Congrats on your first passage across Biscay. A rite of passage. :-) And, believe it or not, as your experience grows, you will come to like those days of 15-20 kts of wind MUCH more than those days of 7-9 kts that you experienced on your departure. Yes, really! Looking forward to the next episode.
Thanks Patrick! I’ll let you know how my transformation into an “old salt” is going 😊 I’m looking forward to the day I enjoy those higher winds! /Sophie
Thanks for the kind feedback Stig. With the super quality and content that Ryan and Sophie are publishing, I'm sure they will quickly become TH-cam stars. I really enjoy their videos. Fair winds to you.
I was a ships engineer/officer in my younger years and crossed the Bay many times, Crossing the bay is like a lottery, we crossed it when we were on ballast, (no cargo ) and it was a mill pond, and then at times fully laden we were tossed about like a cork in a barrell, we had to tie ropes around the engine to use as grab rails Several times we found parts of boats containing bodies which we informed the authorities When i left the merchant navy i thought great no more Bay, I was wrong am now buying a 14m cruiser and planning to take it from uk to Med for summer
Sophie you’re boat was built to withstand big seas, please please do not be afraid the boat will not take it. The more you sail the more you will get used to the conditions. You guys are sensible enough to sail within your comfort zone, and you have harnessed yourself to the safety rails. As you said it’s better than the office 😃❤️🏴⛵️
Sophie is scared and doesn’t have ‘sea legs’. So her fear is very real and tangible. I think she does well to face what is uncomfortable for her and her honesty to the camera is amazing. Keep it up you marvellous adventurers!!
There is an almost brutal honesty a truth, about your films that I don't see elsewhere . it is very touching, very vivid and almost intimate, one is gifted with the realisation that in striving for something wonderful, sometimes we must endure that which challenges us, yet still there is light at the end of the tunnel for those who have strength enough to fight past the obstacles and seize it. For those of us in the midst of those challenges, you inspire us to keep our heads down and keep on taking that next step.... And Ryan, I'm sure you realise how lucky you are without any words from me. May every blessing embrace and protect you both. Binge watching 17 out of 106
So, I started watching you guys about a month ago, and am now finishing episode #17. It is quite educational to see the reality that you are living through. I especially appreciate you not sugar-coating everything, or only showing the nice, convenient, happy times. I'm not sure that anyone else in any other videos has helped prepare us (your little following!) with such honesty! Of course, my wife is already really not a water or boat person, so I don't want to show her this just yet!
Seasickness? I've been at sea since I was 17 years old. My personal cure was always one slice of toast, not too much butter, and a mug of English tea with milk and a spoon of sugar. Learned that from an old sea dog 43 years ago and it has NEVER failed me! You guys are doing a terrific job. Keep on sailing! Pete.
Nice made Video, You do it better and better. Amazing to see the emotions being far away from shore. It remembers me on our first 300 nm passage we made in the open north sea. You listen to every noise, getting nervous if you see a cloud on the sky, seeing mirages while night and of course the one has free get seasick. Thank you for sharing your emotions. Fair winds Tom
Thanks for the nice comment Tom! I’m getting used to the motion of the boat. I’m also grateful to sail with a captain that always makes me feel safe when I’m scared, it helps a lot :) /Sophie
Well done on doing this passage. Ive just started watching your videos and it’s wonderful how honest you are with your feelings. I’m sure you are much, much better sailors by now. For what it’s worth do I think your anxiety certainly adds to your seasickness. So the good news is it will lessen as you gain experience and realise you really can do it. I like that you had someone else join you which I think will help you to learn a lot quicker. Don’t worry I was a pro racing sailor for many years and anxiety still hit me at times too. You’ll get there. Trust me. Hope you have plans to come to Australia.
Wow, what an amazing video. Sophie is such a strong and courageous woman. I am very impressed with your tenacity even against all odds you hung in there, you persevered and can now call yourself a real sailor woman. You have accomplished something not many can say they have done, so you are in an elite group of people and have much to be proud of Sophia. Ryan is a very blessed young man with such and amazing first mate on board. The two of you are becoming quite the team and are getting more and more confidant together. It's such a joy to watch you all grow!!! Can't wait to see the next passage!!!
You have good seas! Don't fight the motion. Most people don't have sea legs for the first Day. Staying busy helps or when on deck focus on the horizon! You got this! Rule is if you can sit down lay down! If you can lay down go to sleep! Save energy!
Hi Sophie and Ryan, that was an absolutely raw insight into facing your fears head on, and with courage. Thank you for your honesty in sharing this, as too often we avoid such things to depict our life with a gilt-edged glow. And you could still find humour in it - well done! May the warmer southern climes bring you some gentler, enjoyable times ahead.
sophie, watching you expand your comfort zone and how you are dealing with it is one of the reasons why i am watching. you both are amazing and by this time next year all this will be just a small memory of many memories.....with lotsa love from texas...
Thanks for the nice comment Arthur!! You are right, in a year from now, I’ll probably laugh it this video... but getting there means I’ll probably see a lot worse than this, and for now... let’s just say that I’m going to enjoy a sangria ;) /Sophie
Awesome video! Congrats on facing challenges and fears, you Conquered them! Two and three days passages are harder than several week passages to me, it takes time for the body to adjust. Great job!
You had perfect weather :D My Grandfather was a WWI deckhand and then a pre WWII , Donkey-man. During WWII he stayed ashore committed to his resistance group in Denmark during WWII. He was born in Denmark but raised as a dockworker in Belgium in the first quarter of 1900. He had always wanted to become a Seaman, and became one, first as a deckhand on a merchant ships, he seen many o docks. He told me that there is only one more thing in his life (he passed away in the 80"s May God rest his soul) that made him feel unimaginable fear and then a primordial resolve to not go under or be swept away. (That was not when he as a young boy took a filed down saw tooth bayonet from a dead German WWI soldier (i still have it today) even though his heart was pounding. He and his 4 brothers helped delivering bread to the soldiers in Belgium where his father worked in the docks as a smith/welder and his mother worked in a bakery. They were all Danish, but his father did not like the fact that Denmark stayed neutral during WWI The fear struck him as a seasoned and very experienced Boatswain in the docks of Denmark when the Germans came in force early WWII and occupied his beloved Denmark, the destruction Mankind is capable of. But this he had power to change and not just cling on and hope for the best. Or to say it better, quote - But nothing, nothing” little skipper" strikes fear in a man as the first time you see The Phantom Wave, it makes you forget all the other waves that have been pummeling you during any storm. Suddenly you see it, it was noon heading home location Bay of Biscay, you wipe your eyes and thinking salt and water in them somehow made the same effect as a magnifying glass. But hearing the warnings from my shipmates i roped up fast and held on, there is nothing else to do. There it was just entered the 100-fathom of the BoB, a 80 to 90 foot monster, "she" (the vessel) suddenly felt awfully small when the wave towered over their ship. That steel hull saved them and also gave them 90 days in the not so boring Port of Bilbao.. Don’t tell your grandmother!”! Bah! She knows, never ever lie to the ones closest to you whom you love. Family is all you have, blood or not doesn’t matter He survived, obviously, and so did all his crew mates and here i am today, looking up to him as an inspiration. 29-year active duty Army under my belt. But the world has very few men of the sort our grandfathers where, they were the generation that saved us all, so now most just cling on while a few still manning the deck. I don’t know if i have saltwater running in my veins, but i sure do respect the men at sea that did whatever it took to get that cargo ashore or the enemy sunk. Land ho!
Hi Sophie and Ryan, good to see your getting a true taste of ocean passage making. Don't worry it does get better, your putting yourselves outside of your comfort zone is all. I suggest a spoonfull of cement and harden up, or conversley
The best (?) part of it is... we know we may see worse than that in the future. The beauty of experience is that it gets a lot better when you have some, but those are the kind that I could put off for a while :) Thanks for the comment Matt! /Sophie
Another great video. I liked your comment in next week's teaser: "If there's one boat, it's sailing; if there are two boats it's racing." We especially like it when the other boat doesn't know that there's a race (we even sometimes win!).
Always great to see actual sea state sailing. Excellent stuff guys. Also the technical/solution tips are solid. TIP wrt previous elec harbour crash; Always disconnect the shore power side of the boat electric cable FIRST, THEN the boat cable side. Cheers
What a great sleigh ride! Wish I was aboard. Yes I can attested , you do get used to it. No matter what the heel of the boat, you discover there is no up or down. Three or four days, hard against it, you learn to traverse with ease. And you will like it!
Thanks Scott, I know I will look back at those videos and laugh one day (which is the reason why I leave no parts of it out!). I also know that getting experience means that at some points, things will get worse. And I’m not quite looking forward to that day 😅 /Sophie
Nice job! Here in the San Francisco Bay most summer afternoons kick up 20-30kts in the afternoon. It's thrilling day sailing, but without the bluewater waves. We look forward to experiencing Biscay's challenges for ourselves someday. Well done.
Enfin je peux rattraper tout ces épisodes! Qu'est-ce que celui la est bien filmé ça donne vraiment bien chapeau! Et autrement ça fait plaisir de voir l'évolution entre la peur au début puis l'habitude à la fin. De plus Ryan est tout le temps calme (j'ai pu lire qu'il était ancien pilote de chasse) et se comporte vraiment en bon marin. Bravo à vous deux (même trois) pour cette traversée!
Merci! Ryan m’a offert un super trépied pour la caméra. Avant, je galerais a chaque fois que je voulais filmer un angle, maintenant ça prend 2 secondes. Le bon matériel fait une énorme différence! Oui, Ryan est top. Après deux mois passés ensemble à naviguer Polar Seal, je me rend compte que j’ai encore plus de chance que je ne pensais :)
Sophie,you poor pup.Being seasick is the absolute worst thing,I felt terrible just watching you suffer😔 Everyone has a lot to say about the Bay of Biscayne,and for good reason. I'm quite sure things are going to get easier for you,and I'm proud of your achievement,all the best👍😊
Thanks Wayne, I really appreciate your comment. I’m getting used to the motion of the boat, and I’m convinced I’ll turn into an old salt before we hit the med ;) /Sophie
Just discovering this channel now. This episode was some really fine filmmaking. Imagine filming yourself when you feel that awful? I think Sophie is a brillant storyteller/editor.
I agree Arnt, I think it is getting better! I’m afraid a lot of it is in my head, but I’m also trying to get that part under control ;) Thanks for the support! /Sophie
I have binge watched from the beginning. You are becoming sailors. Sophie has even stopped using 'A.M.' and 'P.M.' with the 24 hour clock. Well done. :-)
I'm thinking about following in your footsteps (wake?), and watching your and other channels, I've been lead to believe that ocean cruising is pretty easy. This episode made me stop and think. Thanks for being so honest and open with your fears, misery, and also the learning aspects of your Biscay crossing.
Ocean sailing is just long... the weather and Mechanical breakages decide how exciting it is. The nice thing about sailing the ocean is there is no land to hit and very few ships
One of my favorite tools is called a super-clamp made by manfrotto, it will let you attach a camera to virtually any pole-stick-whatever or edges of tables. just stick a small ball-head on the superclamp.. and off ya go
i notice you dont look at horizon much. you have to keep your eye on it all the time during daylight. just keep looking around, even 5 mins below will kill it.
When I first started working on commercial fishing boats at 16 it used to take me around 3 days to get over the seasickness, all of a sudden it just went away and I felt great, hope you find this. plain biscuits and water oh and the lads got 7 pints of Breda lager in me too but I don't think that helped
I wanted to suggest that you get some Lee-cloths for your bunks during offshore passages. With these up you will sleep 1,000 times better. Just get some Dacron strips made up that are about 300mm high and almost the length of your bunks. Get some saddles on the end of the bunks to tie these into. When not in use undo the top and fold under the seat cushions. Also, mega tip...when moving ALWAYS sleep with your feet facing forward. If you hit something you won’t break your neck. It’s happened. It kinda ruins your day. Happy sailing
Hahaha :) I was not prepared for that apron to create so many reactions 😂 we use it in case the boiling water gets spilled on us while we cook. A bad burn offshore... that could turn really bad really quick! /Sophie
Hi I follow your channel and I am a sailor myself. This video is a true story of what happens in that part of the world. My worst nightmare was crossing Biscay in late December where we decide to spend new year eve at sea. You face expressions made me go back to my passage through does waters. 2 1/2 says setting in the cockpit day and night. well done.
Biscay can be a nightmare! It may not look like it, but damn, it was one hell of a passage. With that said, our crossing to the canaries turned way worse!
I saw Patrick give you guys compliments and that should mean a lot. Good guy. And for seasickness, look up the song "Henry" by "Herman's Hermits". Just sing that when seas get rough!
Have a brother that did 2 yrs on a US Navy Carrier (800') he said everytime they were in port for a few days when they headed back out everybody got sick for 48 hrs. Don't sweat it, try the pressure point wrist bands, have heard they help...
Great video, and well done, a trial of passage for sure, and like Martin Jarvis,I will NOT be letting my wife see this one either, don't want to frighten her off ,(this is her first summer on any type of boat,ours is a little 30ft C & C) and she runs back to the desert ;-o
Hi Guys, It takes most people about 3 to 4 days to get used to being offshore. It really looked like a good trip, wind on the beam or aft of the beam. boat moving well all the time you can't ask for more than that. Sophie, try bring a blanket and pillow into cockpit and sleep on the lee side on off watches ;-) You Should title one of these videos, Sophie's journey to becoming an old salt ;-)
Yeah, apart from that night, the passage was a good one. You’re right, I should try the cockpit one of these days. Ryan does that a bit, it seems to work for him. /Sophie
Ryan & Sophie Sailing especially in those challenging moments, sticking together, heading out in cockpit and rest (weather permitting) will push up morale of the crew and helmsmen. On a positive note, should you need to feed the fish, you can do so in a snap. Make sure you are are clipped to life line though.
I am binge watching from the beginning :) So great to see this real footage instead of the ‘average’ all is great bikini boat life type of movies. Perhaps a wind vane would be a good add-on for the vessel. Safe journeys!!
This video shows how you experienced this trip through your "beginner sailor" eyes Sophie. And the music you choose for the video shows how much the fear and anxiety took over you. I respect the way you fight it though. Others will step to land and take the first flight home. Ryan seems to be having another kind of experience though. He is enjoying it. What I see in your trip, is the perfect weather to cross the Biscay on a sailing boat. Anything else less than this, would have been slow and boring.
You guys are brave beyond reason Which is commendable To circumnavigate you must take long passages And you do On the nose From the start Well done guys you’re actually doing it The rest of us ( sailors) talk about it
Thanks Derek! Glad to see you back here, and glad you enjoyed it! You are absolutely right... what a learning experience it was... but on the other side of it, I do feel a deep sense of accomplishment! /Sophie
You have really helped in letting us see the issues of being in the rough seas. You thought it was going to nice and it probably was but the sickness was the ordeal. Hang in there baby you can DO IT.. there are other shores and different beaches to see. Love your video..
Bravo Sophie !! Le Golfe de Gascogne n’est jamais une partie de plaisir ! You did it ! Mais il n’y a rien de pire qu’affronter ses peurs ! Encore bravo
so sorry for you spent many years in U S NAVY never got sea sick in beginning just went on deck watched the waves been thru many bad storms typhons but never got sick felt so sorry for you but it will pass
Just as the camera Can Not give an accurate representation of the sea conditions! The camera can however give an accurate account of your sea condition! Ha! 12:41 You are a true adventurer!! Give yourself credit were credit is due! Thanx for sharing this Awesome Adventure with all of us! : ) Be well.
I took the car ferry from sandanter to Plymouth across the biscay bay in the middle of winter, the waves were 60feet high, it was like going on a roller coaster for 2 days, looks like your journey was alot smooth than mine
I heard that putting an ear plug in only one ear helps with seasickness. I don't get it often but have a couple of times. Once I jumped in for a swim which sorted me out the other was crossing Dover to Calais in rough seas so I had to just hang on and try to divert my thoughts. I felt for you but applaud you all for doing this.
Been passing biscay bay for 21times as of 2020 and i am from a bigship still this bay. Is giving me chills if we encounter big waves . Sometimes our ship looks small if we encounter storms 😂👌🏻 good video
Great video guys. What’s great about that sea state is that you are eating up the miles. I struggle to sail at under 6 knots boat speed. Just seems like you are not moving. Enjoy the ride and keep sending us videos 😊
I have been extremely seasick. I do not go on the water without packing scop. But I learned some years ago of an electric relief band, which stimulates a nay-kwan accupressure point. Sounds like new age hooey, but it is US-FDA approved as effective for morning sickness. And personally, I find it is the next best thing to using scop--with none of the drawbacks. Sophie, there is science and objective testing that confirms this works. Three versions: One "disposable" lightweight for pregnancy. One heavier disposable, water resistant for us sailors. And a third, slightly more expensive, that uses replaceable batteries (coin cells) so it is much more economical in the long term. If you put it on carefully, and keep it in position carefully, Sophie, Incroyable! Sold on Amazon if you can't find it elsewhere.
Interesting... I have tried a lot of seasickness relief methods at this point, but never heard of that one. I'll add it to my list of things I need to check out... /Sophie
Good one, well done. made me smile! Although Ryan's apron looks like something from the films The hostel or Saw..its got to go, its more frightening than sailing across Biscay! ;-)
Haha! I never looked at it the apron that way 😂 We have that apron to protect us from potential boiling liquids getting spilled on us when we cook pasta, rice or potatoes... it looks scary, but it does a good job at keeping us just a little bit safer :)
I watch a lot of sailing channels. I have always thought that the most dangerous thing they do is stand in front of boiling water, in a rolling boat, wearing nothing but shorts or bathing suit. A serious burn hundreds of miles from land could get ugly very fast.
Another great video! Sorry that you were so sick - were you wearing the patches behind your ears? It is all dangerous but be glad that you did not have to go to the office that can be dangerous too - all those other co workers. Give me a big wave any day rather than an office rumor. Again, sorry that you were so sick - it can happen to anyone. Take care and keep making great videos.
Thanks Richard! When the sea state started to get out of control, I put half of one behind my ear. Then when it got even worse, i put the other half of it. On the second day, I was doing way better already! Hahaha, I agree with your statement about offices! Thanks for the support Richard! /Sophie
Coongratulations on your first offshore passage. Almost certainly, you future passages will be easier. Thanks forl "opening up" while being bunkbound. It would have been so easy to just put the camera away.
Thanks Tony, you are right... it’s easy to bring the camera out when everything goes well, and a lot less easy when you are scared. At this point though, the camera almost felt like my therapist 😉 /Sophie
I’m alive, I’m well (very well), enjoying all the food and the sangria Spain had to offer. This was so worth it... hang on there, the full review is definitely coming :) /Sophie
Congrats on crossing the infamous bay of Biscay! On our crossing we had two perfect days but on the last day it was a bit of a nightmare. We learned a lot though and we grew as sailors. I'm impressed of how much you filmed even when you could barely keep your eyes open ;) Fair winds! //Steffi
sophie when sailing if the weather is not crashing the sea over or against the bow then you have absolutely nothing to fret abou rolling can be uncomfortable if you suffer sea sickness I was extreamly lucky to find my sea legs on the many rough sea crossings between spain and the ukportsmouth to bilbao in foce 10s a great time
Thanks Bruno, I’m glad you appreciated it. It is easy to take the camera out when everything goes well, definitely not when the sea state wants to throw the camera around. At that point though, the camera felt like my therapist 😂 /Sophie
I have been 17 days at sea only when I passed the Bay of biscay I got really seasick So that part is really hard to go through for sure Nice video I was just searching for the bay of biscay when I came across your video Greetings from Amsterdam Holland
Stay up on the helm as much as you can to prevent the seasickness. Laying down and thinking about it makes you nervous and makes matters worse. I know, I have been seasick many times. Try eating saltines and stay out of the cabin as much as you can.
keep up the good work just remember after the rain come's sunshine you have to get true the rough times to appreciate to good times even more :D greetings from pays bas
What happened to the perfect forecast? Winds at beginning seemed to be forward of the beam to start. Too much “face time.” We’re Ryan and Rob on the boat? Start seasickness preparation before you start any sail, no matter the forecast.
your pain and fear was clear to see but you got posative, and did some activities that took your mind off it a bit congrats to overcoming some of your fears in time it may get better {:-) PAV
Thanks PAV! You’re right, it does get better with time and experience. Not looking forward to the next difficult crossing, but I’ll be better equipped that time... Cheers from Spain! /Sophie
Such an honest video. Been out on a 29 footer in maybe Force 7 going on 8 and it got rough. Fortunately I do not suffer from sea sickness but I was glad to see you clipped in safely. My good friend came back from the Caribbean on a 65 footer and they hit some really bad weather. Couple of the (macho) crew on board no life jackets no safeties just p*ssing over the side. Total twats and I find that behaviour unbelievable.
Stay away from the caffeine drinks may help with sea sickness. I know sea sickness varies from person to person. On a long trip i start taking see sickness tablets about an hour before departure and then take them for about 24 hours while staying away from the coffee etc. I still eat anything though. I stop the pills after the first day and may take the odd one after but find my seasickness is gone. Your sea legs turn up.
For those that think this was a bit over dramatic...Initially I was thinking this is NORMAL sailing conditions, but then I realized this is their FIRST TIME with what most seasoned sailors will call normal. If you have followed them you will see they have never really had seas like this before. This was Sopies first long overnight passage, and the first is always a bit unnerving. I am sure she will get used to it in time. I applaud her for her courage, strength and determination, she's an amazing woman and I would not hesitate to have her as a first mate, she's starting to become a more seasoned "salty" sailor, lol. Salute' To You Sophie!!!!
Thanks Michael! You are right, next time we encounter those conditions, I’ll probably be a lot more chill. Besides, the reward on the other side of those passages is HUGE! Both in term of personal growth, but also in terms of weather, food, friends and experience. I’ll just be better prepared next time. Thanks for the support! /Sophie
I have only just qualified as a Day skipper, this is a great video and interesting to see a real genuine situation of how you were feeling. I would like to sail in the Bay of Biscay but was wondering what level of experience any skipper would need to undertake it. Your boat looks a very adequate for the sea state, what length and weight is it ?
completely agree. take off the autosteering and stand at wheel and steer. see sickness WILL disappear. also sitting on windward rail. look either leeward or windward. whichever works. a huge part of see sickness is psychological. you must refuse to allow it to grip you (we all feel it coming). fight, fight, fight and you will come through it. sip a bottle of water too. another great technique
I'm so sorry you were so sick. maybe put some velcro down where you normally put the camera to keep it form falling, everytime it falls it hurts my head, just kidding. Beautiful sailing though. Three cheers for your first voyage in shorts. :0 peace and happy sailing.
Thanks srq lisa! It hurts my heart when it falls down, I’m always so afraid it will break :/ I’ll try to engineer a mechanism for it to hold in place... /Sophie
A question, I never hear of folk following the coast around the bay of Biscay, but opting for the nearly always intrepid crossing, I just wondered why? especially if there is no urgency?
(Ryan) Hi Pete, I think that's a very good and valid question. We actually had an Instagram friend do just that this year. I think a lot of people skip going the long way due to general time considerations. There is a lot to see in every place and if your trying to get to the start of the ARC in a few months... only so much time. It's just my guess on the subject.
Good question Peter! Well, although we know that sailing and schedules should never be put in the same sentence while talking about sailing, we did have a bit of a schedule crossing Biscay. We are still working, and a combination of upcoming business trips and having to be in the med for the winter had us miss the lovely french coast of Biscay. I really wanted to sail to La Rochelle and Ile-de-Ré, but that will have to be for another time... Cheers from Portugal! /Sophie
Congrats on your first passage across Biscay. A rite of passage. :-) And, believe it or not, as your experience grows, you will come to like those days of 15-20 kts of wind MUCH more than those days of 7-9 kts that you experienced on your departure. Yes, really! Looking forward to the next episode.
Thanks Patrick! I’ll let you know how my transformation into an “old salt” is going 😊 I’m looking forward to the day I enjoy those higher winds! /Sophie
I love your videos Patrick! You show what will become my situation: single handling. You are an inspiration.
Thanks for the kind feedback Stig. With the super quality and content that Ryan and Sophie are publishing, I'm sure they will quickly become TH-cam stars. I really enjoy their videos. Fair winds to you.
Looking fwd to Patrick's return!
Great video, very honest. No way I’m going to let my wife see it though, otherwise we’ll never get out of the Solent.
I’m not sure I would have want to go out sailing myself if I had seen this video 😆
/Sophie
Lol, oh god, I was the same thing!
The real deal. Awsome.
I was a ships engineer/officer in my younger years and crossed the Bay many times, Crossing the bay is like a lottery, we crossed it when we were on ballast, (no cargo ) and it was a mill pond, and then at times fully laden we were tossed about like a cork in a barrell, we had to tie ropes around the engine to use as grab rails
Several times we found parts of boats containing bodies which we informed the authorities
When i left the merchant navy i thought great no more Bay,
I was wrong am now buying a 14m cruiser and planning to take it from uk to Med for summer
Sophie you’re boat was built to withstand big seas, please please do not be afraid the boat will not take it. The more you sail the more you will get used to the conditions. You guys are sensible enough to sail within your comfort zone, and you have harnessed yourself to the safety rails. As you said it’s better than the office 😃❤️🏴⛵️
Sophie is scared and doesn’t have ‘sea legs’. So her fear is very real and tangible. I think she does well to face what is uncomfortable for her and her honesty to the camera is amazing. Keep it up you marvellous adventurers!!
There is an almost brutal honesty a truth, about your films that I don't see elsewhere . it is very touching, very vivid and almost intimate, one is gifted with the realisation that in striving for something wonderful, sometimes we must endure that which challenges us, yet still there is light at the end of the tunnel for those who have strength enough to fight past the obstacles and seize it. For those of us in the midst of those challenges, you inspire us to keep our heads down and keep on taking that next step....
And Ryan, I'm sure you realise how lucky you are without any words from me.
May every blessing embrace and protect you both.
Binge watching 17 out of 106
So, I started watching you guys about a month ago, and am now finishing episode #17. It is quite educational to see the reality that you are living through. I especially appreciate you not sugar-coating everything, or only showing the nice, convenient, happy times. I'm not sure that anyone else in any other videos has helped prepare us (your little following!) with such honesty! Of course, my wife is already really not a water or boat person, so I don't want to show her this just yet!
Seasickness? I've been at sea since I was 17 years old. My personal cure was always one slice of toast, not too much butter, and a mug of English tea with milk and a spoon of sugar. Learned that from an old sea dog 43 years ago and it has NEVER failed me! You guys are doing a terrific job. Keep on sailing! Pete.
Thanks Pete!
Nice made Video, You do it better and better. Amazing to see the emotions being far away from shore. It remembers me on our first 300 nm passage we made in the open north sea. You listen to every noise, getting nervous if you see a cloud on the sky, seeing mirages while night and of course the one has free get seasick. Thank you for sharing your emotions.
Fair winds
Tom
Thanks for the nice comment Tom! I’m getting used to the motion of the boat. I’m also grateful to sail with a captain that always makes me feel safe when I’m scared, it helps a lot :)
/Sophie
Well done on doing this passage. Ive just started watching your videos and it’s wonderful how honest you are with your feelings. I’m sure you are much, much better sailors by now. For what it’s worth do I think your anxiety certainly adds to your seasickness. So the good news is it will lessen as you gain experience and realise you really can do it. I like that you had someone else join you which I think will help you to learn a lot quicker. Don’t worry I was a pro racing sailor for many years and anxiety still hit me at times too. You’ll get there. Trust me. Hope you have plans to come to Australia.
Wow, what an amazing video. Sophie is such a strong and courageous woman. I am very impressed with your tenacity even against all odds you hung in there, you persevered and can now call yourself a real sailor woman. You have accomplished something not many can say they have done, so you are in an elite group of people and have much to be proud of Sophia. Ryan is a very blessed young man with such and amazing first mate on board. The two of you are becoming quite the team and are getting more and more confidant together. It's such a joy to watch you all grow!!! Can't wait to see the next passage!!!
You have good seas! Don't fight the motion. Most people don't have sea legs for the first Day. Staying busy helps or when on deck focus on the horizon! You got this! Rule is if you can sit down lay down! If you can lay down go to sleep! Save energy!
Hi Sophie and Ryan, that was an absolutely raw insight into facing your fears head on, and with courage. Thank you for your honesty in sharing this, as too often we avoid such things to depict our life with a gilt-edged glow. And you could still find humour in it - well done! May the warmer southern climes bring you some gentler, enjoyable times ahead.
Thank you SV Skyfall, your comments never fail to bring a smile on my face :)
/Sophie
sophie, watching you expand your comfort zone and how you are dealing with it is one of the reasons why i am watching. you both are amazing and by this time next year all this will be just a small memory of many memories.....with lotsa love from texas...
Thanks for the nice comment Arthur!! You are right, in a year from now, I’ll probably laugh it this video... but getting there means I’ll probably see a lot worse than this, and for now... let’s just say that I’m going to enjoy a sangria ;)
/Sophie
Awesome video! Congrats on facing challenges and fears, you Conquered them! Two and three days passages are harder than several week passages to me, it takes time for the body to adjust. Great job!
Thanks Sea Travel! Definitely on the way to getting used to it :) /Sophie
You had perfect weather :D
My Grandfather was a WWI deckhand and then a pre WWII , Donkey-man.
During WWII he stayed ashore committed to his resistance group in Denmark during WWII. He was born in Denmark but raised as a dockworker in Belgium in the first quarter of 1900.
He had always wanted to become a Seaman, and became one, first as a deckhand on a merchant ships, he seen many o docks.
He told me that there is only one more thing in his life (he passed away in the 80"s May God rest his soul) that made him feel unimaginable fear and then a primordial resolve to not go under or be swept away.
(That was not when he as a young boy took a filed down saw tooth bayonet from a dead German WWI soldier (i still have it today) even though his heart was pounding.
He and his 4 brothers helped delivering bread to the soldiers in Belgium where his father worked in the docks as a smith/welder and his mother worked in a bakery.
They were all Danish, but his father did not like the fact that Denmark stayed neutral during WWI
The fear struck him as a seasoned and very experienced Boatswain in the docks of Denmark when the Germans came in force early WWII and occupied his beloved Denmark, the destruction Mankind is capable of.
But this he had power to change and not just cling on and hope for the best.
Or to say it better,
quote - But nothing, nothing” little skipper" strikes fear in a man as the first time you see The Phantom Wave, it makes you forget all the other waves that have been pummeling you during any storm.
Suddenly you see it, it was noon heading home location Bay of Biscay, you wipe your eyes and thinking salt and water in them somehow made the same effect as a magnifying glass.
But hearing the warnings from my shipmates i roped up fast and held on, there is nothing else to do.
There it was just entered the 100-fathom of the BoB, a 80 to 90 foot monster, "she" (the vessel) suddenly felt awfully small when the wave towered over their ship.
That steel hull saved them and also gave them 90 days in the not so boring Port of Bilbao..
Don’t tell your grandmother!”! Bah! She knows, never ever lie to the ones closest to you whom you love. Family is all you have, blood or not doesn’t matter
He survived, obviously, and so did all his crew mates and here i am today, looking up to him as an inspiration.
29-year active duty Army under my belt.
But the world has very few men of the sort our grandfathers where, they were the generation that saved us all, so now most just cling on while a few still manning the deck.
I don’t know if i have saltwater running in my veins, but i sure do respect the men at sea that did whatever it took to get that cargo ashore or the enemy sunk.
Land ho!
Hi Sophie and Ryan, good to see your getting a true taste of ocean passage making. Don't worry it does get better, your putting yourselves outside of your comfort zone is all. I suggest a spoonfull of cement and harden up, or conversley
The best (?) part of it is... we know we may see worse than that in the future. The beauty of experience is that it gets a lot better when you have some, but those are the kind that I could put off for a while :)
Thanks for the comment Matt!
/Sophie
Another great video. I liked your comment in next week's teaser: "If there's one boat, it's sailing; if there are two boats it's racing." We especially like it when the other boat doesn't know that there's a race (we even sometimes win!).
Spoiler alert: in the next episode, there is a boat race, and it’s INTENSE. 😉 /Sophie
Always great to see actual sea state sailing. Excellent stuff guys. Also the technical/solution tips are solid. TIP wrt previous elec harbour crash; Always disconnect the shore power side of the boat electric cable FIRST, THEN the boat cable side.
Cheers
What a great sleigh ride! Wish I was aboard. Yes I can attested , you do get used to it. No matter what the heel of the boat, you discover there is no up or down. Three or four days, hard against it, you learn to traverse with ease. And you will like it!
Courage is not about not having fear; it is about facing it. Well done!
Really love your honesty and realism.
Thank you Wayne :) /Sophie
We’ve got you guys. You will look back at these videos and laugh one day. Thanks for sharing the journey with us!
Thanks Scott, I know I will look back at those videos and laugh one day (which is the reason why I leave no parts of it out!). I also know that getting experience means that at some points, things will get worse. And I’m not quite looking forward to that day 😅 /Sophie
Nice job! Here in the San Francisco Bay most summer afternoons kick up 20-30kts in the afternoon. It's thrilling day sailing, but without the bluewater waves. We look forward to experiencing Biscay's challenges for ourselves someday. Well done.
Enfin je peux rattraper tout ces épisodes! Qu'est-ce que celui la est bien filmé ça donne vraiment bien chapeau! Et autrement ça fait plaisir de voir l'évolution entre la peur au début puis l'habitude à la fin. De plus Ryan est tout le temps calme (j'ai pu lire qu'il était ancien pilote de chasse) et se comporte vraiment en bon marin. Bravo à vous deux (même trois) pour cette traversée!
Merci! Ryan m’a offert un super trépied pour la caméra. Avant, je galerais a chaque fois que je voulais filmer un angle, maintenant ça prend 2 secondes. Le bon matériel fait une énorme différence!
Oui, Ryan est top. Après deux mois passés ensemble à naviguer Polar Seal, je me rend compte que j’ai encore plus de chance que je ne pensais :)
Good work, Sophie. Like the way you turned this into a thrilling story. Enjoyed watching this very much.
Thanks Claas :)
At 9:00 that's when the fear sets in... you're truly alone and the only way out is to keep moving forward!
Sophie,you poor pup.Being seasick is the absolute worst thing,I felt terrible just watching you suffer😔
Everyone has a lot to say about the Bay of Biscayne,and for good reason.
I'm quite sure things are going to get easier for you,and I'm proud of your achievement,all the best👍😊
Thanks Wayne, I really appreciate your comment. I’m getting used to the motion of the boat, and I’m convinced I’ll turn into an old salt before we hit the med ;)
/Sophie
I've never seen misery illustrated so well.
ahahahah
Just discovering this channel now. This episode was some really fine filmmaking. Imagine filming yourself when you feel that awful? I think Sophie is a brillant storyteller/editor.
You are wonderful. You embrace the fear and challenge it. I admire your strength. Thank You for being honest.
Thanks Daniel, I appreciate your comment a lot :) /Sophie
Nice video, and Sophie you didn't trow up, soo your seasickness is being better. Look forward to next video.
I agree Arnt, I think it is getting better! I’m afraid a lot of it is in my head, but I’m also trying to get that part under control ;)
Thanks for the support!
/Sophie
I have binge watched from the beginning. You are becoming sailors. Sophie has even stopped using 'A.M.' and 'P.M.' with the 24 hour clock. Well done. :-)
I'm thinking about following in your footsteps (wake?), and watching your and other channels, I've been lead to believe that ocean cruising is pretty easy. This episode made me stop and think. Thanks for being so honest and open with your fears, misery, and also the learning aspects of your Biscay crossing.
Ocean sailing is just long... the weather and Mechanical breakages decide how exciting it is. The nice thing about sailing the ocean is there is no land to hit and very few ships
One of my favorite tools is called a super-clamp made by manfrotto, it will let you attach a camera to virtually any pole-stick-whatever or edges of tables. just stick a small ball-head on the superclamp.. and off ya go
Ooooh I’ll make sure to check that out! Thanks for the tips! /Sophie
I know the feeling Sophie. A wave caused me to slide three feet while sitting. I was fortunate to not slide off the bench.
i notice you dont look at horizon much. you have to keep your eye on it all the time during daylight. just keep looking around, even 5 mins below will kill it.
When I first started working on commercial fishing boats at 16 it used to take me around 3 days to get over the seasickness, all of a sudden it just went away and I felt great, hope you find this. plain biscuits and water oh and the lads got 7 pints of Breda lager in me too but I don't think that helped
Hahaha, those 7 pints would definitely not help me either ;) /Sophie
I wanted to suggest that you get some Lee-cloths for your bunks during offshore passages. With these up you will sleep 1,000 times better. Just get some Dacron strips made up that are about 300mm high and almost the length of your bunks. Get some saddles on the end of the bunks to tie these into. When not in use undo the top and fold under the seat cushions. Also, mega tip...when moving ALWAYS sleep with your feet facing forward. If you hit something you won’t break your neck. It’s happened. It kinda ruins your day. Happy sailing
We actually made them before the Atlantic. They were great. Ryan
Great Video! Entertaining! That apron is something else! Reminded me of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre!
Hahaha :) I was not prepared for that apron to create so many reactions 😂 we use it in case the boiling water gets spilled on us while we cook. A bad burn offshore... that could turn really bad really quick! /Sophie
Hi I follow your channel and I am a sailor myself. This video is a true story of what happens in that part of the world. My worst nightmare was crossing Biscay in late December where we decide to spend new year eve at sea. You face expressions made me go back to my passage through does waters. 2 1/2 says setting in the cockpit day and night. well done.
Biscay can be a nightmare! It may not look like it, but damn, it was one hell of a passage. With that said, our crossing to the canaries turned way worse!
Yes, I can see, your experience and horizons are expanding, well said Sophie. Laughed at the "at least I'm not going to the office tomorrow morning".
It will be my mantra every time this sailing lifestyle gets challenging ;)
/Sophie
Can totally relate. Loved seeing you build confidence and frame of reference! It only gets better. Hand steer in those waves! Dave
I saw Patrick give you guys compliments and that should mean a lot. Good guy. And for seasickness, look up the song "Henry" by "Herman's Hermits". Just sing that when seas get rough!
Have a brother that did 2 yrs on a US Navy Carrier (800') he said everytime they were in port for a few days when they headed back out everybody got sick for 48 hrs. Don't sweat it, try the pressure point wrist bands, have heard they help...
Towards the end, when you Took the helm...you looked like a boss!! I will be out there soon....hope to see you then!..fair winds :)
Thanks Cliff!!! I appreciate the support and hope we meet out there too! /Sophie
Great video, and well done, a trial of passage for sure, and like Martin Jarvis,I will NOT be letting my wife see this one either, don't want to frighten her off ,(this is her first summer on any type of boat,ours is a little 30ft C & C) and she runs back to the desert ;-o
Hi Guys, It takes most people about 3 to 4 days to get used to being offshore. It really looked like a good trip, wind on the beam or aft of the beam. boat moving well all the time you can't ask for more than that. Sophie, try bring a blanket and pillow into cockpit and sleep on the lee side on off watches ;-) You Should title one of these videos, Sophie's journey to becoming an old salt ;-)
Yeah, apart from that night, the passage was a good one. You’re right, I should try the cockpit one of these days. Ryan does that a bit, it seems to work for him.
/Sophie
Sophie don't put your crash helmet away yet Gibraltar is coming up :-0
Ryan & Sophie Sailing especially in those challenging moments, sticking together, heading out in cockpit and rest (weather permitting) will push up morale of the crew and helmsmen. On a positive note, should you need to feed the fish, you can do so in a snap. Make sure you are are clipped to life line though.
I am binge watching from the beginning :) So great to see this real footage instead of the ‘average’ all is great bikini boat life type of movies.
Perhaps a wind vane would be a good add-on for the vessel. Safe journeys!!
This video shows how you experienced this trip through your "beginner sailor" eyes Sophie. And the music you choose for the video shows how much the fear and anxiety took over you. I respect the way you fight it though. Others will step to land and take the first flight home. Ryan seems to be having another kind of experience though. He is enjoying it. What I see in your trip, is the perfect weather to cross the Biscay on a sailing boat. Anything else less than this, would have been slow and boring.
Oh, only 2 things important: 1) keep the boat moving forward, 2) keep it on course. You'll get there 🇧🇲
You guys are brave beyond reason
Which is commendable
To circumnavigate you must take long passages
And you do
On the nose
From the start
Well done guys you’re actually doing it
The rest of us ( sailors) talk about it
Thank you Ryan and Sophie. Loved the vlog again. Big learning curve this week. x
Thanks Derek! Glad to see you back here, and glad you enjoyed it! You are absolutely right... what a learning experience it was... but on the other side of it, I do feel a deep sense of accomplishment! /Sophie
Absolutely Sophie. A fantastic accomplishment for you both x
You have really helped in letting us see the issues of being in the rough seas. You thought it was going to nice and it probably was but the sickness was the ordeal. Hang in there baby you can DO IT.. there are other shores and different beaches to see. Love your video..
Another great video! So proud of you two. Now lets get to the Caribbean where it really is warm! GOD bless you guys. JC
Thanks! :)
Bravo Sophie !! Le Golfe de Gascogne n’est jamais une partie de plaisir ! You did it ! Mais il n’y a rien de pire qu’affronter ses peurs ! Encore bravo
Merci Nicolas! Ce commentaire m’a bien fait plaisir, le golf de Gascogne côté hispanique vaut le coup! :) /Sophie
Congratulations on your crossing! Great video! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Bill :)
so sorry for you spent many years in U S NAVY never got sea sick in beginning just went on deck watched the waves been thru many bad storms typhons but never got sick felt so sorry for you but it will pass
Just as the camera Can Not give an accurate representation of the sea conditions! The camera can however give an accurate account of your sea condition! Ha! 12:41 You are a true adventurer!! Give yourself credit were credit is due! Thanx for sharing this Awesome Adventure with all of us! : ) Be well.
I took the car ferry from sandanter to Plymouth across the biscay bay in the middle of winter, the waves were 60feet high, it was like going on a roller coaster for 2 days, looks like your journey was alot smooth than mine
Sounds a lot like a day we would not have crossed Biscay on a sailboat! 😵
Our crossing was probably smoother indeed :)
/Sophie
I heard that putting an ear plug in only one ear helps with seasickness. I don't get it often but have a couple of times. Once I jumped in for a swim which sorted me out the other was crossing Dover to Calais in rough seas so I had to just hang on and try to divert my thoughts. I felt for you but applaud you all for doing this.
Thanks JG, I've heard that one too, I'm yet to try it though... Seasickness is the worse! /Sophie
Been passing biscay bay for 21times as of 2020 and i am from a bigship still this bay. Is giving me chills if we encounter big waves . Sometimes our ship looks small if we encounter storms 😂👌🏻 good video
I have just blitzed through your movies, love the both of you. Keep up the good work
Thanks Frankie! Really glad to read your comment :) Cheers from Spain! /Sophie
Great video and thank you for uploading it. I crossed the Bay of Biscay on October 2006 and it was dreadful.
Great video guys. What’s great about that sea state is that you are eating up the miles. I struggle to sail at under 6 knots boat speed. Just seems like you are not moving. Enjoy the ride and keep sending us videos 😊
Thanks Mike, always! :)
I have been extremely seasick. I do not go on the water without packing scop. But I learned some years ago of an electric relief band, which stimulates a nay-kwan accupressure point. Sounds like new age hooey, but it is US-FDA approved as effective for morning sickness. And personally, I find it is the next best thing to using scop--with none of the drawbacks. Sophie, there is science and objective testing that confirms this works. Three versions: One "disposable" lightweight for pregnancy. One heavier disposable, water resistant for us sailors. And a third, slightly more expensive, that uses replaceable batteries (coin cells) so it is much more economical in the long term. If you put it on carefully, and keep it in position carefully, Sophie, Incroyable! Sold on Amazon if you can't find it elsewhere.
Interesting... I have tried a lot of seasickness relief methods at this point, but never heard of that one. I'll add it to my list of things I need to check out...
/Sophie
Good one, well done. made me smile! Although Ryan's apron looks like something from the films The hostel or Saw..its got to go, its more frightening than sailing across Biscay! ;-)
Haha! I never looked at it the apron that way 😂 We have that apron to protect us from potential boiling liquids getting spilled on us when we cook pasta, rice or potatoes... it looks scary, but it does a good job at keeping us just a little bit safer :)
I watch a lot of sailing channels. I have always thought that the most dangerous thing they do is stand in front of boiling water, in a rolling boat, wearing nothing but shorts or bathing suit. A serious burn hundreds of miles from land could get ugly very fast.
i was waiting for the chainsaw :-))
Another great video! Sorry that you were so sick - were you wearing the patches behind your ears? It is all dangerous but be glad that you did not have to go to the office that can be dangerous too - all those other co workers. Give me a big wave any day rather than an office rumor. Again, sorry that you were so sick - it can happen to anyone. Take care and keep making great videos.
Thanks Richard! When the sea state started to get out of control, I put half of one behind my ear. Then when it got even worse, i put the other half of it.
On the second day, I was doing way better already!
Hahaha, I agree with your statement about offices!
Thanks for the support Richard!
/Sophie
Definitely stress induced sea sickness!
Good courage! Getting there...slowly
Bon vent!
Bravo Zulu!! ( High Compliment in Navy jargon) really really well done ! oh btw , I hear shortening your hair helps reduced seasickness
I could never do that though 😱 /Sophie
Coongratulations on your first offshore passage. Almost certainly, you future passages will be easier. Thanks forl "opening up" while being bunkbound. It would have been so easy to just put the camera away.
Thanks Tony, you are right... it’s easy to bring the camera out when everything goes well, and a lot less easy when you are scared. At this point though, the camera almost felt like my therapist 😉 /Sophie
FULL REVIEW! FULL REVIEW!! Ha! Can't wait for your review! Awesome video. Well done! You are alive, I hope!? & you made it to Spain!!? I hope. Haha!
I’m alive, I’m well (very well), enjoying all the food and the sangria Spain had to offer. This was so worth it... hang on there, the full review is definitely coming :) /Sophie
Congrats on crossing the infamous bay of Biscay! On our crossing we had two perfect days but on the last day it was a bit of a nightmare. We learned a lot though and we grew as sailors. I'm impressed of how much you filmed even when you could barely keep your eyes open ;) Fair winds! //Steffi
Thanks guys! At that point, the camera felt like my therapist 😂 Cheers from Spain! /Sophie
Is the Biscay always this rough? Surely it would be much calmer during the summer.
sophie when sailing if the weather is not crashing the sea over or against the bow then you have absolutely nothing to fret abou rolling can be uncomfortable if you suffer sea sickness I was extreamly lucky to find my sea legs on the many rough sea crossings between spain and the ukportsmouth to bilbao in foce 10s a great time
I'm close to retirement and wish I could sail. Sailing videos are my dream. Love your videos. Be safe guys. Thanks for sharing
Peter Foti What’s stopping you, there are courses galore you can take? Go for it!
happy to see you guys made it... and thanks for showing how it really is
Thanks Bruno, I’m glad you appreciated it. It is easy to take the camera out when everything goes well, definitely not when the sea state wants to throw the camera around. At that point though, the camera felt like my therapist 😂 /Sophie
You won't be truly comfortable until you have been out in a gale, then you can relax a bit more and think "I have survived worse than this".
You know... I know that the gale is somewhere down the road... I know I’ll probably be ok... but boy I don’t look forward to that moment 😅 /Sophie
I imagine those seas to be about 3 meters or so. Definitely rolling but your boat seems to handle it well. I am sure it will be better next time.
I'm sorry for your seasickness. Your boat had 3 adults and looked like your friend's boat had 2 adults and 4 little kids!! How did they do it?
Congratulations on a milestone. You are starting to trust Polar Seal. That is good.
I do!! And with that new Genoa of hers, she sails like a goddess. /Sophie
I have been 17 days at sea only when I passed the Bay of biscay I got really seasick
So that part is really hard to go through for sure
Nice video I was just searching for the bay of biscay when I came across your video
Greetings from Amsterdam Holland
Thanks BlackJack Amsterdam! It has been almost three years since we crossed Biscay, and the memories of that passage still feel very vivid :p
I’ve crossed it three times. The passage felt like living in a tumble dryer every time. Awful
Stay up on the helm as much as you can to prevent the seasickness. Laying down and thinking about it makes you nervous and makes matters worse. I know, I have been seasick many times. Try eating saltines and stay out of the cabin as much as you can.
keep up the good work just remember after the rain come's sunshine you have to get true the rough times to appreciate to good times even more :D
greetings from pays bas
Thank you! I’m right now having a sangria on the terrace of a very nice Spanish café, and definitely not complaining or feeling bad :) /Sophie
What happened to the perfect forecast? Winds at beginning seemed to be forward of the beam to start. Too much “face time.” We’re Ryan and Rob on the boat? Start seasickness preparation before you start any sail, no matter the forecast.
your pain and fear was clear to see
but you got posative, and did some activities that took your mind off it a bit
congrats to overcoming some of your fears in time it may get better
{:-) PAV
Thanks PAV! You’re right, it does get better with time and experience. Not looking forward to the next difficult crossing, but I’ll be better equipped that time...
Cheers from Spain!
/Sophie
Well done guys, good for us beginners 👍👏
Such an honest video.
Been out on a 29 footer in maybe Force 7 going on 8 and it got rough.
Fortunately I do not suffer from sea sickness but I was glad to see you clipped in safely.
My good friend came back from the Caribbean on a 65 footer and they hit some really bad weather.
Couple of the (macho) crew on board no life jackets no safeties just p*ssing over the side.
Total twats and I find that behaviour unbelievable.
Stay away from the caffeine drinks may help with sea sickness. I know sea sickness varies from person to person. On a long trip i start taking see sickness tablets about an hour before departure and then take them for about 24 hours while staying away from the coffee etc. I still eat anything though. I stop the pills after the first day and may take the odd one after but find my seasickness is gone. Your sea legs turn up.
For those that think this was a bit over dramatic...Initially I was thinking this is NORMAL sailing conditions, but then I realized this is their FIRST TIME with what most seasoned sailors will call normal. If you have followed them you will see they have never really had seas like this before. This was Sopies first long overnight passage, and the first is always a bit unnerving. I am sure she will get used to it in time. I applaud her for her courage, strength and determination, she's an amazing woman and I would not hesitate to have her as a first mate, she's starting to become a more seasoned "salty" sailor, lol. Salute' To You Sophie!!!!
Thanks Michael! You are right, next time we encounter those conditions, I’ll probably be a lot more chill. Besides, the reward on the other side of those passages is HUGE! Both in term of personal growth, but also in terms of weather, food, friends and experience.
I’ll just be better prepared next time.
Thanks for the support!
/Sophie
I have only just qualified as a Day skipper, this is a great video and interesting to see a real genuine situation of how you were feeling. I would like to sail in the Bay of Biscay but was wondering what level of experience any skipper would need to undertake it. Your boat looks a very adequate for the sea state, what length and weight is it ?
Have you tried the hand steering seasickness cure ?
What about sitting on the windward rail in the elements looking 90 deg ?
LYW
completely agree. take off the autosteering and stand at wheel and steer. see sickness WILL disappear. also sitting on windward rail. look either leeward or windward. whichever works. a huge part of see sickness is psychological. you must refuse to allow it to grip you (we all feel it coming). fight, fight, fight and you will come through it. sip a bottle of water too. another great technique
I'm so sorry you were so sick. maybe put some velcro down where you normally put the camera to keep it form falling, everytime it falls it hurts my head, just kidding. Beautiful sailing though. Three cheers for your first voyage in shorts. :0 peace and happy sailing.
Thanks srq lisa! It hurts my heart when it falls down, I’m always so afraid it will break :/
I’ll try to engineer a mechanism for it to hold in place... /Sophie
Is there a return policy on those seasick glasses?
Where did the other boat go that was behind you at 16:36.
How did you find those seasickness glasses? Do they really make a difference?
They were awful. Made me seasick just wearing them :) I’ll publish a full review of them in January! /Sophie
A question, I never hear of folk following the coast around the bay of Biscay, but opting for the nearly always intrepid crossing, I just wondered why? especially if there is no urgency?
(Ryan) Hi Pete, I think that's a very good and valid question. We actually had an Instagram friend do just that this year. I think a lot of people skip going the long way due to general time considerations. There is a lot to see in every place and if your trying to get to the start of the ARC in a few months... only so much time. It's just my guess on the subject.
Good question Peter! Well, although we know that sailing and schedules should never be put in the same sentence while talking about sailing, we did have a bit of a schedule crossing Biscay. We are still working, and a combination of upcoming business trips and having to be in the med for the winter had us miss the lovely french coast of Biscay.
I really wanted to sail to La Rochelle and Ile-de-Ré, but that will have to be for another time...
Cheers from Portugal!
/Sophie
The sea state should be better off shore there so I have heard.
Another great video Sophie... Merci and best from Jakarta
Jakarta?! C'est les vacances ou on a raté un démenagement? ;)
No, pas les vacances, je suis ici pour les asian games.. L'olympic de l'asie. :)
Have you tried Peppermint as a quelle for the Seasickness?