To inspire my soul, I’ve routinely engaged in watching sailing documentaries which have certainly inspired me to keep going towards my dream.
If you’re excited to sail around the world, or need some inspiration to motivate your significant other, then this is the list you need. Best part? Most of these are FREE to watch on YouTube right now!
Here are the best sailing documentaries of 2022:
1. Chasing Bubbles – The Documentary
There is nothing more moving and beautiful than this sailing documentary about Alex Rust. Just inspiring and a story which truly draws you in right until the end.
I won’t make any spoilers but I assure you, with more than 2.2-million views on YouTube, there is a strong reason why this documentary has captivated people’s hearts.
2. Beta Centauri
If you’re hell-belt on a circumnavigation on a boat like myself, then don’t go past Beta Centauri. It’s an incredible and one-of-a-kind adventure. It’s a little on the old side (circa 2014, and yes, that’s old by YouTube standards) but well-worth the watch!
A documentary created by Daniel Poulson, about circumnavigating the world. He and his little daughter Explorer 39 countries. They go through Savage cannibal territories. Dino meats and interviews the president of Fiji. Sailing across the Pacific Ocean with no engine. Trials and tribulations only a sailor could understand. To the purest silica beaches of the whitsunday islands. Their scientific research with the “toad cam” may prove invaluable. “Humorous” witty “intelligent” the sailing Adventure you can’t miss. Dino almost being thrown into jail in South Africa on trumped-up charges. Exploring Napoleon’s grave. Incredible two thousand mile passages,Blue Water sailing at its best!. “One of the only films of its kind” Beta Centauri the Voyager of Hadar. For the first time ever beta Centauri is being given away. A world circumnavigation documentary narrated by Patrick James written by Jay Fisher and Daniel Poulson. a documentary taking you around the world via sailboat Sail the world. A world circumnavigation documentary. In the history of humanity there’s been five World circumnavigation documentaries ever made. This is beta Centauri the Voyager of Hadar the number one film of its kind. Award-winning documentary about circumnavigating the world and raising hell as I go.lol⛵🌎. Enjoy Dino Poulson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIwiV1mJ30Y
3. Maiden
If you enjoy racing and especially around the world sailboat racing, then you’ll love this documentary. I’m a huge fan of racing especially as us Australians took the America’s Cup many years ago! Maiden is a documentary well-worth watching too.
(Unlike everything else on this page, this is merely the trailer and you’ll need to pay for the documentary)
The story of Tracy Edwards, the woman who became a skipper on the first ever all=female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxhEInUzqlE
4. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston: Sailing Legend
There is nothing better than yachtsmen that have sailed the world’s oceans numerous times over. Remarkably, this man has done exactly that at a time when technology was very primitive.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston: Sailing Legend looks into the man who became the first person to sail solo and non-stop around the world.
In his own words, Sir Robin explains the story behind his epic achievement over 50 years ago. Hear from Ben Ainslie Alex Thomson Racing, Sir Chris Bonington and Dee Caffari on how Sir Robin continues to inspire others to push themselves to their limits and be adventurous.
Find out what it was like to be in isolation with no communications to training ordinary people to become ocean racers.
From battling through monster waves, to being ‘lost at sea’ after losing his radio, and fighting off a shark, Sir Robin relieves the journey and shares never before seen photographs and diary entries. The documentary looks back on his remarkable life, career, legacy and his astonishing influence on the sport.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdIIYr1GdIs&t=2s
5. Relentless
I’ve saved the very best until last! If you’re a fan of the Vendée Globe like myself, then you’ll love this documentary as his passion is infectious!
You’ll love the captivating story of Alex Thomson Racing’s journey to win the previous 2016/2017 Vendée Globe. Alex also attempted in 2020 but unfortunately he had to retire early due to a broken yacht.
In Summary
There we have it! On those cold winter days when it rains non-stop, tuning into one of these documentaries is an excellent way to stay hungry for the dream.