SAILING THROUGH A VIOLENT STORM - SwT 161 - PART 2 NONSTOP 1500 MILES SOLO SAIL TAHITI - TONGA
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- Sailing through a violent storm is no joke and nothing you want. But sometimes you just have to deal with what you are given. And on this last leg towards Tonge King neptun did really put BE FREE and me on a test. I was facing a violent storm as defined by the Beaufort scale when it was above 55 knots of wind climbing towards 60. Both BE FREE and I managed fine but several yachts lost their rigg in this storm. I also crossed the deepest ocean I have ever sailed, and not only did I have to adjust my time again but even the calendar.
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ABOUT THIS CHANNEL:
Sailing around the world in a Bavaria 55 Cruiser, making videos whenever we have time for it.
Even though this is season 6 on UA-cam I did not make that many videos in the beginning. Before full-time sailing, I sailed several seasons in the Mediterranean prior to, and obviously also in Scandinavia. I have been traveling the world before and have also been an active regatta sailor. I had my first sailboat at age 7 and have been sailing ever since. Also, more than 10 years of experience in Search and Rescue at sea in Norway.
PLEASE BE KIND IN THE COMMENTS!
I'm just a normal person sharing my travel adventure through my eyes and experience from my perspective! Remember how I do things that might work for me but not for you. It might even not be the correct way to do things, and I don't have the blueprint either. I'm not perfect and nobody is. The day I believe I know it all and don't think I can learn new things I should go ashore.
Nothing makes you feel more alive than that moment when you've cleared the storm. Good video Thomas.
Thanks Thomas and congrats on reaching Tonga. I really enjoy your sailing footage. That storm during the night must have been a wild ride but also exciting for you. Be safe and take care. Can't wait to see the videos showing the beauty of Tonga and your adventures there.
Exciting episode. I am impresssed by your skills, expertise and calmness in any situation.
Great video what’s the strongest winds you’ve sailed in ?
Hello Thomas, what a joy watching you facing that storm with a smile. I know of course that you are aboard a big boat but still. Thanks for the video. Looking forward to show us Tonga. A bucket list destination.
Congrats on reaching Tonga Great to see that everything went well, I am impressed by your skills and calmness in this situation. Thanks for a great video again.👍👌👍😀
Keeping your rigging up to date is huge. Also there are times to bring in your sails like you did. Then just run with storm jib as you also did. So many sailors take way to many risks. Glad to see you are not one of them.
When a boat loses it mast during a storm, is that because they didn't pull down their main sail like you did? I know absolutely nothing. I'm fascinated with sailing.
Just wandering about the dismasting events & the statements regarding high winds tearing the rig down.
In theory, with a monohull, max loading is when the wind is from port or starboard & with full sails up, the boat should simply heel over thereby inherently limiting the loading to below the rig damage level. That's how rigs in the 80s were designed, it's one of the distinct advantages of monohulls.
It seems from recent events that the rig loading capabilities of some production sailboats have been reduced below that which was acceptable in the 80s. Seems odd that one of the distinct safety advantages of monohull sailboats would be thrown out the porthole for a halfpenny's worth of tar.
It seems what's being done with rig load ratings these days wouldn't have been tolerated in the 80s.
So rig design strength should be so that all of the rig can withstand a full wind force 90° knockdown with a load safety margin.
With this adequate strength rig then Sail area is reduced to suit wind loading & thus limit wind force loads & to give a reasonable heel angle. In very heavy winds sailing angle to the wind course adjustments & storm sails can be used to reduce loading while still providing reasonable heel angle & provide some sail force stability, automatic unloading occurs as before with automagical heel angle changes.
You are a true Viking in the seas! 😁👌👍
Congrats on reaching Tonga and crossing the Tonga Trench. 🇹🇴
Thanks for sharing.
Great to see that everything went well, and it was actually a storm. So many sailors I follow who call everything a storm, even if it's hardly even a gale. Real men from Scandinavia can! 💕😄😃
Thomas is a cool laid back guy. Great captain of his ship and prepared l. Great job Thomas. Be Free
Wow Thomas….
I would have shxx myself sailing through that and their you were smiling!!
Great video Thomas 👍🤔😳😂😂😂🥰🥰🏴
I just love your experience in sailing.. You can't buy that...Did I mention you are a sailing stud? hahaha
Nice Sailing Thomas!!!! much love from Marco Polo
Thomas, you know what you are doing but please be careful.
One heck of a ride! Great example of the five P’s. Thank you for sharing
Congrats to the best sailor and also music producer if Norway! Cheers Thomas, thanks for a great video again❤
Happy Your Safe, Hope the dismasted boats are safe as well. I Wonder , did you hear and Zero's/F-14's flying about? 🤣 Fair Winds 😎
Thomas, epic episode watching you handle your vessel , your knowledge of how your vessel reacts in such heavy weather condition led you to a safe and successful passage . You had me on the edge of my seat and so happy I was not out there at the same time... Yes the ideal setup you were talking about I have on my vessel , with special storm track on my mast and staysail stay with special heavy weather sails ... that have never been out of the bag, I am happy to say. Ohhhh my 60+knots yes bare poles , engine on.. and any. one that says they are not afraid... is not telling the truth... you just get so busy trying to stay alive and maintain your vessel you do not have time to get shared , that come after you make it through it...and you have time to reflect...
Robert
North Star
Well done Captain, exhilarating to watch, man she can lift up her skirts and go.
It would be interesting to see how close you were to Home Reef ! I don't know how well its charted but it shows on Google. Its 13miles south of Late Island and can surface at times, very volcanic, Sometimes puts pumice into the water.
Lots of storms this year, I would doubt you were in part of the Hurricane that hit Vanuatu ? This was probably filmed before that ? WOW, your sailing right into it !
What a storm and now that rigging refit pays off!
Hi Thomas. Great vide. I have a C57 and interested on yout storm prrep. You keep your binimi up during the storm. Are you ever fearful that it may get torn off?
Wow. Great trip! Thanks for documenting it with the conditions you were sailing in🌴🍍
Thank you so much for watching and for your support as well! I ran out of power on my cameras so lots of things that could been great to show was never recorded. But I kind of had my hands full and I was not the time for doing to much unnecessary stuff. At least managed to capture some of it. All the best
I take it your boat does not hove to very well ? Thats what I would do in that much wind and waves.
Well done Thomas😮enjoy😊 Tonga and chok dee, f thai❤
Love it dude.
Crazy Viking ❤
Hi Thomas that was a wild storm glad You Made it ok.
You sail like a champ 👍
Keep up the awesome videos TOM
❤ from 🇨🇦
Well done! Looks like all your careful preparation has paid off.
Excellent sailing footage as always Thomas, preparation and positivity must be a big part of your success.
Wow big storm…awesome video 😊
Bra som vanligt!
✌️🥸👌
Du er helt rå. Måtte nok ha kasta boxern min etter den natta der. Glad det gikk bra!
ENJOY TONGA GREAT VIDEO !
🎉 congratulations
Hello Thomas, good to know that you arrived safe and complete to Tonga, enjoy your stay there, regards
This was crazy.
Hi, Thomas! So glad and relieved you and Be Free arrived safely to Tonga! That wind storm was crazy!!! I am so sorry to hear about the sailboats which lost their masts in the storm, but relieved to hear that the crew members are safe! I hope they can find replacement masts for their beloved boats! Looking forward to your adventures in Tonga! Oh! Meant to also add that I have WhatsApp and can try to connect there! Fair winds! ~ Chelle ⛵🌊🌞
Thank you so much Chelle,
Yeah this trip was on the upper level of rough sailing. Not ideal for sails, Rigg or anything. But sometimes you have no choice. It actually came two more boats later into Tonga without masts. Not sure if they where already counted into the five that lost their Rigg during the same timeframe. This passage is famous, and it was rough. Thank you so much for your support and for being here. Cheers 🍻
With your sailing experience and expertise you could do workshops in Australia to cover your expenses here
Complimenti pera il video
Hei hei Thomas... you show some scary but informative vids... I really like your vid on the Jib in a storm... Hope all goes well... Fair Winds...
Wow!
❤
Think about what I said your world sailing is priceless I’d come and Iam sure thousand of Aussie would check it out
Great show calmness and preparation great sailor
Take my hat off to you Thomas✌️⛵️
how much fore sail did you keep up? Great video.
Great video Thomas 👍 I’m new here and really appreciated your advice and knowledge on getting thru that 50 knot blow!! Well done 😎👍🙏
Supersailing with speed & safety! Amazing that you managed to film as well and kudos for being well prepared, lovely to see knowledgeable people in the elements! BeFree looked very happy in the waves… ❤⛵️ cheers!/Sophia
You are a clever sailor Thomas, it always pays off to keep your boat and rig well maintained and in top conditions. Along with the right decisions and your skills you make it safe to Tonga. Happy to see that both autopilots was capable of keeping up with strong wind and sea forces, makes you sleep better on your next crossing. Cheers.🍺
Well done Thomas ! did you have reefs in the head sail? that was a hell of a trip,glad to hear everyone survived!wow !!
Fair winds ⛵️
Great video Thomas. Pretty scary such 50+ winds at night as a solo sailer.
What an interesting and giving person you are Thomas. Thanks once again for sharing your epic adventure with us ! I can hardly wait for your next episode, keep safe.
How do you cope? I had 400 NM of hard winds crossing carib and struggled with the freak out. I saw thru your stoic face. 😉
It was nothing but hard work and luckily it didn’t last for days this time. I have sailed through worse but then I was better prepared as it was early warning on the predictions. Thank you so much for watching and for being here. Cheers 🍻
Just wandering about the dismasting events & the statements regarding high winds tearing the rig down.
In theory, with a monohull, max loading is when the wind is from port or starboard & with full sails up, the boat should simply heel over thereby inherently limiting the loading to below the rig damage level. That's how rigs in the 80s were designed, it's one of the distinct advantages of monohulls.
It seems from recent events that the rig loading capabilities of some production sailboats have been reduced below that which was acceptable in the 80s. Seems odd that one of the distinct safety advantages of monohull sailboats would be thrown out the porthole for a halfpenny's worth of tar.
It seems what's being done with rig load ratings these days wouldn't have been tolerated in the 80s.
So rig design strength should be so that all of the rig can withstand a full wind force 90° knockdown with a load safety margin.
With this adequate strength rig then Sail area is reduced to suit wind loading & thus limit wind force loads & to give a reasonable heel angle.
In very heavy winds sailing angle to the wind course adjustments & storm sails can be used to reduce loading while still providing reasonable heel angle & provide some sail force stability, automatic unloading occurs as before with automagical heel angle changes.
Knockdowns is normally a consequence of being overpowered and for most mono hulls this is no problem. As long as your Rigg is in good shape. However it’s a significant difference in one knockdown with a natural broach as consequence during a random wind gust compared to continuous violent storm. First of all being knocked down continuously with broach after broach is definitely not comfortable. The wear and tear on all gear and sails not to forget rigging would be massive over time and something you would try to avoid. The correct amount of power to continue sailing is key in any wind force. However from violent storms and hurricane force winds it can be the difference coming out in one piece at the other end or not. Most modern yachts have good rigs just as old days. The major difference is modern technology gives the engineering better tools knowing how much and what to make. Lots of cables is not necessary stronger. It also add weight aloft. As an example adding 50 kilo to the top of your mast equals reducing 500 kilos of your ballast weight. In the 80s lots of great boats where built, however the knowledge and tools for calculating the physics was not as good. A great example is they had very little understanding in hull thickness and fiberglass. Often resulting in way to much polyester that actually not made them stronger.
But for sure some modern brands do take shortcuts and are challenging the weights and physics to much. That’s a fact. My key message in this episode however was to know your boat, it’s limitations and the options. Having this tools in your box you know how to handle a situation like this. What’s a violent storm for a 34 is a nice breeze for a 55. It’s often based on how experienced and knowledgeable the sailor are. When I refer to a violent storm it’s based on the Beaufort scale, meaning my sailing was reaching close to hurricane force. And this is no joke. That’s why I wanted to share my mistakes and even how I solved my situation. Without claiming to have the blueprint. This is only how I do it.
All the best
Great job skipper. Be Free sure's a super windship.
Thomas, in my opinion - as a viewer and sailor - this was the best video ever I've seen in a long time! Even the music is upbeat/ positive. Thank you for sharing!
Wow! Thank you so much for this kind feedback. Much appreciated. All the best
Better ride than a amusement park glad you made it safely
Beautiful !! Wonderful nature !!
Nice video 👍 love the storm scene 😊
What a nasty weather! This the time to get a little worried about my own rig - how many stays is enough? On my little catamaran I’ve got two forestays, four shrouds and two running backstays. What more is needed for a one masted? 🤔
Sounds like your well setup to handle this. If it’s to much just take all sails down and wait it out if you have the navigation space for it. I sailed pretty fast for an hour or so on the bare pole only. I forgot to put that in. At a moment I was not sure what was coming as it kept increasing. Thank you so much for watching and your support! Cheers 🍻
Heftig vær
Love your work
They always hit you at night…just to f… with you a bit.
This is the calmest “sailing through a storm” I've seen😅
No panic, everything under control🫡🇳🇴