We wear our PFDs, harnesses, and tethers on every night watch, no questions asked. Even if we're just in the cockpit watching autopilot. And we wear shoes and gloves regardless of weather. No one goes forward without another person awake and watching. But that's our boat. Bobby runs his boat differently, and that's his choice. He's doing a great job! Congrats on great progress and safe passage!
It’s ok to feel scared and uncomfortable. One thing you should take solace in, is the fact that Skippers and the crew will nearly always break before their yacht will. From my own experience, Reef early, no spinnaker at night and hove to if you feel the need to have a break and regroup. I’m loving the podcasts and the UA-cam clips. Great stuff guys. Safe travels.
@Sailing Doodles Bobby, this is not the Volvo Ocean race, why are you running a chute at night with a light crew? A broach at night in a boat that size with, limited crew could be catastrophic
Dean F If you are correct then why did she lose helm? A Genoa does not drive the bow down lifting the stern and rudder out of the water the way a Spinnaker does during a broach.
Yep, reef at night that is for sure. We broached twice - one port and one starboard - before we could get situated one dark open sea night in a 45' Hunter with too much sail out. That is real scary I will tell you.
I would have been afraid too if the wind came up that fast during the night! Everyone else has to be a light sleeper just in case they are needed up on deck. So much for resting between shifts! Bob, you really seem comfortable as the Captain, so good on you for that. Laura, you look wonderful even if you were a bit scared.
It's got to rain and winds blow sometime, and just need to show Laura the proper sail usage(always harnessed in and wearing proper gear of course) and reefing for it, ride those storm winds through to the crossing!
A little rough but not bad. I've been on Lake Erie when the water has been relatively calm and a storm comes up fast and we are in 6 to 8 foot waves in minutes. Not a place you want to be! Great video guy's, safe and smooth sailing.
+Tony Andrzejewski yeah it really wasn’t too bad at all. We were never in any danger. About the worst thing that would happened is blowing out the spinnaker.
It's interesting because I as watching the wind for much of the time being I work from home. I didn't see any real changes on Windy.com or other sites.
Yeah man...the wet look looks good on you Bobby. Hey Laura...wanna go try the "wet look" and go reef that main for me! HA HA! Great vid and glad everyone survived it. I bet it was scary to see the water like that especially at night. Good job Laura! PEACE OUT! Ü
Laura, if you read this, don't worry about a storm, the boat was built for anything it may encounter and once you have been through a good blow, you will be better for it, the fantasy will have become an experience and understanding must follow. Altogether an education, it was for me when I encountered my first squall in a 15 foot whaler, we lost the jib and nearly went over taking down the gaffe rigged main, 5 cadets and an officer all clambering over each other, what a scene. We survived and laughed about it for years after. A tug took us in tow when he eventually found us!
I think it's crazy that novices, that's what they all are, would even contemplate such a crossing without an experienced hand with them. They had the space for said 'skipper'.
Grew up sailing. At 5:04- I'm sure it would wear on you if those conditions lasted hours, but man it looks like you're flying and that is FUN sailing!!!
They're not very safety conscious. It's down to pure chance that nothing bad happened to them up u til this point. I only started a week ago on episode 1 season 1. So I have a long way to go still.
Phenomenal editing! The music score brought me right into the moment. Laura’s comment was just the best! ((Put a ring on her Bobby, she’s one of one, the 99th percentile, the best!))
Bob Down + I don't thinks that's 100% accurate. Even though I would wear the harness at all times, I think Bobby (and others) gauge how rolly and windy it is. All the other times he's been out there without a harness, were much milder than this time. That's not to say I wouldn't like to see him with a harness every time but it is HIS journey! PEACE OUT!
Would this be a great reason you should always have a harness on? If Laura fell over when she said she was staring at the sea you could have lost her forever.
Ahhhhhhh Makes one Feel ALIVE to have a BUMP in the night,Bobby da man nose to the grinding wheel keep head up and move forward.Laura looked Awesome loved the Alive look that showed she was Feeling it. Thadd was like wheels are turning can i get back to sleep now? Lol just conveying what i saw different than other times LOVED the Video.if there are type ohs its this new Keyboard its Horrible not all gaming keyboards are Created Equal,this one sucks..
sailing ⛵️ is not always bikinis & champagne 🍾, good to see your experiencing some real sailing conditions, stay safe, and your one day closer to that Beach walk...🇦🇺🦋
Sounds like heavy wind came up real fast to still have the spinnaker up... Does your radar or nav station data give you enough warning of incoming heavy weather?
Bob, Laura & Thad. . . . . Thumbs-Up #915 I am, Thursday 26 Apr 2018! I may have to stop reading your commenter’s comments? Too many coaches. I view your videos and enjoy your adventures as you present them. Simple as that. I used to hate people ALWAYS giving me advice on motorcycling. Cheers Cap’n!
+whiteribbonman1 haha yeah there is a lot of that. Thank you for watching. People have their own ideas on how to sail and what is safe. If the conditions warrant having gear on then I will do it.
Bobby , you need a crotch strap on your harness ! If you go into the water without one , your harness will pull off over your head when you raised your arms to grab the teather line ! Also make sure your teather can't reach the water ! Keep the jack line as close to the center of the boat as possible ! Gosh I hate telling people what to do . Please forgive me for sticking my nose into your business ! Laura said you don't give her enough attention so remember always keep your diving certificate updated ! Ooops I did it again ! Thanks for sharing 😎
Whooops. I wrote this and then read the rest of the comments. Sorry. ✌🏻 Hey Bobby and Co. another fantastic vid. Thanks so much. So hey, i was wondering? Sailing with the spinnaker sail up at night? Its such a massive sail, is that a normal thing? I would have pooped in my best pants if i were on watch and the boat heeled over like that. Also, Nick from Ruby Rose does some good “what if...” vlogs and the best one that I have seen to date was from Ryan on Two Afloat sailing. That was months ago. And he really went into detail. It was almost like an online crash course. Excuse the pun, its late here in S.A. What do you as El Capitan insist on? Or are you chilled like Cpt. Roy? 😁😁
+Jonathan Neethling we are pretty chill. No one leaves the cockpit in day time without someone else watching them. No one leaves at night without a life jacket and jacking in. As for spinnaker at night, of the weather is forecast to be good then I don’t have a problem with it
Total reliance on the forecast is a mistake in itself. They are provided as a guide, not an absolute rule. Spinnaker at night is acceptable, with a fully qualified crew. You certainly don't have that.
+Rick Czainski is the weather is forecast to be good I don’t have a problem with it. If things take a turn for the worse you can just let the sheet go and spill the spinnaker. Will make noise and be hard to get back in the bag but that’s about it
I'd be barfing over the side, for sure, and crying like a baby. Lose me in a forested wilderness, I'm fine like Les Stroud, but put me out on the ocean and I'd flip out.
Flying the kite at night in the ITCZ with one person awake is courting disaster. Use a little common sense - you were over a thousand miles from the nearest land. The watch person should be looking for squalls on radar (set the gain properly and they are easy to see) and making course and sail adjustments before a squall arrives. Even in daylight, squalls can come up on you very fast or form quickly right at your position. With a short-handed and inexperienced crew, the spinnaker should be kept stowed in the ITCZ. I speak from experience because we blew up our 1.5 oz spinnaker in the ITCZ in the daytime two years ago when a squall got us. We had over 80 years of sailing and racing experience (with spinnakers) on board.
once I read this book, the venturesome voyages of Captain Voss and he tells how the fellow he was sailing with was washed overboard. they were smoking cigars., his sailing buddy said, i want to sail all the way to England with you. this is great. a big wave came up behind the boat, the sailor grabbed for the compass rather than a handheld, and he was gone, never to be seen again!. I read it 2 or 3 times. it was so mundane, no horror story, no hurricane, no drama, just some guys goofing off.
Thats sailing......... Just fyi the old video's that included more narration, made for a higher quality style of video i guess its a style type of thing.
WTF You dont fly spinnakers at night. This boat is going to be lucky to get there in one piece. Look at what you did to the catamaran you delivered.YOU BLEW UP THE HEAD GASKET BY MOTORING TO HARD, ITS A SAIL BOAT NOT A POWER BOAT. You have ready wrenched your mast going to snap a mast mid pacific if you keep pushing it past hull speed.NOW YOUR.MOTOR SAILING MIGHT AS WELL BUY A POWER BOAT..
+Juliamarie Palero I have never taken a motor more than 2,000 rpm. I’m sorry you don’t like our channel but I wish you the best. Fair winds and following seas.
Its not that I don't enjoy your channel, I enjoy watching amatuers making mistakes. Like the one mentioned your lack of experience shows. You as the captain you have a responsibility for the saftey of your crew and vessel to over see everything and that includes leaving the deck unattended to film videos and eat steak..No one on board your vessel has sailed across the pacific before... I have alot of years sailing experience been sailing since i was 4 years old. I learnt to sail in that lagoon in Bora Bora. Now I sail mega yachts and deliver yachts for a living . Sometimes Ill do a race.. if you make mistakes dont film it
Don't wish to be the devils advocate here, but the way you are flying your spinnaker, is a recipe for disaster anyway. Secondly, is leaving an inexperienced person on watch alone while sailing at night, especially while flying a spinnaker. Glad you came out of it alright, but am increasingly convinced that you need a lot more experience/knowledge/skills than you are currently displaying for an open ocean passage. Good luck for the rest of the trip, I'm just hoping that others who follow you, learn from your mistakes. Still enjoy your posts though, takes me back many years...
We wear our PFDs, harnesses, and tethers on every night watch, no questions asked. Even if we're just in the cockpit watching autopilot. And we wear shoes and gloves regardless of weather. No one goes forward without another person awake and watching. But that's our boat. Bobby runs his boat differently, and that's his choice. He's doing a great job! Congrats on great progress and safe passage!
Many folks opt to reef every evening at sea. They sacrifice speed for safety in case winds increase during the night.
Exactly.
Agreed. Flying a spinnaker at night adds risk, especially so since the watchkeeper is usually on deck alone. I prefer to douse the kite at sunset.
Agreed - flying one in the day without someone watching the tell tails scares me.
You need to reduce sail area at night, certainly no spinnaker.
It’s ok to feel scared and uncomfortable. One thing you should take solace in, is the fact that Skippers and the crew will nearly always break before their yacht will. From my own experience, Reef early, no spinnaker at night and hove to if you feel the need to have a break and regroup. I’m loving the podcasts and the UA-cam clips. Great stuff guys. Safe travels.
Thanks for giving us these snap shots of what's going on. Makes it a little more real.
Good one B&L....kudos to Laura for lightening the mood at the end of the video.
You do have those bad days in a sail boat..... I am a M/Y man myself........ Another great video and thanks for keep the daily videos coming
@Sailing Doodles Bobby, this is not the Volvo Ocean race, why are you running a chute at night with a light crew? A broach at night in a boat that size with, limited crew could be catastrophic
I seriously think Laura meant jib. Bobby seems too intelligent to run a spinnaker as he's below deck sleeping.
Dean F If you are correct then why did she lose helm? A Genoa does not drive the bow down lifting the stern and rudder out of the water the way a Spinnaker does during a broach.
Yes, when in dought reef! At night for sure! Good to see the safety lines!
Thanks for keeping us updated. Glad you guys are ok. Praying for a safe crossing for you guys. God Bless!!!
Really enjoying the daily crossing vids .......thanks
good morning from wisconsin glad your doing the short daily blogs
Terrific, good boat, and great crew,godspeed
Glag to see you finally wearing the safety harness!!
You were moving along really well!
Riiiide em Cowboy!! Now you're getting the REAL sailing experience, WooHoo!
Thanks for doing this daily vlog on your ocean passage. A great insight.
Great video. Nice to see the good and bad of sailing
Yep, reef at night that is for sure. We broached twice - one port and one starboard - before we could get situated one dark open sea night in a 45' Hunter with too much sail out. That is real scary I will tell you.
It appears Laura prefers a little smoother sailing & I don't blame her. I hope your journey goes well & you have good weather and smooth sailing.
It's time to toughen up that girl n teach her how to sail
Tethered at all times and reef at night. Surfing baby!
I would have been afraid too if the wind came up that fast during the night! Everyone else has to be a light sleeper just in case they are needed up on deck. So much for resting between shifts! Bob, you really seem comfortable as the Captain, so good on you for that. Laura, you look wonderful even if you were a bit scared.
It's got to rain and winds blow sometime, and just need to show Laura the proper sail usage(always harnessed in and wearing proper gear of course) and reefing for it, ride those storm winds through to the crossing!
Even though you almost fell out, you still are not tethered!
horse shoes and handgrenades
No, its called being foolish, when you are on a watch alone in the middle of the night! Its called a wake up call!
stupid
Yes, it is stupid to not be tethered!
A little rough but not bad. I've been on Lake Erie when the water has been relatively calm and a storm comes up fast and we are in 6 to 8 foot waves in minutes. Not a place you want to be! Great video guy's, safe and smooth sailing.
+Tony Andrzejewski yeah it really wasn’t too bad at all. We were never in any danger. About the worst thing that would happened is blowing out the spinnaker.
It's interesting because I as watching the wind for much of the time being I work from home. I didn't see any real changes on Windy.com or other sites.
Yeah man...the wet look looks good on you Bobby. Hey Laura...wanna go try the "wet look" and go reef that main for me! HA HA! Great vid and glad everyone survived it. I bet it was scary to see the water like that especially at night. Good job Laura! PEACE OUT! Ü
WOW! is right the weather and the captain!
The videos are getting better and better. Crossings seem to be good for your editing. Best wishes.
Laura, if you read this, don't worry about a storm, the boat was built for anything it may encounter and once you have been through a good blow, you will be better for it, the fantasy will have become an experience and understanding must follow. Altogether an education, it was for me when I encountered my first squall in a 15 foot whaler, we lost the jib and nearly went over taking down the gaffe rigged main, 5 cadets and an officer all clambering over each other, what a scene. We survived and laughed about it for years after. A tug took us in tow when he eventually found us!
+whispjohn sounds like quite the adventure!
Glad to see that you are using the tether. If they lost you would they know what to do.
Yeah...like can Laura or Thad sail the boat?
I think it's crazy that novices, that's what they all are, would even contemplate such a crossing without an experienced hand with them. They had the space for said 'skipper'.
Bobby you are great!
Grew up sailing. At 5:04- I'm sure it would wear on you if those conditions lasted hours, but man it looks like you're flying and that is FUN sailing!!!
Great episode, thanks
OMG that was very exciting video
You guys kicked butt.
That looks scary!
I wouldn't run the spinnaker at night...but that's me. Reef early! Cheers, Ted
At night when alone, whom ever has watch, put a safety harness on! Safety first guys! If she went over you would never see her again!
They're not very safety conscious. It's down to pure chance that nothing bad happened to them up u til this point. I only started a week ago on episode 1 season 1. So I have a long way to go still.
Good episode! I watched it twice.
VERY SHORT VIDEOS, the first videos were very amazing,
Phenomenal editing! The music score brought me right into the moment. Laura’s comment was just the best! ((Put a ring on her Bobby, she’s one of one, the 99th percentile, the best!))
Nothing says love quite like marrying a girl you have been dating four months.
+Paul Chapin Some engagements go for 7 years. The ring speaks volumes to those who pay attention.
Let me add then, getting engaged to someone you have been dating four months is a more than a little insane.
Awesome
That's why you have to wear a harness.
+Al W I THINK HE KNOWS THAT, which is why HE HAS ONE ON! So many people coaching the man on HIS adventure!
Bob Down + I don't thinks that's 100% accurate. Even though I would wear the harness at all times, I think Bobby (and others) gauge how rolly and windy it is. All the other times he's been out there without a harness, were much milder than this time. That's not to say I wouldn't like to see him with a harness every time but it is HIS journey! PEACE OUT!
Working barefoot on a yacht while it is in heavy condition causes the possibility of serious injuries to the feet. Apologize my English I am German.
The crew should get a Softscience shoe endorsement like Darcizzle has.
+Sven S. Your English is great! Bob and crew run by their own rules. 😀
Good video guys!
Now, you having fun !!!!
The mustash looks good on you Bobby.
Would this be a great reason you should always have a harness on? If Laura fell over when she said she was staring at the sea you could have lost her forever.
Ahhhhhhh Makes one Feel ALIVE to have a BUMP in the night,Bobby da man nose to the grinding wheel keep head up and move forward.Laura looked Awesome loved the Alive look
that showed she was Feeling it. Thadd was like wheels are turning can i get back to sleep now? Lol just conveying what i saw different than other times LOVED the Video.if there are type ohs its this new Keyboard its Horrible not all gaming keyboards are Created Equal,this one sucks..
sailing ⛵️ is not always bikinis & champagne 🍾, good to see your experiencing some real sailing conditions, stay safe, and your one day closer to that Beach walk...🇦🇺🦋
"Only 9 more days !" Reef at night is a good thing to do.
yah, being on a sail boat in a storm sucks. Glad you are OK.
Makes me scared, glad to know you are safekyvthere akready or this would make me sick.
Vicki White I
Laura is such a Fox!
Laura has impressive flotation devices... but she should supplement those fun bags with a life jacket and harness...
Sounds like heavy wind came up real fast to still have the spinnaker up... Does your radar or nav station data give you enough warning of incoming heavy weather?
Flying a spinnaker at night? Doesn't seem smart to me... and I mostly sail in a bay! ;-)Be careful out there... Fair Winds and Seas!
Bob, Laura & Thad. . . . . Thumbs-Up #915 I am, Thursday 26 Apr 2018! I may have to stop reading your commenter’s comments? Too many coaches. I view your videos and enjoy your adventures as you present them. Simple as that. I used to hate people ALWAYS giving me advice on motorcycling. Cheers Cap’n!
+whiteribbonman1 haha yeah there is a lot of that. Thank you for watching. People have their own ideas on how to sail and what is safe. If the conditions warrant having gear on then I will do it.
What's with all the loose lines flapping everywhere??? Great video!
+Andrew McIntire that was a reefing line
Bobby , you need a crotch strap on your harness ! If you go into the water without one , your harness will pull off over your head when you raised your arms to grab the teather line ! Also make sure your teather can't reach the water ! Keep the jack line as close to the center of the boat as possible ! Gosh I hate telling people what to do . Please forgive me for sticking my nose into your business ! Laura said you don't give her enough attention so remember always keep your diving certificate updated ! Ooops I did it again ! Thanks for sharing 😎
Any possible rogue waves during your travels !
Have you hit the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) ??
What is the water depth average ?? Thanks guys
+Rick Lanier deep! 10,000+
Is it safe using the spinnaker at night?
Laura looks scared =(.. Be safe all 3 of you.
Whooops. I wrote this and then read the rest of the comments. Sorry. ✌🏻
Hey Bobby and Co. another fantastic vid. Thanks so much. So hey, i was wondering? Sailing with the spinnaker sail up at night? Its such a massive sail, is that a normal thing? I would have pooped in my best pants if i were on watch and the boat heeled over like that. Also, Nick from Ruby Rose does some good “what if...” vlogs and the best one that I have seen to date was from Ryan on Two Afloat sailing. That was months ago. And he really went into detail. It was almost like an online crash course. Excuse the pun, its late here in S.A. What do you as El Capitan insist on? Or are you chilled like Cpt. Roy? 😁😁
+Jonathan Neethling we are pretty chill. No one leaves the cockpit in day time without someone else watching them. No one leaves at night without a life jacket and jacking in.
As for spinnaker at night, of the weather is forecast to be good then I don’t have a problem with it
Total reliance on the forecast is a mistake in itself. They are provided as a guide, not an absolute rule. Spinnaker at night is acceptable, with a fully qualified crew. You certainly don't have that.
Guys! That's why you don't fly a spinnaker at night shorthanded !!
ITCZ baby. All bets are off. Shoulda told Laura about it.
Bert & Ernie would have kept you afloat Laura...you'll be fine
With more experience you'll be able to reef before squalls.
I'm sure you'll hear this several times. Sinnaker at night?
+Rick Czainski is the weather is forecast to be good I don’t have a problem with it. If things take a turn for the worse you can just let the sheet go and spill the spinnaker. Will make noise and be hard to get back in the bag but that’s about it
Better to be knocked down than knocked up lol
I would have everything tied to everything else!!!!!!!!
I'd be barfing over the side, for sure, and crying like a baby. Lose me in a forested wilderness, I'm fine like Les Stroud, but put me out on the ocean and I'd flip out.
You guys have big cohones!!God Speed!!
Why do you not have personal Epirb’s on each one of those lifejackets… Just remember most boats can handle more than the crew
+mauileigh SV Tachikaze Maru we do have a PLB on one of the jackets that we use the most. All jackets have flashing lights too
You should have strobes and whistles on all harnesses. Does laura know about the mob button on the gps?
Sailing Doodles Thank you
In fact dont fly your spinnaker for the rest of you trip. I guarantee you will break a mast.
Flying the kite at night in the ITCZ with one person awake is courting disaster. Use a little common sense - you were over a thousand miles from the nearest land. The watch person should be looking for squalls on radar (set the gain properly and they are easy to see) and making course and sail adjustments before a squall arrives. Even in daylight, squalls can come up on you very fast or form quickly right at your position. With a short-handed and inexperienced crew, the spinnaker should be kept stowed in the ITCZ. I speak from experience because we blew up our 1.5 oz spinnaker in the ITCZ in the daytime two years ago when a squall got us. We had over 80 years of sailing and racing experience (with spinnakers) on board.
once I read this book, the venturesome voyages of Captain Voss and he tells how the fellow he was sailing with was washed overboard. they were smoking cigars., his sailing buddy said, i want to sail all the way to England with you. this is great. a big wave came up behind the boat, the sailor grabbed for the compass rather than a handheld, and he was gone, never to be seen again!. I read it 2 or 3 times. it was so mundane, no horror story, no hurricane, no drama, just some guys goofing off.
Your using a genaker not a spinnaker
Thats sailing......... Just fyi the old video's that included more narration, made for a higher quality style of video i guess its a style type of thing.
wow the boats flying
1st
2st
must have been luck,i didn't get a notice.
WTF You dont fly spinnakers at night.
This boat is going to be lucky to get there in one piece. Look at what you did to the catamaran you delivered.YOU BLEW UP THE HEAD GASKET BY MOTORING TO HARD, ITS A SAIL BOAT NOT A POWER BOAT.
You have ready wrenched your mast going to snap a mast mid pacific if you keep pushing it past hull speed.NOW YOUR.MOTOR SAILING MIGHT AS WELL BUY A POWER BOAT..
+Juliamarie Palero I have never taken a motor more than 2,000 rpm. I’m sorry you don’t like our channel but I wish you the best. Fair winds and following seas.
Its not that I don't enjoy your channel, I enjoy watching amatuers making mistakes. Like the one mentioned your lack of experience shows. You as the captain you have a responsibility for the saftey of your crew and vessel to over see everything and that includes leaving the deck unattended to film videos and eat steak..No one on board your vessel has sailed across the pacific before... I have alot of years sailing experience been sailing since i was 4 years old. I learnt to sail in that lagoon in Bora Bora. Now I sail mega yachts and deliver yachts for a living . Sometimes Ill do a race.. if you make mistakes dont film it
STOP YELLING INTO THE MICROPHONE!!! Ugh
Don't wish to be the devils advocate here, but the way you are flying your spinnaker, is a recipe for disaster anyway. Secondly, is leaving an inexperienced person on watch alone while sailing at night, especially while flying a spinnaker. Glad you came out of it alright, but am increasingly convinced that you need a lot more experience/knowledge/skills than you are currently displaying for an open ocean passage. Good luck for the rest of the trip, I'm just hoping that others who follow you, learn from your mistakes. Still enjoy your posts though, takes me back many years...
Rockin the Pilot's mustache. Looks more airline than navy tho :)
? im not much of a sailer but why use the spinicker at night when you really cant gauge the wind. why not use the main sail
The girl must be new to sailing!
+Tony Alexander Your messing with Laura’s rep Mr. Totally Asinine. She is new to sailing yes, but she has more class also than the likes of you.
+Anna Glasser She is a Registered Nurse.