Before We Sail to Scotland...We Have to Hoist These Sails!

Today marks a huge milestone for W. Grebe — her sails are finally going up for the very first time! With Rick’s help (@WhatsNext-acrc ) we figured out how to hoist her gaff-rigged sails, and while it wasn’t all smooth sailing, this is the moment she truly became a sailboat again. ⛵ Grebe is a classic wooden gaff-rigged sailboat, built on Denman Island, BC. She’s been a project of restoration, repair, and learning for years, and today we crossed an important threshold: seeing her sails rise and feeling the boat come alive. Hoisting a gaff-rigged sail is no small task — the lines, the blocks, the coordination — it all takes practice, teamwork, and patience. This video captures the first step toward our ultimate goal: sailing Grebe across the Atlantic to Scotland. Every milestone, every lesson learned, and every moment on this journey is being shared here so you can follow along. Whether you’re a sailor, a wooden boat enthusiast, or just love following adventure and craftsmanship, there’s something here for you. In this video, you’ll see: The preparation and planning required to hoist a gaff-rigged sail The teamwork between Rick and me as we figure out the rigging The challenges and small victories along the way Grebe’s sails finally rising and the boat coming alive By following this channel, you’ll get a front-row seat to: The ongoing restoration of Grebe Learning and mastering classic sailboat techniques The planning, trials, and excitement of a long sailing journey The moment-by-moment progression as we prepare for the Atlantic crossing to Scotland oo:oo - Eddie Visits! 00:24 - Early Days on Grebe 01:00 - Gaff Rigging Explained 02:07 - Foresails 06:37 - Mainsails 10:45 - Buttoning Up Every step of this project is a lesson in patience, skill, and the joy of classic sailing. Our hope is to inspire other boat enthusiasts, adventurers, and anyone chasing a long-term goal to see the value in persistence, careful planning, and celebrating milestones along the way. If you enjoy following the restoration of classic wooden sailboats, the challenges of sailing gaff-rigged vessels, or simply want to join us on this unique journey to Scotland, hit Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss any updates. ⬇ Stay connected with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnfraserswildlife/ Thanks for following along — every like, comment, and share helps keep this journey going. We’re just getting started, and there’s a lot more adventure ahead. From raising the first sails to preparing for open-water sailing, you won’t want to miss a single step of Grebe’s journey. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6diCN-nm_nUS-BS-hJHTA/join