Robert Perry: The Greatest Cruising Boat Designer? | Sailing Truth Show
Is Robert Perry actually the greatest cruising boat designer of all time, or is the “Perry Legend” just clever marketing from the Taiwan boat era? Today, I am putting my 18 years of living aboard and 60,000 miles of Navy submarine navigation experience to the test to judge the “Sailing Truth” behind Perry’s most iconic designs.
From the groundbreaking Valiant 40 that redefined performance cruising to the Pacific Seacraft 48 Raised Saloon Cutter—a design Perry himself called one of his strongest and most successful—we are ranking the heavyweights. We’ll go beyond the aesthetics and dive into the blueprints to look at displacement, skeg-hung rudders, and why these hulls still command the ocean in 2026.
In this episode of the Sailing Truth Show:
The Blueprint Breakdown: Analyzing the Pacific Seacraft 48 (Profile & Layout F, 1-29-15) and why its 41,000 lb displacement makes it an offshore machine.
Engineering vs. Romance: Why “Iron Jennies” (engines) and high-capacity tankage are just as important as a Robert Perry sheer line.
The GOAT Debate: Ranking the Tayana 37, Lafitte 44, and Passport 47 against modern standards.
The Command Mindset: Why even the “perfect design” won’t save you if you haven’t mastered the skills I cover in my books.
⚓ GET THE BOOK: I’m currently signing the second-printing run of Be The Captain. Grab the manual that focuses on real-world offshore seamanship, not just technical checklists.
https://bethecaptain.com/
📖 PRE-ORDER: Deepen your understanding of boat culture and mindset with my upcoming book, Be The Crew.
[email protected]
About James Evenson:
I am a professional offshore sailor, delivery captain, and veteran of the U.S. Navy submarine service. I’ve lived aboard sailboats full-time for 18 years and am currently planning “The Last Pirate” ship build in Indonesia—a custom Sulawesi Privateer featuring ironwood construction and a Gardner 8LXB engine.
Stay Connected:
I’m currently streaming via hotel from Panama while managing the logistics of my latest book run.
#RobertPerry #SailingTruth #OffshoreSailing #BoatDesign #BeTheCaptain #PacificSeacraft #Valiant40 #Liveaboard
Is Robert Perry actually the greatest cruising boat designer of all time, or is the "Perry Legend" just clever marketing from the Taiwan boat era? Today, I am putting my 18 years of living aboard and 60,000 miles of Navy submarine navigation experience to the test to judge the "Sailing Truth" behind Perry’s most iconic designs.
From the groundbreaking Valiant 40 that redefined performance cruising to the Pacific Seacraft 48 Raised Saloon Cutter—a design Perry himself called one of his strongest and most successful—we are ranking the heavyweights. We’ll go beyond the aesthetics and dive into the blueprints to look at displacement, skeg-hung rudders, and why these hulls still command the ocean in 2026.
In this episode of the Sailing Truth Show:
The Blueprint Breakdown: Analyzing the Pacific Seacraft 48 (Profile & Layout F, 1-29-15) and why its 41,000 lb displacement makes it an offshore machine.
Engineering vs. Romance: Why "Iron Jennies" (engines) and high-capacity tankage are just as important as a Robert Perry sheer line.
The GOAT Debate: Ranking the Tayana 37, Lafitte 44, and Passport 47 against modern standards.
The Command Mindset: Why even the "perfect design" won't save you if you haven't mastered the skills I cover in my books.
⚓ GET THE BOOK: I’m currently signing the second-printing run of Be The Captain. Grab the manual that focuses on real-world offshore seamanship, not just technical checklists.
https://bethecaptain.com/
📖 PRE-ORDER: Deepen your understanding of boat culture and mindset with my upcoming book, Be The Crew.
[email protected]
About James Evenson:
I am a professional offshore sailor, delivery captain, and veteran of the U.S. Navy submarine service. I’ve lived aboard sailboats full-time for 18 years and am currently planning "The Last Pirate" ship build in Indonesia—a custom Sulawesi Privateer featuring ironwood construction and a Gardner 8LXB engine.
Stay Connected:
I’m currently streaming via hotel from Panama while managing the logistics of my latest book run.
#RobertPerry #SailingTruth #OffshoreSailing #BoatDesign #BeTheCaptain #PacificSeacraft #Valiant40 #Liveaboard
Sailing Zingaro
Over the last 7 years, Sailing Zingaro has been to some of the most remote areas on the planet in search of Adventure and experiences of a lifetime. Follow along with Captain James as he sails around the world, documenting the whole time...
Channel Information:
Social Media Links:
Note of Recognition for 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 video description of "Robert Perry: The Greatest Cruising Boat Designer? | Sailing Truth Show", 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
Robert Perry: The Greatest Cruising Boat Designer? | Sailing Truth Show
Is Robert Perry actually the greatest cruising boat designer of all time, or is the "Perry Legend" just clever marketing from the Taiwan boat era? Today, I am putting my 18 years of living aboard and 60,000 miles of Navy submarine navigation experience to ...
The Issue with Late-70s Sailboats
Boats from the late 1970s can be exceptional—but they come with specific risks tied to material changes during the oil crisis era. Osmosis issues aren’t guaranteed, but they’re common enough that every buyer should know how to assess them. 📗 Get ...
You’re Not Ready to Sail…Do it Anyway.
A lot of sailors delay leaving because they’re waiting for everything to be perfect—but that moment never comes. Offshore experience is built by going, not by endlessly preparing, and understanding that shift is what gets people moving. 📗 Get My Bo...
Can You Sail Without Electronics?
Systems fail—and when they do, your crew needs to be able to operate without them. Training under stripped-down conditions builds the instincts and confidence required to handle real failures at sea. 📗 Get My Book: https://bethecaptain.com
How to Pickle a Seawater Pro Watermaker | Step-by-Step Guide
Learn exactly how to pickle your Seawater Pro water maker to protect your membranes during storage. Get the award-winning book: https://bethecaptain.com/ #sailing #watermaker #sailboat #desalination #sailboatlife
A Hidden Fire Risk on Boats
Even minor, unseen damage to a lithium battery can lead to internal failure—especially in a marine environment where impact and water exposure are common. Once that process starts, it can escalate quickly and without warning. 📗 Get My Book: https://...
The 4 Types of Boat Owners
Not all used boats are equal—and it often comes down to the owner. From minimal maintenance to full bluewater refits, understanding who owned the boat before you is one of the most important indicators of condition and value. 📗 Get My Book: https://...
These Boats are Funky
Some boats stand out for their unconventional design—but that uniqueness can become a major limitation offshore. If a vessel can’t be easily serviced or understood by others, it requires you to be far more self-reliant as an owner. 📗 Get My Book: ...
How to Buy (and Sell) a Sailboat | Sailing Truth Show
🏆 AWARD NEWS: Be The Captain is officially a finalist for the Eric Hoffer First Horizon and Foreword INDIES Awards! Grab your award-nominated copy here: https://bethecaptain.com/ Most people buy the wrong boat for the wrong reasons, and they get buried...
All Captains Understand THIS
Being a captain isn’t about certification—it’s about mindset. The responsibility begins the moment you decide to take people out, and your crew will look to you for decisions when it matters most. 📗 Get My Book: https://bethecaptain.com
Beware the first 72 hours offshore
The first few days offshore are when fatigue is at its worst—and when decision-making breaks down. Without proper rest and watch structure, even experienced sailors can make poor calls that lead to bigger problems. ⏰Printable Watch Schedules: https://...
THIS is a Proper Refit (1979 Hans Christian 38 MKII)
A well-maintained boat tells a clear story. From upgraded rigging to structural decisions like removing teak decks, the details reveal whether a vessel has been thoughtfully improved—or neglected. 📗 Get My Book: https://bethecaptain.com
The Night Theros Disappeared
June 10th, 2024. sv Theros leaves Halifax bound for the Azores. Three days later, 34 miles southwest of Sable Island — the graveyard of the Atlantic — their AIS goes dark. The boat is never found. Four weeks later, the crew washes ashore on Sable Islan...
How Pacific Ocean Weather Works
From the southeast trades to the milk run, through the ITCZ — the doldrums — up through the northeast trades, and then into the westerlies at 35-40 degrees north where it gets serious. Big lows form over Russia, roll across the Pacific, and feed the Al...
The Perfect Bluewater Sailboat You’ll Never See | Sailing Truth Show
Most people searching for the perfect bluewater sailboat will never see one like this. My book is about EXACTLY this kind of decision-making: 👉 https://bethecaptain.com In this livestream, I walk through a 1979 Hans Christian 38 MkII listed for $129,00...
The Law of Compounding Chaos #sailing #marineservices #sailboat
Motion breaks things. Fatigue makes you stupid. Stupidity feeds fear. Fear feeds panic. Offshore failures don't come in ones. They compound. Recognize the chain.
Where Do You Store Your Emergency Water?
3 weeks without food, 3 days without water. Most sailors have emergency water somewhere on the boat — but can you grab it in 5 seconds before you step off? 10 gallons aft, last thing to go under. Simple system, costs almost nothing. Check it before every...
NEVER Use a Car Battery in Your House/Boat
It's cheaper. It's also a different chemistry — one that burns at 2,000° and generates its own oxygen. Your extinguisher is irrelevant. Your exit becomes the inferno. Get the offshore manual: https://bethecaptain.com/
Fighter Pilot’s Use THIS
The amygdala has one job: keep you scared. Here's what to do about it: The Physiological Sigh. Full video on the channel. #sailing #offshore #sailinglife
30 Seconds. That’s What a Lithium Fire Gives You.
On June 10th, 2024, SV Theros left Halifax bound for the Azores. Three days later, their AIS signal went dark 34 miles southwest of Sable Island. Four weeks after that, Parks Canada found the crew on the beach. They had washed ashore in their inflatable di...
The tragic last 4 words of these sailors… #sailing #truestory #shorts
The tragic story of the Cheeky Rafiki. During a delivery from Antigua to the UK, a catastrophic structural failure caused the grid to rip the fiberglass hull apart. Without a keel, the boat capsized instantly, leaving the crew with no time to escape. These...
The Secret Skeleton of Modern Sailboats
Most production boats from 35 to 55 feet share a hidden construction secret: the structural grid. Instead of building piece-by-piece inside the boat, manufacturers build an internal "skeleton" separately, install the interior systems, and then drop the ent...
Be The Captain — Chapter One: Think Like a Captain (Audiobook)
This is the introduction and first chapter of the Be The Captain audiobook, read by the author. Chapter 1 is called Think Like a Captain. It's not about sailing techniques or gear. It's about command, and the mindset that separates people who make good de...
Why I Quit Delivering Sailboats #sailboat #sailing
40 knots. 150 miles offshore. Floorboards floating. Bilge pump dead. Batteries dying. This was the night I quit deliveries for good. Get my book for more.
Something AWESOME is coming!
Be the FIRST to know⛵
Sign up for exclusive updates and be the first to hear when we go live!
Get sneak peeks, exciting announcement, and special content straight to your inbox!
We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.