Sailing Alone from Bora Bora to American Samoa 1110 Nautical Miles on a 30ft Sailboat
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.พ. 2023
- Episode #284 : Season 9 : The South Pacific
Hello Friends,
This is the third installment of my "Sailing Alone" series of long format films that document my solo ocean passages.
On this episode I say good by to Bora Bora and French Polynesia and make way for American Samoa, a passage of 1110nm. This passage was filled with rowdy following seas, high winds and a few moments of drama that really kept me on my toes.
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Fair Winds,
James
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#solosailing #frenchpolynesia #americansamoa #solosailor #borabora
I love that you don't put music over your videos. I feel like the silence, and the ambience of wherever you are is way more honest. I appreciate that kinda thing!
Oh ya ! Me also , it’s very raw and very immersive.
@@daffymore This is the best compliment, music that's there but so well integrated we don't notice it.
The flip side of James is Gunboat videos. If I ever got rich enough to buy a Gunboat I think I'd name it, "Hit Mute!" Who goes sailing and when the wind picks up says, "Hey, let's play some loud canned muzak!"
agree. very natural and real.
I’d put pirates of the caribbean music over it 😂 i know just NO
Ppp
I'm Ex UK Forces, I have been homeless and Jobless, lost loves of my life, but your Videos and particularly your words have emotionally stirred me towards the sea..don't know how I'm going to do it as I'm middle aged without a pot to piss in ..but I got to do it .. thanks Captain James
You can do it!
One small step at a time.... Get educated, dream and plan. Fair winds.
Never say you can’t do it! There was a a saying we used and live by and used when I played basketball for a top 5 college basketball team It was MTXE. It stands for Mental Toughness Extra Effort. MTXE MY FRIEND
"Those who dare - win.". Life is just another battlefield. If you are used to combat, you already know how to win in life. Discipline, skill, grit and courage. Never stop. I hope to greet your ship in 5 years. Do it.
Start with a kayak
When I was a kid your videos would have been a whole year of National Geographic specials on national TV.
Ah, nice. When I was a kid, I used to live in American Samoa. And thank you for pronouncing Pago Pago correctly! 🙂🌴⛵️🇦🇸
I don't know if you will see this or not, but I'm proud of you, to go through what you did at the start of this journey and sail on like a champ, says a lot about who you are. I wish you nothing but the best and I will continue watching to the end.
Really enjoy watching you live your dream James. A true inspiration! Be safe friend
My family lived in American Samoa when I was a young boy. A few years ago, my brother and I took our father back to the island for his final visit. It’s such an incredible place, with absolutely wonderful people, and I’m so excited to experience it once again, but through your lens. Your spirit for adventure inspires me. Thanks!
Your calm logical problem solving in the middle of the night on a rocking deck is impressive!
James, I love how you stand amidst your rig feeling, listening, sensing and understanding exactly what shs doing. It's a wonderful partnership, you and her, your absolute trusted friend and willing extension of your spirit!
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Another GREAT sailing crossing and journey James!
And your ships log monologue really was thoughtful, original, wise and inspiring, thank you for sharing sir!
Thank you 🙏🏻
@@SailorJames Welcome! I've been somewhat having an SV Triteia binge watch lately since coming across your story, which really is a great story and journeys! Also just to add that it was me who sent you a message last week re. if you drop in to Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast (of which Noosa is a part) I would be happy to show you both some of the local 'jewels'.
Btw I have a small youtube channel documenting Mistress' build journeys and we are close to finally getting her in the water,.. to then start her sailing adventures,.. 🙂⛵
The jazz was killer! I have to say, your passages are so awesome! I love that when the shift hits fan, you have the forethought to start rolling the camera! Thank you so much for that. I know your heart must have been beating a mile a minute each time, but taking us with you while you work the problem is amazing!
James! You have really excelled yourself with this EPIC video! Loved, loved, loved it! Those of us who live aboard and sail, really enjoy the true reality of sailing! We admire the fact you are solo on this voyage, know and understand the difficulties you are overcoming alone. It is amazing that you managed to film two really scary emergencies, when the majority of us would be panicking and forget to film the reality of that! Loved the jazzy ‘Christian Williamson’ type music too! Very classy! The summit of this whole video for me though, was your beautifully written articulate epilogue! The summary of what it actually feels like to be at sea, emotionally, physically, visually! Your words were like poetry. Certainly, they should be recorded as all good historical tales are. I look forward to reading the book. Well done Captain! Mission accomplished. ❤
Thank you 🙏🏻 yeah it’s no small feat to film emergencies when you are solo but I try and do my best. Thanks for the kind comment
On a depressing Sunday up in Canada, this was a great escape!!! Thank you!!!
What an adventure, it had it all! Thank you for sharing.
Good Cap'n James, another fantastic video. There is much value in what you give us, thank you. The angles were great, I especially loved the view from close to the bow looking to the stern with the cockpit in frame. The ending ships log was also great. Stay safe and try to relax out there!
Man that was one epic sail solo 😎
He has MASSIVE brass balls. Jesus.
@@stankythecat6735 id reckon! He handles it all like a boss!!! Great job that's for sure 👌
Wow…gawd that was a little excitement ..yeah? The video of the waves make them appear HUGE..and if you say it doesn’t do it justice..holy crap! That was some serious rocking. I would be puking and terrified at the same time. You were a beast fixing that rail! Don’t know anything about sailing but love watching your journey! Thanks for sharing James!
Yeah the seas where raging on that passage
Thank you for the awesome videos and music. As well as the poetic ending with the log
Absolutely love the transition to sailing......finally free !!!.
James u are incredible,the courage and your enthusiasm is fascinating,safe travels my friend
Thank you so much for producing this long video James and taking us with you and somehow being able to kind of get the feeling of how it is like making a 1110 nm crossing. I love your raw productions. I have an old long keel 28 foot and dreaming of ocean crossings. Also the reason that I love following you mostly, instead of large boats carrying all the kind of fancy electronic devices and other stuff on board. Always looking forward to your next video.
I'm amazed by it all, the sailing, cameras, music, everything. You are an amazing person and it's great to have the opportunity to get a glimpse of your journeys thanks. ⛵💙🌊
James, I've followed you since that episode you lost the rudder mid ocean. This is another memorable episode. Thank you for sharing it with us. Wwlee, Singapore
🙏🏻
@@SailorJamesvicariously through sailor James so awesome
@@mischelle9530 Tool referance....nice
I have to say you put this professionally but yet in a simple way thank you so much that teach me engaged
Very nice video, dear James, by the way you keep calm in spite of the daily problems of a tipic solo navigation, by the way you put the cameras in the right position to take good angles takes....
In all the time we enjoy the sense of natural enviroment, without "overacting"...
This is the first video I have seen of you, so now I have a lot of videos to watch...
Good winds and wings...
Thank you for sharing James. I enjoyed it.🦋🎉💙😊
"It's impossible to film waves." How do I know other sailing TH-camrs aren't watching your channel James? They aren't gimbaling/gyroing their camera like you do. You do a better job of conveying what it's like to be at sea than anyone else. (Looks just like it does from my kayak.) I would think they'd have learned from you by now.
And yes we support you and what you are accomplishing. Every milestone you reach, every hurdle you overcome, every time you successfully anchor in someplace new and distant. Terrific videos, really captures what it's like.
I noticed that too! I thought that it was weird that the camera didnt move with the boat. I thought to myself that there must be someone else on the boat filming him. Never thought that he had the camera on a gimbal.
Yes as an aspiring liveaboard I really appreciate the raw nature of James channel. The rich folks on their tris and cats don't have anything on this style of video.
Epilogue was … spot on. Well done Captain.
What an incredible tale! Thank you for calmly capturing and explaining everything, even in the worst situations! I’m not a sailor, your videos came to me via the YT algorithm but I have to say your videos are absolutely inspiring and I look forward to every upload! May your onward travels be safe and fulfilling!
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Lmao. Like your sense of humor and calmness
That was a very nice and heartfelt thank you to your followers. The world is full of good people and you certainly are one of them. I appreciate you taking us along on this journey. Its great to get a small dose of what a solo passage feels like and you capture it for us from the comfort of our living rooms. Well done brother.
Probably one of your best films yet. The work you put into the edit and production is well appreciated. Thanks James. 😎
you do realize I'm sitting here trying to remind myself to keep breathing. You are The Man! OG
I take back my comment on the music. Fresh start.
Wow! Incredible and I don't know how the heck you stay so calm. Brilliant videos and I meant no bad will chirping on about your background music. Respect to you sir
Cheers, James. Nothing but spectacular. Dearly looking forward to seeing more from you.
Great video! I'm a fan. May the fickle fingers of fate always smile on you James!
Brother is living life with full lungs. I wish you to find someone special and to sail it together. Loneliness is ok sometimes and i know that you had a break-up but hey life moves on. I am wishing you find someone like you to sail with. God speed brother, Greetings from a Serbian fan :)
That 23 minute mark was gnarly af. I'd have been like 0_0 !
Dude! Thank you so much! This episode nails it, I was on the tip of my chair the whole episode. When it got hectic you told yourself to stay calm. That’s exactly what I would do😂. Again thank you for taking us with you. 🙏
To verbalize “stay calm”. Yes, totally agree.
When I retire, and sell it ALL and buy my 55' you and Rhonda need to be hired as my Captain/mate... you are a man of the sea.
Respects to you James! Please keep us with you on your journey!
May god keep you safe! 🙏😘
Just got my first 20ft sailboat thanks for your informative content
Appreciate the production value you add to your story, it truly flows like a documentary.
Music choice and also when and when not to put music was spot on this episode. Love it. Keep sailing and making these. Super inspiring and relaxing to watch. Stay safe out there!
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Fantastic 🙂
What an enjoyable hour - and what a great 'epilogue' 😀
Thank-you so much for sharing 👍
Beautiful message at the end. It made me verklempt.
🙏🏻
What a way to pull it all together in the end. A timeless message that we can all apply to our lives.
I generally comment as I watch and over time I've learned not to post it until the end of the video. Hopefully you'll forgive me that as being older a lot of times I forget something I wanted to say. I think that you still read of a lot of comments even with the channel blowing up in size which makes me want to say more than just some inane one line blurb as I think your work and dedication to these videos deserves more than that but I also realize the longer my comment the more time it takes you to read, so I'm kind of torn about it. I also think that you unlike many others have a longer attention span than that of a gnat unlike far to many in society today and I truly hope you find my comments useful or at least entertaining and honestly if I didn't care and find value in your videos I wouldn't waste my time or your's.
It's a good thing that you're now comfortable enough to read at sea as it is a great way to pass the time while learning as well but most find that when trying to do so or even watching something it makes them sea sick or at least very nauseous. It speaks volumes about your constitution while at sea and how well you're becoming acclimated to it.
Believe it or not you're much better off being bare legged when having something like boiling water splashed onto you unless the leg covering you choose is water proof or at least water resistant because if you're wearing a fabric legging that absorbs that boiling water you'll end up with a much worse burn than just being splashed and being able to wipe it off quickly. A cheap thing you could do is have an old pair of jeans or even pajama bottoms treat them with a lot of candle wax to coat them and make them less likely to absorb liquid when it gets splashed on them. Something as simple and cheap as a cooking apron either pre-treated or something you treat yourself with the added bonus is they can be made with material you probably already have onboard or bought on the cheap. Just an idea to think about because being injured at sea with no help in sight is never a good thing and even mild burns can easily become infected, all things I'm sure you're already aware of but it makes me feel better saying them.
I have no personal experience with it but I wonder if a small drogue from the stern would help with the swerving motion? I know it would cost some speed but would it help in your opinion?
You did amazingly well responding to that instant flooding and telling yourself to calm down and take action was extremely well done. Some may say why is he saying that out loud to himself was it for dramatic effect? No Idiots of course not in times of high stress articulating and saying something to yourself as simple as, "I need to calm down" can have a profound effect and change things for the better by forcing you to focus and do what needs doing. Again well done in a situation it would have been very easy to loose your head over. Then you had to deal with the boom jumping it's track and you handled that like an old salt. You assessed the issue, planned how to fix it and proceeded to get it done. Very well I might add as that looked like a real fight in that sea state.
Your closing statements were well written and expressed which added to the overall professionalism of your video, another job well done deserved.
I'd also like to thank you for acknowledging not just your support crew and Patreon supports but us regular viewers I know I at least wish I could do more. Being forcibly retired due to disabling health issues I live on a very limited income that has me struggling just to keep the lights on. I do not say this looking for pity or handouts, I tell you this so you know I am sincere when I say I wish I could do more than just watch and comment.
So I will close this book of a comment by saying yet again thank you so much for allowing me to see things and experience them thru the lens of your camera that I will never be able see or do on my own. I truly hope what I've said here is helpful in some way or at the very least entertaining for anyone who reads it but especially you my friend you truly are part of a rare and disappearing breed in today's world...
Fair winds, following seas, safe travels and God Bless...
I love sailboat content keep making move videos
I have to give it to you because I don’t think I can do what you do god bless you and safe travels
We love you James the sailor
Thank you 🙏🏻
ohhhhh shit a 100k subs my man!!! im glad you didnt let sailing by yourself stop you and absoulty love what ya been doing big guy!!!!!
It’s beautiful, but I’d be so sea sick, I’m scared to go on a cruise ship let alone a sailboat! You’re very brave.
All the best for what's ahead, really looking forward to all that happens in the future. xx Take care xx
A beautiful film James, thank you. I loved your inspiring monologue at the end. Worthy of Moitissier. I feel that there's a good book in you waiting to be written one day. I know I'd read it!
I will be asleep .. time difference. But It will be the perfect thing to watch while having my morning coffee. Fair winds James.
I really enjoyed watching this. It was a pleasure to see. Stay safe. And i thought the music that you did add was perfect.
The way you dealt with the ingress of water was very impressive,you showed 'presence of mind' at all times, fantastic
Outstanding as previous. Keep up the good work.
I love your music selection for these videos.
Absolutely amazing brother.....thank you for sharing !!!.
And you showed us you have a patience one of kind to overcome all those obstacles on your way 👏
Thank you James and Triteia for sharing your adventure 😍
I am keep watching your video and sometimes I feel that I am there on the boat with you traveling this crazy ocean and waves. it is dark and all alone out of no where. out of the civilization.
That wasn't a sailing video but more a work of art. You have mastered both sailing and cinematography to make art. This is the sailor's sailing channel. Yves Gelinas would be proud of this one. Thanks James, that was great.
Thank you 🙏🏻
James that was insightful and beautiful
Just hoping you stay safe James. We have not much real Truth except what you and other sailors offer us. Thank You.
Gotta love you, James!
❤️
Thank you for all the informative content. At 72 I am prepping my Bayfield 40 to start a circumnavigation within two years and spend the rest of my days sailing solo around the globe🇨🇦
28:00 - 30:00 That shot is mesmerising, I could literally watch that for hours...
I love the sunsets 🌅 ❤
Thanks! It was another great video! Thanks for sharing your adventures, I am learning so much from your journeys!
Much respect, James! Love watching your videos. Thank you so much. Just a man with his boat, that's awesome. Be save and enjoy!
Thats a nice chilled vibe, glad your sharing solo life. Salt water in the boat does suck. I took about 200L thru the companionway just as I was opening boards to go down for a brew, a wave dumped on the cockpit at night. A trip from Tassie to New Zealand, lost a lot of electronics.
Hey James, I live vicariously through you. You're my hero man. All the best.
I wonder if that’s the same Sarah Koenig I went to high school with, Mahopac class of 1996…I miss that awesome lady. Awesome crossing!
Congrats on the passage James, you have a hearty Boat and overcame issues as they arose. really enjoyed the sail.
Thank you James !
You inspire many people, sir. God's speed to you.
Great film making James! . Love the pacing of the edit and the choice of music really helps convey the emotion and drama. Also the horizon leveling on the go pro is pretty amazing. Really gives the sense of the extreme motion and size of the waves while keeping the footage watchable.
Yeah the GoPro leveling is a total game changer for filming at sea and showing the real motion
James, you are a genuine soul, and your content is informative and entertaining - one of the best you've made so far!!
Thank you 🙏🏻 I am very happy with how it turned out!
Needed this today. Thank you for what you’re doing.
🙏🏻
I just checked to see what it was about this time before going to bed and I could not stop watching until the end, cheers...
Your adventures continue to inspire…❤
GREAT passage, and major kudos to whoever is laying those JaZZ tracks down in the background, it is an EXCELLENT addition to the serene scenery !!! Wishing you continued success in your journey.
Love the jazz coming in 🤙
You're a brave man!!!
Great video. Thx for all the info. Continue being safe.
Woooo! Was stoked for this to come out. Watching now
I thought the tuna canneries closed down. They smelled horrible when I was there 15 years ago. I also heard about the terrible holding. Great passage, James!!!
That smile on face when you cut off engine and go on sails :D Keep this peace in hart all your life James! :)
James, it's really striking how naturally and fully you use "we" to describe your experiences sailing and on passage. You're really embodying the tradition of being at sea *with* Triteia as a companion, not *on* Triteia as your tool. This stood out to me watching you speak direct to camera on this video (and your others). A small thing, but not unnoticed.
Yes I am just the steward of Triteia, I saved her from neglect and she saved me from myself. We are in this together.
Spent years of my life on YT, just found these sailing channels. This one is at the top, great stuff m8. Got my sub for life😊 i wanna buy a sailboat and start roaming the globe asap😂
Pull foam noodles are great for the gaps between moving objects. Light as hell and trimmable.
10:37 “…i dont think he knows about second breakfast…”😂
Hey James, this has been a simply superb film!! I enjoyed every second and could probably watch even more such was the fascination and mystique of what you're doing and the whole atmosphere of the film. You captured it so well and allowed me to be in the moment, thank you! The soundtrack to this film was absolutely spot on point that just added more to the imagination of being on the ocean waves and the captains log at the very end to finish off the film was so appropriate and a very nice thing to do for your viewers. Take care out there James, safe travels and fair winds brother....Neil.
Agreed 100% on the soundtrack. He has used that jazzy laid back clarinet stuff a few times now and I just love it. His trip up that river on his dinghy had that playing in the background and was just such a great vibe.
Late comer to your channel and journey. I understand you are back in the US for some down time but congratulations on your journey! I’m 62 and going through a divorce and would love to follow in your wake….youre a true inspiration james!
I plan to watch from the beginning in order to get caught up on your beginnings….best of luck and looking forward to seeing future content!
Tom
Thanks for checking out the videos Tom 🙏🏻
@@SailorJames is there a means to communicate with you which i not too intrusive? Would love to reach out and pick your brain when you have some downtime…thanks again and safe travels
Glad Holly recommended your channel!
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
What an adventure! I love these sailing videos since I can't do them myself. Give me one hour on a boat in waves like these and I turn green and heave ho over the side!
I have no idea how I got to your channel, but it's been one of the best findings ever. Thanks for sharing your amazing adventures with regular people, and allow us to experience through your eyes the beauty of our oceans and our planet. Stay safe, and keep us feeling those butterflies in the stomach with each one of your journeys.
Thank you 🙏🏻
Great Movie James. Excellent music and placement gave a great vibe. Had my attention the whole time.