Hi Caroline, think sailors of old were just better at reading the weather and not reliant on poor forecasting like we are today. You could say their lives depended on getting it correct mike
Really great. Thanks for filming and posting it. Had a similar experience one night sailing up the Bristol channel from Swansea to Cardiff. Weather fore casts said something very different to reality! Too late once committed and no where to hide. Spent time going backwards on the tide, thankfully away from the lee shore but with short pyramid shaped waves from wind over tide. When the tide did turn the wind kept up and it was a wild sleigh ride in double quick time. All safe into Cardiff at 0800. It gave me huge confidence in the boat and a healthy suspicion of weather forecasts.
Hi Nick, forecast must be taken with a pinch of salt. As best a guide. I’m now in the way of thinking add two in the Beaufort scale in the winter and at least one in the summer. I find the weather apps are better and more accurate on gusts than wind. Nice when you get back to land though mike
We watch several sailing channels, yours is the best - so glad we found it! You do a wonderful job of explaining things in a way that anyone can understand, and your content is always enjoyable. We really appreciate that you are happy to let your background noise be waves and wind, and when you do use music, it isn't annoying or so loud no one can hear what you are saying! Keep up the good work.
Well this was bloody entertaining! Albeit at someone else's expense...reminds me of when I sold my Top Hat. A storm came up and from next to nothing, 40+ kts in no time. I got the potential buyer's kids to go down and get the life jackets for us all and put them on, wash boards in place etc and off we went. They loved it and I think it sold the boat! Anyway, thanks for the video, you have a good little boat.
A good bit of seamanship with a heavy weather boat under you. Well done. I have worked enormous seas and gale force winds many times over the decades. A clear head and feeling the boat working under you is the trick. Natures tells us a tale , listen and survive. Great video. Paul in Canada
Hi Mike, well done matey on a rather eventful passage. I totally agree with the inaccuracies of the weather forecasts! there weren't many options open to you once committed but Amlwch is such a safe haven - thank god it there. Really enjoyed the video and I totally empathised with you and your plan B when it all feels like its going against you and there aren't many options with a lee shore close by. Thanks for making the video another joy to watch.
Hi Robbie I'm sure we all get caught out by the weather every now and then but I think it is only us sailors who have a constantly changing plan B rolling around in the back of our minds. Sure it's how we justify it to ourselves and keep the flexibility in our passage plans. Anything can happen mike
I’m impressed by how dry a yacht you have. Handy research for me, thinking of my first motor sailer for retirement & adventures in Scottish waters. The Colin Archer DNA shows.
Enjoyed this video, I like to learn sailing techniques, although am an armchair sailor having missed the boat so to speak. So I welcome running commentaries and decision making thoughts to add to the excitement, have subscribed and will follow your site Mike.
Great seamanship and great local knowledge. A fat lot of use was the forecast! You have to wonder how it is in this day and age that they can still get it so wrong! 😕 😔
Hi David i think all the meteorologists who were good at forecasting have been replaced by computer models doing it instead. We all know that a computer is only as good as the programmer and data supplied. Brill when it works but when some details are missing or incorrect then the forecast is going to the dogs. Cheers mike
Great watching your videos, so educational and great for us at Dee Sailing Club as it’s our cruising area. Now doubt we will cross paths sometime this year and I owe you a pint for your informative and genuine videos.
Really great video, love the long single shot and commentary. I feel exactly the same about if the sun is out or not. Without the sun everything feels more ominous and like you say it feels like you shouldn’t be out.
Ee bah gum! You really put yourself in the deep end and put your ship through her paces! Fantastic footage 😎. My comment, having had a similar experience in the Chausey Islands (a real rat trap if the weather turns foul): in doubt, or if they conflict, trust your experience and your senses, not the weather reports and what you would like to believe! Take care, and please continue the neat videos.
Tricky, but very well done in deed. I think a life vest and clip on should be appropriate in those conditions even so she is handling everything outstanding and with confidence. I love your vessel very much. We thinking yo get the same. Thanks for sharing and greetings from Alicante 🇪🇸
A cracking day out! Don't you love days like that, same happened to me leaving Dartmouth for the Exe several years ago. I am sure the weather gods like to give is some fun. Which reminds me I need to get some Old Speckled Hen for the boat. Sandy
Hey Sandy you know you can be keel hauled for running out of beer, don't let the crew find out!. It was a cracking day you're right and it comes to us all at some point as you well know. All the best mike
I watched this video again and it made me laugh, as last year I left my mooring at Porth Penrhyn, and I clocked 65mph on my nasa wind. I really thought it was going to be my last journey, no life jacket or life lines, as my plan was to grab a mooring at the Gazelle and wait for the tide. The wind came from nowhere, and before I knew it I was committed and got spat out at Puffin Island. Ive never seen waves like it in my life, I have now learnt if the wind is blowing at the same angle as the straits the wind can go from 30mph predicted to 65mph.
Hi Ian, since launching this video I’ve heard a number of tales from sailors who got caught out just the same as me and you. I’ve sailed these waters for many years and that’s the fastest I’ve ever seen it build in all my time. Think everyone who was out that day will have an embedded memory to keep them safe in the future. Regards mike
Great Video, i was there with you the whole way and your deck camera shots on the run showed the sea state relative to you. Cool as a cumcumber. Safe sailing.
Good effort. More wind and sea than is nice remotely close to shore. I'm always been impressed by how my boats have known how to handle that stuff better than me.
Loved this episode, I don't have anything like these waves where I sail unless I were crazy enough to go out into a Hurricane. Lot's of respect for the waters you typically sail in, great stuff!
Think it was Nelson himself who said if you can sail in the waters around Anglesey you can sail anywhere in the world. I hope I get chance to put it to the test one day! Cheers mike
"The wind's gusting higher than predicted and from a different direction..." I know the feeling... Been caught in many a storm, and believed I'd lose my boat many a time. I've learnt that weather reports are just a rough guide, and nightmare storms can hit without warning... Close to shore? Weather suddenly come up? Concerned about the possibility of engine cutting out? Heeling wildly with bare poles? I empathise, old chap...😄
It’s nice once you have gone through it though, feel a bit more confidence with yourself and your boat. I agree about weather forecasts with you, but you can’t think the worst and must hope for the best. Or you find yourself being over cautious and ending up missing out. Here’s to us keeping the faith and enjoying the good weather when it arrives. All the best mike
The details of this video, is so educating and entertaining, and i love the atmosphere of "presence of mind" in the situation,,, god bless and god speed,,,
@@sailingcosiloveit much welcome mike, lookin forward to more videos frm you, sumhow i am dreamin if owning a boat like yours as you can see ol i have s the 1 thats in my profile, stay safe, happy sailin,,,
Hi Russel, would like to think so but there is always something you think about after the event and you know you say to yourself I should have done that. Regards mike
Great video that right there......amazing footage.....I'm in the process of hopefully mooring at red wharf......I'm sure I saw you exiting the straits a few weeks ago at penmon..
I d be interested to hear your lessons learned from that adventure especially around your leaving assumptions given the forecast Quite the washing machine leaving the bay. Great video
Hi Geoff, lesson to me was given by the fishermen of Amlwch to which after they say it was stupid to be out there, they said you can add up a F3 to easterly forecasts as they can't seem to be able to predict them correctly mike
My own thought was add 10 to 15 knots to the forecast and consider a really challenging sea state going to weather. Is that really where you want be ? However once you committed I thought your management of the situation was good
@@sailingcosiloveit Even the meteorological supercomputers are inadequate to predict temporally and spatially with precision. And that is what makes sailing so grand. Wildly unpredictably!
great video ,you stayed calm and made all the right decisions being two steps ahead plan B plan C then D meanwhile in-between the bluster you were having a photo shoot 😂😂😂 and no hooking on to harness just surfboarding the cockpit looked like you was having a blast
That big companionway door should be closed, no? that can be dangerously flooding in a blink of an eye. I have a friend that lost a 23 foot sailboat, crossing a not that wavy bar, but one bigger wave came and flooded the cockpit, and the open companionway door let tons of water rush the cabin so quick that they got overwhelmed by water in seconds, and the boat went down. They are in good health today, and in a very nice sailboat, with a lesson to us all. Thanks for sharing with us!
Hi Rodrigo, yes it would be much better to have had the doors closed and certainly more sea worthy. Normally once sailing in poor weather this happens quite quickly as it did later on when I set sail down wind but unfortunately the video had ran out of battery by then. Glad your friends story turned out all good. I once too have been close to loosing a boat by being pooped three times in succession while on a run in heavy weather but was lucky. It had taken quite a bit of water down below even with the wash boards in place. Thanks for watching mike
A very enjoyable episode. 100% "real" sailing without any included BS cooking show, watching the owner's dog taking a crap, or shots of girls in skimpy bikinis. A very respectful suggestion: I'd like you to occasionally describe the depth of water under your keel when crossing the bar. Rgds from Brisbane, Au.
Hi Ian that’s only cos cooking comes by adding hot water to the pot, the dog always goes behind my back and I still can’t bribe any bikini clad girls to come along lol! I will try and remember to give you some depths were appropriate, thanks for your kind comments mike
Hi Michael, I have my life jacket on under my blue coat. It’s made by HH and it’s a full gilet. I choose this as I don’t trust inflatable after a friend I once knew lost his life to a jacket that never inflated. Thanks for watching and caring mike
I have been considering going back to offshore sailing. Transcontinental, but maybe not around the world. I would like to just take it as it comes, a bit like this
Hi Jon, sailing is like riding a bike. You don't know if you can until you try but once you can, you can just get better and better. Keep the faith mike
Thanks for the lesson. As a relatively “green” sailor would it not have been a option to have a storm jib/deeply reefed main up in the event engine quit? You could then have a option to beat closely into wind and claw slowly away.
Hi George Swallow wouldn't be able to beat into 40+ knots with a close fetch. She could however reach. In high winds you think you are making to windward but you rarely are. In these conditions my choice is to run under bare poles or a very small foresail. My Genoa with a couple of turns out will handle this, as it did. I do have a storm jib but I would have to be well out at sea before swapping them over, never on a lee shore. I really hope this makes sense to you. Cheers mike
Wow, that was a wild ride, I enjoyed watching. However, a little professional advice... when handholding your camera, it should be very slow movements, and when you’re panning, pan slowly and then hold at the end for at leas a count of 5. But slow and steady, I was getting seasick from the handheld camera, not the sea state. lol
"My friend the wind will come from the hills When dawn will rise, he'll wake me again My friend the wind will tell me a secret He shares with me, he shares with me..." (Demis Roussos)
Enjoyed your video matey. Alway best to run for shelter if you can and live to sail another day 🤣 Boat looks Really nice. What make is it as it looks a nice sea boat 👍
Found the vid interesting. My only more limited experience is with small powered boats but you pick up some stuff. Deciding whether to go can sometimes be an issue. Given what happened I like that you stayed calm and had some back up plans. You also seemed to know your boat well and watching it, its a very seaworthy little sail boat. That boat was a star. If I understand correctly where you wanted to go past Puffin Island that would have been a wall of water. What you did was the only option. Prefer watching this type of video than people poncing around in bikinis wittering on about crap. I only go out in boats to fish.
Your safe with me cos I ain’t gonna ware a bikini 👙 🤣. Ye weather can turn at anytime and it’s good to have a backup plan if it does. This plan can also be modified as the weather changes. The trick us to be flexible and not try to stick to the original plan if it goes against the weather. Happy fishing mike
Terrific video and a great advert for the many Scanyachts and LM27s out there. In that headwind I'd have quickly retreated behind glass and stayed there...but how limited is the view from the inside helm - is it too low to give enough view of the sea ahead?
Hi Fish-hawk, no the view from the wheel house is surprisingly good. I just prefer a tiller over a wheel, better feel for me. On autohelm with a short sail plan in heavy weather I will just stay in the wheel house warm and dry. Once you close the doors it’s magic. Regards mike
This sailboat keeps getting better and better. So it can dry out on its own? This is great stuff. Just wish I could find an inexpensive sailboat so I can start traveling this summer. I have to start while I can start and see the world. Just busting to get out there.
Just a question: wasn't it possible to open up the head sail, lets say 1/3 of it, and sail out from the waves? I usually trust more sailing than motoring and also the boat gets more stable. Or did you remain all the time in a no sailing zone for where you wanted to go? Thank you very much. Amazing footage.
It’s a fair question to which I have a fair answer. Bare poles were more than enough once I turned the boat to power her up. Five years ago I had a rolled Genoa out when the wind suddenly picked up to just under 50 knots (and no I don’t make a habit of it). I couldn’t get that sail in and then the spin lock deck fittings began to fail one by one with the load on the reefing line. This resulted in the full Genoa getting out and an out of control vessel soon showed its face. I had to let the sheets go and motor round in circles to reef the sail and regain control. A lesson I will not forget. I now believe storm sails for storms only and never a roller Genoa. Hope this makes good sense mike
I checked the local map, you made the best decision to turn to the port side, direction to the Point Lynas (by the way the closest shelter) . Against to the high seas is a useless adventure and permanent taking a beating...
Hiya Melody I did feel at the time is was correct and even when I look back it still feels like the correct decision was made so I’m glad you agree mike
well your a salty lad and helluva sailor mate !! great video !! sure beats watching bikinis in anchorages and boats that never sail. Thanks for the entertainment friend !
You are a brave man!!. One engine stall would have meant 100% chaos. Hopefully I never get myself into that kind of situation but who knows. Curious as to why you didn’t stay in the anchorage until ideal weather. Anyways hope you are doing well and fair winds to you my friend
Hi Trekker, didn’t stay cos forecast was much better than the weather actually turned out to be. Anchorage becomes uncomfortable in easterlies and has micro climate of much higher winds than surrounding areas normally. Leaving me to believe it would get better further from sure. The thought of the engine cutting out was in my head and I kept a constant back up plan running there. Could have returned at any point under small jib and chaos would have been denied a chance. Try to always think a couple of steps ahead of the game. Swallow wasn’t bothered at all she just waits for the next instructions which gives me a great deal of confidence in her. Fair winds to you my friend mike
Enjoy watching your videos, I have the McGregor 26 outside the Quay Hotel & fly out of Liverpool airport, do you fancy a flight at low tide showing the sand banks from the D through to Caernarfon, let me know, Craig
Hi Craig I’m a plonker can’t find your number. Your boom is swinging around on your boat. If I can get to it before you I will tie it down but it won’t be before the weekend mike
@@sailingcosiloveit Thanks Mike, I’ve just got home from Conway after I got a call about it, I’ve been up & all tightened up 👍 I left my card with numbers in at your marina or if you speak to the guys at Conwy Marina they will give it to you save putting it ip here. I have a boat in the marina called Shiraz in berth F28 speak soon 👍
You know the British isles weather can swing from one extreme to another in an instant you have to be ready for anything you lived to tell the tale though I don't think even predict wind can work out UK weather , its all experience
Hi Robert, I use iSailor as a back up and quick reference cos it’s quick and easy to use. Found it accurate as well but I suppose that’s down to the gps in whatever device, use windy and predict wind as my main forecast but always include met for Irish Sea etc for overall picture and Imray tide for currents and highs etc. hope this helps mike
Uhhhhh Yeah. While not as bad as what you experienced, I have been there. After a while you start to lose it, because the wind is whistling through the rigging and even past your ears, making you CRAZY . It impacts your thought process, and makes you second guess yourself. Your mind starts playing "what if" and you can get spooked really easily into bad decisions. Sometimes staying put is the right option. Pilots have it right. It's better to be on the ground wishing you were flying, then flying, wishing you were on the ground.
Hi Brad, never heard the pilots expression before but makes sense. Must admit it was nice to get to the first anchorage. My only thoughts when things get rough is get away from lee shores and make a plan from there. I suppose that’s my dry land where I feel safest. Cheers mike
Wonderful - brings back memories. You are a master of understatement.
Love the way you keep up a running commentary of your thinking! One of the best channels for a novice like me.
That’s really nice of you to say, thanks kind regards mike
Brilliant video and even better seamanship, well done
Cheers Pete
Thank god for diesel engines! Makes you shudder to think what it was like when caught out years ago without one. Great video and commentary.
Hi Caroline, think sailors of old were just better at reading the weather and not reliant on poor forecasting like we are today. You could say their lives depended on getting it correct mike
From a sailor to a fellow sailor’well done’ ! You are a brave man.
Thanks Manny, not sure about the bravery bit but I am your fellow sailor for sure mike
Brill stuff! Love the detailed content ⚓️😃⚓️
Really great. Thanks for filming and posting it.
Had a similar experience one night sailing up the Bristol channel from Swansea to Cardiff. Weather fore casts said something very different to reality! Too late once committed and no where to hide. Spent time going backwards on the tide, thankfully away from the lee shore but with short pyramid shaped waves from wind over tide. When the tide did turn the wind kept up and it was a wild sleigh ride in double quick time. All safe into Cardiff at 0800. It gave me huge confidence in the boat and a healthy suspicion of weather forecasts.
Hi Nick, forecast must be taken with a pinch of salt. As best a guide. I’m now in the way of thinking add two in the Beaufort scale in the winter and at least one in the summer. I find the weather apps are better and more accurate on gusts than wind. Nice when you get back to land though mike
We watch several sailing channels, yours is the best - so glad we found it! You do a wonderful job of explaining things in a way that anyone can understand, and your content is always enjoyable. We really appreciate that you are happy to let your background noise be waves and wind, and when you do use music, it isn't annoying or so loud no one can hear what you are saying! Keep up the good work.
Wow J&R they are very kind words and make it all worth while. From my heart thanks very much mike
Love your videos just bought a sabre 27 sitting in Bangor boat yard. Making a start on repairs tomorrow. Keep the videos coming. All the best Jon
Well done Jonathan, nice all round vessel that. What’s she called? Mike
Great episode. Learned lots. Haven't sailed those waters yet, but getting more idea about them from you.
Fair winds when you do
Well this was bloody entertaining! Albeit at someone else's expense...reminds me of when I sold my Top Hat. A storm came up and from next to nothing, 40+ kts in no time. I got the potential buyer's kids to go down and get the life jackets for us all and put them on, wash boards in place etc and off we went. They loved it and I think it sold the boat! Anyway, thanks for the video, you have a good little boat.
Scott it’s always good to reminisce cheers mike
A good bit of seamanship with a heavy weather boat under you. Well done. I have worked enormous seas and gale force winds many times over the decades. A clear head and feeling the boat working under you is the trick. Natures tells us a tale , listen and survive. Great video.
Paul in Canada
H Paul I tip my cap to your wealth of experience, thanks for your kind words Mike in Wales
@@sailingcosiloveit welcome sailor💪✌️
Hi Mike, well done matey on a rather eventful passage. I totally agree with the inaccuracies of the weather forecasts! there weren't many options open to you once committed but Amlwch is such a safe haven - thank god it there. Really enjoyed the video and I totally empathised with you and your plan B when it all feels like its going against you and there aren't many options with a lee shore close by. Thanks for making the video another joy to watch.
Hi Robbie I'm sure we all get caught out by the weather every now and then but I think it is only us sailors who have a constantly changing plan B rolling around in the back of our minds. Sure it's how we justify it to ourselves and keep the flexibility in our passage plans. Anything can happen mike
Superb video. Well done. I used to sail there as a boy on my Uncle's boat, and remember that bar with 'fondness'.
I'm glad I could bring back a memory for you mike
Nothing like sailing a well found boat in the most challenging and interesting waters in the world. Thanks for a decent sailing channel.
Hi Craig, your words just made me smile, love your comment mike
I’m impressed by how dry a yacht you have. Handy research for me, thinking of my first motor sailer for retirement & adventures in Scottish waters. The Colin Archer DNA shows.
Good luck with your adventure, I’ve just placed Swallow up for sale to continue mine. All the best mike
Enjoyed this video, I like to learn sailing techniques, although am an armchair sailor having missed the boat so to speak. So I welcome running commentaries and decision making thoughts to add to the excitement, have subscribed and will follow your site Mike.
Brilliant great to have you onboard 👍
Great seamanship and great local knowledge. A fat lot of use was the forecast! You have to wonder how it is in this day and age that they can still get it so wrong! 😕 😔
Hi David i think all the meteorologists who were good at forecasting have been replaced by computer models doing it instead. We all know that a computer is only as good as the programmer and data supplied. Brill when it works but when some details are missing or incorrect then the forecast is going to the dogs. Cheers mike
Great watching your videos, so educational and great for us at Dee Sailing Club as it’s our cruising area. Now doubt we will cross paths sometime this year and I owe you a pint for your informative and genuine videos.
Mr Sheriff looking forward to it mike
I love the raw video!!
Wind and water moving.
Man and the elements ( your fenders are very clean too)
Hi Alan, love the comments but have never considered the cleanliness of my fenders before, do you mean I should clean them? Regards mike
Really great video, love the long single shot and commentary. I feel exactly the same about if the sun is out or not. Without the sun everything feels more ominous and like you say it feels like you shouldn’t be out.
Hi Andy it’s really hard to explain this to a none sailor but like you I think all sailors would agree mike
@@sailingcosiloveit I am a sailor I was agreeing with you! Thanks for all the hard work putting your videos together.
I got you were a fellow sailor from your words. Kind regards mike
Ee bah gum! You really put yourself in the deep end and put your ship through her paces! Fantastic footage 😎. My comment, having had a similar experience in the Chausey Islands (a real rat trap if the weather turns foul): in doubt, or if they conflict, trust your experience and your senses, not the weather reports and what you would like to believe! Take care, and please continue the neat videos.
Cheers Bruce
Tricky, but very well done in deed.
I think a life vest and clip on should be appropriate in those conditions even so she is handling everything outstanding and with confidence.
I love your vessel very much.
We thinking yo get the same.
Thanks for sharing and greetings from Alicante 🇪🇸
More than welcome 🙏
Great sailing and video. Loved the commentary. Cheers from Florida!
Cheers Brett, all the best from windy Wales mike
A cracking day out! Don't you love days like that, same happened to me leaving Dartmouth for the Exe several years ago. I am sure the weather gods like to give is some fun. Which reminds me I need to get some Old Speckled Hen for the boat.
Sandy
Hey Sandy you know you can be keel hauled for running out of beer, don't let the crew find out!. It was a cracking day you're right and it comes to us all at some point as you well know. All the best mike
Loved the ride! Very seaworthy craft you have there. Some day’s you’ve just got to go sailing. Cheers!
Hi Wombat glad you enjoyed it mike
Enjoy your videos. Have learned a lot. Hello from Florida!🐊🌴
Hello SnowDog Florida from wales uk
I watched this video again and it made me laugh, as last year I left my mooring at Porth Penrhyn, and I clocked 65mph on my nasa wind. I really thought it was going to be my last journey, no life jacket or life lines, as my plan was to grab a mooring at the Gazelle and wait for the tide. The wind came from nowhere, and before I knew it I was committed and got spat out at Puffin Island. Ive never seen waves like it in my life, I have now learnt if the wind is blowing at the same angle as the straits the wind can go from 30mph predicted to 65mph.
Hi Ian, since launching this video I’ve heard a number of tales from sailors who got caught out just the same as me and you. I’ve sailed these waters for many years and that’s the fastest I’ve ever seen it build in all my time. Think everyone who was out that day will have an embedded memory to keep them safe in the future. Regards mike
That looked pretty damn hairy! Another good vid Mike.
Cheers, Howard
Great content, thank you for sharing. Job well done.
Cheers John
Lovely film, enjoyed that after a long day at the desk! Fair winds
Glad you enjoyed it mike
Great Video, i was there with you the whole way and your deck camera shots on the run showed the sea state relative to you. Cool as a cumcumber. Safe sailing.
Gavin thanks for the company and kind words mike
Well done mate you did incredible. A man in control. I love it
Cheers Ian
Good effort. More wind and sea than is nice remotely close to shore. I'm always been impressed by how my boats have known how to handle that stuff better than me.
Hi Alec, your not wrong there, God help us if the boat becomes the weak link. Regards mike
Loved this episode, I don't have anything like these waves where I sail unless I were crazy enough to go out into a Hurricane. Lot's of respect for the waters you typically sail in, great stuff!
Think it was Nelson himself who said if you can sail in the waters around Anglesey you can sail anywhere in the world. I hope I get chance to put it to the test one day! Cheers mike
brilliant example of how to work with the weather. Must've been scary. lynas can be tricky in much easier conditions. Very accomplished boatmanship.
Cheers Chief Keef kind of you to say so mike
"The wind's gusting higher than predicted and from a different direction..."
I know the feeling...
Been caught in many a storm, and believed I'd lose my boat many a time.
I've learnt that weather reports are just a rough guide, and nightmare storms can hit without warning...
Close to shore?
Weather suddenly come up?
Concerned about the possibility of engine cutting out?
Heeling wildly with bare poles?
I empathise, old chap...😄
It’s nice once you have gone through it though, feel a bit more confidence with yourself and your boat.
I agree about weather forecasts with you, but you can’t think the worst and must hope for the best. Or you find yourself being over cautious and ending up missing out. Here’s to us keeping the faith and enjoying the good weather when it arrives. All the best mike
What a ride! Your good seamanship and a truly well-designed vessel won the day. Very educational video for all sailors indeed.
Thanks Joseph for those kind words mike
That looked bonkers! I bet you enjoyed the beer afterwards. Fair winds! Gavin
Hi Gavin the more you earn them the better they taste but Im sure you know. Regards mike
Heck - that was tense watching - glad you made it through safely
Cheers mike
Those are the days you remember forever, right? Great job. Enjoyed your video.
Cheers Dale, and your right I will remember it mike
The details of this video, is so educating and entertaining, and i love the atmosphere of "presence of mind" in the situation,,, god bless and god speed,,,
Hi Kayne thanks very much for your kind words most appreciated mike
@@sailingcosiloveit much welcome mike, lookin forward to more videos frm you, sumhow i am dreamin if owning a boat like yours as you can see ol i have s the 1 thats in my profile, stay safe, happy sailin,,,
Wow Mike, Swallow is handling that sea so well, I'm so Impressed, good on u.🇦🇺🤣🍺
She’s a capable lady for sure
@@sailingcosiloveit absolutely, what kind of keel has she got please
Long and shallow draws just 1 mitre but tracks beautifully
Great video. Shows you have to think of all eventualities.
Hi Russel, would like to think so but there is always something you think about after the event and you know you say to yourself I should have done that. Regards mike
Great video, I love the boat.
Cheers mike
Mate. Well done. Good little boat🤜
Cheers 🤛
Would love a video on yacht legs, pros, cons and your experience of using them. Got a fin keel, myself, and have thought about it.
H Luke got one on drying out with and without my legs on my crabber, go back to early last years videos and take a look mike
@@sailingcosiloveit cheers, m8. Will do!
Edit: for anyone else, here it is. ua-cam.com/video/kWUUd3PqmiI/v-deo.html
Great video that right there......amazing footage.....I'm in the process of hopefully mooring at red wharf......I'm sure I saw you exiting the straits a few weeks ago at penmon..
Hi Chris Red Wharf is a great place with its own micro climate I’m sure you will love it. Bet you can’t wait mike
Well done, great boating skills. At least now you know that your boat can take those conditions safely.
Cheers Rich
Hi Rich she's a good strong vessel and I'm lucky to sail her. she does look after me well mike
I d be interested to hear your lessons learned from that adventure especially around your leaving assumptions given the forecast
Quite the washing machine leaving the bay.
Great video
Hi Geoff, lesson to me was given by the fishermen of Amlwch to which after they say it was stupid to be out there, they said you can add up a F3 to easterly forecasts as they can't seem to be able to predict them correctly mike
My own thought was add 10 to 15 knots to the forecast and consider a really challenging sea state going to weather. Is that really where you want be ?
However once you committed I thought your management of the situation was good
Thanks for your kind words mike
@@sailingcosiloveit Even the meteorological supercomputers are inadequate to predict temporally and spatially with precision. And that is what makes sailing so grand. Wildly unpredictably!
Great video. So easy to watch. Thanks man.
Hi David, it’s kind of you to say so mike
Nice vibes in your telling , thanks sailor.
Welcome mike
Those lumpy conditions would have me turning green. I can hear bow crashing in my minds eye
To hear the bow crashing just means you’ve been there and got the T shirt 👍
great video ,you stayed calm and made all the right decisions being two steps ahead plan B plan C then D meanwhile in-between the bluster you were having a photo shoot 😂😂😂 and no hooking on to harness just surfboarding the cockpit looked like you was having a blast
Hi somebody, you gotta get the footage cos it beats the story by miles mike
Ye cats! What a day for sailing! At least it wasn't raining.
Raise a glass to the weather-guessers who keep our lives from becoming too predictable.
It was the lovely sunshine and no rain that made it a nice day. Forecasting in this country seems to have gone right out the window. Cheers mike
enjoyed this very much, thanks for posting it.
Your welcome mike
That big companionway door should be closed, no? that can be dangerously flooding in a blink of an eye. I have a friend that lost a 23 foot sailboat, crossing a not that wavy bar, but one bigger wave came and flooded the cockpit, and the open companionway door let tons of water rush the cabin so quick that they got overwhelmed by water in seconds, and the boat went down. They are in good health today, and in a very nice sailboat, with a lesson to us all. Thanks for sharing with us!
Hi Rodrigo, yes it would be much better to have had the doors closed and certainly more sea worthy. Normally once sailing in poor weather this happens quite quickly as it did later on when I set sail down wind but unfortunately the video had ran out of battery by then. Glad your friends story turned out all good. I once too have been close to loosing a boat by being pooped three times in succession while on a run in heavy weather but was lucky. It had taken quite a bit of water down below even with the wash boards in place. Thanks for watching mike
Great sailing!
Thank you for the videos. Could you do a walk through of your careening poles?
Hi I have touched them in some passed videos but will revisit when tide allows mike
A very enjoyable episode. 100% "real" sailing without any included BS cooking show, watching the owner's dog taking a crap, or shots of girls in skimpy bikinis. A very respectful suggestion: I'd like you to occasionally describe the depth of water under your keel when crossing the bar. Rgds from Brisbane, Au.
Hi Ian that’s only cos cooking comes by adding hot water to the pot, the dog always goes behind my back and I still can’t bribe any bikini clad girls to come along lol! I will try and remember to give you some depths were appropriate, thanks for your kind comments mike
Awesome just love it.⛵🇦🇺⚓🌞
Great video! Really well explained
Cheers mike
Also, love the fact you use the tiller!
Only cos we struggle with the wheel 🤪
I need more about this boat you have,,, that you keep on the sand.
Hi Tony Michael Lee if you look back through my videos you will find a walk about video entitled “LM27 Scanyacht 290” hope this helps mike
Very good video! Thank you for sharing it! :)
Your more than welcome mike
I always had a life jacket on sailing solo or in any adverse weather.
Hi Michael, I have my life jacket on under my blue coat. It’s made by HH and it’s a full gilet. I choose this as I don’t trust inflatable after a friend I once knew lost his life to a jacket that never inflated. Thanks for watching and caring mike
Brilliant !! rather you than me though, give me bin bags any day of the week :-))
Hi John it changed so quick it was bin bags less than an hour earlier mike
This reminds me sailing in San Francisco and San Pablo bays in winter
Something to look forward to eh 😁
I have been considering going back to offshore sailing. Transcontinental, but maybe not around the world. I would like to just take it as it comes, a bit like this
Im not a sailor but id love to give it a go. Really enjoyed this and love your boat. Great commentary. Good luck on yr next trip...Jon
Hi Jon, sailing is like riding a bike. You don't know if you can until you try but once you can, you can just get better and better. Keep the faith mike
Give it go NOT in those conditions.
Thanks for the lesson. As a relatively “green” sailor would it not have been a option to have a storm jib/deeply reefed main up in the event engine quit?
You could then have a option to beat closely into wind and claw slowly away.
Hi George Swallow wouldn't be able to beat into 40+ knots with a close fetch. She could however reach. In high winds you think you are making to windward but you rarely are. In these conditions my choice is to run under bare poles or a very small foresail. My Genoa with a couple of turns out will handle this, as it did. I do have a storm jib but I would have to be well out at sea before swapping them over, never on a lee shore. I really hope this makes sense to you. Cheers mike
Nice sail, i feel i am sailing with the Beatles!
Hi Mark you must have the music in you mike
@@sailingcosiloveit I was thinking the same. Are you from Liverpool?
Ye Born Dingle
@@sailingcosiloveit Lol I was not even close! Great channel!
Wow, that was a wild ride, I enjoyed watching. However, a little professional advice... when handholding your camera, it should be very slow movements, and when you’re panning, pan slowly and then hold at the end for at leas a count of 5. But slow and steady, I was getting seasick from the handheld camera, not the sea state. lol
Hi David can’t agree with you more. I will try harder I promise mike
"My friend the wind will come from the hills
When dawn will rise, he'll wake me again
My friend the wind will tell me a secret
He shares with me, he shares with me..."
(Demis Roussos)
Nice Linda I could do worse that to listen to old folk wisdom mike
Nasty short shit in the shallows with the wind against it. Glad to see what the LM can do.
Hi think she can stand just about anything. Regards mike
Enjoyed your video matey. Alway best to run for shelter if you can and live to sail another day 🤣 Boat looks Really nice. What make is it as it looks a nice sea boat 👍
Hi Richard, Swallow is a modern day LM27 aka Scanyacht 290. You will find detail on one of my passed videos of her heritage. Cheers mike
Found the vid interesting. My only more limited experience is with small powered boats but you pick up some stuff. Deciding whether to go can sometimes be an issue. Given what happened I like that you stayed calm and had some back up plans. You also seemed to know your boat well and watching it, its a very seaworthy little sail boat. That boat was a star. If I understand correctly where you wanted to go past Puffin Island that would have been a wall of water. What you did was the only option. Prefer watching this type of video than people poncing around in bikinis wittering on about crap. I only go out in boats to fish.
Your safe with me cos I ain’t gonna ware a bikini 👙 🤣. Ye weather can turn at anytime and it’s good to have a backup plan if it does. This plan can also be modified as the weather changes. The trick us to be flexible and not try to stick to the original plan if it goes against the weather. Happy fishing mike
I see your weatherman is as accurate as mine. Nice seamanship.
Hey Johnny I’m sure he tricks us all just for a laugh! Mike
a Safe sailor always recognises that the weather forecast is only that A forecast, so caution must ALWAYS be exercised with weather forecasts!
Terrific video and a great advert for the many Scanyachts and LM27s out there. In that headwind I'd have quickly retreated behind glass and stayed there...but how limited is the view from the inside helm - is it too low to give enough view of the sea ahead?
Hi Fish-hawk, no the view from the wheel house is surprisingly good. I just prefer a tiller over a wheel, better feel for me. On autohelm with a short sail plan in heavy weather I will just stay in the wheel house warm and dry. Once you close the doors it’s magic. Regards mike
This sailboat keeps getting better and better. So it can dry out on its own? This is great stuff. Just wish I could find an inexpensive sailboat so I can start traveling this summer. I have to start while I can start and see the world. Just busting to get out there.
Buy a cheap LM27 and do the modifications and your off👍
I'm sure you'd love the Swedish Baltic coast, especially the Stockholm archipelago :)
I’m sure I’d love the time off work it would take to get me there. Soon as my boss gives me my cards I’m on my way! Regards mike
Just a question: wasn't it possible to open up the head sail, lets say 1/3 of it, and sail out from the waves? I usually trust more sailing than motoring and also the boat gets more stable. Or did you remain all the time in a no sailing zone for where you wanted to go? Thank you very much. Amazing footage.
It’s a fair question to which I have a fair answer. Bare poles were more than enough once I turned the boat to power her up. Five years ago I had a rolled Genoa out when the wind suddenly picked up to just under 50 knots (and no I don’t make a habit of it). I couldn’t get that sail in and then the spin lock deck fittings began to fail one by one with the load on the reefing line. This resulted in the full Genoa getting out and an out of control vessel soon showed its face. I had to let the sheets go and motor round in circles to reef the sail and regain control. A lesson I will not forget. I now believe storm sails for storms only and never a roller Genoa. Hope this makes good sense mike
ooffttt serious waters there :o
great video great attitude, no panic
Cheers Michael, great name mike
I checked the local map, you made the best decision to turn to the port side, direction to the Point Lynas (by the way the closest shelter) . Against to the high seas is a useless adventure and permanent taking a beating...
Hiya Melody I did feel at the time is was correct and even when I look back it still feels like the correct decision was made so I’m glad you agree mike
well your a salty lad and helluva sailor mate !! great video !! sure beats watching bikinis in anchorages and boats that never sail. Thanks for the entertainment friend !
Hi Chris your welcome for the entertainment but I wouldn’t mind having a go in a sun drenched bikini anchorage for a change. Cheers mike
Fantastic
You are a brave man!!. One engine stall would have meant 100% chaos. Hopefully I never get myself into that kind of situation but who knows. Curious as to why you didn’t stay in the anchorage until ideal weather. Anyways hope you are doing well and fair winds to you my friend
Hi Trekker, didn’t stay cos forecast was much better than the weather actually turned out to be. Anchorage becomes uncomfortable in easterlies and has micro climate of much higher winds than surrounding areas normally. Leaving me to believe it would get better further from sure. The thought of the engine cutting out was in my head and I kept a constant back up plan running there. Could have returned at any point under small jib and chaos would have been denied a chance. Try to always think a couple of steps ahead of the game. Swallow wasn’t bothered at all she just waits for the next instructions which gives me a great deal of confidence in her. Fair winds to you my friend mike
@@sailingcosiloveit Either way it made for an intense video. Be careful and may the winds always blow in your favor
looks like there's an acceleration zone from conwy maybe with an easterly? but its not in the pilot books .
Hi Jon looks like your right Joanna Walley from "Conwy Mariners" has just posted tornado over Red Wharf Bay! wow mike
Enjoy watching your videos, I have the McGregor 26 outside the Quay Hotel & fly out of Liverpool airport, do you fancy a flight at low tide showing the sand banks from the D through to Caernarfon, let me know, Craig
Hi Craig that sounds amazing we will have to look at getting that underway 😀
I’ll leave my number at your Marina today 👍
I’ve got it and you must of only just missed me, I’ll give you a text mikr
Hi Craig I’m a plonker can’t find your number. Your boom is swinging around on your boat. If I can get to it before you I will tie it down but it won’t be before the weekend mike
@@sailingcosiloveit Thanks Mike, I’ve just got home from Conway after I got a call about it, I’ve been up & all tightened up 👍 I left my card with numbers in at your marina or if you speak to the guys at Conwy Marina they will give it to you save putting it ip here. I have a boat in the marina called Shiraz in berth F28 speak soon 👍
You know the British isles weather can swing from one extreme to another in an instant you have to be ready for anything you lived to tell the tale though I don't think even predict wind can work out UK weather , its all experience
Hi Charlie you're not wrong there, us uk sailors must be prepared for just about anything. Cheers mike
I used to sail off the South Coast out of Rye Harbour. Then emigrated to NZ. The weather taught me all I needed to know to sail safely in NZ!
Very nice video along with great narrating! There's something to be said for seaworthy boats, like yours is! Is she an LM ?
Very similar to LM but modified and produced by Trident Marine UK
The camera never shows just how big the waves really are, but you can tell that the sets were extremely close together.
Hi Tony, it’s a fact. Never what you expect to see when played back. Guess there’s nothing quite like the experience. Regards mike
Don't the waves always seem smaller on the screen than they were in reality? Enjoyed the sailing and the relaxed commentary. Fair winds
Hi Derek, I couldn’t agree more you’ve obviously been there. There’s nought like being there mike
Love the videos. My aim is to sail out of Conwy at some point, so learning loads from these videos. What phone apps do you use for weather etc ?
Hi Robert, I use iSailor as a back up and quick reference cos it’s quick and easy to use. Found it accurate as well but I suppose that’s down to the gps in whatever device, use windy and predict wind as my main forecast but always include met for Irish Sea etc for overall picture and Imray tide for currents and highs etc. hope this helps mike
Brilliant thanks !
Great video!!
Cheers mike
Great video mate
Cheers mike
Uhhhhh Yeah. While not as bad as what you experienced, I have been there. After a while you start to lose it, because the wind is whistling through the rigging and even past your ears, making you CRAZY . It impacts your thought process, and makes you second guess yourself. Your mind starts playing "what if" and you can get spooked really easily into bad decisions. Sometimes staying put is the right option. Pilots have it right. It's better to be on the ground wishing you were flying, then flying, wishing you were on the ground.
Hi Brad, never heard the pilots expression before but makes sense. Must admit it was nice to get to the first anchorage. My only thoughts when things get rough is get away from lee shores and make a plan from there. I suppose that’s my dry land where I feel safest. Cheers mike
Is it too shallow to sail out ? Or just tacking crazy??
Restricted channel width