The dark side of boat life! Almost SANK the boat...
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 พ.ย. 2022
- Scariest moment since I started sailing! Almost lost the boat, disaster averted thanks to the selfless generosity of complete strangers. Sailing in atrocious conditions as the UK gets an autumn worse than any I have ever experienced, with almost non-stop gales battering the west coast. This video is the polar opposite of all my others... Welcome to the dark side of cruising and living aboard in the UK autumn. Buckle up for the ride. #sailing #sail #boatlife #solotravel #liveaboard
*** Lawrenny Arms anchorage***
Hello, as a sailor in the UK (Wales) now living in Australia, I've done some sailing around that area. I was in my way to the Scillies on one trip but making no headway along the Cornish coast. The weather forecast was getting much grimmer, so I turned towards Milford for shelter. I highly recommend Lawrenny, just a bit further up the Cleddau river. You can moor just off the Lawrenny Arms pub and shelter from wind in the steeply sided valley. It's a delightful and safe spot.
that’s good advice - Lawrenny is very sheltered - and also very beautiful…
A sheltered anchorage with its own pub.... what more could you ask for :-)!
Enjoyed the video and you captured those waves really well. They usually don't look so bad on film as they do in real life.
Thank you! No, the waves never look as big on video, including in my videos! I look at it and it doesn't look anything like as bad as I remember it 🤥
I spent over a year at Holyhead, your video makes me smile in a knowing your pain (with benefit of hindsight) kind of way. Proper sailing!
it’s all good learning 😉😁
Im glad all ended well old chap. Thank you for sharing your experience. Best wishes
Thank you 👍🏻
My first night sailing after 30yrs, I did the same route and got stuck in a storm in the Irish Sea next to Bardsey Island, wind 35knts gusts over 50knts, the waves/swell were so high I couldn't look over them, only saw the lighthouse and stayed there bobbing for 3 hrs till 04:00 the I entered Cardigan Bay and took a break at Aberdaron. Two days later went to Fisguard and anchored in the dark 3 day later went around to Milford Haven. From there to Lundy Island where I tore a ligament pulling anchor and then to St Ives for 2 days and then around Lands End to Penzance. That first night was hectic, but my Sadler 32 held up very well. Good luck with your travels.
Can’t imagine being out in that weather in a 32 foot boat, GG felt tiny in those seas and she’s 40 foot!
@@sailingonadream They all look big until the sea makes them look small.
Awesome video, glad you and the boat are ok 👍
Thanks mate 😁
Having lived in a van for several years before COVID I am eager to get back to a nomadic life and a boat is my choice, with plans to move in full time next year. Always nice to see the reality of sailing around the UK in videos like this. Thankfully you didn't have any pets on board as that adds another element of stress. I have subscribed. Take care and keep uploading! :)
Thank you 👍 Hope you find that boat and have great adventures 😀
Fabulous story well told. I love stories like this because it gives tips and reminders of what to do. Don’t accept any negative comments. You did well and you are still here! ⛵️
Thank you Hugh 👍🏻
After getting into sailing as a hobby though not a this level, I watched with interest.
I do know the area around ramsey sound and skomer, its not to be taken lightly even on good days.
Absolute respect for this video
Thank you, Steve 👍 The sea anywhere should never be taken lightly, it must be revered and respected, or you get bitten. I would never go out in those conditions unless there really wasn't a choice. Fingers crossed for next week, it looks like nice sailing weather 🤞
When your part of your vessel an your vessel is part of you... You can trust it.... The wind blowing thru the Anchorage is a haunting sound... Thanks for sharing your life with us grateful ✌🏼💗😊⛵
Thank you 👍🏻
Just found your channel and I love it. It's refreshing to find someone to show something more than some tranquil blue waters in the Caribbean.
Thank you 👍🏻
Great video mate, glad you are safe and sound - fairer seas hopefully in the future
Thank you 😁
Thank you for sharing your voyage with us , did a solo circumnavigation of Ireland two years ago and had every kind of weather , thankfully the force ten was short lived, 6hours and I was 15 miles from shore , a great way to get to know your boat .
Cheers John
Thanks John, only been out in force 10 once in deep water, it was quite a rush. Certainly got the blood pumping.
1970, an intense, brief summer storm, out of the south, F9 for about 4 hours. Caught us about half-way from Holyhead to Peel, IoM. Wind against spring tide kicked up the worst seas I ever encountered. Probably only about 4 - 5 metres but criminally steep with breaking crests that kept coming over Green. Cockpit filled twice. Tied a drogue to her anchor chain, paid it all out, lashed the tiller and tried to shelter behind the coach roof. Back then we never had a dodger (sprayhood) to shelter behind.
That’s when you swear that if you ever make it back to dry land you’re never going near another boat, ever, ever, EVER!! The feeling disappears the moment you round the breakwater. That was my first offshore as skipper. The boat was a Holman designed 28ft. ‘Twister’ and she took it all in her stride.
Your so brave thank you for sharing
Thank you Debbie 👍
Great work - Thank you.
Thanks 👍🏻
Thanks for sharing.
Glad your safe and your boat is ok ,We are gettung simular weather down under south oz this past few weeks .
Hope you’re all ok. Can’t wait for the weather to improve and get sailing again!
Thank you for your honesty, boats and all around them are hugely expensive, you are still smiling though, so I wish you luck. My best sail was from Chichester harbour, there was a blackboard out saying don't, we did, it was awesome and we never used the engine at all, got home just fine.
Sailed in and out of there a couple of times, it’s exhilarating even in good conditions 😉
Hey Ian, Thank you for sharing this amazing experience. I am relatively new to sailing with a boat moored in lawrenny. I have also experienced Sudden changes to forecast in the area whilst solo.
i think we learn a lot from these experiences about ourselves and our limits. from here we grow
wishing you all the best
Paul
Thank you so much Paul 👍🏻 Yes, every day is a learning day on the boat, and I doubt that will ever change no matter how much experience you have. Nature has a habit of throwing the unexpected at you 😉
will be sure to tune into you next thrilling adventures - what's the plan for the rest of your journey ?
@@Monkeymaker_fn have just done a 41 hour sail to Falmouth and from here I’m still deciding if I should press on to Portsmouth or stay here and sail locally in the winter while I do some upgrades. Adding solar is a must before I head to Norway.
Brilliant vid. Hope to (not literally) bump into you again on your travels😊
Thank you 😁 fingers crossed 🤞
Great video shippers. I expect the Matelots were rather glad of some excitement. Well done all 💪🇬🇧⚓️
Thank you 😀
Crazy. Thanks for sharing!
Wasn’t easy to share, but I felt I had to. All the summer had been beautiful but boat life isn’t all like that.
At last a channel with a bit of action.... subscribed!!
Thank you Terence!
You need a pair of storm sails. I like a CB radio and a 12 volt chest freezer. Keep it in ECO mode.
I have storm sails, she is Solent rigged. Have only needed to use them on one occasion so far, as I prefer not to go sailing in those conditions. Haven’t had a freezer for almost three years and haven’t missed it once.
Only just come across your channel. Those were some big old waves! Look forward to checking out your other vids. Cheers.
Thanks Liam 👍🏻
I have been around there twice both in heavy conditions and thought you had gone over the falls, nice video hope you have protected the switches, love the way the masts are leaning in Milford.
Thanks, yes just over the outside of them. I'm still looking for someone local that can make a hinged Perspex cover to go over the switch panel...
I was hit by a gale and similar seas in the Celtic sea. Destroyed my AIS and chartplotter, my engine didn't work so opted to head further offshore to safety. Great footage you have here. All good fun isn't it!? Fair winds.
Wow, sounds like you had a real adventure! It may not all be “fun” at the time, but it’s all good learning and growing as a sailor and individual. Character building my mother would say 😂
Yes, very true, it isn't clear until you set foot on dry land again, how much fun it was. Up until then I called it fear!! Your Mam's words are so true. Looking forward to watching more of your videos. Have a lovely day.
Very happy your lovely,creaky boat survived. Best wishes from Devon 🙂👍🙏
Haha, thank you 👍🏻
''Lovely creaky boat!!'' As opposed to a noisy smell diesel..........................
@@eastsidetrader Definently better than a noisy smelly diesel 🙂
Wow. What a journey. Hope Milford Haven is a nice place to be for a bit 😊
It's lovely, friendly staff and good facilities 🙂
Nice video. Grew up cruising from holyhead .....I remember some of those north easterly. Now up in Scotland and planning to get into cruising again in few years :)
Thank you :) Hope you find your perfect boat ;)
Glad you got through it. Your videos are good. Nice to see your face again.
Thank you ☺️ Hope all is good with you.
Had my first camping trip with Willow and it made me think of you in the’ Wild’ 😉
@lynparry4297 hardly in the wild… living in a luxury boat isn’t quite like camping 😂 Hope you had fun though. Where were you camping?
@sailingonadream swanage
Are you down the south coast?
We just managed to sneak from Holyhead to conwy last Saturday! The weather window was absolutely minimal. We ended up fighting the tide for an hour just to make sure we were in the lee of the good weather. Usually when you’re past point lynas it’s quite the opposite lovely and calm!
Glad you made it safe. It’s been horrendous but I’m hopeful for high pressure and lighter winds next week.
Wow! Respect! Well done. I have been in this area, but fortunatly with less wind and waves. Best regards from a sailor from germany
Thank you Bernd 👍🏻
The camera never seems to show waves as big as they are, and the ones you filmed looked rather large! I can only image what it was like actually there. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, when I watch it again, I can’t help feeling it didn’t come close to doing the waves justice. But I’m all honesty, I didn’t feel any fear, GG was just trucking on through whatever came her way. My confidence in her has grown immensely through these experiences.
Glad I found your channel. This video is exciting to say the less. I do have a sailing channel with some videos, but mine are all in the sunny Med. So Far.
I fancy venturing up north, but still I am not sure how much I will like the stormy winds and seas of the North Atlantic. Fair winds!
Only been like this in the last few weeks, the spring and summer have been fantastic, warm and calm, lovely sailing 🙂 Come between June and August and you will be very unlikely to get any really bad weather.
Just found your channel...I always sub solo sailors...bit tired of the never-ending drama on the others.
Thanks Steve 👍🏻
Just found your channel…..Great stuff
Thank you 🙂
Great video
Thank you 👍🏻
Wow loved that.
Thank you Chris 😁
gnarly footage bruhuhuh. gutsy sailing
👍🏻 no choice when you are cruising and living aboard, you eventually have to face it head on.
Crikey. The stuff of nightmares. Well done managing that.
Definitely not a Fairweather sailor...
Thank you, was very happy to get my home to safety!
Safety comes from the sea, was an expression I heard as a young man, but damn if it’s not scary, especially at night. I enjoyed your video. Will look forward to the next.
So true and thank you Jerry 👍🏻
@@sailingonadream It’s the same thing with flying. Sometimes inexperienced pilots take chances just to get on the ground and escape bad weather, but like the sea, safety come from the air. I am a retired airline pilot, now 76 years old living my sea going dreams vicariously through videos such as yours. The best time and method to escape the weather is the storm you did not fly into.
Enjoyable to watch, I imagine it was very much type 2 fun at the time though!
The sail from Holyhead to Fishguard was great, the rest, not so much fun at the time! Pleanty of learnings to take away though 🙂
Nice, humble and nononsense.
Thank you Linda 👍🏻
We were cringing watching this and remembering our own recent passage in similar conditions. It’s been a horrible autumn!
It’s certainly been a horrible autumn for the last few weeks. Looks like that may change next week so I can get sailing again though 😁
You have to have faith in your vessel in those conditions, if you don't, you shouldn't be out there. You trusted the old girl, and she did what she was made to do.
She’s far more capable than I am 😉 Recon I would break long before her.
I was always taught to step up to your life raft it's the last resort your vessel can handle more than you think if maintained properly
Precisely 👍🏻
I found that all I did in storms was to rebuild my boat in my head. (I built mine). I still cringe when the stays started moaning and then screaming.
Scary!
Wow!!!!
What a trip !!! Those are the moments when you are happy to have a good engine !!! I hope you get fair winds south soon !! What is your experience with Satlink ?? ... Cheers from Muros !!!
Thanks Jesus, yes definitely good to have a reliable engine! The Starlink is due to arrive soon. I’ll be sure to put a video together on my experience with it 😁
Be no craic if the sun was always shining, lovely sailing
As you will be aware, the centres of some of these big low pressures barrelling in from the Atlantic over the last four weeks have had winds of 35-40 knots . . The Autumn equinox is arriving four weeks late. So no climate change there then.
As a lot of people are doing nowadays, seek assistance from Saint Boris and Liz before undertaking potentially hazardous journies. Their continued involvement in the promotion of the industry which seeks new means to pump even more carbon into the atmosphere bodes well for us all !
Hi I have just discovered your channel, I love your no BS approach to everything. What is your boat? Fair winds and calm seas , Reg
Hi Reg, she’s a 2003 beneteau 393. I’ve been living aboard for almost a year now. Thank you 😁
I was almost sea sick with those waves - I know the camera doesn't really capture the true situation - all I could think was how brave you were.
I had no choice so I’m not sure it counts as brave. Trust me, I didn’t want to go out in that, but I’m very glad I did, the alternative could have been far worse.
Sailed into my home port! Abergwaun! I was lifeboat crew there many years ago! Any port in a storm eh! It's a wicked bit of coast there! 🥴
I would like to get Starlink for my boat. A overview video of the system, set up, and costs would be great.
I’ll definitely be putting something together to cover it 🙂
Just found your channel, really enjoyed the episode I watched, Can I ask what tablet you use, I need to but one that can give a GPS fix when you are out of range of Wi-Fi etc. The one I have needs a Bad ELF connector to work. Thanks Simon.
Hi Simon, thank you 😁I use an iPad, but you have to get the model with the sim slot, because the ones without don't have the GPS chipset.
A rough ride, I could see you slowed with the head seas. The inshore route is ok as long as wind is not against tide and knocks many miles off the passage. Tides strong there and the north coast of Cornwall too which can be a trap to be stuck in Padstow say, with west or sw winds to oppose your favourable tide. Wait for weather to go direct to round Land's End. Milford is a good stop.
Thanks for the advice! Yes, plan is to head for Newlyn next, as soon as the weather permits.
@@sailingonadream Newlyn is a good place to aim for. I was stuck there one winter fo 6 weeks waiting for NE wind to change, I was heading north east! One of the harbour staff, Dave Osborne looked after me, please send my regards. Have a good trip.
@@mjcooke2sailingmostly I spent a couple of nights in there on the way up, lovely working fishing harbor and as you say, very friendly!
Wow , pretty horrendous. Glad my boat is safely tucked away in the marina in north wales
It's nice to be safely tucked up in the marina here in Milford Haven, but I'm chomping at the bit to be off again and heading down the south coast.
Might I suggest you look into getting an external mic and get a wind sock, it will help cut down on the wind noise. It looks like things went from bad to worse weather wise. Does this mean it will get worse durning the winter, and do you plan to continue sailing, or will you take the season off?
Yes I’m going to have to find a way to improve the sound. I’m not planning to stop sailing, but once I get to the Solent it will be shorter sails as I plan to get a solar arch made down there and a few more upgrades over the winter. Then in spring I would like to head for Norway.
You were lucky to have managed to pull away from the blown on position at Holyhead marina pontoon without any damage. You managed to get some good footage, without seeing it you wouldn't believe how rough it can get very quickly. Sadly it's winds like that from the NE that did all the damage there.
It took every ounce of power the engine has to get her moving. Until that day, I always thought her engine was over powered for her size. Thank you 🙂
Yes , maybe we should have our head examined ! I can relate to your very truthful disclosure of the reality of the sailing life. One thing that I don't understand, why not radio those oil tankers to ask their intention ? Or is that a silly question !
I did, the first one wasn’t a problem going port to port, but the second one was almost impossible to understand on the radio, so I decided to not take any risk of misunderstanding, and stay well out of his way. Not a stupid question at all 🙂
After an experience like this have you ever thought about a narrow boat on the canals of the UK? Love the vid!
😂 no never, I love the complete freedom of sailing, the fact that the wind and currents decide where I end up, in spite of my plans, and the whole world fades away out there, it where I feel completely at peace. 👍🏻💨⛵️🏴☠️
Expecting to see life treatning high waves out in the Gail's of the open ocean, next clip docked at a marina bobbing a bit. wamp waaaymp
Impressive tale, and nicely told; courageous sailing! Couldn't you have explained your situation/predicament to the tanker and requested leeway to allow you to continue on your planned, and seamanlike course, avoiding hasards? Good luck!
Thank you 😁 I did speak to the tanker but they were foreign and hard to understand, so caution over valour seemed prudent.
The sea she's a mighty old beast 😂
I would rather travel in my Ford Edge. On dry ground. Thanks. St. Paul Minnesota.
What a ride? What boat is that? And where are you heading afterwards?
She’s a Beneteau 393. We’re heading for Newlyn (Penzance) next, as soon as there’s a window in the weather.
@@sailingonadream Ok thanks. Have a good and safe passage. Looking forward for the next video.
Thank you 😁
scary waves around 15:00, and you say these were small compared to the ones later? Holy cow. Nothing I would like to put my 26 ft boat in... good you're save.
Aye, although the biggest waves I have been in were off the southern tip of the mull of Galloway, surfing down the overfalls there. Even stood on the helm seat they were a good 2 meters over my head. That was the most fun I've had in a long time.
Interesting footage. Wave height and swell always seems diminished on video!
I know what it's like to be out along the coast or offshore singlehanded as I sail a 20 foot kingfisher around the east , west /Nw and top coast of Scotland every 4 years. A reliable engine essential even though mine ìs a 5hp o/b utilising favourable tidal streams a must.
Like you I've been glad to be in a cosy marina( kirkwall) in a force 10 but have ridden at anchor in sheltered Bay force 10 too. Good luck with the rest of your passage and hope your boat is insulated with a good heater.!
Winter distance sailing on East and North East Scotland not for me!
Thank you! Safe sailing 👍🏻
@@sailingonadream cheers
A good tip for capturing realistic swell size is to hold the camera at deck level and zoom in a few times untill the image maches what you see with your eyes.
For the static wind on the microphone noise get a dead kitten and put your microphone in it !
@@peregrinegrace8570 thanks... hunting kittens tomorrow 🤭
Hi, I'm new to your channel and am a sailor myself. I love channels I can learn from. I am interested to know why you would change course for an overtaking vessel. Particularly when the new course put you in a worse position. Thanks for sharing.
It’s a good question… they were steaming at 21 knots on a collision course with me at the time and the visibility wasn’t great. It was more to do with making absolutely certain there was no confusion about intentions and that I wasn’t going to find myself with several hundred tonnes of tanker bearing down on me. I changed course and then contacted them on the radio to make sure. I often hear people banging on about the rules of the road online and how someone was in the right or wrong… but at the end of the day pressing on and crossing the path of a tanker that is 10 minutes away from smashing you into flotsam because you think you are in the right… is definitely the wrong thing to do.
I hope you were able to change that switch so that it can no longer be inadvertently switched off with ‘a bump of a shoulder’ as it sounds pretty critical.
Plan is to make a Perspex cover for the panel. 👍🏻
Just found the channel. Nice tempo.
Thank you!
Say hello to Berty in the office for me. I lived in that marina for 12 months. I know those waters well. Fair winds dude.
👍🏻
Only a couple of weeks ago I got caught out In 60mph winds in the menai straits. 22nd October what a morning.
Not the place to get caught in those winds!
I'd be waiting for a new supply of underpants if it were me.
As an aspiring sailor I have a question for you. I also wear eyeglasses so I can see, how do you accommodate them in the heavy weather? If I’m just out in the rain I leave them inside, but I cannot see things like instruments without them. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
That's a really good question. I'm the other way round, can see the instruments but not the distance. You will notice in my videos I wear a baseball cap a lot, it definitely helps, and you can pull your hood over it. When it's really lashing down I simply have to take them off, like you. but here's a tip... I repeat all the instruments on my ipad and iphone, so I can sit under the spray hood and still have access to navigation and instruments. I fitted an NMEA to wifi dongle, it wasn't expensive and was easy enough to fit.
If it is extreme, ski goggles. I have actually made a dive mask with an old set of my bi-focals in them. Next option is a face guard. Mine is on its way so I'll see. I dropped my glasses overboard 50 miles offshore. Luckily my sunglasses are prescription ones. Unluckily sunglasses are rubbish when it is dark.
Prescription ski goggles with clear lenses. Hopefully you won't need them often but when you do, you will be very happy to have them
It would be really helpful if you would show a chart and your intended destinations. I was confused to where you had been and where you were going. I'm not from the area, so just the marina names or local geographic names meant nothing. Otherwise, enjoyed your video.
Adding more of that detail to the next video 👍🏻
No place to duck onto at 14:00 to avoid all this? I heard you say you HAD to make this trip? Is this absolutely true or could you of made another choice?
Yes absolutely true, Milford was the nearest marina and it was going the blow 60 knots in a couple of days, and keep blowing for two weeks. So staying on anchor in Fishguard wasn’t an option.
Well done in a tough one. We each learn a few important things when we are faced with these challenges. Best for next legs. Cheers
did you experience the overfalls outside of Fishguard I wonder ;-)🙃
Lol yes, nothing like as bad as off the mull of Galloway though 😅
We call that a bit blowy in Australia. It would have a different perspective with a crew, but you showed just what is involved in single handing a yacht in less than ideal conditions. Overfalls would be my last choice in that wind.
Days are short here now so adding 3 or ; hours to go round them all just isn’t always an option. I deliberately timed it so I was going through as near to slack as possible.
@@sailingonadream We only ever get 12-13 hour days because of our proximity to the equator. I had a wake up call when crossing "benign" overfalls in the Cumberland group. It changed my perspective. They literally swallowed my boat between each wave.
That sounds like quite a rush! We’re you surfing them or smashing into it? I love surfing over falls, always with respect though, things can so south very quickly!
@@sailingonadream Actually sailing at about 6 knots. The swell was around 2 metres at 7 seconds interval, suddenly it was 4-5 metres at less than 1 second. The water depth was around 7-8 metres and standing up on deck was not a thing you could contemplate. I have never seen anything like it. It was similar to that thing that happened to Erik Anderra. I have it marked on my chart now. DNGT.
Thanks for sharing I have made single handed passages in the same situation never fun on your own if anything goes wrong hay ho
Thank you Ken, looking back its less scary, you learn the limits of the boat and yourself are far greater than you had thought.
who is steering the sail boat? does it have like an auto pilot?
Yup, Bob the auto-helm was steering so I could video 😁
@@sailingonadream Oh, cool i didnt know sail boat had those.
Brought back some memories !
Just found your channel and just subbed!
Nothing better than watching others doing all the scary stuff from the safety of a couch Infront of a real log fire, warm dog on the rug and a glass of Bells finest.
Hoping for better winds and calmer seas for you ... Take care. !!!
I wonder what weather sources you are using? The standard of harbours is very disappointing. Holyhead should have a secure harbour area, the port earns significant revenue from the ferries, it would take much to build some proper breakwaters and even some barriers to close in extreme conditions. Barriers stop waves and swell reaching berthing areas.
Too right!
I use many weather sources, met office, windy, predict wind, etc. I find it best to compare all the different models. However I have found wind speed and direction to be highly inaccurate on all of them. Really all you can assume is the general pattern for the overall weather.
That looked squeaky bum time.. rather you than me!
😂
I don't know why you're trying to go anywhere at the moment. Put the heater on and break out the beers. Wait for spring. The Vikings only travelled in the summer for a reason
I've been sailing all year round for years, the weather is very often fantastic! This autumn has been pretty damn exceptional for strong wind though. I can't understand why anyone would pay huge amounts for a boat and only use it for 4 or 5 months a year, when there are sooooo many lovely days all year round 🙃
I've had weeks of the most beautiful sailing weather, whilst many sailors have had their boats locked up until next May/June 😂
I sailed to Denmark in a big grey ship. We needed an icebreaker to get out of port in February and had Force 10-11. I think the Vikings had other ideas about what to do in winter. I bet sailing was a bit low on the list.
It’s like choosing to live an uncomfortable life.
The rewards are out of this world!
@@sailingonadream that was truly some horrid water to be in. Marina too in a different way.
Good footage to show because most other sailing YT’s just show warm sun and swimming in off beaches. For yrs I watched them, then retired and bought an old 34’ sloop and began practicing on Lake Michigan. Three seasons later I took opportunity to crossed the Carib with a newbie credit card captain on his cat. Five days of no sleep, bad conditions, no AIS and learned we didn’t have data in chart plotter and almost sailed onto a reef. The dreams created by YT’ers lied. Ha. Boat life is indeed awesome but there are many difficult days too. It’s not for the faint of heart. 😉
Thank you David! No it’s not all sunshine and bikinis living on a boat, you have to take whatever cards are dealt in the flop and hope the turn and the river are good ones, because there’s no bluffing the weather 😂 Keep sailing, the rewards for putting up with the bad days are out of this world 👍🏻
The forecaster would have known that the wind would "back" as the front passed over, perhaps he should have said so 🤔
It wasn’t predicted in any of the forecasts or apps. The wind speed was double the forecasts as well, that’s what really caused the issue. Had it been 20 knots it wouldn’t have been anything like as bad. I have found the weather forecasts to be completely unreliable throughout the year though. I wonder if global warming is making the models less reliable.
From a non-sailor, . . . And ex RN civvy . . Is Star-link quick-reaction motorised and gimballed then ? By the look of those in-marina video shots, it will need to be !
It has a phased array to aim the beam directly at the satellites so doesn’t use the motors once it’s done the initial setup. Fascinating technology, would highly recommend looking up how phased array antennas work 👍🏻
P292 = HMS Charger 🙂. The Irish Sea isn't to be taken lightly, small though it is! Got to admit I would have told the Tanker to bugger off and gone outside of the bishop or hove too and let him go through first - the overfalls would have scared me they're not to be taken lightly! Loosing the instruments and broaching sounds horrendous.
Yup that’s the one 🙂 I did consider that option, but to be honest where I crossed they weren’t as bad as closer in. If it hadn’t been for the autopilot going off it would have been a breeze. At the time I preferred the look of them to the potential of confusion with thousands of tonnes of tanker moving at 20kts in poor visibility. I don’t think there’s a right answer as such, each option has its issues. I really just wanted to spend as little time out there as possible so I chose to pole on at 40 degrees to the waves.
@@sailingonadream absolutely and you were there I wasn't :-)! Appologies if it sounded like criticism it completely wasn't intended in that manner, and a huge oil tanker does tend to concentrate the mind! Well done for making it through such a challenging set of circumstances so well. I can certainly understand the desire to be out there for as little time as possible!
@@tomriley5790 I didn’t take it that way at all Tom 🙂 There’s many options for what to do in those circumstances, none of them are wrong, and whatever choice I make it’s all on me. I try to make the best choice for my circumstances and on reflection to analyse how the other choices may have panned out. I certainly learned a lot on that trip. Every sail is a learning sail… I think in 30 or 40 years I may be getting quite good at this sailing lark 😂
Pretty scary and just learned this morning a GGR boat sunk.
☹️ at Holyhead?
@@sailingonadream Southern ocean Just got update he was picked up safe from raft by another racer, transferred to freighter,
@@chhindz Ah yes GGR, sorry didn't get the reference before. Glad to hear he's safe!
I worked on tugboats for 30 years and now I've been looking at sailboats to buy for making passages. I dithered around and missed out on a 32 foot pearson vangaurd with a brand new 3 cylinder universal diesel for 12 thousand. I've seen the same going for 40 thousand. After watching this and similar videos I'm starting to think that maybe ive spent enough time on the water and should buy a diesel pusher motorhome instead.
Ah but watch the other videos that are in the summer. I’ve had the most amazing time and seen so much beauty and wonders. Safe travels.
@@sailingonadream I'm like the sailor in the song brandi. My love and my lady is the sea. I'm really disappointed that I missed out on the 32 foot pearso vangaurd. I really believe a better boat was never built. But I've seen some very good deals on Catalina 30s which is my second choice. I can't stay away from the water for long.
@@johnwright291 Really hope you find that boat for you John. She's out there somewhere. I found GG on my birthday, put an offer in and had it accepted an hour later. Best birthday present of my life! Serendipitous 😄
The sea is a sailor's safety net.
Glad you made it Mark. An Oceanis is a nice boat but unfortunally not made for bad weather and heavy seas. And nice fireworks in the end.
I don't know how you can say that, she is absolutely built for sailing in weather. Shes built as an ocean cruiser, not a coastal cruiser. There are so many older 393's like mine, sailing around the world without a problem.
@@sailingonadream I know you are upset but these yachts just like Bavaria and even Dehler are made very thin. To reduce costs and money. They are build with small margins.
You will never hear problems with the swedisch brands or other firmly build yachts. Beneteau is slightly better and stronger made. Its just about not getting the costs out of hand and make these boats affordable.
That’s why I went for an older one, they were built solid. It really isn’t as simple as that, though. I’ve heard many people say things like that, what is a blue water boat, and I’ve heard a lot of nonsense answers. I’m not upset, I did a lot of research and chose a boat that is right for me. I didn’t need a 1 year project to get ready to leave, I wanted to be sailing. It’s all about choosing where you compromise and being happy with your choices. She’s a solid boat that is quite capable and safe to sail round the world. Your choice would be something different I guess, what boat do you have?
@@sailingonadream I think youre right, its all about choices. But i heard and saw a lot of faults with these bouts, especially in rough conditions.
I have a 30 foot R0300sail from 2000, brand name Ronautica. They dont exist any more!. They are well build and i sailed in pretty rough conditions, but i try to avoid these now ;). The rigging for example is 8 mm and 7 mm thick! You dont see that on a 30 foot yacht!
An Easterly in Holyhead is not good
Tell me about it 😂
@@sailingonadreamour yacht was on your camera shot there! Swinging mooring.
It’s all a bit stressful.
😅
U need a wind fuzzy for your camera 😊
Most of that was filmed with one, for all the good it does in 35 knots of wind🤣
@@sailingonadream Oh, must have been wild alright. 😱
@@sailingonadream The noise in the rigging just gets to whistle then scream, and dead cats do nowt then.
No they help but when the wind really blows not so much 🙄
Safety lesson number one is: in bad weather, head for sea. At sea there are no concrete pontoons attacking your ship. At sea there are no white cliffs and tidal races, giving you a heart attack. Stay far away from obvious problems. I really don't understand this video. You got a great ship, sail on and wait for better weather, if you want a hot shower in a nice port.
At sea in a gale solo is hard work, tiredness sets in quickly and mistakes get made, things break and dealing with it can be dangerous. I’ve had a halliard snap in F9 and recovering the Genoa from the sea so I could put the engine on took over 30 minutes with no way to control the boat. I was of course clipped on but even so it was exhausting, wet and dangerous. It’s not always safer to be at sea. In this case I moved to the other side of the pontoon and all was good. I don’t shirk away from being at sea in bad weather, I’ve been out in 3 gales in the last month, but I know my limits, a few hours is good fun, 12 is too much and 24 is just asking for trouble. Especially in the dark.
@@sailingonadreameveryone is a f,ing expert aren’t they? You know what you are doing and you are the one who was there dealing with the problems at hand. Good on you for knowing your limits, for making good decisions to protect yourself and your boat, and for living to fight (sail) another day. Glad you are well.
@@jeffreynelson3294 Thank you Jeffrey 👍
Great video with useful advice .real seamanship,thanks you for taking the time .Enjoy the journey.
@@sailingonadream I know, solo is a different story. You need to watch around. You won't get much sleep either. A safe ancre spot or a port is wise. But always realise, an uncomfortable couple of days do not wreck your ship. Besides, great those Navy men were so helpful. Have a good Christmas and new year.
liquid soap will stop your shore lines creaking .....
I’ve replaced them now with lines that don’t creak 😁👍🏻⛵️🏴☠️