I recently reached the end of a seven-year journey: the rebuilding of the gaff cutter Tally Ho. Watching Leo Sampson and a rotating cast of friends tackle this monumental task has been incredible.

I can’t imagine taking on such a project, especially in those early days when the plan for financing it was non-existent. The series is bolstered by a rotating cast of characters—some appearing for a single episode, others for years who bring the series to life. Despite having zero knowledge of sailing or boat-building going in, I found the craftsmanship and perseverance addictive. It’s a masterclass in storytelling and determination. I highly recommend it.

Here’s a seven year summary of the rebuild process.