Learning to Sail Our Beneteau 46 w/ NO Experience (Take the Waters) S1:E1 

Capt. Z is a very rare thing: an outstanding teacher. Do try to understand that everything on a boat eventually acts up. Electronics are nice, but you need to be comfortable with just chart and compass because one day, you may have to! Nicely done.

I like your enthusiasm and ambition. I’d suggest lowering your Bimini during your first days out sailing. You need to learn to read your sails, main, jib and spinnaker. Watching the camber, luff, leech and telltales. Understanding the aerodynamics and how to keep safe by de-powering the rig when required without depending on the furling system. It’s almost impossible to achieve this from a “letterbox” view ahead of the hatch. Same with navigation, electronics are only an “aid” to navigation, be confident and competent with using paper charts as a foundation. Otherwise, like always your electronics will be sure to go wrong just when you depend on them most. Take it slowly and sail safe. A boat only makes its true size and power apparent when things start to go wrong. Good luck and thanks for posting.

You've entered a school that never ends and a life that will give you a lot to grow through. The rewards are beyond your expectations as sailing brings out the best in you embraced by all Nature has to reveal. Highest Blessings

My wife and I did the same thing 14 years ago...bought the boat, then learned to sail. Also, like you, we got instruction on our boat rather than in a sailing school. No regrets. Enjoy your beautiful yacht.

Enjoyed the video very much, you guys have a new sub. I part-time crew on an Oyster 56, last February couple of days before I went back home. The captain/owner had a gift for me, I had to helm their boat/house out of Port Louis marina in Grenada. Many super yachts and other big sailing yachts. So when I safely accomplished that Simon/captain clicked his I-pad to the pedestal and said, "follow the route on Navionics I'm going for a nap." When we got to the anchorage I was ready to give Simon back the helm, he refused and made me anchor too. In sailing you never stop learning, biggest boat I helmed before that was a 39. Now I have added the 56 to my list, its not very different in helming only bigger.

That instructor is awesome!

Thanks for posting this...we bought our first boat (still have it), a Rinker 350 Express Cruiser, back in 2007 and watching you dock for the first time brought back memories of docking ours back then. I think the butterflies never really go away. It's great that you had a couple of months to learn the ropes (literally) and look forward to seeing how things go for you. Captain Z's instructions were great (especially about knowing when you are and are not in your comfort zone). Don't let your ego take control when you are at the helm!!! She's a beautiful boat!

Having taught sailing for years, my advice would have been to learn sailing and basic boat handling on a much smaller boat, where things are simpler, errors are much cheaper, and less serious Just the first few times Crewing for others is a great way to start

That is a heck of a large boat to learn to sail on. My first keelboat, I learned on 420s, was a 30ft Cal30. Tiller steering, fast and responsive and great fun to sail with two people. Small enough to be forgiving at close quarters too. Respect to you guys for learning properly. I now crew on races and still feel like I know absolutely nothing, most of the time. Every race there is a moment where there’s a wtf just happened.

That previous owner sure kept it in top shape. Wow.. 2008.. Nice of you to share your experience. Stay safe and have fun !

Good channel. Some advice for you Never climb the mast on your own or without two halyards attached Don’t rely on the electronic charts. Learn how to navigate using the compass and passage planning Keep your thumbs away from the winch when pulling in or letting out sheets

I’ve raced as a professional and I must applaud you for learning the right way. You are years ahead of people that arrogantly think sailing is easy and you can learn it all as you go are unaware how dangerous they are being. RU-vidrs have an extra responsibility to viewers who they inspire. I’ve been watching people with less experience that you have in this video start to do how to videos. That makes my blood boil. If people go snow skiing they don’t think twice about getting an instructor. Why not do that for sailing too? It’s just as dangerous or more so. The sooner you learn safely and correctly the sooner you will be having amazing stress free adventures. So well done.

You guys lucked out when you came across Cap'n Z. Well done, both of you and especially Cap'n Z.

Fantastic, well done! We had a 46 from new in 2008 in the UK for 6 years, great boat.

Outstanding now welcome to the life of the wind. I’ve been sailing for 45 years and as long as you know your limits you’ll be fine. Now sail on you two !!⛵️✌️🇺🇸👍

Your life is now beginning , You'll never be the same again , Nice boat ,Nice lady = Nice life - Life is not a rehearsal = fairwinds . Just one tip 'If you think about reefing - DO IT ' A yacht up right will always sail better than one on her ears - Enjoy.

Awesome guys! 2 things. Don't ever panic and less sail is always better.

Well played. One of the very few USA couples actually wanting to learn before you go. Much respect.

Looking forward to watching and learning from your journey to sailing.

i love your guys with that kind of courage, really admire !

So many people want escape from what they consider their dull lives, and are watching these RU-vid channels, and they get the bug before they actually know how to sail or boat, and before they know what it all entails to just pick up and try to sail around the world. It is, and always has been and will be, a vast undertaking that does require much more money and time than just buying a nice boat. I now have a 50' yacht and have owned boats before, so I know what to expect. Boats are great, the freedom is only matched in flying (which I also do,) but boats (and planes) require endless upkeep, repairs, slip fees, upgrades, and things will always crop up that many don't have the extra savings to deal with, and most people don't last more than a year before they give up "the dream." That's not to mention the logistics of living aboard, and dealing with, really bad, life threatening weather, etc. So my advice, for what it's worth, is to not just "go and do it," but to do lots and lots of research. Don't rush. Take sailing lessons, maybe go through 101, 103, 104 and even 105 where you learn to chart without electronics because eventually, electronics will fail. Then take a course on diesel engine maintenance and repair, one on electronic/electrical appliance repair, another on basic carpentry/fiberglass and hull repair, boat plumbing, etc. and most important, try to keep your boats as small and simple as possible while considering comfort for a couple. The bigger the boat, the more the cost, and the more gadgets, the more breakdowns, as salty air eventually gets into everything. If you are retired with a good pension, or are wealthy and have the money to make mistakes, then not a problem, but you still need knowledge or you will cause more problems for yourself and others. I've seen some very poor boating going on, and that sometimes leads to catastrophe. Educate yourselves...

Im in the same boat as you. No sailing skills but I wanna pick this baby up next year. Learning the ropes is quite intimidating.

Great job you two. Keep living life and making memories. Fair winds always.

Holy crap, respect girl!! i am just learning to park my boat that my husband and I have owned for 10yrs. it is a power boat with 2 motors and I can't do it anywhere close to as good as you did your first time out.

Great video! Good to see people being smart and safe when starting out, fair winds and safe travels.

thanks so much for the honesty and tenacity...love u guys!

We just bought a 45 foot Beneteau a few months ago, I have only taken a dingy sailing class. Fortunately my partner has sailing experience. I really connected with the moment trying to turn on the lights...I feel like that has been my process every simple thing had to be learned. It creates a lot of anxiety for me...but I am very excited to learn all of the sailing secrets and get more confident and see you out there sailing!!!

I made the trip from St. Petersberg to West Palm Beach on a Beneteau 39 but we went across the state through Lake Okeechobee cutting out 100s of miles. There is a fixed bridge on the NE corner of the lake near Indiantown. Even though our mast was too high we found a couple of guys from Indiantown who do the "Okeechobee Limbo" where they lean the boat over filling 55 gallon drums. Sure beats having to sail down around Miami.

We have the same boat and were in the same situation last year! I stupidly rocked up to Malta from Australia at the beginning of summer after we bought it and looked at it thinking, S**T......what have I done.......! But after a month I built up the courage to take it out for the first time, I was like phewwwwww, wasn't that hard lol. The B46 is amazing, one of the best all-rounder boats, easy to maneuver in tight spots and super comfy having everything you need!

That's one serious boat to learn to sail on! but I'm sure you get up to speed in no-time, you're doing great! Thanks for sharing :)

Its very hard to train beginners as some of them don't like to be given direction, but you guys are mellow enough to learn from more experienced people, nice one .bon voyages

Great instruction and it’s always good to have an experienced voice on your shoulder. When it’s not there you need the confidence and knowledge to go it alone. Learning In good weather is one thing. Bad is completely another. Watch the weather, the tides and the sea state. Sail safe, sail well, have fun and may the tides and weather be in your favour and the wind be always abeam or at least as much as possible! ☀️🌤

Subscribed. Thumbs up. Looking forward to more of your adventures ❣

When reversing with a Beneteau, I find it easiest to face the way you are going, if you had stood where you instructor stood it makes it a whole bunch easier. The other point is in reverse just remember the boat is more like a car, when going forward it drives like a forklift

you guys look chill will check some more videos out. congrats on the boat.

Job well done, looking back anything you would like to share with persons interesting to start sailing or about to. see you'll on the next videos!

when manouvering I always like to look at the water right next to the boat to give me an indication of movement. of course with wind and tide you need to keep a dock reference as well.

I love the video! Thank you guys. From the very start, not confident yet!! Absolutely needed video!

Wishing you health,happiness and wealth for the future. And congratulations.

I hope you keep uploading the rest of your journey

We are probably in the same spot as you right now. A little experience, a new boat, and some butterflies. Looking forward to seeing what you do.

Wow! You both did so well through all that boat training. You also looked confident and positive no matter what seemed to come up, suddenly. At age 74, I only 'dream' of sailboating, now. I did get in insight into 'boating' back when I was 30 years old. I took a job as a steward on a 90-foot yacht, that was sailing out of Fort Lauderdale to charter out of St Thomas. I only did it for 3 months but loved it! The owner decided to charter out of Newport, Rhode Island instead and moved the boat. I wish you both good health, sound money management, and lots of love! Joe

Enjoyed it.....thanks, Andrew

Good job on the vid, and the Pass! You're ready for more than you think. Come November the Caribbean will be calling your name!

I have no idea why I enjoyed watching you guys back that Beneteau up into it's slip, but I did. I'm sure that was a great feeling of satisfaction to dock her where you wanted her and not on top of something. lol

i just bought my first sailboat today. a schock 20'. I've never sailed either. I'm going to redo some stuff before taking it out. I'll take it out on lake mojave first and get better before upgrading and doing what you guys did. Be nice to each other always and stay safe.

What a fantastic video. Love your guts going from zero excellent guys .... looking at the screen you took out I went to comments as soon as I could to tell you your best bet is to spend some cash on new electronics....guess what while writing I saw you did just that. Too important not to have good electronics, especially new raymarine touchscreen they have just had a huge leap forward in the last few years... anyway great great content can’t wait to the next upload. Thanks again

Great video. You kept it so real. When one was fading the other kept strong. The perfect partnership. Keep smiling, keep strong. You will do great. I'm watching with intrigue as I plan to do something similar in a few years. Well done the both of you. 😁

Mandy is going to be the star of your channel. Nice back down into the dock.

Congratulations with your new boat. Now I have to check how you have done after you purchased it in 2018. We just bought our "new" 2010 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 DS, upgrading from a 1984 Jeanneau Fantasia 27.

You guys are giving me hope that a dream of mine (for which I am currently wholly unprepared) is, in fact, do-able. I'll be watching your progress, and hopefully learning a lot. :-)

Nice video to watch because you did a great job of filming, editing. Thanks.

Just found you, and had a quick look. Re-living our own experiences from 2012 - "what have we done!" sort of thing. Looking forward to viewing in full tonight.

Great video! That’s very courageous for both of you to jump in with no experience and buy a 46 footer. There’s a saying “small boats make the sailor, big boats take the glory”. When you get time rent some small boats to practice on. You feel every effect of the wind and wave when you don’t have 10,000lbs of lead underneath you. Would also recommend Bluewater Sailing School to learn offshore techniques and to get your ASA certification. I was fortunate to have competed in college on two person racing dinghies which gave me a strong sailing foundation. I still need to learn all the big boat systems. You have to be an electrician, plumber, mechanic, and sailor all in one. Congrats on your new life on the water!

Nice boat! Looking forward to more adventure.

brilliant video, i really enjoyed it. please make some more!

Wishing you both the best of luck and good health.

The learning curve feels both never ending, and super rewarding. Best of luck guys and stay safe 🤞⛵️

I really enjoyed your video. A door opened up for you two. Enjoy the experience and share it with your fan club. You two are awesome, more guts than me. :)

great content guys, keep it up!

nice job. to start sailing on a boat that big is very brave. the design of your boat is one of the more easy designs to maneuver in reverse in tight places. however its still not for beginners and you did it. proud of you nice work. the best thing I can tell you is don't do anything without a compadnt plan then execute that plan but be ready to alter it if need be but still execute it.

Allrighty then ! This looks like it could be interesting! Duly Subscribed!

Well done with Captain Z and I would like to wish you both the best travels and adventures together in the future...xx

Wonderful! Well done guys Capt Z is a star

Awesome video. Fun to watch

Love it...”we were excited to sail around the world...but how the f** do we sail this boat alone”...so many start off this same way! Wonderful video and we wish you the best of luck with your new boat! -Rebecca on SV Brick House

Congrats! Enjoy the journey. We own the same boat- bought her 3 years ago and sail in the Chesapeake Bay.

What a beautiful boat! Nice video guys. This is the first one I've watched. As others have commented I love that you're taking the time to learn before your first big sail. Also loved the mast climb against the advice. I've been climbing my mast solo for years and using a climbing harness and prusik system. Whilst in lockdown have watched videos and practiced at home on how to lower myself down a loose halyard, on a single carabina, using a Munter Hitch and look forward to trying it out once the lockdown is over here in Singapore. I usually rig up a safety prusik line to a different halyard for safety. And also when Captain Z said the autopilot changes everything - he's right, its like an extra crew - that doesn't drink, which is great when you only have two beers left :) Look forward to the next videos.

Your hard work paid off guys! I like the vibe of the channel, keep it up and it might be a subscription for me...

The boat in the background at 4:13 a MacLear & Harris 52.... all time classic motorsailer.

Great job guys, thank you for sharing and i wish you a lot of memorable moments with your beautiful sailing boat. it is posible with work and dedication.

New sub, Hey , have to support the Fellow Floridians, even if it's only a click of a mouse button. Just Remember mates, Treat you're SHIP like a Lady, and She'll always bring ya home. Never Take your weather eye off the mistress that IS the sea, For sure as Ya do, She'll yank your guts. F.W.F.S.

Watching this for the first time, I was a bit skeptical, coming from a totally different background, learning how to sail a dinghy, then go to a 20' open boat, learn how to sail the tides, and get a Yacht Master offshore license and then the ultimate ticket YM Ocean, after 60k nautical miles, I have to give it to you guys: you’re doing great, stay prudent and don’t forget: if you don’t know, ask! Fair winds and following seas! I’ll be following you 2

That is a big boat to start with but we did almost the same thing with a JEANNEAU Sun Odyssey 45.2. Now we are on our second and third boats. Close quarters work is always the most exciting part.

Good luck and stay safe!

Your coach is great! Very good content. I hope you´ve had a blast sailing since you uploaded this. Greetings from Sweden

Learning not to panic was the hard part for me.

You've one of the best sailboats in the world...wish you showed some more footage on how you went with adjusting to sail. Every other video shows people already sailing, never how they started out...

Beneteau knows how to make good design lines. The dreadnought bow always stands out. They always look like $$$. To bad they also cost $$$ :P

I was born 64 years ago, within yards of the ocean. I have been sailing all my life. My mother used to hoist my diapers (old school cloth) up into the rigging to dry. My wife and I have sailed 30,000 nm during our lives together. If I met the two of you out on the water I would make a toast to you. You are so impressive in the way you have decided to take on the cruising life. You are already addicted, and that is a good thing for you. Your journeys will make you grow, make you marvel at life and at the world, will make you incredibly strong as a couple and team, and most of all your journeys will make you live life so fully that you won't believe it. Congratulations, and welcome to the club.

What a milestone, congratulations!!

well you may think the apprentice ship is over lol you are just getting started fair winds and safe seas I will be following if aloud

Great video, welcoming you to the cruising community, perhaps we will see you in the Bahamas.

Cap Z, Pirate sworn to fun loyal to none!

Great job ! ! !

Congratulations on your sign off! Good luck for the future, subbed to keep an eye on you.

Well done, loved the honesty. Best wishes on your endeavours.

46' sailboat is indeed ambitious! We are re-learning to sail after a 35 year lay off on a much smaller boat, but the anxiety is the same while learning to dock. One thing that you need to keep in mind, is that everyone....everyone, has issues from time to time while docking. If there are people there willing to help, accept the help without shame. It is the way of the sea. S/V Flekk II

Impressive teacher! Beneteau is a great first boat. Pretty rugged build.

That was great, it pays to be honest. I have met so many people that say “ I can do it “ and you end up in trouble. I feel very proud for you, good job well done. Thank you 🇦🇺

We own exactly the same boat, a 2008 Beneteau 46. We traded up from a 31' O'Day, which we kept for a dozen years or so. I wasn't looking for a boat this big, I wanted a 40 footer, but this one crossed our path, and here we are. We mostly sail in the Carolinas. She is a good boat, sturdy, proved itself many times. Very comfortable, we had it for 3 years now. Not without a bit of challenges. As soon as we bought it, I fell off her on a storm onto the dock, with so bad luck that I landed on a concrete box, shattering my right hip, which in turn overstressed my left hip. As a consequence I have 2 new hips and really happy. So in earnest, this is the first year that we can sail her, me, without crutches or a walker. We had some challenges with the electronics, and electrical systems. We are still trying to work out the little gremlins, sometimes it gets annoying but nothing major. We had made some improvements, I added AIS A+B, eventually will want to wander about a bit further away, and I wanted to be and to see what is around me. We also modified the water systems, bringing fresh water to the heads, and installing bidets onto the heads themselves. The rationale for this, is not to have the water that surround us in the slip into the boat (it smells awful), and to have a better and more enviromental sanitation system. We have an electric head and one manual...just in case the electric fails. I had to change the transmission on my windlass...it seems one of the previous owners did not use the anchor system properly and damaged.... it was not funny having to hoist all the chain back on board by hand, hahahaha, it made for an interesting afternoon. Good luck. Look forward to read more about your experiences. Im sure we can learn something from your video blog. If you have any questions or advice for us, it is welcome.

Cool you guys! Living the dream. I can't wait till its my turn.

One thing I would personally do differently, is to buy a cheap old small boat first. You get those for a price of a dingy motor. It's a cheap way to learn sailing. Everything is easier, less heavy and if you make a mistake it usually doesn't cost much and doesn't do that much damage. Like if you hit another boat or if you run aground etc. Also sailing a smaller boat is a lot easier. You can learn how to navigate and operate without fancy equipmemt, which is good to learn since you never know what might break. After you learn the basics during a year or so, you can just sell it for the same price and get the boat you really wanted. I've seen too many inexperienced people crashing their boats and causing damage to others, so that's why I have this opinion. I'm sure it's not an option for many people, but it's just my two cents. Anyway, I wish you good luck on your journey!

Very nice video guys, I have to subscribe now and follow along. My wife and I bought a Valiant 40 and we plan to circumnavigate starting fall 24 or spring 25. So we will spend the next few years, learning to sail before that happens :) excited to see how ya'll do learning etc. I am jealous of your bow thrusters though ^^

Your video inspire me to do the same! I am 62 and I would like to learn how to sail but always say to my self that I am too old.

I’m a new sub. I follow all the other sailing RU-vidrs but iv only just came across your channel. Iv just watched my first one ☝️ and I really like this channel. Fair play to you both and big respect ✊🏻 to you both on how well use both took control and took your time. Big respect ✊🏻 to you both

Just subscribed to your site. I dream about doing what your setting out to do. I look foward to watching your adventures in hopes that someday we'll meet up on the water.

This is the first video I've ever seen of you and I was getting increasingly worried because I thought the two of you were planning on crossing the Atlantic first thing after getting a boat and learning basic stuff about sailing (Russian St. Petersburg to Florida)... 😅

Just wobbled across your channel today... you are doing what we plan on doing in a year or two...I'll be watching you!! not to sound like Sting or anything but...

I cant even imagine the cost for a badass instructor like that. These kids must be making bank.