Sailing Yabá · video

What this video covers

Ben and MP, owners of a self-built wooden schooner named Yabá, reflect on their first full year of living aboard while cruising the Brazilian coast from Florianópolis to Paraty. The couple describes the year as a long-term sea trial, noting that the vessel’s structural integrity exceeded their expectations during heavy weather, despite the crew’s initial discomfort in rough seas.6:49 They plan to transition from coastal cruising to more ambitious offshore passages in 2026, with specific goals to reach the Abrolhos archipelago for whale season and participate in the Refeno regatta from Recife to Fernando de Noronha.8:54 Planned technical upgrades for the upcoming season include replacing the current sail rigging with a gaff rig, installing an autopilot for night passages, and potentially adding a watermaker to support longer, more remote voyages.11:05 The crew currently relies on natural spring water sources found along the coast and manual steering for all night watches.12:02

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