Sailing Nahoa

Ben and Ashley Stobbart are Canadian mariners currently navigating the Koro Sea in Fiji as they transition from their world-proven Lagoon 410 to their custom-designed aluminum expedition ketch, the Nahoa 55.

Key Takeaways

• Channel Vibe: Technical, transparent, and grounded in practical forensics. The Stobbarts focus on the engineering realities of high-latitude and tropical voyaging.
• The Boat: Currently sailing SV Nahoa (2005 Lagoon 410); nearing completion of the Nahoa 55, a Pierre Delion-designed aluminum ketch.
• The Journey: Over 50,000 nautical miles logged across three oceans, currently based in Fiji for the 2026 trade wind season.

⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals

Meet the Crew and the Vessel

The Sailors Behind the Helm

Ben Stobbart: A former software consultant with an obsessive focus on system diagnostics. Ben has evolved from a novice owner to a high-authority voice in catamaran engineering. His approach is forensic; he doesn't just fix problems—he identifies the structural failures inherent in production hulls and re-engineers them for survival. His Instagram updates at @sailingnahoa often detail the shell-up logistics of his new build.

Ashley Stobbart: Previously an international project manager, Ashley provides the logistical and psychological backbone of the mission. She is a mentor for families seeking to master the domestic forensics of raising children—Bodhi and Willa—while navigating technical corridors like the Panama Canal or the Red Sea. Her narrative focuses on the reality of maintaining a "nomadic home" amidst the relentless stresses of offshore transits.

The Boat: SV Nahoa & The Nahoa 55 Project

For 11 years, the family has lived aboard their 2005 Lagoon 410, Nahoa, pushing the vessel to its structural limits. However, 50,000 miles of blue-water data led Ben to conclude that production catamarans often compromise on safety for the sake of interior volume. This realization birthed Nahoa Yachts and the Nahoa 55. This new vessel, designed by Pierre Delion, features a robust aluminum hull, fixed low-aspect keels, and a unique Forward Working Cockpit that allows all lines to be managed from a protected central station. Source: nahoayachts.com

Boat & Tender Tours

The Stobbarts have documented their technical evolution through high-resolution video walk-throughs. Viewers can study the forensics of their original Lagoon in the Legacy Boat Tour of Nahoa. To understand their future vision, watch The Ultimate Expedition Catamaran, which breaks down the engineering behind their new aluminum fortress.

Voyages, Destinations, and Local Waters

⏳ Voyage Milestone Timeline

• 2015: Departed British Columbia, Canada; initial Pacific crossing.
• 2017-2019: Extensive exploration of French Polynesia and the Tuamotus.
• 2023: Officially completed a world circumnavigation via the Cape of Good Hope.
• May 2026: Final haul-out in Fiji; preparing to transition to the Nahoa 55 build.
• June 2026: Currently based in Denarau, Fiji, managing regional weather risks while finalizing yacht design forensics.

Navigating the Koro Sea

Fiji's waters require a master-level understanding of coral head navigation and local trade shifts. The Stobbarts often frequent Viani Bay and the Mamanuca Islands, where the Koro Sea's thermal shifts can create intense squall clusters. Their weather routing is grounded in avoiding the SPCZ (South Pacific Convergence Zone) during its southern oscillations.

🌪️ Regional Weather Guardrails

From November to April, the crew manages extreme South Pacific Cyclone risks, requiring high-authority shelter strategies in the mangroves. During the winter months, they encounter the powerful Mara’amu winds—strong SE trades that can reach 35 knots, requiring specialized surge management in Fiji's lagoons. Source: WeBoating Regional Weather Reference

Life Aboard: Techniques, Gear, and Challenges

🛠️ The Gear Locker: Crucial Hardware

📊 Vessel Systems Health Scorecard

The YouTube Journey and Financing the Dream

Sailing Nahoa is 100% crowdfunded, a feat achieved through their technical transparency and high production quality. They avoid the sensationalism of "clickbait" sailing, instead providing a raw, forensic look at what it costs to maintain a world-class expedition vessel.

💰 How Sailing Nahoa Fund the Voyage

The mission is supported by a dedicated community on Patreon, where over 600 supporters gain access to technical design logs and real-time location forensics. Additionally, the Stobbarts have launched Nahoa Yachts, a professional yacht design and consulting service that leverages their 50,000 miles of blue-water data. This transition from sailors to builders represents a unique "Marketplace Synergy" within the maritime industry.

💸 Cruising Budget & Financial Blueprint

Estimated based on 55ft Aluminum Catamaran averages, YouTube CPM rates, and publicly available Patreon metrics.

Top Episodes: Where to Start Watching

• Why Most Catamarans Fail Offshore: A technical autopsy of production weaknesses.
• Why We Designed Our Own Catamaran: The engineering genesis of the Nahoa 55.
• Entering Fiji Wasn’t What We Expected: A deep dive into modern maritime logistics.

Channels Similar to Sailing Nahoa

• Sailing SV Delos: Pioneers of the technical vlog format who have also transitioned to a custom build.
• Sailing La Vagabonde: The Pacific-centric family voyage benchmark.
• Expedition Evans: Shared focus on refit grit and technical transparency.
• Free Range Living: Technical excellence in minimalist voyaging.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sailing Nahoa