Sam Holmes Sailing · video

What this video covers

Sam Holmes sails his catamaran from Koh Phangan to Yacht Haven, Thailand, a 25-nautical-mile transit.Watch During the passage, he utilizes the autopilot’s "no drift" feature to maintain heading in variable winds and current.1:59 He performs maintenance tasks, including installing solar-powered navigation lights on the daggerboards to improve visibility for local fishing vessels and organizing the boat’s chemical storage.11:48

Holmes also tours a 53-foot custom aluminum catamaran owned by William and Yana of *Dawn Hunters*.16:32 This vessel features narrow hulls, sacrificial mini keels for beaching, and a redundant steering system using Dyneema cables and chain sprockets.17:50 The aluminum boat includes specialized design elements for long-range fishing, such as dual fish-cleaning stations, 420-liter fuel and water tanks per side, and a cockpit-centered control layout.20:09 The owners discuss the trade-offs between production boats and custom builds, noting that their current production catamaran lacks the ruggedness they prefer for long-term, storm-prone cruising compared to their previous steel monohull.29:30

More from Sam Holmes Sailing

We hit a log sailing by strange Indonesian sea platformsAug 2026Replacing a window while sailing through pirate waters and wildlife of BorneoAug 2026Sandakan and Wildlife of BorneoAug 2026Kota Kinabalu Bound: Sailing, Survivor Island, Squalls, and Bugs, 3d printingJul 2026

From Sam Holmes Sailing — 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.