Sailing to Bora Bora in French Polynesia on a Vintage Sailboat 

James, you are an inspiration to all of us who only dream of doing what you're doing. Thank you for showing us this beautiful planet. You seem like such a nice, honest, open and humble human. Fair winds man.

That initial approach to Bora Bora in the rain was epic, and you selected music to match the drama. Cool.

By far the best sailing content on RU-vid !!!. Thank you for sharing brother !!!.

I've been having a hard couple of days. Thanks for bringing my spirits up a bit.

I’ve been in the sailing world for only 7 years and have bought and sold a few boats but trying to relaunch again after divorce and no bills !! And got nothing holding me back except just doing and leaving and I can assure you with this guy James is doing only a small fraction of people actually go do what he’s doing especially going through situations in life and he had to make a decision to untie that boat from the dock and leave out and head for deep seas like I say at softer the sky and cheers James because not very many people are able to even do that can own boats keep them in the slips at the marina and sell around whatever so I’m fixing to go look at a Pearson triton 1962 Milan San Diego it’s loaded with Bluewater gear turnkey kind of sorta and try to do my lunch maybe will cross paths bro be safe and hats off to you 🤠⛵️👍

I love your channel. I admire you for your bravery and attitude to life. Keep up the good work.

Giving us the lowdown like that really paints a picture for us all. Thank you! I look forward to seeing your updates. Looking forward to reading your book about the experience. Hint hint!

James! You are up to 91k peeps! Woohoo!

This is such a great sailing series!

Thank you, very much. Your video, it,s like gold for me :) you are the best, what i can to find this moment in youtube. Good luck in your life.

Epic music in the squall!

I like how you adress your connection with your boat. "WE are on the mission.. and I can`t wait to show you everything WE see.." You and your Triteia 🤩 Beautiful 😍

I live in a forest, in finland. This is incredible for me to see. Thank you!

15:00 - That is a great transition from sea to land as you POV camera work does that job and you walk up the path to the street, that is really nice DOCUMENTING of the location (this entire video part was key to transition this to feel like a travel show, as well as a sailing show). Good Luck on your journey. I'm from Western Canada, north of Montana. Your show is very well done so far compared to other shows. Your approach is professional and explanatory maybe like Sam Holmes sailing is also about guiding peoples minds to see. Anyhow. Fair Winds & good luck.

You’re the real deal James! Keep it up!

Inspirational video as always! Living the dream!

What a life James, You are living what most only Dream of, Right on my Brotha, keep on keeping on! Love the content.

Thanks!

Your crossing from Hawaii to the Tuamotus was the first video that I watched, been hooked ever since. Keep up the great work, subbed.

You’re an inspiration. May God continue to grant you safe travels.

Another amazing vidio looking forward for the next one ! Thank you !

I was there in 1984 on a Ferro Cement Ketch and we anchored in front of the Bora Bora Yacht Club. Times do change😎

Awesome video can’t wait to get out again when my engine is repaired

You took care of the bees!😍

Another great video James. I know what you felt like going through the pass in a squall. My wife and I chartered out of Riatea just as we were going out the pass to Huahine. Luckily it was blowing straight on the nose. We hadn't put out sails yet, so we just motored into it. I saw 45 knots on the wind speed gauge. It passed in less that 5 minutes and we went on to Huahine, but that was definitely the scariest pass I've ever been through.

Great video's man. I love these islands you've been visiting.

Thanks James, nice video, good info and music spot on.

Welcome to France... The only thing which amazes me is that you experience the french way of chaotic organisation only now 😉(written by a foreigner who is living in France since ~20 years)

Hi James nice to see you!!!! I love your channel and wish you so much blessings and happiness!! Thank you for sharing!!!

What a beautiful place... What a confusing space to Moore in. Your in inspiring person?! Your proof money doesn't grow on Palm trees, but dreams surly do grow on Palm trees...!! Thanks for sharing your life with us ✌🏼💗😊⛵

And that is why I don't fancy those populated destinations. Better stay away. But ok, once you are in the neighbourhood, you want to have a look. I hate that the authorities are taken over the sea now as well. Thanks for the video James. Inspirational.

Amazing

Haven't tuned in for probably a year or so. Glad to see you're keeping it all together. You're on the course I'd choose. It's your time now, perhaps mine later. Living up near your little bro's area next to JT in San Berdu County. Great boat, you've done well.

love watching your channel. I grew up in Hawaii and became an archaeologist working in the Hawaiian islands and New Zealand. it’s fun seeing what you see in smaller pacific islands. thanks!

Good content watching from DENVER COLORADO

Regarding Mooring balls in Bora Bora- no worries, Francis collects the fees and he will find you! He's a good guy. I think the second place you took a MB was at the old Mai Kai Yacht Club that went out of business. After they closed, most of the MB's were moved around the corner to BB Yacht club and there were very few remaining which were not maintained. Great episode! Enjoy the journey.

Many safe travels to you!

amazing

Grazie James x i bellissimi posti che mi fai visitare. Grazie dall'Italia. Giovanni

Hi James. Bora Bora doesn’t sound too friendly. Hope you get along okay. Enjoy your travels. Safe sailing to you

I am generally pretty fearless…but I don’t think I could do what you do. Great productions! Stay safe brother

right on dude! nice video

nicely put stuart : ) James, my parents have #444 her name is Antique, they live on Cortes Island BC Canada I've been following your videos for a few mo's now and shared one w/ them and then they saw the article in Old Boat! Mom will reach out to you at some point, meanwhile...thank you!! love your videos and your approach to life, what a celebration glad I get to be a witness : )

Another great video! Maybe you should set up some lazy Jack's for your mainsail! It will make it easier to drop the sail .Glad to see you made it to Bora Bora. Stay safe!

That looks awesome.

I have been watching your subscription climb! Your story telling is so engaging 😍

Really enjoying your travels…thank you!

There are POLYNESIAN PEOPLES in VANUATU. That would be cool to visit them islands as well to get a feeling for unique culture existing in a Melanesian island group. Yachties hang out in Southern Vanuatu for be out of the Cyclone belt each year? Ambyrn is the name of the Vanuatu Island that is Polynesian peoples I think. Melanesians were cannibals for thousands and thousands of years. Barf.

Wow ...we need to fetch you an underwater drone..thanks again ..great vid as usual

Bora Bora and the disappearing docks.

Epic footage entering that pass!!!!

My goodness, you would think that the Locals would cater to the cruisers, etc all, since they keep the economy supplied with an influx of funds not created by their own businesses! I had heard about this “organization” from other cruisers (Seth & his wife & family) telling stories of just how rude and Monet grabbing the locals were! Twenty five years ago we came on a cruise ship and fell in love with Bora Bora & Moorea! Sounds like it is becoming paradise lost!

When ever I've seen dolphins hangout like that; it's when one is birthing and the others are protecting.

Related to a previous note you wrote on your tracking site where you talked about Pago Pago, what do you think is the cause of that much difference between US pacific islands and other archipelago, e.g. french polynesia?

dinner at Bloody Mary’s ..they have a dock! Bora Bora is very expensive for staples and amenities. Lovely little island!

Great info and thanks for the maps👍 I've heard the prices is high there

Nice!

Let those bee dudes dry out. Nice one 👍.

hehe... living in the alps... the confusion and lack of organizing.... very similar to the smaller but very exclusive resort villages for skiing. no public parking anywhere. contradicting statements. its a mix of "nothing we can make serious money with, so we dont care" and "we realy cant have the bums here :D" i would have anchored just for the stress of it :)

In the 80s I was able to anchor anywhere around Bora Bora for free. A friend of mine, however, chose to use a mooring at the yacht club and it broke.

Good stuff James..... Wouldn't it be nice to have a telescope

I was staying at places on the shore that allowed camping. One night i went to a local beer joint. All were locals but me and a sailor. The confusion doesnt surprise me.

are you able to pull objects like boats or islands up that are out past the "horizon" w a zoom on a clear day? I went to tahiti and bora bora in about '88. I was surprised at how undeveloped and unpopulated it still was. Abandoned club med huts. Rode around bora on a bike in a short while. there was tramp freighters to go from diff islands in the chain. Knarly, couldve fallen over and no one would know. Missing guard chains along the deck. slept on deck chairs. And the mahu, boys raised as girls by their mothers to help around the house. hinano beer.

Wow. Beautiful but yah I would be afraid of getting hosed by some shady yacht club that wont talk to you.

Love your videos! Nice to follow your adventures... But, the suspensful music..? I think the videos would speak perfectly for themself.😁

If they introduce a ban on anchoring they should put out plenty of free moorings.

From July to November is generally whale season over there on Bora Bora so I'm guessing they are early this year.

Haven't been keeping up very well with your journey despite my intention to, but when I saw Bora Bora, I had to hop aboard. I was in French Polynesia many years ago (almost 40!) as a "tourist". Having lived in Hawaii, I was delighted at that time to see that these islands , due to their remote location (I assume) had not been subsumed by tourism as Hawaii has. I got quite a kick out of reexperiencing with you Bora Bora's complete nonchalance when it comes to "visitors". These are people who can live quite well off the land & sea and couldn't give a cr*p about making money off white people. A few have gone that route, but I remember the owner of the retreat with the over the water huts lamenting that he couldn't control his employees. If they didn't want to work that day, they simply didn't show up! IOW, freedom from capitalism. I LOVED seeing it although to say service wasn't great was an understatement considering the cost! The snorkeling was fabulous. Don't give up. Enjoy it for what it is. Unspoiled paradise.

Lets Goooo!

Sorry to hear that on the moorings. Not as bad as the US. $60 and up. But that’s a lot of money for there. I am use to being able to anchor for free. I am happy to pay reasonable fees for shoreside facilities. Dingy docks, showers. Etc.

What time you sailed FP?

Inspirasi

I have a small question, do you get land sick when you get off your boat?

What makes a squall dangerous if you're out in the open water ? Can it tip over the boat?

First comment! Keep the content rolling man!

Really want to do this one day. What books would you recommend to new sailors to learn?

Hey, I was wondering what currency you use when traveling? Is USD accepted, or do you have to have Pacific Francs? Thanks.

when you make it to the south island in new zealand ill buy you ya beer ! come on down

I wish I could sail and buy a yacht and take off on an adventure.

Wow how amazing to see the family of pilot whales!! I PRAY THEY ARE ALWAYS SAFEGUARDED AND RELAXED IN THESE BEAUTIFUL WATERS AROUND RAIATEA, TAHAA AND BORA BORA! Your journey from hawaii to polynesia has been an adventure I am so thankful you have shared with me😍😍😍 You are such an inspiration captain James 😲😍😄🙌🛡️ The lifestyle you live emanates health and vitality, as your eyes are so bright, and your hair has turned golden 😍😍😍 I can't wait to see your next video THANKYOU for showing me this epic place that truly magnifies the " garden of eden". THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU I can't wait to live there🌈🌎❤️🛡️

Ahoj James jsem jeden s tvých fandů a nejsem rýpal, ale proč máš jachtu s plachtou, když většinou pluješ pomocí motoru... pro rychlost to není, času je dost, ...že by s pohodlnosti? Šmeky (czech republic)

Well what do you expect You're going to Bora Bora everyone knows that place. Sometimes they'd either don't want the people on boats there or they just want to take advantage of you cuz you have a boat. A marina in La Paz Mexico is more than San Diego go figure that one!!!

Amazing videos dude! I've been following along. I'm curious, what do you do for money? Do you do little side jobs at each island? Do you have an online job?

What is that hook shaped exhaust pipe that goes into your mast for?

Yes. Pilot whales!

James, I like your blue and white shirt. Where do I get one?

Dream my man pure dream I will very soon start my journey as a,solo sailer can I ask your wise opinion what size boat is the biggest size for a solo sailer to handle would a 42 foot be suitable

brraaaazilll

Every sailing channel I've watched that's gone through Bora Bora has had issues. And that spans over years. They don't seem to be doing anything to change the accessibility to cruisers.

Absolutely love your videos and content, but I have to say, I enjoy them more without any of the background music

I like to fantasize as to what I can do to pay for this and life a lifestyle like yours but I just can't bring myself to do it the way you did

Do you have cashapp? Patreon takes a percentage, yes?

Lay off the drama music and reefs. U have the start of a great channel. I’ve followed all of it. I want to get there man. I’ve shied from ur channel lately. Something is doing that. Do touristy stuff the rest do and boat projects. I want to do what are doing and I want to learn boat a maintenance. Like everyone else living through you.

Mate your ex missus must be regretting leaving you on the docks. Best way to tell her to shove it....go and live the dream. Good on you.

Sail to Indonesian uncle 🌊

You should have showed us the town. It ended too early. You're going to make us wait a week?

gg

james do you want to see real beauty the kimberlys in australia.

Pilot whales, not dolphins

Do you have like a cash app or somthing I can just send you money directly?