Why I’ll Never Trust a "Performance" Boat Again | Sailing Truth Show
I was in the middle of a delivery on a Farr 47.7, when the bilge pump went off… What followed was an insane story that nearly killed me. I’ll NEVER take another ‘performance’ production boat offshore.
In this episode of the Sailing Truth Show, I’m sharing the full, documented story of a delivery that almost went catastrophically wrong. This isn’t just a story about a bad boat; it’s a lesson in how engineering shortcuts in the factory become life-threatening emergencies in the real ocean.
What we’re covering:
The Discovery: How we found the keel separation while underway.
The Design Flaw: Why “performance” grids often fail where traditional builds don’t.
The “Proof”: Looking at the photos and the structural reality of the Farr 47.7.
The Takeaway: How to inspect a bolt-on keel before you trust it with your life.
This experience was so pivotal that I included it as a primary case study in my book, “Be The Captain.” If you want to know exactly what I look for when auditing a boat’s structural integrity—including the diagrams of how these joints should be built—you can find it all in Chapter 2.
📖 Get my field manual: https://bethecaptain.com/ 📖
Livestream Chapters
00:00 Intro: A serious story of catastrophic damage
00:41 The Cheeki Rafiki tragedy & the industry cover-up
01:07 Video Dissection: Beneteau First 47.7 grid separation
02:44 The delivery mission and boat specifications
04:03 The incident: Water intrusion near the Windward Passage
05:45 How production boats are built: Grids and methacrylate glue
07:35 Build quality differences: Hanse 588 vs smaller boats
20:48 Lessons from the Cheeki Rafiki loss
22:37 Livestream Q&A and Book Giveaway instructions
39:58 Keel bolts and potential points of failure
41:35 The “Keel Stub” advantage (Oyster 45 construction)
58:17 Point load damage on a Hallberg-Rassy
01:18:12 How to fix leaking keel bolts (Ref: Ocean Cruisers)
01:19:29 Reviewing viewer boats: The legendary Cal 40
01:31:07 Safety first: Why I tell the “scary” stories
01:32:45 Final book winner announcement (Allen Gant)
01:33:39 International shipping and Second Edition updates
01:34:27 Super Chat: Gulfstar 40 “Built like a tank.”
01:35:02 Sign off and final thoughts
#sailing #farr477 #boatbuild #offshore #blue water #yachting #bethecaptain #sailingzingaro #SailingTruthShow #maritimehorror
I was in the middle of a delivery on a Farr 47.7, when the bilge pump went off... What followed was an insane story that nearly killed me. I'll NEVER take another 'performance' production boat offshore.
In this episode of the Sailing Truth Show, I’m sharing the full, documented story of a delivery that almost went catastrophically wrong. This isn't just a story about a bad boat; it’s a lesson in how engineering shortcuts in the factory become life-threatening emergencies in the real ocean.
What we're covering:
The Discovery: How we found the keel separation while underway.
The Design Flaw: Why "performance" grids often fail where traditional builds don't.
The "Proof": Looking at the photos and the structural reality of the Farr 47.7.
The Takeaway: How to inspect a bolt-on keel before you trust it with your life.
This experience was so pivotal that I included it as a primary case study in my book, "Be The Captain." If you want to know exactly what I look for when auditing a boat's structural integrity—including the diagrams of how these joints should be built—you can find it all in Chapter 2.
📖 Get my field manual: https://bethecaptain.com/ 📖
Livestream Chapters
00:00 Intro: A serious story of catastrophic damage
00:41 The Cheeki Rafiki tragedy & the industry cover-up
01:07 Video Dissection: Beneteau First 47.7 grid separation
02:44 The delivery mission and boat specifications
04:03 The incident: Water intrusion near the Windward Passage
05:45 How production boats are built: Grids and methacrylate glue
07:35 Build quality differences: Hanse 588 vs smaller boats
20:48 Lessons from the Cheeki Rafiki loss
22:37 Livestream Q&A and Book Giveaway instructions
39:58 Keel bolts and potential points of failure
41:35 The "Keel Stub" advantage (Oyster 45 construction)
58:17 Point load damage on a Hallberg-Rassy
01:18:12 How to fix leaking keel bolts (Ref: Ocean Cruisers)
01:19:29 Reviewing viewer boats: The legendary Cal 40
01:31:07 Safety first: Why I tell the "scary" stories
01:32:45 Final book winner announcement (Allen Gant)
01:33:39 International shipping and Second Edition updates
01:34:27 Super Chat: Gulfstar 40 "Built like a tank."
01:35:02 Sign off and final thoughts
#sailing #farr477 #boatbuild #offshore #blue water #yachting #bethecaptain #sailingzingaro #SailingTruthShow #maritimehorror
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 "Why I’ll Never Trust a "Performance" Boat Again | 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
Why I’ll Never Trust a “Performance” Boat Again | Sailing Truth Show
I was in the middle of a delivery on a Farr 47.7, when the bilge pump went off... What followed was an insane story that nearly killed me. I'll NEVER take another 'performance' production boat offshore. In this episode of the Sailing Truth Show, I’m s...
Why This is the World’s Best Hard Dodger 🏆
Learn the "Anatomy of an Offshore Boat" in my book: https://bethecaptain.com/ If you’re heading into the 50s or 60s, a soft dodger won't cut it. I’m breaking down why Hallberg-Rassy sets the gold standard for cockpit protection. From integrated lightin...
Solo Sailing an Oyster 485 #sailboat #sailing
Throwback to 2021. First solo sail after my catamaran ripped in half and nearly killed my (click on the video to see story)
This Hull Shape Shouldn’t Work… 🤯 #sailboat #offshore
As an offshore sailor, my body is wired to trust heavy, deep hulls. Then I stepped on the Pegasus 50. It’s low, cored, and wide—everything my gut tells me to avoid. But is it actually a better machine for the way we really sail? #sailing #offshore #peg...
50+ KNOTS: Survival Tactics & The Danger of “Growlers” | Sailing Truth Show
You'd better tether in for this one! We're discussing what actually happens when the wind exceeds 50 knots offshore, and what real options you have when it does. At that point, you don’t have unlimited choices. You have a few. In this Sailing Truth Sh...
They Don’t Build Boats Like This Anymore
This is what serious offshore sailboats used to look like. Heavy displacement. Overbuilt. Designed to cross oceans — not win marina beauty contests. There aren’t many of these left. If you’re planning to sail offshore, understanding why boats like th...
This Shipwreck Is FOR SALE for $100,000!?
Be The Captain — A Practical Field Manual for Offshore Sailors Hardcover + instant audiobook: 👉 https://bethecaptain.com/ There’s a shipwreck sitting on the bottom… and someone is asking $100,000 for it. But what is a sunken boat actually worth? ...
This Is What a REAL Offshore Yacht Looks Like
Get the full offshore field manual here: https://www.bethecaptain.com The Little Harbor 59 is a serious bluewater yacht. Designed for real offshore miles, not marina cocktails. Here’s what immediately stands out when you see one under sail. If you’re...
I Didn’t Want to Love This Boat
📘 If you want to understand what actually makes a great offshore boat, Chapter 2 of my book breaks it down clearly and honestly: 👉 https://www.bethecaptain.com If you want to understand what modern offshore sailboat design looks like when it’s don...
Why This “Cheap” Boat Isn’t Cheap at All
Most people think a cheap boat is a good deal. That’s usually where the real cost starts. This is how experienced sailors actually think about value—and why “cheap” is often the most expensive option. 📗 Book: https://bethecaptain.com
They Built This Boat Too Well
Learn what makes a great offshore boat, Chapter 2 of my book breaks this down in detail: 📘 Be The Captain — A Field Manual for Offshore Sailing https://bethecaptain.com This boat didn’t disappear because it was flawed. It disappeared because it was...
Are boats Cheapest In Certain Countries? #sailboat #sailingboat #bethecaptain
The first edition is ALMOST Sold Out. → https://bethecaptain.com
Sailing Truth Show: Can production boats make good cruising boats?
Can production boats actually make good cruising boats? I recently stepped aboard a nearly new Hanse 588, and I’ll be honest—it was huge, beautiful, modern, and incredibly appealing. And it raised a question I hear all the time from sailors planning t...
Your First Sailboat: No BS Advice for New Sailors
Stop trying to buy a "circumnavigation boat." Buy an "education" boat. I recently received an email from Simon, an 18-year-old sailor with a tight budget and a big dream. He said something that most beginners miss: "Ugly is fine. Stuck in a boatyard is no...
Do You Know The 10 Essential Knots? 🪢 #sailing #knots
"If you can't tie knots, tie lots" is terrible advice offshore. 🚫 This is your last chance to grab the first edition of my new book Be The Captain → https://bethecaptain.com
Sailing Truth Show: The Systems That Bankrupt Cruisers
Everyone asks, "How much does the boat cost?" Almost nobody asks, "How much does the electricity cost?" Tonight on the Sailing Truth Show, we are breaking down the specific boat systems that drain cruising budgets the fastest. It’s not the hull that ban...
Sailing Truth Show: The MOST Important Question Before You Buy a Boat
Thinking about buying a boat or going cruising? Read this first: https://bethecaptain.com/ Most people think buying the right boat is the hard part. It isn’t. The hardest part—and the part almost nobody slows down enough to think through—is whethe...
Sailing Truth Show: Real Offshore Sailing Questions – Answered
This live stream is built entirely from real questions pulled straight from the comments on recent videos. No slides. No scripts. No armchair theory. We’ll cover real offshore sailing topics—storm tactics, reefing, routing, boat design, fatigue, risk...
I Didn’t Expect This… Sirius Might Be the Smartest Sailboat I’ve Toured
Last chance for the first printing of Be The Captain → https://bethecaptain.com I want to set expectations for this video, because this isn’t a review and it’s not a sales pitch. This was my first time ever stepping aboard a Sirius sailboat. I didn...
Sailing Truth Show: When Is It Time to Give Up the Sails?
Interested in sailing offshore? Here's what you need to know: https://bethecaptain.com/ When is it time to give up the sails? This livestream is a reflective conversation about sailing, aging, fatigue, partnership, and changing priorities—not a sail vs...
How People ACTUALLY Make Money While Cruising (No BS)
Most people don’t give up on cruising because of weather, boats, or seamanship. They give up because they can’t figure out the money. In this episode, I break down how people actually make money while cruising—and just as importantly, what doesn’...
What Went Wrong — Lessons from S/V Escape
This video took me three years to make. Two sailors lost their lives aboard S/V Escape, and this is a careful, experience-based breakdown of what went wrong to understand the seamanship lessons that matter. Captain’s Locker — FREE DOWNLOAD Gear, check...
Sailing Truth Show: How to Choose the RIGHT Boat for Your Sailing Plans
Want more info? Check out my book - https://bethecaptain.com/ Most people don’t buy a bad boat. They buy the wrong boat for the life they’re actually going to live. On this week’s Sailing Truth Show, we’re breaking down one of the most common, an...
Sailing Truth Show: Why Balance Beats Strength on a Sailboat
Most people think surviving storms offshore is about having a strong boat. Heavier. Tougher. Overbuilt. It’s not. Offshore seamanship is the art of keeping a boat in balance—aerodynamically, structurally, and mentally. When a boat is balanced, energy...
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.