Key Message: A love for sailing isn’t taught; it’s nurtured through freedom and opportunity. When given a boat and the space to explore, young sailors naturally develop skills, passion, and an intuitive understanding of the wind and water.
Author: Anna, Harry and Olly
Introduction: Making Their Own Fun
Life in a boatyard during a refit can be monotonous. But for our 10-year-old twins, Harry and Olly, it presented an opportunity. With Paikea out of the water, they borrowed a small Gos 16 dinghy from a neighboring yard, and with a stack of sails they had made themselves, they proceeded to have the kind of pure, unadulterated sailing day that reminds us all why we fell in love with this sport.
1. The Project: A Floating Testbed
The Gos 16 became their personal laboratory. Their goal wasn’t just to sail, but to experiment.
- Testing a “Wardrobe”: They weren’t satisfied with just the main and jib. They methodically tested every sail they could get their hands on, learning firsthand how different shapes and sizes affect the boat’s performance and handling.
- Rigging Innovation: They were constantly tweaking and adjusting, even rigging their own systems, like a custom hook to manage the staysail, demonstrating an innate problem-solving ability.
2. The Joy of Independent Sailing
From morning until sunset, with only a brief break for lunch, the boys were on the water. This wasn’t a supervised lesson; it was independent exploration.
- Developing Instincts: Spending hours on the water in light and variable winds honed their feel for the boat and the subtle changes in breeze.
- Pure Passion: They were out for the simple, undeniable fun of it. The video captures the essence of this—the concentration, the laughter, and the quiet satisfaction of mastering a craft.
Conclusion: Sailing in Their Blood
The sight of the boys sailing back as the sun set, tired but exhilarated, was a powerful reminder of the life we’ve chosen. It’s not just about the big boat or the long passages; it’s about fostering a deep, self-driven connection to the sea. For Harry and Olly, sailing isn’t something they do; it’s a fundamental part of who they are.
Sailing with Kids
Sailing as a liveaboard family isn’t a diluted version of the cruising life; it’s a different adventure altogether. In this collection, we document our reality—the logistics, the lessons, and the moments of wonder as we raise our kids aboard Paikea. This is practical insight from a family that doesn’t just go on sailing trips, but for whom sailing is life.
- A Privileged View: Showcasing the Iconic Gunboat 66 “Outnumbered”
Author: Shayne & Anna As liveaboard sailors and marine professionals, we’re constantly surrounded by beautiful boats. But every so often, we encounter a vessel that is truly special—an icon that stops you in your tracks. The Gunboat 6602, “Outnumbered,” is one of those boats. We’ve been entrusted with a unique task: caring for this legendary performance… Read more: A Privileged View: Showcasing the Iconic Gunboat 66 “Outnumbered” - Offshore Reality Check: Performance Analysis and Emergency Assessment Mid-AtlanticAuthor: Shayne and Anna Topic: This post provides a professional analysis of an Atlantic upwind passage, demonstrating the Catana 42 Paikea’s performance capabilities with real-time data on wind angles and boat speed. It details the immediate emergency response to a sudden structural bang at sea, outlining the systematic procedure for inspecting daggerboards and hull integrity. The article… Read more: Offshore Reality Check: Performance Analysis and Emergency Assessment Mid-Atlantic
- Ocean Passage Engineering: Systems Analysis and Arrival Planning 40 Miles OffshoreTopic: 40 miles from the Azores after a 14-day Atlantic crossing, we handle mid-ocean gear failure while planning our next jib sheeting system upgrade. This professional analysis covers block replacement, floating ring technology, and track system design for optimal sail control, demonstrating how continuous improvement integrates with routine offshore sailing. We combine practical repair work with… Read more: Ocean Passage Engineering: Systems Analysis and Arrival Planning 40 Miles Offshore
- 30-Knot Atlantic Sailing: Performance Analysis and 17-Knot SurfTopic: Author: Shayne and Anna Introduction The midpoint of an Atlantic crossing often brings the most challenging conditions, and our passage to the Azores delivered 30-knot winds and building seas. These conditions provided the ultimate test of Paikea’s heavy-air capabilities and our family’s offshore systems, from spinnaker management to performance diagnostics in demanding ocean conditions. 1.… Read more: 30-Knot Atlantic Sailing: Performance Analysis and 17-Knot Surf
- How to Reef a Catamaran Downwind: A Practical GuideKey Message: Practical Skills for Real-World SailingReefing is a fundamental skill, but doing it effectively while sailing downwind on a catamaran requires specific techniques. This guide, filmed in 16 knots of breeze on our Atlantic crossing, breaks down the practical process of reefing a mainsail controlled by a halyard lock and a sticky track. We… Read more: How to Reef a Catamaran Downwind: A Practical Guide
