In 1962, aged 18 I had a short but exciting sail with James Wharram. I was an experienced and competitive dinghy sailor attending a national championship. Races were cancelled for the day on account of a 30+ knot wind. I was checking at the race centre for any update when this guy wandered in and asked if there was an experienced sailor to help him get his little cat from the beach at Llandudno round to Deganwy. I’d never sailed a cat before so I volunteered. So I introduced myself and with the assistance of about half a dozen people we manhandled this little 18 - 20 ft cat down the beach and set off. We made slow progress trying to round Great Orme (a huge headland) with the promise of being able to slightly ease sheets once we were round for a fetch down to Deganwy. However, once we reached open water we found a lot more wind and James decided that we should head back. At this stage I was totally unimpressed by my first catamaran experience: our progress had been painfully slow, upwind, and she lacked the “feel” of the dinghies I was used to. But the second we headed back that little cat took off like a scalded cat and steered like she was on rails. We got back to the beach where a dozen people helped us pull her up right above the high water mark, we shook hands and I never saw him again. It was only several years later that I learned of Wharram cats, read his book and realised that JW and the James I sailed with were one and the same. Later, I moved to NZ and when I moved North from Wellington was able to buy a beautiful Pahi 31. Park her on a Beach and when the water at the bow was almost up to your knees you could single-handedly shove her off again, yet I was totally confident that under bare poles she would ride out pretty much anything. Nowadays, I’m reminded of my brief encounter with James, whenever I see one of his (or Hanneka’s) designs. ETA. You are a remarkable young woman. Please continue making videos. I will be looking out for them. Arohanui.

This video was such a find. James Wharram stayed at our house in Deganwy whilst he built this boat. I was a child then but remember frequent visits to Deganwy docks and watching her being built. Until now those times were just distant memories, this video brought it all back to life xx

This is medicine in a sick and hurt world! Everything is more more more and I see many people are urging you to produce more content. I have no doubt whatsoever that you would become a massive KZfaq sensation. I don't know what your path is moving forward - if you choose to share again, I will most certainly watch with great interest and admiration. Best regards and fair winds!

I have come to dislike the norm of sailing videos these days - This Is Fantastic - please when u have over 100k subscribers stay genuine to this format - Sailing for sailors! much love Cheers!!!

Two of the most captivating sailing videos I have seen.

You are awesome. You have done 2 videos and already get more views than me.... Top stuff. Plukky

Two great films. Don't change a thing with your style in life or film production. You are the real deal and in the finest traditions of women on Wharram cats. I am a solo sailor and you're absolutely right about not being able to put into words what it's like to arrive from a voyage when you feel so totally at one with the boat and sea and wind. It makes you emotional and it is so lovely to see that because its a real thing. Full respect.

Refreshing, genuine, out of the ordinary stuff and basically Incredible journey. Thanks for sharing thanks for the choice of music for not overloading your video with the usual grandiose discourse of many KZfaqrs sailers , which makes you even more special . Keep it up. Fair winds

Your story is one of the most beautiful things I have ever watched. What a dream!!!

Superb video. "Yes you can" is written all over it. Watching this gives the urge to build a boat and sail away.

I am no sailor but I love your adventures. However, I am pleased you had your boat restored because I was slightly worried about its condition! You're brilliant, sail on!

I saw a Brazilian guy interviewing you in ilha bela, after knowing your history, you start in my mind a midlife crisis , I'm forty years old , my life is just go work and home. I must do something like you did , and enjoy life. Congratulations 👏

I met James Wharram and Anneke Boon at the 1st World Multihulls symposium in Toronto in 1974. We discussed sail rigs over breakfast as he was designing using gaffs. Also met Jim Brown, Derek Kelsall, Dick Newick, Lock Crowther, Rod MacAlpine-Downie, Jan and Meade Gougeon, and others. In an introduction Kellsall described Wharram as a "world-girdling girl wordler'.

Really enjoyed watching. Very unpretentious, solid editing and must say some damn good choice of music to accompany the whole film.. brilliant! Fair winds

You clearly have so many talents ! Apart from the talent of admiring your surroundings, you gave me gooes bumps watching your videos.You have such a romantic approach to describe your adventure. Being a french sailor, you remind me of Moitessier , prettier though... Fair winds and following seas ! en

"I, uh... basically have no idea what I'm doing..." I flippin love this! You know SO much more now simply because you showed up open and willing to learn.

I'm from St. Augustine and saw you and your boat at St Aug Marine... I actually stopped in to see if you needed some sails (and...etc.) I had in my loft,... but never managed to catch you. Full credit for your courage and your will to forge on. I to am on a boat, now in Southern Australia - soon to be solo... You're an inspiration,... onward!

Oh man I need more of this. Great content. Looking forward to see what you've got next!

I love both of your videos. You need to do more. A lot more. My sailing years are over and I have swallowed the anchor but my heart is still out there sailing.

Ruth was so kind and patient with my queries when I built my Tiki. James & Hanneke gave the world wonderful ideas & plans. We are grateful and Wharram designs are in every port.

Keep posting , your adventures are wonderful . While watching your first clip I thought OMG , but half way through it fell in love with your boat and all of it's potential. Your an amazing individual and I definitely want more !

I’m so happy I found this channel I hope there will be more to come. I couldn’t stop watching.

I’m absolutely shocked and in love with this channel. Intense life overflows from these videos that floods my soul. I cannot express how deeply touched I am. Thank you

Publique mais vídeos com legendas em português. Tem muitos brasileiros acompanhando sua jornada

Just found your channel today. Hope you post more videos. Craaaazy to see what your doing in your boat. Really inspiring! I actually used to live on my sailboat just across the water from the boatyard you are/were working in. Good luck with the refit... lots of lovely knowledgable locals around if you need helping hands. :)

Boa tarde Kiana ! Assisti cedo sua entrevista com o Adrano do canal Hashtag SAL e me apaixonei pela sua historia,vc fez tudo aquilo que eu gostaria de ter feito !Que mulher corajosa vc é ! Estou no segundo vídeo ou melhor na compilação de vídeos de 10 meses atrás ,a construção e navegação do Tehini ! Estou inscrito a dando like! lBeijos e abraços fraternos ! Bons ventos"

Please, please, keep posting and updating your progress. Enjoyed watching your videos more than most I've ever seen. Thank you so very much ❣️

Blown away by this. The boat, the history, you, the sailing and the footage. Savage!!

Thank you! This was so good to watch, even better to have done. I wish I hadn't developed terrible seasickness over the years, plus a massive fear of deep water and heavy seas. I've only done it a couple of times, but I loved sitting out there on that black ocean watching the clouds, the heading, the windspeed, the spume on the swell, the occasional albatross, and feeling the excitement of heading out of port and reaching a new one.

That was a very enjoyable journey - thank you for posting this beautiful vibe out to the world !

Thanks for sharing. It was neat seeing a recap of all of your adventures. I look forward to seeing the boat after all of the work you did.

I can't seem to get enough of your content! Truly amazing soul you are, I can only hope one day our paths cross and I can be as brave of a sailor as you! Fair winds to you sweet soul.

you are one of the very best sailing bloggers on the net. i can only dream of taking my boat on voyagers such as yours.

I am rebuilding a narai mk4 in Australia, you are an inspiration. Thank you

Please keep posting things!! I am subscribing and will patiently wait as long as necessary. I absolutely love your adventure and the video. No need for fancy filming and editing when the content is so real and amazing!

Wow, love it. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for these fine and capable vessels. I have done a lot of cruising mainly on heavy 35-48 foot monos. This is completely different and quite valid. Good for you. Quite an accomplishment

What an amazing and inspiring journey you have had, fantastic! DB

your message at the end hit me in my heart. you are a true sailor! I have French and Portuguese blood in my veins and the sailing hitch is turning into learning sailing this year. I too want to sail solo and my goals are more towards the Pacific ( the Atlantic will be good learning grounds). fair winds and thank you for giving me and others even more motivation to get out there and DO IT.

Beyond Awesome! Keep making content! So many dreams light up! Wonderful images, thoughtfully put together, and an amazing Captain and Navigator pulling of what many will only dream of!!

Such a treat to see early James Wharram footage. Looking forward to more of your experiences.

From the videos you have released, I think I see the soul of a classic adventurer. A person who knows what you want to do and who is gonna do it your way ...always. I hope you have the adventurers you want and I hope you tell the tale (in print, or video. doesn't matter). Should be a tale worth reading.

Excellent story telling, great music, and passion for directing your own life.

Go on girl! I know multihull restoration too. Keep it up but get your rest also as sometimes its then those brilliant boat mod ideas come to mind. That one image of you hustling up your wooden mast with a knife careening around like a necklace is such sailors gold. Can't wait to see more videos! PS - great attitide and courage

Amazing to see a creator of something new, in a way, that shows how thinking out of the box actually puts you in a better space to live and grow. Thanks for the wonderful and genuine sense from your videos.

When I saw only 2 videos I was afraid you were giving up. Here’s to the next adventure! Thank you for sharing your journey.

You’ve had this since 2018 and we’re just seeing videos? Please don’t stop making them. These 2 videos were awe inspiring. Just your non chalant determination gives me spirit.

Impressive and inspiring! Thank you so much. May the good winds are with you!!

After 40 years of sailing wooden vessels i believe your passengers have a scent for wood on open waters, hence they keep you company and I'm sure it's your gentleness and demeanor that keeps them there. You are a lovely child fair winds and happy journeys.

I was partially in doubt about my fictional character, a teenage girl sailing on her own, but your video gave me a message. I will keep writing. Thanks for sharing your experience! Amazing!!!

OMG, speechless. Glued from beginning to end. So much to say , so few words to use. Thanks for sharing.

Every minute made me smile on both films...passion and having a go is life itself...your quite a lady...good luck..WOW!! :) ...thanks for sharing!!!

Oh how I would love to see more, learn more! We built and sailed a WharramCatamaran from San Diego to Costa Rica in 1969-70. That journey launched me on my career as a professional mariner, retiring a few years ago as a Chief Engineer of tugs, and super yachts. Is there any way I can learn more about you and this boat?

I'm in! So exciting. I can't wait to watch you story I fold.

Wind witches. Really nice to see. Thanks for sharing soul sailing, how it should be. You make me feel guilty for having a watermaker....

very inspiring! Thank you young Lady! looking forward to more videos. May you always be safe on your adventures!

Very cool! Great job and can't wait for a tour.

This is just stunning. Every bit of it. I'm speechless.

Love the fact that the ladies are doing so much work and even sailing in skirts. This is great stuff. Thank you

Wow, you are amazing! This is something totally new to me. I had no idea such a catamaran even existed. And crossing such amazing distances on your own, exceptional. Such daring, adventurous and exciting content. And done so professionally. Thank you for filming the restoration in particular. And so many questions, like how much fresh water did you carry with you, storing fresh produce and meat, etc. In a world with high tech sailboats this is totally awesome. How did you do it????

Wow, I love the way you sail, so genuin. I image sailing this way makes you feeling so free and on top of the world. Love the boot, looks sturdy and strong! Definitly not the avarage boat. Your video inspires me to persue my sailing dream even more, thank you! Keep on posting!

Love the music , love the images !!! You are roots woman !!! 👏🏼✊🏼

💥💖🙏 what a wonderfully shot / edited film. Art and craft , time in timeless. Xx

Great video looking forward to the next one! Brought back some great memories of my brother-in-law‘s replica of Joshua Slocum‘s “Spray” If you haven’t already read his book sailing around the world alone you should do so it is fantastic one of the best adventure books ever!

The recent Hanneka Wharram interview brought me here. Anyone else? Mark, from Wilding Sailing, consulted with Hanneka a few months ago and posted it on KZfaq. BTW, Mark bought his dream Wharrem 40 for 2000 Euro (last week). The boat is a bit of a mess (sunk into the mud) but Mark is confident he'll be sailing her by October. I would never bet against Mark's quiet tenacity.

You go lass! Can’t wait for the next one 😉

Pure, joy, extraordinary for myself. Thank you, wishes your journey continues well on your paths.

Ahhh, makes me miss boat life… “I kind of wish I could stay out at sea forever” - I’ve had this feeling coming in to port also. Thank you for that. Keep the vids coming!

I love the feeling of solitude in your videos....and presence of ocean

Its so cool to travel through your eyes. thanks for sharing, dear Kiana.

Great video and adventure. I hope you will share more with us. Would like to know more about you and what you are doing. I also love your choice of music. I am tracking down some of your playlist now. Thank you.

Beautiful!!!! I would love to see the rest of the story, esp the rebuild, if you managed to film it. Hope to run into you and Hans on the water. Thanks for sharing.

Please keep posting!!! There are no like you on a KZfaq. You are sincere and very brave. Merci de continuer à poster!!! Il n'y a pas de gens comme vous sur KZfaq. Vous êtes sincère et très courageux. Amicalement, Stan

Your music selection is way better than most sailing/boat vids. I like your editing too--not over the top or sensationally. Hope you keep making vids.

just incredible, the crossing the vessle, the person, the spirit! Do what you love first, please dont fall for all the YT stuff... but do share with us whenever you feel like it! We'd appreciate that

For those caught off guard toward the end, at 11:29 Kiana replicated one of James Wharram's iconic pictures of his early travels. You can find the pic online or in his autobiography...a very classy homage to the late James Wharram.

Lovely collection of these down here in Devoran this year.

The algorithms blessed me today! Such a beautiful and epic adventure that will inspire others for many years to come.

So inspiring. Just what I needed to keep going and stay focused. Thank you.

So much great music on here. And of course great sailing and sea.

I am looking forward to your next video. I am very impressed with your strength and adventurous spirit.

Awesome music Kiana 💥It's super inspiring what you're doing : )

refreshing person, music, compilation. Thank you.

The videos are awesome. Great soundtrack!

Love the music on your videos,I hope you continue this 1st class style 💖⛵🌤️

Nasci admirando a mulher ,,, mas algumas são surpreendentes , pela beleza , pelo encanto , pelo charme e mais pela valentia ... Onde muitas tem medo de uma barata ,,,, 😂😂😂 e essa aqui navega pelos mares nem sempre calmos , é simplesmente NOTÁVEL ... ( VIVA ❤️)

Wow! You have got to be my most favourite person on the planet... Thank you for your inspiration! 🤗

This is amazing! Wow. Excellent editing and production, hats off to you and we can't wait to meet you out there someday!

Wow! Can’t wait to get more info about this! I dreamt of sailing a Wharram across big water.

Please make more content!! I would Love to see all the restoration work!!!!!

Cool boat. Cool videos too! Hope you make some more. Best wishes!

Glad to see you in St. Augustine. My favorite town in Florida. I used to surf at the Valano inlet. Hope to see more videos.

awe struck. mesmerized, sedated....keep them coming.

Beautiful. Lovely human being who is getting to know her self and her capabilities and if she carries on this way she will undoubtedly be a very intelligent human. Good luck keep it up

Both videos are wonderful and I would love to see more! You are an amazing individual!

Ridiculously inspiring!

More videos please! You are incredible and so inspirational x

Keep sailing and enjoying life. Thank you for such beautiful footage and content. Cheers from another fellow female Skipper. Tanja

Thank you for posting the music as well. I found the 2nd tune downright awesome. I had to look up the Budos Band. I, however, didn't find the song at around 6:25. Need I add that you did a great job editing footage of your personal Road to Ithaca.

Wow you guys are modern day Vikings. Awesome! Long may you run.

Great film, love your boat! I go to correlejo once a year for kitesurfing and surfing and my fave bar is mojito which looks onto a wharram cat and lobos island. Looking out and dreaming that the cat is mine and I'm stopping off before heading to the Caribbean. One day it will happen. I'm glad you're living that life now