Take the Waters

Take the Waters chronicles the coastal and offshore cruising journey of Brian and Mandi Russell aboard s/v Shonto, their 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 46 monohull sloop. Documenting their rapid evolution from novice sailors with zero maritime experience into seasoned voyagers navigating the Atlantic seaboard, Chesapeake Bay, and remote crystalline cays of the Bahamas, the channel blends cinematic 4K cinematography, hands-on DIY technical projects, and immersive freediving and spearfishing adventures.

Key Takeaways

• Zero-to-Cruising Learning Curve: Brian and Mandi purchased a 46-foot production cruiser with no previous sailing background, methodically mastering dockside maneuvering, heavy-weather sail trim, and offshore navigation in real time.
• Hardcore DIY Vessel Upgrades: From assembling a custom high-pressure reverse osmosis watermaker from scratch to installing an oversized stainless steel arch for massive solar capacity, the channel provides transparent technical insights into liveaboard self-sufficiency.
• Aquatic Lifestyle & Freediving: The channel pairs bluewater sailing with breathtaking breath-hold diving, reef spearfishing, and marine conservation across Florida's freshwater springs and the Bahamian Exuma Cays.

⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals

Meet the Crew Behind s/v Shonto

The spirit of Take the Waters stems from the candid, grounded dynamic between Brian and Mandi. Their willingness to openly document their missteps, steep learning moments, and boatyard trials creates an authentic, relatable connection for anyone contemplating the transition to life afloat.

Brian Russell (Skipper, Project Lead & Filmmaker)

• Primary Expertise: Vessel refits, mechanical fabrication, electrical wiring, diesel engine maintenance, and cinematic video production.
• On-Camera Style: Measured, articulate, pragmatic, and visually inventive, breaking down complex engineering challenges with calm clarity.

Origin Story & Cruising Catalyst

Before casting off shorelines, Brian built a versatile professional background steeped in creative media, visual storytelling, and hands-on mechanical fabrication. Driven by an appetite for outdoor immersion and freediving, Brian recognized that a cruising sailboat represented the ultimate self-propelled expedition platform to access remote coral reefs and untouched wilderness. Embracing the radical decision to leave land-based careers behind, Brian and Mandi acquired s/v Shonto with minimal prior helm time, dedicating themselves to mastering every mechanical, electrical, and structural system on board.

Mandi Russell (First Mate, Logistics & Navigator)

• Primary Expertise: Passage logistics, watchstanding, anchoring communication, provisioning, and onboard comfort management.
• On-Camera Style: Warm, encouraging, resilient, and honest about the emotional and physical demands of offshore sailing.

Onboard Partnership & Seamanship

Mandi plays an indispensable operational role in the vessel's daily rhythm. From managing ground tackle deployments during tricky anchorages in swift tidal currents to plotting coastal navigation routes and steering through rough Atlantic swells, Mandi balances Brian's technical projects with sharp situational awareness. Her calm presence in stressful moments—such as navigating narrow ICW bridges or riding out sudden squalls—ensures safety and morale remain paramount.

Notable Collaborators: Ashleigh Baird (Freediver)

Beyond their two-handed voyaging, Take the Waters has featured remarkable guest collaborators who embody the aquatic lifestyle. In the channel's acclaimed documentary feature, the crew profiled professional freediver and underwater photographer Ashleigh Baird, exploring her extraordinary resilience in overcoming chronic autoimmune illness through breath-hold diving and underwater exploration.

⛵ Fleet Forensics: s/v Shonto (Beneteau Oceanis 46)

Brian and Mandi cruise aboard s/v Shonto, a 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 46. Designed by the acclaimed naval architecture firm Berret-Racoupeau with an interior styled by Nauta Design, the Oceanis 46 strikes an optimal balance between offshore performance, expansive interior living volume, and manageable short-handed sailing ergonomics. In their comprehensive walkthrough A Wild Sailboat Tour - Beneteau Oceanis 46, the couple details the yacht's two-cabin layout, spacious owner's stateroom, and purposeful offshore modifications.

🛠️ The Gear Locker: Systems & DIY Engineering

To convert an off-the-shelf coastal production cruiser into a true off-grid expedition machine, Brian executed a sequence of ambitious marine engineering projects. These upgrades are detailed thoroughly across the channel's early seasons:

1. Custom DIY High-Pressure Watermaker

In one of the channel's most popular technical episodes, Building a DIY Watermaker, Our Hardest Sailboat Project Yet, Brian documents the complete construction of a modular reverse osmosis desalination system. Rather than purchasing an expensive commercial plug-and-play unit, he sourced high-pressure plunger pumps, seawater reverse-osmosis membrane housings, booster pumps, needle control valves, and salinity monitoring sensors to build a reliable, high-yield system capable of generating 20+ gallons of pure fresh water per hour on battery and generator power.

2. Stainless Steel Arch & Power Architecture

In Sailboat Power - Installing our Arch, Solar Panels, and Generator, the crew installed a custom heavy-duty stainless steel stern arch fabricated by Klacko Marine. The arch serves a vital multi-purpose role: elevating rigid solar panels above mast shadows, securing dinghy davit tackle, supporting satellite antennas, and integrating outboard hoists. Paired with high-efficiency MPPT charge controllers and an auxiliary generator, Shonto generates ample clean kilowatt-hours to run induction cooking, refrigeration, and electronics at anchor indefinitely.

3. Cruising Hardware & Ground Tackle Matrix

📊 Vessel Systems Health Scorecard

Evaluating s/v Shonto across the demanding conditions of the Atlantic ICW, shallow Bahamian banks, and open offshore swells:

Cruising Chronology & Voyaging Milestones

The progression of Take the Waters documents an authentic progression from tentative beginners to confident ocean navigators:

🏆 Top Episodes & Essential Viewing

To experience the best of Take the Waters, start with these five essential episodes cataloged on WeBoating:

• The Full Vessel Walkthrough: In A Wild Sailboat Tour - Beneteau Oceanis 46, Brian and Mandi provide an unfiltered tour of s/v Shonto, showcasing living spaces, storage solutions, and cruising modifications.
• Mastering DIY Desalination: In Building a DIY Watermaker, Our Hardest Sailboat Project Yet, Brian details the mechanical plumbing, high-pressure pumps, and electrical relays needed to produce freshwater off-grid.
• Anchoring Realities & Lessons: In Bahamas Bound - Anchorage Lessons Not Taught in Sailing School, the couple navigates shifting tides, reversing currents, and tight anchorages in the Bahamian Out Islands.
• Facing Heavy Weather: In Sailing a Tropical Storm After COVID19 Changes Our Sailing Plans, the crew demonstrates emergency storm tactics, line chafe protection, and anchorage security.
• Exuma National Land & Sea Park: In Lost in Warderick Wells - Exumas, Bahamas, Brian and Mandi showcase the pristine mooring field, crystal waters, and vibrant marine life of the Exumas' crown jewel.

🧭 Similar Channels to Explore on WeBoating

If you love Take the Waters' combination of technical DIY refits, authentic cruising growth, and stunning underwater cinematography, check out these related channels on WeBoating:

• Monday Never: Will, Cat, and Maddie cruising their Contest 46 across the Bahamas and Caribbean, featuring skilled canvas work, toddler parenting at sea, and technical solar upgrades.
• Sailing La Vagabonde: Riley and Elayna's iconic global sailing journey, inspiring thousands of couples to buy a boat with little initial experience and master bluewater voyaging.
• Sailing Nandji – Frothlyfe: Bonita and Yosh living full-time aboard their offshore monohull, blending adventurous ocean passages with remote spearfishing, surfing, and DIY repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions