NIGEL CALDER's Shakedown Cruise: LESSONS LEARNED the Hard Way | Nigel's personal cruising stories

Boat-tech guru Nigel Calder's lessons learned during a lifetime of sailing adventures, presented by BoatHowTo.com
Topics include:
- lessons for building a cruising boat
- issues with digital charts
- cruising tips
- refrigeration systems
- what to look for when choosing crew
- anchoring
- raising kids aboard & home schooling
- the worst night at sea and how he almost sold his boat for a farm in Montana
- how he almost lost his boat on a sandbank in Portugal
Books mentioned in this video:
- How to Read a Nautical Chart: amzn.to/3pTSZSW
- Shakedown Cruise: amzn.to/3pVyqFG
and of course the famous Boatowner's Manual: amzn.to/35pCiFr
This talk was originally recorded for Cruising Club of America in 2021.

[@abdulkkhan5095]

One world's most knowledgeable sailors

[@ronriley1533]

Nigel Calder's honesty about things that have gone wrong is why I trust the dude. Buy the man's books!

[@anastasiosvanderpas7463]

We newer boaters are lucky to have TH-cam in our days (the last 10 years for me) so we get to know more than the first hand experiencers like you Nigel. But what really counts is go out there and do it. Preparations and studying can help to some certain extent but the rest is just real experience. Great boating stories 👏👏👏👏

[@craigbuchner4230]

One of the most entertaining and informative TH-cam videos I’ve ever watched. It’s also so reassuring to know that even the pros have learned by experience.

[@oliviaritter8689]

I love hearing your stories Nigel. I appreciate you sharing your lessons with us, so we don't also have to make the same mistakes. I'm so glad you are putting more content up on your TH-cam channel. I can't wait to hear more of your stories and to learn more from your experiences.

[@Toob41]

Fascinating and entertaining and educational Nigel, thanks. Your boat has been near mine in the Scottish winter layups. I often have an issue or a decision to make and I look across wondering what your advice would be and wishing you to appear at the boat. Eventually I look up one of your well thumbed bibles I have in the ship’s library and invariably get the answer. Fair winds.

[@brownnoise357]

Hi Nigel. Stugeron Anti Seasick Tablets are so good, there's a packet of them I'm each of the three First Aid Kits I have on the boat - 2 minor ones for Cockpit and forward heads, and the Main First Aid Kit very close to the Galley. BUT Do Not Take the recommended 2 Tablet Dose, as the result is fast Asleep for about 12 hours, which can be ok if the patient is really Suffering, as in bottle green and isn't needed for duty soon. zinstead, what I have found works really well, is to take a HSLF a Tablet about 30 minutes before going aboard, then tak another half tablet with breakfast for up to 5 days, and Sea Legs are acquired, depending on the Weather and Sea Conditions. Hopefully that is a help for anyone new to using Stugeron- I've used them since the 1980's after being horribly Seasick and no use to anyone, when stuck in a Force 10.5 plus and huge Seas in the Bay of Biscay, for over three days- the only time I have ever been Seasick. Bob in Wales. 🤔🌟🌟🌟👍

[@harbourdogNL]

18:30 I live in Newfoundland. Cook charted much of the coast here (brilliantly, of course) and much of his data is still the on our modern charts.

[@rimasmeleshyus9486]

Thank you, and this is an amazing story

[@christopherjacques9658]

Spectacular life experiences, created into an amazing story and always a wealth of knowledge gained from it all!

[@BoatHowTo]

Thanks a lot, Christopher!

[@jackgiunta9112]

Love the Humility You have a Good Higher Power!!!

[@BoatDawg]

Loved it. Thanks for sharing!

[@waterboy8999]

Fascinating stuff Nigel, thanks for sharing your stories.

[@JulianBuss]

Great stories and experiences, very interesting. Thanks!

[@BoatHowTo]

Thanks! :-)

[@tanksouth]

I hate monologues.
I find them so boring.
But this fellow is quite entertaining and lovely.
Thank you.

[@armchairsportsman4108]

thanks!!!

[@OceanPlanet60]

Classic story, great stuff!

[@OceanPlanet60]

Actually, MANY great stories...:-)

[@BoatHowTo]

@@OceanPlanet60 Well, it's not that you don't have any great sailing stories to tell...

[@joesmith1142]

Jeesh! couldnt you have just dismantled the bridge like Jeff Bezos? Talk about doing it the hard way!