Near-Death At Sea: What I Learned
Chapter 13 of my book *Be The Captain* is Storm Tactics: https://bethecaptainbook.com
This is what I learned the night our catamaran cracked open 100 miles offshore.
It wasn’t a rogue wave. It wasn’t one bad call. It was a chain of decisions—some rushed, some careless, some just unlucky. And the truth is, the biggest problem was built into the boat from the start… we just didn’t know it.
In this video, I break down what went wrong, the gear we had (and didn’t), the timing we messed up, and the storm planning we should’ve done before we ever left French Polynesia. If you sail offshore—or plan to—this might be the most valuable 17 minutes you’ll spend on YouTube today.
🎥 Watch the FULL STORY: https://youtu.be/o__mcZS-jfU
👉 Support the channel and get behind-the-scenes content:
https://www.patreon.com/svzingaro
⚓ Learn more, sail smarter, and stay afloat.
Chapters
00:00 The Craziest Story
00:44 The Cyclone Season
2:12 Bad Decision #1
2:50 The Adventurous Route
3:59 The Hurricane/Cyclone Overlap
4:44 Bad Decision #2
5:18 Lesson #1
6:13 Lesson #2
7:39 Lesson #3
9:04 Lesson #4
10:42 Lesson #5
11:10 Why our Sea Anchor Failed
13:28 Be the Captain
13:51 Design Flaw
15:47 Lessons for Life
Sailing Zingaro
Captain James of Sailing Zingaro has traded his lost catamaran for a classic Oyster 485, launching a technical revolution in the sailing YouTube space.
Channel Information:
Social Media Links:
Support Sailing Zingaro
At WeBoating.com, we profoundly acknowledge the unwavering dedication that Sailing Zingaro and other creators invests in crafting each and every video. Their passion for delivering exceptional content shines through every frame, and it's a labor of love that deserves your attention.
We invite you to watch their captivating videos and actively engage with their content, including their social media links above. Liking, commenting, and sharing their work goes a long way in fueling their creative fire.
We're also inviting you to explore any sponsorships and partnerships highlighted in the "Near-Death At Sea: What I Learned" video description, or directly on YouTube. By considering their offerings or purchasing services and items, you not only support Sailing Zingaro but also the brands and collaborators they're associated with.
If you have any feedback, corrections, or additional information about Sailing Zingaro or their videos, please use the comment form below to share your thoughts with us.
Thank you for being a part of our community and supporting the creators we cherish. Your time and support truly matter!
Sailing Zingaro Lastest Videos
If someone needs help, you ALWAYS help them.
Billionaire or broke, it makes no difference offshore. Sometimes you're just putting karma in the bank for the night it's your turn, and that's a fine reason to turn around. 📗 Get My Book: https://bethecaptain.com
This is Why You Get Seasick
Seasickness is your body trying to purge a poison that was never there, triggered when your eyes, inner ear, and muscles stop agreeing on what's happening. Knowing the cause won't settle your stomach, but it tells you exactly what to fix. 📗 Get My Book...
Don’t Touch Your Keel Bolts!
On a well-built offshore boat, keel bolts are torqued at the factory and designed never to be touched. Production boats are a different story, but if you're on a Valiant or an Oyster...leave them alone. 📗 Get My Book: https://bethecaptain.com
Sailing in SEVENTY FOUR Knots
When the anemometer climbs past 70 knots, the ocean changes. The wind ceases to be just air—it becomes an absolute wall of sound. In this episode, I’m sitting down with my good friend and prolific offshore captain, Ryan Rayfield from Sail Libra. We di...
The Bungee Cord Autopilot
When your autopilot dies offshore, you need a backup plan. Two bungee cords and properly trimmed sails can keep you on course for thousands of miles on a catamaran. 📗 Get My Book: https://bethecaptain.com