Inside Our Wooden Sailboat | Exploring the Pilot House & Controls

Step inside our old wooden sailboat, W. Grebe. In this video, I take you through the pilot house — the heart of this old sailing vessel — and show the electronic controls, navigation systems, and the unique variable pitch propeller setup that makes Grebe handle so differently under power. This is a quiet look at life aboard a classic wooden boat. You’ll see where I helm the boat, how the engine controls work, and what it’s like to live and work on a small yacht built for real, practical seamanship. The pilot house is more than just a wheel and throttle — it’s the command centre for everything that happens on board. We're starting to think about the logistics of sailing W. Grebe to Scotland! In this episode: 00:00 – Preview 00:21 - Rainy Weekend 02:00 - Ancient Radar 05:13 - Join The Community 05:55 - Echo Sounder 06:51 - Radio 07:40 - Traditional Navigation 08:57 - The NW Passage 09:40 - Getting To Scotland 11:00 - How I Pilot Grebe 11:53 - Variable Pitch Prop The Grebe isn’t a modern yacht — she’s a working piece of local maritime history. The variable pitch propeller is an interesting system that lets the skipper adjust blade pitch instead of engine RPM to control thrust. It’s smooth, efficient, but difficult to master at marina-speed. For those who’ve followed my channel, you’ll know I live aboard full-time. Every video I share is filmed and edited here on this boat — powered by the same systems you’ll see in this video. It’s a slower, more deliberate way of living: learning the old skills, understanding the sea, and keeping a vessel like this alive through care and curiosity. If you’re new here, welcome aboard. I make films about: Sailing to Scotland Wooden sailboat restoration Life aboard a sailboat Traditional seamanship and navigation Quiet moments at sea The art of living simply and deliberately Every week I share a glimpse into this life — sometimes a repair, sometimes a meal, sometimes a quiet passage across calm water. If you enjoy this kind of storytelling, subscribe and help keep this channel afloat. ⚓ About Grebe Grebe is a 1970s-era wooden gaff-rigged sailing yacht — heavy, seaworthy, and built for coastal cruising and exploration. Her variable pitch propeller system, diesel engine, and wheelhouse layout reflect a different era of craftsmanship — one where boats were designed to be understood and maintained by their captains. 🧭 Support the Channel If you want to help keep these projects going, here are a few ways to do that: 👉 Subscribe and share this video with someone who loves wooden boats. 👉 Comment below — I read every one. 👉 Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6diCN-nm_nUS-BS-hJHTA/join