This time on Distant Shores we do a deep dive into the 48V wiring system - check out the installation … and see why we think it's worth moving up from a traditional 12 Volt system.

This time on Distant Shores we answer your questions about our new custom aluminum Enksail Orion 49 sailboat while visiting the shipyard in the Netherlands. Questions such as "When is the expected launch date?" to "Is there insulation?" to "Why is the cabinetry being built out of the hull?" are addressed and more...

While the build of our new Enksail Orion 49 sailboat progresses in the Netherlands, we make a 12-day voyage through the Greek Islands aboard a Jeanneau 54 monohull, enjoying some fast sailing in strong meltemi winds! Aboard are 6 guest crew members new to the techniques of Mediterranean mooring, going stern to the shore and rafting up with another sailboat. We go through all three of these techniques en route, sometimes in challenging conditions. The video includes helpful animations and illustrations as well as visits to remote islands and ancient Greek ruins.

Join us as we make the trip to the 2023 Annapolis Sailboat Show where we learn more about hybrid electric power for sailboats, check out interesting marine equipment, talk to a charter expert about the requirements for bareboat chartering and meet up with some of your favourite sailing YouTubers. We then take you to the Netherlands for an update on the build of our custom aluminum Enksail Orion 49 sailboat.

As the build of our new custom aluminum Enksail Orion 49 progresses, it’s time to choose the sails! We visit the local sail loft to sit down with the designer and go over our choices. We also discuss high tech fabrics and the dynamics of in-mast furling and reef points. We conclude our visit with a tour of this modern sail loft where sail cloth is held on large tables by vacuum and cut by computer. We see how a new sail is stitched by a master sailmaker.

This time on Distant Shores we give you a full tour of the interior of our custom aluminum Enksail Orion 49 sailboat as she is being assembled in the shop using an interesting build method outside the hull. We also make a visit to the Lewmar factory in England as we research equipment for our new boat, Distant Shores IV.

While work continues on our new aluminum Enksail Orion 49 sailboat in the Netherlands, Paul travels to the UK to sail in the Solent and to document what’s involved in the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore course. Although we have now sailed 120,000 nm during 33 years of international cruising, Paul goes through the training in foul weather conditions, demonstrating helpful techniques for docking under sail and other maneuvers, including the use of drogues. He accepts the challenge to take the Yachtmaster exam. Does he pass?

This time on Distant Shores, we take you to the Netherlands, to Enksail Yachts, to show you the interesting method being used to construct the interior of our new Orion 49 sailboat. We need to come to a decision on the wood finish for our cabinetry - we're divided on whether it should be cherry or mahogany! A tour of a wood veneer manufacturing facility helps us make a decision and we learn how veneered plywood for yachts is constructed. What wood do we choose and why? Stay tuned to find out…

We've been getting lots of questions about corrosion on aluminum boats and how quality yachts deal with this issue. Today we look at some of the methods used to address this on our new aluminium Enksail Orion 49 sailboat. We also talk a surveyor who comes to see the new boat while in build to certify she meets CE specifications.

We fly to the Netherlands to see the progress on our new Enksail Orion 49 sailboat, Distant Shores IV. She is nearly finished hull construction. We get a tour of all the progress and an overview of the remaining jobs. Next stop is Germany where we check out the world's largest indoor boat show, Boot Düssseldorf.

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Paul makes a trip to the Netherlands to see the progress on the build of Distant Shores IV, our new custom aluminum Enksail Orion 49 cruising sailboat. While he is there, Paul attends METStrade, the annual Marine Equipment Trade Show in Amsterdam, to speak to suppliers and learn more about the options we are considering for the boat.

At the show, he meets up with a group of other sailing YouTubers, who are either experienced Arctic sailors or metal boat owners or both. Later, this fun-loving group drive up to the Gebroeders van Enkhuizen Shipyard in Makkum to give their thoughts on whether Distant Shores IV will be a good Arctic cruising boat or not, based on their experiences. Lots of good info here!