Sailing Zatara
Sailing Zatara YouTube
Renee and Keith became exhausted with the 9-to-5 in the US so they got their four kids together, sold their home in the Texas suburbs and bought a sailboat. Those were the days when they had no sailing experience.
Their adventure began in 2016, and as of today they’ve sailed well over 50,000nm, visited over 50 countries and have circumnavigated the globe! They still have three kids on board (one left for college in 2020).
Every Thursday(ish)
They film their escapades and upload them every Thursday (mostly) on YouTube. These are fun, family-friendly episodes all edited, and published exclusively by the “Z-Crew”. And they have become pretty good at it!
Their boat is one of Privilege Catamaran’s classics: the Privilege 585, “Zatara”.
Their eldest son came up with the name which means “raft,” or “driftwood” in Spanish.
The crew is Renee and Keith and their family Anna, Jack, Finn and Kate. They look like a solid bunch of people.
Their WORST Ocean Crossing! 🌊
The BIGGEST SEAS we’ve ever seen! (Ep 212)
One of their most popular videos covers their passage along the coast of Somalia. The Z Crew had to deal with rough seas, strong winds, and broken equipment during the trip.
The last 24 hours were particularly challenging. The strong current and following winds pushed the boat along at nine knots, even with bare poles. They were struggling to slow down because of the large waves and getting worried about hitting rocks that were not on the charts. Then a hatch seal broke and water started coming into the boat. The team was able to fix the problem temporarily with a siphon hose and towels.
Finally, the wind died down and Zatara was able to reach the leeward side of Socotra, a tiny Yemeni island at the tip of the Horn of Africa. for shelter.
Socotra Island
10 Notable Sailing Zatara Episodes
Here are 10 Notable Sailing Zatara YouTube videos:
Sailing into Saudi Arabia was NOT what we expected! (Ep 214)
documents the Sailing Zatara crew’s unexpected and delightful experience in Saudi Arabia, specifically in Jeddah, and their subsequent journey towards Egypt.
Atlantic crossing DISASTER! (Ep 270)
This video covers days 10-14 of an Atlantic crossing, where the boat loses half of its starboard rudder, possibly due to an Orca. Despite the damage, they manage to steer the boat. The crew experiences boredom due to slow progress and dwindling fresh supplies. They also deal with issues with new alternators and a vibrating starboard engine, which is eventually traced to a loose bolt. Amidst the challenges, they enjoy fishing, catching a Mahi-Mahi, and spend Christmas at sea.
This is the end. A final Goodbye to our Red Sea Crew (Ep 220)
An emotional roller-coaster captures the departure of the “Red Sea Crew” after a month-long experience. It interweaves personal reflections on what new participants should expect from boat life (e.g., lack of privacy, unpredictable schedules, being challenged on beliefs), a crew member’s dental appointment in Jordan, and birthday celebrations. The video concludes with heartfelt goodbyes as the crew members leave the boat, reflecting on the deep conversations and inspiration gained.
The end of an era. (Ep 292)
Sailing Zatara crew’s challenges and adventures, including dealing with a damaged port-side rudder and devising a temporary fix to reach Grenada. They celebrate Finn’s 18th birthday and discuss successful boat upgrades, specifically the installation of new Epoch lithium-ion smart batteries. The crew also goes fishing and prepares fish tacos. The video concludes with their arrival in Grenada and preparations to haul the boat out for a complete rudder rebuild, marking Finn’s last sail with the crew.
REAL LIFE on a YACHT (with 10 people)! Ep 244
Showcases the adventures of the Sailing Zatara crew with new members. They explore Pythagoreion, learn about its ancient water tunnel, and engage in “bow dragging” behind the boat. The new crew members start producing their own “Med Crew Mondays” episodes. The video also features Finn’s 17th birthday celebration, an exploration of an ancient tunnel, daily boat life including laundry and dance parties, and discussions on anchoring strategies. It also includes an account of Luke’s biking accident and his experience at a Greek hospital.
CROSSING THE ATLANTIC! (Season 8 BEGINS) Ep 268
Sailing Zatara team’s preparations and the initial days of their Atlantic Ocean crossing. It highlights their physical and mental readiness for the 3,000-mile journey, including installing new sails and welcoming a new crew member. The captain discusses his anxiety before big passages and the challenges of rough conditions. The video shows their departure, initial days at sea with large waves, and their progress towards the Caribbean, with discussions about spending Christmas at sea and future boat upgrades.
BOAT UPGRADES! (happy wife, happy life ) Ep 236
The Sailing Zatara crew undertaking significant upgrades and repairs on their boat in Marmaris, Turkey. Key activities include relocating the boat, attempting to fix a wobbly table, renovating upholstery, and repairing a broken electric furler on the head sail. They also refurbish the boat’s wheel, install new toilet seats, and replace their old oven and stove. The video emphasizes Marmaris as an excellent hub for boat repairs and highlights the importance of regular boat upgrades.
We FINALLY made it to Grenada!! (but then we had to leave) Ep 293
Covers the Zatara family’s arrival in Grenada after a five-week journey from Florida, highlighting Grenada as a safe haven during hurricane season. A significant focus is on hauling their catamaran out of the water for maintenance and rudder repairs. The video also shares the personal tragedy of losing a dear friend, JJ Rice, in a free-diving accident. Amidst these events, the family prepares for a new chapter as their son, Finn, begins his van life adventure in Montana.
A HAIRY Ocean Crossing? The Best BAD DECISION We’ve Made! (Ep 151)
The family’s five-day sailing journey across the Great Australian Bight, described as unexpectedly calm despite initial expectations of rough weather. The family cooked meals and attempted to fish. They had to take down sails to slow their speed to avoid arriving at Middle Island at night due to unsurveyed areas. They were accompanied by three other boats. Upon arrival at Middle Island, they explored its unique Pink Lake. The father also shares the disappointing news that his daughter was denied entry into Australia.
How it REALLY FEELS to be at sea for 3 weeks (Ep 269)
The family’s journey from Montana to Florida and their return to their boat in Puerto Rico. Key events include saying goodbye to Jack in Montana, Kate getting her driver’s license in Texas, visiting the Trawler Fest boat show in Fort Lauderdale, and finally returning to their professionally cleaned boat in Puerto Rico. They stock up on supplies at local markets and Costco and Keith installs a new radio system on the boat. The video concludes with reflections on being back on the boat and plans for future adventures.
Features
| YouTube Channel | Sailing Zatara |
|---|---|
| Boat | Privilege 585 |
| Crew | Renee and Keith and their family Anna, Jack, Finn and Kate. |
| Previously on… | Beneteau 55 |
| Destinations | Bahamas, BVIs, Panama Canal, Galapagos, Polynesia, Fiji, Turkey, Greece, New Zealand, Australia, Maldives, Seychelles, Somalia Coast, Yemen, Egypt, Suez Canal, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, and more! |
| Topics | Sailing Adventures, Family Life Aboard, Boat Maintenance and Repairs, Travel Destinations, Sailing Techniques and Tips, Cultural Experiences, Cooking and Provisioning, Sustainable living, energy management, and self-sufficiency, Parenting While Sailing, Community Engagement, Sailing in Rough Seas, Catamarans vs Monohulls, Budgeting- Cost of Sailing around the World, kitesurfing, insane cliff jumps! |
| Since | 2016 |