Top YouTube Channels for DIY Sailboat Projects
- Editor
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Refit. Rewire. Rebuild. Get inspired by real sailors doing real work.
If you’re a cruiser or liveaboard planning a refit — or just love learning how things work on a boat — YouTube is packed with creators documenting their sailboat DIY projects in stunning detail. From fiberglassing to full interior rebuilds, these sailors are building their dreams, one bolt at a time. Here's our curated list of the top YouTube channels for hands-on sailors who want to learn, laugh, and get their hands dirty.
1. Sail Life
If there’s a single DIY channel most cruisers know and trust, it’s Sail Life. Hosted by Mads Dahlke in Denmark, Sail Life began with the restoration of Athena, a 1987 Warrior 38. That detailed refit is still ongoing, but the channel has recently expanded to include a second major project: the rebuild of a hurricane-damaged catamaran. Mads continues to share in-depth videos covering carpentry, wiring, rigging, plumbing, and epoxy work — always with clear explanations and a dry sense of humor. With over 400 uploads, Sail Life offers one of the most comprehensive boat renovation archives online — now with double the hulls.
2. Sailing Magic Carpet
Maya and Aladino bring a cinematic touch to DIY boat work in Sailing Magic Carpet. They started with the refit of a 28-foot Albin Vega, then moved on to a Cape George 36 that needed a full rebuild. Their videos are visually stunning, but more importantly, they show the why and how behind every repair — from hull insulation to anchor upgrades. Their three-part dinghy build is one of the best boatbuilding series on YouTube. Unlike many channels, they balance storytelling with hands-on instruction, making this a great watch for anyone who wants to learn by both watching and feeling inspired.
3. Odd Life Crafting
Duca and Roberta, a Brazilian couple, first made waves on YouTube by restoring a heavily neglected Dinieper Tropic 1200 steel sailboat they named Odd. Through welding, insulation, hatch installs, and endless grinding, they turned it into a capable liveaboard — all documented in raw, honest long-form episodes. But that chapter has closed: they’ve since sold Odd and are now building a custom aluminum deckhouse boat from scratch. The new project is just as hands-on, covering metalwork, interior layout, and self-sufficient systems. Their channel remains a goldmine for steel and aluminum boat lovers, offering real-world lessons, grit, and growth in every video.
4. Parlay Revival
Parlay Revival began when Colin MacRae, a former superyacht chief engineer, bought a Lagoon 450F that had been heavily damaged in a hurricane. What followed is one of the most complete Lagoon rebuilds ever documented online. The channel showcases real troubleshooting — delamination repairs, bulkhead strengthening, and systems overhauls — with plenty of hard-earned lessons along the way. Colin and his crew travel while fixing, showing how repairs can (and often must) be done underway. While catamaran-focused, many of the projects on Parlay Revival apply to monohulls too. It’s one of the most transparent, down-to-earth refit journeys you’ll find.
5. Alluring Arctic Sailing
If you’re into rugged upgrades and sailing in extreme places, this is your channel. Finnish sailor Juho and marine scientist Sohvi sail the Arctic aboard a fiberglass sloop they refit for high-latitude conditions. Alluring Arctic Sailing covers survival upgrades, solar array installs, heating systems, safety drills, and cockpit mods — all while navigating ice, polar bears, and remote fjords. Their Northwest Passage voyage is both inspiring and instructional, especially if you're planning high-latitude or off-grid cruising. They also touch on DIY science gear and marine conservation, making their videos both technical and thoughtful.
6. RAN Sailing
Malin and Johan, along with their daughter Vera, have been living aboard and sailing full-time since 2016. After circumnavigating, they began building their own 50-foot aluminum sailboat from scratch — and are documenting every detail of the build. Their channel, RAN Sailing, is a masterclass in boatbuilding from a sailor’s perspective. You’ll see everything from bulkhead tabbing to tank building, insulation choices, and deck layouts. Their Scandinavian style and methodical approach make the process easy to follow. Whether you’re curious about building a boat or just enjoy watching clean, smart craftsmanship, RAN Sailing delivers.
7. Sea4See
Sea4See is a lesser-known gem of a channel, but one packed with in-depth projects for owners of mid-size cruising yachts. The host is restoring a Hallberg-Rassy 312, and covers things like deck core repair, windlass installation, rudder rebuilds, electrical wiring, and teak deck replacement. The projects are highly detailed, slow-paced, and clearly explained — which makes it great for DIYers who want to follow along and actually do the work themselves. Sea4See focuses on doing it once, doing it right, and doing it affordably. It’s especially useful if you own a classic fiberglass monohull and are doing upgrades solo.
8. SV Delos (Bonus Mention)
While SV Delos is best known for epic cruising adventures and their massive global following, the crew has always been hands-on — tackling dive compressor installs, electronics upgrades, watermaker overhauls, and solar setups while anchored in some of the world’s most remote places. But now, they’ve taken DIY to a whole new level: the team is building a custom aluminum exploration catamaran from scratch. The new build blends Delos' signature spirit with rugged, off-grid design. It’s not a pure DIY channel, but it’s a masterclass in adaptability, self-sufficiency, and learning as you go — with honesty, humor, and a whole lot of skill.
⛵ Why These Channels Matter
Whether you’re restoring a boat in your driveway, rebuilding while cruising, or dreaming from the dock, these YouTube channels are full of real lessons from real sailors. You’ll learn how to lay fiberglass, rewire, plumb, reinforce, sand, sew, and build with confidence. Better yet, you’ll see that you're not alone — there’s a global community out there learning, failing, fixing, and laughing through it all.
📩 Love this guide?
Subscribe to our mailing list at home page for monthly DIY tips, sailing gear reviews, and liveaboard inspiration — straight to your inbox.
