THE STORM (Part 2) | Sailing Wisdom Ep 62
Вставка
- Опубліковано 8 лис 2017
- We ask that you post any questions about us, the boat, or our philosophy in the comments so that we can do an entire video answering your questions. The storm continues and Herby takes the wheel to try and get us closer to land so that we might get a tow. By the time the boat arrives, we are exhausted and starved. We discuss our feelings, talk about damages, and decide on plans for the future.
You can also email questions to Riggingdr@gmail.com
Support us on Patreon: / riggingdoctor
Follow us on Instagram: / riggingdoctor
Check out our website: www.riggingdoctor.com
Music:
Maddie
Music:
Music provided by Bensound
www.bensound.com
I'm a pro mariner, 50 yrs experience and been out there multiple times in 50+ kt winds. As you have found out the hard way, you gotta stow stuff more securely. From my NY Maritime College schooling, "The sea is selective, slow in recognition of effort and aptitude, and fast at sinking the unfit." Wind and water will rip stuff right off the boat, and anything not put away below becomes a projectile. I'm amazed your cockpit canvas survived- dodgers over the companionway are designed to handle the rough going, but you should stow that overhead canopy next time you get in the rough stuff. If it breaks free in a blow, it will do a lot of damage to boat and crew if you are in the cockpit.
And- getting around Hatteras, even for seasoned mariners is almost never fun. Graveyard of the Atlantic.
Hey guys, sorry you had such a rough go your first time out on the ocean. Don't give up. You just picked a bad time to go south with that front blowing in and, well, winds from the south. Honestly, and we don't want to hurt your feelings, six to eight foot waves and 20-30 knot winds (and stronger gusts when a front passes over) are pretty normal conditions for sailing this time of year. They look big when you first get in them, but a boat like yours should have no trouble handling it. Study the weather patterns. Tie shit down, and reef the sails. We wish you better luck next time. Cheers! Scott and Kim
+Sailing Tranquility Bay thank you! It was terrible timing. That's why we changed our plans accordingly and aren't going to give up! :)
People I know ,and me love sailing in stormy weather and are rarely afraid . When you're not frozen from fear you can think much clearer and it all becomes fun. But you have to be vigilant about inspecting all you're rigging constantly. Things do break more often in storms and you need to get proper storm sails and drogues extra snatch blocks and lots of extra rope. Boy scout motto " Be prepared" Maddy is a trooper but that may not last much longer. Read lots of books about sailing in storms and learn from other peoples mistakes and experiences . You get as good as you push yourself. There's lots of information out there. Maybe get a little more experience before tackling the tough stuff. You got a great boat and you made a great video. Keep up the good work. Cant wait for your next video. I can remember the days when single handing with two people on board. It's like having your hands tied. I would have been strapped in and repairing that fore stay with spare wire and saddle clamps. Then I be laughing. You got to be able to fix just about everything, because you may be in the middle of nowhere. Cheers
+Robert Orzech yeah we certainly learned many lessons on this go-round. Thanks for watching :)
I have concerns on just looking at the state of your cockpit..lines avery where are dangerous for getting tangled and falling overboard. Please be careful guys it can get serious so fast. Organizations and picking up everything on deck and down below is a good routine before heading out. Its just a little tip i hope it helps . have fun
+Giles Theriault thanks Giles! We spent all day yesterday cleaning and organizing. We had no idea we'd get beaten around so much. It certainly was a learning experience! Let us know if you have any questions for the next video
wow! great documentary on what an offshore passage can be like on a boat and on human moral...thanks for sharing!
Mistakes are the best way to learn and become better sailors, prepare for the worst, hope for the best , and smile through it all. If it's worth having, it's worth fighting for, never give up. When you're hot you're hot, when you're not you're not, simple as that. I'm in awe of you two, steady on....
+Mark Mahan thanks Mark, we certainly learned a lot!
@@RiggingDoctor You will NEVER forget that sail. I bet you will tell your grandchildren (hoping you are so blessed else some substitute) long after you have forgotten the lazy sails and windless days. I mean, I do know this. I can remember sailing with my cousin in three to five knots of wind, coasting across Biscayne Bay - but it was specifically the comradery and his playing his guitar I remember NOT the sailing. But sailing into the Gulf Stream with thunder clouds popping into view to the south and north then the horseshoe appearing over the horizon, and the waterspouts skipping around the seas as we fled to shore - that sail I will ALWAYS cherish as one of my favorite sails. Broke the rudder, swamped the boat landing on the sand of the Beach Club and having the tractor haul the boat above the high water line, a manifest failure and WE SURVIVED. One of the pinnacles of my life.
I know you have learned this by now, old hat, but it swells my heart just telling the tail, in brief. It lasts!
WOW - how did you evoke that! My apologies and my thanks! Maybe I have a chance at becoming a wordsmith.
Guys, you've weathered a crazy storm, be proud, and don't let it kick your dreams in the butt too badly, keep on sailing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
+kevin mulvihill thank you!
Hey Doc, it feels like I don't have guts to sail through that tough storm. wish you a safe trip and will pray for you guys.
Absolutely amazing video and trip, glad you are safe.
Yikes! That was some nasty weather! Looks like you got through it though. I got my fingers crossed for good weather for my gulf crossing next month. Best of luck to you guys!
perhaps storing the heavy anchor below on long off shore passages. take some weight off the bow might help a little. thumbs up good luck
Personally, and I am NOT a seasoned cruiser so ignore everything but my intuition, I would lash the shank of the anchor after it is fully raised and secure but I would maybe not stow it, unless you have a way to store it in the chain locker. OK, once you have the 1000 fathom mark (or ANY other line in the sand which I never had the pleasure to pass, so far) then I yield) but NEVER approach any shore with an anchor NOT on deck!
I hear Crocodile Dundee saying "Those weren't waves, THIS is a Wave!" I know it is long past, but the change in your face between two takes when you announced a tow boat was two and a half hours away was - priceless. In a not totally appropriate way. I hope you can "hear" the combination of empathy and humor in my comments, I do not believe I have EVER been critical! Of course, the next shot of the solar panel deflected to point at the high seas was, in it's own way, priceless as well. So poignant! And the purple throne is still there - be warned, I will be watching.
Savor the beauty M'Lady. By the sneak peaks i have had into the "future" I know you have adjusted and acclimated / changed / matured ? I am so proud of you both. for your sticking to ways time tested for thousands of years, in believing in you husband even when you do not "own" his confidence yet. You, both, are a force of nature. But adjust the solar panel (13:38), it's just humiliating ;-) I know, hind sight is 20x20 and priorities and perspective and all that. Love ya, in a salty sorta way.
Wow, an emotional roller coaster, I hope my commentary as I watch the video is bot appropriate and in some small way helpful. If not then PLEASE ignore it! I have very few friends, it seems, but I make friends with people very readily, my problem not yours.
Oh, one point that might, or might not have been covered elsewhere - never skip a day of a deck inspection! Maybe twice a day, but inspect every thing for an unusual change in position, wear, etc. Might have saved the forestay panic (I do not know how long it took to chafe). Regardless of the weather walk the plank and inspect. Not my advice (amateur), what I have heard repeatedly from my (vastly) seniors. I am constantly amazed and appalled at what sailors leave on deck, on table and counter tops - you are not living in a stable environment (we're not in Kansas any more) - EVERYTHING moves!
I am preaching toe the Choir, you KNOW all this now, but you didn't when this happened and just MAYBE someone will make it down into the comments and see this. I do not have any other avenue available to help.
Sam
Yeah, we look back at how we had prepared the boat to go across the Atlantic and think “oh no, that can’t go there”. The new solar panels are a much beefier version of those little ones and include a very important wing nut to keep the pole captive to the panel! The throne managed to survive (but it later died of rust) without a safety line. Everything in our cockpit now has a safety line or we don’t get to keep it for long.
It was some serious trial by fire but I’m glad we stuck with it and kept on sailing :)
We have made MANY mistakes along the way and learned from them. After something bad happens, we always discuss what happened, what worked in the “fixing” part, what we could have done different, and how to avoid it from ever happening in the future.
As for deck walks, I now do them morning and afternoon. Twice a day, check everything! Also, immediately at the conclusion of a storm, check it a third time on that day. That’s how I found two broken chainplates while in the middle of nowhere 👍
@@RiggingDoctor It is such a pleasure for me to have the pleasure of watching you both mature, in life and as sailors, in my time lapse universe here. Keep going in real time and I will play catch up.
You two are awesome. I will pray for you.
Welcome to planet Earth...
it is kind of lovely...
kinda hell...
you guys will get there.
thanks for the upload
I am just about to leave land and go cruising on a liveaboard for good. This has been my dream most my 49 year long life. I am so happy that you guys show the lows and the highs of what you do, and I have learned a lot more from your videoes than from any others. I have sailed since childhood, and have experienced the North Sea from its worst, I try to learn as much as I can from others. My question is: What are you going to change after this trip? Keep up the great videos coming - don't be discouraged by the negative comments and the armchair sailors.
Getting off the East coast of the US is difficult. The inner coastal water ways are great for going south. I hope you guys don't give up, the good times more than make up for the very few bad times. To continue you will need to rethink some of the things on the boat. Nigel calders first book is awesome. Good luck.
Glad you both are safe....don't give up and enjoy.
Glad you two are safe.
Just curious, what is the two of you's open ocean experience, or coastal cruising experience? I was in Florida and had friends in the North East when that low went through. We all had plenty of notice and were able to tuck inside and set ground tackle. It seems like you set out about that same time and went straight into the storm. Just an observation and my opinion, but I noticed lines and tackle strewn all over the boat. Your winches had overrides. Stuff laying everywhere. Not a good way to be when at sea, especially if you run into trouble. I admire the boldness of you two, but you also scare the crap out of me. Glad to see you going down the ICW. You won't have to wait for favorable weather and it will let you shake out some of the bugs.
Why do you need a tow? Seems like you should stay on land. We are in our 70s and sail in a lot worse conditions.
Life is like that. YOu two will be older, wiser, and when you get to the Bahamas I think you will look back on this experience and be better sailors for it.
Don’t you dare quit!! I’ve just found you guys and watched 3 vids but am loving your channel. Subbed. As for questions I hope I’m allowed more then 1. How long have you guys been together? 2. What’s your sailing background; for each of you? 3.In hind sight of your recent epic adventure what would you have done differently? Would you agree that you feel most alive when your feeling close to death? ( just a quote I heard, hope it’s not misunderstood) you 2 are inspirational and I’m sure that by posting this video all lot of us viewers can take away some knowledge from watching. Please don’t quit and keep the videos coming. I’m going to go back and check out some of your earlier videos. Fair winds my friends!!
+Wild North Trucking thanks for joining the adventure! We learned so much in this storm and can't wait to answer your questions in the next video, and of course we're not giving up :)
Rigging Doctor. I guess another question or two would be about wisdom. Any history on it. Could probably be a video in and of it self. Stuff like the year , make, model. How long have you guys owned it? Was it always named wisdom; did you change the name? Any upgrades? How many owners since new? I’ve seen the rigging upgrades, that was pretty interesting/ awesome.
I felt a sign of relief when you said your tow is on the way. Been in a similar situation and there's no better feeling than knowing help is in route.
That was an awful learning experience, but we came back stronger and haven’t needed a tow from offshore since then! After that, the ocean has always been a place we felt prepared for.
Good video! Thanks for sharing.
I am concerned for you two. I guess I have a bunch of questions and comments. First let me say that I am totally armchair quarterbacking and I have mucho respect for both of you. Hopefully we all can learn more from your endeavors.
1. I think it would have been a better experience if you had taken more crew with you. Even one extra person with a tiny bit of ocean experience would have made all the difference. Thoughts?
2. I realize Im not there but that boat you have is good, strong, and heavy. It should have easily handled that storm. I think what Im trying to say is that you are being way too conservative with her by heaving too when you did. You have a windvane that could have kept you moving forward to your destination while you were below or under the dodger. Plowing ahead would have gotten you more quickly into warmer water and hopefully a better sea state. Im sort of basing my opinion on what I was seeing in Part 1 more so than in part 2
3. My guess is that you are being very conservative because maybe you lack the experience of ocean sailing. The conservative decision to heave too caused the snowball of other problems. In no way am I saying you shouldn't go out there. You are as prepared as one could be and you should be proud of that. I hope you and Maddie get back out there and crush it !!
4. I need to go back through and find the video where you discuss why you chose an electric motor. I don't get it honestly.
5. Wasn't the reason for choosing dynema rigging ease of repairs? Was there no way to temporarily rig a fix on that chaff while under staysail and main?
6. I realize a lot of issues had to do with the fact that Maddie was sick. I know that being below deck is the worse thing for sea sickness and she really should have tried to push through and give you a break at the helm and kept moving through the storm to calmer seas. Looking at a horizon does wonders for sea sickness yet that seams like the counter intuitive thing to do.
7. What did the tow cost? Was is a boat US or sea tow service?
8. You weren't hungry or thirsty because you were scared and in survival mode. Very Normal. I wouldn't so much worry about the food but I would be concerned about your hydration. Next time force yourself to drink water to the point where your are peeing several times a day. Had you started getting sick and vomiting, things would have gone south very quickly for you health wise.
How many days behind are you on these?
Get back on the horse. We are rooting for you !!
Dave
+Dave G thank you for your thoughtful comments and questions! We will be sure to discuss everything you mentioned in our next video. The posts are about 2 weeks behind for a couple of reasons but the biggest one is simply the time it takes to edit. We have soooo much footage! :)
Good points, Dave. Having only one functioning crew and no diesel engine really limits your choices.
Is that true? Whatever, now you know why dyneema is a really bad choice for standing rigging.
+Josef Roesler please watch that section of the video we're in the process of uploading
yep.
Some decades ago, as a youngster, I was crewing on a boat from Bermuda to Buzzards Bay when we got hit by remnants of a hurricane in the wee hours one morning (SSB had failed, little warning). I'm not sure how high the winds were but spray blasted off the wave tops stung when it hit you in the face; worst I've ever seen by far. We managed to limp our way home in miserable shape with considerable damage (no failed stays/shrouds thank goodness) but I never saw an anchor secured in a bow roller do the damage you suffered then or during a couple of substantial but lesser storms experienced thereafter. So, thanks for the life lesson...I'll find a way to stow anchors elsewhere during passages in the future. Better to get some weight off the bow anyway.
I echo the numerous expressions of relief that you are safe. I really admire your resolve to regroup and continue the adventure rather than flying back home and rethinking your plans.
Deciding to purchase a generator reveals that you are committed to electric power. Will you consider increasing your power, or will you just live with the drive you have now?
The electric motor probably has more than enough power. The constraint on steady state speed will be the generator power. They can set their cruising speed with generator sizing.
Thanks for sharing. This is why I do not prefer fabric rigging, as strong as it may be, it is very vulnerable to chafe. Yes, bow anchors need to be 100% secured when going to sea. Also, you could have used your spinnaker and staysail halyards as a temp head stays. And another bonus point for having a diesel engine onboard instead of an electric.
HI guys that was epic - in the bad kind of way. So glad you are safe and that you made it back. How are the boat repairs coming?
Great video! Lots of "what not to do's" are apparent here. The anchor issue could have turned deadly!
Hello from the future, you two go places, a lot of places. And just wait until the cricket.. Dundunduuuuun
Hey Guys! Welcome to North Carolina, glad yall came out okay. Its a shame you are a couple days south of here, Elizabeth City NC. We have free public docks and it would be a great, safe place to hole up for a few weeks while you make repairs to your vessel and your morale. Let me know if theres anything i can do to assist you!
So glad you guys are safe and sound! My land Lubbin, day sailing, unsolicited advise: get thee to the islands as soon and safe as possible! How long till you guys can be back on the road?
+Doug Cherneski thanks Doug! We're headed back out on Sunday :). Been here in Hatteras for 3 weeks waiting for parts and such
Good to see you are still up-beat and safe.
Sailing up-wind in 25 knots plus winds on oceanlegs is best to be avoided.
(atleast thats what I found.) You can still do short offshore legs going south.
+Karel van der Velden yes!! That's the new plan :)
Just catching up on videos I've missed, and noticed you were about two slips to the left of where I took a sailboat from Odin's Dock to Beaufort, NC. By the looks of the boat I took, they too had a rough go of it before getting towed and docked there.
Some of these early ones are rough in terms of editing and videography but I appreciate your patience in watching them! We learned so much about whether and route planning the hard way…
@@RiggingDoctor it all takes time. Can't wait to get to the recent trip to Greece!
Love your show!!
Thanks!
Great episode guys even if a little melodramatic. I really appreciate your honesty in posting the negative side of sailing specifically when it isn't so flattering for you. It looks like more and more that Maddie is not enjoying the sailing thing so much. I hope you continue to the Bahamas but there is no shame in changing your plans if its not in the cards. You guys seem to be losing a little cohesion as a team, poor Herbie is left to his own devices and dangerously close to exhaustion. Your safety is paramount here and I am sure you have learned many lessons from that storm. For me, I think the biggest issue here was the fact that you no longer have a diesel engine to rely on. Looking back at episode 32 it seems that it might not have been the best decision for a blue water boat. You might want to reconsider continuing on with the electric motor especially if you plan on venturing further than the the Bahamas. I hope this doesn't come across as being over critical but just want to see you guys safe and happy.
I too appreciate their honesty. Glad to heat they are getting a generator to (charge the batteries and) help move the boat, and going South in the ICW sounds fine too. I'm sure they'll get back to the ocean wiser and better prepared.
I'm sure the people at the electric motor co can specify the watts needed to run the electric motor without battery draw down. That way if you need to run in heavy weather you can crank up the generator and motor on till your back to safe sailing weather. Yes, the anchor problem caused you damage, but you have to experience these things to understand how to sail in bad weather. The question I have is where to you put the generator and are still able to run it in rough seas.
What's the plan for any carbon monoxide from the generator exhaust?
What will you do to celebrate Thanksgiving? On board?
Is the 'auto pilot' working again? If not what repairs are needed?
First off, as someone new to this and trying to learn from others, thank you for the honest representation. Second, it's refreshing to find a channel that doesn't seem to be all about the woman frolicking about in nothing but fuzzy blurs to gain viewers, but instead actually documenting the act of sailing itself. I look forward to catching up on your videos
But can you now say, what would you have done differently in this situation to better your chances of weathering this storm.
We certainly never would have gone out in those conditions at all because we are now much more proficient at weather routing. That being said, if we did find ourselves in this situation again, I don’t think there’s much we could have done differently. Heaving to and calling for a tow when our anchor was chafing through our rigging was really all we could have done. I hope you enjoy following the adventure!
I'm new to your channel, but after watching the last 2 vids ( the storm) I don't know how you were still up for sailing across the Atlantic! You all are made of sterner stuff than I....or your just crazy! Wishing you Fair winds and safe travels!
Probably just crazy! Haha 🤣😂
We just needed to learn a little more about weather routing to avoid having that ever happen again. Live and learn, then try again!
Do you miss "stable" ground? Do you get used to the constant movement of the boat. Is your core getting noticeably stronger?
Having watched the story unfold (literally) I would make the following observations.
1. Propulsion needs to be able to drive a boat 24/7 for days on end if need be. Whilst the electric motor is admirable, especially from a green sense, the range can seriously compromise your safety, which I believe occurred during your recent voyage. The ability to recharge or maintain sufficient charge to the batteries must be a serious consideration for blue water cruising using electric motors. Some sailors go around the world without any engine (Lin & Larry Pardey) but only with lots of experience.
2. The longer you are out there the greater your chance of experiencing a bad day. Catamarans notoriously outrun bad. weather. Equally working a storm or high winds to advantage can be a great tactic. Hoving-to is generally used when the weather is so severe as to make any passage dangerous. Hoving-to during a mill pond can be a missed opportunity to put some serious sea miles between you and the weather, as is not putting sea miles under the keel after dark.
3. Preparation both crew and ship before going to sea is critical. The ability to stand watches and manage fatigue is probably the biggest challenge going offshore. Boats tend to look after themselves if well founded. Sailing 'two up' is a challenge and requires quite a lot of experience to do it for several days. Getting the boat ready includes having the right gear working before you leave the dock as well as everything stowed for the big blow.
4. Glad you were rescued and are now safe. Always concerned where this is an expectation or is penned into the equation. Having been the rescuer on several occasions, it can be dangerous and life threatening for those that put themselves in harms way to assist.
5. Admire that you posted this. If my early sailing was subject to the same footage, it would be 'a compilation of disasters at sea video'.
6. Don't stop sailing, use the experience in a positive way to learn what could be done better.
Terry Baker 6
Awesome video. Note: I am sure you know, as a dentist, that when you don't drink and become dehydrated, then you thinking suffers. Lots of things to think on. Good Sailing.guys.
+Thomas Perdue thank you, Thomas for your continuous positive feedback. It boosts our spirits :)
Well sorry you had such a bad time. You are brave to post your experience here as it will draw a lot of criticism. And of course it easy to do from the comfort of an armchair.
The boat didn't look ready to go offshore in summer let alone winter. The best advice I can give is to "think Inverted". What would have happened if the boat had been rolled? For goodness sake I saw a loose fire extinguisher rolling around. In the 1979 Fastenet race disaster people had to abandon boats not because they were sinking, but because of the items flying around inside made them too dangerous to stay aboard. Why did you anchor come loose? You knew there was heavy weather coming so why was it not secured properly?
Some of the decisions you made seem a bit doubtful. While heaving to has its place when you need a rest it is not really a modern storm tactic. My intention has always been to run off under the control of a drogue in a really big blow. If a lee shore is a problem then sail actively to windward which will allow you to dodge breaking waves. I wasn't there obviously, but your boat should be able to go to windward under storm sails. Fortunately when I have been in big blows I have a had room to maneuver and a strong crew. But being effectively solo should not impair you too much, after all plenty of people race across the Atlantic solo. It concerned me that you decision making was not helped by dehydration and hunger. If you had been on my crew I would have insisted that you ate and drank properly.
If you can go forward to rig a towing bridle I can't see why you couldn't stay the mast with spare halyards. The joy of Dyneema /Spectra is that you could surely have bypassed the chafe with another length of rope tied above the chafe. Under the circumstances a long rolling hitch would do.
I think the fact that you have an electric motor is irrelevant. While it would be nice have engine to get you out of trouble you would probably find blocked filters from all that churning anyway. It's a sailing boat so actively sail it.
Sorry about all that criticism, and I was not there, but at least we can all learn from others mistakes.
+Lotophagi all very good points. This was well put. Thanks
Regarding the Fastnet disaster, the boats that hove to had the least damage and none capsized. A third of the boats that did not heave to were knocked down and a quarter capsized, including boats using drogues. Heaving to is very much still a modern storm tactic. It's also an ancient one. It works, and that's been proven repeatedly, including in modern times. Discouraging heaving to could cost lives. Speaking of really large storms here, not necessarily what was in these two videos.
I asked my daughter her opinion. She is a commercial offshore skipper used to sailing everything from family cruisers to Volvo Ocean clippers. She she been though a few big ones, saying that after the first you relax a bit when you realize that you are not actually going to die. She broke her nose and dislocated a shoulder one night in the English Channel in December during a knock down. She thinks heaving to (if the boat will do it) is good for a rest when the odds of being hit by a breaking wave are low. But she still thinks it is better to be active and sail though the storm. You can be rolled by any wave breaking on your beam. If you are active you can do something about it when you see or hear it coming "until you have heard the express train sound of a big grey beard coming at you at night you don't know what fear is..." But none of this should kill you. Worst case scenario is that you lose the mast. No fun but a well found boat can survive that.
She also says that you must be pretty anal about boat preparation. She says that the inside of a boat always looks like a teenagers bedroom after a few hard days. However,t here should not be anything hard rolling around and always does a what she calls a wiggle test around the boat before setting off. She tries all cupboards and appliances to make sure they are fixed. She won't allow anything on an open shelf and makes sure that the dividers have a cork on the pointy bit. Same on deck.
I don't think the absence of donkey is that much of a handicap when you a coastal sailing . In the sixties none of the boats my father had ever had a reliable engine - we had to sail on and off moorings which were a long way up tidal creeks.
I don't think Herb should put be off. He has learnt a lesson - one we all have to that go down to the sea in ships - that preparation is the key.
+Lotophagi Thanks for sharing those thoughts. I must emphasize that what I mentioned from Fastnet are practical results from about 300 boats in a major storm. Approximately 75 were knocked down and 50 capsized. None of the 26 that hove to capsized or broached, and they had the fewest injuries, no deaths and the least damage overall. Those results speak to the effectiveness of heaving to in a very strong storm. They've been repeated in other incidents.
If you could look into the future and re-tackle that storm on a do-over, do you think that different preparation could have made you victorious? Certainly securing the anchor better would have avoided the damage?
Good to see you got into port safely. Get some rest and repairs then make new plans. One thing I noticed is that the transducer plug on the 541s does not have a transducer connected. Are you running without a sounder on board, beside the small hand held you showed in an earlier video? If so I really suggest you correct that. Running aground is not a good option. Knowing how much water is under your keel is vital information in my book.
The boat came with a nice sounder from the 1980s, so it doesn’t talk with anything on board. It just has its display in the cockpit.
It’s calibrated to show “depth under the keel” and is very useful! The GPS nor the Navionics is hooked up to the sounder, so I’m always double checking the plotted depth with our actual depth.
Based on your ocean experience thus far, how many crew aboard do you think would be ideal?
Thanks for posting this quite revealing series of videos, which I found quite disturbing to watch. So happy that you both made it safe and sound...
I have watched your more recent vids and have come to this early series late, and so I understand that you both are more experienced at sea than you were five years ago.
There's lots of expert and not so expert comments before mine I see, and so the only thing that I'll add is that if Maddy still suffers from incapacitating seasickness you should stow some Dramamine or similar suppositories onboard.
Suppositories lessen the risk of overdosing or chucking up pills because they are so quickly absorbed and don't require ingestion.
I am often the medical officer when at sea, since I have done several paramedic courses, and on occasion I have had crew so incapacitated by rough sea conditions that I have had to administer suppositories to avoid life threatening dehydration and can attest to their effectiveness. Sounds gross, but it's better than losing a crewmate or loved one as in your case.
Glad you two stayed at it and thanks again for the vids...
Thank you for the kind comment. I didn’t know that it even came as a suppository! I will get some for our next adventure in the summer because sadly I know she will need it.
@@RiggingDoctor Dramamine can make some people quite drowsy, so Maddy may not be able to help with the watches, but she will be safer and much more comfortable. There may also be another suppository that suits her biology better if Dramamine knocks her out. I suggest that she experiments on land before putting to sea to find out what works best for her.
Cheers
It’s hard to make good decisions when you are exhausted and overwhelmed, but I want to congratulate you both on an excellent decision to request a tow and seek shelter. I am very curious Herbie, how you learned so much about rigging while going to school and then practicing Dentistry. There is only so much you can learn from books, yet your knowledge obviously shows you have had a great deal of experience. Both names: Rigging Doctor and Wisdom were both well chosen. Continue to enjoy your travels and May you have smooth sailing.
Thank you :)
I read extensively about rigging and then did some volunteer work on a tall ship (where rigging is really practiced). I made some halyards and really got my Marlin spike skills honed. Lots of practice over the years to fine tune what I have learned in books 🤓
I wonder if Lagoon is still making hybrid drive boats,electric looks the way to go for livaboards.
+Philip Freeman hybrid systems are the best of both worlds! You have the ease of Electric when you need short bursts of power, and the performance of a diesel if you need to get somewhere in a hurry.
What kind of boat is it? And how did u learn how to sail?
The ocean, She is a strong fickle lady. I'm glad there was no physical injury to either of you. Know that you have been out in a "Gail", I'm sure you will be a great student of the weather.
What is your opinion of an electric motor now and are you still content with electric or is another diesel a consideration?
+Joe Miller good questions! Ask as many as you want :)
Mother nature is testing you, to see just how bad you want the dream. Time to look at a pic of bahamas to reset the vision. Awesome couple
Just me or could have the head stay been fixed with knots, since dyneema? or ? All new to me, but?
any regrets about the electric motor? If you had a strong diesel and fuel could you have motored through it?
10,000 miles and an ocean later; still no regrets 😎
Hi, the quality of live feeds are usually terrible and honestly many people prefer to watch your nicely edited videos instead, so just want to point out that just because its the new fashion on youtube does not mean it is right for everyone. So...my question..what do you think about an island packet 350 for two for world cruising?
You are lucky to be alive ! One incapacitated by sea sickness ,the other burnt out from no sleep and only hardship ! And weather that would keep most from sailing ! The odds were against you ! Good that Maddy still could make a clear decision and seek emergency help . You are brave and strong and survives because of your boat and the fact that you didn't panic ! One can not panic on the water or you will lose to it !
We’ve learned so much since then!
do you have any control over the ads that run during your video?
Not really. UA-cam and Google choose where and what ad gets played. Did you get a weird one or something?
I shall limit my questions to one per comment: how dry was your boat before you left to compared to how wet it has become, inside, from the ocean (leaks, water forcing itself into holes you didn't know existed?)
I read all the comments and I'm shocked no one acknowledged the wisdom (pun unintended!) in your question. I grew up sailing and before each outing my grandfather had me in the workshop right next to him. Sailing is chores, preparation, and practice he taught me.
Wow, true adventurers.
I’m glad we got that over with in the beginning of our Cruising life. It’s been smooth sailing since we left the US :)
How come you didn't run the generator and motor?
We didn’t own it yet.
Seasickness pills, should be part of every medi kit on board. Where is the storm? When heave to, ropes on the stays help to reduce stress if I remember correctly.
+Dick Harbott I took pills. Unfortunately, They helped on the first day and then did nothing after that. The storm was in the 45 knot winds and boarding waves
This underlines the problems with having an electric motor . If they had a diesel and moderate tanks they could have powered in .I assume they ran a spare halyard or two to hold up the rigg . Electric motors are fantastic , batteries are not and not only did not give them the range but would be weakest as you get closest to shore . Waves never look as big as they really are on camera . Don't get me wrong here , thought of putting an electric motor on my boat , but they have limits . I think an ideal use might be on the dingy . Quiet , light and chargeable from the engine or solar , plus you don't need the range or can often wait to tomorrow .
Thumbs up for your guts and honesty and well-filmed great story. Thumbs down for not keeping things shipshape/stashed/stowed/tied-down as others have noted. I hope what follows might help:
Just think about how much better the experience would have been w/o you guys feeling the effects of seasickness.
Many cures are offered that work for some of the people most of the time, but by far the most likely to work for most all of the time is a simple earplug, best inserted in the non-dominate ear (left ear for righties and right ear for lefties). Use just one. After a while, it might not be needed at all. It is supposed to be better than ginger, flat ginger ale, pressure wrist bands or the drugs that come with their own sets of problems.
Hydrate. Breathe deeply in through the nose and out forcibly through pursed lips is supposed to help. Alternating raising-tapping heel then toe with both feet in order while sitting is also supposed to prevent the nasties. Facing forward on the leeward/lower side of the boat and not smelling diesel fumes also helps. I'm lucky and haven't been seasick yet (knock wood), but you can bet that a handful of cheap foam earplugs will be in my sea bag in the future--the seasickness of one is usually a bad trip for all.
+John Rice thanks John! You're not the first to tell me about the one earplug after the storm. I'm definitely going to try it next time! You sound like you really know what you're talking about.
Congrats, when I flew the saying was any landing you walk away from is a good landing. Seems appropriate here. I only have 60 years of sailing behind me and still discover new things and learn new things every time I go out. You made some questionable decisions which it sounds like you learned from. That's the good part. Some things that I've learned over the years may apply in this situation. Never stay below in a storm. Better to be strapped in and wet, then below and sick. I never heave to. Better to reduce sail and find a direction to minimize discomfort. Tie down everything. Now you are aware how things fly with motion, lash it down. I went all electric back in 1999. I learned that electric drive modifies your thought process. It drove you to an offshore solution to go south. You must let safety modify your thought process. Make the most of weather windows both in opportunity and in hiding out weather. Glad you are ok, but the experience gained will go a long way in making your journey/dream a safer one. Good luck and fair winds.
+Jack Mayer thank you for the thoughtful comment!
I think you guys had a rough time. Looking at the sea state though, windforce was not more than 5 or (tops) 6 Bft. And yes i know, capturing waves/wind on video is next to impossible!
Is your windspedometer calibrated? 40 to 50 knots of wind really looks different: blog.metservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Fig-4.jpg
As with you guys my experience is that just rolling or with wind coming from aft of the beam, you experience a kind of 'corkscrew' movement which is really sickening for some/most people. you get really tired!
Sailing is more comfortable and safer than motoring or being towed! Being outside most times works to combat seasickness. Staying inside at the navstation usualy worsens the seasickness.
you should do something about your gear lying around though, secure it pls :-) for your own safety.
Can we start sailing in 68 and 73
Never too late to start something you love!
Do you think the recent stormy weather were underestimated? I am not being critical at all: just jwondering.
To me what is unfortunate about this is the learning opportunity that is lost. The experienced sailors may or may not comment but people like me who are wanting to learn and especially from what is one of your worst fears are left wondering how this could be prevented. To me, a diesel engine could have made a difference but what I do not know is could you have made enough progress at ~4 knots to be in port in a day or two without needing to be towed. Some comments on how you could have prevented would help us all but would require an honest look in the mirror :)
Surely at least AIS?
We were very green when this happened. We experienced much worse weather when we sailed from the Azores to Portugal and from Madeira to Cape Verde where we didn’t need to be towed into port for repairs because we had the boat setup properly.
I have never done this kind of stuff with a diesel but from what I have read, carry many spare fuel filters as the sloshing will loosen up funk in the tank and clog your filters. In this horrible weather, you will find a diesel will starve for fuel and require you to quickly replace the filters or you will be caught without power. To do this safely, they make dual racors where you can set it to one while working on the other so that the motor never quits on you.
Personally, I think you will beat yourself and the boat up trying to motor in this kind of weather and I think sailing under storm sails or heaving to is the much better plan of action.
Save your fuel for when you are in port and use the sails to get from port to port.
@@RiggingDoctor This is good information, thank you. I saw where you mentioned the Azores along with Hatteras weather wise but I could not find video where you showed enduring it. If I missed, please assist. Hatteras was all I could find where there was blow by blow enduring the storm. How far off Hatteras were you? I assume within 20 miles? Lastly, the Golden Globe guy Don in day 185 mentions he is not a fan of heaving to so maybe a hot topic?
Regarding videos,
Here are a listing of folks you can hire to do an intro video (pretty cheap too):
www.fiverr.com/categories/video-animation/custom-video-intros?source=gallery-listing
A shorter 10-20 second intro video with a voice overlay saying hello as well as a brief description of the boat and what your channel is about would help bring in newbies that are catching you these days without knowing the backstory. I like you all talking about what is in the next video. It is also good to hear what you all are thinking.
Nearly every cruiser has a book, movie, or something that drives them to make the move to cruising. You mentioned it has been a dream of yours for the last 8 or so years in one of the videos. Was there a trigger or inspiration for the desire to go cruising?
Maddie, I am sorry you are dealing with sea sickness. On a ferry ride out to Ocracoke Island with my father about 20 years ago I discovered that he gets extremely sea sick. He spent a majority of the trip calling Earl over the side of the boat. I will never forget the face of defeat he had when we finally exited the ferry only to find out we would need to take another one to go North to the next island. Do you mind talking a little bit of your past travel experiences? Do you have a bucket list of places you want to go or see?
Hope the repairs are coming along and look forward to you all getting further South. I get the impression you two would love Charleston and Savannah, St. Mary's.
+SenatorPerry Sorry, this got caught by the spam filter, probably because of the link, and we didn't see it until now.
In answer to your questions:
It all sprang from simply wanting to live on a boat. I wanted to buy a sea worthy sailboat to live on and as I learned more about sailing through reading, my dream morphed into using a blue water boat for its intended purpose.
Our cruising bucket list: Azores, Italy, Puerto Rico, Aruba, St. Thomas, Spain (Barcelona).
Since your plans have changed, when will you get Sammy and Morty back?
Sailing is so much fun Until you get in a big storm! after a few hours then you've had enough! That's why I have no desire to go off shore. There's enough places up here you'd never see them all in a life time.
Once in a while fasting doesn’t hurt 😂
Intermittent fasting 👍
BUMMER
"towboat is called Good Noose".. .uhm hope that's just the accent :D
it's a quote from the comic cartoon Futurama
I think the ICW is a very wise choice. I worry about you two.
+ERIK EMMERT thank you! We're learning a lot :)
+rsmithotis we're getting a generator
My hell! Makes me rethink my plans... Shitty
Do your plans! Just don't go that close to Hatteras and be a better weather router than we were in the beginning there 😅
THIS is why an electric aux motor is a bad idea on a cruising sailboat.
This is an example of novice sailors poorly planning our rout and weather window. Five years and thousands of ocean miles later, we wouldn’t trade our electric drive for anything.
Yikes!
I don't think having your anchor on deck while off-shore is a good idea in any event much less facing a gale.
We learned our lesson! The next time we sailed out into the ocean we had the anchor disassembled and stowed in a locker. The problem was we entered Bermuda and had to anchor so we had to assemble it quickly to get the hook down.
When we sailed from Bermuda to the Azores we disassembled it again because we were pulling into a marina so those thousands of ocean miles were without concern for the anchor.
When we sailed from the Azores to Portugal, we were planning on possibly anchoring when we got there so we needed to have it at the ready, so we made modifications to the pulpit to keep the anchor captive. It has worked well and held up through much worse weather without budging and only takes minutes to free if we need to drop the hook!
It’s all a learning process!
@@RiggingDoctor Excellent attitude, my initial sailing instructor taught us you must have a patient curiosity and always be learning. Glad it worked out for you.
Oh Boy, I knew you were going to draw a ton of bad comments on this video. Sailing isnt the romantic venture that most people want to imagine that it is. It certainly isnt free like some say. Some say they like the freedom.....Ah fuwee on that. Everything about it I feel constrained to something or another. Not enough wind, too much wind, ICW too shallow, ocean to rough, Not enough water, not enough size in holding tank, not to even talk about how expensive marinas are docking. Its very expensive any way you slice it. Nobody wants to talk about the bad stuff. Most just post the good views, sundowner parties and jimmy buffet music. My hats off to you about posting really how you feel. I think a bad cruise is sorta like a woman having a baby. During the birth, you keep asking yourself why, why, why did I do this to myself. Then when its all over there will be some good days and good months. You learn some valuable lessons and want to do it all over again. The ICW will be challenging with the 6.5 ft draft. Maybe you can day sail down the coast on good weather days. Dont worry about the nah sayers. Everybody is an expert on the forums and you tube. You do what you feel comfortable with. Take all comments with a grain of salt. Keep you chin up. I do think you've proven the draw backs of an electric motor but good on you for trying.
+pate allan thanks pate! We really appreciate your point of view
I too admire their honesty. They're getting a generator to motor down the ICW.
Why doesn't she take Dramamine. Fluids, fluids, fluids! Best to keep hydrated with water or mild drink of some sort, non alcoholic.
We were kind of weather shocked. Now we sail through days like that no problem but at that time this was the worst we had ever seen and were in shock.
@@RiggingDoctor Been there! You just looked so pitiful!
What’s the Size make and model of your boat
1968 Morgan 45
Why a tow you have an electric motor ......
teespring.com/armchair-sailor#pid=389&cid=100019&sid=front
Poor baby
It was good for us to go through this close to shore. When we have had conditions like this during our crossing to Portugal, we just hove to until the winds came back down to 40 knots. All the weak points in our setup were corrected at that time so we were able to safely make it across the ocean with little fuss :)
Being green is a nice idea but if you'd had a diesel engine on board you could have dropped sail and motored to safety. Several points in your video were downright alarming.
Hi Guys respect for showing this set of vids.
Myself in bad weather always use a GRP skateboard crash helmet which Tony Hawk gave me back in the day lol. Many knock downs and one roll over i never hurt my head as it is amazing what starts flying about down below. Watch some of Eriks vids
ua-cam.com/video/VxthF9o9k0Y/v-deo.html
Best Regards
"We have too much sail up... but it's too dangerous to go up and drop things..."
That, right there, is why I decided to go with junk rig for my upcoming build.. no standing rigging to faff about with or put strains on the hull, and no need to go forward on deck in heavy weather.
Junk rigs are awesome! I’m surprised they aren’t more common!
this is why it is not recommended to dive into sailing life by watching youtube sailing channels. if you are in a charter boat you can cruise for fun and adventure. if you own a boat and you will navigate off-shore there are no ups and downs. only up is your boat floats, only down is it sinks. everything between that is normal. you are facing the forces which are shaping the world. sailing is always about surviving. don't lose courage, get more wisdom, continue with safe steps.
glad you are safe.. :)
P.S. you may want to edit your episode about electric motor too :)
+Repla Tablet thanks for the positive outlook. We definitely didn't just dive into this. We've been sailing for years and reading books, blogs, and talking to other sailors along the way. Thanks for following along!
More people who have seen sailing on UA-cam and they recon they can do it! The girl just spent all the time in bed and left it to him lol. Time for a motor home I think!!
I (the girl) was extremely ill. Not much point in going outside if I'm going to be puking all over everything.
Oh amen to above. Seen real storms and that ain't what it looks like. Off soundings anchor is stowed normally. Wish you had a diesel on shaft much? We would still be pulling plastic for marlin in that weather down here. Bout 40 s. Real storm would happily remove the canvas above your heads and have everything off the shelves etc strewen all over the floor. Not trying to be a wanker....just saying.
We filmed this with a GoPro which makes everything look calmer. This is what a similar storm looked like filmed with a proper camera: ua-cam.com/video/FTQOT7RoGQ0/v-deo.html
At that time we were still green, but it was not a fun time. As for the canvas, it’s really secured on well because it survived 60+knots near Ireland/England on our way to Portugal.
We have since learned how to deal with storms better and how to film 😉
You should definitely check out our second Atlantic crossing videos, they are much better!
Lady, it is a sailboat at sea, put your self together and quit waining and look for a way to enjoy what you have. Who told you everything is beautiful, lied to you. Welcome to the real world. Just for what you are saying a sailboat is to much for you guys, you guys need a rubber ducky and a bath bub.
+PACHORRA this video was the low point. We show the good and the bad. Check other videos to see more positivity
Ouch! That's harsh, you do realize that a lot of people actual die in a bathtub each year. As for the rubber ducky, they can be psycho!
HEY...leave my rubber ducky alone! Ü
It's "whining."
I think you must make a potplant of the electric motor and install a proper diesel engine. You are playing with your lives
Actually all they need to do is add a generator to charge the batteries and power the motor, which they're doing.
Generally speaking electric motors are extremely durable. There are electric motors that have run essentially since the early days of electricity, i.e., for a century and longer. Usually the bearings are the main issue, and I believe their belt drive has thrust bearings as part of the design, so that should be durable too. Modern belt drives are also extremely durable; possibly more than gears. The least reliable part of the system will probably be the internal combustion parts of their generator, and it should run thousands of hours. If they have a brushed DC motor, then the brushes will need to be replaced eventually, but those wear very slowly, and presumably they have spares (which cost a few dollars).
Bottom line: electric = durable, simple, reliable, efficient. Internal combustion, not so much.
This is a fake, 20-30 foot wave , 50 knots wind. Incredible. Not me.
Yeah…no it is not fake
It was filmed with a gopro, which is notorious for making everything look flat and calm. This is with a different camera in much calmer conditions, but this camera makes the waves look more life sized : ua-cam.com/video/9wDvlfOtpg0/v-deo.html
It’s all a matter of perspective with the camera but then verified wind speeds from on shore weather forecasts.
@@RiggingDoctor thanks for your feedback. Sail safe, looking forward to continue watching your videos.
Sloppy sloppy sloppy.
Let us hope you have learned a lesson. Preparation is everything.
Very untidy boat. I don't think you have any idea about sailing g. That wasn't a storm. Tidy the sheets and cabin. There aren't any white caps on the waves. No way is the wind 40kts can't even hear the wind. Go home!!!
Oh what a comment. How to unpack it…well first of all if you watch our other videos, you’ll see that we have over 25,000 nautical miles of sailing under our belts now. This storm continues to be the worst we have ever experienced including 60 knots in the Mediterranean. If you’ve ever been in 30 foot seas, you would know that there aren’t always whitecaps when the waves are that high. This was filmed with a GoPro 5, which makes even the largest seas seem small. As for tidying up, we have long since installed nets in the cockpit for all the lines, but I find that to be an incredibly rude thing to say to someone. There was no wind noise because we were filming from inside the dodger. Otherwise it would have blown out your speakers. Feel free to review the wind charts from that date. I believe we’ve posted a link under one of the comments below. The wind was sustained at 40 knots. Thank goodness we didn’t “go home” because since this storm, we have been cruising full time for 5 years and living an incredible life of fun and adventure.
Cyclone Betsy for me at least..good on you for keeping on.
Just stay on shore you can fly from there and stay off the water... Its not for rookies
ua-cam.com/play/PLlDgR504BxwlkIA1ulAFhL5MXqJ1pJI_q.html
Please enjoy our most recent playlist featuring our second Atlantic crossing. Then, you may reassess your comment.
not to kill your credibility, plse sanitise your vocabulary .. "braking waves", "it's rough out there", "rogue waves", "not about survival" ."nightmare" ... plse .. what you show in the video looks more like plain sailing on a frisk day... tips : if Maddy stays inside when sick on a boat bobbing around because of no speed, so no stability, she increases her sickness times 10... and any doctor will tell you staying hydrated and fed is key... no wonder you weren't thinking strait.. it feels you both could do with some crewing with an experienced crew on some offshore deliveries before heading out on your own..
Why not learn to spell at least every third word correctly?