Be The Captain

The ocean doesn’t care about theory, it cares about execution. I am James Evenson, a professional delivery captain, educator, and Navy Submarine Veteran (former Navigator, USS Nebraska SSBN 739). With 85,000 nautical miles logged, I teach the practical skills required for serious offshore passages. Be The Captain is an education platform for blue water sailors that focuses on the technical and ps…

Medellín, Colombia· Jul 2026

105 videos· 71 deeply analyzed

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25 People Abandoned an Unsinkable Ship. None Survived | The Joyita MysteryThe Joyita carried 25 people from Apia in 1955; none survived after abandoning an unsinkable hull.Sep 9, 2026

PublishedSep 9, 2026

Duration48:33

Views282K

31 Crew Sailed Into Hurricane Mitch. None Were Ever Found | The Tragic Story of SV FantomeHurricane Mitch's stalled, wandering track trapped SV Fantome's 31 crew with no navigable escape in 1998.Aug 21, 2026

PublishedAug 21, 2026

Duration46:11

Views480K

Declared Dead at Sea — Then They Came Back | The Rose-Noëlle StoryRose-Noëlle's 119-day survival drift began when a sea anchor trip line collapsed the parachute and left the trimaran beam-on.Jul 25, 2026

PublishedJul 25, 2026

Duration37:47

Views1.2M

My Final Video as Sailing ZingaroJames Evenson rebrands his channel to Be the Captain to focus on maritime disaster and survival analysis.Jul 16, 2026 · Medellín, Colombia

PublishedJul 16, 2026

Duration8:23

Views70K

LocationMedellín, Colombia

The Brutal Truth About Cruising on a Budget & Surviving Storms at SeaJames Evenson's 25%-first-year budget rule and storm tactics for heavy monohulls vs. catamarans.Jul 9, 2026

PublishedJul 9, 2026

Duration41:24

Views79K

🚩 RED FLAGS: How I Spot the Lemon Boats on Yacht World 🚩James Evenson flags a non-reefable Manta boom and praises the Hallberg-Rassy 53's split aft cabin as the offshore benchmark.Jul 6, 2026

PublishedJul 6, 2026

Duration39:19

Views126K

How He Survived a Tropical Storm at SeaAttempting to motor upwind against a tropical storm in a poorly maintained vessel risks catastrophic failure.Jun 30, 2026

PublishedJun 30, 2026

Duration21:12

Views182K

He Did Everything Right. His Captain Still Blamed Him.A guide for aspiring crew on preparing for emergencies and vetting captains to avoid poor seamanship.Jun 20, 2026

PublishedJun 20, 2026

Duration7:03

Views20K

He's Built 400 Boats. The Cheap Used Sailboats He'd Buy in 2026Kyle Jackney names Morgans, Bristols, Gulfstars, and early Tayanas as his top affordable cruising buys for 2026.Jun 17, 2026

PublishedJun 17, 2026

Duration47:34

Views67K

The Factory Forgot a Part on This $2M Yacht (Blue Water 56, Part 2)A missing 24-volt windlass solenoid left hull nine of the Bluewater 56 unable to deploy its anchor at commissioning.Jun 12, 2026

PublishedJun 12, 2026

Duration25:04

Views33K

The "Hidden" Problems of a New $2M Yacht (Blue Water 56 Commissioning)Adjusting inverter absorption voltage prevents lithium battery system overloads during high-load generator charging on new yachts.Jun 8, 2026

PublishedJun 8, 2026

Duration24:27

Views165K

Sailing in SEVENTY FOUR KnotsA prop shaft machined from a junkyard ingot in Bermuda, installed in under 48 hours before a storm.Jun 1, 2026 · Prickly Bay, Grenada

PublishedJun 1, 2026

Duration2:35:38

Views58K

LocationPrickly Bay, Grenada

This sailing technique saved my butt (Why does nobody teach this?)Bungee cords rigged to a steering wheel kept a catamaran on course for 18 days after the autopilot failed mid-Pacific.May 24, 2026 · South Pacific Ocean

PublishedMay 24, 2026

Duration24:23

Views150K

LocationSouth Pacific Ocean

How to Price a Sailboat: The Step-By-Step Audit YOU Can DoA lifespan-based audit method prices every boat system and adds a 15–20% hassle tax for deferred maintenance.May 8, 2026

PublishedMay 8, 2026

Duration12:56

Views47K

30 Seconds. That's What a Lithium Fire Gives You.A lithium battery fire aboard Theros killed two sailors who had no EPIRB, no float plan, and no satellite communicator.Apr 10, 2026

PublishedApr 10, 2026

Duration19:50

Views138K

Be The Captain — Chapter One: Think Like a Captain (Audiobook)Offshore command requires decisive leadership, constant vessel maintenance, and a mindset of adaptability during equipment failure.Apr 2, 2026

PublishedApr 2, 2026

Duration11:07

Views10K

The Night I Almost Lost the Keel (and Why I Quit Deliveries)Grid-to-hull bond failure on a Beneteau First 47.7 nearly caused keel loss 90 miles offshore at night.Mar 29, 2026 · Caribbean Sea, south of Haiti

PublishedMar 29, 2026

Duration22:18

Views1.2M

LocationCaribbean Sea, south of Haiti

Mastering the Offshore App (PredictWind Masterclass 5/5)Manage offshore bandwidth by downloading selective, high-resolution GRIBs and prioritizing GMDSS and AIS data for efficiency.Mar 10, 2026

PublishedMar 10, 2026

Duration7:08

Views6K

Using AIS offshore (PredictWind Masterclass 4/5)Satellite AIS provides long-range strategic traffic awareness to supplement short-range VHF collision avoidance systems offshore.Mar 4, 2026

PublishedMar 4, 2026

Duration7:50

Views5K

Power Routing for Comfort (PredictWind Masterclass 3/5)Analyze wave period and vertical acceleration in PredictWind to minimize structural loading and fatigue while motoring offshore.Mar 4, 2026

PublishedMar 4, 2026

Duration6:40

Views5K

Weather Routing for Offshore Sailors (PredictWind Masterclass 2/5)Use PredictWind graphs and comfort metrics to manage crew fatigue rather than just optimizing for speed.Mar 4, 2026

PublishedMar 4, 2026

Duration10:29

Views7K

Deciphering Weather Apps (PredictWind Masterclass 1/5)Configure PredictWind with accurate polars and a Data Hub to transform weather forecasts into actionable decision support.Mar 2, 2026

PublishedMar 2, 2026

Duration12:43

Views17K

Nigel Calder: The Truth About Philosophy, Gunboats, and Marine EngineeringNigel Calder explains why a Cuban gunboat arrest led to the 1995 Cuba cruising guide.Feb 25, 2026

PublishedFeb 25, 2026

Duration1:21:53

Views14K

The Hidden Reason This Sunken Schooner Is Priced at $100,000A sunken 1910 Herreshoff schooner in Osaka lists for $100,000 — the price is a filter, not a valuation.Feb 13, 2026

PublishedFeb 13, 2026

Duration8:35

Views64K

Pegasus 50: A Modern Offshore Sailboat Done RightThe Pegasus 50 features a 13-ton displacement and a gimbaling salon table designed for long-term offshore cruising.Feb 8, 2026 · Cannes Yachting Festival, France

PublishedFeb 8, 2026

Duration29:38

Views125K

LocationCannes Yachting Festival, France

They Built This Boat Too WellThe Little Harbor 59 uses integrated, low-center-of-gravity ballast to provide superior motion dampening for offshore cruising.Feb 1, 2026

PublishedFeb 1, 2026

Duration9:59

Views723K

My Honest Advice for New Sailors (It’s Not What You Think)A water-damaged Kalik 33 on a tight budget risks killing a young sailor's circumnavigation dream before it starts.Jan 26, 2026

PublishedJan 26, 2026

Duration12:10

Views170K

I Didn’t Expect This… Sirius Might Be the Smartest Sailboat I’ve TouredThe Sirius 35 features a dedicated walk-in workshop and a raised interior helm station for offshore cruising.Jan 7, 2026

PublishedJan 7, 2026

Duration33:31

Views258K

The Preventer Mistake That Killed Two SailorsA CNB 66's in-boom furling system forced a head-to-wind reef in Gulf Stream storm seas, killing two sailors.Dec 22, 2025

PublishedDec 22, 2025

Duration15:08

Views612K

Become a Better Offshore SailorUse the physiological sigh and manual navigation drills to maintain calm and control during offshore emergencies.Nov 28, 2025

PublishedNov 28, 2025

Duration13:24

Views560K

Every Boat Has a Story… You’re Not Gonna Believe This OneA new MCP 68 sailed 6,000 miles upwind from Brazil to France on its maiden voyage.Nov 21, 2025

PublishedNov 21, 2025

Duration14:59

Views86K

I crashed my boat into the rocks. Here's the story.James Evenson grounded his Oyster Marine 485 near Nassau and kedged off using 250 feet of chain, no engine.Nov 5, 2025

PublishedNov 5, 2025

Duration21:56

Views160K

I Never Thought I’d Be Signing 4,000 Books…James Evenson manages the fulfillment and shipping of 4,000 hand-numbered, leather-bound books for his sailing audience.Sep 28, 2025

PublishedSep 28, 2025

Duration11:00

Views10K

Full Tour of the Bluewater 56 | Kevlar Offshore YachtThe Blue Water 56 hull alternates aramid fiber (Kevlar) every other layer through 16–24 total plies.Sep 16, 2025 · Mallorca

PublishedSep 16, 2025

Duration1:21:08

Views167K

LocationMallorca

Captain's Log: Atlantic Crossing (Day 1) (Patron-only)James Evenson departs Bermuda for the Azores aboard Equus, adding a new crew member mid-departure.Sep 3, 2025

PublishedSep 3, 2025

Duration8:25

Views9K

My Pick for the BEST Offshore Boat at $80KThe Valiant 40 and Corbin 39 are robust offshore options for sailors with an $80,000 budget.Jun 27, 2025

PublishedJun 27, 2025

Duration27:09

Views188K

Which Rig Is BEST for Bluewater Sailing?Masthead rigs offer superior offshore reliability and downwind versatility compared to the performance-oriented, tunable fractional rig.Jun 20, 2025

PublishedJun 20, 2025

Duration17:26

Views146K

Good boats. Bad boats. Offshore nightmares.Evaluating used sailboats for offshore capability requires inspecting for structural red flags and verifying the age of critical systems.Jun 14, 2025

PublishedJun 14, 2025

Duration19:02

Views60K

The Problem With Dual Rudders Nobody Talks AboutWide-transom sailboats with dual rudders suffer from dynamic weather helm caused by shifting centers of lateral resistance.Jun 7, 2025

PublishedJun 7, 2025

Duration12:29

Views186K

Sneak Preview "Be The Captain"James Evenson details offshore sailing skills, emergency preparedness, and captaincy in his book, Be The Captain.Jun 3, 2025

PublishedJun 3, 2025

Duration13:45

Views82K

Near-Death At Sea: What I LearnedA catamaran’s structural failure during a Pacific storm highlights the importance of proper sea anchor sizing.May 30, 2025

PublishedMay 30, 2025

Duration17:22

Views150K

My Catamaran Split in Half 100 Miles Offshore. Here’s How We Survived.A catamaran crew used Dyneema and plastic tubing to lash a failing hull together 100 miles offshore.May 23, 2025

PublishedMay 23, 2025

Duration21:59

Views1.4M

The SECRET to DEALS on BOATSUse AI tools to perform comparative analysis and deep research on specific sailboat models like the Valiant 42.May 17, 2025

PublishedMay 17, 2025

Duration17:59

Views76K

The ONE Question That Changes Everything About Buying a BoatMatch your boat choice to your specific cruising archetype, whether you are a voyager, islander, or nailer.May 11, 2025

PublishedMay 11, 2025

Duration13:06

Views78K

Atlantic Crossing Guide: Offshore Weather Routing 102Use PredictWind to analyze swell patterns and avoid the Azorian High when planning an Atlantic crossing.May 7, 2025

PublishedMay 7, 2025

Duration40:28

Views200K

My Book Launch Sold Out in 24 Hours!James Evenson's 500-copy signed sailing book sold out its founding edition in 24 hours.Apr 28, 2025

PublishedApr 28, 2025

Duration3:12

Views11K

Offshore Weather Routing 101: The Skills That Save LivesPredictWind and Windy provide AI-driven weather routing to help sailors plan safer passages and avoid hazardous waves.Apr 27, 2025

PublishedApr 27, 2025

Duration28:36

Views1.4M

The Worst Advice for Offshore Sailors — And What I Wish I KnewPrioritize structural integrity and seamanship over lifestyle features when selecting a boat for offshore passages.Apr 19, 2025

PublishedApr 19, 2025

Duration15:27

Views135K

12 KILLER Deals on Offshore Sailboats (The Boat Market Is CRAZY Right Now!)The list features 12 offshore sailboats including a 1999 Outremer 38-43 catamaran priced at $120,000.Apr 10, 2025

PublishedApr 10, 2025

Duration15:38

Views191K

The WORST Listings I’ve Ever Seen (15 MASSIVE Sailboat Red Flags)Inspect chain plates and deck hardware for leaks to avoid costly structural repairs on older sailboats.Mar 26, 2025

PublishedMar 26, 2025

Duration29:40

Views429K

Best Bluewater Sailboat (& Catamaran!) Under $300KThe Allures 44, Oyster 485, and Catana 43 Ocean offer proven offshore performance for under $300,000.Feb 22, 2025

PublishedFeb 22, 2025

Duration34:28

Views197K

Do You REALLY Need a Captain’s License? (The Truth)U.S. Coast Guard licenses are mandatory for commercial work, while RYA certifications offer international recognition for sailors.Feb 16, 2025

PublishedFeb 16, 2025

Duration14:08

Views166K

The TRUTH About Bluewater Boats (You Might Not Like This…)A keel-stepped mast and skeg-hung rudder are essential structural requirements for safe, long-distance bluewater ocean passages.Feb 5, 2025

PublishedFeb 5, 2025

Duration31:21

Views187K

PERFECT Bluewater Cruising SailboatThe Najad 441 features a cutter rig, cable steering, and a Divinycell-cored hull for offshore reliability.Feb 1, 2025

PublishedFeb 1, 2025

Duration9:48

Views250K

BEST Bluewater Sailboats Under $125KFifteen heavy-displacement bluewater cruisers under $125,000 are evaluated for their offshore durability and ocean-crossing capabilities.Jan 18, 2025

PublishedJan 18, 2025

Duration13:52

Views74K

How to Heave To on a SailboatHeaving to on a Beneteau 47.7 requires balancing the mainsail and jib to maintain a stable heading.Jan 12, 2025

PublishedJan 12, 2025

Duration13:12

Views180K

BEST Bluewater Boats Under $50kTen bluewater sailboats under $50,000 include the Cal 40, Valiant 40, Tayana 37, and Hallberg-Rassy 35.Jan 5, 2025

PublishedJan 5, 2025

Duration13:39

Views321K

WORST Sailboats to Buy in 2025Avoid offshore cruising in models like the Morgan Out Island 41 or the Hunter 37 Legend.Jan 1, 2025

PublishedJan 1, 2025

Duration11:47

Views248K

FULL TOUR: Farr 56 Bluewater SailboatA 2004 Farr 56 pilot house sailboat features extensive hydraulic systems, dual watertight bulkheads, and a workshop conversion.Dec 1, 2024

PublishedDec 1, 2024

Duration27:35

Views148K

MAYDAY!! BOAT AGROUND!! – What to Do When Grounded & How to Kedge OffJames Evenson demonstrates kedging step-by-step using 250 feet of anchor chain on a hauled-out boat.Nov 15, 2024

PublishedNov 15, 2024

Duration19:43

Views288K

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