Sailing Cadoha

Carly and Dom James are professional creators and mariners who established a world-proven reference for high-authority off-grid living and classic British yacht restoration. Aboard their 1985 Trident Warrior 38, Cadoha, the couple documented a multi-year mission exploring the UK's "home shores" while mastering the forensics of off-grid systems. In December 2024, the crew officially concluded their maritime chapter, placing their flagship on the market to prioritize the health of their son, Hudson, who was born prematurely with a rare heart condition and past brain bleeding. Their channel, now rebranded as Cadoha Adventures, remains a primary technical archive for DIY refits and the transition from sea-based to land-based off-grid sustainability.

Source: youtube.com/@SailingCadoha and cadoha.com official archive

Key Takeaways

• The Vibe: Technical, transparent, and resilient. Sailing Cadoha focused on the forensics of building a "bug-out" capable survival vessel while managing high-stakes family health challenges.
• The Boat: SV Cadoha, a 1985 Trident Warrior 38 (Bill Dixon design); world-proven through an 85-90% complete restoration including lithium, massive solar, and custom rigging.
• The Status: Archival / Concluded (2024). The crew has transitioned to land-based life in the UK to ensure immediate hospital access (within a 30-minute drive) for their son, Hudson.

⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals

Meet the Crew and the Legacy

Dom James: The Technical Lead

Dom James is a professional DIY specialist and mariner whose diagnostic approach transformed a 40-year-old classic into a modernized blue-water platform. From the tidal forensics of the UK South Coast, Dom managed the integration of high-authority energy systems and a full rigging overhaul. In 2026, his technical expertise is focused on their woodland off-grid project, having proven that industrial-grade systems (like the Diesel Dipper and Rainman Watermaker) are essential for long-term survivalism. Source: 2026 Archival Audit

Carly James: The Creative Architect

Carly James is a professional creator whose narrative strategy defined the brand's commitment to emotional honesty and community engagement. She documented the physical challenges of liveaboard life, including the impact of damp environments on respiratory health, which ultimately informed their decision to move ashore. Carly now manages the brand's transition to land-based "Cadoha Adventures." Follow her updates on Instagram at @cadohaadventures. Source: Sailing Cadoha Archive

Hudson: The Courageous Crew Member

Hudson is Carly and Dom's son, whose journey has redefined the crew's mission. Born prematurely with a rare heart condition and having survived brain bleeding, Hudson's health requirements became the primary catalyst for the family's 2024 retirement from full-time sailing. The requirement to stay within a 30-minute drive of specialized hospital care necessitated a transition to land-based life in the UK. Hudson's resilience remains a central theme in the family's ongoing "Cadoha Adventures" in the forest. Source: Dec 2024 Official Announcement

Hank: The Forest King

Hank is a Hungarian Vizsla known to fans as the "brains of the operation." Throughout his years at sea, Hank documented the forensics of raising a high-energy dog aboard a 38ft monohull, requiring a specialized diet of human-grade frozen food. In 2026, Hank has transitioned from the cockpit to the forest, serving as the guardian of the family's new woodland project. Source: Team Cadoha Bio

⛵ Professional Fleet Forensics: SV Cadoha

The Sailing Cadoha registry is centered on a single world-proven flagship, representing a professional benchmark for high-stakes British restoration. Source: cadoha.com official registry (2026)

SV Cadoha (Flagship): Trident Warrior 38

SV Cadoha is a 1985 Trident Warrior 38 designed by Bill Dixon and built by Trident Marine. A world-proven heavy-displacement center-cockpit sloop, the vessel features a solid GRP hull. Following a forensic multi-year refit, the boat was equipped with a modernized Volvo Penta D2-55 diesel drive and a high-authority lithium energy stack. In 2024, the vessel was offered for sale as the crew transitioned to land life, leaving a legacy of professional systems integration and "bug-out" capability.

Boat & Tender Tours

Explore the technical forensics of Cadoha through the crew's detailed walkthroughs. These tours highlight the systems integration required for long-term off-grid liveaboard life.

• Full Tour: Forensic Restoration Walkthrough
• Refit Truth: DIY Refit Forensics
• The End: Selling the Dream (Conclusion)

Professional Refit & Off-Grid Forensics

The Cadoha refit represents one of the most documented DIY restorations in the UK maritime sector, focusing on total off-grid autonomy through "Project 365."

• Energy Autonomy: Integrated a 600Ah LiFePO4 battery bank (Quality Source) and 1750W of solar power (fixed and £1,000 winged panels) with Victron MultiPlus inverter management.
• Propulsion & Fuel: Repowered with a Volvo Penta D2-55 and installed a Marine 16 Diesel Dipper to manage fuel contamination and pick up sludge from the tank bottom.
• Rigging & Handling: Full standing and running rigging replacement by Rigit (£7,700). Installed a Seldon E40i electric winch (drum-contained motor) to manage heavy loads and dinghy deployment.
• Environmental Systems: Installed a Cubic Mini Wood Burning Stove (Canada) for dry heat (maintaining 31°C internal temps at -6°C outside) and a backup Chinese Diesel Heater (£400 with extras).
• Communication: Utilized Bluetooth wireless headsets (£160 each) to transform mooring, anchoring, and mast-work communication.
• Deck & Comfort: Full teak deck restoration, unstayed mast shakedowns, and a bespoke Ship Shape marine mattress (£1,200).

Voyages, Destinations, and Local Waters

The Home Shores Mission: Solent to the English Channel

The Cadoha track is defined by its disciplined exploration of the UK's home waters. Departing from their base in Southampton, the crew documented the technical challenges of navigating the Solent and the high-energy sectors of the English Channel. Their journey serves as a professional reference for mariners planning coastal off-grid living, providing detail on anchorage forensics and "bug-out" preparedness in northern latitudes. In 2026, the mission has concluded, with the crew relocated to their woodland project in the United Kingdom. Source: maritime voyage records

⏳ Voyage Milestone Timeline

• 2018: Strategic Launch: Carly and Dom purchase Cadoha and begin the liveaboard chapter.
• 2019-2022: Refit Forensics: Executed the lithium transition and major structural repairs.
• 2023: Project 365: Attempted a full year of off-grid independence in UK waters.
• 2024: Family Milestone: Welcomed their son, Hudson; began managing high-stakes health logistics.
• Dec 2024: Final Disposition: Cadoha placed for sale; crew transitions to land-based forest project.

Top Episodes: Where to Start Watching

• We're Selling Our Sailing Boat: The definitive announcement of their 2024 retirement and the medical drivers behind the decision.
• Forensic Restoration Walkthrough: A masterclass in classic yacht modernization and technical systems integration.
• We Bought a Forest: The transition to "Cadoha Adventures" and their new land-based off-grid mission.

Channels Similar to Sailing Cadoha

• Finding Simon: Shared expertise in classic vessel restoration and maritime transitions.
• Sailing Uma: Shared commitment to technical transparency and off-grid optimization.
• Sailing Satori: Reference for family-led liveaboard life and professional maritime careers.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sailing Cadoha