The Ultimate Expedition Catamaran: NAHOA 55 

I'm in Port Hardy B.C. , been watching you two for a long time now. I work in the logging industry as a mechanic. Spent alot of time working on aluminum argo crew boats...... Aluminum electrolysis is pure EVIL!!!. But it is totally manageable. Don't just change your zincs on time schedule, keep an eye on them all the time, strange things happen in the world of electrolysis. This next one is super important...... Electrical wiring / electrical fields must never ever ever be allowed near the aluminum structure. This is absolutely huge. Stray electric Current can chew thru aluminum. Building a new boat you have advantage of making sure all electrical wiring is isolated from the structure. Do the best to make sure all electrical / electronic equipment and connections are dry. Electrolysis totally sux but it is manageable, many of the crew boats around here are well into their 40's

Okay I love you guys!!! I quit watching “The OKelly’s” because they wanted a $100.00 a hour consulting fees, and they’ve been a year and haven’t been able to find a boat ! The “Gone with the Wynns” has turned into nothing but advertising so I feel that I just paid for there boat plus they haven’t had a good video in over a year my opinion.. but you guys are the real deal you’re not getting sucked into this going fast in a super light boat and losing your yachts strengthen integrity. Good job and safer for all of you on board …You do your homework you study and have a great head on your shoulders!!! I would follow you in your footsteps in a heartbeat tell your builder I’m gonna probably buy a boat just like yours when you’re done. Carry on the good work to great videos and I really enjoy seeing you. Thank you again.

Very wise decision. "Alluring Arctic" and "Barefoot Doctors" channels went that way too. The benefits of these boats far outweigh the negatives and I truly hope more sailors in future can afford to convert to aluminum boats. I am so happy for you.🎉❤🇿🇦

I saw this and I thought this looks like a de Villiers design. And then you go ahead and it really is a de Villiers. This is going to be the most interesting "RU-vidr boat build" for the coming years.

Sounds great. Just remember what puts food on the table: CONTENT. One of my favourite vlogs (who, incidentally, had an aluminium expedition boat) decided to build their own performance catamaran and, for the last few years, all their content has consisted of them in shed, gathering dust and wrinkles (and they're still well over a year away from getting on the water). Most subscribers are, like me, poor 'schlubs' with nine to five jobs, who watch your videos as we eat lunch at our desks, dreaming of the freedom and adventure that you show us, and which we will not have the time or money to fulfill until we're retired and too old to enjoy. We are loyal, but don't forget us: Keep that content coming until the boat is built and we, cent by cent, will help you pay for it.

Congrats guys the new cat sounds awesome. Good choice with the aluminum….. You guys deserve a new boat…….

ive owned aluminum boats for 10+ yrs and still do. the 3 things you need are - 1. a 1/4" thick hull or better - problem with this is hydraulic forming benders are needed and yards dont have them 2. plastic spacers or isolators between stainless bolts/hardware and the aluminum - yards cheap on these and boats get eaten and 3. a good TIG setup with engine driven DC tig and good equipment like a panoramaxx helmet with 2.5 lens. i wouldnt consider a boat without all 3. sadly aluminum does corrode and its not low maintenance -- just different maintenance. the first time your hull gets gouged and you need to tig 6061 you will learn that. and you will learn the joys of interprotect 2000e and non cuprous antifoul. also alu boats are noisy - you want eva foam and not wood everywhere.poke me if you want to chat.

Dad to 4 kids here. I've never once regretted spending money on experiences for the kids, and can tell your priorities are super solid. Congrats!

Love the design!

Hi guys love your videos. Hope this helps you. Two years ago I sold up bought a lagoon 400 in Florida I am from the uk. And started sailing around the world. All thanks to you and your early videos. Currently I am in Tahiti. I am an above knee amputee so if I can do it any one can. Best of luck with your new boat. Lots of respect from sv Mai tai. And Ollie.

One word, WOW! Second word, CONGRATULATIONS!

These you tube videos must be very lucrative. So Many channels getting new boats.

Love you decision of focusing on maintainability, as you do at lot of the boat jobs yourself, while raising two kids at the same time.

I am absolutely ecstatic about your new boat project. I am too old and almost blind so I have to enjoy open ocean sailing vicariously through you guys and a few others. Following your boat-build and subsequent sailing is keeping me enthused and active in my more passive role. Thanks so much for what you do and your down to earth, informative presentations. Keep them coming Oorah as my Marine compatriots say and see you on the next tide!

Well deserved. Although it seems hectic and a bit of anxiety involved, you one day will look back on this time as one of the high points with many fond memories. You two work very hard for what you have, enjoy!

We are so excited for you guys! This is your home and the place you raise those beautiful babies, schooling them and showing them the world. What a way to live! All the best to you! Tim and Tammie

The big advantage of a straight shaft drive (or even a V drive) is that if the seal leaks, only the seal needs to be repaired and no collateral damage occurs because the water enters the bilges and not the sail drive.

Gone with the Wynns, sailing Ruby Rose, Tulas endless summer, la Vagabond and now you guys. Seems to be new boat year on RU-vid. You should all get together somewhere tropic and compare boats.

From a fellow Canadian, congratulations on being the most amazing parents. You aren't building a boat, you're building a home for your family that will allow them to experience the world. Congrats!!!!

Sailing into Freedom's Peter is building a similar aluminum cat called the Odisea 48, which is very similar to the Mumby 48. The base price for a Odisea is around $750,000, which to me sounds like a pretty good deal. I guess they are building the boat in some kind of jig, which they claim reduces labor costs. They build the boat upright with no need to flip it half way through construction. Apparently the jig also keeps the boat very straight. I love seeing so many new designs for cruising sailboats. Your new boat looks awesome.

So many are getting new boats in 2023! Love it, will be so interesting to sail along!

Forward cockpit on a cat is amazing. Whole thing looks madly brilliant. I love Moana and watch it without my kids.

Congratulation on your new boat. Great to hear that you are going Aluminium, much better than composite hulls. You should have a look at Barefoot Doctors Sailing RU-vid channel. They are getting a Portofino 52 Aluminium sailing Catamaran made. Personally I think it's the best looking Catamaran in its class. They have a 45 and a 52 model and the 45 model is very well priced. They had a 50 foot Leopard Catamaran that burnt down, so that is why they went Aluminium. I wish you all the best with your new boat.

Isn't it amazing, two of my favorite channels getting very similar boats. Can wait to see them getting built.

Nice video, Ashley and Ben! It has been an awesome few months getting to know you guys and designing the new boat. Now the real work begins!

Good news on the new boat. Peter from "Sailing into Freedom" is having a Mumby48 built in Greece, as he wants it to be totally renewed energy driven, to do a circumnavigation without any carbon fuel.

Oh, this sounds like the perfect boat to raise a young family on. Having extra storage will maybe also give you room to make sure you have plenty of medical supplies for your daughter, and have a boat that you can depend on. The aluminum sounds awesome! Yeah, every boat material out there has its issues. You will learn how to manage the electrolysis. You will also know every nook and cranny of that boat, and how to get to something. I am sure by the time it gets done you will never have an issue where you don't understand the batteries and you have to hire someone. I don't know with two small kids this just sounds a lot more safe. I am sure you have put into it some child safety components to help you as much as you can. My kids are all grown, but as a mom, you just think of these things. Your family was such a special thing, after years of thinking you couldn't have kids. This will be so nice to have extra room for them to live and move and as they grow up, they won't outgrow their spaces and your boat won't start to feel too small. Congrats on this new journey. Been watching some of MJ sailing journey of building their boat, and it is an interesting journey I know people will enjoy watching your boat come together. I was secretly back when you were fixing Nohoa, that you would be moving into a new or newer boat. I also knew you had to fix this one to be able to get a new one. You can't sell a boat with soggy floors. There was another really small channel, that had a boat just like yours that had to go through and repair the floor of their boat with the same issue. I hadn't thought of them till just now. They are not very consistent with their videos or at least they weren't for a year or two after 2020 hit and he lost his remote job. I think they are now trying to get back to it again. Last I saw they were back to the Bahamas. They also have a young family.

May she serve you well, keep you safe and show you the world!

youve just bought the best designed cat available, and believe me ive done my homework. good on ya.

Contact Paul and Sherryl Shard. You know these two canadians , I am sure. They surely have suggestions for you. They are currently building an aluminium boat. ( The Netherlands ) And CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING THE FUTURE BEST BOAT ON RU-vid OWNERS.

Hmmm…it’s going to take a couple of years to go from concept to construction to cruising. What I like most about this channel is the focus on people and cultures in the places you visit. I’m being selfish here, I hope we dont have two years of boat building vids…plenty of other channels doing that. But I wish you well in finding a builder to fabricate the boat of your dreams.

AWESOME! LET'S GO!!!

Nahoa 2.0 is a fantastic idea for your family. However Ben if you ever come close to loving this new boat more than you love Ashley please check yourself into a hospital.

LWL and D/L are the critical measures for performance, and SA/D less so for cruising boats. The bit people forget is that if you double the size of a boat, the righting moment is multiplied by 16. So as cats get bigger the loads increase exponentially

She looks incredible. The possibilities that will open up to you with a true expedition yacht like this are fantastic - South America, Antarctica, Alaska, Norway, Finland, Sweeden, Greenland, Iceland, Hudson Bay and the Northwest Passage all become options. Can't wait to see where she brings you.

This is mu favourite sailing RU-vid channel! The new boat design looks incredible. Perfect for your beautiful family. xc

FINALLY someone saying the same thing I am with respect to the trend of folks going to "performance catamarans. Sure they are fast. But they are also incredibly light which means they will be extremely responsive to any breeze will keep them on their toes every day of sailing and good luck with any weather which no matter how fast you are eventually will catch up to you !. Good decision to go with a more solid design and not just following the fad !. If you guys go for the ketch version I will go crazy !. I have a ketch monohull and I see a lot of advantages of that rigging for cruising. Good luck !

Congratulations on your new announcement!!! Wonderful news! I am a function over form gal. Not that I don't like form, but if it doesn't work well, I don't care how pretty it is.... but if it works really well, it could be ugly as sin and I adore it. Anyway, I think you are brilliant to get a bigger boat now. Frankly, as your kids grow, they will acquire more toys... paddleboards, surf board, foils, ...do kids still waterski? I don't know. Anyway, teenagers may want video games or computers of their own ...which may also be used for school...for which a large table may be useful.... and it looks like you will have room for all that growing up stuff and for your family to live and learn and thrive. Just remember to stop and smell the flowers along the way. You work so hard and you have a lovely family!!!

It'll be interesting to see your aluminum boat in action. Many have seen MJSailing with their previous metal boat, Jupiter in action and DistantShores with their new aluminum build. Cheers to you from Edmonton.

A great decision for you and your children. And given the allergies and the related risk, you get to better control the environment until they are teens. The education they will get circling the world is unique, pretty much like their parents ! Congratulations.

Chris White deserves a credit where credit's due -mention. He pioneered the forward cockpit concept.

Congratulations on the new aluminum yacht! Sounds very cool. I have to admit, it’s getting harder to relate to all the RU-vid channels now. Seems like everyone’s getting new multi million dollar yachts.

So happens that we met Lex and Jo in Pangkor Marina in 2021 and admired their aluminum cat 😊 Amazing couple too.

Really like what I’m seeing in the Nahoa 55. I don’t need to tell you that there is a lot of work ahead. But I look forward to watching every step of the process. Sail-on!

This is a „Wow“ design… I be a follower from the Start of your journey and I be sure, that is the way. I also a follower from Ruby Rose2, Sailing UMA, Yaba and RAN Sailing. Everyone find his Way and i am sure a 55alu cat is the best solution for the Nahoa family.❤😊

Super fun! This is going the start of some awesome new adventures. Can’t wait for you to share them with us!

Every time I see people grinding on their glass boats my skin crawls (from experience!) Having a boat you can just cut and weld would be epic. I look forward to seeing how you make this work!

check out SV Lynx - they are getting diesel with prop shaft but also a magnetic decoupler so they can run the diesel with or without turning the prop and the alternators can power up the batteries - no genny needed

Congratulations guys! Great boat! I'm proud that my country and town (Cape Town) has opened so many doors and experiences to you.

So many channels working on new catamarans. I can't wait to see your new boat.

Congrats! Having been watching for a while, I am not surprised. Wish I could convince my better half but it isn't to be so I will have to live vicariously through others.

Awesome news and such a wise choice, we’ve sailed with charter yacht “FollyToo” which is an ex Fastnet Aluminium racing yacht. The skipper has been onboard a fibreglass boat when it hit debris, and it sank. He said never again would he sail in a glass boat.

I think this was a wise decision. I grew up around boats and have been praying for you safety. The new boat will definitely keep you safe. Can't wait until you get it

Hi guys, I have just started watching your channel and must say you have made me feel like you have the right ingredient for making life on the water a dream come true. Through this whole video your interest was for each other and not forgetting your lovely children. My life of sailing was shore based but always wanted a big cat. I will live this part of my life vicariously watching your new boat build. Cheer from Downunder.

It looks like you have made an excellent choice for the best possible reasons. I'm glad you are going away from the sail drive units. Too many boats have been lost because of grounding or collisions with underwater objects and not only pushing the sail drive up through the hull but causing catastrophic damage to the hull and making recovery almost impossible. (Remember the Tanda Malaika for example.) You guys are doing a wonderful job and I look forward to watching your videos each week. Keep up the good work and good luck finding an affordable shipyard.

Yes, yes, yes, please do it 🙏 Love and best wishes to you all, Claire, Tommi, the rescue dog, and Amber, the new rescue cat, and my sons, daughters in law and grandchildren, Berlin ❤❤❤❤

Children's bedrooms 🧐 Build for a double bed...but put singles in use the extra floor area for play learn, own space to grow 😄🙏

So glad you found your dream in South Africa, lekker lekker

Hi Nahoa family, there are horses for courses, and I personally love how you are seeking your own path as you did when you first departed. I personally loved your Chanel and the entire mingling with cultures as you sailed the globe - Now putting Your children’s lives and long term needs before algorithms, agendas and drama drama. What’s that infamous saying by sailors, would it be this “ it’s all about the journey and not the destination” Who cares if it’s not a fast performing cat! We will at least get to see more, and you will cruise safely and smart as kiddos grow up.. best wishes..

Well done guys! What an exciting decision and journey!!! We are totally sold on the toughness and benefits of aluminium and we'r3e sure you will be ecstatic with the end result!!! What a great boat to continue to raise the kids on! Enjoy the journey and see you out there... John and Eli.

Thanks

Not sure what you all think about anchors? But a couple Mantus anchors might be a consideration?! Love all your videos through the years. Just don’t reply a lot, thanks. Ronnie, East Tennessee USA

Ashley, I have sailed a Chris white designed Atlantic 55 from South Africa to Annapolis. That center/forward cockpit is a dream. You will grow to love it.

Bravo, vous avez raison. Vos réflexions sont pleines de bon sens. Foncez… ce sera long et stressant mais quel résultat… nous naviguons sur un outremer 42 rallongé à 48 pieds, quel confort en plus et sécurité en mer car il allonge le pas plus facilement, sans toile en plus… la casquette très longue derrière, top, top. La cuisine devant, super. Les rangements, le plus important… bravo, bravo

Hey I had David do design work for me. Probably 25 years ago, you will be happy with him. He doe's great work Look forward to seeing the next steps George

Excited to see the new aluminium Nahoa good luck

Awesome news guys! Glad to see you joining the aluminium family 💙⛵️ Can't wait to see the build process!

So Stoked for your family!

Awesome News ! You guys deserve a new boat .

Great to see you came through the current buzz for “ Performance “ catamarans and thought about it some more . I get the argument for a light boat being able to sail in light winds and “ Beating “ weather systems and 200 + mile days . I heard one proponent of performance cats saying 24 knots and averaging 18 knots , getting across the Atlantic 4/5 days quicker . My question is why ? Every cruiser I’ve watched says we spend 90 % of our time at anchor 10 % sailing so do they want to spend 95 % of the time at anchor or just get around the world as quickly as possible ? Can two people sail at 18 knots average , even with all the electronic wizardry available and maintain concentration for a 10 day ocean crossing ? Can you beat the weather systems all the time ? What happens if you hit something in the water at 18 knots ? Innovation and advances in design are great but I’m not sure that fashion should be the driving force over something being fit for purpose .

Congratulations from a fellow Canadian. I don’t sail but I power boat on the Great Lakes and look forward to every video. Congratulations on Nahoa 55.

i am so excited for you guys

Combining forward helm in an Aluminium Hull has to be the way forward to avoid getting up on deck around the side of the cockpit combined with sailing at night. Food for thought. Three forward helm designs are worth looking at for ideas are catamarans designed by Chris White, Gunboat 55 and the new HH52. Xquisite Plus 55 for best fit out, finish and duplication of systems for safety.

I cannot wait to see this build. I have watched numerous other sailing channels that have refitted and even bought new boats from every builder there is. HH, Gunboat, Lagoon. Leopard just to name a few and this will be the first time, I watch an aluminum boat from scratch

PS Please don't stress about missing a bloody vlog! We're here for you, and have been with you through thick and thin! Thank you so much for sharing your life with me/us, because you've shown me parts of the world that I could never dream of visiting, and I am so fudging grateful 🙏 🥲 😊❤

I’m so happy for you guy’s, if anyone deserves to have their wishes realized…..it’s you! I’m especially excited that you’re basically designing it yourselves, after so much time & experience to do that and make those decisions from need or safety. You’ve made do with someone else’s designs and construction for a long time, so….. it’s going to be probably the only boat build that’s had so much thought put into it for such a long time and it’s also being Aluminum, beyond so many people who basically just do what the crowd is doing and don’t think much about doing something different. Congratulations!!🍀

Congratulations on your decision to build a new more family friendly Catamaran. I have no doubt that this will be awesome. Blessings to you all 🙏🙏💕💕⛵️⛵️⛵️

I think you guys made a great choice, trading of performance for comfort, is the way to go.

I wondered about your decision to persevere with the the repairs after arriving in SA and you did say at one stage that you considered an alternative to keeping on with this cat. Well the cat is out of the bag now and what a decision. This is momentous and will be life changing to your family but now its more travel and then onto the commitment. How about that a Kiwi designer and the next objective to find a boatyard to build it. Will follow with even more interest now. Good luck to you all.

COngratulations! COming from an aircraft (aluminum( background, I an only stress maximum protection of the metal. since you are building, go maximum on corrosion protection. Consider having the entire bare metal ship dipped. The process will ensure that every crack and crevice is properly treated. There are many excellent finishes - go with the best. Love to chat..

If anyone can do this, it's you two. But wow. That's alot. LOL! I cannot wait to see this come together.

When I read the newsletter my mind immediately went to "Ben wants an aluminum boat". I think it's a great plan and I'm the guy in the 1960's who was convinced that a ferro-cement boat was the answer.

You guys are the third sailing Chanel that I watch that are building their own custom boat , be good to see how it all goes .

Been watching you from the start, what a amazing journey it has been. A bigger boat is much needed. I can’t wait to see the whole process. All the best. It’s going to be a wild ride, lol.

Wow a start of a new adventure, can't wait for the beginning of the build 🙏🙏🙏

Can you expand on what you have discovered regarding the sound on the aluminum versus the fiberglass curious to see if you have heard of any differences? Maybe a better question would be if there is a finish on top of the aluminum that softens the sound?

I have been a fan of David’s designs since seeing the exceptional boat being built here in Australia by Dan Schofield. This boat is truly exciting and I am pumped to see the end result. Well done and congratulations. These are exciting times.

My first message to you! I love your channel and all of it's content! Cool family in love with the world and it's people.Thank you very much.Victor from Puerto Rico.

I’m so moved. Happy happy for you!❤

Congratulations on the new purchase.

Good luck to all of you can't wait to see it !

Please do a farewell sail on NAHOA 1 Sounds weird, but well, you're focusing on the new boat, and we will miss the old one. If you could make a video, and show some of the memories you had on NAHOA, the things you would never forget, big repairs, awesome people you've met along the way, and ofcourse the map showing your full trip, that would be so awesome for us. Oh and that video may last longer, because its not a regular episode. (Capt. Eric-jan Damen)

Read the report on test sailing a Windelo in high winds you will realise front cockpits are dry super safe and protected. In a Atlantic circuit including Iceland they never took more than a bucket of water over the front. The De villiers is a great choice especially if you can run a hybrid set up long term. One other thing for now blade cells for your batteries. If not Na .. ❤

Sounds exciting and you are very deserrving for all you have been through as to maintenance and remodel work. A good journey to begin.

As a Leopard 48 owner, the front cockpit is our favourite spot on yhe boat, you wull love it

Great design, and choices, considering you guys literally the most experienced sailor's and you are toning down the performance speaks volumes.

Woohoo Congrats Guys!!! exciting times ahead...

Aluminum is a great choice of material for your new boat there is decades of experience using Aluminum for Nautical applications. The design and everything else is up to you guys.

The whole/ most of the sailing community seem to getting into new boats! Wishing you all the best and looking forward to the journey! A family Catamaran seems like a fantastic project.. Love ya XXxx

Ben and Ashley I’m so excited to see this new boat being built.