thanks for your support 🙏
Iv owned 411s , Jenuae 37 , 68` Herroshoffs , Delivered every thing from 25` monos to 55 cats & every yacht that is well built , Seaworthy can travel oceans ITS the weather routing & seamanship of skipper & crew that count . Though i find the plastic mass produced yachts are horrid going to windward in any sea way , Nock the fillings out my back teeth, But hey cruisers shouldn't be beating into a rising gale , Many a time iv laid hove to , Let the low front go over , Get a kip & 12 to 20 hours later its all go again . Why they put runners so the boom cant swing with a deep reef in always amazes me . I set up my reefing lines for my main so i can reef all reefs from the cockpit , Block on the eye up down & back , I think the Owners 2 cabin version 46 is a better deep sea boat , Just because of the volume , Less movement , More storage & bigger daily mileage on average . But you got it all nailed perfect , great post , Great help for the viewers - Fair winds & following seas .
Can totally agree with all of that, although with all that experience on various hulls we would be very interested in you hands down favourite offshore boat? Thanks for all your noteworthy points, especially the windward in a seaway bit… spot on! Cheers 🤙
@@SailingBeaver A 55 ft. Warwick ( Forgotten his name , Kiwi designer) motor sailor that sailed like a racing yacht "Findhorn" Delivered her from Picton to Tonga a couple of years ago . 20+ tons , Big solid dodger , Electric winches , Cutter rig , All sails furling , Shed point like a witch & in 3 meter seas on the nose just go like a train . You could sleep under the dodger , Spent little time down below it was so comfortable & great view .
The big Herroshoff was good & a nother Oramshoff 55 "Marie Shantel" (Both Herroshoff designs tweeked by Orams of Whangarai) was a pleasure to sail But both not fantastic to wind ward , Heavy well designed yachts seem to make life easier , Light displacement means fun but more lively at sea & any loads /stores kills there performance (Cats to)
Hi. one of the key issues with production boats is the attachment of the strongback to the floor. I yours glued only (not good) or is it glued and laminated (would be very good)? Regards from Switzerland. Silvano
Seem to be glued (plexus) only at the flanges in areas with less load and glued+laminated at high load areas of the main grid above keel and under mast. Cheers 🤙
Thanks for the video! It seems the answer is a definitely YES. As long as you invest on necessary upgrades. I specially like the changes to the rigging. Makes sailing life easier and definitely safer than the original set up.
Hi! They are from the Swedish brand NOA. You can find all the contact details, prices and lots of other info in the new eBook we published alongside this video. Available from on our website www.sailingbeaver.com/product/bluewatercruiser/
I wish that this issue would just die once and for all! I believe there are 2 major factors involved in keeping this insanity going: 1). Most people can't afford a true bluewater boat unless the boats are getting quite old and 2). The hesitation of insurance companies to insure older boats (even though they are far more seaworthy). Enter flimsy production boats with their amply documented shortcomings. It's inherently dangerous to suggest that a small production coastal boat is in any way suitable as a bluewater cruiser. This question always puts production boat owners on the defensive! Do people do it? Sure! Are more production boats crossing oceans than any other boats? Yes! Should they? Well that's a question of what you see as an acceptable risk for you and your loved ones. Drop these boats into a Fastnet or a Sydney Hobart situation and not many of them would make it! Any sailboat could handle the sea state shown in most RUclips videos. We're talking about conditions that will pick your little boat up, turn it 90 degrees and smash it down on its side! Even bluewater boats would get dismasted at that point and one of your only options remaining is to lock yourself inside. Good luck bracing yourself while you get rolled over and over again. You'll be cursing your condominium-like interior! The very term "bluewater" should suggest that throughout the lifetime of a bluewater sailor the chances of getting into this type of a situation is far from zero! If you think that your weather planning prowess is foolproof, think again. A bluewater sailboat by definition is a comletely different animal so don't let names like "Oceanis" fool you. Just do a quick comparison between a production boat and a true bluewater boat on Sailboat Data. The numbers speak for themselves! No thanks, not for my family...I don't care what you've done with the boat. I speak from 40 years of successful offshore experience. Offensive rant...over 🧐
No offence there at all champ, some well rounded points for sure, most of which we would have to agree with. As we mentioned there are vessels better suited specifically for long term BW usage and although we do venture on some crossings we are well aware of the particular characteristics of this boat, albeit through trial and error. Overall we are satisfied that the boat fulfils its purpose, but do we appreciate a nice heavy, deep solid BW boat when we see one? Yes! Would we prefer to be sipping coffee in a centre cockpit in 5 meter seas and 40kn with a perfect balanced helm, Yes. Would we appreciate to have unlimited cruising destinations within our reach… Of course! But we also gotta work with what we got and try build some experience along the way!
I don’t believe you that you’re inexperienced: you shouldn’t know about all the upgrades you have, how to use them, and what the various benefits are. If you are in fact newbies, you’ve done an amazing job of educating yourselves and getting to an advanced level quickly.
Well we had not sailed at all before buying this boat… In saying that we spent some time in Norway before departing to get the boat setup and learn as much as possible. Also had lots of guidance from other sailors we have met along the way giving us little hints and suggestions so we are thankful for that.
This is the type of sailing channel that interests me, like Sailing Ran, this channel is about sailing and the boat first, the sociable aspect being a secondary consideration, People have crossed oceans in all manner of craft, from bathtubs to an 18ft Dory, the point being pretty much any boat will cross an ocean, is it being suitable for prolonged long distance voyaging year after year is a different question. Displacement, sound construction, sea kindliness, sailing performance with adequate capacity to carry essential equipment water and stores to service a crew for passage making that may take twice as long as originally planned for are IMHO essential. For a question like this you will get a myriad of answers, expect a lot of conflicting opinions. Thx for the opportunity to go sailing with you , if not in person but in this case via youtube. Having said that, While 40-45 ft is perfectly adequate for me I would not venture offshore in a boat with a bolt on keel.
Thank you sir for the very kind feedback. Totally agree with the desired qualities of an ideal offshore yacht, many of these we have slowly come to learn ourselves after owning the yacht and more so with each longer passage. Thanks for you well rounded input. 🤙
I really like your saving water spray bottle. I have lived in desert country , water is most precious. Do you wear a knife on a belt when you are at sea
We don’t antifoul the prop as we have never needed it to be honest. We give it a brush every few weeks and when it’s out of the water a big polish and that works fine.
for me, its not about the brand, but the design. some designs are just better suited for bigger/longer/shorter waves & stronger/lighter winds. id argue its a huge difference between sailing the baltic sea with very short/choppy waves, the northern sea with relatively short but big waves or the pacific with big and long waves. however, usually it comes down to the comfort factor as you can cross the atlantic in a whiskey barrel.
Thanks for the great videos. Enjoying them. The title “ suited to blue water cruising? “ I get this question a lot. I am a licensed and credentialed cruising instructor. I have trained and certified hundreds of cruisers in a challenging area San Francisco and it’s offshore waters. We teach off shore classes as far as Hawaii and back. We have a fleet of modern boats. Some dedicated blue water cruisers. Eg Caliber 40 LRC. We have had numerous Beneteaus, Jeanneau, Hunter, etc. Is your boat a blue water cruiser? Yes, because you have put serious effort into making it one. Is that what it is designed for? No. That is not its primary design function. Student’s will often ask me can I take this Beneteau accross an ocean? Answer, yes? Are there better boats to do this in? Yes. If you want to know a dedicated cruising boat, go to a busy harbor like Grenada, Prickly Bay and observe the many boats with there decks loaded and lined with Jerry Jugs. Chances are that these vessels are not dedicated cruisers. This is just one item of example. On this boat the capsize formula gives it barely a pass 195 out of a max of 2. I know this is just an average broad brush stroke. Look how far that you have sailed!! But a serious BWC is going to be more like 130 to 165 area. The other area of concern is the exposed rudders. I know, life’s a gamble. I would cruise on one. Look at what the Mini- Transats do!!! Crazy. So it;s kind of like a question of Symantecs. Especially today. What IS a BWC? I think a very important factor in seaworthiness is the crew! and good on ya mates!
Thanks for the informative comment, your spot on. The example of the Mini Transats is perfect, they are a 6.5m empty shell that can cross serious blue water but are are obviously not very well suited for the task. Thats if you plan on sleeping or staying dry. Cheers Fred!
I would install backing plates on the keel bolts, I believe the Beneteau has only washers. The next time your on the hard drop your keel for inspection.
If we were removing the bolts for some reason or making repairs in that area then that would be a good idea but otherwise not (can of worms). Your right though, kinda small backing plates.
Sailed a Bavaria 46 in the Tasman Sea , Man what a piece of rubbish . in was OK in the Trade Winds of Tahiti , but when it got into big seas it was trying to sink itself . Never Again will i take a Bavarian in Blue Water .
We just watched the Queens birthday storm documentary on RUclips, so big seas in the Tasman is a very scary thought. Such a bad reputation in those waters so with these type of production boats the weather windows would be few and far between.
@@aurorasailing Bavaria 46s is 46 feet long , so a good length , Around 10years old , the seas were around 3 meters so not that large . the waves were standing up , so every time the wave passed the midships the Bow would Smash into the water , Shuddering the whole boat , it was horrible . eventually the Constance bashing caused the Mast Rigging to brake , the mast was wobbling about to fall , we changed tack and strained the port side rigging until we hit Australia .
@@SailingBeaver Sailed a Lotus 36 in Hellacious seas north off New Zealand 7 Meter waves 45 knot winds for days . she is a Tuff little boat , we ripped a hole through the deck , water poured in , we block the hole with a bag full of clothes and Stuffed a bath towel with a bread knife to compact it into the cracks . it just dripped after that . fill bucket loads of water and threw them into the cockpit . it was my 1st sail into the Tasman .
@@jimmyhvy2277 Thank you for your reply. I think it sounds scary and also think it's a little strange. Bavaria Cruiser 46 from about 2005-2010 is a boat that is very much used here in Norway, and they often sail hard in hard weather, much worse weather than what you describes here without any problems. So the rig simply could not cope with the knocking from medium tough sailing. We have crossed the North Atlantic and been in brutal weather at home in Norway (55 knots) with a Oceanis 43 and Bavaria is almost the same as beneteau , and have several friends with Bavarias who are smaller than the one at 46 feet and they experience mostly never problems.
Thanks 🙏. Yeah we did a complete rudder overhaul and removed, inspected and replaced bearings in a previous episode. Also installed a Hydrovane self steering that can also act as an auxiliary rudder in case of failure to our main rudder.
Bravo both. It's not the boat, it's how you sail her. The upgrades are well considered, I particularly like the gybe proof double foresail and double pole for trade wind sailing. The fact that you're doing it, rather than talking about it should piss off the armchair captains; keep going!
Kudos to both of you. I have read and written many marine technical documents during my 30+ year career as a Naval Architect. Your E-Book is very well done and a must-have for anyone planning to do blue water passages on a 40 to 46 foot Beneteau Oceanis of our vintage (2007 to 2012). These boats are very similar to each other in so many ways. It is now filed in my boat's e-library. Thanks for taking the time to publish it!
Thanks so much Randy we have spent quite some putting it all together so your feedback is much appreciated. Hope the book can provide you plenty of value for your journey on the Beneteau!
I still don't understand these stupid discussions going around the Web, who decides if a boat can be considered bluewater or not?
Expensive or cheaper?
Good or Bad?
Typology and specifications?
Why doesn't a specific body establish it according to strict criteria to which all manufacturers must adhere?
Who controls who and how?
According to what regulation?
And recognised by whom?
Do we still want to believe in the fairytale of the CE mark?
Which, by the way, I see it written everywhere even on my underpants!
So I don't think we need to be a naval architect to understand a very simple, if not obvious, concept that regardless of the builder, whether it is Beneteau or any other, there is a legislative and regulatory VOID in this sector that concerns not only the construction and design, choice of the materials and their origin, the absolute lack of supervision by any recognised third independent body from the design, the construction, up to the delivery of this type of boats, the lack of training and professional courses for the staff employed by these yards,
which would make the most stubborn navigator pale.
The truth is that these shipyards do what they want and their constructions have one and only one denominator the profit!
That last wave that appeared to be breaking just short of the stern is interesting. In similiar conditions (winds @ 40kn or so, big waves hard to tell how big) on other boats I've crewed, the skipper/owner usually furled the main and we sailed on trimmed jib alone, sometimes on a pole, sometimes a broad reach, and still kept our speed up with less strain on the rig. You all looked fairly comfortable here, was there at any time reason to think that a part of the rig or structure was under undue stress and liable to break (it's usually a shackle that holds the jib or genoa atvthe topnofthe mastvthat got torsion twisted and readtvto part when inspected later in port.)
Well you do have Germanischer Lloyd
People swim across the channel, row across the Atlantic and we applaud them. Do what you want. A 40ft Beneteau in comparison is a perfectly rational choice of boat, and I believe your upgrades are very well judged. A modern production boat has many advantages in design, equipment and cost. Ignore the naysayers - you're young and living the dream and your boat enables that, and I'm sure you love her for it. I say well done to both of you.
Thankyou Philip for the kind words. We do indeed love her and she’s looked after us rather well so far. 😃
People most certainly do not swim or row across oceans with their families! We applaud them for their daring and extreme behavior! Apples to oranges!
@@HuldraX. I think you're taking me slightly literally.....
I fully agree with Philip. I am owner of a similar production boat. I made almost the same upgrades you did. I am sailing all the Med and willing to cross Atlanic and doing Carribean with her. At the same time personally I am also planning to change boat before engaging into the Pacific. But it is a choice. And I would not trust more a similar budget old blue water cruiser just becouse she « was » built as a blue water one. At the end it is a matter of redundacy. And the speed of the boat relative to the budget (and whether forecsts) provide a mitigation to the luck of redundancy. And as a matter of fact many construction boats including Dufour andf Bavaria circumnavigated the world already. It looks to me you know the long and short of what you are doing. Enjoy it. Massimo
I still don't understand these stupid discussions going around the Web, who decides if a boat can be considered bluewater or not?
Expensive or cheaper?
Good or Bad?
Typology and specifications?
Why doesn't a specific body establish it according to strict criteria to which all manufacturers must adhere?
Who controls who and how?
According to what regulation?
And recognised by whom?
Do we still want to believe in the fairytale of the CE mark?
Which, by the way, I see it written everywhere even on my underpants!
So I don't think we need to be a naval architect to understand a very simple, if not obvious, concept that regardless of the builder, whether it is Beneteau or any other, there is a legislative and regulatory VOID in this sector that concerns not only the construction and design, choice of the materials and their origin, the absolute lack of supervision by any recognised third independent body from the design, the construction, up to the delivery of this type of boats, the lack of training and professional courses for the staff employed by these yards,
which would make the most stubborn navigator pale.
The truth is that these shipyards do what they want and their constructions have one and only one denominator the profit!
Great video, straight to the point, no BS. Really like the way you’ve set up the boat, especially the rig. Excellent organization of gear and equipment. 👍🏻
Thank you sir much appreciated. Fair winds.
thnaks again for this video that I watched for the second time (at least). I bought your 2 e-book, to thank for those explaination. My goal is to cross the atlantic (East->West) the next year...
We sailed our 2017 Oceanis 35 from Florida to New Zealand
That sounds lovely, trust you had a good trip. 🤙
A) there are more beneteaus on the ocean than all other brands combined, and more crossing oceans than any other single brand.
B) you can cross in anything if you watch the weather window properly.
pretty sure someone swam semi assisted across an ocean
Jeez! I’m no expert but I’d go anywhere with you guys!
I love your videos, they have a great style and tone - please keep it up. Having discovered your channel this week I have just binge watched it all. We have an Oceanis 361 from 2003 which we purchased this year - our plan is to build experience and confidence sailing the West Coast of Scotland and North of Ireland for the next few years and then when we retire we hope to buy a slightly bigger boat - 40/45ft and see where life takes us ( somewhere warmer...).
The Oceanis range of boats are certainly blue water capable with a few upgrades and careful planning. Fair winds and looking forward to seeing the rest of your adventure. 👍. Just downloaded your ebook too 👍
Thanks so much for your support! Much appreciated 🙏. I’m sure you’ll build experience pretty quick on the West coast of Scotland. Good luck on your journey and fair winds 🤙
Great vid, well put together and thought out. The main question ‘is this boat good enough for ocean crossings’ is fairly simple to answer. Every boat has somewhere a builder’s data plate, on this plate you’ll find reference to a ‘design category’ - A, B, C or D.
Category A is ‘Ocean’ - designed to be capable and self sufficient in wind that may exceed force 8 and wave heights in excess of 4m.
Obviously there are boats out there in category B (offshore), C (inshore) and D (sheltered waters) that are taken across oceans but consider the implications of your insurance not paying out should something happen and you have to bail into the life raft with your beacon.
FYI Oceanis 40 is Class A, as are most boats above 30 ft.
Thankyou sir, correct you are. Glad you enjoyed🤙
I bought the e-book and skimmed it. It looks to be a concise and useful collection of what's probably been many hours of research for you. I'm learning as much as I can about sailing because that will probably be the next adventure when we have had a few years traveling in the bus. It'll be awhile... Likely when the nest is empty.
Cheers mate and thanks for the support. Sure was some research and work to put together throughout our journey. Hope it provides some value, good luck with your adventure 🤙
They said the titanic was unsinkable…so in my humble opinion damage control on any boat would be my first question on any boat crossing a body of water… people row skiffs across an ocean.
the most important piece of equipment is the brains aboard. you are top of the line in that department! safe travels!
Thoughtful and thorough preps, and I can't fault your basic premise: If you are thoughtful about the production boat you choose for trade wind ocean crossings, and then you strengthen its abilities to match the demands of long distance cruising, you should have no regrets. Excellent presentation - congratulations!
Your book is an absolutely fantastic resource. For only $10 it’s a steal and a no-brainer. Many thanks 🙏 to you for doing this work. Very very helpful.
Thanks so much for the kind feedback and we’re super stoked it can provide you some good value! Tusen takk 🤙
The whole debate about whether a boat is "blue water" or not is ridiculous. The most common argument being: a blue water boat must have a skeged rudder and an integral keel. Yet no one would argue that Amel, Oyster or HR (to name a few) are blue water, yet they've all done away with skegs and all have bolt-on keels.
As for Beneteau specifically, the Tiki Rafiki disaster forced Beneteau to change the way they build their boats and the result is that they now have very solidly built hulls. I mean seriously, do you know how many people charter these things? If they weren't safe, they wouldn't be the largest sailboat builder in the world.
So I say if a production boat is what you can afford, buy it and get out their cruising. As for the nay sayers, they're either keyboard warriors, trying to justify their $million+ purchase or will spend the rest of their lives trying to save enough money for the perfect boat. And to that I say that the perfect boat is the one that gets you out on the water (warts and all) sooner rather than later.
I wish the two of you the very best in your adventures and look forward to watching your channel grow! Cheers!
Yes it’s a never ending debate for sure and your correct that the BW examples usually given have all moved away from the features that apparently make them BW suitable. We also agree there is some arguments driven purely by purchase justification. In saying all that there has been times on a bumpy crossing we have yearned for a skeg rudder and integral keel but for now we’ll stick to the best boat is the one you have rule! Cheers and fair winds!
Well said
NO, NO ITS NOT. Waves big, wind strong. Beneteau is weak production boat. No go. Stay home. Buy couch!
Haha fair call yes waves can be big, thanks for the feedback.
@@SailingBeaver hahaha you guys are killing it! Keep it up🤙🤙
Yew! Cheers 🤙
Hi Sam & Nicole
Just watched arguably one of the most informative videos for anyone with an interest in crossing an ocean in a production boat. Your openess with information is to be applauded.
As you know we are in the process of planning our our journey and this
video has given a lot of pointers and food for thought for us to ponder on.
Thank you again.
Keep safe.
Thanks for the kind comment and glad you got some good value from the vid. No worries at all and all the best with your planning to head offshore. Take care and fair winds 🤙
According to the armchair admirals, all Beneteaus immediately lose their keels and sink as soon as you lose sight of the shore. It is well known that only full-keeled 70+ year old boats are the only ones capable of crossing anything more than a puddle.
Haha, meanwhile hundreds of fin keeled yachts complete the ARC each year and that is just one rally, many more just out there doing it.
Absolutely 100% yes. Alright, now I'll watch the video! ;)
That’s the spirit. Yew 🤙
PS to my post below. Every Sailboat I have had has been a Conventional Rig with Classic Mast and Main Sail with Lazy Jacks and Stack Packs and Hank on Sails, apart from my last boat which had a Furling Genoa on a basic Sloop with no inner forestry (I don’t like them tbh) Maximum fun was bouncing around on the foredeck changing Sails, loved it. They all can be made to work but Disability forced on me learn what a total pain in the backside to work with a Classic Mast really is, hence my Conversion to - after a serious look into them in Mast Furling, and the UV protection they can offer. Battens in them cause serious wear and tear, and seriously shorten the Life of already short lived Crosscut Dacron Sails and seriously reduce furling and unfurling reliability. So as a Cruiser looking for Reliability and a long Service Life Shape maintaining Sail, I started looking for a Sailmaker that would make me a Triradial Furling Battenless Main. It turned out to be quite a long search. Usually only getting the response “We Only Make Batten Ones” Eventually, I got a Yes, we’ve made a number of them, and if you need heavy duty Offshore specification, just tick the box on the order form - this from Precision Sails, and much to my surprise, they added, that the Triradial Construction recovers most of the power lost by having No Battens ! Wow. Now they do cost from about double a Crosscut Dacron Sail, but instead of being Stretched and buggered inside three years, with occasional Valeting, and re stitching, they can maintain their shape well for over 20 years- So cost per year of Service Life Plummets. Same goes for a Furling Triradial Genoa too as Reinforced Reefing Points to retain shape can be added. Partially Furl a Crosscut Dacron one, and the Sail Shape can be buggered within a few hours. So I’m thinking of about around a 140% Triradial Genoa, to have enough Sail room to properly fit three Reefing points, or a self tacking Jib plus a Furling Reaching Code Zero to fill in the Wind angle gaps plus a Furling Gennaker depending on Sailmaker advice. Since, other Sailmakers, including Quantum, Ullman, and others have started offering Battenless Furling Triradial Mainsails as well, so things look up. Bob. 👍⛵️🌟🌟🌟
Theres a thing called youtube where there are many people sailing round the planet on boats smaller than yours 😂
Yes sir, you wouldn’t believe it but on occasion this also takes place in real life..
@@SailingBeaver 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😊😊
Great information, cheers
For me, the boat must be long-keeled. Deep-finned options are performance-orientated. On a long-distance run, you do not need performance.
The sheeting angles can make a huge difference with rolling. Use tweakers and adjust the raveller to make it as comfortable as possible. Then sometimes a slow roll in a swell can improve performance greatly. Its called ooching.
Hello .... big congratulations !!!! It is one of the best videos I have seen, not only addressing the situation about production sailboats such as "blue waters", but also because of the order and logic posed in front of each fraction required to sail safely on the high seas or in a lagoon. .
I am preparing a Jeanneau 469 with the same concepts and I felt very pleased and reflected with what they have done.
Only that I will go against the traffic, from Chile to Europe, including Norway in some of my routes
Wow thanks so much for your words! 🙏 super glad you enjoyed the video and had some value to take away! Sounds like a great voyage you have planned in a nice big Jeanneau, best of luck and fair winds!
Great boat. Our friend Mark is 1.5 times around the planet on his Beneteau 393. Stay sail/cutter rig is probably the main 'bluewater' safety feature, as is your attention to detail and wear items.
There is nothing wrong with a Beneteau. I owned a 461 and it was a solid boat, quite fast and was well furnished. I had it modified from a four cabin to a three cabin to make it more livable to me. I agree with your sail modifications, it needs a self tacking jib and a third reef in the main. I had the teak decks refurbished and replaced the foredeck to give it a new life. The exhaust elbow replacement is a must. Mine was almost completely blocked. I replaced all the hoses, throttle cable, standing and running rigging, the guide wires and batteries to increase the storage to 560ah. You can never have enough! The fin keel needed some work due to corrosion. You can argue all day long about a blue water boat and I agree a steel or aluminum keel is safest, particularly with a full length keel but they are hard to maneuver backwards and slow. Amels have a fin keel and so do lots of other boats costing a lot more money and most boats today are made of fiberglass. I have heard you tubers sneer about “plastic fantastic” boats when that is exactly what their boat is. Ignore the detractors, you have a solid boat which will serve you well.
Agreed and thanks for your insight mate. All good points here and the 461 sounds like a nice boat. Fair winds 🤙
I liked it!
I am an experienced blue water sailor, and on my 3rd long term boat, and in this very position of converting or changing boats, and I want to convert :-)
I do not plan to be in the narrow band of conditions/locations that would sink a plastic fantastic, but spare a blue water boat....it is not a very broad band....
A side note, you should mention that the Hydrovane is essentially a pre-rigged emergency rudder, which considerably offsets the risk associated with the spade. I consider this essential insurance and peace of mind in the blue water with my 'fin n spade', never mind the great crew member it is who sails better than anyone, eats nothing, never sleeps, and doesn't miss a windshift :-)
Thanks Paul. Yes certain conditions would warrant a BW boat but the majority of tropical cruising destinations would not. We are very happy with the Hydrovane and it has served us well on passage and provided good peace of mind in event of a rudder failure. Cheers
The paddle speedsensor should be taken out after the trip and replaced with the dummy. Second I would place the wooden bungs next to the thruhulls so in case they are already there.
Enjoying the videos team. Out of interest is your boat NZ or OZ flagged?
Cheers 🙏. NZ flagged.
@@SailingBeaver Out of interest what are the benefits to you for this decision? I'm tossing up the same question.
Modern cruisers seem so much easier to live on, which unless you plan to spend all your time in the middle of an ocean is not a bad plan. I think the real issue is acknowledging and planning for the weaknesses of a modern cruiser.
Yeah fair call on that and totally agree. The livability is quite good for the size of the boat and very comfortable for a couple.
Sam Holmes sailing / wind hippie sailing both boats crossing oceans. 50 years ago there was no iridium go or windie apps, when you had to be be prepared for storms/waves. Pick your weather window and have your batteries ready.
I met a guy in Fiji who hollowed out a tree built a mast in peru and sailed across the Pacific. And a guy who bought a boat for a dollar off Craigslist on a different trip to Fiji. you can do it in all almost anything. On a production boat I would modify the rudder tube and attachment etc.& probably not heading into high latitudes
The youngest sailor to ever circumnavigate the earth sailed on a 28” production boat. People sail production boats on blue water passages everyday.
It doesn’t sound like you guys are new to this, it sounds like an extensive amount of research has been made here, Although many experts say these boats are not recommended for blue water, It’s awesome to see you guys getting it done, We’ll done,
I think it was the late Patrick Childress (RIP) who, many years ago, sailed a Catalina 27 around the world after beefing it up for sailing the oceans. Three years ago another guy I saw on You Tube sailed a Catalina 27 from California to Hawaii. Sam Holmes made a similar crossing to Hawaii on a 23 FT Ranger about a year earlier. More recently a young Polish guy built a 16 FT plywood sailboat, purpose-designed for the passage, and sailed it across the Atlantic Ocean. Webb Chiles, among his many voyages, made it 3/4 of the way around the planet in an open (no cabin) sailboat, I think it was 18 or 20 FT. Famously in 1965, 16 year-old Robin Lee Graham sailed his 24 FT sloop named Dove around the world solo. James Baldwin has circumnavigated twice in his very simply outfitted 28 FT Pearson Triton. The first time around with no engine. And of course probably the most famous sailing couple, Lin and Larry Pardey circumnavigated their 24 FT home-built wooden Seraffyn, the "wrong way" around the Southern Ocean, also without an engine.
These and many other stories are proof that you don't need a Westsail, Island Packet or Pacific Seacraft to make a safe passage across an ocean. What you need is experience, good judgement, selection of proper season, route and a good weather window, and appropriate rigging and equipment. If anything, your Beneteau is probably overkill the way you've prepared it, for trade winds passages.
Robin acquired Dove 2... S. Africa? and it was a bit longer... to finish his 5 year journey
Well done Sam & Nicole, super informative video. I will need to go and buy a copy of your ebook too.
Cheers Michael, that’s great to hear! Enjoy the book🤙🏼
Amazing technical common sense. Total common sense would include not putting tinder in with gas…paper towels in gas locker!! Sorry just had to point that out. Cheers!!
1.01 of big boy ocean boats is - Does it have a bolt-on keel???
I much appreciate this video. I bought my Bavaria 40 / 200s2 in Slovenia, sailed through the Med to the Canaries, milk route into the Caribbean and from there to the Chesapeake where I live. I admit that the voyage was done somewhat blue-eyed and underequipped. As I now approach retirement age with the intent to go blue water again I am faced with the decision to keep and upgrade her or sell and get a "true" blue water yacht.
My first question to you would be: How about keel and rudder. I assume your Beneteau has a spade and bolted on keel, same as my Bav. Do you have any concerns on either design and did you / do you consider upgrades / strengthening ?
Secondly: With all the equipment you put on, what does your boat now weigh and does that effect performance?
Lastly: How much money did you spend on all the upgrades?
Handbreit.
Thanks for you comment and kind words. Sounds like a nice trip you made. It’s a tough decision and on round two we could face the same decision depending on our sailing climate. Some things are heavy such as jerry cans on deck and anchor chain and I’m sure it affects our performance but we do try to keep it light. The costs added up but over time we would have spent the same on a house. We have detailed every $ spent in the ebook that supplements this episode with a large section in the appendix www.sailingbeaver.com/product/bluewatercruiser
Guys, please look up the various rallies crossing the Atlantic or Pacific or Australia upto Indo....they list the vessels, make, size
ect....there in lies your answer.
Great job! Added to my cruising guidelines, thank you for providing this kind of information.
And Lyn and Larry Pardy sailed round the world in a 26 ft wooden boat(talasin) no engine and only sextant and old charts.
And you are worried that a forty footer is not capable.
I believe it was captain Bly that sailed an open boat from africa to Indonesia. Harden up guys!
Both extraordinary achievements you mentioned and very inspirational, although neither were appropriate vessels for the job at hand. Obviously! Our boat is capable but the question was that of suitability and to that, many answers are valid. Thanks for your feedback sir.
Just about any boat 'can' cross an ocean, I do not think if a boat 'can' is the issue. Is it safe to do is the question. I personally would not do a circumnavigation in a boat that did not have a protected prop and rudder, nor would I trust a bolt on keel. Think of a cargo container 3 feet below the surface.
There is a modified attachment plate available for the Vang boom attachment. It is much more substantial and has more attachment points and was only 250 sterling. A very good investment!
For sure, the standard zspars vang is pretty shitty and we upgraded this to a solid custom plate. 🤙
We crossed the atlantic 3 years ago on our B43 which is quite similar to your boat. We made this first crossing with the boat as we bought it. We are now preparing to leave next summer for a 5 year trip and replaced, modified, reinforced a lot of stuff. New sails, purpose made (reinforced). New sprayhood and bimini with 400 watt semi flexible pv panels on the bimini. Lithium batteries and modification of alternator charging to protect alternator. New motormounts, replaced all standing rigging with dieform. Installed watermaker, …. And the list goes on and on. With our experience i could maybe make some small additions to your ebook
Good job Francis, some great boat jobs ticked off the list especially the lithiums and watermaker. If your interested the ebook can be downloaded at www.sailingbeaver.com/shop/
So what has been the cost of all these upgrades? Surely you could have bought a higher quality yacht if you'd looked around better? All those upgrades took a lot of time and patience to install, congratulations.
Thanks it sure did. We have a very detailed summary of all the costs and upgrades in the ebook. It’s a tough question about a different yacht as our plans have evolved well after we purchased and the upgrades were over quite some time but we have sure learnt a lot along the way. 🤙
The Quartermaster*
Very impressive and well thought out! One thing that we carried on our Beneteau 40 c/c was a Luke 3pc. 80lb, fisherman storm anchor. This saved tons of space when broken down and could be put together with just
3 large locking pins. 100 ft of three eights triple strength chain and 300 ft, of three quarters triple braid nylon rode. When things looked hairy it was nice to know it was on board! Best wishes and safe travels!
I hope I'm correct with your names, Sam and Nicole! We do share the same boat manufacturer Beneteau. My wife and I purposely bought our 40 foot c/c for live aboard cruising. We never once felt that our boat was not a capable blue water cruising yacht! Your videos are professionally done with a great mix of actually sailing in a lot of different conditions and taking us along seeing the fantastic Islands and friendly inhabitants! Best wishes ❤️ to a beautiful couple!
Steve and Paula
S/V Adios
I think a lot of people could use this video as an example of how to impart wisdom with just the right amount of detail in an articulate no nonsense but friendly way .
Its sort of ok ploughing through the mumblings and meanderings of happy folk with the details of their passion project but this is so different and a joy to watch .
Not to mention what an excellent job youve done with the boat !
I feel you two have rare skills.
Thank you so much
Thank you kindly sir, glad you can appreciate the video.
Excellent job setting up the boat for offshore. You might consider mounting the EPIRB on the cockpit rail. If you get rolled over at night, or have a fire which can fill the boat with smoke in a matter of seconds, you can't get to the EPIRB and it can't float free. Speaking of getting rolled, a bluewater boat will have a higher ballast to weight ratio and a narrower hull so that it comes back upright even in a severe knock down. Hull shape and weight also give a bluewater boat a slower, more comfortable motion. Crew skill and attitude are the most important factors for passage making, as well as having the right equipment on board. You can sail just about anywhere with your setup, but a "true bluewater boat" will still make a difference in the worst of conditions.
Some very good informative points here, thanks for that. A good idea with the float free beacon one worth considering. We would also have to agree with the kinder motion on heavier ballasted vessels. Cheers
More beneteau's cross oceans than any other manufacturer 😁 I argue the capabilities of beneteau daily, people who say they can't cross oceans have never crossed a bathtub and have no idea what they are talking about
And now you got Najad...tells heaps;)
Just watched your video regarding your systems on your boat. I was very impressed with your thoroughness with each system, it is very apparent you worked through each system completely. Kudos, a lot of people think that you just get on a boat and go. Just take a look at sailing gbu
Thank you sir appreciate the feedback! Take care and fair winds 🤙
Thanks for the useful info. Beats all those lousy channels with bikinis and crying.
Good stuff again team, nice clean video with plenty of good content.
Cheers mate, glad you enjoyed 🙏
You can absolutely cross oceans in a Bene, with that being said it is not a suitable long term blue water boat. Your Atlantic crossing part 3 highlighted that perfectly. You will probably make it just fine but it will be an uncomfortable and a sketchy ride at times. Uncomfortable and sketchy are not the attributes of a blue water cruiser. Humans have been building boats to cross oceans for hundreds of years and we know what designs work better than other designs. There is no sense in me listing all of the things that make the Bene less than ideal because you already know them and it doesn't really matter to your adventure. You have outfitted your boat about as well as you can considering it's limitations. I applaud you for getting out there and doing it even if the boat wasn't really designed for it long term. It makes me happy to see young people out there and sailing long term.
Very well worded there sir and couldn’t agree more. An interesting point to mention the long term suitability being limited as we could imagine the workload would be far less in rough weather on a deep and heavy BW boat as compared to our light “excited” hull shape. Thanks for tuning in 🙏
@@SailingBeaver friends that have completed an Atlantic Circuit in a Grande Solie. They said their next boat would be more bluewater. Heavier was their main consideration
Well, bit of a strange remark, we crossed oceans on different boats and when the weather goes bad no boat will be comfortable.
@@francisverhelst9375 so I guess you sail a light boat. We have crossed the Atlantic both ways. Once in a light boat. Once in a heavy Bluewater boat. The heavier boat was far more comfy. You sleep better, it's quieter, it doesn't slam to windward. It's drier, has far better storage and fully loaded with gear for liveaboard it's faster than the light boat also fully loaded. We could not go back to lightweight boat for crossing oceans or living aboard full time. Of course you can cross an ocean in anything if you want to but some tools are better for certain jobs
@@francisverhelst9375 Comfort does not refer to rough weather but every day motion. Think about riding on top of waves versus riding through them. The boat that rides through the waves instead of on top will also have less motion and be more stable in rougher weather as well. Hull design makes the difference here.
Great videos! Just curious, why Sailing Beaver?
It is named after a mate
ruclips.net/video/dSZYA9xuDhs/видео.html
Scary
what was your sailing education and experience when buying the beneteau?
I just went to purchase the e-book, but I need to verify if I can read it on an Android tablet? thanks!
It’s downloaded in a pdf format so will display on all tablets and devices. Enjoy the book! 😊
You did an awesome job with all of your additional equipment - like inner stay, great anchor, solid self steering in Hydrovane that can be used as an emergency rudder if needed, very detailed approach to lines and blocks and probably much more. But a solid captain and crew - are the most valuable part of your boat-home and you did spectacular from everything I've seen so far. To be fair, I need to share my experience and view on an issue. I've participated in delivering a couple of Beneteaus and was able to notice an uncomfortable design feature of the boat - it is pounding while going upwind in moderate winds. However, deliveries are done on a schedule and you often forced to sail a shortest route within a time frame and often not a better one. With that in mind, knowing limitations of the design, it is easily avoidable by being flexible - like falling off and sailing comfortably and faster on a reach. Besides, nobody in their right mind would cruise upwind in moderate winds and choppy waves for so many reasons. I'm sure, that you and your boat will have a ton of success and fun while taking each other to any and many places within your comfort zone, and that zone expands with every passage you make. Fair winds and stay flexible
I noticed the pounding also when motoring a Beneteau 45 upwind into 30 knot winds. Less noticeable when sailing instead of motoring. I think it has a flat bottom, but when heeled it presents a rounded section to the water so less pounding.
That is the cleanest and most organized boat! Jeesh!!
Thankyou kind sir 👌
Really liked this video .Full of knowledge built from experience.Saved it to my boat library for future reference 👍👍.
Subscribed as well
Thanks so much, appreciate the kind words and glad to make the library! Welcome aboard and take care.
That’s a nice boat almost sold mine for enough to buy someone else’s similar to that one
How much is all data for the navigation instruments cost you a month?
Great video. this the first time we have viewed your work thanks for the insight into your work on your boat. we are in the market now. our issue with this type of boat is keeping the keel on and attempting to save the boat and every aboard if this happen in the deep blue. bolt on keels are the issue for us. you guys have done a great job on every thing above the water are there things that can be done blow the water line? again great video.
Thanks and glad to have you watching. The keel type is something worth considering and it’s difficult to say just on opinion how strong it is. Although we haven’t had issues in this department, like we mentioned in the video there is boats around that are better suited to heavy usage and primarily BW sailing. Fair winds.
Great video(s) you are making. Love to follow them. We (family of four) crossed the Pacific in a similar boat in 2018. Looking forward to watch the rest of your journey. Hope to see you Raroia/Kontiki Motu some time❤️ fair winds and following seas.
Thanks for you kind words and all the best to you and the family! Can’t wait to share some more of our journey. 🤙
God how awful those "Internet forums" are!!!! They've never crossed a bathtub,let alone the oceans!!! Beneteau and Jeaneau are fantastic brands and they absolutely get the job done!!!! Piss on them and you two have done a fantastic job...keep it up!!!!
You can't DJ without records and turntables. Of course you can, but I'd like to sell you my used turntables and classic vinyl for top dollar.
Nice! With all the work you did to that Beneteau she is definitely blue water capable. Although with all those upgrades she must carry a ton of excess weight. Is she overburdened and sail like a drunk pig? Has the righting balance changed? I guess I need to subscribe and watch more of your videos to see her performance LOL!
Its likely the jerrycans add quite some weight in a bad spot and a few other comfort items as it’s still our home, but we otherwise try keep it light and minimal(for a live aboard). The performance would be mostly the same as similar productions we guess. Welcome aboard 🤙
@@SailingBeaver Thanks for replying! I've always been of the opinion that, you don't need a slow, heavy, full keeled boat to do a trade winds circumnavigation. Good seamanship, route/weather planning and, meticulous attention to outfitting is 10x more important.
Agreed on that. Cheers mate 🤙
wow great work ! I have hardly seen an Oceanis 40 so well and thoughtfully equipped as you did (e.g. staysail). One thing is missing though....the answer of your question in the video title...I have just seen a video with the Kraken CEO and he defines the properties of a blue water sailboat as following:
1. integral keel
2. robust rudder system
3. no gas
4. thick hull
5. protected centre cockpit
6. sail handling from cockpit
7. foot braced somewhere when doing deck work
8. Keel stepped mast and heavy rig
Probably your boat covers points 6 and 7. What are your thoughts on that ? Thanks for your answer and good luck for the upcoming passages !
Thankyou sir, glad you enjoyed.
To answer above, firstly the Kraken boats look amazing and super tough, but unfortunately not in the budget range of anyone that sails a Beneteau.
Although the ceo would be totally biased, I would totally agree with points 1, 2, 4 and 6 especially for a winter, go anywhere boat. Other points like gas and keel stepped mast seem a little off track to Bluewater relevance but interesting for thought.
P.s although I love the thought of a strong skeg hung rudder, it’s not a very common on new builds anymore..
Thanks again
@@SailingBeaver well unfortunately the sea is not asking for the budget.... Maybe we can agree that you own a production boat very well equipped for bluewater cruising.... In any case all the best and enjoy your time at sea ....
That’s a good point! Thankyou kindly, fair winds 🙏
How much weight do you think your carrying when fully loaded, and thoughts of effecting the boats AVS.
Remind those saying it’s not “blue water” that La Vagabond sailed the Med, Atlantic and Pacific. The best boost to take is the boat you know best
Everyone has to feel comfortable with their decisions as they head out. For me, I'm thankful for my full-keel, heavy displacement double ender. Every bit of it is built like a tank. No keel bolts. No exposed rudder. It's been around the world once and we're taking it around again.
I couldn't find your ebook.......Please send the best form to buy this.
Thank´s
Available here on our website… www.sailingbeaver.com/product/bluewatercruiser/
Alternatively it’s a free download for our Patrons here.. www.patreon.com/sailingbeaver
Thanks for your support 🙏
@@SailingBeaver Easy..... living now in my computer. Best regards
Iv owned 411s , Jenuae 37 , 68` Herroshoffs , Delivered every thing from 25` monos to 55 cats & every yacht that is well built , Seaworthy can travel oceans ITS the weather routing & seamanship of skipper & crew that count . Though i find the plastic mass produced yachts are horrid going to windward in any sea way , Nock the fillings out my back teeth, But hey cruisers shouldn't be beating into a rising gale , Many a time iv laid hove to , Let the low front go over , Get a kip & 12 to 20 hours later its all go again . Why they put runners so the boom cant swing with a deep reef in always amazes me . I set up my reefing lines for my main so i can reef all reefs from the cockpit , Block on the eye up down & back , I think the Owners 2 cabin version 46 is a better deep sea boat , Just because of the volume , Less movement , More storage & bigger daily mileage on average . But you got it all nailed perfect , great post , Great help for the viewers - Fair winds & following seas .
Can totally agree with all of that, although with all that experience on various hulls we would be very interested in you hands down favourite offshore boat? Thanks for all your noteworthy points, especially the windward in a seaway bit… spot on! Cheers 🤙
@@SailingBeaver A 55 ft. Warwick ( Forgotten his name , Kiwi designer) motor sailor that sailed like a racing yacht "Findhorn" Delivered her from Picton to Tonga a couple of years ago . 20+ tons , Big solid dodger , Electric winches , Cutter rig , All sails furling , Shed point like a witch & in 3 meter seas on the nose just go like a train . You could sleep under the dodger , Spent little time down below it was so comfortable & great view .
The big Herroshoff was good & a nother Oramshoff 55 "Marie Shantel" (Both Herroshoff designs tweeked by Orams of Whangarai) was a pleasure to sail But both not fantastic to wind ward , Heavy well designed yachts seem to make life easier , Light displacement means fun but more lively at sea & any loads /stores kills there performance (Cats to)
Sound interesting for sure. We like fun but agree it gets exhausting! Thanks for the input we’ll have to do some research on all that!
Hi. one of the key issues with production boats is the attachment of the strongback to the floor. I yours glued only (not good) or is it glued and laminated (would be very good)? Regards from Switzerland. Silvano
Seem to be glued (plexus) only at the flanges in areas with less load and glued+laminated at high load areas of the main grid above keel and under mast. Cheers 🤙
@@SailingBeaver 99% of grid failures are from heavy grounding (Except for early Bavaria's,& penny washers for there keelbolts)
The BENETEAU also has washers on the keel bolts. I would like to see backing plates installed.
@@SailingBeaver ... and laminated deck to hull flange would be welcome, too.
200w is pretty solid usually gets mine fully charged during a day
What’s 200W? The panels are 110w so with all 4 it’s 440w and usually charges everything by lunch.
Thanks for the video! It seems the answer is a definitely YES. As long as you invest on necessary upgrades. I specially like the changes to the rigging. Makes sailing life easier and definitely safer than the original set up.
No worries glad you enjoyed 🙏. The right upgrades make a big difference and thanks for your vote of confidence. Fair winds.
Where did you get the brackets for the solar panels?
Hi! They are from the Swedish brand NOA. You can find all the contact details, prices and lots of other info in the new eBook we published alongside this video. Available from on our website www.sailingbeaver.com/product/bluewatercruiser/
She is an A clas sailboat but nothing Bluewater
Hmmm, yes true. Dables
First time viewer and very pleased with your presentation and your provisions for safety. I'll like and subscribe, too. Safe travels.
I wish that this issue would just die once and for all! I believe there are 2 major factors involved in keeping this insanity going: 1). Most people can't afford a true bluewater boat unless the boats are getting quite old and 2). The hesitation of insurance companies to insure older boats (even though they are far more seaworthy). Enter flimsy production boats with their amply documented shortcomings. It's inherently dangerous to suggest that a small production coastal boat is in any way suitable as a bluewater cruiser. This question always puts production boat owners on the defensive! Do people do it? Sure! Are more production boats crossing oceans than any other boats? Yes! Should they? Well that's a question of what you see as an acceptable risk for you and your loved ones. Drop these boats into a Fastnet or a Sydney Hobart situation and not many of them would make it! Any sailboat could handle the sea state shown in most RUclips videos. We're talking about conditions that will pick your little boat up, turn it 90 degrees and smash it down on its side! Even bluewater boats would get dismasted at that point and one of your only options remaining is to lock yourself inside. Good luck bracing yourself while you get rolled over and over again. You'll be cursing your condominium-like interior! The very term "bluewater" should suggest that throughout the lifetime of a bluewater sailor the chances of getting into this type of a situation is far from zero! If you think that your weather planning prowess is foolproof, think again. A bluewater sailboat by definition is a comletely different animal so don't let names like "Oceanis" fool you. Just do a quick comparison between a production boat and a true bluewater boat on Sailboat Data. The numbers speak for themselves! No thanks, not for my family...I don't care what you've done with the boat. I speak from 40 years of successful offshore experience. Offensive rant...over 🧐
No offence there at all champ, some well rounded points for sure, most of which we would have to agree with.
As we mentioned there are vessels better suited specifically for long term BW usage and although we do venture on some crossings we are well aware of the particular characteristics of this boat, albeit through trial and error.
Overall we are satisfied that the boat fulfils its purpose, but do we appreciate a nice heavy, deep solid BW boat when we see one? Yes! Would we prefer to be sipping coffee in a centre cockpit in 5 meter seas and 40kn with a perfect balanced helm, Yes. Would we appreciate to have unlimited cruising destinations within our reach… Of course! But we also gotta work with what we got and try build some experience along the way!
I don’t believe you that you’re inexperienced: you shouldn’t know about all the upgrades you have, how to use them, and what the various benefits are. If you are in fact newbies, you’ve done an amazing job of educating yourselves and getting to an advanced level quickly.
Well we had not sailed at all before buying this boat… In saying that we spent some time in Norway before departing to get the boat setup and learn as much as possible. Also had lots of guidance from other sailors we have met along the way giving us little hints and suggestions so we are thankful for that.
great video! even if it was horrible I would still watch just to here you talk ;)
Huh, who? What?
@@SailingBeaver haha sorry! Was just implying you have a very cute accent.
But love your guys videos.
Can’t wait to watch the pacific videos.
Be safe!
Hahah cheers mate!
This is the type of sailing channel that interests me, like Sailing Ran, this channel is about sailing and the boat first, the sociable aspect being a secondary consideration, People have crossed oceans in all manner of craft, from bathtubs to an 18ft Dory, the point being pretty much any boat will cross an ocean, is it being suitable for prolonged long distance voyaging year after year is a different question. Displacement, sound construction, sea kindliness, sailing performance with adequate capacity to carry essential equipment water and stores to service a crew for passage making that may take twice as long as originally planned for are IMHO essential. For a question like this you will get a myriad of answers, expect a lot of conflicting opinions. Thx for the opportunity to go sailing with you , if not in person but in this case via youtube. Having said that, While 40-45 ft is perfectly adequate for me I would not venture offshore in a boat with a bolt on keel.
Thank you sir for the very kind feedback. Totally agree with the desired qualities of an ideal offshore yacht, many of these we have slowly come to learn ourselves after owning the yacht and more so with each longer passage. Thanks for you well rounded input. 🤙
HI! Thanx for posting!
Cheers 🤙
I really like your saving water spray bottle. I have lived in desert country , water is most precious. Do you wear a knife on a belt when you are at sea
Thankyou it surely is. Yes! Just like crocodile Dundee 🐊🔪
I saw one in 5-6 m seas and it did excellent! From Africa to the Caribbean.
Why didn’t you any file your prop?
We don’t antifoul the prop as we have never needed it to be honest. We give it a brush every few weeks and when it’s out of the water a big polish and that works fine.
for me, its not about the brand, but the design. some designs are just better suited for bigger/longer/shorter waves & stronger/lighter winds. id argue its a huge difference between sailing the baltic sea with very short/choppy waves, the northern sea with relatively short but big waves or the pacific with big and long waves. however, usually it comes down to the comfort factor as you can cross the atlantic in a whiskey barrel.
Spot on mate, Cheers!
Your boat is DIALD. Well done. I love it and would cross oceans with you guys all day long 👍🏻.
Thanks for the great videos. Enjoying them. The title “ suited to blue water cruising? “ I get this question a lot. I am a licensed and credentialed cruising instructor. I have trained and certified hundreds of cruisers in a challenging area San Francisco and it’s offshore waters. We teach off shore classes as far as Hawaii and back. We have a fleet of modern boats. Some dedicated blue water cruisers. Eg Caliber 40 LRC. We have had numerous Beneteaus, Jeanneau, Hunter, etc.
Is your boat a blue water cruiser? Yes, because you have put serious effort into making it one. Is that what it is designed for? No. That is not its primary design function. Student’s will often ask me can I take this Beneteau accross an ocean? Answer, yes? Are there better boats to do this in? Yes. If you want to know a dedicated cruising boat, go to a busy harbor like Grenada, Prickly Bay and observe the many boats with there decks loaded and lined with Jerry Jugs. Chances are that these vessels are not dedicated cruisers. This is just one item of example. On this boat the capsize formula gives it barely a pass 195 out of a max of 2. I know this is just an average broad brush stroke. Look how far that you have sailed!!
But a serious BWC is going to be more like 130 to 165 area. The other area of concern is the exposed rudders. I know, life’s a gamble. I would cruise on one. Look at what the Mini- Transats do!!! Crazy.
So it;s kind of like a question of Symantecs. Especially today. What IS a BWC?
I think a very important factor in seaworthiness is the crew! and good on ya mates!
Thanks for the informative comment, your spot on. The example of the Mini Transats is perfect, they are a 6.5m empty shell that can cross serious blue water but are are obviously not very well suited for the task. Thats if you plan on sleeping or staying dry. Cheers Fred!
I would install backing plates on the keel bolts, I believe the Beneteau has only washers. The next time your on the hard drop your keel for inspection.
If we were removing the bolts for some reason or making repairs in that area then that would be a good idea but otherwise not (can of worms). Your right though, kinda small backing plates.
Sailed a Bavaria 46 in the Tasman Sea , Man what a piece of rubbish . in was OK in the Trade Winds of Tahiti , but when it got into big seas it was trying to sink itself . Never Again will i take a Bavarian in Blue Water .
We just watched the Queens birthday storm documentary on RUclips, so big seas in the Tasman is a very scary thought. Such a bad reputation in those waters so with these type of production boats the weather windows would be few and far between.
It is interesting, it is allowed to ask what Bavaria it was (size age). What was the problem and how bad was the weather
@@aurorasailing Bavaria 46s is 46 feet long , so a good length , Around 10years old , the seas were around 3 meters so not that large . the waves were standing up , so every time the wave passed the midships the Bow would Smash into the water , Shuddering the whole boat , it was horrible . eventually the Constance bashing caused the Mast Rigging to brake , the mast was wobbling about to fall , we changed tack and strained the port side rigging until we hit Australia .
@@SailingBeaver Sailed a Lotus 36 in Hellacious seas north off New Zealand 7 Meter waves 45 knot winds for days .
she is a Tuff little boat , we ripped a hole through the deck , water poured in , we block the hole with a bag full of clothes and Stuffed a bath towel with a bread knife to compact it into the cracks . it just dripped after that . fill bucket loads of water and threw them into the cockpit . it was my 1st sail into the Tasman .
@@jimmyhvy2277 Thank you for your reply.
I think it sounds scary and also think it's a little strange.
Bavaria Cruiser 46 from about 2005-2010 is a boat that is very much used here in Norway, and they often sail hard in hard weather, much worse weather than what you describes here without any problems.
So the rig simply could not cope with the knocking from medium tough sailing.
We have crossed the North Atlantic and been in brutal weather at home in Norway (55 knots) with a Oceanis 43 and Bavaria is almost the same as beneteau , and have several friends with Bavarias who are smaller than the one at 46 feet and they experience mostly never problems.
Up Nz !
RUDDER? HiGuys! Good work on the boat and on the video as well! What I am curious about is: Did you do anything with rudder? Some guard or backup?
Thanks 🙏. Yeah we did a complete rudder overhaul and removed, inspected and replaced bearings in a previous episode. Also installed a Hydrovane self steering that can also act as an auxiliary rudder in case of failure to our main rudder.
Bravo both. It's not the boat, it's how you sail her. The upgrades are well considered, I particularly like the gybe proof double foresail and double pole for trade wind sailing. The fact that you're doing it, rather than talking about it should piss off the armchair captains; keep going!
True that! The upgrades has worked well for us and we are pretty happy with them! Cheers for tuning in mate
Fantastic video!
4 surfboards...😊
Ja Nils🤙🏼
Ahh another aussie sailing channel 😃 now back to 1st video with a cold VB and popcorn...
Haha enjoy your Very Best mate 🤙