Archives for 2022 | Sailing Blog - Technical Hints and Tips - Sailing Television

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 Enksail Orion 49 custom aluminum sailboat. Will a hybrid power system allow us to achieve the passages we're planning from Europe to the Arctic Circle as well as long ocean passages around the world? We examine our power usage from past voyages made on previous boats and talk to the crew of S/V Delos about their experiences with electric cooking.

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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.

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French Canals - How to Maneuver in Tight Quarters

While work continues on the build of our Enksail Orion 49 aluminum sailboat, we take the opportunity to do some cruising on the French Canals where we demonstrate boat handling techniques for tight quarters such as locks and narrow channels. We visit picturesque towns and a unique winery as we navigate through beautiful countryside. On this cruise, we charter a 50-foot (15 metre) Penichette 1500FB canal boat for 2 weeks and show you the experience of bareboat chartering in France as we travel the tranquil Nivernais route out and back from Joigny.

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Building an Aluminum Sailboat Pt 6- Q&A

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Sailing Back in Time

While work continues on our new aluminum Enksail Orion 49 sailboat, we take the opportunity to try our hand at sailing a traditional Dutch gaff-rigged sailboat and explore the Dutch Canals and Frisian Islands.

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First Welds - Building an 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! Makkum is also a centre for traditional Dutch sailboats and we take you to the waterfront to Makkum Beach to see these lovely historic sailboats on the IJsselmeer (IJssel Lake).

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

Have you ever dreamed of building a custom aluminum sailboat? Follow along with the building of our custom aluminium Enksail Orion 49, Distant Shores IV. In this episode we explain the process of taking our design from plans to plates - the engineering, cutting of aluminum plates and assembly strategy for the hull using on location footage, interviews and time-lapse video.

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Goodbye Distant Shores III - Big Tides Sailing Pacific Northwest

Our Southerly 480 sailboat, Distant Shores III, arrives by yacht transport ship in the Pacific Northwest to be received by her new owners. Paul flies to Seattle WA to do the official handover and say goodbye to Distant Shores III. It is Paul's first time sailing in the Pacific Northwest and he learns what a special cruising ground is to be found in Puget Sound and surrounds. There are large tides in this area and Paul explains what causes tides and how to anchor safely in the changing depths.

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Offshore Passage to Grenada

Hurricane Season is quickly approaching in the Caribbean and owners of a Southerly 49 need help to get south and away from the danger. Paul flies to St. Martin to help them and they face numerous obstacles on the 3-night offshore passage to Grenada.

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Stadship Noordkaper Orion 49

This time on Distant Shores we test sail a Stadship 56 aluminum sailboat on a very breezy day, investigate the meticulous craftsmanship on a steel Noordkaper 46 and tour an aluminum Orion 49 before finally coming to a decision about our new custom aluminum sailboat.

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Bestevaer test sail - Yacht Designer on board!

This time on Distant Shores we're excited to be test sailing 2 different aluminum sailboats - both built by KM Yachts. We're thrilled we were able to sail with the yachts' designer legendary Gerard Dykstra.

First we get out on the brand new Bestevaer 45 aluminium sailboat - built by KM Yachts of Makkum in the Netherlands. She's so new she hasn't even flown all here sails yet and we get a change to see her large Code-0 as well as her lovely huge spinnaker.

Next we get out aboard the very first Bestevaer - the model 53 designed by her owner Gerard Dykstra and still going strong nearly 20 years old. Gerard is a famous Dutch designer who has been responsible for some of the most beautiful and innovative designs of the past 40 years. We have a windy day perfect for putting Bestevaer II through her paces.

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This Yacht is Sinking! Loading on a Ship for Yacht Transport

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.

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Final Cruise - Sailing San Blas Panama & 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.

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