Favorite YouTube Channels
This page is our running list of YouTube channels we actually watch (and re-watch) as we learn how to cruise, dock, maintain, and enjoy Lucky Enough.
It’s not meant to be “the best channels on YouTube.” It’s just the ones that match how we boat: Rideau-friendly cruising, practical tips, and real-world boat ownership stuff.
How we use this list
- Docking & handling: we bookmark the best videos and re-watch before the season starts.
- Maintenance & troubleshooting: we save the channels that explain things clearly (not just “watch me do it”).
- Gear & upgrades: we watch for ideas that fit our style (simple, reliable, not overbuilt).
- Inspiration: channels that remind us to actually leave the marina and go somewhere.
Our favorites
The Retired Boater
Frank is our favorite. Down-to-earth, authentic, and genuinely knowledgeable. No ego, no theatrics, just clear explanations from real experience.
Best for: docking fundamentals, boat handling, mindset, confidence-building.
Boating With Boogaboo
Paul is practical, relatable, and honest about real boat ownership. He explains things the way normal boaters actually experience them.
Best for: real-world cruising, day-to-day boat use, upgrades, ownership perspective.
TJ Docktails
Fun, social, and very dock culture. It reminds us that boating isn’t only about handling and maintenance. It’s about enjoying the marina life too.
Best for: docktails, boating lifestyle, social cruising vibe.
Scho & Jo
Realistic cruising life without hype. Great perspective on long-term boat ownership, costs, and day-to-day living aboard.
Best for: cruising lifestyle, marina life, extended boating mindset.
Navigating Nietzels
Practical and grounded. They show the real side of cruising, including the learning curve and decision-making process.
Best for: real-world cruising, planning, logistics, ownership decisions.
Boating Lessons
Structured, clear instruction. This is the kind of content we re-watch before tight docking days or tricky conditions.
Best for: docking technique, seamanship skills, boat handling fundamentals.
Playlists we keep coming back to
- Docking refreshers – [paste playlist link]
- Spring commissioning – [paste playlist link]
- Small upgrades that mattered – [paste playlist link]
Rules for adding a channel
- If we only watched one video once, it doesn’t go here (yet).
- If the channel is mostly sponsored content or clickbait, it stays off the list.
- If it teaches clearly, shows mistakes, or explains why, it belongs here.
If you want, we can turn this into a nicer layout later (cards with thumbnails, tags, and a search filter), but starting simple keeps it easy to maintain.