
Found a sailing boat I love - but it's in the Middle East, I think I can get it ?!
AI Summary
The speaker is looking to buy a new boat, specifically a high-performance trimaran called a Dragonfly, made in Denmark. They are considering the Dragonfly 40, which is described as brutal and hardcore sailing, but well-built and capable of speeds up to 30 knots. They also discuss the Dragonfly 36, which comes in two versions: a Touring model for cruising comfort with a smaller rig, and a Performance model with a taller mast and larger sail plan for higher speeds and a racing style. The speaker is interested in the performance model for its speed, aiming to cross the Atlantic in seven days with the right weather window, as opposed to 20 days.
The speaker, Danny Hayes, recounts his past experience of buying his first boat, a Lagoon 42, a year ago after leaving his real estate business. He crashed it within three months and it was on hard stand for five months. Initially planning to sail alone, he now has a partner, Eva. They left Australia three months ago and reached the Solomon Islands, but he found the Lagoon 42 not fast enough. He returned to Australia to sell it and buy a faster yacht.
The search for a Dragonfly 40 or a new Dragonfly 36 is underway, as these boats are hard to find. They located one in Canada and one in Dubai. The speaker plans to fly to Dubai on a private jet, though Eva clarifies they don't have one yet.
The next day is the sea trial for his current boat, which he is preparing to sell. He is meticulously cleaning and decluttering it to make it look immaculate for potential buyers. He had it professionally detailed for 3,000 bucks, including dry cleaning the cushions, and bought new ones. He emphasizes the importance of a clean, decluttered boat for sale, noting that buyers want to see the boat, not the seller's personal belongings. He also highlights the importance of a detailed maintenance log to show potential buyers, listing services, repairs, and costs, such as a port sail drive repair for 65,000 bucks. He explains that providing this information removes reasons for buyers not to purchase the boat. He also mentions a disagreement with a broker about the boat's condition, with the broker rating it an 8 out of 10 and him a 5 out of 10, stating he won't buy another boat project.
After preparing the boat, the sea trial takes place. Eva confirms it went very well, despite the surveyor being "very strict for no reason." They tested the motors extensively, and the highlight was sailing at six and a half knots in 10 knots of breeze in Moreton Bay. The owners were happy, contracts were signed, and the boat, "Living the Dream," is 100% sold with full deposit paid.
Now homeless, they continue their search for a new boat, specifically returning to the Dragonfly. They explain why they believe the Dragonfly, a trimaran, is the right choice. It's smaller than a catamaran, requiring a sacrifice of space for speed, which they are willing to make. Dragonflies are built in Denmark with a high reputation for quality, strength, and safety, even claiming to be unsinkable. A key feature is its swing arm system, which allows the boat to fold from a wide 8.1 meters to 3.7 meters, enabling it to fit into a single berth at a marina. The boat incorporates a lot of carbon fiber, including the keel and rudders, which pop up if they hit the bottom to prevent damage. The new 36 model is lighter at about 4.5 tons and uses composite material for the swing arms.
The speaker emphasizes that faster travel means less time at sea, reducing exposure to elements, potential damage, and fatigue. An eight-day passage on a large catamaran at six knots could become a three-and-a-half-day passage on a Dragonfly trimaran at 12 or 13 knots. They describe the sailing experience on a Dragonfly as "the most rewarding sailing I've had on a cruising boat ever," consistently achieving speeds of 14-15 knots in mid-teen apparent winds, with easy handling.
They are drawn to the Dragonfly because it's different, and they haven't seen anyone live or vlog full-time on one, wondering if there's a reason. They also anticipate half the maintenance of a catamaran due to having only one engine and fewer systems, requiring fewer spares. The specific Dragonfly 36 Performance model they are considering is fully loaded with a water maker, air conditioner, lithium batteries, and a full sail wardrobe. The performance model's mast is 2 meters higher than the touring model, providing a greater sail area, and contains significant carbon fiber. It also features a Dynawatt, which acts as a generator, pumping 5 kVa into the battery bank when the motor runs. The boat claims to achieve 24 knots on flat water.
They had planned to fly to Dubai to view the boat, but a war broke out, causing uncertainty about travel to the region. They discuss options like driving from Muscat to Dubai or through the border with an armed guard. The speaker acknowledges this is a "first-world problem" but notes their homelessness in five weeks and the escalating conflict. They initially hoped Dubai airport, being the world's largest, wouldn't be shut for long, but now face uncertainty about whether to cancel the boat purchase or look for a more local option, perhaps a larger, faster catamaran.
The situation becomes more complicated as they realize it's unrealistic to get to the UAE anytime soon or sail a boat out through the strait due to the war. They consider looking for a performance catamaran instead of a trimaran. The latest plan is to transport the Dragonfly, currently stuck in Dubai, by truck to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, which is outside the conflict area and on the Red Sea, from where they could sail it. This journey would be nearly 2,000 km, taking two days by truck through Riyadh. They acknowledge the complexity and the 50/50 chance of even flying into Saudi Arabia. The speaker expresses a slow realization that the Dragonfly plan might not happen, but Eva remains optimistic about the truck transport to Jeddah.