What an epic description of near calamity at sea and brought to us with such an eloquent British humor! And as a married man I can vision Monique`s comment " just sign the thing". Enjoyable as allways!
Listened to two of you're brilliant anecdotes the thing is you lucky man what a wife she's either mad or a brilliant girl when the going gets tough. The epitome of the British stoic.buggar it if all Else fails send in a gunboat.cheers n beers Marty
@@martinbowskill5511 Thank you for watching Martin - Trouble is she was never into boats but was certainly up for an adventure or two - Thank you for watching them both
@@martinbowskill5511 Thank you for that Marty - sadly Monique never liked boats or voyages but was prepared to have a go although the two adventures you watched resulted in my becoming very good at single handing
Glad you like them Ryan - I am flying out to the Caribbean - Martinique next week and because of your post I am taking a camera or two. So pleased you like the channel
What a nice story! I smiled many times listening to you. Adversity slowly but surely piliing up. I thought it could not get worse but it did. It was a thrill until the very end. 😎
Again another GREAT story. So captivating and I could not even take a sip of that morning coffee. just had to hear the adventure come to an end. Thank you Michael. Denmark
@@SailingGently Yes, the gaps between them seem too long but I appreciate they're a lot of work. Now I have a boat, I imagine how hard trying to film everything would be as well as learning the ropes!
@@holmesfamilyfuneraldirecto2572 Covid here in France combined with winter made original material hard to get and each episode is about a weeks work - not all day. I thought your work video was well made except for the music - may I suggest a voice over would work better - I went down the musak road in my early days and now don't have any... bit of sea sound to cover the edits sometimes - You have excellent pictures and it's nicely edited..
@@SailingGently Thank you for your professional advice Michael, we did try a voiceover but it seemed a little flat, that's why we ended up editing the thing with music!
You have a really preeminent channel Michael because of your art of authenticity. It's a master class on that alone. Never mind the sublime subject matter of sailing gently! Watched another over the weekend you and Monique would really relate to. It's the Sailing Ruby Rose channel. Hah. When you were their age. Also magnificent authenticity. In a world drowning by algorithm engineered everything, its absolute manna for a soul to find and connect with these stories! Memorable to the listener now.
Thank you Joanie - so pleased you like the channel - I have just started to check out Sailing Ruby Rose and will watch more - a lovely couple and good sailing stuff. Flattered by the kind words and I confess I started the channel to promote my books about sailing but it has become a big project on it's own... enjoyed your horses - thank you
Over 40 years ago did the Hamble to Cherbourg, my first Channel crossing in a Hurley 22. I still remember rounding the Needles into heavy seas. Crossing the shipping lanes in fog. No GPS or AIS. No VHF radio. Anyway, still sailing in small boats
You sound like me Martin - similar experiences - my first crossing was in a Galion 22 with only 2 gallons fuel for the motor. It was certainly more challenging in those days but then fewer of us did it
I am sorry I almost laughed. The unplugged electric socket really got to me. But it is such an invaluable lesson to everyone who might think it will never happen to them. Your story is a gem and your life truly sparkles as you lived to tell the tale. As for the rudder, I would be mad. Damn boat is new! How could this be? Terrible. It did bring me to a belief I have held since catching thr sailing bug... that is, as soon as I get me first sailboat after this Covid, one of the first installation is a redundant transom hung rudder bracket and a spare emergent rudder in store. I could use it as a cockpit table too. My dream.
Joseph thank you for watching and enjoying - rudders are so important and I confess the only thing I don't like about my current boat is the spade rudder - but I had one on the previous boat as well - they look so vulnerable... and are!!! My little 22 ft Galion - the first boat - had a long keel and the rudder joined to it... Good luck with finding your first boat....
Thank you for sharing your accomplishments as well as your misfortunes. It’s important to learn what do in a emergency as well as what not to do, check and maybe double check your systems, elec/mechanical before leaving safe harbor. Many would bury the memory such a calamity and not speak of it again; but by broadcasting on your channel everyone can experience your dire circumstances and learn from it. Thanks again!
thanks for watching JB... A lot warmer where you sail - the Channel is distinctly chilly as I have re-discovered sailing there this last 18 months - Your right - always check the systems - my only excuse was I was tired after an 8 hour drive from Brussels to Cherbourg but still my fault...
@@SailingGently i wasn't pointing your mistake, its a mistake we all can make. like heading out for a overnight cruise and need to motor into a new to you tricky harbor only to discover your out of diesel. don't ask me how i know this. :)
Great story very well told. Happened on your channel 2 days back for the video on crossing the Atlantic...it is the best on that subject I have seen. I will keep watching...thank you.
Thank you for watching... Actually I have quite a few sailing videos like: ua-cam.com/video/ViagjB1JzeA/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/ekPsbYpmMdQ/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/IdDIMYtyxbw/v-deo.html but it's the 'story' or information ones that seem to be most popular.. But thank you for the note and I will do more actually out at sea
Absolutely loving all the videos and memories you are sharing. That was quite an Easter. Thanks for great content. You're an encouragement and a great sea-life commentary. Mark
Thank you for a fascinating cautionary story. I very much enjoy your videos.please make more of them and kudos for Dr Who which thrilled me back in the day 👏
Rudder failure probably second only to keel failure in the list of sailing nightmares! Always had my doubts about the claims of steering by drogues etc. Really don't fancy having to ever find out! Great story!
Brilliant storytelling Michael. You should direct a film about your journeys.😉 Poor Monique, if it is not broken rudders it is pirates😄 Thanks for sharing your times on the sea. Regards, Paul.
Paul thank you so much for watching - She did indeed hate boats and sailing which was really sad... My fault really as I simply cannot imagine its not possible to adore messing about in boats... Kind regards Michael
Present dinghies: Comet Xtra, 1966/7 gunter rig Gull, which was club abandoned, now sailable with the patina of it's age, the beauty of which being dinks, scratch's bumps and scrapes are of no consequence. Most daring sail being circumnavigating Puffin Island with good friend who crewed on square rigger Winston Churchill...did we enjoy it, yes, do it again...no
Thank you Brian. Glad you liked it! The Lady Musgrave video is quite interesting I think plus the Australia to Sri Lanca shows how much I enjoyed your country..
Good tale of survival! Extremely stressing and scary for you. Not had any similar sailing experience but I did survive 3 emergency landings in helicopters, 1 while serving in the British army in Germany and 2 during my 11 years serving in the sultans forces in Oman. The omani events were distinctly exciting but happened very quickly - one at Seeb airport where they foamed main runway and we did a standard sort of airplane approach with a distinctly odd sounding engine but the other was in flying back along the eastern coast of Oman heading for Salalah when suddenly my stomach hit my tonsils and David the pilot was saying Mayday mayday -we were flying over and along a narrrow rocky desert canyon - sort of like a Norwegian fiord but no greenery and the river bed leading to the coast was dry, steep sided , very rocky and we autogyroed down to a safe landing in an area covered with rocks.I shall never forget that as we got out of the heli David said to me “ Did you smell anything odd?” And I confess that I burst out laughing in a relief of the stress and said something like “ No and my pants are amazingly still clean and dry” It took something like an hour for a relief heli to find us with a repair crew on board and a check was made by the mechanics and eventually our heli was declared to be ok. IDa I’d Duncan my pilot asked me if I wanted to continue my journey to Salalah with him or to travel by with the “rescue heli” it I confess I opted to travel with the rescue heli - enough excitement for one day. Actually the emergency descent wasn’t a frightening even - it all happened very quickly and I was aware of the helix ability to make a safe landingbut of course it is a one event occasion - the heli can autogiro down and make a gentle contact with the ground - but there’s no going round again or hovering - so David the pilot said it was his first time “real “ occasion but of course he had practiced it in training and as a matter of normal maintenance of flying skills on active service but it was distinctly exciting while we were descending - no time to be scared and I had flown in helis for many years in the co pilots seat and knew when I should keep quiet and let the guy fly it but an indelible flying experience.
Trevor you are amazing - 3 dodgy emergency landings - and you walked away from the all... Who said lightning only strikes once - goodness me... I spent some time in Wasps when I was working on Warship and asked to do the Dunk Test just in case, but the pilots said it was a waste of time as being in the back with a camera and not seats the broken bones would stop me getting out so not worth bothering - Heli's worry me more than fixed wing despite autogiro...
A fabulous yarn brilliantly told, I was quite proud to have classified it as a yarn and then noticed many before me had done the same, and I too still have a questioning eyebrow raised regarding Monique, presume your next trip was 'sans Monique'
Peter I am so glad you enjoyed the yarn - I enjoy shooting the breeze - Thank you. I did become good at single handing but re Monique watch the Pirate video!
Gosh, quite the story! All credit to the French Navy for coming out to rescue you in unpleasant conditions. We had an incident off Mexico (engine failure, strong currents, no wind, 300 NM from any chartered anchorage, lee shore) so contacted the Port Captain who responded with "not my problem".
That sounds frightening Stephen - I think (although I have never been there) that Mexico is a pretty tough place like the Sudan and Egypt and Saudi. I hope you got a tow or some help...
@@SailingGently Too long a story for a comments section but we were fortunately able to get ourselves out of trouble (partly because we carry 400 ft of rode on our main anchor). The local fishermen only operate a few miles from home in small boats and all declined the idea of a tow of that weight/distance as they believed it would damage their small outboard (although they would rescue us to the nearest beach, if in immediate danger). Besides, they normally only carry a small amount of fuel on board. There is no coastguard or RNLI equivalent in Mexico and the only commercial vessels are the big oil tankers running off the coast. As already mentioned, the Port Captains do not view assistance to mariners as part of their job description. That leaves only the (woefully underequiped) Navy, who will famously only attempt to mount a rescue if the disaster has reached national prime time news, which typically means fatalities of foreigners has occurred. As the closest naval vessel is potentially days away (have never seen a helicopter), that means they are normally only involved in a search for bodies. With all that, we developed a respect for (i) making sure your boat is in the best possible seaworthy condition, with spares and tools; (ii) buddy boating. Having said that, we found all Mexicans (with the exception of federal government officials) to be very supportive and generous in wanting to help. They simply don't have the maritime history and infrastructure that we take for granted in Europe or the US.
@@stephenburnage7687 That's interesting Stephen - none the less I would like to visit - On this side of the pond Egypt is very similar. Their navy have towed in European vessels in distress and refused to release them until a significant salvage fee was paid to the personal bank account of the Admiral! Once any of us leave US or European waters it is pretty essential that you are self sufficient - and buddy boating or at least being in touch with others via sat phone or SSB is helpful... I think you are right it depends on the maritime history of the country concerned and indeed it's own economy -
Great story. Reminds me of a time when I was a novice and disregarded the forecast. The worst that happened to me is I shredded a genny (that was worn out anyway.)
Glad you enjoyed it Roger... Meteorology is a steep learning curve and takes a while to find out forecasts are probably only accurate for 12 to 24 hours max!
You have a new subscriber: riveting stories and a very welcome haven from the click bait and sensationalism of youtube's typical fare. Thank you for sharing your experiences! I feel an affinity to your stories: I grew up on Dr Who and Blake 7, then went on to work in film and tv. Now I live with my Canadian partner on a Portuguese island, and plan to learn to sail next year. All the best!
Thank you for subscribing Malik and I'm glad you like the channel - Interesting that there are so many folks in the entertainment business that are into boats. Sounds like you are in a great place for you both to start sailing. - Fair winds
Very interesting tale. I think any of us who have had failures with immanent bad weather coming in can relate to it well. In my case, the rudder was fine, but the sails inoperative and the engine seized. I can imagine how uncomfortable it was for the French ship towing at such a slow speed. When I had to be rescued, the RNLI boat took about half an hour to get to me - and then over four hours to get back to base. I had an RNLI (volunteer) on board with me during the tow who happened to work in a related profession to mine. So we had four hours of talking shop and drinking tea - very British thing to do.
That sounds horrible Paul - but the RNLI handle that sort of shout very well I think... Boats are well designed for towing - a primary function I suspect! We all manage to get into problems sometimes - goes with sailing I think but I suspect once you get your boat in the water it will be pretty reliable - probably more than most judging from your videos - I enjoy your channel so much - the only 'sailing' channel I bother to visit regularly. I can never quite work out when you started sailing? I thought Serenity was a sort of first boat but clearly not.. Fair winds Michael
@@SailingGently Michael, thanks, but there are loads of good sailing channels out there. Some where they even go sailing. And as you well know....it's all in the editing anyway ;) I started sailing ages ago (30+ years), but mainly on courses and other peoples boats. I got very close to buying a small boat on occasions (including seriously looking at a Jaguar at the boat show once), but Serenity is the first boat I have owned. - and I will keep her. She is also the first boat I sailed with GPS, furling headsail, and other mod cons like tillerpilot etc ). Also the first boat I ever tried single-handed - which, to be honest, isn't an issue at all. No plans at all to change boat. Cheers, Paul
What an interesting route to Serenity, Paul - I find having a boat rather than just sailing is a bit like having a 2nd home and then all the stuff round it like as you are doing on Just About Sailing is fulfilling and for lesser talented people like me it's still fun doing minor jobs and getting the boat set up for me - I agree single handing is no real issue apart from 'parking' in windy conditions - problem of being in two places at the same time and a good reason for having a smaller boat..
@@SailingGently Parking (and un-parking) is always the fraught bit. I highly recommend 'Stress Free Sailing' by Duncan Wells. He has loads of tips about how dock and undock single handed in any conditions. There are also videos that go with his book - one shows him parking his Hallberg Rassy single handed in very windy conditions. A lot of the techniques involve motoring (gently) against a triangulated slip line that is also a spring and a lasso. - sounds complicated, but it isn't. I tried to video myself doing this a couple of times. But the angles and the short focal length on the GoPro didn't really illustrate it well..
Thanks Paul - will have a look - wide angle lens are a pain for trying to make things look interesting - I have a old digital camera but the viewfinder is the pull out screen which never works well in sunlight
From small seeds grow giant problems - Your right!
3 роки тому+3
Great story, well told. Thank you sir for sharing your experiences here on UA-cam! Your channel is making its way fast to the top of my preference list :)
Stumbled on your channel and really have enjoyed your stories. I don’t sail, but your tails are fascinating! Thank you for taking the time to make them.
Glad you like them Susan - Sailing is really fun and need not be an outward bound course.. most trips are less eventful and it is a learning curve - the Cherbourg story was from my early days but you never stop learning...
Firstly I would like to thank you for the videos I have subscribed and looking forward to more videos. I have never sailed in my life but I'm hoping one day to start
Ashley the best advice I ever had was - just buy a boat - or if truly just starting join a dinghy club - if you can sail a dinghy then you can sail anything
Your story brings so many familiar memories to me! I had for several years my motorsailer Skiddaw moored at Yarmouth and my favorite sailing was to Cherbourg to enjoy an incredible feast of seafood at rhe Cafe du Paris. Once we were lost for three days close to the Cherbourg coast due to an intense fog. My gratest fear was indeed to be drifted to the Alderny Race. Crossing the Channel was a good sailing school. Today sailing in the Caribbean I feel I am at a kindergarden sea!!!
Leopoldo hi, Those days were both fun and challenging in the English channel fog was a real issue before Radar and chart plotters... Cafe de Paris made it all worth while. I'm in Martinique looking at boats and berths and not 100% certain I want to move the boat here... How are you enjoying it? Are you here 365?
Wow! Great story! Very interesting. Looking forward to watching some more of your storys! Comforting to see that I am not the only guy with some bad luck in boating! ;)
Great story !!!!! Thank you for sharing. Just found your channel studying for my first boat. New subscriber as well. Thank you again for sharing your adventure 😃
A great story thx. Just waiting to solo to Cherbourg myself for the first time once restrictions lift…not sure this was encouraging but it was certainly educational.🤣
@@SailingGently excellent I just watched that to…. Just awaiting lifting of Amber for France and I’m off. A shakedown with a mate to Portland out of the Hamble this weekend in my CO26. Thx again.
Earthily masterful pure in authenticity best line ever heard “to persuade her that this new boat was the answer to all her concern about the discomfort of sailing” my question is how much wives were on board? :) was it Monic or Garmin? :) I hope you get my drift as you only return from CHEROURG with Garmin where is Monic….? This comment was meant to describe my pleasure in the watching the video more than 3 times this deserve an award love it 🥰 😍 😊🎥📹😘😘
I confess Odyssey that after that I became very good at single handing! I am so pleased that you enjoyed the video ..;. Monique was with me in this video ua-cam.com/video/x_GrXSnhawk/v-deo.html as well which happened in the Gulf of Aden although she never enjoyed sailing or boats - sadly
Listening to you recount these stories reminds me of Jackanory, to which I was addicted as a little boy. Very engaging. And your how-to videos are perfect nuggets of information. Now I know how shallow my new boat's draft has to be to negotiate French canals to the Med. And how irritating Brexit will make it to free sail around Europe - that side effect hadn't even occurred to me. Maybe some day you could make some videos about your thoughts on the various French regions you have lived in over the years?
I think to do French regions I would need to start another channel and really I have only lived in the La Rochelle/Royan area and here in Boulogne. Actually lived longer in Spain and did spend 4 years in Amsterdam... Bit of a wanderer although once I have got the boat to the Caribbean I think Martinique/Boulogne/Marbella will satisfy my wanderlust!
I love your stories. I looked up on the map where the location was in relation to England and France. Definitely sailing the coastline in England, France and Norway or for that matter where I live can get dicey. Weather Windows. I’m convinced that in refitting our Fisher 30 we will have a backup tiller, may not need it but we will have it.
Thank you Kitty Cat for watching, Yes, this northern Europe area is a wonderful cruising ground with exciting places to visit, but it is cold and it is a short season. Your 2nd rudder seems very sensible. Most new wheel guided boats have an emergency rudder bar included in the inventory...
Great story. I expect that there are many sailors from the 70.s with stories that would make one's hair curl. I certainly have a few. Mainly the result of a silly gung ho attitude., although, in your case, you started out with the best of intentions. Makes one really apreciate our RNLI though.
Another fantastic episode Michael... truly enjoy listening to your experiences and adventures...who ended up paying the £13K? As always things worked out for you...and isn't that what life is all about!..note - of you can see my profile picture... that's taken in a local tavern in Cherbourg after completed my first English Channel crossing😃🍷
Well done Dennis getting to Cherbourg the first time - it's easier the second and third times.... I love the place - My insurance company did a deal with the French Navy and paid 1,300 - I lost my no claims bonus and became very good at single handing!
There's no dull days on a boat Everydays an Adventure wow that towing bill was a little steep you could have bought another boat for that amount. Thanks for the story always interested to hear sailing yarns.
Yes boats are 'fun' Charlie - Frigates are pretty big boats so I suppose the running costs are that - I was insured so all I lost was my NCD.. apparently the insurers negotiated it down to 1,300 but still a lot - Glad you liked the video
Great story thank you Michael. Your wife seemed to take the drama quite well! Not sure Krissy would retire to her boudoir if we were rudderless in a Gale.
Glad you enjoyed it Paul. One of the joys of a small boat is that you bare never very far away from the action... Your Krissy sounds like a very sensible person.
Thank you too, That was another awesome story, exceptionally well told. I felt like I was there with you in the boat, all be it temporally distant. You are indeed a breath of sanity in the arena of SV-LetsMakeMoney UA-cam Videos we have to navigate through. Arriving at port at "Sailing Gently" is an apt example of why we make such treacherous journeys
Glad you enjoyed it - I confess I started the channel to promote my online book sales and am a little surprised at it's popularity - thank you for watching
@@SailingGently Promoting your own products is fully appreciated and wholly expected and encouraged. For me personally, and others I'm sure, it's when channels start using "free Batteries, sails, winches etc" that they have been gifted (that they wouldn't have recommended or used if they weren't fiscally encouraged to do so), and in so doing have compromised their credibility as someones who opinion you respect. Anyway enough of my rant - you have a great day and thanks again for a great reprieve from the drudgery of the day with such a nice honest telling of your adventures.
What an epic description of near calamity at sea and brought to us with such an eloquent British humor! And as a married man I can vision Monique`s comment " just sign the thing". Enjoyable as allways!
Yes Teemu its the law of the sea that Admirals orders must be obeyed by skippers!
😂😂😂😂😂😂 funny moment...... so so true 😂
Fantastic recollections of learning times. So glad you are here to tell the stories. Thank you and fair winds.
Glad you like them Matt... You never stop learning about boats and the sea... thank you for watching
Listened to two of you're brilliant anecdotes the thing is you lucky man what a wife she's either mad or a brilliant girl when the going gets tough. The epitome of the British stoic.buggar it if all Else fails send in a gunboat.cheers n beers Marty
@@martinbowskill5511 Thank you for watching Martin - Trouble is she was never into boats but was certainly up for an adventure or two - Thank you for watching them both
@@martinbowskill5511 Thank you for that Marty - sadly Monique never liked boats or voyages but was prepared to have a go although the two adventures you watched resulted in my becoming very good at single handing
@@SailingGently you're gals comments after the pirate ordeal loved it bloody scary but. Cheers n beers marty
These are some of the best sailing stories (and very well told) on UA-cam! Looking forward to some Caribbean stories in the future.
Glad you like them Ryan - I am flying out to the Caribbean - Martinique next week and because of your post I am taking a camera or two. So pleased you like the channel
Loved your story. By the way, all of them. Thank you for sharing. Big hug from Brazil !
Glad you enjoyed it Vincent... Wonderful to know I have viewers in Brazil! Thank you for watching
What a story, brilliant, horror and a good sense of understatement.
Peter thank you - so pleased you enjoyed it
What a nice story! I smiled many times listening to you. Adversity slowly but surely piliing up. I thought it could not get worse but it did. It was a thrill until the very end. 😎
Jean-Claude thank you for that nice message - I am so pleased you enjoyed the video
Again another GREAT story. So captivating and I could not even take a sip of that morning coffee. just had to hear the adventure come to an end. Thank you Michael. Denmark
Glad you enjoyed it Henrik - Sorry you missed the coffee... Good to know there are viewers in Denmark
Great stuff Michael, I get happy every time I am notified of a new ‘Sailing Gently’ video. Please keep them coming.
Glad you like them Graham - thank you for watching
@@SailingGently Yes, the gaps between them seem too long but I appreciate they're a lot of work. Now I have a boat, I imagine how hard trying to film everything would be as well as learning the ropes!
@@holmesfamilyfuneraldirecto2572 Covid here in France combined with winter made original material hard to get and each episode is about a weeks work - not all day.
I thought your work video was well made except for the music - may I suggest a voice over would work better - I went down the musak road in my early days and now don't have any... bit of sea sound to cover the edits sometimes - You have excellent pictures and it's nicely edited..
@@SailingGently Thank you for your professional advice Michael, we did try a voiceover but it seemed a little flat, that's why we ended up editing the thing with music!
@@holmesfamilyfuneraldirecto2572 The singer or the song?
You have a really preeminent channel Michael because of your art of authenticity. It's a master class on that alone. Never mind the sublime subject matter of sailing gently!
Watched another over the weekend you and Monique would really relate to. It's the Sailing Ruby Rose channel. Hah. When you were their age. Also magnificent authenticity.
In a world drowning by algorithm engineered everything, its absolute manna for a soul to find and connect with these stories! Memorable to the listener now.
Thank you Joanie - so pleased you like the channel - I have just started to check out Sailing Ruby Rose and will watch more - a lovely couple and good sailing stuff.
Flattered by the kind words and I confess I started the channel to promote my books about sailing but it has become a big project on it's own... enjoyed your horses - thank you
Really enjoyed listening to this. As others have also commented, this is becoming one of my favourite sailing UA-cam channels.
Thank you Miles... Air France have just lost my bag with all the memory cards for the next production.. I am really pleased you like the channel
Over 40 years ago did the Hamble to Cherbourg, my first Channel crossing in a Hurley 22. I still remember rounding the Needles into heavy seas. Crossing the shipping lanes in fog. No GPS or AIS. No VHF radio. Anyway, still sailing in small boats
You sound like me Martin - similar experiences - my first crossing was in a Galion 22 with only 2 gallons fuel for the motor. It was certainly more challenging in those days but then fewer of us did it
I am sorry I almost laughed. The unplugged electric socket really got to me. But it is such an invaluable lesson to everyone who might think it will never happen to them. Your story is a gem and your life truly sparkles as you lived to tell the tale. As for the rudder, I would be mad. Damn boat is new! How could this be? Terrible. It did bring me to a belief I have held since catching thr sailing bug... that is, as soon as I get me first sailboat after this Covid, one of the first installation is a redundant transom hung rudder bracket and a spare emergent rudder in store. I could use it as a cockpit table too. My dream.
Joseph thank you for watching and enjoying - rudders are so important and I confess the only thing I don't like about my current boat is the spade rudder - but I had one on the previous boat as well - they look so vulnerable... and are!!! My little 22 ft Galion - the first boat - had a long keel and the rudder joined to it... Good luck with finding your first boat....
Always a few good lessons in a good sailing story, thank you for sharing ❤
So pleased you found it interesting. Thank youfo watching
Always good to hear a well told tale.
thank you Shane - so pleased you liked it
Thank you so much for sharing this debriefing ... we all can learn from each other, and we do it better with a smile on our faces
You are so welcome! Happy sailing - thank you for watching
Thank you, Sir; brilliant, inspiring, riveting.
So pleased you liked the video Isaih. Thank you for watching!
Agree 👍
Thank you for sharing your accomplishments as well as your misfortunes. It’s important to learn what do in a emergency as well as what not to do, check and maybe double check your systems, elec/mechanical before leaving safe harbor. Many would bury the memory such a calamity and not speak of it again; but by broadcasting on your channel everyone can experience your dire circumstances and learn from it. Thanks again!
thanks for watching JB... A lot warmer where you sail - the Channel is distinctly chilly as I have re-discovered sailing there this last 18 months - Your right - always check the systems - my only excuse was I was tired after an 8 hour drive from Brussels to Cherbourg but still my fault...
@@SailingGently i wasn't pointing your mistake, its a mistake we all can make. like heading out for a overnight cruise and need to motor into a new to you tricky harbor only to discover your out of diesel. don't ask me how i know this. :)
@@svcrucible8303 The wonderful thing about sailing is it is 95% pure joy and 5% pure terror!!!
Great story very well told.
Happened on your channel 2 days back for the video on crossing the Atlantic...it is the best on that subject I have seen.
I will keep watching...thank you.
Shane that's so kind - really pleased you find the videos useful and sometimes entertaining
Wonderful narrative. The "nod". Affirmation of being up to your knees in the muck. Brilliant.
Rick hi,
Yep - that was a moment I remember better than a lot of the other stuff that night - Still we got back OK in the end
Another great story. Thanks for sharing.
Darren, thanks for listening - glad you enjoyed it
Wow! What a story!! Absolutely gripping!!
So pleased you enjoyed it Mike
Love your wry humor and sailing stories. Good one mate
Glad you enjoyed - thank you Crusty Cobs for watching
Great story.....glad it all turned out well!
Thank you Georges - Glad you enjoyed it!
Love the yarns !
thank you David -
Epic adventure. Well recounted.
Patrick thank you - glad you enjoyed it
That was one of the best yet. Thank you.
Thank you Oowee - glad you enjoyed it
another enthralling tale ,, ty
Glad you enjoy it Roderick, Thank you for watching
Best sailing channel with very little sailing in it! Lol
Thank you for watching... Actually I have quite a few sailing videos like:
ua-cam.com/video/ViagjB1JzeA/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/ekPsbYpmMdQ/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/IdDIMYtyxbw/v-deo.html
but it's the 'story' or information ones that seem to be most popular.. But thank you for the note and I will do more actually out at sea
Thank you for sharing your thrilling experience. So much to learn and add for mental preparation for future sailing trips.
Bora hi,
I am pleased you found it interesting and useful
Absolutely loving all the videos and memories you are sharing. That was quite an Easter. Thanks for great content. You're an encouragement and a great sea-life commentary. Mark
Thanks so much Mark. I am really pleased you are enjoying them
I enjoy your talks. Well structured and wry.
Thank you for that... I do work a little on the script - my upbringing!
fantastic story and story telling!
Glad you enjoyed it Sean - thank you for watching
“He nodded to me”
“I nodded back”
So funny 😂
Glad it was entertaining Jack - Odd the things that one remembers vividly - human interaction
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thank you for a fascinating cautionary story. I very much enjoy your videos.please make more of them and kudos for Dr Who which thrilled me back in the day 👏
Glad you enjoyed the story Andrew - and Dr Who has come back to haunt me a lot in recent years I am pleased to say!
A master story teller! I hope to read a fictional novel from this sailor in the future.
Thank you John. I am so pleased you enjoyed the video. Funny you should mention the novel....
Rudder failure probably second only to keel failure in the list of sailing nightmares! Always had my doubts about the claims of steering by drogues etc. Really don't fancy having to ever find out! Great story!
I think you are right Tom - rudders and keels are a real nightmare scenario - like sudden break failure in a car! Glad you enjoyed the video
Brilliant storytelling Michael. You should direct a film about your journeys.😉
Poor Monique, if it is not broken rudders it is pirates😄
Thanks for sharing your times on the sea.
Regards,
Paul.
Paul thank you so much for watching - She did indeed hate boats and sailing which was really sad... My fault really as I simply cannot imagine its not possible to adore messing about in boats...
Kind regards
Michael
We can all learn from you, thank you.
Andrew thank you - the thing with boats and the sea is that nobody knows it all - I think
An excellent memory and adventure you will have many a story night with it 🏆🏆🏆🏆
Yes John it certainly brought back memories in the telling - thank you for watching
@@SailingGently looking forward to some more from you , again welldone sir
What a great Story!
Glad you enjoyed the video... Not an experience I enjoyed greatly!
Hi ,A very good story.Very good for some one starting boating.lots to learn from this story.
Thank you Bill for watching - Glad you enjoyed it
Wow, what a tale of `daring do`. As a dinghy sailor, (my only regret coming to it late) it puts my dinghy adventures into context..
I remember having wonderful adventures in my home built Mirror on both sea and river... Dinghy sailing is so good... maybe I will go back to that...
Present dinghies: Comet Xtra, 1966/7 gunter rig Gull, which was club abandoned, now sailable with the patina of it's age, the beauty of which being dinks, scratch's bumps and scrapes are of no consequence. Most daring sail being circumnavigating Puffin Island with good friend who crewed on square rigger Winston Churchill...did we enjoy it, yes, do it again...no
Sounds lovely... Faitr winds
Really enjoyed your telling of your trip, I also look forward to your videos from down under, cheers and safe sailing
Thank you Brian. Glad you liked it! The Lady Musgrave video is quite interesting I think plus the Australia to Sri Lanca shows how much I enjoyed your country..
Brilliant anecdote 👍🏻
Glad you enjoyed it Danial - was 'fun' at the time - sort of
Great story thank you
Thanks for listening Robert. Glad you enjoyed it
Good tale of survival! Extremely stressing and scary for you. Not had any similar sailing experience but I did survive 3 emergency landings in helicopters, 1 while serving in the British army in Germany and 2 during my 11 years serving in the sultans forces in Oman. The omani events were distinctly exciting but happened very quickly - one at Seeb airport where they foamed main runway and we did a standard sort of airplane approach with a distinctly odd sounding engine but the other was in flying back along the eastern coast of Oman heading for Salalah when suddenly my stomach hit my tonsils and David the pilot was saying Mayday mayday -we were flying over and along a narrrow rocky desert canyon - sort of like a Norwegian fiord but no greenery and the river bed leading to the coast was dry, steep sided , very rocky and we autogyroed down to a safe landing in an area covered with rocks.I shall never forget that as we got out of the heli David said to me “ Did you smell anything odd?” And I confess that I burst out laughing in a relief of the stress and said something like “ No and my pants are amazingly still clean and dry”
It took something like an hour for a relief heli to find us with a repair crew on board and a check was made by the mechanics and eventually our heli was declared to be ok. IDa I’d Duncan my pilot asked me if I wanted to continue my journey to Salalah with him or to travel by with the “rescue heli” it I confess I opted to travel with the rescue heli - enough excitement for one day. Actually the emergency descent wasn’t a frightening even - it all happened very quickly and I was aware of the helix ability to make a safe landingbut of course it is a one event occasion - the heli can autogiro down and make a gentle contact with the ground - but there’s no going round again or hovering - so David the pilot said it was his first time “real “ occasion but of course he had practiced it in training and as a matter of normal maintenance of flying skills on active service but it was distinctly exciting while we were descending - no time to be scared and I had flown in helis for many years in the co pilots seat and knew when I should keep quiet and let the guy fly it but an indelible flying experience.
Trevor you are amazing - 3 dodgy emergency landings - and you walked away from the all... Who said lightning only strikes once - goodness me... I spent some time in Wasps when I was working on Warship and asked to do the Dunk Test just in case, but the pilots said it was a waste of time as being in the back with a camera and not seats the broken bones would stop me getting out so not worth bothering - Heli's worry me more than fixed wing despite autogiro...
Great story !
Glad you enjoyed it Tizia!
A fabulous yarn brilliantly told, I was quite proud to have classified it as a yarn and then noticed many before me had done the same, and I too still have a questioning eyebrow raised regarding Monique, presume your next trip was 'sans Monique'
Peter I am so glad you enjoyed the yarn - I enjoy shooting the breeze - Thank you. I did become good at single handing but re Monique watch the Pirate video!
Great little adventure thanks
Glad you enjoyed it Tim - thank you for watching
Gosh, quite the story! All credit to the French Navy for coming out to rescue you in unpleasant conditions. We had an incident off Mexico (engine failure, strong currents, no wind, 300 NM from any chartered anchorage, lee shore) so contacted the Port Captain who responded with "not my problem".
That sounds frightening Stephen - I think (although I have never been there) that Mexico is a pretty tough place like the Sudan and Egypt and Saudi. I hope you got a tow or some help...
@@SailingGently Too long a story for a comments section but we were fortunately able to get ourselves out of trouble (partly because we carry 400 ft of rode on our main anchor). The local fishermen only operate a few miles from home in small boats and all declined the idea of a tow of that weight/distance as they believed it would damage their small outboard (although they would rescue us to the nearest beach, if in immediate danger). Besides, they normally only carry a small amount of fuel on board. There is no coastguard or RNLI equivalent in Mexico and the only commercial vessels are the big oil tankers running off the coast. As already mentioned, the Port Captains do not view assistance to mariners as part of their job description. That leaves only the (woefully underequiped) Navy, who will famously only attempt to mount a rescue if the disaster has reached national prime time news, which typically means fatalities of foreigners has occurred. As the closest naval vessel is potentially days away (have never seen a helicopter), that means they are normally only involved in a search for bodies. With all that, we developed a respect for (i) making sure your boat is in the best possible seaworthy condition, with spares and tools; (ii) buddy boating. Having said that, we found all Mexicans (with the exception of federal government officials) to be very supportive and generous in wanting to help. They simply don't have the maritime history and infrastructure that we take for granted in Europe or the US.
@@stephenburnage7687 That's interesting Stephen - none the less I would like to visit - On this side of the pond Egypt is very similar. Their navy have towed in European vessels in distress and refused to release them until a significant salvage fee was paid to the personal bank account of the Admiral! Once any of us leave US or European waters it is pretty essential that you are self sufficient - and buddy boating or at least being in touch with others via sat phone or SSB is helpful... I think you are right it depends on the maritime history of the country concerned and indeed it's own economy -
Keep on sailing - thank you for the great video
My pleasure Daniel - I intend to - shipping my present boat to the Caribbean shortly I hope!!!
Really good stories of your experiences well explained and very easy to follow and appreciated thankyou
So nice of you Matt - I am very pleased you enjoy the channel
Great story. Reminds me of a time when I was a novice and disregarded the forecast. The worst that happened to me is I shredded a genny (that was worn out anyway.)
Glad you enjoyed it Roger... Meteorology is a steep learning curve and takes a while to find out forecasts are probably only accurate for 12 to 24 hours max!
You have a new subscriber: riveting stories and a very welcome haven from the click bait and sensationalism of youtube's typical fare. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
I feel an affinity to your stories: I grew up on Dr Who and Blake 7, then went on to work in film and tv. Now I live with my Canadian partner on a Portuguese island, and plan to learn to sail next year. All the best!
Thank you for subscribing Malik and I'm glad you like the channel - Interesting that there are so many folks in the entertainment business that are into boats. Sounds like you are in a great place for you both to start sailing. - Fair winds
Crikey. Lucky one. Surprised Monique continued to sail with you.
Well Kevin I became very good at single handing!
@@SailingGently laughing myself silly here.
Very interesting tale. I think any of us who have had failures with immanent bad weather coming in can relate to it well. In my case, the rudder was fine, but the sails inoperative and the engine seized. I can imagine how uncomfortable it was for the French ship towing at such a slow speed. When I had to be rescued, the RNLI boat took about half an hour to get to me - and then over four hours to get back to base. I had an RNLI (volunteer) on board with me during the tow who happened to work in a related profession to mine. So we had four hours of talking shop and drinking tea - very British thing to do.
That sounds horrible Paul - but the RNLI handle that sort of shout very well I think... Boats are well designed for towing - a primary function I suspect!
We all manage to get into problems sometimes - goes with sailing I think but I suspect once you get your boat in the water it will be pretty reliable - probably more than most judging from your videos
- I enjoy your channel so much - the only 'sailing' channel I bother to visit regularly.
I can never quite work out when you started sailing? I thought Serenity was a sort of first boat but clearly not..
Fair winds
Michael
@@SailingGently Michael, thanks, but there are loads of good sailing channels out there. Some where they even go sailing. And as you well know....it's all in the editing anyway ;)
I started sailing ages ago (30+ years), but mainly on courses and other peoples boats. I got very close to buying a small boat on occasions (including seriously looking at a Jaguar at the boat show once), but Serenity is the first boat I have owned. - and I will keep her. She is also the first boat I sailed with GPS, furling headsail, and other mod cons like tillerpilot etc ). Also the first boat I ever tried single-handed - which, to be honest, isn't an issue at all. No plans at all to change boat.
Cheers, Paul
What an interesting route to Serenity, Paul - I find having a boat rather than just sailing is a bit like having a 2nd home and then all the stuff round it like as you are doing on Just About Sailing is fulfilling and for lesser talented people like me it's still fun doing minor jobs and getting the boat set up for me - I agree single handing is no real issue apart from 'parking' in windy conditions - problem of being in two places at the same time and a good reason for having a smaller boat..
@@SailingGently Parking (and un-parking) is always the fraught bit. I highly recommend 'Stress Free Sailing' by Duncan Wells. He has loads of tips about how dock and undock single handed in any conditions. There are also videos that go with his book - one shows him parking his Hallberg Rassy single handed in very windy conditions. A lot of the techniques involve motoring (gently) against a triangulated slip line that is also a spring and a lasso. - sounds complicated, but it isn't.
I tried to video myself doing this a couple of times. But the angles and the short focal length on the GoPro didn't really illustrate it well..
Thanks Paul - will have a look - wide angle lens are a pain for trying to make things look interesting - I have a old digital camera but the viewfinder is the pull out screen which never works well in sunlight
Lovely story. Many thanks
Glad you enjoyed it Patrick - thank you for watching
Enjoy your stories. You did what I didn't do.
James hello,
Thank you for watching - you didn't do? Call for help when all else failed? I am a dedicated coward - I am pleased to say
Another great video and story. Thanks again for doing this !
Orlov - so pleased you enjoyed it - thank you
Wow glad your safe and well. And lived to tell the tail. :-)
Yes, thank you Chris - glad you enjoyed the story
I hope that you still have many interesting stories like this! So useful and interesting to listen them. Thank you very much 👍
I hope so too... Thank you for watching so far Morten - Just need to get sailing again once this covid business permits foreign travel
thank you for sharing that.
a demonstration of how an unimaginable problem can become a dangerous situation.
From small seeds grow giant problems - Your right!
Great story, well told. Thank you sir for sharing your experiences here on UA-cam! Your channel is making its way fast to the top of my preference list :)
I appreciate that Szaboics - Thank you for watching - glad to be on your list!
Stumbled on your channel and really have enjoyed your stories. I don’t sail, but your tails are fascinating! Thank you for taking the time to make them.
Glad you like them Susan - Sailing is really fun and need not be an outward bound course.. most trips are less eventful and it is a learning curve - the Cherbourg story was from my early days but you never stop learning...
Great video! Sailing isn’t all about bikinis and snorkeling.... sometimes its about learning from the experiences of others... Thanks for the story!!
Very true Ian - and I look silly in a bikini!
Great story
Glad you enjoyed it James
That poor long suffering woman. Mind you she seems to have had your number Micheal.
"Just bloody well sign it". That certainly told you.
In my experience Ratus you obey the Admiral if you are a mere skipper
You are my favorite sailing channel on UA-cam! Keep up the good work
Thanks, I will try to! Thank you for viewing
Firstly I would like to thank you for the videos I have subscribed and looking forward to more videos. I have never sailed in my life but I'm hoping one day to start
Ashley the best advice I ever had was - just buy a boat - or if truly just starting join a dinghy club - if you can sail a dinghy then you can sail anything
Your story brings so many familiar memories to me! I had for several years my motorsailer Skiddaw moored at Yarmouth and my favorite sailing was to Cherbourg to enjoy an incredible feast of seafood at rhe Cafe du Paris. Once we were lost for three days close to the Cherbourg coast due to an intense fog. My gratest fear was indeed to be drifted to the Alderny Race. Crossing the Channel was a good sailing school. Today sailing in the Caribbean I feel I am at a kindergarden sea!!!
Leopoldo hi,
Those days were both fun and challenging in the English channel fog was a real issue before Radar and chart plotters... Cafe de Paris made it all worth while. I'm in Martinique looking at boats and berths and not 100% certain I want to move the boat here... How are you enjoying it? Are you here 365?
Hooray, a sailing tale!
Called 'Shooting the Breeze' sometimes
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching Rob
You are an amazing storyteller! Again, i was at the edge of my seat with sweaty palms😁
Glad you enjoyed it Ralph. Thank you for watching
Great story I really enjoyed hearing it . Thanks 🙏
So pleased it was entertaining - thank you for watching
Good story told thanks and honest
Thanks for listening Robert. So pleased you enjoyed it
thank you.
My pleasure. Glad you liked it
Brilliant. Thanks very much for the time taken to record this - very instructive.
Glad you enjoyed it! thank you for watching
A great sailing “episode” from which you no doubt learned a lot, love your stories, I’ve subscribed! ⛵️👍🏻☺️🙏🏻
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for subscribing - Sailing is an occupation - lifestyle that never stops teaching you how much you don't know...
Excellent story, well told. Beware the Race of Alderney!
Thank you for the post and for subscribing... I find the CI's a really challenging area to sail in -
Listening to your very interesting story ,,, this is why I’ve had enough of sailing and purchased a motor home . Great videos thank you Sir .
Glad you enjoyed it John. I am sure motor homes have their challenges as well?
Really interesting.Cheers!
Glad you enjoyed it Trevor
Another well told story, liked your sentence " ... fearless youth .." so true for us all I guess. Cheers.
That's why most soldiers on 'the front line' are very young I think... Thank you for watching
Fantastic story, looking forward to the next one Cheers from Graeme Downunder
Glad you enjoyed it Graeme - Did you see my Lady Musgraves Island adventure off Brisbane?
Wow! Great story! Very interesting. Looking forward to watching some more of your storys! Comforting to see that I am not the only guy with some bad luck in boating! ;)
Glad you enjoyed it Rick.... Yes if you go sailing you will have adventures and sometimes some bad luck but we are all in the same 'boat'
Great story !!!!! Thank you for sharing. Just found your channel studying for my first boat. New subscriber as well. Thank you again for sharing your adventure 😃
Thank you for subscribing and for watching the videos - really pleased they are helpful.
A great story thx. Just waiting to solo to Cherbourg myself for the first time once restrictions lift…not sure this was encouraging but it was certainly educational.🤣
Glad you enjoyed it - i also have a video ua-cam.com/video/ekPsbYpmMdQ/v-deo.html about sailing to Cherbourg which might interest you for your voyage
@@SailingGently excellent I just watched that to…. Just awaiting lifting of Amber for France and I’m off. A shakedown with a mate to Portland out of the Hamble this weekend in my CO26. Thx again.
Earthily masterful pure in authenticity best line ever heard “to persuade her that this new boat was the answer to all her concern about the discomfort of sailing” my question is how much wives were on board? :) was it Monic or Garmin? :) I hope you get my drift as you only return from CHEROURG with Garmin where is Monic….? This comment was meant to describe my pleasure in the watching the video more than 3 times this deserve an award love it 🥰 😍 😊🎥📹😘😘
I confess Odyssey that after that I became very good at single handing! I am so pleased that you enjoyed the video ..;. Monique was with me in this video ua-cam.com/video/x_GrXSnhawk/v-deo.html as well which happened in the Gulf of Aden although she never enjoyed sailing or boats - sadly
What an adventure!!!!!
Sajad yes it was - and I am still sailing
Listening to you recount these stories reminds me of Jackanory, to which I was addicted as a little boy. Very engaging. And your how-to videos are perfect nuggets of information. Now I know how shallow my new boat's draft has to be to negotiate French canals to the Med. And how irritating Brexit will make it to free sail around Europe - that side effect hadn't even occurred to me. Maybe some day you could make some videos about your thoughts on the various French regions you have lived in over the years?
I think to do French regions I would need to start another channel and really I have only lived in the La Rochelle/Royan area and here in Boulogne. Actually lived longer in Spain and did spend 4 years in Amsterdam... Bit of a wanderer although once I have got the boat to the Caribbean I think Martinique/Boulogne/Marbella will satisfy my wanderlust!
Great stuff. Many would quit and veg into gardening after an incident such as that.
Glad you enjoyed it Rich... I found it a bit scary departing Cherbourg to return to UK!
Good stuff.👍
Thanks for the visit Norman
every good adventure involves a storm , the coast guard , and something broken
Thank you Kevin... glad you enjoyed it
I love your stories. I looked up on the map where the location was in relation to England and France. Definitely sailing the coastline in England, France and Norway or for that matter where I live can get dicey. Weather Windows. I’m convinced that in refitting our Fisher 30 we will have a backup tiller, may not need it but we will have it.
Thank you Kitty Cat for watching, Yes, this northern Europe area is a wonderful cruising ground with exciting places to visit, but it is cold and it is a short season. Your 2nd rudder seems very sensible. Most new wheel guided boats have an emergency rudder bar included in the inventory...
Great story. I expect that there are many sailors from the 70.s with stories that would make one's hair curl. I certainly have a few. Mainly the result of a silly gung ho attitude., although, in your case, you started out with the best of intentions. Makes one really apreciate our RNLI though.
Glad you enjoyed it Graham - it was more fun back then but much more relaxing today
We dont learn whether you ever persuaded Monique back on to the boat?! Great story, thank you.
James hello,
So pleased you enjoyed it - Have a look at the Pirates video for more Monique news...
Another fantastic episode Michael... truly enjoy listening to your experiences and adventures...who ended up paying the £13K? As always things worked out for you...and isn't that what life is all about!..note - of you can see my profile picture... that's taken in a local tavern in Cherbourg after completed my first English Channel crossing😃🍷
Well done Dennis getting to Cherbourg the first time - it's easier the second and third times.... I love the place - My insurance company did a deal with the French Navy and paid 1,300 - I lost my no claims bonus and became very good at single handing!
There's no dull days on a boat Everydays an Adventure wow that towing bill was a little steep you could have bought another boat for that amount. Thanks for the story always interested to hear sailing yarns.
Yes boats are 'fun' Charlie - Frigates are pretty big boats so I suppose the running costs are that - I was insured so all I lost was my NCD.. apparently the insurers negotiated it down to 1,300 but still a lot - Glad you liked the video
Great story thank you Michael. Your wife seemed to take the drama quite well! Not sure Krissy would retire to her boudoir if we were rudderless in a Gale.
Glad you enjoyed it Paul. One of the joys of a small boat is that you bare never very far away from the action... Your Krissy sounds like a very sensible person.
Great story. Well told. (Note to self - I must get that back up rudder sorted)
Tom thank you - I must admit I do now worry about rudders....
Thank you too, That was another awesome story, exceptionally well told.
I felt like I was there with you in the boat, all be it temporally distant.
You are indeed a breath of sanity in the arena of SV-LetsMakeMoney UA-cam Videos we have to navigate through.
Arriving at port at "Sailing Gently" is an apt example of why we make such treacherous journeys
Glad you enjoyed it - I confess I started the channel to promote my online book sales and am a little surprised at it's popularity - thank you for watching
@@SailingGently Promoting your own products is fully appreciated and wholly expected and encouraged.
For me personally, and others I'm sure, it's when channels start using "free Batteries, sails, winches etc" that they have been gifted (that they wouldn't have recommended or used if they weren't fiscally encouraged to do so), and in so doing have compromised their credibility as someones who opinion you respect.
Anyway enough of my rant - you have a great day and thanks again for a great reprieve from the drudgery of the day with such a nice honest telling of your adventures.