Sailing Learning By Doingvideo

Offshore Sailing legend and Rocna inventor Peter Smith.

February 2, 2024 · 29 min · 59K views · Australia

What this video covers

Peter Smith, the New Zealand-born designer and inventor of the Rocna anchor, details his decades of high-latitude sailing and boat construction.0:37 Smith built his own aluminum 47-foot cutter, Kiwaroa, specifically for extreme environments, incorporating features like a closed saloon, custom-built sheaves, and a rainwater collection system capable of filling 1,200 liters in 20 minutes.10:10 He emphasizes structural integrity, using thick plate aluminum with minimal welding to prevent distortion and structural weakness.8:29 His offshore experience includes multiple voyages to Svalbard, the Greenland coast, South Georgia, and three seasons in the Beagle Channel.11:42 Smith transitioned from boat building to anchor design after experiencing repeated failures with CQR, Bruce, and Delta anchors during his own circumnavigations.23:54 He eventually licensed the Rocna design to focus on his personal sailing.26:23 At age 75, Smith completed a solo passage from the Gold Coast back to Whangarei, New Zealand, to secure his vessel.27:55

Watch on YouTube

More from Sailing Learning By Doing

How to CHEAPLY transport a 10m Catamaran. (Ep 318)May 2026New Kids On The Dock and their huge new Cat.(Ep 317)Apr 2026Cyclone Narelle, what actually happened?(Ep 316)Mar 2026Cyclone Narelle, live update from our sailboat. (Ep 315)Mar 2026

From Sailing Learning By Doing — 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.

Report an issue