Sampson Boat Co · video

What this video covers

Leo Goolden plans to sail the wooden boat Tally Ho from the Pacific Northwest to the United Kingdom to compete in the 2027 Fastnet race.0:04 After testing the rudder and a budget Simrad autopilot, Goolden confirmed that reducing friction in the rudder assembly significantly improved the boat's tracking.1:55 He evaluated four potential routes for the transit: the Northwest Passage, the Panama Canal, Cape Horn, and a westward circumnavigation.5:44 Goolden ruled out Cape Horn and the westward route due to time constraints, noting they would preclude meaningful exploration.6:20 He also rejected the Northwest Passage, citing the risks of navigating a wooden boat through ice, the requirement for hull sheathing, and the desire to avoid the stress of an accelerated refit schedule.10:37 The chosen route involves sailing south along the Pacific coast, transiting the Panama Canal, and crossing the Caribbean toward the Atlantic.12:50 This path allows for seasonal weather planning, potential stopovers in Antigua, and additional time for boat maintenance.13:42

More from Sampson Boat Co

Tally Ho sails into England after 59 years overseas!Aug 2026A very brief update from the Fal estuaryAug 2026Piracy and Peril - stories from the boatyards of West CorkAug 2026Tally Ho completes her Atlantic Crossing at the Fastnet Rock!Aug 2026

From Sampson Boat Co — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed 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.