sailing yacht a video

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Video: See inside 9 of the most amazing modern sailing superyachts

• September 10, 2020

Sailing superyacht technology has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years - we take a closer look at nine of the most stunning examples...

1. Aquarius

The brief for Aquarius included that she should be, ‘an elegant, muscular sailing yacht with a classic profile for family enjoyment.’ But that barely scratches the surface of the main requirements for this giant ketch. The owners also wanted a yacht that would combine good seakeeping characteristics with performance, reliability and quality.

Essential features included relative simplicity, robustness of systems and a contemporary interpretation of elegant, classic lines, with a clean and uncomplicated appearance. Aquarius ’s graceful lines and timeless shape belie a rugged world cruiser configured to be self-sufficient for extended periods when voyaging well beyond the popular Med and Caribbean circuits. In addition, the yacht is welcoming for family and friends, while providing sufficient performance to compete in superyacht regattas.

Specifications

LOA: 56.18m (184ft 4in) LWL: 41.17m (135ft 1in) Beam: 9.51m (31ft 2in) Draught: 4.80m (15ft 9in) Displacement: 264 tonnes (591,360lbs) Mainsail: 520m2 (5,597ft2) Mizzen: 440m2 (4,736ft2) Blade: 430m2 (4,628ft2) Air draught: 58.50m (192ft 11in) Spars: Rondal carbon with Rondal/Carbo-Link continuous standing rigging Builder: Royal Huisman Launched: 2017

Photo: Baltic Yachts

2. Pink Gin VI

The Baltic 175 Pink Gin may have captured most of the headlines for her sheer size and cleverly engineered topside balconies, but below decks a collection of Cuban art and some phenomenal styling demand equal attention.

Mark Tucker’s team at Design Unlimited in the UK worked closely with the yacht’s owner, Professor Hans Georg Näder, with whom they had co-operated on his previous Pink Gin , to produce an unusual exercise in interior styling.

LOA: 53.90m (176ft 10in) LWL: 45.27 m (148ft 6in) Beam: 9.55 m (31ft 4in) Draft: 4.50-7.00 m (14ft 9in – 22ft 12in) Displacement: 250 tons (560,000lbs) Ballast: 79 tons (176,960lbs) Naval architect: Judel/Vrolijk & co Interior: Design Unlimited Builder: Baltic Launched: 2017

Article continues below…

Liara: The Baltic 112 superyacht designed to cruise the world in supreme comfort

Over the past decade we’ve been treated to the rise of the custom built cruiser-racer. Arguably inspired by the success…

Aquarius: Modern classic masterpiece makes for a surprisingly sensible superyacht

A demanding brief for Aquarius from experienced sailors has produced a masterpiece from some of the most experienced and talented…

The Baltic 142 Canova  may not be using the hydrofoils popularised by the America’s Cup , but her 29ft 6in long (9m) horizontal sliding foil employs the same principle of lift to reduce heel and boost speed. The designers of the Dynamic Stability System (DSS) say it could improve the performance of this super-cruiser by 20 per cent, delivering a sustained 25 knots – not bad for a superyacht that displaces 146 tonnes. This is the first time the DSS has been used in superyachting, but its benefits will be used for comfortable, fast long-distance cruising rather than gaining an edge on the racecourse.

With styling and interior design by Lucio Micheletti as well as the in-house team, Canova  sports a sleek, low deck saloon with a hard, fixed bimini extending over the forward cockpit area. Below, her vast deck saloon, providing panoramic views, forms the focal point of her luxury accommodation.

Unusually, the owner’s suite is located almost amidships, where motion is at its least, with further accommodation for six guests in three cabins. Other features include a Rondal rig with electric in-boom furling, a lifting keel and a propeller leg rotating through 180 degrees.

LOA: 43.3m (142ft 1in) LWL: 41.6m (136ft 6in) Beam: 9.m (29ft 6in) Draft: 3.8-6.5m (12ft 6in-21ft 4in) Displacement: 146.5 tons (328,160lbs) Naval architect: Farr Yacht Design Interior design: Baltic Yachts / Lucio Micheletti Exterior design: Lucio Micheletti Builder: Baltic Launched: 2019

Photo: Perini Navi

Part of the world’s largest sailing yacht series by length, Seven is hull number 3 in Perini Navi’s 60m ketch series, after Seahawk and Perseus 3 . Launched in 2017, she was feted for her groundbreaking interior lighting design throughout all five guest cabins. A powerful motor-sailer, her twin MTU engines and 47,000-litre fuel capacity mean a globe-trotting range of 3,600nm when motoring at 12 knots.

LOA: 60m (197ft) LWL: 50.4m (165ft 4in) Beam: 11.4m (37ft 4in) Draft: 4.3m-12.3m (14ft 1in – 40ft 4in) Mast height: 62.2m (204ft) Total sail area: 2,097 m2 (22,572ft2) Displacement: 575 tonnes (1,288,000 lbs) Naval architect: Ron Holland / Perini Navi Builder: Perini Navi Launched: 2017

Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget / Wally

This may be the fourth 100ft yacht designed to the Wallycento box rule, but it’s one that raises the bar with regard to combining form and functionality with outrageously cool aesthetics. Considering that Wally is yachting’s deity of style, that’s saying something.

Tango is at the very forefront of modern fast monohull design and advanced technology. Its stealthy black livery and long, low lines combine with a bold reverse sheerline to create a potent, powerful look. The ruthlessly clean deck is signature Wally. The image of the single helmsman on deck, with all that power and beauty controlled simply by the touch of a network of buttons on the pedestals, has become an icon for the Italian brand.

LOA: 30.48m (100ft) Beam: 7.20m (23ft 7in) Draught: 4.4-6.2m (14ft 5in-20ft 4in) Displacement (light): 47,500kg (104,720lb) Upwind sail area: 640m2 (6,889ft2) Downwind sail area: 1,398m2 (15,048ft2) Naval architecture: Mills Design Exterior design: Wally / Mills Design Interior design: Pininfarina Builder: Persico Marine Launched: 2017

Photo: Breed Media

The owner’s brief for Ngoni would be challenging for any size of yacht: “Build me a beast. Don’t build me a sheep in wolf’s clothing. This has to be an edgy and innovative weapon; fast and furious.” When the boat in question is a giant 58m (190ft) sloop with a displacement of nearly 400 tonnes this project was always going to push hard against existing boundaries of design, deck hardware and materials technology.

“The owner wanted me to take a fresh look at large yacht design,” Dubois recalled before his untimely death four years ago. “He wanted me to go back to my roots in the late 1970s and ’80s when we were designing race boats, but he also knew we had designed a number of high-performance yachts that were nevertheless seaworthy and comfortable cruisers. So I had to reset my internal computer, if you like, and look hard at how we could save weight and add strength.

“That’s how the reverse sheer came about. I was worried he might not like it. The next time we met in London I showed him the design and he loved it – in fact he gave me a big bear hug!”

LOA: 58.15m 190ft 9in LWL: 51.20m 167ft 12in Beam: 9.54m 31ft 4in Draught: 5.3m-81m (17ft 5in-26ft 7in) Displacement: 353 tons (778,224lb) Upwind sail area: 1,950m2 (20,989ft2) Downwind sail area: 3,093m2 (33,293ft2) Air draught: 75m (247ft) Naval architect: Ed Dubois Interior design: Paul Morgan / Rick Baker Builder: Royal Huisman Launched: 2017

Photo: Vitters Shipyard

Ahimsa is a 216ft sloop-rigged aluminum yacht, designed by the late Ed Dubois. Built with a combination of innovation and advanced technical craftsmanship, Ahimsa boasts a low superstructure and deck clean. Key features include the ability to hoist her mainsail in less than two minutes and tack the boat within 30 seconds.

The 83m carbonfibre mast is the largest ever produced by Southern Spars and had to be transported to The Netherlands in two pieces. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Ahimsa ‘s Code 1 sail is the world’s largest artwork on canvas, designed by the Norwegian artist Magne Furuholmen.

LOA: 66m (216ft 6in) Mast height: 83m (272ft 4in) Naval architect: Ed Dubois Builder: Vitters Launched: 2012

Svea , the newest addition to the now nine-strong J Class fleet, is one of the most outstanding new yachts of modern times – a harmonious meeting of historic and modern design; a blend of J Class lines and maxi grand prix yacht technology.

All Js dazzle on the water, but Svea simply stops you in your tracks. Her lines and deck are kept spectacularly clean, thanks to the compact wheelhouse, sunken wheel and wonderfully low boom.

Her dark metallic grey hull and black and red sail wardrobe lend her timeless lines a slightly menacing appearance – a purposeful racing look that belies the luxurious interior below decks. The aggressive aesthetics are in keeping with her name, a Viking word (it means Swede).

LOA: 43.6m (143ft 1in) Interior design: Pieter Beeldsnijder / deVos deVries design Builder: Vitters/Bloemsma Launched: 2017

Not only is Liara a masterpiece of style, thanks to UK-based super designers Malcolm McKeon and Adam Lay combining to stunning effect, but she clearly represents a formidable amount of experience. And that all stems from the boss.

This is the fourth Liara for British serial yacht owner Tony Todd, who is now in his seventies. His initial brief was for a safe, comfortable family cruising yacht for circumnavigating the globe , hence the deep and well-protected cockpit. However, Todd has been racing yachts all his life, and once his competitive side kicked in and the odd regatta was mentioned, the speed, weight and deck layout to make this possible became critical features. The result is Liara , the definitive multi-role superyacht.

Specification

LOA: 112ft 0in (34.14m) LWL: 105ft 0in (32.00m) Beam: 25ft 11in (7.90m) Draught: 13ft 0in-20ft 2in (3.95m-6.15m) Displacement (light): 88 tonnes (194,000 lbs) Design: Malcolm McKeon / Adam Lay Builder: Baltic Launched: 2019

The Best Sailing Videos on YouTube - Our Favourites!

You may not actually be sailing or boating right now but these videos and clips are sure to entertain your nautical side. As we said, this is our list, but if you think we’ve missed something special let us know and we’ll add it on!

Ready for some entertainment? One, two, three, here we go…

Incredible offshore sailing video from the Volvo Ocean Race

There is no doubt that the introduction of drones for onboard reporters in the last edition of the Volvo Ocean Race changed the viewing dynamic of the race forever. Suddenly you could follow the crews beyond the marina and spectator boats right out into the middle of the ocean. 

Drones enabled us to capture never-before-seen aerial footage that moved audiences from spectators to feeling like members of the crew. To anyone who has ever flown a drone, we think you can appreciate the skill of flying from a boat on a heel like this, going that fast with that much water coming over the deck, onboard reporters we take our hat off to you. 

Here we watch some of their most epic moments in what is, without doubt, one of the most impressive Sailing Videos we’ve ever come across on YouTube.

Impressive video of Vendee Globe Boats sailing around the Kerguelen Islands

With the incredible support of the French Navy and French television TF1, a team of two people spent forty days onboard a frigate helicopter carrier in order to shoot Vendee Globe boats rounding the Kerguelen Islands. Here we see this rare and epic sailing footage.

The best, most complete sailing app available. Cuts out the need to use lots of different apps. Incredibly easy to use. Modern navigational planning software as it should be. Not just a picture of a chart!!!

Keith Binley

Video of Alex Thompson performing the most amazing skywalk

This video combines two of our favourite water sports - sailing and kitesurfing.

What if you kite surfed behind the Hugo Boss Vendee Globe boat, attached yourself to a wire and hoisted yourself up to twice the height of your mast before ripping the cord and floating back down on your kite?

We think even the most adrenaline-fuelled individuals would take their hats off to this particular stunt…

This video of a couple living on a self-sufficient sailboat for 10 years

Follow this extraordinary couple who have been living aboard their boat for ten years, sailing 83,000 nautical miles. Using wind and solar panels this couple, and their baby, can be off-grid for months at a time. 

Some people may also know them as SV Delos. The couple knew nothing about sailing before going on to live on their boat full time. 

Take the full video tour of the boat that lets them live a sustainable life on the sea or, if planning your own trip, check out our essential boat packing list . 

This footage of a drunk sailor being pulled off a reef in the Caribbean!

A list of sailing videos wouldn’t be complete without at least one boat fail video and this one is a good reminder to ensure you have the right safety equipment on board ! 

After a night sail back to Grenada in the Caribbean , Sailing SV Delos find a drunk sailor who’s run his sailboat up on a reef with all his sails out and engine on motoring even further onto the reef! Sounds too crazy to be true? Take a look at this…

Watch the guys from BoatUS cover the five outboard maintenance jobs most people forget 

We’ve covered important considerations for maintaining your boat before. In this video, Yamaha technician Sean Stahl of Annapolis Boat Sales explains to BoatUS Magazine's Lenny Rudow five outboard maintenance jobs that people forget about. 

These include replacing the fuel-water separator filter, checking the timing belt for wear, checking engine and bracket zincs, checking trim tab zincs, and removing the prop to look for a fishing line behind the thrust washer.

Awesome Video of Sailing a Superboat Crossing the Atlantic in Record Time

To quote “A Great Big Story,” - “Even the most daunting world records are meant to be broken.” 

And it was no easy feat. On July 22, 2016, Comanche—a custom-built, 100-foot racing yacht—set sail from New York to the southern tip of England. Precisely five days, 14 hours, 21 minutes and 25 seconds later, the Comanche’s crew shattered the world record, by more than a day. 

This video has it all; excellent helming , speed, resilience, teamwork, and the bravery to sail through bad weather.

Brave the high seas as we set sail on one of the most amazing and inspiring journeys ever to take place on film.”

Watch Sailing Nandji prepare their yacht for its first ocean crossing!

We love watching the guys as Sailing Nandji and we are well aware of the importance of proper preparation . In this video Bonita goes up the mast for the first time to take measurements for a new headsail, Yosh gets handy with some fiberglass work and the crew gets creative in the sail loft.

Looking to plan your next sailing adventure? Plot routes and explore marina’s with savvy navvy . If you fancy watching more videos and learning What is a broach in Sailing?

savvy navvy , the boating app that brings all essential marine information together in one place. Featuring global charts, wind and weather forecasts, tidal graphs, GPS Tracking, automatic weather routing, and marina and anchorage information. It’s like Google Maps for boats.

Inspired to get on the water? Start your free trial today.

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After many years of working as a boat instructor on the south coast of the UK Lucy McCarter has seen quite the evolution in teaching styles and tactics.

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10 Best Sailing YouTube Channels

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

If you've been planning to join the Big Blue for a sailing escapade, then you've probably watched and drawn inspiration from numerous sailing YouTube channels that are available on the web. But which are the best sailing YouTube channels? Well, let's find out.

There are a lot of pessimistic individuals out there who are probably trying to dismiss sailing YouTubers and the massive audiences as another ascendancy of what might be referred to as the "couch-potato" society. Whatever your opinion on this matter, we strongly believe that sailing YouTube channels is an excellent and modern way of exposing our beloved sport not just to sailors but to other people as well. And unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard or even watched several sailing YouTube channels. But which ones are the best of the bunch?

You probably do not have much time to go about research for the best sailing YouTube channels. For this reason, we've made it our duty to ravage through, do thorough research, and present you with the 10 best sailing YouTube channels. This means that you can now easily watch the glorious sailing lives that these YouTube sailors share with millions of viewers.

So if you want some inspiration or a way of learning a thing or two about sailing, you've come to the right place. These sailing YouTube channels are beautiful, fun, and will teach you a thing or two about sailing.

Table of contents

Sailing La Vagabonde

This is a sailing YouTube channel that's run by Australian video bloggers Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu. Founded in 2014 when the couple met in Greece, this sailing YouTube channel documents the couple's life aboard their sailing catamaran known as La Vagabonde.

This Australian couple has so far sailed over 90,000 nm across many oceans and is inspiring millions of viewers to explore living on the ocean as an alternative option. This lovely couple sustains its sailing lifestyle publishing weekly YouTube videos. Having received noteworthy media attention for sailing with Greta Thunberg from Virginia to Lisbon to raise awareness on Climate Change issues, the couple has attained patrons who are always willing to fund their travel and sailing expenses.

Onboard the La Vagabonde, they have established roles. Whitelum is tasked with taking care of boat maintenance and sailing logistics such as checking the weather and planning ahead of sailings while Carausu is tasked with cooking, cleaning, and editing the videos.

Subscribers: 1.47 million

• ‍ Spearfishing a Deserted Island! (Sailing La Vagabonde) - Ep. 12
• BOAT LIFE: Our Morning Routine Onboard
• Our Tiny Home on the Ocean
• Sailing Around the World (Sailing La Vagabonde) - Ep. 1 Intro & Sailing Turkey
• TIGER SHARKS surround our boat. WE SWIM WITH THEM! 🦈 Ep.197

Sailing SV Delos

When Brian Trautman bought a sailboat 2008, he had never envisioned that he would be so immersed in it that it would become his home; a part and parcel of his lifestyle. More than a decade later, this sailboat has covered more than 70,000nm, visited over 46 countries, and helped in creating more than 200 YouTube videos.

As one of the original and the best sailing YouTube channels, Sailing SV Delos has become a sensation among sailors as it documents the travels and adventures of a lovely crew aboard the sailing vessel, SV Delos. The crew often includes the boat owner Brian, his brother Brady, Brian's wife Karin Syren, and crew member Alex Blue. The team also invites crew members to help with sailing, boat maintenance, cleaning, and, of course, filming.

Sailing SV Delos has always kept it real and chronicled several ocean passages including some of the most challenging and intense weather conditions such as a severe lightning storm that the crew had to deal with on their way to Madagascar.

With his experience as a former electrical engineer, Brian Trautman has been able to make several improvements to the boat to ensure that they remain environment-friendly whenever they sail. The crew has also contributed to several philanthropic activities such as giving $50,000 to charities and contributing to restoration efforts in Dominica after the island was ravaged by Hurricane Maria.

Subscribers: 581K  

• ‍ Buzzed by the U.S. Coastguard Chopper
• How long can we survive out here?
• When STUFF BREAKS 😭 Middle of Nowhere
• Birth of the Two Titty Yacht Club!

Gone with the Wynns

If you want a sailing YouTube channel that offers an unscripted tale of an eccentric couple who left their everyday life to become perpetual travelers and experience whirlwind adventures, you've come to the right place. Known as Gone with the Wynns, this sailing YouTube channel chronicles the adventures of prominent travel vloggers Jason and Nikki Wynn.

The couple started by chronicling their travel adventures by buying an RV and undertook an epic road trip in search of endless exploration across the country. They went around North America and even trekked around Alaska and admit that they'd have stayed there forever had it not for the fact that they suffer from what they term as incurable sedentary life phobia.

The couple then decided to sail around the world and have been on a sailing voyage of more than 10,000nm. The couple has always been inspired by their unparalleled desire to explore, grow, learn, and share their travel experiences. To them, sailing is far more surreal as it's almost akin to exploring the world as it was done in the 1400s.

Subscribers: 333K

• ‍ Boat Tour - Custom Built Off-Grid Expedition Yacht
• First Impressions of Big Boat Life
• Daily Life aboard an Expedition Boat
• BIG BOAT LIFE & Diving Into The Surf
• SAILING THE WORLD WITH ONLY 6 MONTHS TO LIVE

Free Range Sailing

A lovely couple named Troy and Pascale, shares with the world their off-the-cuff voyage in remote Australia in their 30ft yacht named Mirrol. With their minimalist lifestyle, the couple has endeared itself to millions of viewers across the world who are always eager to see how they do more with less.

This couple has documented their simple life in some of the remotest locations in the world with the main aim of showing the rest of the world that self-sufficiency is the way of life. They show their viewers how to cruise around some of the remotest locations in Australia as they indulge in other activities such as fishing and adventure.

Subscribers: 92.5K

• We're Sailing to the Kimberley!
• LIFE ON A SMALL SAILBOAT Working, Cooking, Sailing & Exploring in our Tiny Home
• Finding Fish 🐠 🎣🐟: It's Easy When You Know How
• The Nude Latitude

RAN Sailing

If you've been looking for a sailing YouTube channel that has no fakery and no fuss, RAN Sailing is meant for you. This channel revolves around the incredible life of Johan Hammarlund and Malin Lof, an adventurous Swedish couple who were looking for a different and unique lifestyle.

Four years ago, the couple decided to sell everything they owned and set sail on its 1987 custom-built Beason aluminum sailboat. They've sailed to various destinations including their homeland of Sweden, Alaska, and Seattle. In 2019, the couple welcomed a daughter, bought a bigger boat, and continues sailing the world as a family.

They've also sailed the Pacific and have attracted even more fans across the world as they showcase an incredible Swedish lifestyle with no fuss. And despite the Coronavirus pandemic, they've assured their fans that they'll ensure that they never leave the couch as they set sail despite the current situation.

Subscribers: 103K

• The Beginning Of An Adventure
• Provisioning for an Ocean Crossing
• Drama Aboard a Swan 60
• A Crazy Or Perfect Boat? 6 Cabins In A 52 Ft Boat!
• Getting Boarded At Sea

Tula's Endless Summer

You've probably wondered whether it would be possible to bring your lovely pet to your sailing escapades. Well, a young couple known as Billy Swezey and Sierra Groth have been showing that it's possible and very inspiring thanks to their Tula's Endless Summer sailing YouTube channel.

Their sailing adventure started in 2013 when Billy bought a dilapidated boat in an abandoned boatyard in New York and set about restoring the boat. Billy, who describes himself as a water bug, then met the lovely Sierra in Florida. Since then the couple together with their dog, Jetty, have been inseparable as a Dream Team and have shown the world that taking up sailing as a lifestyle is very possible.

This lovely family has sailed in the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and other destinations on their Tula, as well as other boats. Bill describes himself as a jack of all trades who has been surfing, kiting, diving, paddling, and doing everything in the ocean. On the other hand, Sierra is a lovely girl who wishes she had the power of breathing underwater. And what about, Jetty the Gypsy? Well, this dog has seen and done a lot more than most people will ever do in their life.

In essence, Tula's Endless Summer is a superb sailing YouTube channel that vividly chronicles the life of a young and lovely couple going about their sailing escapades.

Subscribers: 132K

• CROSSING THE Gulf Stream To West End (Grand Bahama)
• How Much Does It Cost To Live On A Boat?
• First Time on an Electric Foil (We Brought Our Dog!)
• COAST GUARD INCIDENT..
• She Was FEEDING SHARKS!!!

Sailing Uma

Neither Dan Deckert nor Kika Mevs grow up sailing and never dreamt of buying a sailboat just to cruise around the world. But soon after graduating, this gorgeous couple founded a successful architectural design-consulting firm as a way of earning a living. Fortunately, Dan and Kika soon realized that the rat race wasn't their cup of tea. They both had dreams of traveling the world and seeing for themselves of the earth was a beautiful place. Again, they had been inspired when a friend advised them not to buy a couch!

Having realized that the conventional life wasn't meant for them, the couple bought a sailboat named UMA even though they didn't know anything about sailboats or sailing. They had to Google their way out and restored their lovely boat to their liking. They came up with a 5-year plan to learn step by step before sailing around the world. The plan was to start with a small boat and learn how to sail on a lake before getting a vessel that they could use for their offshore adventures.

Despite the steep learning curve, this lovely couple had solutions to many problems during their sailing escapades and now is showcasing their sailing escapes in one of the best sailing YouTube channels around. So far, they've visited 22 countries, covered 18,358 nautical miles, and have incredibly used zero gallons of diesel.

Subscribers: 254K

• Naked Night Dive + Exploring the Baths
• BOAT TOUR: The Modern Interior of our 50 yr old DREAM YACHT
• 5 Years Living offgrid on an ALL ELECTRIC Sailboat
• Biggest Waves We've Ever Seen — DAY 10 / North Atlantic Crossing
• HURRICANE SURVIVAL TACTICS (I Stayed on the boat)

Sailing Doodles

With one of the most-watched sailing YouTube channels on the internet, Bobby White and his partner Laura began their sailing escapades after Bobby suffered a medical scare in his late 30s. He was good-looking, had a flourishing career as a corporate pilot, flying the rich and famous around the world. He had suffered a stroke and his career was gone just like that!

After healing, Bobby sold everything he owned and bought a C&C 37-foot sailboat. Along with his two lovely dogs, he set sail from his native Texas to the Caribbean. He made the wise move to document his new life and that is how Sailing Doodles came to be. With his partner Laura, Bobby admits that chronicling their sailing journey on YouTube isn't as easy as many people think but it's certainly worth it to share and inspire others in a very cool way.

Subscribers: 289K  

• ‍ No Bikini Needed
• Sailing Miami Style
• Beautiful Skipper - Sailing from Phuket
• Who Needs Clothes on a Private Island?
• Group Shower on the Isle of Capri

Whitespot Pirates

Who said that sailing was only a man's stuff? Well, if you've been thinking so, you might want to have a second thought. Nike Steiger has been inspiring girls all over the world to take up sailing. Through her Whitespot Pirates YouTube channel, she's been documenting her solo-sailing escapades after she bought an abandoned boat in Panama.

For the last 6 years, she's been sharing unscripted videos of her voyages in her 30-foot aluminum boat named Karl. In addition to keeping it real with her adoring viewers, she's comprehensively detailed the wonderful highs and cyclonic lows of her sailing life. To top it all, this is an award-winning YouTube channel that documents Nike's astonishing voyages.

Subscribers: 79.6K  

• UNTIE THE LINES - A Weekly Solo Sailing Documentary
• Crash! Boom! Bang! - UNTIE THE LINES IV
• The Sailboat I bought is a COMPLETE DISASTER!
• Arriving In PARADISE With My Sailboat. A DREAM come true!
• Solo Sailing Cuba: I Am Not Allowed To Go Ashore

It takes a lot of guts to sell all your possessions and begin sailing around the world. While many couples cannot even contemplate taking such an action, it's exactly what Matt and Jessica Johnson did as soon as they realized that their life had become boring as a result of spending a lot of time in front of the TV.

But instead of taking up yoga or exercising, they decided to make a radical change by selling everything they had in their possession and began sailing around the world. Today, MJ Sailing is one of the most popular sailing YouTube Channels. This is a couple who left everything including their careers and took up a great hobby without ever regretting it.

Subscribers: 125K

• Our Engine Has Been Still for 10+ Years ... Will It Start?
• A Tour Of The Boat Graveyard
• Our Bank Account After 5 Years of Cruising & a Refit
• Our Thoughts on Going Bare
• Exploring the NUDE BEACH of St. Barth's!

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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15 Best Sailing YouTube Channels and Popular Sailing Vlogs

Are you dreaming of setting sail around the world? Does it feel far-fetched – like you’ll never see it become a reality?

Have no fear! On this list of YouTube sailing channels, you’ll find a lot of folks who started out dreaming of this crazy lifestyle too.

From the big challenges of moving aboard to sailing to exotic locations, we’re rounding up the best sailing YouTube channels offering firsthand insight into this adventurous lifestyle.

Sailing can be a great way to live minimally while traveling the world, and these top sailing channels will show you what it’s really like to live the dream on the water (both the good, the bad, and the boat projects).

So here are the best YouTube sailing channels and vlogs for inspiration to toss conventional living out the window and start planning your life on the open seas.

In no particular order, let’s dive in!

1. Sailing SV Delos

Subscribers: 833K+

On YouTube Since: May 17, 2007

The oldest channel on this list, the captain and crew of SV Delos are considered the OGs of sailing YouTube videos.

Brian Trautman, the owner and captain of SV Delos, purchased his 2000 Amel Super Maramu 53 in 2009. Shortly after leaving his job as a software engineer in Seattle, Brian began his liveaboard adventure bringing his brother Brady along for the ride. 

While sailing in New Zealand, they welcomed additional crew members, including Brian’s now-wife Karin (or Kazza), who was backpacking through the country at the time.

Delos has seen a revolving door of guest crew members over the years, some of whom have become long-term fixtures. The crew’s Indian Ocean crossing in 2016 and 2017 holds a special place in the hearts of Delos enthusiasts.

Since those early days, Brian and Karin have tied the knot and welcomed their daughter, Sierra, who now completes their trio as they sail back across the Pacific in 2023.

HIGHLIGHTS:  Having initiated their filming endeavor in 2009, SV Delos has chronicled an incredible journey spanning over 70,000 nautical miles and amassing an astonishing 220 million video views. In 2022, Brian accomplished a remarkable 13-year circumnavigation aboard Delos.

Sailing SV Delos  is more than just a YouTube channel. Through their cinematic storytelling, the crew of SV Delos has inspired countless people worldwide, igniting the flame of wanderlust and encouraging them to embrace the vastness of the open sea and the beauty of the world beyond the horizon.

THIS CHANNEL IS FOR YOU IF: Delos has inspired so many sailors and non-sailors alike. If there’s one sailing YouTube channel you choose to binge-watch – make it this one.

2. sailing la vagabonde.

Subscribers: 1.85M+

On YouTube Since: Oct. 25, 2014

Sailing La Vagabonde , the top sailing channel on YouTube, is made up of the Australian couple Riley and Elyna and their two boys, who they’re raising onboard. 

Elyna met Riley in Greece shortly after he bought his first monohull sailboat, and they have been sailing all over the world and documenting their adventures on La Vagabonde ever since.

These sailors’ charisma and easygoing nature make them enjoyable to watch, and their videos are often funny and informative. 

This crew is quite famous in the sailing community, and they’ve even given Greta Thunberg a lift across the Atlantic Ocean.

The La Vagabonde crew has sailed all over the world – first on their Beneteau Cyclades sailboat, then on a new Outremer catamaran.

HIGHLIGHTS:  Most recently, this crew has been awaiting the build of their new Rapido Trimaran 60.

Whether you’re interested in learning more about liveaboard sailing or simply looking for some delightful entertainment, Sailing La Vagabonde is definitely worth a watch.

Other Endeavors

• Elyna and Riley recently launched Vagabonde Adventures , a sailing instruction charter company where you can learn to sail and even get ASA certified on a performance catamaran.
• Elyna also has her own sustainable swimwear line, Vaga Bella Swim , where most of the proceeds go to charity.

THIS CHANNEL IS FOR YOU IF: This couple tackles everything head-on. If you want to see what it’s like to sail in 60-knot winds in the Atlantic, swim with tiger sharks, or raise two kids onboard – this channel is for you!

3. gone with the wynns.

Subscribers: 544K+

On YouTube Since: Sep. 25, 2010

Jason and Nikki Wynn are an American couple from Texas with an insatiable thirst for adventure. 

They started their journey trekking across the US in an RV. After over five years of exploring North America, they traded their wheels for keels without  any prior sailing experience . 

They purchased a Leopard 43 sailing catamaran in Florida in 2016 and sailed it for approximately a year around the Bahamas while they got their sealegs.

Then they made plans to transit the Panama Canal and cross the Pacific Ocean to head toward Australia.

Through their captivating vlogs, Jason and Nikki share the magic of their experiences, both exploring new cultures and new island adventures above and below the water.

HIGHLIGHTS: In June of 2022, the Wynns started the process of purchasing their new HH Catamaran, featuring an electric/diesel hybrid system.

After selling their Leopard cat in New Zealand, these crazy adventurers couldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore Asia by land while awaiting the splash day of their new sailing vessel!

Gone with the Wynns is a YouTube channel that is definitely binge-worthy if you are interested in living aboard with minimal sailing experience.

As seasoned travelers, the Wynns offer valuable insights into the practical aspects of both RV and sailboat living , and we’re here to soak up their knowledge and enjoy the ride on land and water!

THIS CHANNEL IS FOR YOU IF: You want to liveaboard with no sailing experience (it can be done)! If you’re seeking to transition from RV life to boat life, you’ll find the past videos of the Wynns channel inspirational and informative.

4. tula’s endless summer.

Subscribers: 212K+

On YouTube Since: Nov. 15, 2011

Sierra and Billy of Tula’s Endless Summer are two wandering souls who have traveled around on everything from a 1988 catamaran to a 4X4 truck camper.

Accompanied by their adorable pup Jetty, Sierra and Billy embark on liveaboard boating adventures where they can be frequently spotted catching their own dinner (lobsters, fish, clams, etc.) or entertaining themselves with various water activities.

These sailors are not scared of project boats and are always up for a new challenging adventure.

HIGHLIGHTS: They spent 2021 and 2022 rebuilding a trawler they bought for $100 to cruise the pacific northwest while awaiting the delivery of their new catamaran.

In the summer of 2023, they finally received their new cruising catamaran, a Seawind 1170, and are jumping back into documenting their sailing adventure onboard as they head toward the Carribean.

THIS CHANNEL IS FOR YOU IF: Aside from the incredible liveaboard inspiration, this is a great channel if you’re looking for sailing tips, boat work hacks, or want to see how to cruise full-time with your dog.

5. sailing uma.

Subscribers: 419K+

On YouTube Since: Feb. 4, 2015

Sailing Uma  is an empowering YouTube channel that follows the journey of Dan and Kika, a young couple who set sail on their 36-foot, all-electric sailboat, Uma. 

Dan and Kika have embraced a minimalist and sustainable sailing lifestyle and inspired viewers looking to break free from conventional norms with their motto, “don’t buy a couch.”

These two architect grads rebuilt a 1972 Pearson 36 that was destined for the junkyard. They opted for a boat they could rebuild from the ground up to allow them to keep it simple and know every inch of their sailboat inside and out.

The heart of  Sailing Uma  lies in its emphasis on simplicity, resourcefulness, and eco-conscious living.

Through informative content, Dan and Kika share their experiences of living on a small sailboat, showcasing creative solutions for sustainable living and alternative energy sources.

HIGHLIGHTS: They’ve sailed over 28,000 nautical miles with only an electric motor which means they’ve used ZERO diesel fuel on their journey.

Dan and Kika have sailed Uma all over the Caribbean and the Artic. With a spirit of perseverance and optimism, these capable sailors embrace every obstacle and every boat project as an opportunity for growth and learning.

What truly sets  Sailing Uma  apart is the sense of empowerment it instills in its viewers. The channel encourages you to embrace a unique path and reminds us that extraordinary journeys are possible with determination and willingness to step beyond our comfort zones .

THE CHANNEL IS FOR YOU IF: You want to learn more about sailing sustainability, DIY boat maintenance, or explore some pretty amazing places vicariously through this couple’s adventure.

6. mj sailing.

Subscribers: 174K+

On YouTube Since: Dec. 6, 2009

MJ Sailing  is a YouTube sailing channel run by a young couple, Matt and Jessica, who grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan and embarked on a life-changing journey that led them to become seasoned sailors.

Their story began in 2012 when they decided to leave the comforts of land behind and set sail on a small sailboat to travel to the Bahamas and beyond.

Having grown up with a love for water and a deep connection to Lake Michigan, Matt and Jessica’s passion for bluewater sailing was a natural progression.

Over the years, MJ Sailing has taken viewers on a remarkable adventure spanning 35,000 nautical miles.

From the turquoise waters of the Caribbean to the rugged beauty of the Azores, they’ve navigated through diverse cultures and two Atlantic crossings, all while capturing the essence of life at sea in their videos.

HIGHLIGHTS: In 2020, Matt and Jessica embarked on a new and ambitious endeavor: building a custom 42-foot sailing catamaran.

The process of designing and constructing their dream boat has become a central focus of their channel, offering viewers a firsthand look into the challenges and detailed planning of building a boat with your own two hands.

THIS CHANNEL IS FOR YOU IF: You want to understand the ins and outs of boat building and maybe even build your own custom boat someday.

7. sailing zatara.

Subscribers: 560K+

On YouTube Since: Jun. 14, 2016

Sailing Zatara  is a popular YouTube channel created by an American sailing family from Texas. 

In 2016, Keith and Renee Whitaker decided their family needed a break from corporate America. So they traded their conventional life for a sailboat! 

Joined by their four adventurous children, Anna, Jack, Finn, and Kate – the channel offers a unique glimpse (often with a lot of added humor) into the excitement and challenges of raising a family onboard.

After putting 12,500 nautical miles under their monohull’s keel, this family decided they needed a bit more space, so they upgraded to a 58-foot Privilege catamaran.

HIGHLIGHTS: In April 2023, they completed their seven-year circumnavigation logging over 50,000 nautical miles and visiting 48 countries.

The channel’s vlogs are a delightful mix of travel and sightseeing off the boat, sailing passages, and everyday life – including homeschooling and boat maintenance projects. 

Most recently, the Zatara crew has hosted two groups of young adults for a month on their sailboat selected by an application process.

The Whitaker family’s authenticity and love for the lifestyle shine through in their vlogs, inviting viewers to be part of their extended sailing family. Their channel inspires others to explore the world with their loved ones and embrace a life of adventure.

THIS CHANNEL IS FOR YOU IF: You dream of taking your family on a cruising adventure, or you want to see how a larger crew (family) handles the ins and outs of sailing around the world on a BIG catamaran.

8. sailing millennial falon.

Subscribers: 90K+

On YouTube Since: Jan. 24, 2018

The  Sailing Millennial Falcon  crew, Khiara and Adam, are from Melbourne, Australia. (Khiara is actually from the UK, but she lived in Austraila for about a decade before they moved aboard.)

Adam wasn’t a stranger to sailing before moving aboard, having raced sailboats with his dad in Perth in his teenage and college years, but Khiara had never sailed before hatching their plan to liveaboard. Turns out she was keen to learn!

Their sailboat Millennial Falcon is a 1981 Tayana 42, which they bought in Florida in 2018.

HIGHLIGHTS: They’ve since visited 26 countries and sailed over 21,000 nautical miles, including the Bahamas and Caribean, as well as the Azores and Europe. They most recently completed a 26-day and 3600 nautical mile sail to Iceland.

This crew tends to keep it real in their videos. You won’t find drama or any unnecessary gimmicks, just great sailing content.

THIS CHANNEL IS FOR YOU IF: You want to learn more about living aboard a sailboat using resourceful problem-solving methods and a budget-conscious mindset.

9. sailing ruby rose.

Subscribers: 157K+

On YouTube Since: Mar. 15, 2015

Sailing Ruby Rose  follows the sailing couple, Nick and Terysa, as they sail all over the world aboard their sailboat, Ruby Rose and now Ruby Rose 2.

They’ve sailed everywhere from the Caribbean to the Canary Islands and have done quite a bit of chartering in Australia (Terysa’s home country). 

Nick and Teresa sailed a Southerly 38 monohull for seven years before announcing in 2019 they would upgrade to a sailing catamaran. 

HIGHLIGHTS: These meticulous content creators are known for their catamaran video review series, complete with a rating system, which they created to document the process of choosing their future sailboat.

The Ruby Rose crew recently moved aboard their new catamaran after three years in the build process.

Through a collaboration with Seawind, they tweaked the new 1370 model catamaran and have created the perfect liveaboard performance sailing catamaran for cruising.

Their channel covered the process in detail from start to finish, including the decision-making behind the design choices, changes, and upgrades.

We can’t wait to see all the places Ruby Rose 2 takes this sailing couple!

THIS CHANNEL IS FOR YOU IF: You want to learn more about buying a performance catamaran (particularly a Seawind). These guys also do a great job explaining how they balance performance with livability when choosing a sailboat.

10. sailing project atticus.

Subscribers: 253K+

On YouTube Since: Jan 9, 2014

On the YouTube channel  Sailing Project Atticus , Desiree and Jordan share the highs and lows of their sailing lifestyle, capturing the beauty of the places they visit and the challenges of life at sea.

Their mission statement, “know your world,” encapsulates their deep-seated reasons for both traveling and sharing their remarkable experiences.

This young couple found each other while working on super yachts in 2012, and it didn’t take long for them to hatch a plan to save up and sail the world.

They purchased their first sailboat, Atticus, for a mere $5,000 in Florida. It was a 1963 Allied Seawind 30 and needed a lot of work.

Fueled by passion and determination, Desiree and Jordan spent three years meticulously refitting the boat, turning it into a floating home that would carry them on unforgettable adventures.

As they continued their sailing escapades, the couple found innovative ways to sustain their passion financially. Their newfound skills in boat maintenance and willingness to take on odd jobs along the way provided the means to fund their dream of circumnavigation.

HIGHLIGHTS: Recently,  Sailing Project Atticus  reached a significant milestone with an upgrade to their dream sailboat, Atticus II, a 1997 Pacific Seacraft 40. This new vessel provides room for the arrival of a new crew member—a beautiful addition to their journey! 

As they sail with their baby aboard, the channel’s narrative has evolved, showcasing the joys and intricacies of raising a child while sailing the high seas.

THIS CHANNEL IS FOR YOU IF: You want to learn more about cruising on a minimal budget AND sailing with a baby onboard.

11. sailing yacht florence.

Subscribers: 120K+

On YouTube Since: Oct. 21, 2012

Matt and Amy on S/V Florence seized the opportunity to sail around the world when Matt received word his company’s office was closing in 2015.

Instead of waiting a decade or more to start their dream, this British couple decided to take the leap and begin their cruising adventure in just ten months!

Since then, they’ve sailed their tiny home, an Oyster Heritage 37, to the Cape Verde Islands, French Polynesia, Seychelles, and everywhere in between.

HIGHLIGHTS: In 2023, they completed a seven-year circumnavigation when they crossed the North Atlantic and currently show no signs of settling down as they plan a large refit for their boat before heading to the Arctic.

These sailors prove you can sail the world on a small, capable bluewater boat on a modest budget.

Sailing Yacht Florence showcases their sailing journey with thoughtful storytelling and beautiful cinematography that keeps their loyal YouTube viewers coming back for more.

THIS SAILING CHANNEL IS FOR YOU IF: You’re tired of waiting for the perfect opportunity to live your dream and need the inspiration take the leap and make it happen.

12. white spot pirates.

Subscribers: 93K+

On YouTube Since: Jun. 28, 2013

The only solo sailor on this list, German native Nike Steiger, bought her 33-foot fixer-upper aluminum sailboat in Panama and restored it into a formidable bluewater sailing vessel.

White Spot Pirates captures Nike’s voyages and the myriad experiences of life on the water as a lone sailor. 

With a mere 2,000 nautical miles in her sailing experience upon acquiring her boat, this channel beautifully illustrates how determination and a thirst for learning can pave the way for remarkable achievements on the water.

HIGHLIGHTS: Accompanied by her faithful companion Boga, Nike has navigated the Caribbean, the South American coastline, Central America, and Mexico, transforming into a full-blown salty-sailing lady! 

Her videos provide a vital lens into the hurdles and victories of a lone sailor’s journey. 

• Nike is the creator of an award-winning documentary about her life-changing solo sailing journey called Untie the Lines . 
• She also co-founded the non-profit organization In Mocean to raise awareness of ocean plastic pollution, specifically in remote coastal communities.

THIS CHANNEL IS FOR YOU IF: You aspire to embark on a solo sailing journey or enjoy immersing yourself in thrilling adventures on the water. This sailing channel is an incredible inspiration!

13. sailing nahoa.

Subscribers: 376K+

On YouTube Since: Jun. 13, 2012

Sailing Nahoa  is a YouTube channel created by Canadians Ben and Ashley Stobbart who saved up and sold everything to travel the world in 2015.

Since then, they’ve added two little crew members, their kids Willa and Bodhi, and have completed a circumnavigation.

This sailing family has cruised all over the world on a 2005 Lagoon 410 catamaran.

From crossing the South Pacific and Indonesia to exploring Madagascar and, most recently, rounding the Cape of Good Hope, they’ve had some fantastic (and wild) experiences along the way.

Whether catching a giant tuna off their stern or fighting off pirates during the night, this crew doesn’t shy away from sharing the exciting and scary moments of living aboard. 

HIGHLIGHTS:  The Nahoa crew recently partnered with New Zealand designer de Villiers Design to build a custom aluminum catamaran perfect for high-latitude sailing.

This couple’s new endeavor to build a custom catamaran exemplifies their unyielding quest for new horizons, less boat maintenance, and high-latitude sailing possibilities.

Sailing Nahoa is a captivating testament to the power of wanderlust and the uncharted oceans that beckon us all.

THIS CHANNEL IS FOR YOU IF: You want to circumnavigate on a production catamaran (these guys are proof it can be done), or you’re curious to see what it’s like cruising full-time with two small kids.

14. sailing doodles.

Subscribers: 594K+

On YouTube Since: Oct. 4, 2016

Sailing Doodles  is a YouTube channel and brand created by Texas native Bobby White. 

Previously a private pilot, Bobby got a wake-up call when he suffered a stroke and could no longer perform his job. Determined to make the most of his circumstances, he chose to seize the moment and embrace a new chapter by purchasing a sailboat.

Sailing Doodles has had a constant rotation of guest crew over the years. And Bobby has become somewhat famous in the YouTube and sailing world for surrounding himself with beautiful women on board.

HIGHLIGHTS: Bobby has owned and sailed many boats over the years, including a motor yacht that he cleverly named “The Dark Side.” This channel features primarily coastal cruising in exotic locations such as the Caribbean and Mediterranean. 

The channel is named for Bobby’s two Labradoodles, Maverick and Goose. Unfortunately, he lost these loyal sailing companions in 2020 and 2022, respectively. (I still hope Bobby decides to add a furry sailing crew back on this channel someday.)

THIS CHANNEL IS FOR YOU IF: You want a side of entertainment while watching sailing on YouTube. Don’t expect too many boat project tutorials on this channel!

15. sailing magic carpet.

Subscribers: 151K+

On YouTube Since: May 13, 2018

Last but certainly not least on this list, Sailing Magic Carpet  is a captivating YouTube channel that invites viewers to join the journey of Maya and Aladino, a couple with a shared passion for sailing and the open sea.

This sailing couple’s motto is “around the world as slowly as possible,” and honestly, we’re here for it! 

The channel beautifully captures their journey as they navigate the world’s oceans aboard their Swedish sailboat,  Magic Carpet,  a 1976 Vindo 32.

Maya and Aladino’s authentic chemistry and deep affection for the sailing lifestyle radiate in every episode.

Tuning into the Sailing Magic Carpet channel feels like a nostalgic journey to the roots of sailing’s romantic allure and the tranquil beauty of life on the water.

Professionally certified as a boatbuilder , Aladino’s passion extends beyond his craft, encompassing a deep love for freediving and spearfishing, a realm where his heart truly belongs in the embrace of the sea.

Maya, the channel’s artistic soul and storyteller , is also known to grace nearby rocky shores with the melodies of her violin.

HIGHLIGHTS:  The crew is currently working on a huge refit for Magic Carpet II, a Cape George 36, who is well on her way to being a worthy bluewater sailing vessel to take Maya and Aladino around the world.

The channel’s content is a compelling blend of stunning visuals and audio, personal reflections, and practical sailing tips, creating a tapestry of emotions that resonate with viewers from all walks of life .

THIS CHANNEL IS FOR YOU IF: You’re in need of true sailing inspiration! Whether an avid sailor or an armchair traveler, this channel’s inspiring narrative will stir the soul and ignite a desire to chase the winds of adventure.

Even more sailing youtube channels.

If you’re thirsty for even more sailing adventures, here are a few other channels to check out.

• Sailing Catalpa
• The O’Kelly’s
• RAN Sailing
• Sailing Nandji
• Old Sea Dog Sailing
• Sailing Soulianis
• Sailing Zephyr
• Sailing Fair Isle

And if you loved this list of inspiring sailing YouTube channels, check out these related posts for even more liveaboard and sailing inspiration.

RELATED ARTICLES

• 11 Best Sailing Instagram Accounts to Inspire You to Sail Away
• 17 Best Sailing Movies & Documentaries
• 25 Epic Sailing Songs for Sailors & Modern-Day Pirates
• 35 Best Books for Sailors: Adventures, Sailing Stories, and Guides

Need more sailing life inspiration?

Check out all our lists of sailing quotes, songs, books, and more to inspire you to live a life on the water.

Like this post? Save it on Pinterest for later.

Morgan, the founder of The Home That Roams, has been living nomadically for over five years. She began her journey traveling across the U.S. in a motorhome and cruising on a liveaboard sailing catamaran. Currently, she lives full-time in a travel trailer, sharing resources on RV living and boat life to help others downsize their lives and thrive in an alternative lifestyle.

Thank you for sharing this! I love sailing, so this kind of blogging is my interest.

Glad you enjoyed it!

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The 10 Biggest Sailing YouTubers Right Now

Feeling a little bit blue after your yacht charter holiday? Thanks to the world wide web, you can always go on a virtual-navigation on your sofa whenever you want. Here are the top 10 sailing YouTubers who share their glorious sailing lives to millions of viewers. How does it feel like to live on your boat for five years? Is it expensive to sail around the world? Find out all the answers in their videos!

1. Sailing La Vagabonde

They are an Australian couple with the dream of circumnavigating the globe by sailboat… initially having no clue of how to sail. Elayna and Riley have now sailed over 88,395nm each across many oceans. Through their videos, they hope to inspire their fellow sailors to explore alternative options of living and to spread ocean awareness. They update the followers of their lives every Monday/Tuesday.

2. Sailing Project Atticus

Jordan and Desiree spent 3 years fixing up their 30-foot sailboat “Atticus,” and left their home, America, with only 2,000 dollars. That money took them to Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Then they had to do boat repairing jobs to save enough money to sail again. Now they are still sailing around the world on a budget and working along the way to make ends meet. They believe you don’t need a lot of money to follow your dreams, you just need a LOT of HARD WORK!

3. Finding Avalon

Jackson and Xanthe, a young couple who met in an aprés-ski bar in the Snowy Mountains of Australia and instantly bonded over a love for adventure, travel and the ocean. Jackson is and always has been a sailor, and it didn’t take long for him to make a sailor out of Xanthe. The idea of buying a yacht and sailing around the world was dreamt up by Jackson when he was traveling globally to compete in sailing regattas. 

So they bought Finding Avalon in Croatia in the middle of 2018. She is a 38ft Elan Impression from 2005 and a former charter boat. Jackson and Xanthe have traveled to many rather incredible places along the way.

4. GoSea Sailing

The GoSea family has three people and two pets, they share 28 feet of space as they embark on a mission to see as much of the world as possible. From sailing with a monkey in Africa, swimming with great white sharks buying and fixing a boat that they bought for $1 – The GoSea family film it all.

5. Sailing Zatara

After Renee and her husband entered their mid-40s, they realized they were completely exhausted with corporate America. Something definitely had to change. So, they sold their house in Texas and bought a sailboat, regardless of having no prior sailing experience and set sail with their 4 kids. Since the beginning of this crazy impromptu adventure in late 2016, the family has now sailed over 30,000 nautical miles: the first year in a monohull (Beneteau 55′), the rest in a catamaran (Privilege 585). 

6. Lazy Gecko Sailing & Adventures

Meet Jeremiah, Brittany, and their kids! They are a family that sold everything that they own, bought a sailboat, moved aboard, and are now traveling full-time! They not only sail places but also explore this crazy world by other means.

7. Free Range Sailing

Watch how Troy and Pascale cruise remote Australia in their tiny home, a 30′ yacht named Mirrool. This couple takes a minimalist approach to life and focuses on the experience of doing more with less. They spend months on their boat in remote locations where self-sufficiency is a way of life. And they are very willing to share the lessons they’ve learned with the viewers.

8. MJ Sailing

After Matt & Jessica Johnson circumnavigating the North Atlantic in their last boat Serendipity, (1989 Sabre Targa 34), this couple took on a 2 year complete refit of their new boat, Elements of Life. She is a custom aluminum 37′ Trisalu, built in Quebec in 1983. They have sailed 20,500nm since 2012….and counting!

9. Sailing Doodles

The Sailing Doodles are currently on a 10-month sail from Vancouver Canada all the way to Thailand with their two full-sized Labradoodles named Maverick and Goose. Follow along with them as they sail down the west coast of the USA, down into Mexico, and across the Pacific Ocean to Asia. You can even sail with them for $125/day, check out  their website  for more information.

10. Gone with the Wynns

Jason and Nikki Wynn, a couple of perpetual travelers, Sailors, RV’ers and modern day documentarians. They believe that sailing is like exploring the world like its 1492. This form of travel is all about the journey. Moving a pace set by the breeze, weathering storms and 100% prepared to discover the adventures we don’t yet know exist. They sail a 2005 Robertson and Caine Leopard 43 Sailing Catamaran, and they share their trips on YouTube frequently.

> More articles you might be interested in:

My first yacht charter as a skipper!

GlobeSailor’s Top Tips for Anchoring on your Yacht Charter Holiday

Cabin Cruises Explained by a Tourism Professional  

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Sailing YouTube Channels: 12 Best Sailing Vlogs 2024

There are many great sailing channels on YouTube. In fact, there are so many that sometimes it’s hard to choose which one to watch!

People started documenting their sailing lifestyle on YouTube many years ago and discovered that there’s a huge amount of interest in this alternative way of life. I guess it’s the modern form of sailing songs to do with sailing or writing inspiring sailing quotes .

From there, the amount of YouTube channels documenting people’s lives at sea has grown tenfold, and there are a huge range of vlogs to choose from.

Some people do it to share their love of sailing with the world, while others do it to document their sailing mishaps, and other channels are keen to show the boat building and repairs. Whatever the reason, there are some great sailing vlogs out there that offer a wealth of information and entertainment.

We’ve put together some of the most popular sailing videos out there, but we’ve also included some of our favourite up-and-coming channels that you might not have heard of before. So if you’re looking to be entertained and educated then look no further!

Fed up of watching other people live your dream? Grab a copy of the best liveaboard sailing guide out there and make your dreams a reality.

Why Watch YouTube Sailing Channels?

There are many reasons why you might want to watch videos of the sailing lifestyle, and if you don’t already, perhaps this post will persuade you to start.

Entertainment

If you love to switch off in the evening with a glass of wine and watch some Netflix, then you’ve probably never considered watching a sailing YouTube channel. But maybe you should! Here’s why:

• Sailing is relaxing. There’s something about watching boats sail peacefully across the water that is just incredibly calming, and a lot of these YouTube sailing channels know exactly how to capture the magic. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a long day.
• You’ll have a good laugh! A lot of the people making these sailing videos are born to be on camera, and they’re happy to share their mishaps as well as their joy. Have a laugh with them as they mess up once (or three times!), and share in their excitement too when things come together.
• Let’s face it, most sailing videos are just beautiful (you can avoid the storms if you want that feeling of calm!) With the sun shining and the waves lapping, it’s hard not to be mesmerized.
• You’ll be inspired to travel. After watching some of the amazing sailing videos out there, you’ll be itching to book a trip to a beautiful sailing destination. Who knows, maybe you’ll even be inspired to start sailing yourself!

There is no doubt that sailing is a thrilling experience. However, it can be tough to figure out how to get started sailing on your own . That’s why checking out some of the best sailing YouTube channels is a great idea.

These sailing vlogs will give you all the tips and advice you need to hit the open waters. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sailor, these channels will have experienced problems at sea that you haven’t, and you can learn from their problem-solving or mistakes.

You’ll also learn about different types of boats, sailing terminology, and helpful tips for beginners.

It’s a fun way to learn more. And if you get the liveaboard lifestyle bug then be sure to check out our guidebook on ‘ How To Run Away To Sea ‘, which will teach you everything you need to know before making the move.

Sailing YouTube Channels Contents

• La Vagabonde
• Gone With The Wynns
• Sailing Uma
• Sailing Ruby Rose
• Ryan and Sophie Sailing
• Cadoha Sailing
• Sailing Catalpa
• Sailing Holly Blue
• Leading The Escapades
• Intrepid Bear

The Big Boys – The Most Popular Sailing Channels On YouTube

These are some of the most popular YouTube sailing channels out there, with huge numbers of subscribers, Patreons, and views. You’ll find these videos are generally of better quality, as these YouTube sailors have discovered it pays to buy decent camera and editing gear and often have a team of people to help them out.

If you’re searching for sailing lifestyle videos that will feel more like Hollywood sailing movies than homemade ones, then check these out!

#1 Sailing La Vagabonde

Meet the most popular YouTube sailors out there. Sailing La Vagabonde is a youtube channel created by a young sailing family – Riley, Elayna, Lenny, and Darwin.

They are popular for their videos documenting their everyday lives sailing around the world, and have more recently started making videos that highlight some of the issues surrounding our oceans, such as climate change and the refugee crisis.

They first started sailing in 2014 when they left Australia in search of adventure. Since then, they have sailed over 65,000 miles between them. The youtube channel has over 1 million subscribers and their videos have been viewed over 100 million times. In 2018, they were named “Youtubers of the Year” by Australian Penthouse Magazine.

If you’re wondering whether sailing with a baby is possible then they’re also a great channel to check out, as they have navigated the change from being just a couple onboard to having a baby onboard and finally to having two little boys onboard!

They show the good and the bad, and you’ll find some practical tips on their channel too. We’ve certainly found them helpful!

Their mission is to encourage people to follow their dreams and live a life of adventure. You can follow their journey on their youtube channel where they share everything to do with sailing life.

• Spearfishing a deserted island
• Our tiny home on the ocean
• Tiger sharks surround our boat!

Subscribers: 1.78m

#2 SV Delos

SV Delos was one of the original sailing YouTube channels. They were made popular for their videos which document their travels around the world on their sailboat, as they took on various crew, partied hard, and worked even harder.

Delos are the channel that first got Adam interested in the liveaboard lifestyle. I think at the time he liked the idea of beach parties and girls in bikinis! But the channel has grown up with us, so it’s been quite nice to see them change from party animals to a couple with a family (who still love to party!)

Now they are a crew of (mostly) three – Brian, Karin, and their daughter Sierra. They have been sailing together since 2008, and have visited over 40 countries.

Watch the early episodes if you’re in your young (or old!), free and single era, and tune into their more recent episodes for some great sailing and life with a toddler on board.

SV Delos is an inspiring example of how it is possible to live a life of adventure and exploration, while also making a conscious effort to protect the environment we’re living in – and they really show you how to have a good time out there.

• Equator crossing ceremony
• Lost In Raja Ampat
• Private island birthday bender

Subscribers: 805k

#3 Gone With The Wynns

Gone with the Wynns is a sailing channel on YouTube that focuses on the adventure of sailing around the world. The channel is run by a husband and wife team, Jason and Nikki Wynn, who left the corporate world to pursue their dream of sailing around the globe.

They started their life on the road, living in an RV and documenting their adventures there. Then they moved onto their sailboat and the couple has now sailed over 10,000NM, documenting their journey along the way. On their channel, viewers can find videos about everything from what it’s like to live on a boat to tips for planning a sailing trip of their own.

Gone with the Wynns is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about life on the open sea.

• Our Most BRUTAL Sail
• Meet Curiosity – A Full Tour of our Sailing Catamaran

Subscribers: 521k

#4 Sailing Uma

Sailing Uma is a popular YouTube channel that focuses on the sailing lifestyle. The channel is run by a Dan and Kika, who share their passion for sailing with their viewers.

The early episodes document a great refit for anyone interested in this side of the sailing lifestyle, and they’ve recently been sailing in northern latitudes on their electric sailboat. This sailing couple have made it their mission to get as far as possible without a diesel engine, and they’re a real inspiration. We would love to follow in their footsteps one day and have an all electric boat!

• The ALMOST Perfect Electric Sailboat
• BOAT TOUR: The Modern Interior of our 50 yr old DREAM YACHT 

Subscribers: 408k

#5 Ruby Rose

Sailing Ruby Rose is one of the best sailing channels on YouTube. This channel features a variety of videos about sailing, from tips and tricks to beautiful sailing footage. They are recently making the move from monohull to multihull and are documenting each step of this journey.

They have done some informative and interesting catamaran tours recently that would be a great watch for anyone currently boat hunting. If you’re interested in learning more about sailing or just want to watch some stunning videos, be sure to check out Sailing Ruby Rose.

• Ruby Rose 2: The AMAZING Seawind 1370
• Sailing The Portuguese Coast

Subscribers: 154k

Sailing Lifestyle Videos

Some of our favourite sailing videos are the ones that show what life is really like on board. These channels show the glorious and the gritty, and everything in between, and we have a lot of respect for them for doing so!

#6 Ryan and Sophie Sailing

If you’re looking for a sailing channel that portrays what life onboard a sailboat is really like, then head over to Ryan and Sophie sailing. These guys have seen it all, and are still smiling!

They have been sailing for years and their channel features videos of their travels, tips for other sailors, and maintenance advice too. Ryan and Sophie are passionate about sailing and love to share their knowledge with others.

Their youtube channel is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about sailing or simply enjoying the beautiful scenery of the open ocean. Thanks to Ryan and Sophie, sailing has become more accessible and popular than ever before.

Hi! We’re Ryan and Sophie, and welcome onboard Polar Seal, our Beneteau Oceanis 40! In 2018, after years of living for the next pay raise, we decided to trade the corporate life for a lifelong adventure at sea. I never really set out to become a content creator, but my friends and family had just offered me my first DSLR, and I loved the idea of capturing memories. Fairly quickly, I also realized that sailing Youtube often glamorizes our lifestyle, and I became attached to the idea of showing what it’s really like to live on a boat.  Obviously, I massively cringe every time I watch an old video, and weirdly, my favorite episodes have been some of the least watched! Check out #111 and #120 and tell me what you think! 😉 Sophie, Ryan and Sophie Sailing

• Encountering a migrant raft between the Canary islands and Africa
• The hidden costs of sailing a brand new BAVARIA C57
• IN THE EYE OF THE STORM: Mission surviving Alex

Subscribers: 65k

#7 Cadoha Sailing

Cadoha Sailing is a YouTube channel created by Carly, and (gorgeous) dog Hank. They document their adventures sailing around the UK on their sailboat, “Cadoha”. They are one of the few UK sailing channels out there and their videos give a great insight into how beautiful sailing in England can be.

Their videos include tips and tricks for sailors, as well as beautiful UK scenery. They have a passion for the outdoor lifestyle and we’re thankful they’re keen to share it with the world through their channel!

• 5 Reasons NOT to buy a live aboard sailing boat
• Leaving the ISLES OF SCILLY

Subscribers: 36.7k

WE Sail are a sailing YouTube couple that have been living this lifestyle for almost 5 years now, and have been documenting every step of their journey. They started off their adventures not knowing a thing about sailing and now have sailed over 24,000 nautical miles.

Hi! We’re Warren and Erica, or WE for short, and we sail and travel the world full time on our 2015 Fountaine Pajot catamaran. Starting our adventures in the Caribbean Sea, we have crossed through the Panama Canal and are now currently in the South Pacific Ocean. We have countless memories over their few years of living aboard and isolating just one memory or experience can be nearly impossible, but one that does stand out is from a passage we embarked on from the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica North to Mexico | Episode 71 over a period of 18 days with mostly flat-calm windless days, conditions that would typically undermine the spirit of a sailor, but for us it was pure magic. Drifting on the ocean with water so flat it felt as if the boat was floating through space. No land in sight for hundreds of miles. At night the stars shimmered so bright and clear they reflected upon the ocean, it felt as if we were floating through space and even the dolphins would look like sparkly torpedoes gliding through the galaxy of bioluminescence. It’s moments like these that are so captivating. We have no end date in sight and will continue our circumnavigation one nautical mile at a time.  Warren and Erica, WE Sailing

• Sailing Across the Equator – Crossing Part 3
• Sailing from Island to Island Around the Marquesas

Subscribers: 28.4k

Family sailing YouTube channels

Not only are these sailing bloggers recording a life at sea full of adventure, but they’re also raising their families there!

As an ex-primary school teacher, I can see the magic in bringing your kids up in this lifestyle, and I can also imagine the hardships they must face. If you’re itching to give your kids a life of exciting experiences but don’t quite have the confidence, then perhaps these family sailing channels will be able to persuade you!

#9 Sailing Holly Blue

Ross, Laura, Josh, and Noah are the crew of Sailing Holly Blue, a family-friendly sailing YouTube channel.

Sailing is their passion and they love sharing their adventures with their viewers! On their channel, you can find videos of them sailing around the world, exploring new places, and meeting interesting people.

The family enjoys spending time together on board their yacht, Holly Blue, and they love sharing their passion for sailing with others. If you’re looking for some family-friendly sailing content, be sure to check out Sailing Holly Blue!

Hey guys! We are Ross, Laura, Josh, and Noah, a British family who have been living our dream life at sea for the last four years. With no previous sailing experience, we really have seen and done it all – together. We love to showcase real-life onboard with two gorgeous, adventurous, energetic boys (and Ronnie our rescue cat!), to show it is absolutely possible to live the life of your dreams. Laura runs a remote health and fitness coaching business, while Ross is captain and chief editor. Our favourite episode is this one , showing our lives as a family onboard our tiny sailboat home. We hope you enjoy, and perhaps we’ll see you out here some day! Laura and Ross, Sailing Holly Blue

• Boat life: Poor seamanship
• Sailing family caught in a force 6

Subscribers: 34k

#10 Sailing Catalpa

This family of four has been sailing around the world for the past seven years on their sailboat, Catalpa. They produce YouTube videos documenting their journey, sharing both the ups and downs of life at sea.

Whether you are an experienced sailor or someone who has never set foot on a boat, their videos are sure to inspire and amaze. So come along and join them on their journey as they sail around the world.

Hi! We are a family of 4 who pulled our kids out of school and left everything we knew to move onto a boat and sail away. With no plan, not a lot of money, and no real idea what we were getting ourselves in for, we bought a 44-foot and have lived aboard ever since. What we did know was that we wanted to live simply and sustainably on the ocean with our kids while we were all young enough and healthy enough to enjoy it, and that’s what we’ve been doing for the past seven years.   We wanted to share the joy of a simple life with others in the hopes that we would inspire them to do something similar with their families. Our lives are full of exploring, surfing, diving, hunting for food and prioritising quality time together as a family. Not having a lot of money has made it challenging to say the least, but we have overcome countless hurdles and obstacles along the way, which has made us resilient and humble. The ocean is a wild and crazy place to call home, but we love it and wouldn’t want it any other way. Living in Indonesia, surfing, and living off fish and fresh coconuts will forever be my favourite memory and something that I am so grateful to have experienced.   This is our favourite episode – 7 years of living on the ocean in 30 mins. Sara and Lee from Sailing Catalpa

• More Solar, more space and escaping the marina 
• What would you Do? Sailing in PIRATE Waters

Subscribers: 35.2k

Up And Coming Sailing Vlogs

If you’re interested in sailboats and sailing, then you should definitely check out some of the best up-and-coming sailing vlogs on YouTube. These channels are often sailors who are new to the lifestyle, and have a lot of lessons to learn (that you can learn from too!) Check out some of the mistakes new liveaboard sailors make !

They’re not always the most ‘professional’, without tonnes of experience in videography, teams of people to edit their videos, and expensive camera gear, but they are much more real and authentic!

#11 Leading The Escapade

Jason and Janaye are an Aussie couple who love to travel. They started their YouTube channel, Leading The Escapades, to inspire others to live life to the fullest and pursue their dreams.

On their channel, you can find vlogs of their trips around the world, tips on how to save money for travel, and more. Whether you’re looking for travel inspiration or practical tips, Leading The Escapades is the perfect channel for you.

Hey, we’re Janaye and Jase from ‘Leading the Escapade’  We’re a young Australian couple who decided to take the path less travelled and move across the other side of the world to buy a sailboat and begin our voyage to circumnavigate the planet!  We want to inspire others to get away from the typical 9-5 that society pushes on us today and get out there and live an alternative lifestyle and show that its possible at any age or level of experience to life a life of adventure! What actually matters is getting out there and giving it a go!  We like to show others how we live life on a boat with our sailing YouTube channel! We keep it super real by showing the good, bad and the ugly! We also love to show boat upgrades and generally what we use to get on with our daily lives living on a boat  With basically no previous sailing experience we’ve managed to sail thousands of nautical miles across the Med through Greece, Turkey, Albania, Montenegro and Croatia this past year  Our favourite memory would have to be the first day we got the sails up on our boat all alone and had a successful first sail, we were pretty stoked with ourselves!  We are super proud of our YouTube channel so far! We even got awarded ‘creator on the rise’ by YouTube recently!  One of our favourite episodes is where we recap our first 6 weeks of sailing through Greece last year. If you enjoy, make sure you head back and binge from the beginning  We hope we can keep on inspiring future young sailors to get out there and live life beyond limits!  Janaye and Jason

• Summer has arrived!
• Sailing Zakynthos

Subscribers: 8.74k

#12 Intrepid Bear Sailing Vloggers

Intrepid Bear are a real hidden gem of a YouTube sailing channel. This couple have a wealth of experience to share about all things sailing, and they do it in a fun and simple way so all can understand. They’ve even written an exclusive for our readers on sailing Europe after Brexit .

If you’re looking for an educational channel that is also great entertainment then look no further (and you can thank us you found them early, before they become big!)

Hi! We’re Iain and Kate and we live full time on our 40ft sailing yacht “Intrepid Bear”.  We’ve sailed 4,500 nm since March 2021 when we left Poole in the U.K. and during that time we’ve had some fantastic adventures. We’ve experienced some amazing highs and dealt with some difficult lows. Our passage making confidence has grown as we have sailed further and further, we’ve made mistakes, learnt more than we knew, and we’ve made lifelong friends along the way.   This season we left Portugal in spring 2022 and spent time in Gibraltar before making a month long, 1650nm, passage to Montenegro.  After a recharge we sailed to Greece in June and it was so special for us to return, on our own boat, to the island where we were married 5 years before. We then spent 3 months exploring some of the islands in the Ionian and Aegean Seas passing through the incredible Corinth Canal twice! We’re now back in beautiful Montenegro where we’ll winter this year.  We have some boat maintenance jobs to do after a long season and are also excited for some road trip adventures while we are here. Sharing our adventures on YouTube has been an unexpected pleasure for both of us.  We both get excited when a new episode is due to be released hoping that people will enjoy what we’ve made. We are both slowly getting more comfortable around the camera and love looking back at our previous adventures, even if we were a bit wooden back then!  Nonetheless our first episode 1 “ Boosh taking a huge wave over the bow ” is still a favourite along with the more recent Episode 26 “ Sailing past Volcanos ” where the sunset had to be seen to be believed. Iain and Kate, Intrepid Bear

• Fitting a solar arch on our sailboat 
• A Scilly Decision? Is the dream over?

Subscribers: 1.46k

Conclusion: The Best Sailing YouTube Channels

If you’re looking for some sailing inspiration or just want to watch a few talented sailors do their thing, be sure to check out the channels listed above.

And who knows? Maybe after watching a few of these videos, you’ll be inspired to get out on the water yourself!

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Rescue 95 miles from shore in violent seas with boat sinking tested Coast Guard’s limits

An MH-65 Dolphin flies on a night mission off the coast of Haiti on Nov. 23, 2021. A similar Dolphin helicopter flew off the coast of Oregon in July 2024 on a rescue mission that “was kind of in a different league,” according to a Coast Guard official. (John Hightower/U.S. Coast Guard)

(Tribune News Service) — The Coast Guard rescue swimmer gripped the starboard side of the sinking sailboat in the dark as the waves beat against him. He called out to the man standing on the boat as a helicopter hovered overhead.

“You’re going to jump,” Miles LeComer shouted over the sound of the wind and rotor wash and waves. “And I’m going to grab you.”

David Haight had a briefcase and a knapsack ready with some of the few valuable possessions he took with him on what was supposed to be a journey from Newport to Santa Barbara. LeComer, barely able to hold onto the sailboat as it rolled up and down on the waves more than 90 miles offshore, told Haight he could only take what was in his pockets. He gave him one minute to prepare.

Haight, his sailboat disappearing beneath him, didn’t need the minute. He jumped, crashing into the frigid Pacific Ocean, engulfed, immediately knocked about by 15-foot-tall waves. He went under.

A hand grabbed him and held on.

‘There wasn’t anything to feel’

Sitting in an Elmer’s Restaurant in Clackamas about a month after his rescue, Haight, 69, flashed a sly grin that hinted at the other wild stories in his past — and possibly in his future, too.

There was the arrest, when he was 24, when he and four others were caught by federal officials trying to smuggle 40,000 tons of marijuana from Colombia to Florida by ship. And the time he and his girlfriend at the time found a dinghy abandoned in a Florida swamp, restored it and sailed it on both the East and West coasts.

But the misadventure in July that cost him his beloved sailboat, the Windswept II, hit him hard. After all, it wasn’t until Haight’s 60s that he was able to fully live the dream that he had cooked up as a child.

One of three sons, Haight grew up in Depoe Bay in a family of strict Jehovah’s Witnesses. Before he was even a teenager, he realized he believed none of what he was being told and yearned to escape his parents’ restrictive household. Sailing was one outlet. A local resident owned a small boat that he let the kids in town sail on, and Haight took every opportunity he had, between school and working in his parents’ restaurant.

Owning his own sailboat and exploring the world became his “secret wish,” the one he’d whisper to himself when blowing out his birthday candles, he said.

“You never run out of fuel,” Haight said. “You can go as far as you want.”

Haight came close to that dream in his early 20s, when he and a girlfriend briefly owned a sailboat in California and lived on it. But the dream collapsed when, working as a commercial fisherman, Haight was asked if he wanted to smuggle marijuana from Colombia into Florida. He needed the money, so he said OK.

It was his first attempt to smuggle drugs, Haight said. When the boat reached Tampa Bay, U.S. Customs Service agents boarded it, their guns drawn, and found about $14 million worth of marijuana, according to news articles at the time. Four of the five arrested men “appeared weathered from several weeks at sea,” The Tampa Times wrote on May 23, 1978.

Haight and his girlfriend sold the sailboat, and he served two years in federal prison, getting out in 1982. In the decades since, he worked mostly in construction and waited tables. He scuba-dived most of his life, and picked up hang-gliding in the early 1990s.

“I was just a regular guy,” he said.

After his mother died in 2013, Haight and his brothers sold her house, which dropped $66,000 into Haight’s lap. With that cash infusion, he bought the Windswept II, a 38-foot, 1999 wooden sailboat, in 2018. After outfitting it for a long trip, he sailed to Mexico in 2022. In July 2023, he sailed to Hawaii, then to Newport, in preparation for his next trip south.

He set sail from Newport on June 29, planning to stop in Santa Barbara to finish preparing the boat for a longer trip to Mexico. He headed out to sea around 1:30 p.m. under a clear, cloudless sky. The forecast called for storms south of his location, but nothing he couldn’t handle.

Haight sailed into a storm that was worse than expected, however. Winds nearly 60 miles per hour pushed his sailboat around for two days straight.

Unable to sail in those conditions, Haight decided to “hove to,” essentially putting his boat in park, while it drifted southeast.

He was in his bunk on July 2 when he heard a strange sound — the rattle of the sailboat’s automatic bilge pump. Designed to turn on if water seeped into the boat and reached a certain level, it had never activated before in the six years he’d sailed on the boat. Haight pulled up the floorboard and saw water in the bilge.

Oh, I’m sinking, Haight thought.

But he wasn’t afraid.

“There wasn’t anything to feel,” he added. “There was just to do.”

When he realized the pump wasn’t keeping up with the rising water, he concluded he urgently needed help.

“Mayday, mayday. This is sailing vessel Windswept II,” Haight said into the radio, to anyone who might hear him, then gave his location and said his boat was taking on water.

The Coast Guard took the call, and offered to bring him a larger pump. A ship nearby listened in to the conversation and diverted course to stand by in case Haight needed extra help.

Haight thought this response would solve the problem. But then his bilge pump broke — and a back-up pump shorted out. Haight now knew he was really in trouble.

“That was when I got concerned,” Haight said.

By around 11 p.m. on July 2, he was 95 miles off shore, standing in the cabin of the boat in ankle-deep ocean water.

Then the boat’s engine broke down, too, leaving him helpless in the wind and waves as the water sloshed over Haight’s feet.

‘Are you good?’

Commander Jay Kircher was asleep in his North Bend home on July 2 when his cell phone rang. It was 10:25 p.m. There was a man in a sailboat off the coast taking on water, he was told.

Kircher got out of bed, sat down in the living room and started making calls, quickly preparing an operation to help, and potentially rescue, the man. Kircher was worried about how far the helicopter would have to fly — the man was probably too far away for a boat to reach him in time — as well as the sea conditions and the darkness. Kircher requested that a Coast Guard airplane be deployed to circle the scene and monitor the operation from above, in case there was an emergency.

It was obvious this would be a difficult operation. The distance from shore — about 83 nautical miles west of Brookings, or about 95 land-measured miles — meant they would be alone if they had a problem and needed help themselves. Because of the masts and rigging on any sailboat, it was going to be difficult, if not impossible, to lift the man in distress off of the deck. And the gale-force winds and the high waves meant both the pilot and a rescue swimmer would have extreme conditions to contend with.

“It was right on our limits, basically, for range,” Kircher said.

A crew departed North Bend in an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter at 11:17 p.m., July 2, for Brookings. They were carrying with them a 105-pound pump they planned to deliver to the sailboat — with both Haight’s pump and the Coast Guard pump working at the same time, there was a chance to save the boat.

By the time they landed around midnight, Haight had told the Coast Guard via radio that his own pump had failed, meaning he needed to be rescued. The Coast Guard crew unloaded the pump, fueled up to the top, and the pilot plugged the sinking boat’s GPS coordinates into his flight computer.

There were four of them in the helicopter: the pilot-in-command, a co-pilot, a rescue swimmer and a flight mechanic; the latter would be in charge of dropping the swimmer down into the ocean and then lifting him and the survivor up into the helicopter.

Pilot-in-Command Brandon Books, 30, brought the helicopter to about 500 feet above the water, under the clouds, where it was so dark the crew flew the whole way wearing night-vision goggles.

“Are any of you guys a little bit nervous?” the flight mechanic asked.

“Yeah, man,” Books said. “I’m a little bit nervous.”

Books, originally from Whitefish, Montana, got hooked on the idea of becoming a U.S. Coast Guard pilot as a kid while watching an episode of the reality TV show “Deadliest Catch” where the Coast Guard rescued fishermen, he said. On this day, Books was in the final weeks of his first assignment as a Coast Guard pilot.

The four of them flew for about 50 minutes before Books spotted the sole light shining from the top of the Windswept II’s main mast around 1:20 a.m.

When the helicopter appeared out of the darkness, Haight became more optimistic about his chances of survival.

In most missions of this sort, rescuers want to drop the rescuer onto the surface of the boat using a cable. That’s hard, if not impossible, with a sailboat, because of all the masts and sails and ropes and cords, especially in rough weather.

LeComer, the rescue swimmer, would have to go into the ocean and swim to the boat.

That wasn’t going to be easy either.

As the helicopter hovered, Books looked down at the waves. They were large, even larger than they’d expected.

“That’s kind of big,” Books said to LeComer over the helicopter communications system. “Are you good?”

“Oh,” LeComer said, “I’m ready to go.”

LeComer, 28, scooted to the door and the mechanic hoisted him out over the ocean and lowered him into the water.

LeComer, with a snorkel in his mouth and fins on his feet, quickly detached the hook from his harness and fixed the sailboat in his line of sight. The seas were so rough that his chief concern was that he might run out of strength while trying to swim to the sailboat. It didn’t help that when he fell into a trough between waves the Windswept II would sometimes disappear from his view.

When he reached the boat he realized it was too far gone for him to be able to climb onto it safely. The boat was leaning on its side, partially submerged. LeComer grabbed a line Haight had thrown into the water and pulled himself to the right side of the boat.

Haight had a briefcase and a bag ready with his belongings — including his high-school diploma, the ship’s log, and a cigar box with family keepsakes. He asked LeComer if he could take his bag with him.

“Only what’s in your pockets,” LeComer shouted. “I’ll give you one minute.”

Haight, wearing a life jacket, a long-sleeve shirt, jacket, jeans and tennis shoes, put his passport, the keys to his storage locker in Depoe Bay and some cash in his pockets and jumped into the water. LeComer grabbed him and, swimming sideways, kicked his fins while holding onto Haight with his right arm, propping him up on his hip.

Books, who had flown the helicopter about 50 yards away so the helicopter wouldn’t drown out their voices when LeComer and Haight tried to communicate, flew back once he saw LeComer detach from the sailboat.

“It’s going to be loud and windy,” LeComer said.

That’s when he noticed that Haight seemed almost calm, “a pretty seasoned mariner.”

After he hooked Haight onto his harness, LeComer gave a thumbs up to the helicopter hovering 100 feet above them, and the mechanic dropped the cable with the hook. The heavy waves and wind bounced LeComer and Haight around, moving them off-course from the descending cable.

They needed to put the cable right on the two dots in the ocean that were LeComer and Haight, a tough feat for even the most skilled pilot and mechanic in such conditions.

“Forward and right 10,” the flight mechanic said to Books, who then maneuvered the 9,000-pound helicopter about 10 yards as directed, then overshot by another 10 yards. “Back 10.”

Finally — after about eight minutes — LeComer was able to grab the cable. He attached it to his harness, gave the flight mechanic another thumbs up and the two soon were in the air.

Once they were in the helicopter, LeComer checked over Haight and concluded he didn’t need to go to a hospital. He gave him a warming blanket, and Books turned on the autopilot, lifting the helicopter up to 500 feet and directed it back toward Brookings. It was 1:42 a.m., just 22 minutes since the Coast Guard helicopter had arrived.

They flew under the clouds in almost complete darkness until Books spied clouds that were a little thinner.

“Do you want to climb up above these clouds?” Books asked the co-pilot.

“Yeah, it looks like it’ll be nicer up there,” the co-pilot said.

They climbed to about 1,500 feet above sea level, where they could see the stars. The relief was palpable once they spotted the shore lights, Books said.

While the Coast Guard crew regularly goes out on challenging rescue missions, this one on July 3 was particularly difficult, given how far the sinking boat was from shore, the weather and the condition of the sea.

The operation, Kircher said, “was kind of in a different league.”

‘Not over yet’

When LeComer got home early on the morning of the rescue, he scarfed down a breakfast burrito and called his mom to tell her an abbreviated version of the operation.

“Thanks for putting me in swimming lessons, mom,” LeComer said to her.

Books worked another week, wrapping up his three-and-a-half year assignment in North Bend. Three weeks later, he was in New Jersey for his new assignment.

Haight never figured out why his sailboat sprung a leak. It’s possible that part of the boat had been weakened while stuck on a sandbar the previous year, then was stressed too much by the strong winds on his way to California. But it had survived plenty of strong storms before the one that sank the boat, so he’s still unsure.

He bought a car in Portland and is planning to drive to Mexico to visit friends. While he hasn’t come to terms with losing his boat, he’s grateful for the opportunity the Windswept II gave him — and for the Coast Guard crew that saved him from it.

“How often does somebody get to live their dream?” Haight said. “And I’m still living my dream. It is not over yet.”

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