How He Survived a Tropical Storm at Sea
How to survive a tropical storm at sea: A true sailing survival story.
If you’ve ever wanted to sail offshore, you NEED TO WATCH THIS. It may save your life. For deeper training on how to handle the ocean, get your copy of Be The Captain: https://bethecaptain.com/
Johnny was 20 years old and eager for his first Atlantic crossing, but he stepped onto the wrong boat with a captain who had no business being at sea. What started as a dream voyage turned into a harrowing, near-fatal nightmare in the middle of a tropical storm.
This video is more than just a survival story—it’s a masterclass in offshore safety and why you must learn to vet a captain before setting foot on a stranger's boat. We’re breaking down the critical red flags that were ignored and the 8 essential questions you must ask to avoid a tragedy.
In this video:
The reality of sailing through a tropical storm.
Critical offshore sailing mistakes to avoid.
How to vet a boat and captain before a passage.
8 questions that could save your life at sea.
Resources: Download the 'How to Vet a Captain' form, pre-departure checklists, and watch schedules for free at the Captain's Locker: https://bethecaptain.com/pages/locker
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Defender Marine has been outfitting boaters since 1938, with trusted brands, expert advice, and everything you need for maintenance, upgrades, and refits.
👉Shop Defender Marine: https://defender.com/en_us/
Get 10% off your next Defender Marine order when you purchase a copy of Be The Captain through the link below.
👉Get the book and claim your discount: https://bethecaptain.com/
Chapters
00:00 The reality nobody warns you about
01:17 Signing up for a nightmare crossing
01:51 Red flag #1: ignoring weather routing
02:59 Why a leaky boat is deadly at sea
04:38 The mainsail shreds
07:05 The Dangerous Quadrant
10:04 Engine dead, a broken rib
11:22 Lying ahull in a hurricane
14:01 Sheer luck and a sunrise
14:48 The difference a real captain makes
17:15 8 questions to vet a captain
20:20 Get the free checklist
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Join James Evenson of Sailing Zingaro as he documents his 2026 technical refit of his Crowther Spindrift 38 in Colombia and his 'Sailing Truth' mission.
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How to survive a tropical storm at sea: A true sailing survival story.
If you’ve ever wanted to sail offshore, you NEED TO WATCH THIS. It may save your life. For deeper training on how to handle the ocean, get your copy of Be The Captain: https://bethecaptain.com/
Johnny was 20 years old and eager for his first Atlantic crossing, but he stepped onto the wrong boat with a captain who had no business being at sea. What started as a dream voyage turned into a harrowing, near-fatal nightmare in the middle of a tropical storm.
This video is more than just a survival story—it’s a masterclass in offshore safety and why you must learn to vet a captain before setting foot on a stranger’s boat. We’re breaking down the critical red flags that were ignored and the 8 essential questions you must ask to avoid a tragedy.
In this video:
The reality of sailing through a tropical storm.
Critical offshore sailing mistakes to avoid.
How to vet a boat and captain before a passage.
8 questions that could save your life at sea.
Resources: Download the ‘How to Vet a Captain’ form, pre-departure checklists, and watch schedules for free at the Captain’s Locker: https://bethecaptain.com/pages/locker
⚓ RECOMMENDED GEAR & STORES
Defender Marine has been outfitting boaters since 1938, with trusted brands, expert advice, and everything you need for maintenance, upgrades, and refits.
👉Shop Defender Marine: https://defender.com/en_us/
Get 10% off your next Defender Marine order when you purchase a copy of Be The Captain through the link below.
👉Get the book and claim your discount: https://bethecaptain.com/
Chapters
00:00 The reality nobody warns you about
01:17 Signing up for a nightmare crossing
01:51 Red flag #1: ignoring weather routing
02:59 Why a leaky boat is deadly at sea
04:38 The mainsail shreds
07:05 The Dangerous Quadrant
10:04 Engine dead, a broken rib
11:22 Lying ahull in a hurricane
14:01 Sheer luck and a sunrise
14:48 The difference a real captain makes
17:15 8 questions to vet a captain
20:20 Get the free checklist
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