Sailing Television Show - Distant Shores TV

First Voyage - Crossing the North Sea | EP 255

We do an extended sea trial aboard our new Enksail Orion 49 aluminum sailboat, Distant Shores IV. Sailing from Makkum in the Netherlands, we do an overnight crossing of the North Sea, dodging gas works, oil platforms and shipping lanes, then deal with shoals and big tides on the East Coast of the UK when we make landfall at Hull.

Sailmaker Onboard | EP 254

We continue sea trials with our new Enksail Orion 49 aluminum sailboat and go for a sail with the sailmaker on board who gives us professional advice on how to best use our new sails.

First Sail & Boat Tour | EP 253

We move aboard our new Enksail Orion 49 aluminum sailboat and take the boat out for her first sail! Join us for a boat tour as we see the transformation from a build site to a beautiful sailing vessel flying across sparkling seas.

Sea Trials Begin! | EP 252

This time on Distant Shores we take our new Enksail Orion 49 aluminum sailboat on her first sea trial to test out the engine and systems, the 3 rudder configuration and swing keel.

Commissioning & Decommissioning | EP 251

We update you on the troubleshooting that has been taking place on our new Enksail Orion 49, all part of the commissioning process of a newly built custom aluminum sailboat. We also participate in a nationwide ceremony honouring those who died in World War II liberating the Netherlands from Nazi occupation. We then tour a Dutch minehunter which is being decommissioned by the Dutch navy for service in the Ukraine.

SAILS On! STORM Staysail for HEAVY Weather | EP 250

Commissioning of our new Enksail Orion 49 aluminum sailboat continues in the Netherlands! In this episode, the team from De Vries Sails/UK Sails arrives to bend on the boat’s brand new suit of sails. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions of the sailmaker, learn about the high tech sailcloth used and to see how these new sails are to be put on properly - the in-mast furling mainsail, Genoa, Code-O and storm staysail with anti-torsion furling system. This is the first time we have owned a storm sail like this and we try it out with step-by-step instructions and demonstration by the sailmaker.

Commissioning Distant Shores IV !

We’ve just launched our new sailboat! What happens now? This week we begin the process of commissioning our new Orion 49 sailboat with the team at Enksail Yachts in the Netherlands - testing systems, troubleshooting problems, filling and pressurizing tanks to check for leaks and lots more in preparation for sea trials.

Christening Distant Shores IV !

After launching our new Enksail Orion 49 aluminum sailboat, we host a Launch Party and Open Boat Event where we christen the boat and hold a traditional ceremony to bless the builders and crew. Tour Distant Shores IV along with international guests including creators from popular sailing channels Sailing Uma, Odd Life Crafting, SY Sirius and Bushpoint. Grab a glass and celebrate the start a new chapter of sailing adventure with us!

Launching Distant Shores IV !

It’s been months of anticipation and finally the day has arrived - the launch of Distant Shores IV, our brand new Enksail Orion 49 aluminum sailboat! Share our excitement at the moment of “splash”, then at the raising of the mast where we perform a traditional silver coin ceremony to ensure good luck and good fortune for the crew.

How to Stay Married While Choosing Boat Upholstery!

This week we do a deep dive into interior upholstery fabrics mattresses and cushions! This can lead to differences of opinion :-) Tune in to see how it goes!

As the launch of our new Enksail Orion 49 sailboat approaches, we have to decide on the colours and upholstery for a comfortable yacht interior, so in this week’s video we investigate boat upholstery, cushions, and fabrics. We have gone through this process four other times during our 34 years of boat ownership but there are always new things to learn.

For the first time, we work with an interior designer who specializes in yacht interiors and fabrics, then tour a factory to see how yacht upholstery, cushions and mattresses are made and what materials are best. If you’ve ever decorated a place ashore with your partner, you'll see that doing the same thing for a boat can be just as challenging!

Wait til you see her now!

This time on Distant Shores we're excited to update you on the progress of the boat and the upcoming launch date, inspect the hybrid battery bank installation and make some decisions about the cockpit layout.

48Volt Wiring

This time on Distant Shores we do a deep dive into the 48V wiring system - check out the installation … and see why we think it's worth moving up from a traditional 12 Volt system.

Ask us anything! Q&A

This time on Distant Shores we answer your questions about our new custom aluminum Enksail Orion 49 sailboat while visiting the shipyard in the Netherlands. Questions such as "When is the expected launch date?" to "Is there insulation?" to "Why is the cabinetry being built out of the hull?" are addressed and more....

Med Mooring Technique & Greek Islands

While the build of our new Enksail Orion 49 sailboat progresses in the Netherlands, we make a 12-day voyage through the Greek Islands aboard a Jeanneau 54 monohull, enjoying some fast sailing in strong meltemi winds! Aboard are 6 guest crew members new to the techniques of Mediterranean mooring, going stern to the shore and rafting up with another sailboat. We go through all three of these techniques en route, sometimes in challenging conditions. The video includes helpful animations and illustrations as well as visits to remote islands and ancient Greek ruins.

Aluminum Sailboat Build Update & Annapolis Boatshow

Join us as we make the trip to the 2023 Annapolis Sailboat Show where we learn more about hybrid electric power for sailboats, check out interesting marine equipment, talk to a charter expert about the requirements for bareboat chartering and meet up with some of your favourite sailing YouTubers. We then take you to the Netherlands for an update on the build of our custom aluminum Enksail Orion 49 sailboat.

Choosing Sails - Sail Loft Tour

As the build of our new custom aluminum Enksail Orion 49 progresses, it’s time to choose the sails! We visit the local sail loft to sit down with the designer and go over our choices. We also discuss high tech fabrics and the dynamics of in-mast furling and reef points. We conclude our visit with a tour of this modern sail loft where sail cloth is held on large tables by vacuum and cut by computer. We see how a new sail is stitched by a master sailmaker.

Shore Power - This will Shock You!

If you could install one single device on your sailboat that would make your boat shockproof for swimmers, prevent galvanic corrosion and also stop any worries about reversed shore-power polarity, would you want one? That device would be an isolation transformer and we're going to talk about that today as we talk about shore power connections and electrical systems on sailboats.

Aluminum Sailboat - Deep Dive

This week we do a deep dive on the hull interior of our new aluminum Enksail Orion 49 sailboat with an informative tour by the yacht manufacturer discussing the bow thruster installation, wiring and conduits, foam insulation, water and fuel tanks, bilge pumps, welded through hulls, lithium batteries, air conditioning and the paint system.

Aluminum Sailboat Lithium Battery - How They're Made

This time on Distant Shores we go into depth on Lithium batteries, planning out the boat's energy storage system, and touring the Super-B Battery factory where we learn how marine lithium batteries are manufactured and tested for safety.

Boat Tour! Interior Layout - LEWMAR Factory Tour

This time on Distant Shores we give you a full tour of the interior of our custom aluminum Enksail Orion 49 sailboat as she is being assembled in the shop using an interesting build method outside the hull. We also make a visit to the Lewmar factory in England as we research equipment for our new boat, Distant Shores IV.

Aluminum Sailboat Plywood and interior

This time on Distant Shores, we take you to the Netherlands, to Enksail Yachts, to show you the interesting method being used to construct the interior of our new Orion 49 sailboat. We need to come to a decision on the wood finish for our cabinetry - we're divided on whether it should be cherry or mahogany! A tour of a wood veneer manufacturing facility helps us make a decision and we learn how veneered plywood for yachts is constructed. What wood do we choose and why? Stay tuned to find out…

Aluminum Sailboat Corrosion and Survey

We've been getting lots of questions about corrosion on aluminum boats and how quality yachts deal with this issue. Today we look at some of the methods used to address this on our new aluminium Enksail Orion 49 sailboat. We also talk a surveyor who comes to see the new boat while in build to certify she meets CE specifications.

Aluminum Sailboat Nearly Finished + Worlds Largest Boat Show

We fly to the Netherlands to see the progress on our new Enksail Orion 49 sailboat, Distant Shores IV. She is nearly finished hull construction. We get a tour of all the progress and an overview of the remaining jobs. Next stop is Germany where we check out the world's largest indoor boat show, Boot Düssseldorf.

Thanks to our sponsor for this episode - Athletic Greens nutritional drink. If you want to give it a try click on the link for 1 year free supply of vitamin D3+K2 and 10 travel packs.

Arctic… Will Distant Shores IV pass the test?

Paul makes a trip to the Netherlands to see the progress on the build of Distant Shores IV, our new custom aluminum Enksail Orion 49 cruising sailboat. While he is there, Paul attends METStrade, the annual Marine Equipment Trade Show in Amsterdam, to speak to suppliers and learn more about the options we are considering for the boat.

At the show, he meets up with a group of other sailing YouTubers, who are either experienced Arctic sailors or metal boat owners or both. Later, this fun-loving group drive up to the Gebroeders van Enkhuizen Shipyard in Makkum to give their thoughts on whether Distant Shores IV will be a good Arctic cruising boat or not, based on their experiences. Lots of good info here!

HYBRID Power Sailboat - Will it Work for Long Distance Cruising?

This time on Distant Shores we're planning out the energy requirements of our new custom aluminum sailboat. Will the hybrid power system allow us to make the passages we're planning from Europe to the arctic circle as well as the long ocean crossings we normally do around the world?

Hybrid Power on a Sailboat – Offshore Livestream using Starlink!

This time on Distant Shores we discuss the pros and cons of using a hybrid drive on a sailboat with former SpaceX engineer and sailor, Casey Schilling. We record a video conference with him while he’s 50 miles offshore using Starlink! Check out the results and learn how hybrid drives work too.

Building an Aluminum Sailboat Part 6 - Your Questions answered

This time on Distant Shores we update you on the build of our 49 foot aluminum expedition sailboat - and answer some of the questions we've had about the project.

Building an Aluminum Sailboat Part 5 - Turning the Hull

This time on Distant Shores we reach a literal turning point in the build of our new Enksail Orion 49 aluminum sailboat - the hull is turned over to upright position so interior welding can begin! We make the first trip down below where we learn how a proper aluminum weld is made and what is required of welders to meet safety standards. We are then shown how the metal work is inspected so the highest quality construction is achieved.

Building an Aluminum Sailboat Part 4 - How the Hull Plates are Shaped

This time on Distant Shores we get our first look at the boat welded together…
We also dive deep into how flat aluminum plates are shaped into the smooth curved pieces needed to make a fast and strong sailboat hull. Then we take the opportunity to climb right inside our new boat and learn more about how the welds are made.

Building an Aluminum Sailboat Part 3 - Raising the Hull to Weld Frames & Bulkheads

This is our third video in the series on building our new Enksail Orion 49 aluminum expedition sailboat! We look into how plates are positioned and welded into the perfect shape according to the drawings and plans.

First Welds - Building a Custom Aluminum Sailboat Part 2

Construction begins on our new 49-foot aluminum sailboat - starting with the very first welds, which Paul is given the honour of doing!! We explain how MIG welding works and show the process of assembling and welding frames and bulkheads for our Orion 49 sailboat through the use of regular and time-lapse video, animations and interviews at the factory in Makkum in the Netherlands. In this video, construction on our Orion 49 sailboat, Distant Shores IV, moves full steam ahead!

Building a Custom Aluminum Sailboat Part 1 - From Plans to Plates to Assembly

This time on Distant Shores we have a more technical video with lots of juicy details on how an aluminum sailboat is built - starting with the preparations and cutting the many parts needed to make a 50 foot sailboat. As cutting is about to start on our new boat I fly over to the Netherlands and learn how the parts will be cut and welded into shape.

This Yacht is Sinking! Loading on a Ship for Yacht Transport, BRNKL Review

This time we save a boat from sinking in Panama, evaluate a boat monitoring system called BRNKL and load Distant Shores III onto a ship for yacht transport to her new owners.

Final Cruise on DS3! Sailing San Blas Islands and Epsilon Anchor Test

In this our final cruise aboard our Southerly 480 sailboat, we test out the new Lewmar Epsilon anchor while we revisit the San Blas Islands of Panama, home of the Guna tribes, Panama’s indigenous people who still live in traditional ways. Even though it’s been 11 years since our last cruise here, we reunite with island friends, meet new ones and rediscover these unique pristine islands.

How to Sail South to the Bahamas and Caribbean - New Video

Are you dreaming about sailing south to the Bahamas and Caribbean but aren't sure what the best routes for getting there are? In this, our most popular boat show seminar, brought to you from the cockpit of our Southerly 480, Distant Shores III, in the tropics, we show you how to escape to the magical islands of the Bahamas and Caribbean! Using beautiful video footage from the Distant Shores television series and YouTube Channel as well as still images, music and narration, we show you the choices of routes south to these top cruising destinations. Will you head for warmer climes down the ICW, jump offshore or take the Thorny Path? Join in to find out what route makes sense for you and will keep your crew happy and safe. We also outline an achievable plan for a successful tropical cruise, highlight destinations not to be missed and discuss places to run to in bad weather as well as options for Hurricane Season.

Tips for Docking a Sailboat

First in a new series we're producing about docking techniques and boat handling skills.
We all get pretty good at learning to handle our own boats over time, but if we step onto a friend's boat or take the helm on a bareboat charter yacht that we're unfamiliar with, we quickly remember that each boat has its own personality and quirky behaviour.

In Docking a Sailboat, we go over basic docking techniques demonstrating how to go bow-to a dock, as well as stern-to. But first we give you a few procedures to do to quickly get the feel of a boat that you are handling for the first time.

How to Transit the Panama Canal, Part 3

Part 3 of 3 on How to Transit the Panama Canal with a Sailboat. Following Part 1 on how to prepare and complete the paperwork and Part 2 where we take you on the first leg of the transit from Colon to Lake Gatun, in Part 3 we take you on the second and final leg of the transit across Lake Gatun, through the impressive Culebra Cut and descend 3 locks to Panama City on the Pacific Coast.

How to Transit the Panama Canal, Part 2

Entering the Panama Canal in our sailboat, we handle the first 3 locks up to Lake Gatun.
Part 2 of 3 in a series on How to Transit the Panama Canal with a Sailboat, Atlantic to Pacific. Following Part 1 on how to prepare and complete the paperwork, in Part 2 we take you on the first leg of the transit from Colon to Lake Gatun. We also show you how to find line handlers, train your crew for line handling, how to set up your boat to meet requirements as well as protect it from possible damage during the transit. We show you how to work with the Canal Advisor who is assigned to come aboard your boat for the transit, how yachts are required to raft up and demonstrate some boat handling techniques for locking through.

Atlantic to Pacific: How to Transit the Panama Canal, Part 1

Do you dream of taking your sailboat through the Panama Canal one day to sail in the Pacific? Well, this video is for you! In Part 1, we arrive at Shelter Bay Marina on the Atlantic side to begin preparations for a canal transit and take you through the steps. We answer your questions about what it costs, what inspections and paperwork are required, what are the best resources, should you use an agent and if so how do you find someone reliable? We document our Admeasure Inspection aboard Distant Shores III, then explore the surrounding jungle having magical encounters with monkeys and weaver birds.
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Don't be surprised if after a couple of episodes you find yourself trying to figure out a way to go cruising yourself. Sail Magazine
We love your channel and your show. You two are the "originals". We look forward to meeting you some day Sailing Pau Hana - YouTube
6 years ago my husband and I were channel surfing and stumbled upon Distant Shores. We were hooked... What is really fun is that through the show, we developed a real interest in learning to sail and last summer took our first sailing lessons and got our first ASA certification… soon we'll be able to rent bare boats and sail in the Caribbean. We joined our local sailing club… All this is because Paul and Sheryl make sailing so approachable and appealing. Mary Via Email
Yeah! The original sailing badasses. Before it was cool and hipster to buy a sailing boat and sail the seven seas and air it on YouTube. This crew was doing it first! I would get up in the dark winter mornings, and watch your TELEVISION show, dreaming. That's right! These Canadian sailing badasses were on T.V.! "Satellitesos" Via Instagram
The Shards put together a great show! It's a wonderful way to see the world with a great insight into the cruising lifestyle. Top notch entertainment that will keep you wanting more Well done indeed!
Marc (Vimeo Viewer)
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