Ep 61 Sailing Solo to Iceland fm Ireland
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- I leave Dingle Ireland for the southern coast of Iceland, a passage of 830 nm. I spend too much explaining my new toy: a top down furler, but then am repaid by near gale conditions for 3 days. Lots of fun.
Remember: Alessia in Atlantis by Nathalie Laine :-) She is ignoring all labor rules and putting me on piece-rate commission.
Since you asked...
MY experience with top down furling an A2 spinnaker:
1. PITA as a solo sailor
2. locking the furling line will NOT keep the sail from unfurling in big wind- the continuous line does not have enough friction to keep the drum from spinning
3. when unfurling use the furling line to unfurl- OTW if you only pull on the sheet the furling drum will wrap the loose furling line around itself
4. In low to moderate wind (6-10 kts) OK to hoist with genoa furled
5. when furling - have the TWA at about 160 with the main fully out. The kite will be collapsed mostly. Run the acitve sheet once around the winch and take it with you to in front of the mast. Keep some tension on the active sheet with your hand or foot while you furl it in. Watch the foot of the sail to notice when the tack has grabbed the sail and started furling it backwards. If you see this stop and unfurl some then try again. The mid girth will only furl in unison with the top when there is enough tension at the right angle. As soon as the sheet starts to turn around the torsion line stop furling- don't put multiple wraps of sheet around the torsion line- that will only make it harder to unfurl next time. As soon as it's furled release the halyard and drop the furled kite on to the deck ( before you bring in the tack) . OTW it will start to unfurl pretty quickly.
6. Gybing- not more difficult than conventionally hoisted kite. I prefer inside gybes- I turn down to 160 TWA and let the main out. - completely release the active sheet and pull quickly on the new sheet to bring the clew around the forestay . Once on the new side I head up to 140 TWA and adjust as needed. No worry of lines under the boat- the sprit prevents that. Outside gybing is also possible provided you have a short batten attached to the luff to catch the sheet. Timing is critical though- the gybe has to be initially fast after releasing the active sheet so the sail flies out in front then slow through the turn to have time to bring in the new sheet before the sail fills.
Given all this as I stated previously I have gone back to no furlers on my A2 or A5 but bottom up continuous line furlers on my staysail and Code 0. The fixes for problems with conventionally hoisted A2 are easier than the fixes for partially or improperly furled kites with top down furler. I think some sailmakers are now offering specially cut gennakers which address some of the issues with top down furlers.
another tip- tie a snatch block to the end of the continuous furling line with a bungee and fix so that there is always tension on the furling line
Terrific advice. I'll be experimenting with all of this to learn which techniques work best with the personality of my boat. Many thanks.
To afirm: Top down furlers will make a mess rolling up any spinnaker that has a midgirth length greater than 75% of the sail's foot length. A2 with it's big shoulders is typically 100% range. If you are not racing and the definitIon of a spinnaker doesn't matter, then go with 66% and get a much cleaner wrap. One last point: the torsion rope does require tension to transmit rotation. Not enough and they can candycane. Had it happen and only way out was to 'shrimp' the spinnaker.
I do solo and DH racing only and use a top down furler for my A2 without any issues - I use a ratchet block at the end of the continuous furling line and add a line to that block that you can tighten aftwards. This way you will have no accidental unfurls and you can tighten the furling line so you will have no slippage on the drum and will not have to worry about keeping the other end tight when furling. You will also only be able to furl the same direction every time. I also always do inside jibes to not have any issues with the sheet getting stuck under the boat.
@@jyveborg Perhaps you could share the boat size you sail on and your A2 midgirth length. You are fortunate to not have an issue and I am interested as to what you have. Also, inside gybes will never see a sheet go under the boat due to the fact the sheet runs between the headstay and endless spinnaker furler. However, if you do not have a generous sprit extension, tangles with the headstay will be inevitable. Would be good to know your bowsprit's extension length?
@@michaellahrkamp9755 I'd be happy to! My boat is a 1989 Contrast 36 with an added bowsprit that extends 1.2m from the headstay. My A2 has these measurements SLU=14.32m, SLE=12.42m, SFL=7.97, SHW=7.72. Not sure SHW (half width) is the same as mid girth but if we take that measurement it's 96% of SFL.
That was incredible Patrick! Thank you for keeping the viking spirit alive and well around the North Atlantic. I will copy you on that spinnaker technique. Ive done all the wrongs possible with that thing😅
I'm heading for a record on how many incorrect ways to rig a spinnaker pole. I didn't know there were so many wrong ways.
Patrick does real NBJS
Many thanks Erik. I'm not sure I'll try to jump to Greenland (my two exposed rudders will not like ice), but I remain inspired by your adventures in trying to get there! Fair winds Viking.
Erik, I have seen your battles with the Code sail, it made me abandon my plans for a code sail a 51 foot sailboat despite being 2 on the boat. When things go wrong with that thing, it is just too much stress.
Patrick, you’re such an inspiration to us older single-handers 😊 I’m looking forward to do that same route some time.
A brave man goes to sea around Ireland in April in a 30ft boat. 👍
I’ll second that and my thoughts entirely
We will "third" that since teh weather beat us back in a 37ft boat 😆
I obsoletely love your videos, especially your honesty and humor, I wish you'd put out more, but this is better than nothing. Safe sails sir.
I’m absolutely in agreement
A man in his element, casually chuckling as he talks of increments of fear. Inspirational sailing, well done Patrick.
“Waves are not measured in feet and inches; they are measured in increments of fear.” It's a quote from Buzzy Trent, one of the first big wave surfers, back in the early-1960s. Patrick might be the most well-read man in [present location here].
Bikinis or not, yours is one of the best damn sailing channels around! Thank you, sir - an excellent episode!
Pas de bikini ou de clickbait… Simplement magnifique et inspirant. Merci 👍🏻✌🏻🇨🇦
Tout le plaisir est pour moi.
Yours are my favorite sailing videos. They really give me a sense of what it might be like to sail in open water. Thank you and stay safe.
My Grandmother was the last person to leave the Blasket islands. Every book or video you see of the Blasket islands has the remains of her childhood home in it.
Oh great , they were an amazing community - enjoyed reading the books 😊
Boat & Master performed at 100% ... well done Patrick...stay safe!
You are a brave and adventurous man, Patrick. It is a pleasure to follow you!
I love your sailing videos. I watch other sailors but there is something about the way you explain things; I just like it and almost feel like I am there even though I would be too much of a chicken to venture out onto the high seas as you casually do. Doug from almost landlocked Manitoba, Canada.
Congratulations, sir. What a great and sincere sailor you are.
Don't worry for the lack of bikinis. We very much prefer to see you dressed with your weather clothes.
Great episode. Enjoyed the explanation of your sails. Really like how bright and open the cabin is.
I wonder if you know how important your videos are to many of us who are not on board with you? ALWAYS a fresh breeze when a new one is posted. Thank-you for taking the trouble to make them. BTW: I continue to enjoy your sly rock lyrics references. : )
Very kind William. Much appreciated.
Nice to see you back Skipper. Safe journey. Great yacht btw
This guy keeps getting younger.
Rage, rage against the dieing of the light.......or go have a nice glass of wine somewhere. :-)
It is always nice to see your clips, because i like your gentle style, your humour and your choices for safe handling. Stay safe and always fair winds.
A great passage, I love the way that you film and narrate, very down to earth and no made up drama for the clicks!
Sponsor of this episode: Love it 🙂🙂. Thx for your content.
I felt an increment of fear just watching!
Patrick, just love the videos. Admittedly I’ve never sailed a day in my life and stumbled on this channel by accident, and I don’t actually know you. But as I approach 40 and think about where I want to be in 30 years or so (apologies if I’ve added a few years to your actual age) you’re an inspiration. You seem like a guy who has lived a fulfilling and interesting life and continues to keep the adventure alive (and yourself young in the process). Please keep it up, and “fair winds” as you nautical types seem to say to one another!
You missed my age by 1 yr. Pretty good eye. 😮
You sir, are an inspiration.
Patrick you are spoiling us. Two videos in as many weeks. ❤
767th subscriber LIKE; 3,664th desktop phantom shipmate view - envious that you got to spend time in Ireland.
Patrick, Always good to see a sailor going on, and always good and informative to hear your very abbreived and edited thoughts. Well done on the trip and harbours.
Raining heavy here tonight but its a lovely sound.
Great to seen another video Patrick. I really very much enjoy them and congratulations on the new boat! She looks beautiful and sporty. I wish to see many more videos. Fair winds and following seas.
Nice Crossing! On a 38-42ft sailboat, you can load more Chateauneuf du Pape ballast..😊
I loved that series of videos. Especially the last one with the look of shock as he was offered a choice.
Elegantly making a hardcore adventure look like philosophical transportation. Excellent seamanship.
After a long wait, thank you for showing us real skills and a different perspective on sailing.
On the setup of the asymmetric, I was surprised to see your starboard sheet to be inside the Genoa and not running outside the Genoa luff. I'm curious to know how you would have gybed under such conditions.. I'm running everything outside the boat and when sailing solo, it is not always obvious to rig it right before hoisting...
Looking forward with great appetite for the next leg.
Fair winds till then !!
I explained in a segment that it was not possible to gybe with the sheet like that, but I deleted because the video was too long. Well spotted.
Bahhh I was only watchin to the end for an Icelandic bikini 😄 Great sailing in a very capable boat Patrick.. You keep proving the blue rinse brigade wrong. Sail Safe mate. Ant & Cid
Many thanks guys. Live your technical stuff too.....As a pilot, it was actually illegal for us to touch a screw driver or wrench. I'm a very late learner, and your stuff is a godsend.
Another great video. Thank You!
Arguably THE BEST Sailing vlogger and genuine no faff/ proficient sailor anywhere on you tube
Nicely done! Tip on the assymetric on the profurl spinex furler (I have the same for my A2) - add a longer extension line in between the sheets and the clew so that you can attach the sheets just before hoisting and not have them attached when in the sailbag . This way you can avoid the sheets from fouling (which always tends to happen if the stay attached when in storage). The longer extension line (ca 1.5m) will be enough to keep the sail neat when in the bag. This way you can leave the spinnaker sheets on deck prepared (attached to the pultpit) to be used when on passage if you want to avoid having to do that part of setting the sail when under way. Keep it up!
oh yeh smart move 👏👏👏👍
Great suggestion.
@@patricklaine6958 another suggestion that works really well for me is to use a ratchet block at the end of the continuous furling line and add a line to that block that you can tighten aftwards. This way you will have no accidental unfurls and you can tighten the furling line so you will have no slippage on the drum and will not have to worry about keeping the other end tight when furling. You will also only be able to furl the same direction every time. All you have to do to unfurl is to give the line to the ratchet block a little slack and the tighten it again to be ready for the next furl. I do a lot of solo and doublehanded sailing (recreational and racing) in Sweden and this setup works really great with fast setup times and minimizing time out of the cockpit.
Patrick Ep 60 and Ep 61 are your best to date in my humble opinion. La Rochelle to Ireland in one hit is a hell of an undertaking with all the traffic and lack of rest. I would have to break that one up into manageable passages. I don't think I've ever been far so soon after buying a new boat. Again ... not an easy thing to do. Talking about ideal lengths for the open ocean, Joshua Slocum decided that 38 feet was about right for the ocean. Close friends of mine who have circumnavigated the thick end of twice, did so first in a 30 foot boat. With that experience they decided on a 41 foot Koopmans 41. You would be hard pressed to find something better for making very long voyages. But she's just a tad bit hard work for us solo sailors. We need to remind folk that when the weather gets really severe the sea will toss anything about. Provided you're a cork you stand a chance. And again a reminder ... folk just can't think they can buy a boat and set off. It takes a lot of miles to become part of a good crew and a lot of miles and work to understand what is required to sail alone. It is no more skilled than being part of a crew but it is a completely different discipline. And it works for very few. So folks, don't be lured just because Patrick makes it look easy. Fair winds and stay safe. James
Thanks James. Confirms my estimate that 38-42 ft is a good length for blue water sailing. :-) Which also explains why I bought a 29 ft boat. :-? You are absolutely spot on ---- no one should buy a boat and set sail for distant shores. While this boat is 'new' to me, I have sailed approximately 700 nm in it prior to this major passage to Iceland. It would be foolish/dangerous to go to sea in a boat you don't know well. Fair winds my friend.
Oh gosh! I was not suggesting you were under prepared. My uselessness just requires a couple of years getting to know a new ship. The ideal ocean length, make of boat etc is based on weeks and sometimes months at sea rather than shorter passages with the added luxury of the lovely Iridium Go.
Hi, another very informative video , thank you Patrick , fair winds my friend .👍👍
I love it when you quote poetry and song lyrics. Makes me feel terribly intellectual.
Btw, I enjoy your channel. Thanks for putting out the content.
Thank you, amazing always!
A skipper just like his boat : simple, efficient, elegant, inspiring. Period.
Your calm attitude makes that kind of weather almost gentle. Thanks for these!
I saw that fin and thought “You’re going to need a bigger boat.”
Hey Patrick, did Ireland have any Châteauneuf-du-Pape? :)
Patrick, with your daughters is impossible to negotiate. They stole your heart ❤
Wiating to see your 2024 adventures I watched this episode twice. I love your boat and I learn a lot with your ‘lessons’. Please, keep educating us. WE WANT MORE !!! Merci beaucoup.
34 knots true wind and just u go out on bow! I was grinding my teeth 😢
Sailing channel about sailing, and not a athletic green snake oil bottle in sight 😂
No need for the "Sorry gents"...(context 'no bikinis').
No bikinis = good. I prefer to watch real sailing, thanks.
All the best from Perth, Western Australia.
Arvind
"But it's mostly about waves crashing over the bow..." 😂😂😂
New inspiration because of you. Not sure what you're motivations are but seeing an..."Older gentleman", for lack of a better word, do what you just did, makes me reconsider a LOT of things.
Hola.... we don't need bikinis.... we enjoy your information and context as well as admiring your sailing skills and sense of adventure!
Good to see you back in Ireland 🇮🇪Patrick ! Safe travels 👏👏
Are you in Iceland now Patrick? We met briefly in Brighton pre-Covid, but I happen to be in Iceland Thurs/Fri with a car if you have time for coffee!?
Yes, agree with everything Gistavo said. I usually just used the main fully let out to ease the spinnaker in or out. Also full tension on the torsion line is paramount when furling or unfurling, just dont forget to loosen it afterwards so you get a natural shape for your spinakker. Enjoy, you will soon get the hang of it! I may have just bought a Slotta 30 myself. It is a Polish made boat with a swing keel. Wish me luck bringing it Hungary from Oslo, Norway...
15:12 is the location and conditions required to see the legendary islamd of Hy-Brazil! Love the videos, beautiful sailing
Looks chilly🥶. Second sheet on the Code zero is nothing but a nuisance when you’re single handed. Definitely fit a cam cleat on the furling line. Don’t be tempted to leave the Code zero up when furled for long, take it down every time or the halyard will suffer. We’ll done
Having no experience with furling downwind sails, I was actually thinking “why don’t you just leave it up all the time”. Thanks for raising the point. How exactly does the halyard get impacted if you leave it up? Any other reasons not to leave it up, other than perhaps the risk of it unfurling unexpectedly (although if on a cam cleat, I guess it can’t do that)? I realize people always put them away in between use, was just wondering why. Thanks.
The furled sail sways about and the halyard eventually wears through at the mast sheave. Bitter experience 😢
@@briankatz7885 As the code zero isn’t rigged on a forestay it will sway around due to the elasticity of the torsion line. The constant movement will chafe through the halyard at the mast sheave. Also UV protection isn’t always sufficient.
I had to laugh when you talked about the best length for ocean sailing and immediately followed with your current purchase of a 29 foot boat. That's a jet jockey for you! You and Eric are kindred spirits!
Who needs bikinis or Chateauneuf du Pape when you can have Fjajjagrasa Icelandic schnapps.
great sailing. Nice to see you back.
Great video & channel Patrick, appreciate the proper sailing like CW and SWT instead of tits and drama...
Glad you know what you’re doing - this sail, that sail, inside, outside ??? OMG - my brain hurts - always love your posts - would sure like to know what you do when you’re not sailing - be safe out there and look forward to your future posts 👍👏🌹
if 38 - 42 better why abandon Isabelle? If you could would you go back?
Bravo.
When "The Great Erik Aanderaa" congratulates you, what can I say? I will try, fantastic.
Muito obrigado, amigo marinheiro.
Thank you very much Mr. Laine for your instructive video.
Cheers,
Very fine woolly sail…Patrick…good health to you. Thank you for your video.
Wow what an episode. Three great quotes in one episode, Oh Captain Oh Captain, a Whitman take off my favorite. ALSO the “How to Sail Oceans” refference was a killer. I had no idea you watched my pal Boothby. He and I have crossed paths many times with joyious times had by all. One day sir I’d be honored to meet you and whatever your current boat is. Join us this summer in the Narragasett Bay. this was one of my top episodes ever, well done.
Far too kind Steve. Kevin is 'the sailor' when it comes to knowing the sea, and how to expertly operate a boat in all conditions, even without motor!
@@patricklaine6958 Boothby is a strict devotee of Lin and Larry Parday. However, I believe you both share the top title of Adventurer extraordinaire.
As a professional editor and storyteller, I tease him often about his story arcs and sudden terminations. To each their own, but I like your graceful hand.
Refreshingly click-bait and titillation free, but great content - thank you Patrick!
Hi Patrick. Thanks for a great video showing great realism. Where is the link to the latest book? My granddaughter loved the first one ❤
The books (Alessia in Atlantis) are available from Amazon or most of the other on-line bookstores. Can't thank you enough! Fair winds!
Not the same confort as Isabelle but you look happy with a small plywood ship!! Courage
"Suffering cures all ailments, through tears or sweat, or going out to sea."
Sir Patrick Laine
“Increments of fear”! I love it
Everything should be measured in increments of fear!
Très content de vous retrouver "à la barre" Patrick. Vos vidéos sont toujours intéressantes, tout comme vous. Grâce (ou à cause...) de gens comme vous je viens de me lancer moi aussi dans l'aventure de la voile. J'ai acheté un voilier (ne quid nimis) et je suis actuellement en train de faire mon premier voyage avec. Je n'étais jamais monté sur un voilier avant... so thanks for all the tips you give, and fair winds.
J'ai commencé à l'age de 62....... bonnes navs !
Patrick you are amazing Sir! As us Welsh would say ‘Un o’r Werin’ which is special, you are ‘One of the people’ you have the true love of what you do and do it so well. Always a pleasure to watch your incredible journeys. Diolch Cariad. Safe travels always, you are a true gentleman of the seas 🌊 😊
As an ex from Cardiff, I can say in all honesty, that there is a special place reserved in my heart for Wales. 😊
@@patricklaine6958 there is a special welcome always for you in Wales 🏴 Patrick, you are an inspiration to so many! Never forget it 🙂 Fair winds & safe travels always and thank you 🙏🏻 so much for bringing us all along in your incredible journeys! ⛵️
No bikinis? No problem, Patrick. I didn’t want to see you in one anyway. 😂
Wonderful passage to witness. A chuckle meets the fear/ wave height index. 🇮🇪
Prefer this over bikini girls Patrick. Great trip, thanks for sharing.
I think it would be too chilly for you to wear a bikini this time Patrick, don't forget to clip on and stay with the boat.
Patrick you are my hero. An amazing sailor, a great and proud father, a film maker, a teacher for many poeple like me, …
If you allow me to make a suggestion, one day you have to share with us:
a) the differences between this boat RM890+ and your Bavaria. I am not asking for the actual dimensions, that I can find on intenet. I am referring to the live onboard, the comfort. Do you miss something from the Bavaria?
b) Why did you decide to go north with the RM 890+smaller, faster) instead of with going with another more ‘cruising/Bavaria’ style.
Thank you.
Your secret Fan, Javier
I am asking to learn and to understand your thinking. Please, don’t see this comment as a challenge to you. I admire your strenght and your wisdom.
Fair winds and congratulations to uour daugther for the two novels.
The Bavaria I had was a fantastic sailboat ---- very capable of going just about anywhere in the normal sailing g world, with plenty of storage space, great comfort, and reasonable speed (5.5 knots). My smaller boats go much, much faster (easily +50%), but storage space and comfort in rough weather are the trade-off compromises....... Fair winds to you. 😊
@@patricklaine6958 Thanks. Very clear
Thanks for bringing us along. I love your videos. Thumbs up.
Thanks for having us aboard once again. I'll be certain to get a copy of volume II of Alessia in Atlantis for my granddaughter who enjoyed volume I.
I am not into sailing but watch all of your videos, I find them bizarrely relaxing and very informative, thanks to your videos I know so many terms for a sport that I have never taken part in and probably could hold my own in a discussion on the technicalities of the sport.
Great video Patrick. When you have time, I’d be interested in the reasons for you moving to this sort of smaller performance yacht from the cruiser you had previously. Looks like a lot of work and it’s a bit less forgiving, especially for a single hander? I guess the performance benefit is worth it to you?
Fabulous - thank you for taking us along Patrick!
Really enjoy your travels and tales.. Thanks for sharing...
Can you at least wear a speedo?
Once you see it, it can't be unseen......
This is right up there with Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Enjoyed this episode very much. Your new boat sure looks like a keeper.
Welcome to Ireland 🇮🇪, good episode. Thanks 📸 for sharing. ⛵️
Greetings from beautiful tropical paradise island Kauai 🏝 Hawaii
Thanks Rimas and welcome back.
Wow. Just wow. Inspiring Patrick. Thank you! 40 foot boat more comfortable in heavy seas but also has more weight, more forces working on it, more inertia, gets out of control quicker and harder to control if things go wrong surely? Isn’t 34-38 really the sweet spot for solo sailing? Would love to hear more of your views.
I loved my Bavaria 40. I never struggled with controlling it, and was much more comfortable in bad wx than my two recent boats. This is a very subjective topic.:-)
"increments of fear" I can relate. No use for the docking stick here :) Safe sailing...
I actually hate rafting up to fishing boats. They never have a cleat easy to put a line around, and trying to raft up solo is always a stressful event. I can count on two hands the number of times i've done it over the last 5 years. Don't like it!
Great sail Patrick !! Quite a hard day in the office !! Looking forward to your next video. Fair winds and safe passage! Cheers from Muros
Another cracking video Patrick
Re the “ideal boat” for offshore / trans Atlantic, would you opt for another “mass production” model (Bavaria/Beneteau/Dufour/Elan/Hanse/Jeaneau etc)?
Absolutely. Isn't it time we let the old ways die? Literally thousands of modern production boats cross the Atlantic and Pacific each year with no major incidents of 'sea-worthiness'.
Great to see your steady hand back on the tiller Patrick
My brain has been conditioned to expect sailing videos to be travel logs with the requisite tour of the new locale, so it's always a bit jarring, but in a good way, the way Patrick's videos always stop at the dock. It's just about the sailing, and you'll receive no complaint from me.
Thanks. You are about the only one who says that, but I just can't myself to filming ashore.....
"Waves are not always so big in North Atlantic" ... and the waves took it personally
😂
Fun episode Mr Patrick…..so is there a “sweet spot” vessel in your future? Enjoy Iceland, enjoy a wee dram, I look forward to your next adventure! Oh…love my top down furled Code 0, but mine gets furled a lot earlier than 18 kts True! Fair winds, thx, merci, Andrew
Yeah, i pull in the lightweight code zero very early, like you. I'll tempt fate a bit longer with the heavier asym..... may live to regret that.
Great to see you Patrick! I was just wondering what you’ve been up to. Iceland sounds like a worthy destination!
You can only have two alternatives (sorry, had to).
Something I've noticed with this yacht and your previous one is the connection you have with the sea courtesy of that open transom. It puts you in touch with the elements you're passing through. I love that. Have you ever had an experience that makes you wish it was more enclosed?
Every time a wave comes over, and that freezing water runs down inside my collar soaking me. 😊
Yes, you should have negotiated the commission…Just ordered the second book. My granddaughter liked the first one very much. Thank you so much for these very inspirational videos. Cheers Patrick.
Much appreciated Homero. 😊