Safety at Sea // Solo Ocean Sailor [ Contessa 26 ]
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มี.ค. 2021
- This is a distillation of the measures I take to be safe at sea. These measures come from years of experience and multiple solo ocean crossings in boats 26 feet and under. Sit back and let the words flow over you, take what you need.
Timestamps:
00:21 Intro
01:21 The Boat
05:00 Safety Harness
06:50 Spares & Tools
08:30 Collisions
16:50 Heavy Weather
22:40 Mental and Physical Condition
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[MK3 Wind Vane Self Steering Plans]
The digital building Plans (DIY), including 12 pages of high quality drawings, critical instructions, and links to 3 unlisted videos are included. The Plans can be purchased through my Etsy Shop by following the attached link:
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If you are wondering what I've been up to when not sailing Wave Rover check out my other channel: Rover's Rest: / @roversrest
Wave Rover 650 Study Plans:
You can purchase Wave Rover 650 Study plans through Andy Dize. Here is a link to his site and his email should you have any problems: www.etsy.com/listing/10654837...
Andy Dize email: adize456@gmail.com
Thank you and fair winds - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
![MK3 Wind Vane [Trim Tab] Self Steering Digital DIY Plans || My Future Sailing Plans Revealed](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Wcd9Y5AS6qE/mqdefault.jpg)
![MK3 Wind Vane [Trim Tab] Self Steering Digital DIY Plans || My Future Sailing Plans Revealed](/img/tr.png)
Allan, the best recommendations I've ever heard so far. Clear explanations, calmly and based on experience. What more could a sailor want? And thank you for taking my fear of containers away. Nice greetings to Canada from a snowy Austria (No kangaroos).
Ha ha, I could hear the didgeridoo playing in the background as soon as I saw your comment!
Absolutely bang on…. Everything you have said so far, I agree with …. Proper seamanship. Only I say it with a Cornish accent.
Solo Sadler 26 sailor… same designer as your Contessa 26.
Enjoy it.
Few other sailing channels provide as much straightforward--useable--info as this. Looking forward to your upcoming self-steering vid.
Working on the final touches of the MK3 package.
Alan's culinary skills might be questionable 😃 but his character isn't. This was a video dedicated to saving lives at sea, pure and simple. Great job Alan!
Thanks Rory, I might step it up a little bit in the galley on the next voyage.
Awesome video for any sailor, big boat or small. A fire hose of great information from someone that has done his homework, made his mistakes and developed a system for survival.
Thanks, David.
There was a lot - I mean A LOT - of wisdom in these words. Thank you!
I had been thinking about this video for weeks. I didn't quite say all the things that I wanted to but the video was already too long. Thank you for the comment.
I have recently bought an International folkboat and a very experienced sailing friend (he owns an S&S 34) has taken me under his wing to teach me to sail. There isn't a time when we're together that we don't say that you, Alan are THE MAN! Great series. Thank you. All the best from Sydney, Australia.
Thanks for sharing! Having crossed the Pacific solo in 1995 I found myself moored on the Brisbane River. I loved my time in Australia and almost didn't leave.
@@RoversAdventure I assume you didn't go ashore, because if you did you would have been surrounded by Queenslanders and come away with an entirely different view of Australia!
Great information thank you sir. Looking forward to your next boat and adventure.
glad to see you again
Great advice. Thanks! I am pleased there will be more adventures.
As always- such quality information and potentially life saving information! Thank you
Thanks you my friend.
Happy you go to have new adventures! 😊
Thanks Alan!! The info you share helps me understand other YT sailing channels too. Also, I have a sincere desire to, at least, make it down into the Caribbean and sail there for a season or two. All this info helps a lot!! Waiting for the next Rover Rest edition!! Hope it comes along soon:-)
Ciao Alan, I love your videos as they are very interesting and I’m learning a lot. I love your English and the way you speak as I do understand everything thanks to it. Keep on, great videos and great channel. Congratulations for what you’ve done.
Glad you like them! Starting this fall I will be making weekly episodes again.
Another great video Allen.. I was also in the RCN for along time (27 years) your points are right on, loved your closing remarks. Looking forward to your next adventure and may have to visit you in PEI sometime :)
Let me know when you are in the area, we will have to have a few "wets"
Great tutorial on a very important topic. Some of the topics you covered I find applicable to life itself. I trust what you say because I know you have the experience & knowledge to support it.
You have us all interested in your next boat & adventure! I also follow your Rover's Rest youtube channel and find it as interesting and informative as Wave Rover's. Thank you for sharing both with us!
Thanks for your support of both the channels. Staring this fall I hope to start producing a weekly episode for Sailing Wave Rover... more to come.
All my life I have practiced dangerous things that might happen.
For example after the first snow storm I will go to a parking lot and practice breaking in the snow.
When backpacking I have practiced starting a fire without a match.
So I naturally practice sailing in heavy weather.
I will go out sailing just after a storm front has passed.
The wind and waves are still bad but every hour the weather is getting better.
Start on a small storm and then move up.
I have owned 5 sailboat and have done this for the last 4 sailboats.
My first sailboat was a flying junior day sailor and for it I practiced righting the boat after capsizing it.
Some may think this is nuts but I think it is nuts not to practice heavy weather sailing.
That's brilliant. Good on you!
I'm still looking for the right boat on which to learn to sail and ultimately cross from Europe to the Caribbean, but can wait no longer to start building the Mark Three in anticipation, so will make the more generic parts now, and complete it once I have a boat that, like yours, was moored on my front drive. It's such a brilliant inspiration and costs approximately £3500 ($4000) less than a shop bought one. The decision os a 'no-brainer'!
Thanks and good luck with both projects. I just purchased plans for Wave Rover 2. Looking forward to starting the project this Fall.
your videos are really informative. Love from india
Thank you my friend. I love to see comments from so far away. With a bit of luck I should be sailing through the Indian ocean in a couple of years
Allan, great video thank you for that . !!!
Very welcome my friend
Alan, great comments. All absorbed here!
While I agree all of these things are necessary for the small boat. I think they all apply to larger boats and larger crews too. The number of couples that have come back single from MOB when only one was on watch is probably not much less than empty boats for solo sailors. I think the points on making sure jack lines are in good shape apply as well. Even as crew I think making one's self familiar with as much of the boat as possible will allow one to find out how well maintained the boat is allowing one to trust the boat as well as the skipper. Bringing your own safety harness or other gear will add to confidence while on deck too. Remember that a part of the driving force for Ming Ming's construction (perhaps where you saw a doghouse like your own) came from the loss of a much larger vessel. I am particularly interested in what you have to say because I am the skipper of a small craft with my family on board and effectively am soloing just now though interest is starting to build in the rest. We are not likely to go beyond The Georgia Strait but even in coastal waters I use a harness.
Great comment. BTW, I built my first boat in Nanaimo, and for 7 years lived on Mudge Island. I know the Georgia Strait well.
Awesome video! Subscribed!!
Awesome! Thank you!
Great chat! Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wonderful, congratulations.
Thank you so much 😀
IMHO, the best protection against a collision with UFO ;-) (unidentified floating object) is a steel hull and some watertight bulkheads. On a plastic or plywood boat, I like a collision bulkhead and a lot of small, watertight compartments, similar to what James Baldwin did on his Pearson Triton Atom. Containers usually sink, but logs, on the other hand, are not so fast to go down.
You are absolutely right. I fear the log, or dead head as we referred to them in the PNW, more than the container.
Excellent advice!
Thanks for watching!
thanks for shareing those recommendations
You are so welcome!
Thank you Alan! I just bought a tartan 28. After listening to your wise advice. I am going to put more time and personal effort into some things I didn't think we're top priority. Such as the portholes, and companionway that leaks a little bit Etc. Also focus on doing more by myself so I get more intimate with the structure, what's onboard and where it is exactly, at every moment! Great advice I really appreciate your videos more than I can describe.
I would love to build a wind vane just like yours, however, I'm not sure I've got the engineering Savvy that you have :-) (not that I plan on crossing oceans like you!!!!)
Thanks for a great comment and all the best with your Tartan 28 (a great boat)! The actual building of a MK3 is very easy and not at all intimating. I should have a MK3 package ready very soon, should you change your mind.
Hi Alan, That was really interesting. I am approaching retirement, don't have much money, and never sailed before! Your way of doing things in Wave Rover makes sense. Good to see videos aimed at the poorer solo sailers. Not sure I will ever get to sea, but if/when I do I will be sure to re-watch this. Also, I am interested in your wind vane plans when that comes to fruition. Many thanks.
Best of luck with getting out there. The MK3 package is almost complete.
Good to see you again Alan. Some good advice there, I have never thought about cleaning a locker a day, or week to help with moral, and more important bonus of keeping an intimate knowledge of what you have on board and just as importantly, where it is. I am a bit behind in my Rovers Rest viewing, I have been crazy busy getting our own house ready. The pressure is on
My 48v heating system seems to be working well, let me know if you want more info.
All the best,
Robin, Orkney.
Where has the time gone! We are still trying to sell our house and until that is accomplished I can not fund the house build at Rover's Rest. It will happen but maybe not to my schedule. Good for you being so adventurous setting up a real off grid home.
You the best . Iam a german fan. top videos .
Met a lot of great German sailors on the last voyage. Fair winds
@5:40 Many tethers have a Snap shackle at the chest end. it is designed to allow quick release from the harness under load.
Dear Allan, excellent video, like all the other ones!!
1 remark: with your 60’ lifeline you would be dragged under water and with the speed of the boat probably not be able to surface on the lee side
Great comment and a legitimate concern that you raise.
Thank you very much Alan, all solid advice. I especially like the the idea of checking your boat systematically over a few days, a good Navy principle I'm sure. And if you're looking for a project, how about building a Globe 580 and racing around the world ? Jim
What a wonderful idea! Everything is so expensive in the building world right now. If you get a chance message me the estimated cost via FB ( Alan Mulholland) messenger please.
It's good to know that your going back to sea sometime in the future. IMHO I would get a smaller boat and rebuild it like Roger Taylor of Ming Ming fame did or like you did with Rover.
My head is on that course already.
Mingming 2 is the boat up to which I measure all the other boats -- and I'm a landlubber. One day I may attempt to construct something that measures up.
Ming Ming 2 (Achilles 24) is a lightweight boat, different kettle of fish to the Contessa 26.
@@RoversAdventure Happiest hopes for an enjoyable time Alan. Am very glad to read this good news and hope you may have sufficient patience to take us along on the search for and preparation of a boat, followed by whatever journey you decide to take.
Please keep us in mind if you have products such as wind vane (Mark III or>), boat hocks, drogues...you have I think an interested audience here! Tested experience is everything!
Many thanks for sharing.
An engineer friend has produced terrific drawings of the MK3 and I am now trying to figure out how to get them out there. It was easier to build the MK3 than to get this last step completed. lol
I agree that YOU make it look easy. But as an little bit experienced sailor i know what's necessary while sailing..my first boat was NOT water tight....and when the weather shift's, you need to have the knowledge what to do...
Glad you got some good information out of the video.
Good job. I feel I might not be able to cross an ocean, but I can visit the various islands off Florida.
Great place to sail.
Hello, Alan! Thank you so much for your amazing videos. They are an inspiration to us all. My question is regarding choice of self steering. For steering C&C 30 on Lake Ontario single-handed, would you recommend a wheel mounted auto pilot or a windvane? I suspect you will go with the windvane, but on the other hand it seems like an auto pilot would allow for push button course setting after doing a course change or if I had to go on deck. I would be curious to hear your thoughts in this situation. Thanks!
If you intend to do long passages with fairly steady winds then the windvane would be a great choice, but if you intend on day trips or short get aways then an auto pilot would be a better choice. Conversely, buiding a MK3 can be done for about $100.
Hi, I want to download the series. A Canadian told me about a guy in a small sailboat who made it to Martinique and turned around. It seems there is a lot to this story. The boat and captain seem most capable. Circumstances often intervene.
Hi mate, 60" lifeline means you'd be over the side. How do you get back on the boat if you're getting dragged face first on the lee side of the boat. Also, no crotch strap so your harness could go over your head....
Armchair observer that's done a bit.
When on deck I'm on the windward side as one should do on a small boat. If a wave does strike it would be virtually impossible to put me over to the leeward side. I have on occasion passed my tether through a U-bolt making it 30" Your face is essentially just above the deck and very difficult to accomplish any task. The harness is fairly tight and I have demonstrated to another sailor how it doesn't slip as I lifelessly hang from it. I think that your comment is very good and that folks need to wear a harness that keeps them safe, makes them feel safe, and yet still able to accomplish a task.
Speaking of collisions,you only mentioned containers.And how rare it is.Im in the Pacific North West,And there are lots of big logs.In bad weather or night you have a very good chance of hitting one.All I can say is throttle back ,put it in neutral.hope for the best.Sailing or motoring
Very true. I've done a bit of sailing around the Gulf Islands and those logs are treacherous. Hard to see and 95 percent submurged. They can really spoil a night sail.
Sound advice
rudder is smth which fails the most on sailboats in the ocean
Any concerns about the snapshackle connecting directly to the harness material without being set stationary onto d-rings? My concern is that it could ride up if shock loaded and hit you in the face. You could find yourself bloodied up pretty badly if that were to happen. maybe I just can't see the detail in the video and I could be completely wrong but your feedback would be appreciated
I was wondering the same thing. The snap shackle needs to be “hard mounted” or else it’s really going to become tight and possibly debilitating should you be knocked overboard and that harness gets put under weight. Great content 👌
Another excellent video, any ideas when you gonna make MkIII VIDEO?
I'm happy to report that an engineering friend has produced some excellent drawings and I'm just trying to figure out how to make them available. I hope to have that resolved soon.
@@RoversAdventure 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Hi Alan. The question I had following your knock down was whether you felt that not having the weight of the internal engine may have reduced Wave Rover's stability?
Great question. I store 40kg of water where the engine used to be and another emergency 40kg where the fuel would have been stored. 40 liters = 40kg. So 80kg would be pretty close to the weight of the original engine.
Bit late to the show but on the mental aspect you talked about do you prep in case of any form of anxiety attack? Great vid
I have been fortunate enough not to be prone to panic attacks. Preparation and being in the right head space before departure help a great deal. More conversation on this topic as I get closer to departure.
Super super useful info that I've never heard on any of the other sailing channels that I watch. Will be revisiting when I plan on doing an ocean crossing!
You always seemed so calm and focussed on passages, is this always the case? Would be great to hear from you about when things were getting out of control and the methods you use to calm yourself down to get back into control.
Welcome aboard and thanks for the comment. I think that I have to credit my Navy training for learning to deal with emergencies. Also, when you are solo, you don't have to worry about the safety of the rest of the crew and can focus on taking a logical approach to dealing with the situation. I also mention in a few videos about how I prepare for a voyage and this includes some relaxation and visualization techniques. Fair winds
Any issues with corrosion with the climbing biner on your harness?
They were at least 15 years old when I used them on Wave Rover. After a year at sea they look no different than when I started. They are made for the construction industry and to be used outside.
Thanks Alan for interesting and informative videos. I've learnt a lot from you. I'm convinced by your case for a Jordans series drogue and will replace my current sea anchor. I also like the cabin door you made. Could you give more information on that.
A couple of thoughts I hope you don't mind. I think your lifeline tether is too long. I know it's convenient to move about but it's long enough that one could go overboard. I would prefer a shorter tether and more attachment points on the boat. I use a system where I have one long tether and one short tether. The short tether is really hand to clip in when you're working with both hands and want to be held steady. The other thought is stainless and aluminium may not be good companions for backing plates because of galvanic corrosion. Maybe duralec or something to keep them apart but it's difficult with the bolts and washers?
Anyway fantastic stuff. Well done. Happy voyaging. How do you get the time? 🙂
Great comment. I like the idea of a 3' hook on the 5' tether for the reason that you said. I would have used SS if I had it for the backing plates. All the backing plates are well above the water line so galvanic action shouldn't be a big problem. Similar to Mast attachments is my reasoning.
My second tether is short, only about a foot. Don't want to trip over it!
Next thing I need are plans for the series drogue, can't afford to buy one. 🙂
What do you think of the junk rig. They are very easy to handle, no need for a headsail, they reef themselves, etc.
In Season 2 of Sailing Wave Rover, I start building my next boat which is a Junk Rigged, twin keeled, 21 footer for a circumnavigation next year.
👍👍
Really good advice, love your content !!! One comment, though: how about a crutch (crotch?) strap with the harness? It would prevent the harness from pulling out if one happens to have hands raised and the lifeline pulls upwards - which could happen when one is about to go overboard or dragging through the water with a longer lifeline, unless the harness is kept really tight.
It's a good idea and I would probably add one in the future.
Hey Alan, have you ever considered doing a DIY inboard electric motor? I’ve seen a few TH-camrs make them and they look pretty cool (especially if you have solar)
Absolutely. I would love to go engineless but if I had to I would opt for an electric motor.
Alan do you think that you could use the series drogue to steer your boat in the event of a total rudder failure?
I have thought about that but would first try trailing warps from the aft cleats
@@RoversAdventure sorry for the miss spelling of your name… I had a friend who spelled his name as Allen and it’s stuck in my head. I made the correction hopefully in my head as well 👍
@@kirbythomas5468 No worries my friend. It happens all the time. My spelling just happens to be the simplest... a theme that seem to run through my life.
Very informative Alan. Thank you. Can you expand on why you sleep in the day time an much less so at night?
Safety. Wave Rover is more visible during daylight and difficult to see at night.
Are you planning to go to sea again?
Absolutely
My favorite sailor sailed a contessa 32 around the world they are called submarine with sails lol but she keep there footing in crazy situation
I'd love to sail a Contessa 32.
@@RoversAdventure I would love to find one id rather have a British made one no offense to Canada but those brits know how to build a boat
You've got great content and I'd like to support you, but 10 ad breaks in 33 minutes is enough for me to switch on the ad blocker.
I'm really sorry. I have set the channel to the minimum number of ads. It frustrates me when I watch as well. Mrs. Rover tells me that she will get me a TH-cam ad free account for my birthday so I don't have to see them either.