Sailing Good, Bad, and Ugly · video

What this video covers

The crew of the 30-ft sailboat Good, Bad, and Ugly attempts to navigate and maneuver without an engine, relying on a self-tacking rig and a custom-sewn staysail.1:11 After departing a mooring in Vieques, Puerto Rico, the crew tests the sail configuration in light winds, reaching speeds of 4.3 knots by combining the main, head, and staysail.6:14 A developing squall with lightning forces the crew to abandon the test and sail back to the anchorage.5:03 The self-tacking system allows for repeated short-tacking into the wind to reach the mooring.9:00 Later, the crew attempts shore-based fishing and prepares a meal over a beach bonfire using foil packets.15:41 The staysail improves the boat's ability to point closer to the wind, though it provides limited speed in light air.6:13 The crew concludes that while sailing without an engine is possible, a motor remains essential for safety when navigating around severe weather cells.7:15

More from Sailing Good, Bad, and Ugly

We Needed a Win and This Wasn’t ItAug 2026The End Is Finally NearAug 2026We've Been Avoiding This and We Can't AnymoreAug 2026We Were Not Ready For This Outcome!Aug 2026

From Sailing Good, Bad, and Ugly — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.