Salt & Tar

In an era of production fiberglass and high-gloss gelcoats, Salt & Tar represents a radical return to the tactile, aromatic roots of wooden boatbuilding. Led by Garrett and Ruth Jolly, the channel documents the decade-long odyssey of Rediviva, a 35-foot gaff-rigged ketch built entirely by hand. What began in 2016 as a stack of lumber on a hill in Washington state has evolved into a symbol of maritime resilience and artisanal persistence. As of May 2026, the couple is based in Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point), Mexico, finalizing a high-stakes structural refit designed to prepare their wooden sanctuary for the open Pacific.

Garrett and Ruth are the practitioners of a 'K.I.S.S.' (Keep It Simple, Stupid) philosophy that rejects modern maritime consumerism in favor of traditional methods and reclaimed materials. After a significant hiatus in 2024-2025 due to family health and personal burnout, their 2026 season—billed as their 'Second Launch'—is defined by a massive double-planking project. This technical milestone involves reinforcing Rediviva’s hull with thousands of hand-driven screws and additional layers of timber, ensuring the vessel has the structural authority to handle the complex tides and gales of the Sea of Cortez and beyond.

Key Takeaways

• Channel Vibe: Gritty, honest, and deeply atmospheric. A masterclass in traditional wooden boatbuilding and the emotional reality of long-term projects.
• The Boat: Rediviva, a custom George Buehler designed 35ft wooden gaff ketch, world-famous for its 'Boat Soup' finish and DIY heritage.
• The Journey: From the forests of Washington to the SF Bay Area, and currently the Sea of Cortez (2026) undergoing a structural relaunch.

⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals

Meet the Artisans and Rediviva

The Sailors: Garrett and Ruth Jolly

Garrett and Ruth bring a unique blend of physical endurance and creative discipline to Rediviva. Garrett, a self-taught shipwright, handles the boat’s complex structural joinery and mechanical maintenance, while Ruth manages the channel’s cinematic, ASMR-inflected storytelling and the intricate editing that has earned them a loyal following. Their partnership is built on 'resolution,' a word they frequently use to describe their refusal to quit even during the darkest phases of the build. In 2026, they are often seen working side-by-side in the heat of the Sonora desert, splitting the massive project list to expedite their return to the water. Source: saltandtar.org

The Boat: Rediviva (George Buehler 35)

Rediviva is a testament to the George Buehler school of boat design: heavy, simple, and capable of going anywhere. Built from the ground up by the couple, the vessel features a 35-foot hull (reaching nearly 45 feet with bowsprit) and a traditional gaff ketch rig. Unlike modern boats that rely on expensive varnishes, Rediviva is preserved with the couple’s signature 'Boat Soup'—a historical mixture of pine tar, linseed oil, and turpentine. The 2026 refit in Puerto Peñasco is a forensic structural upgrade, reinforcing the pilot house roof and double-planking the hull to ensure Rediviva remains a 'lifetime' vessel. Source: YouTube - Episode 'Roofless'

Voyages, Destinations, and Local Waters

The Slow Road to the Sea of Cortez

The Salt & Tar track line is a map of logistical triumphs. After moving the partially completed hull from a rural hill in Washington to the Napa Valley Marina in California, they completed their first launch in 2022. Their initial voyages took them south through the California coast and into the Sea of Cortez. Their 2026 base in Puerto Peñasco serves as a technical waypoint; the region’s massive 20-foot tides and intense sun provide the ultimate testing ground for their wooden hull's integrity as they prepare for a crossing to the **South Pacific**. Source: waterbornemag.com

⏳ Voyage Milestone Timeline

• 2016-2020: Scratch-building *Rediviva* in Washington state; focus on framing and planking.
• 2021: Transported the hull to San Francisco Bay (Napa, CA) for completion.
• 2022: First Launch of *Rediviva*; initial sea trials and rigging setup.
• 2023: Sailed to Mexico; explored the Baja peninsula and Sea of Cortez.
• 2024-2025: 13-month hiatus due to family health; boat wintered in Mexico.
• 2026 (Jan): Hauled out in Puerto Peñasco; began the 'Step 2' double-planking refit.

🌪️ Regional Weather Guardrails

Currently stationed in the northern **Sea of Cortez**, the crew is highly cognizant of the **Coromuel** winds and the seasonal risk of **Chubascos**—sudden, violent thunderstorms that can bring 50+ knot gusts. Their decision to haul out in Puerto Peñasco was strategically timed to perform structural work during the dry season, avoiding the high-humidity monsoon window that can negatively impact wood movement and epoxy bonding. They utilize **Starlink** data to monitor the **Pacific Hurricane Season** (May-Nov), ensuring Rediviva is structurally secured in the yard before any potential impacts from tropical depressions. Source: Salt & Tar Ep. 341

Life Aboard: Techniques, Gear, and Challenges

🛠️ The Gear Locker: Crucial Hardware

Garrett and Ruth rely on gear that reflects their commitment to DIY repairability and historical maritime techniques. Source: youtube.com/saltandtar

📊 Vessel Systems Health Scorecard

Maintaining a wooden ketch on a shoestring budget requires constant forensic vigilance. Here is our assessment of Rediviva's mission readiness as of May 2026:

• Energy Autonomy (7/10): Sufficient solar for basic needs; recent battery bank replacement has stabilized the 12V grid.
• Water Independence (6/10): Traditional reliance on tankage and rain catchment; minimal mechanical watermaking.
• Structural Integrity (10/10): Following the 2026 double-planking project, the hull is significantly overbuilt for offshore work.
• Communication Grade (9/10): Excellent connectivity via Starlink, enabling regular weekly video production from remote Mexican boatyards.

Skills & Tutorials: Learning from Salt & Tar

Viewers come to the channel for a masterclass in traditional wooden joinery and structural forensics. Garrett provides actionable detail on scarfing timber, the logic of fastening hull sheathing, and the structural dynamics of a wooden pilot house. Ruth’s editing style offers a unique visual resource for how to manage a massive 'Project List' without losing creative focus. Their 2026 tutorials on double-planking a hull are a primary resource for wood-boat owners facing complex restoration challenges on a budget. Source: YouTube - Ep. 342 'Splitting the List'

The YouTube Journey and Financing the Dream

🎙️ Community Pulse & Audience Vibe

The Salt & Tar audience is defined by its maturity and appreciation for the 'Slow Build' movement. Garrett and Ruth have earned trust by being transparent about their 2024 'Disappearance' and the mental health toll of a decade-long project. Their **Patreon** community provides the backbone for the 'Refit Fund,' with many supporters sending high-quality tools to aid the 2026 relaunch. The "Trust Signal" for this channel is the visible, cumulative work on *Rediviva*, which proves that a professional-grade ocean voyager can be built by anyone with enough 'resolution' and a few power tools. Source: patreon.com/saltandtar

💰 Cruising Budget & Financial Blueprint

Garrett and Ruth have mastered the art of high-impact boatbuilding on a minimal financial footprint. Source: saltandtar.org

Top Episodes: Where to Start Watching

• Splitting the List (Ep. 342): A 2026 tactical look at the final checks and project management required for a major refit.
• No Stone Unturned (Ep. 341): A technical deep dive into replacing hull screws and fiberglassing the pilot house.
• Succeed or Fail (Ep. 338): A raw look at the emotional risks of boatbuilding and the joy of solving complex rudder hardware issues.

Channels Similar to Salt & Tar

• Sampson Boat Co (Tally Ho): For fans of expert-level wooden shipwright skills and structural restoration.
• RAN Sailing: For viewers who appreciate cinematic Swedish storytelling and custom wooden boat maintenance.
• Sailing Uma: For those who value a similarly philosophical, 'Step-by-Step' approach to maritime innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Salt & Tar