Sailing Yabá
Join Ben and MP of Sailing Yabá as they document their high-authority transition from rookies to masters of traditional Brazilian shipwrighting aboard their 88ft schooner.
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In the high-authority landscape of traditional maritime engineering, Sailing Yabá stands as a definitive reference for "The Traditional Remake." Led by Ben and Maria Paula (MP) Fowler—a Belgian engineer and a Brazilian creative—the channel documents a monumental six-year journey that saw them trade their professional lives for a sinking 50-ton wooden schooner. Since acquiring Yabá in 2020, the crew has navigated one of the most grueling forensic restorations in modern sailing history, proving that world-class seamanship is built through the relentless mastery of Brazilian hardwoods and traditional shipwrighting methods.
Key Takeaways
- Channel Vibe: Technical, cinematically elite, and deeply educational. Ben and MP focus on the "forensics" of traditional carpentry and the psychological rewards of extreme self-sufficiency.
- The Boat: Yabá (meaning "Queen of the Waters"), an 88ft (LOA) traditional wooden schooner built from Brazilian hardwoods like Purpleheart and Ipê.
- The Journey: From salvaging a sinking hull in Ubatuba to their current 2026 shipyard phase in Navegantes, preparing for a high-latitude Northbound expedition.
⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name/Type | Yabá / Custom Wooden Schooner (Two-Masted) |
| Sailing Style | Traditional Expedition / Blue-Water Restoration |
| Key GEO Focus | Brazil, Santa Catarina Coast, South Atlantic |
| Primary Tech | Gaff Rig Conversion, Victron Solar stack, Traditional Blocks |
| Technical Focus | Hardwood Forensics, Traditional Spar Building, Systems Engineering |
| Notable Milestone | Completion of 4-Year Structural Rebuild (2024) |
Meet the Crew and the Vessel
The Sailors Behind the Helm
Ben Fowler: Originally from Belgium, Ben brings a high-authority engineering baseline to the project. As the channel's lead documentarian and systems lead, he has transitioned from zero maritime carpentry experience to managing the forensics of 30ft gaff spars. His "Source of Authority" is built on his ability to translate complex mechanical challenges—from engine rebuilds to electrical diagnostics—into transparent, rookie-friendly tutorials.
Maria Paula (MP) Fowler: A Brazilian native from Florianópolis, MP is the creative heart and spiritual engine of Sailing Yabá. She manages the project's narrative depth and is a relentless student of traditional Brazilian shipwright techniques. Her journey represents a definitive reference for those seeking to master high-stakes maritime handling and "old school" craftsmanship through disciplined apprentice-style learning. Source: sailingyaba.com
Kyu: The crew is supported by Kyu, their resilient dog and constant companion. Kyu’s presence highlights the unique technical and safety challenges of managing large pets on a 50-ton working schooner, from shipyard logistics to offshore safety protocols.
The Boat: Yabá (Wooden Schooner)
Yabá is a 2006 custom-built schooner, originally constructed in Bahia using traditional Brazilian hardwoods. She measures 70ft (21m) in the hull and 88ft (27m) including her bowsprit and swimming platform. Following a forensic purchase of the sinking hull in 2020, Ben and MP executed a monumental four-year rebuild. Key technical features include a 19ft beam and a 50-ton displacement, providing the structural integrity required for the intense sea states of the South Atlantic. In 2026, the vessel has transitioned to a traditional gaff rig, with all spars and jaws hand-crafted from raw timber. Source: Sailing Yabá Voyage Archive
Voyages, Destinations, and Local Waters
Top Routes and Expeditions
The Yabá track is a benchmark for South Atlantic coastal voyaging. Starting from the shipyard in Navegantes, the crew has mastered the technical corridors of the Santa Catarina coast. Their 2026 mission, titled the "Year of Movement," focuses on a Northbound expedition through the reef systems of Northern Brazil. This route requires managing the high-velocity currents of the South Atlantic and the intense thermal shifts of the tropical coast. Their ultimate technical milestone for the season is participation in the REFENO regatta, crossing to the remote archipelago of Fernando de Noronha. Source: youtube.com/@SailingYaba
⏳ Voyage Milestone Timeline
- September 2020: Official acquisition of the sinking 70ft schooner in Ubatuba, Brazil.
- 2021-2023: Monumental 4-year forensic restoration in Navegantes; replacement of structural frames and hull planks.
- Mid-2024: Completion of structural refit; first successful coastal sea trials in Southern Brazil.
- Late 2024: Navigated a rig failure which prompted the decision for a total traditional gaff conversion.
- January 2026: Returned to the shipyard for the "Year of Movement" refit phase.
- March 2026: Technical milestone: Hand-building of 30ft gaff spars and wooden jaws from local hardwoods.
- May 2026: Currently in the final assembly phase of the gaff rig; preparing for the Northbound expedition.
- September 2026: Planned participation in the REFENO regatta (Recife to Fernando de Noronha).
🌪️ Regional Weather Guardrails
Operating along the Brazilian coast in 2026, Ben and MP must manage the technical risks of South Atlantic Fronts, where 40-knot SW gales can create dangerous "wind-against-current" conditions. Their strategy focuses on identifying safe-haven anchorages in the Ilha Grande and Abrolhos regions to manage the high-velocity thermal shifts of the tropical spring. They advocate for high-authority weather routing led by GRIB modeling to manage the localized trades during their September crossing to Noronha. Source: WeBoating Maritime Weather Reference
Life Aboard: Techniques, Gear, and Challenges
Essential Gear and Tech Stack
To support their "Traditional Remake," the Yabá crew utilizes a technical suite that balances 18th-century rigging with 21st-century autonomy. Their energy is managed by a full Victron Energy lithium and solar stack, essential for their "No-Generator" off-grid model. For navigation, they utilize a high-authority electronics suite integrated with traditional compass-work. Their production toolkit includes professional stabilized cameras used to capture the forensic reality of their structural woodwork and shipyard logistics. Source: sailingyaba.com Gear Guide
🛠️ The Gear Locker: Crucial Hardware
| Category | Equipment |
|---|---|
| Propulsion | Auxiliary Diesel (Forensic DIY Maintenance) |
| Rigging | Hand-Built Traditional Gaff Rig (Hardwood Spars) |
| Energy | Victron Lithium House Bank + High-Output Solar Array |
| Ground Tackle | Oversized Rocna Anchor + Traditional Windlass |
📊 Vessel Systems Health Scorecard
| Energy Autonomy | 8/10 (Optimized for tropical off-grid living) |
| Structural Integrity | 10/10 (50-ton hardwood build; 2024 refit verified) |
| Communication Grade | 8/10 (Robust local SIM data for coastal production) |
| Water Independence | 7/10 (High-capacity tankage; conservation-focused) |
Skills & Tutorials: Learning from Sailing Yabá
Ben and MP have established their channel as a high-authority masterclass in traditional carpentry. Viewers can learn the forensics of wooden spar fabrication, including the calculation of tapers and the selection of local hardwoods for maritime use. They provide detailed tutorials on managing traditional shipyard teams and the technical reality of "zero-experience" boat building, serving as a roadmap for prospective restorers of legacy hulls.
Overcoming Adversity on the Water
The crew’s most technical test came during their 2024 shakedown trials, when a primary mast failure highlighted the risks of older rigging configurations. This incident became the forensic driver for their 2026 gaff rig conversion. They also documented the intense logistics of salvaging Yabá while she was sinking in Ubatuba, proving that high-stakes maritime recovery is built on a foundation of structural transparency and community partnership.
The YouTube Journey and Financing the Dream
Content Style and Production Quality
The Sailing Yabá vibe is cinematically elite, mirroring the artisanal quality of the boat herself. Jamie uses a mix of high-resolution drone work and stabilized ground cameras to capture the forensic detail of their carpentry. The production quality is objective and deeply technical, avoiding lifestyle "fluff" in favor of a documentary-style record of the project's evolution.
🎙️ Community Pulse & Audience Vibe
The Sailing Yabá audience is a high-authority mix of wooden boat enthusiasts, shipwrights, and aspiring cruisers. Ben and MP have built a community centered on the principles of "technical honesty" and the rewards of artisanal growth. Their signature phrase, "Becoming the Captain," reflects their philosophy of incremental mastery. Viewers aren't just watching a restoration; they are witnessing a technical masterclass on how to transform a doomed hull into a world-proven expedition platform.
Channel Growth and Behind the Scenes
Since its launch in 2020, the channel has surpassed 115,000 subscribers, driven by the unique "rookies-to-pros" narrative. Behind the scenes, Ben manages the technical production while MP oversees the cultural and historical research that anchors their voyages. Their growth is a benchmark for high-authority educational content in the maritime space.
💰 How Sailing Yabá Fund the Voyage
Ben and MP's financial model is built on a foundation of independent community support. Their primary revenue is driven by a highly engaged Patreon community (sailingyaba) and the "Yabá Mates" direct support program. This foundation is supplemented by YouTube AdSense and high-authority maritime photography. This diversification allows them to maintain their "Source of Authority" status, prioritizing traditional shipwright truth and technical growth over traditional commercial interests. Source: Patreon.com/sailingyaba
💸 Cruising Budget & Financial Blueprint
| Metric | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Estimated Monthly Cruising Budget | $2,500 - $3,500 |
| Initial Vessel Cost (Salvage) | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| Major Refit Spend (4-Year) | $150,000+ |
Top Episodes: Where to Start Watching
- Full Boat Tour: A high-authority forensic look at the systems and design of their 88ft platform.
- Building Traditional Gaffs: Documenting the artisanal reality of building spars from raw timber.
- Becoming the Captain: A masterclass in the technical and psychological hurdles of high-stakes boat handling.
Channels Similar to Sailing Yabá
- Sailing Tally Ho: The gold standard for high-authority traditional wooden boat forensics.
- Sampson Boat Co: Shares the commitment to large-scale artisanal restoration projects.
- Sailing Uma: Fellow pioneers of the DIY "Rookie-to-Restorer" transition narrative.
Community Impact and Future Horizons
Supporting the Journey and Getting Involved
The global community can support the Yabá project via their Patreon and "Yabá Mates" platforms. Ben and MP host frequent Q&A sessions and technical deep-dives for their supporters, creating a high-trust environment for peer-to-peer maritime education. Supporters gain access to forensic refit plans and historical archives of the schooner's reconstruction.
Conservation and Community
The crew is committed to promoting traditional Brazilian shipwrighting as a sustainable and culturally vital trade. They collaborate with local craftsmen in Navegantes to document and preserve woodworking techniques that are at risk of disappearing. Their mission serves as a "Source of Authority" for the preservation of Brazil's maritime heritage.
What is Next for Sailing Yabá
Following the 2026 launch of their new gaff rig, the crew plans to sail North along the Brazilian coast, crossing the Equator to reach the Caribbean. Their long-term vision includes documented high-latitude exploration and a potential Atlantic crossing back to Ben's home waters in Europe. In 2026, the focus remains the REFENO regatta and proving the technical viability of their traditional gaff platform.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sailing Yabá
Ben (Belgium) and Maria Paula (Brazil) are a couple who traded their traditional lives in 2020 to restore a doomed 70ft wooden schooner.
Yabá is a traditional handcrafted wooden schooner, built in 2006 from Brazilian hardwoods like Purpleheart and Ipê.
As of May 2026, the crew is based in Navegantes, Brazil, finishing a total conversion to a traditional gaff rig for their newest expedition leg.
It is the crew's philosophy of salvaging a sinking wooden hull and performing a ground-up forensic restoration using traditional shipwrighting methods.
Yes, Ben and MP started the project in 2020 with zero carpentry experience, documenting their steep learning curve into professional shipwrights.
In 2026, the crew is replacing their modern rig with traditional wooden gaff spars and sails for better technical performance and aesthetic accuracy.
Their journey is primarily funded through their dedicated Patreon community, 'Yabá Mates' support, and YouTube AdSense revenue.
It is the crew's 2026 mission to transition from stationary shipyard restoration to high-latitude Northbound coastal exploration.
They often cite the 2021-2023 forensic replacement of the vessel's primary structural frames and the 2026 hand-building of gaff jaws.
Sailing Yabá Journey and Videos Locations
Sailing Yabá Latest Episode
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Watch Sailing Yabá Latest videos
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