Knowing When It's Time To STOP | Sailing Ep 331

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  • Опубліковано 25 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 124

  • @followtheboat
    @followtheboat  2 роки тому +1

    Has something like this happened to you? Please tell us your stories in the comments!

    • @IIIIIIPETEIIIIII
      @IIIIIIPETEIIIIII 2 роки тому

      Yes, we’ve had to turn back even just when trying to make short hops down the coast when strong winds on the nose cropped up. The difference is that we were under time constraints and would have otherwise stayed put. There have been numerous times when we’ve been stuck waiting a day or two for a weather window. I also know what it’s like being offshore in the North Sea with big waves and wind tight on the nose/on the nose. We took the risk that it would be a F5, got a F6 for most of the voyage, but experienced storm force winds for an hour or so. Won’t ever chance that again if an F5 is in the forecast!!
      I think you absolutely made the right decision to abandon the voyage! There were no places of refuge and to sail on the wind would have put you in danger of ending up on the rocks if the winds had become too strong to sail. Without total confidence in your engine, pressing on could have put you in a disastrous situation!
      I’ve nothing but admiration for your endeavours and it’s fair to say that not many sailors have such great sailing experience as you do!
      Fair winds! 👍👍

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks for your insights and your encouragement. We've learned that sometimes those deadlines need to take a back seat to safety considerations. There would have been no-one to rescue us out there... 🥺🙏 Liz

    • @AdventuresofanoldSeadog
      @AdventuresofanoldSeadog 2 роки тому

      I just had my worst passage. Called for rescue and towed into Australia

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому +1

      Hi Barry, thanks for the comment. I haven't yet watched your vids, but saw your posts on FB and donated to your rescuers. Thank God you got out of it safely and able to tell the tale. Peace and fair winds! Liz 👌🙏

    • @freerkottema
      @freerkottema 2 роки тому

      Yes in different circumstances.
      I was out on a climb in the Alps together with my two suns, and it was a hot summers day. The mountain was under 3K but a nasty one. Every year 3 to 4 people fall off that mountain. After 6 hours of climbing we ran out of water and we just 70 meters from the summit…. The youngest feeling not quite well, so after a short deliberation we turned and descendent, it was hard but the best decision ever.
      You did the right thing

  • @danielwardin3609
    @danielwardin3609 2 роки тому +6

    There is always a sense of relief when you make a difficult decision -- to be or not to be -- and you both made the right one. Good thing you make your own schedule. Hope you are well.

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому +2

      Precisely. Once made, you wonder why you ever wondered in the first place! 🤔 Liz

  • @xbioman7882
    @xbioman7882 2 роки тому +3

    Great job as usual. It is always a tough choice to turn around, but safety first.

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      The general consensus is we did the right thing. I think it's interesting to watch the decision process unfolding in (almost) real time. Liz 🙏

  • @jonunya3128
    @jonunya3128 2 роки тому +5

    sv Florence does a great job of videoing waves.. I think they do it exceptionally well. always enjoy your videos. adventures for grownups!

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому +2

      One trick is to keep the camera low and the other is to turn stabilisation off, neither of which I did!

  • @SVFresh2Salty
    @SVFresh2Salty 2 роки тому +1

    We have turned back once when the waves were just pounding on our nose. It wasn’t fun so we turned around and waited a day out. We have sailed in 8 to 10 feet of water but they was following seas and were manageable. You made the right decision. I think breaking out of the habit of a schedule and sailing when the conditions are right is the hardest part of sailing. Our natural instinct is to set a date we have to be some place and get there come what may.

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Yes, 'breaking out of the habit of a schedule' is well put. Liz 🙏

  • @daviddeans
    @daviddeans 2 роки тому +1

    The swell is always a give away as to what’s out there past or future and never a need to get yourself or the boat beaten up

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Yes, we always wait a while after a front goes through because it's invariably followed by slop. 👍 Liz

  • @stevenplancich6449
    @stevenplancich6449 2 роки тому +1

    Yessiree…Follow the Weather…Safety is Better…Continue to Stay Safe and Enjoy 😎

  • @markdearman8236
    @markdearman8236 2 роки тому +3

    When you said you were "calling it a day,"I was heartbroken thought you guys were giving up cruising!!!

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому +1

      Phew! It's come close a couple of times on this journey but not today. But it really was the first time we've 'given up' on a passage.

  • @stevebutterworth1937
    @stevebutterworth1937 2 роки тому +4

    Merry Christmas …and may all your waves be in a good direction into 2023 x

  • @iainbrown4945
    @iainbrown4945 2 роки тому

    Good decision - built around being on a cruising schedule rather than cruising between other schedules

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Indeed. As well as safety above all else. 🙏👌 Liz

  • @kingneptune8937
    @kingneptune8937 2 роки тому

    Text book sailing. Assessed the conditions and you did the safe and comfortable thing to do. Great discussion.

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Wow, never been described as text book sailors, but will take the compliment! Peace and fair winds! 🙏👍🎄☃️Liz

  • @FunsongsMusicByPeterRahill
    @FunsongsMusicByPeterRahill 2 роки тому +2

    93rd desktop shipmate LIKE, 532nd view... here we go... "getting nowhere fast..." is certainly a frustrating experience. Nice view & capture at 13:39.

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Cheers, Peter. It was tedious, but we got there and had a few nice views along the way! Liz 🙏

  • @davidbrayshaw3529
    @davidbrayshaw3529 2 роки тому

    Awesome guys! Thankyou.

  • @SailingYachtSaltyLass
    @SailingYachtSaltyLass 2 роки тому +5

    It looks like our standard sailing conditions 😄But there is no "V 1" in sailing - you can always go back. 😉We watched this, cheering you on and saying things like "Hey look - they have white caps". Just remember our motto - "We prefer to enjoy sailing rather than endure sailing". Our acid test is to say "Do we *really* want to put up with another 8 hours of this?" and if the answer is "No" then we turn around and go back to our anchorage.

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому +1

      Love your motto. I think we live by it without realising it. 😁 Liz

  • @carstenhoeifoto
    @carstenhoeifoto 2 роки тому +1

    It’s such a pleasure to follow you guys. It’s the highlight of the week to watch your sailing videoes 👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻😊😊

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Wow, that's such encouraging feedback, thank you so much! 😊🙏 Liz

  • @billliddle5749
    @billliddle5749 2 роки тому +1

    Very interesting voyage today. I appreciate your comments too!

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Thanks, Bill. I think it's important to reflect on any passage and share what information we can.

  • @RF33MUSIC
    @RF33MUSIC 2 роки тому

    Our New Boat to Follow. Smafrt Choice Skip. Looking forward to see how the wind plays out.

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Welcome aboard! It was a helluva passage south and west to Lombok. We hope you enjoy the ride! 🙏

  • @korhan-charlotte9171
    @korhan-charlotte9171 2 роки тому

    Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas 🎉

  • @robertkowalski9906
    @robertkowalski9906 2 роки тому +5

    Once I was like 800 miles from nowhere the wind built to around 50kts I was reaching like a mad man but then the seas got so high I started to see the sun through the waves. Thought, "hmm I could roll the boat in this" so I turned down wind. Turned out I had 230 mile 24hrs fastest Ive ever sailed only problem was 150 of it was in the wrong direction. Funny it wasn't until that movement I had never realized what "blown off course" really meant... Oh yeah seeing the sun through the waves is really cool.

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      That's pretty nuts, Robert! We were blown off course for 24 hours and ended up at exactly the same point a day later, having done a triangle. No chance of seeing the sun through waves as it was the SW monsoon 🌧️ Thanks for your story though, that's one to tell the grandchildren.

  • @jeromehebert3184
    @jeromehebert3184 2 роки тому +2

    this particular episode shows just how you sailors sail by weather windows but even then how fast things can change and basically turn your life all around.

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому +1

      I'm glad the episode illustrated what it can be like. Yes, all mariners are obsessed with the weather! Liz

  • @williambunting803
    @williambunting803 2 роки тому +2

    That pod of dolphins jumping past were amazing. There was one group towards the end which formed a perfect in line arc as if they were all joined together like a train. Quite a buzz. What am I doing? Huddled under blanket on the settee berth with the heater going looking up at the rigging, its been -5 C here with ice forming, while suffering continuous coughing fits because some person shared the worst cold I’ve had in 5 years. Whatever your discomfort, it could be so much worse.

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Oh no, poor you. Wish you better soon! Yes, even after all this time, dolphins continue to enchant us too. 👌 Liz

  • @hanssolo4ever
    @hanssolo4ever Рік тому

    Smart move, no point pushing it and breaking things.

  • @KandiSueTheBlue
    @KandiSueTheBlue 2 роки тому

    Good decision and another great video.👍

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Thank you! It was tough in the moment to know what to do, but I'm sure we made the right decision. The weather got bleaker over the next two days. 👌 Liz

  • @johnq.public2621
    @johnq.public2621 2 роки тому

    😄👍👏👏👏🐻
    Yep, had to turn back. Didn't even get to launch.

  • @SirCharles12357
    @SirCharles12357 2 роки тому +11

    You take what mother nature gives you. Salty sailors have no fixed schedules and realize that forcing your way through tough weather is not worth it. You guys made the decision to keep your blood pressure, damage to the boat, and drama low. Smart!!

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks, Charles. You describe the solution perfectly.

  • @johnsimonmcmonagle7244
    @johnsimonmcmonagle7244 2 роки тому

    A healthy balance of prudence and ‘old age and scared produced the right result....

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      You've got that mixture right! 👍 Liz

  • @captainsalty56
    @captainsalty56 2 роки тому +2

    "Gentlemen don't sail to windward", comes to mind. Last month we visited Straits Quay in Penang. What a lovely place to visit. Downside is with 40 highly sought-after berths, when you are expected to vacate your berth there isn't a lot of wiggle room to negotiate a favorable weather window. This combined with the need to enter and depart the marina on high tide due to silting saw use leave with a potential 66mile slog to windward. One boat had left the previous day, spent 6 hours to windward, gave up and was back alongside in an hour. Plan B was to reduce the distance to our destination (Langkawi) and drop anchor 10nm away from the marina. Plan C was to slog it out to the islands to the North East (Palau Bunting). We departed at high tide (11:00) and slogged our way up the coast on Plan C. A 24nm trip would normally take us 3 1/2 hours. That day was 7. We didn't turn back, nowhere to go as the marina didn't have room and the high tide was long gone. Back we have turned back many, many times. It's amazing how much relief one feels when you ease sheets, the boat comes upright and you fly downwind to a safe anchorage. BTW the next day the wind moved to the North-East (the forecast was right) and we had a blistering broach reach across to Langkawi - our first real sail in months).

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Ah yes, Terry, we know these waters all too well! One of our most frustrating passages was heading north from Port Dixon to Pankor. I distinctly remember (because I filmed it) passing Mallaca at 1kn! As you know, nowhere to duck into in that area.

  • @carlosdelarua
    @carlosdelarua 2 роки тому

    Amazing guys, always so much to learn from you both.
    Merry Christmas and God Bless you 🙏

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      I think we're all learning together! Liz 🙏☃️🎄

  • @airgead5391
    @airgead5391 Рік тому

    There is never shame in taking the right decision, be it going or going back. I had something similar when the wind force was F5 instead of the F3 to F4 forecast. The plan where only if everything would have worked didn't work because of the larger waves than expected, making it impossible to make the right speed close hauled. (also depended on timing with current)

  • @carolemmerson6151
    @carolemmerson6151 2 роки тому

    I remember when off fishing in our fishing boat the weather was atrocious and decided to return home even though we were to meet friends. Later that day we found out that our friends boat capsized and they luckily got rescued. Confirmation that our decision was a good one. Xx

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Oh man alive, thank goodness you made the right decision! And thank goodness your friends were rescued. 🙏 Liz

  • @stevennieman9837
    @stevennieman9837 2 роки тому +1

    Smart move!

  • @michaeltillman1147
    @michaeltillman1147 2 роки тому

    Prudence should top adventure I think. You may not get there as quickly, but getting there intact is a little important. Enough maintenance needed already without piling more on. It is a boat after all. And yes it is hard to see how high the seas are, but it did look to be green gill inducing. 😎

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому +1

      Prudence over adventure, I couldn't agree more. When you're in the middle of the adventure dealing with what's being thrown at you, it's sometimes hard to see the bigger picture. 🙏

  • @SVImpavidus
    @SVImpavidus 2 роки тому +1

    He who turns and runs away....... Sail Safe Guys, Ant & Cid. xx

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Yes, funny how those old aphorisms always hold a grain of truth in them. 👌 Liz

  • @trampe11
    @trampe11 2 роки тому

    Thanx for the new episode ! great again !
    A question "are there enough sandy anchorage in the attoll and how do you know you can anker there ? "

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      You use charts and satellite, just like Jamie says in the video. Sometimes there's no-where suitable, so you move in. Liz 👌

  • @nooneanybodyknows7912
    @nooneanybodyknows7912 2 роки тому +2

    Waves breaking over the side into the cockpit is not fun. It's time for a cup of 🍵.👍

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому +1

      Yeah, sloppy, wet and frustratingly slow. A cup of tea was had, for sure!

  • @brettharrison2237
    @brettharrison2237 2 роки тому +1

    The nautical version of an old flying saying….”Better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air, than in the air wishing you were on the ground!”

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому +1

      Adding that to another saying sent by one of our lovely Patrons, “There are old pilots and bold pilots but there are no old, bold pilots.” 🤓😁🙏 Liz

    • @brettharrison2237
      @brettharrison2237 2 роки тому

      @@followtheboat except for Ag pilots….there are old and all of them bold Ag pilots!

  • @douglaslines4370
    @douglaslines4370 Рік тому

    Just joined to watch your Channel. Where are you? I am just a sailing enthusiast having sold my 46' yawl which I miss. Am interested in watching your progress.

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  Рік тому

      Hi Douglas. We're currently in Lombok, Indonesia. Funnily enough we went to view a 46ft Bowman yawl before we bought Esper. Beautiful boat, but the rear cabin area just wasn't for us.

    • @douglaslines4370
      @douglaslines4370 Рік тому

      @@followtheboat I owned the Bowman for 15 0dd years and enjoyed every moment on her. She is an excellent sailing boat named Ocean Overture. Under her new owners (2 after my ownership0 she has been re-named Ocean Melody. The new owners intend on also sailing around the world but a new addition to the family will delay things a we bit. I sailed generally around the southern part of UK making many passages across the English Channel. I am watching your progress with a degree of envy and lots of interest. Bye for now. Best wishes Doug

  • @timellis5923
    @timellis5923 2 роки тому +1

    Nice

  • @gaylehumphrey6000
    @gaylehumphrey6000 Рік тому +1

    Where do you get your boat repair work done in Thailand?

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  Рік тому

      There are many boat yards in Thailand and the quality of work is excellent. We had our refit done in Satun at PSS Shipyard, and the hard dodger built at at Krabi Boat Lagoon: ua-cam.com/play/PLoE3FmplhAXNsNWWZ6iTMzYYwKVtDanCr.html

    • @gaylehumphrey6000
      @gaylehumphrey6000 Рік тому

      Thanks much. Happy sailing.

  • @percyadler4318
    @percyadler4318 2 роки тому

    I was sailing to Lymington from Brighton and when I got to Selsey Bill to go into the Solent the wind started to blow a gale so I dropped the Main and went back to Brighton that was the same day Morning Cloud broke up with the loss of life .

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Sounds like you certainly made the right decision. Why put ourselves at risk if we don't need to, eh? 🙏🥃 Liz

  • @roydaley3413
    @roydaley3413 2 роки тому +1

    👍

  • @freerkottema
    @freerkottema 2 роки тому

    11:56 dolfin !! @ 12 o clock
    Edit: until I saw the whole clip 🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому +1

      Yes, never fails to lift your spirits when they swing by. 👌 Liz

  • @sailingparallax7398
    @sailingparallax7398 2 роки тому

    We sure did turn around several times. There is no shame in good seamanship. I would say that shame is in this case dangerous because it can lead to severe problems. We once turned around when sailing with our 26 foot sailboat, upwind from Ramsgate to Dover in winds increasing to a force 8 (sw). It was simply to dangerous to enter Dover. We returned to Ramsgate and used the protection of the little bay beneath the Goodwin Sands. It turned out to be an exciting downwind trip. We tried again the next day in better conditions.

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Sounds as though you did exactly the right thing! 👌👍😊 Liz

  • @ianscott3180
    @ianscott3180 2 роки тому

    I am wondering if it is time to give up sailing all together. At seventy things are becoming more difficult, getting on and off a dingy or pontoon. Going up a mast would be impossible. I worry about an emergency like a MOB if there was not someone fitter and experienced with me on board. I have sailed since my teens in the UK Fance and Med and will miss it. The one thing that I have never done is cross an ocean and if the right opportunity can be found on the next ARC I will call it a day after that with a smile on my face. Keep enjoying it and Bon Voyage.

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому +1

      We loads LOADS of septuagenarians, several octogenarians and even a few nonagenarian cruisers. Don't let the number sway you. Keeping busy, fit and engaged seems to be an important factor. But knowing your limitations and getting help is wise of you.
      Peace and fair winds! Liz 🙏

  • @rustysailor4672
    @rustysailor4672 2 роки тому

    I agree that it is difficult to catch the power of waves on video. Estimating the waveheight, however, does not require magic powers. On a boat you have a good estimation of the height of your eyes above the water. If the horizon is never covered by a wave, then the waveheight is lower than that.
    I "failed" to round the head of Kinsale when the seastate was high, the crew not yet adapted to the motion of the boat and we discovered that the halyard had high friction in the mast. If it is safe to continue and I am not on a schedule, then it remains to be asked if I (and the crew) like it or not. No shame in not liking it.

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Yes, we have fun estimating wave height. I think by now we're quite good at it, especially when they're side-on. 😁 Liz

  • @GEORGIANBAYNEWS
    @GEORGIANBAYNEWS 2 роки тому

    #ROCKSTARS

  • @lnewbyliveca
    @lnewbyliveca 2 роки тому

    Older and wiser

  • @trevhedges
    @trevhedges 2 роки тому +1

    Yeah okay, almost could be accused of “click baiting” 😂. But still another good episode, I’ve actually seen a few channels turn back over the year’s, enough for it to be not uncommon.. and i agree with what most people commented, why beat the crap outta yourselves and Esper, what’s the point? If you’re in a hurry or have a deadline to meet, sailing probably isn’t the right option to start with.. thanks guys!

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому +1

      No-one's accused us here... You're the only one to make the suggestion. 😄
      Since the episode is all about giving up and turning back, and since we're 90% about sailing, I think our viewers have watched to learn the story of what happened. 🙏 Liz

  • @twoeagledrones
    @twoeagledrones 2 роки тому +1

    Wisdom.

  • @lesleyallinson8738
    @lesleyallinson8738 2 роки тому

    Turned back twice

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Knowing when to take that decision is the interesting factor. I suspect there were times in the past when we could've stopped. Liz

  • @paulreynolds2898
    @paulreynolds2898 2 роки тому

    Don't give up, you will regret for ever Unless you are very gifted financially to just move on, these are perhaps the best times of your life ?

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Did you watch the vid? It's about giving up a crossing and heading back to safety.
      We hope to carry on cruising and travelling for as long as possible.😊🙏 Liz

    • @paulreynolds2898
      @paulreynolds2898 2 роки тому

      @@followtheboat Yes I watched the vid, perhaps I got the wrong drift, good luck to you and best of luck with your ventures, merry Christmas x

  • @Zeb1432
    @Zeb1432 2 роки тому +1

    ''It's a jungle out there'' which is ok when you are young but as you get older you usually become a little wiser and cautious and then eventually the body sometimes reacts to your circumstances .. spring chickens syndrome..!!! **( ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡° )**

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      In these circumstances the main issue, aside from our own safety, is the stress we're putting on the boat. The stress it puts on our bodies comes with the lifestyle!

  • @prankishsquire2663
    @prankishsquire2663 2 роки тому

    Pain in the atoll? Too many atolls all around? Atolls everywhere.

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому

      Yep, something like that. 😁😄 Liz

  • @jsvno
    @jsvno 2 роки тому

    We like to see braking waves on video....

  • @johnperry7534
    @johnperry7534 2 роки тому

    Smart move turning back when you think that’s necessary then it’s certainly necessary . There’s no shame in keeping safe there’s only shame in being reckless . You’re both terriffic sailors first class.

    • @followtheboat
      @followtheboat  2 роки тому +1

      Cheers, John, and spot on. It's like when you wonder whether you should reef...as soon as the wondering begins, you know it's time! Liz 😁

  • @j.d.3875
    @j.d.3875 2 роки тому +1

    I'd say Stop complaining