Ep 45 Sailing solo Isle of Man to Ireland and Wales
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- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
- I sail from the Isle of Man south to Ireland, and then onto 4 ports in Wales as I continue my journey toward home in France. I question the roll/yaw stability of my boat compared to more classic designs with a full keel; I try to develop a strategy for how often to tack (long legs, or short legs); and I transit a lock in Milford Haven Wales. I film 4 dockings.
![FendiDa Rappa - Clock Dat ft. Shamar Marco [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3NBU8KHdxYY/mqdefault.jpg)
When I saw you saling that tidal race, I remembered this:
ruclips.net/video/MFKTFHgszF4/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/NnrcolnSQUY/видео.html
It was on the third stage of the Figaro Solo race earlier this week.
I always take tidal races seriously. I would not have tried what these guys did! Very dangerous, and risking some very expensive boats…...
@@patricklaine6958 That's true!
Yet it's part of their job to take risks with these expensive boats in order to test innovations that eventually find their way into the cruising boats market.
@@feshfeshsailing And don't forget: They do not have to pay for the damages on their boats!
@@clausmossbauer6970 In fact they do pay, with their credibility, which is very valuable to these pro racers when they hunt for sponsors.
Merde!
Regarding tacking and jibing...I personally like long legs if you have the "sea room" I think with short tacks, the stall between legs, drops your VMG to your destination. Plus most of the time, I'm solo, and a bit lazy :)
Sometimes laziness is the best strategy.
“This passage is…the nautical corollary of Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principal. You can have either the tide as you want it, or the wind as you want it, but not both.”
- Patrick Laine
Another AWESOME episode Patrick!
Hi Patrick.
If you sail to Denmark , sail to a port called Sæby. Then i’d like to buy you a glass of Chateauneuf du pape 😊
It is very inspiring to follow you.
Did I hear it right?? 13:51 - "you need to avoid the bitches, here and elsewhere"
One of many great lines in this episode! :D :D :D
That one slipped out. Probably should have been edited. Oops.
@@patricklaine6958 I hope you don't :) it is informational and entertaining
@@patricklaine6958 please dont edit those slips. Great stuff
haha.. yep. I noticed that as well. An adequate pause to soften the blow. Good save. Loved it.
Another great video! I tend towards long legs in steady winds and short tacks in gusty conditions to take advantage of lifts and limit headers. Another factor is whether I have sailors on board or non-sailors. With sailors, I will tend to tack more to keep the crew engaged. With non-sailors, I'll tend to have longer legs so they can adapt to the current course. When I'm by myself I lean towards being lazy and close reach for longer legs. How's that for a wishy-washy answer? Cheers!
As a old submarine sailor with no real sailing experience, I prefer long legs
Brute.
I love it.
Great question on when to do long tacks versus short tacks. Here are my two cents...
If you do the minimum number of tacks it is called banging the corner. The obvious advantage of one tack is less work for the crew, the con is that you have all your eggs in one basket. If by the time you reach your tacking point the breeze has shifted unfavorably you bear the full pain. Going to the corner is similar to investing in only one stock as a retirement strategy.
Instead, I prefer to tack on shifts if I have the gumption that day. I do this for the additional speed and a bit of amusement. Shifts need to be 10 degrees or bigger. For example, if I am sailing at 045 and my way point is due north I would tack if my heading fell off to 055. Don’t trust the TWA your chart plotter as it needs calibration and high end inputs. Also, if the wind speed drops your heading will also suffer while hand steering. This is called a velocity header. The wind has not shifted just your boat can’t point as high in light air.
All of this applies to downwind legs, except, headers downwind are good. I think most cruising sailors, myself included, sail way too deep downwind.
If I am on a multi day voyage I am much less like to tack on small shifts and instead my deviations from rhumb line are driven by protecting myself from bad wind directions. In the US a classic example of this is initially going due east from the US to the BVI’s to have a more favorable AWA when the trade winds fill in later.
I will be in La Rochelle on the 26th of June. Any chance you are in town? Shopnow959 at gmail dot com.
Im glad you didnt go into Cardigan. If you thought resources were bad at Fishguard, they are 10 times worse at Cardigan, aka ''The patch'' aka ''Tefi Boat Club'' Not only a very rude bunch of people that run the club, but really no resources and a terrible Bar to cross , and to top it off, its a tidal lock and its highly silted up. Your last ASI location was Milford haven, Can I make a guess that your next port of call will be Tenby, then Swansea, Then Cardiff? If you are coming to Cardiff let me know. I live On the South coast of Wales and could wave to you from my house, im that close to the water. Would love to see you sail pass my window.
Many thanks. When I began this adventure, my plan was to stop at Cardiff on the way home (where I lived for 7 years)…...but I am now a good ten days behind schedule, so think I will jump straight to France if the weather allows. Getting into and out of Cardiff is a long way in/out, etc. Maybe next time.
@@patricklaine6958 okay, have a good sail and stay safe
As you I'm solo sailing most times, and for pure comfort try to do long tacks, as long as possible. Did 45 nm, tacks coming from Mallorca to Barcelona last week.. However if wind is supposed to change to a more favorable direction, I try to stay as close as possible to my trackline, thus being on track when wind change.
I really appreciate all the detailed sailing tactics..... Thank you..
38 feet ketch with masthead 2 spreader rig makes it hard to tack because of the innerstay from the highest spreader and the big genua from the forstay. So I wait for the wind to change direction to my benefit if I am sailing over ex. Northsea from Sweden or Norway. Long keel and Aries windvane works very nice on my boat, when sailing alone I try to be a passenger as much as I can ;-)
9:58 - did you wince when the re-fuelling guy pushed on the top of the stanchion instead of using the toe rail? It’s a good job you brought her in so gently.
In a rare concession you get Special Nautical Dispensation from The Squid to leave your fenders on deck as your skills and seamanship more than compensate for your sins.
Love it!
Damn! I missed your arrival at Fishguard. At 13:07 directly behind you is the other harbour, it's called Lower Town harbour, about 1nm behind you is the anchorage for it but you can also tie to a vistor bouy or come along side the harbour wall (though it does dry out) the reason you don't see it on your chart is because despite the local council authority being the statutory harbour authority for at least 40yrs they've never understood they need to inform the Admiralty of the actual harbour limits, which overlaps Fishguard port (which is where you anchored). Some might interpret that as clueless and inept, and it has been pointed out to them that Lower Town Harbour is the original Fishguard harbour by Act of Parliament and mariners can completly miss it because the harbour limits are not even shown on any chart, in fact I told them 2 months ago I was going to invite you to call by if your ever passing and pointed out the whole harbour is not defined on any printed or electronic chart, and mariners can miss it altogether!....moral of the story? I am disappointed to have missed your call but heck have you proved a point thanks! .........on a complete different tack well done on Ramsey & Jack Sound, on a bad day those stretches of water are as dangerous as your going to find anywhere in the world, can be extremely treacherous, some miss it altogether and go around the island route instead. Anyway all good as usual, I'll catch you next time round.
My pilot book (Irish Sea Pilot) describes the Lower Town harbor well Ray. There were already 3 other good size yachts anchored in front of it, so I decided just to anchor off the end of the East breakwater. The only thing I didn't care for too much in that bay were the number of fishing buoys (unlighted)….. As a solo sailor, they always make me nervous, and they are to be seen in every direction there……. Thanks for watching.
Hello Patrick thanks again for another video giving inside information but one question and remark at the same time, I served for 32 years in the Netherlands navy being part of the helicopter crew onboard frigats when we are working on the helideck we where wearing automatic swim- or rescue vest when we went below decks we always took the vest off because they are self inflating .
if you remember, the last storm in France took the life of 3 rescuers because there lifevest inflated inside the vessel and they drowned.
RIP Hero's they where. " the sailing Frenchman" had on episode on youtube were his vest inflated on the foredeck when a wave came over just to show how quickly these vest can work, still I see on youtube all these sailers going inside the boat with there vest on is there a reason or they don't now the risk the vest will put you up against the ceiling and you will drown , inside the vessel you wear a vest that you have to activate yourself by pulling a cord. what is your idea about this.
A real tragedy at Les Sables…… That said, the problem aboard sailboats is slightly different. I used to brief the passengers in my private plane NEVER to inflate the life vest inside the aircraft if we ditch. However, on a sailboat the likelihood of capsizing, and remaining capsized, is very remote due to the weight in the keel. It has happened (keel fell off), but that is probably 1 case in 1000. If people take their vest off every time they go below, I think the much greater risk is that they will forget to put it back on when they go back out ---- and then it is VERY dangerous. So, I understand what you are saying, but sailboats are a special case, where I think keeping the life-vest on below deck is a lesser evil than it might be in a power boat.
@@patricklaine6958 thanks for your response Patrick makes sense to me
10:38 listening abba on the water. You also know to enjoy sailing life ☺
Topical Ireland.. Expensive
Typical Wales. Awkward.
On tacking: A) Another experiment you could try in a similar situation is to chase the closest apparent wind possible (even dropping marching speed in your case to around 5,5-6 kn, I do find that height over speed is better even though it's a little counter-intuitive some times. I seem to have more success with 10 degrees more height than 20% more speed :D B) Perhaps avoiding reefing at all to have more options to trim the mainsail? C) Indeed cutting up your legs in half with zig-zags since it gives you an advantage. In this particular scenario I don't think it would get you there much faster, but on slightly longer legs it does pay off, it can be fun to be active and to play around with the best trim set-up on your boat. Keep it up, love it :-)
Good ideas there Andreas. Thanks for contributing.
Croeso i Gymru... Welcome to Wales.
Enjoying being on board with you - great videos.
Are you coming up the Bristol channel? We're in Swansea; adjacent to beautiful Gower if you get the chance to explore.
I'd like to call in on my old home in Cardiff, but it's a long way in and out, and I have already been away from home for about 100 days…... The Plan now is to leap directly to France if the weather allows it.
Long tacks in that situation, and you executed perfectly. To my way of thinking, short tacks slow the boat down too much and make your task even harder. If you have sea room... long tacks help to keep your boat speed up.
Patrick, my strategy depends on a lot of factors, one of the most important being whether I am getting headed or lifted for any extended period of time, if it happens I react accordingly either by falling off a little, or if I am uncomfortable with the new heading, I will tack and use the more favourable tack. I know this kind of sound common sense, but sometimes not so easy to follow. Other times I find myself lazy and just let the boat run as far as it will go on one tack, to spare my energy/increase the lounging time...
Very good rationale. Thanks.
Interesting watching you sail around the end of Wales - Lots of ships met their ends there on the way to Liverpool in the age of sail. Love your videos!
Long tacks versus short tacks. Hmmm. My own approach will be based on tide and crew. Losing headway can be the cost of a slow tack if single handed. Does that make sense? I think you took the right approach. Great video. Isabelle was performing well in those races!
Love the TT Patrick! Find your sailing adventures amazing. Keep up the great videos.
So missing your adventures no matter how short. Great ending to this film too 😆. It's April 24th 2021 as i write this. we've been to Dunloghair or however they spell it 😆 😆 😆 How about a Compilation video of your favourite moments over the past year or so? 👍 👌 👊 😊 🇬🇧 p.s. Patrick we always give a full watch, and tick the Likes on others commenting. Kindest regards.
Many thanks for the kind remarks FWD. A compilation of best experiences is an interesting idea.....I'll give it some thought. That said, it does seem like France is going to relax sailing restrictions in the very near future. I'm looking forward to getting back out into blue water! Fair winds to you.
Hi Patrick. Your videos are only about sailing! Hardly any info. on the ports you visit. They show the trip (sailing) rather than the destination. I like that. Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us sofa sailors.
tacking in a steady wind, what's the tide doing? take advantage of lee bowing if possible otherwise i prefer short tacking so as not to get caught by ab unexpected wind shift.
Hi again Patrick. Can I ask how many miles you have logged since you started your trip to Iceland this April?
Really nice vidéo Patrick! Thankyou in Welsh (as you probably know) is Diolch.
I prefer long legs.... Painted toe nails and high heels ;)
Wheres your next stop?
I'm a bit tired of all of the tides/marinas/being away from home for 100 days/etc., so if a two day window presents itself, I'm going straight to France…… We'll see what the wind offers me.
Great as always. The debate of long or short tacks lives on like monos or cats. Here's my thoughts, which I'm sure will get dumped on from a great height! Having navigated on offshore races this year.. my conclusion is.. heavy boats long tacks light boats short. Physiologically you feel as if you are progressing on long tacks a bit like detouring to avoid a traffic jam!
Well said!
I prefere longer tacks most of the time, simply bc it’s usually more comfortable and i’m a bit lazy. I’m also usually sailing singelhanded so therefore it’s more convenient with longer tacks.. (And keep up the good work btw, 😊)
Great video again Patrick. About you question, on a passage I would prefer long tack like you did, unless there is not enough room to do that of course
Found your channel from Erik at NBJS
Thanks. Erik is a legend --- and in a class by himself in filming his adventures. I'm a big fan.
Hey Patrick. Great clip, again! Thanks for sharing with us! Say... I'll be in your neck of the woods in about three weeks. Any chance of sharing a bottle of Charteauneuf du Pape with you? When are you back?
Re your first question, for my money, and for comfortable cruising, long keelers any day of the week. Twice on Sundays! :))
If I ever get another boat, maybe a long keeler --- but for now, I'm dancing with the girl I came with! I hope to get home to La Rochelle in early July, and will rest up a bit before heading down to Spain again. No timings set yet.
@@patricklaine6958 Great. I'll be making the Channel crossing 3rd week in July, weather permitting, to somewhere in Bretagne. From there on to Galicia. But in between I have no set route. Will depend on weather and wind, I guess. Let' stay in touch! Pat, pls find me on FB: Rafael Pereyra Lago. Easiest. Would very much like to meet if practicable. Safe passage back home. Cheers!
I may beat you to Galicia. I plan to visit Viveiro and a bit more of the coast this Summer after a bit of rest. I did not get much of a tan on my trip to Iceland!
@@patricklaine6958 can imagine!! Ok, let me know when you have definite dates. Could meet up there. No Cheteauneuf there, but I can treat you to some superb Alvarino... And the best sea food you ever had in your life! 👍😉
you made it to Scotland too??? i live on a bay at top itd pretty wild over here this side of pond. cold here too.
you got an accent you canadian?
French American. Thanks for watching.
Due to your question about tacking strategies: We always tack in as long legs as possible. Depending to the area around and in accordance to the target points. As a cruising sailor I dislike too much stress during my days.
It's always fun the end of your videos.... Starbucks... 😂
I thought the question was "Ireland OR Wales"?
I was surprised there was no mention of the lobster pots then boom! Right at the end.😂
Nice work, "rage against the dying of the light"....
i vouch for long keel and low aspect ratio rig, for cruising....i think its a mistake to put race inspired rig on cruisers. way too much tension. maintenance and risk of things going bad for the average person. the tracking in general is better but tracking in big seas is godly compared to fins.
i have no dog in this race as im a catamaran guy =). just my opinion of course people are free to get what they prefer...but i really think that the current trend is pushed by 'coolness factor'' of advertisement. if they started to speak of footed lateen and lugger on long keel as 'cool' and 'hip' and some movie made them popular again everyone would buy that. i dont think that gonna happen because it would decrease profit margin alot
oh and + protected rudder and propeller (for people crazy enough to carry an engine lol)
@@ragimundvonwallat8961 How many times do you hear the horror stories about fishing nets or crab pots getting caught on fin keels, or spade rudders? Or that hitting a obstacle damaged something? Yes, long keels are less maneuverable in marinas, but that is a small price to pay for what you recieve.
@@ppm6296 yeah think the same it seem...yeah we hear that ALOT, or simply just loosing the spade randomly like that.
the other thing is all those people snapping those gazillion feet tall fancy aluminium mast and spreader...then the mast come back to papi to hole the boat. good old low rigs its where im at! people laugh at me with my goofy rigs (i prefer boomed lateen, or crab claw or whatever you call it...or i go for aft mast rig with a genoa on an homemade pvc furler.... they laugh they laugh, but im the only one that almost never do maintance on with short mast. i never use a mast that longer than the boat
on the 32' cat im building now im not decided wich one im gonna use but in the cas of aft mast its gonna be a nice 20' mast (wich i consider tall) if i go with the lateen i ditch the mast completly and use a tripod. both made from spruce trees, AKA the free carbon fiber of mother nature haha
Thanks guys. At the end of the day, you end up dancing with the girl you came with. Can't change once in the dance hall. it's good thinking about it though, in case I ever get another one.
@@patricklaine6958 you have an awsome boat anyway, i couldnt afford it, far from it. i was only speaking in term of generality and design philosophy.
ive never been a racer so ive always been utterly unaffected by things that help you go fast =P
just make sure to replace the standing rigging quite often on that high mast because that 'snapping' of fancy mast i talk about is still true =)
Can you let us know more about you experience with the fuel cel on methanol? I hear it stops working at a certain angle, so how can it work properly on a sailing boat?
I have never had an issue with mine not working. It is mounted low in the boat near midships (so a place of 'reduced' movement) and has always worked when it was supposed to. In honesty I have never heard the issue you describe before. My reservation about the methanol fuel cell is one of electric capacity. Mine is undersized for the needs of my boat -- when I have autopilot, radios, fridge, lights, etc., working. Perhaps if I had bought the larger capacity one, this would not be a concern.
Thanks Patrick, that's useful information for me. Good to hear that yours keeps working despite the inclination of a sailing boat and to my understanding you haven't mounted it in a specific cardan suspension or something like that. Just "fixed" to the boat! Also good to hear that you are still using it, despite the low electric capacity!
:) Are you ordering another French Drink at the end? I'll have to wait and see.
Pity I was not aware you you popped into Milford we could have had a beer / or wine 🍷
Ha ha, you and the Pope's new castle ;-)
Fair winds Patrick. Great show as usual ,,,,,,/),,,,,,
Thanks Anders.
My dad was a Scot and he always raved about Châteauneuf-du-Pape
In whiskey country? A brave man your dad!
You are the ONLY channel that I follow where I will "like" the video before I even watch it.
They are ALL good!
Are you at Pwllhelli all day tomorrow, it would be nice to say hello ...
Patrick, same as you, if the wind is known and stable for an extended period, then long tacks, if the wind is either unknown or predicted to be variable, then short tacks, as the opportunity to change direction using long tacks may disappear.
Since being a Military fighter pilot one might of guessed you might be creating solo flying gliders or two seater airplanes on RUclips, “how to fly” videos etc.
What encouraged you to start sailing then creating videos about it- did you grow up with parents or a family member that sailed that had gotten you into the sport/hobbie?
We have lots of locks to passage on the river. Some have long wait time. Looks like you got through quite easily. If you want to have that red wine, you probably need to have a couple cases stored in the bilge. Seems it's a wine only Frenchmen appreciate.
@13:55 "You have to avoid the bi**ches... Here and elsewhere." Classic call mate!
@12:26 I flinched as I thought you were about to get cold cocked by the swinging boom!
Regarding tacks, rarely have I had legs that were exactly the same distance so I always sail the long leg first and try to pinch on any wind shift. Then do the short leg to get back where the tack will allow another long leg, rinse and repeat. Use the racers mentality of "VMG" - Velocity Made Good
I bet the camera angle is a little deceptive, but I thought the same. But Partick always knows where to stand to avoid THAT wallop!
The topping lift is not set for sail efficiency, but rather to keep the boom of my head! :-)
Drive it like you stole it Patrick !! Great stuff as always.
Seems very complicated... these English waters.
I have learned so much from you. 😎 safe seas
I prefer long tacks of 5 miles unless I have to "pinch the wind". I hope you have a supply of Château-neuf-du-Pape on board...
Isabelle was flying Patrick!!! 34 knt of wind and you are smiling to the camera!!! hahahaha. Fantastic video , thanks for sharing
Many thanks Jorge. My Isabelle takes good care of me.
Guinness!!
As always your boat handling skills are wonderful. You might do a bit more on your approach to a harbor, from planning to cracking a sundowner.
I didn't sail boats the size of Isabel, but when I was single handing I preferred long legs. If I had a crew it would depend on conditions.
Hey Skipper, was glad to see your post. I’m still shopping, ready for anything with a sail and no flight decking. The education you provide has been a great help in my search for the right boat. Thanks
Absolutely, stay away from anything where planes land on the roof. They are terribly noisy, and inconsiderate of others --- making noise at all times of the day and night!
Chateau Neuf du Pape is now on my list of things to experience before I die...
Of course, depending on which of Chateauneuf du Pape’s wines we are speaking of, Patrick may have more expensive tastes than I do...
www.wine-searcher.com/find/chimere+chateauneuf+du+pape+rhone+france
I’m going to have to buy a bottle of chateauneuf de pape wine to drink when the next episode comes out. Any recommendations Patrick?
Patrick you make the most watchable videos of sailing thanks.
I'm planning the Pirate 17 crossing Ardglass (Co. Down northern Ireland) to Peel for the TT this year. May 27th it starts.
Have to re-rig the wires (broke in harbour last storm with no sails on - guess they were fatigued after 30 years of sea air, better then than on power)
And I have to re-paint (International and OneUP; total for four paints 135 euro inc. delivery, not bad).
A costal cruiser the wee boat took all the storm tides in the harbour with a smile. Sure is a strong Ian Proctor design by the looks of it.
Origional aluminum mast & boom.
Makes 7 kts full, 5 cruise.
I've about 31nm.
There's a 19km greenway path from Peel to Douglas so I'm taking the bicycle.
Should be fun.
Twin keels for the beach handy.
Keep up the sailing and videos, very much appreciate them.
I do a bit of writing so good luck to the daughter with that.
Probably gets her tenacity from her Mother most likely :)
Guy I met who looked like he could sail a log gave me advise on the IOM sail.
Hw just barked "Pick ur weather".
Zero other advice.
Thanks Seamus. Will do.
Yeah, I just missed the TT by a day or so when I went there. Be sure to call for reservations in the marina, as I'm sure they are fully booked for TT. As for changing the rigging following a storm ---- I think the riggers recommend every 10 years, and regular inspections until then. You got your money's worth from that set of rigging. Have a great passage to and from IOM. I'll be on the West Coast of Ireland during that time, doing a bit of exploring. 🙂
Whoww , longtime no hear that term Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle ...
Sorry about that. Sometimes I become delusional at sea. Too much time alone. :-)
@@patricklaine6958 It is at those times great navigators go into uncharted waters of greatness...Love you travel log , specially your signature peak around the corner announcing port of arrivel
You're making this Viking stuff look awfully easy Patrick. I do as long a tack track as I can. The longer the run the less work involved.
I thought it was just me getting old. ;-)
Thanks Patrick. Thoroughly enjoyable
The Bitches is a well known playground for white water kayakers. The standing waves can be quite large and spectacular. But you definitely wouldn't want to face them in a yacht. I know Milford Marina. I bought Serenity in Neyland which is a bit further up the river near the Cleddau bridge. I must admit that I found the Milford Sound estuary a bit intimidating for the first time in a new boat - I even managed to run aground.
Great video as always - good luck with the search for that elusive wine.
My original plan was to go to Neyland Paul, but my timing was such that I could get into the dock without too much trouble, so at the last instant, turned left up the MH channel. It does look like there is a fair amount of shallow water further up the estuary, so I probably did well not to press my luck. Going through a lock solo was a good experience also….. Fair winds to you.
Hi Patrick,
If the wind is constant,it then comes down to your tide strategy. Optimising it with
using various prediction software packages/ apps it quite good. They certainly give good results on the racecourse.
Squid, Savvy Navvy, Predict Wind Regatta Pro. There are also US / Open Source packages available too.
Btw. Saw you on AIS heading to Aberystwyth 5 weekends ago.
Thanks Chris. Yes, others have suggested some software packages as well. VMG is an important concept.
Hallo Patrick! I'm looking forward to your videos. I was on an overpass from Brest via Gurnsay to Eckernförde, Germany this summer. After that I was a week off Scotland around the Isle Mull. We passed the Gulf of Corryvreckan. That was a difficult passage. If you want to watch the short video on RUclips. Search for Corry Vreckan.
Watched your video clip. Wow. I did not have any wind when I went by there (this year or last year). Looks like you had quite a ride! This year I went through the tidal gate just across from Corryvreckan called Dorus Mor. It can have vicious whirlpools as well on Spring tides. I timed it well, so it was just a gentle passage for me. Thanks for commenting.
Thank you Patrick for posting your videos, I thoroughly enjoy them. We are, I would think, about the same age, I am 71.
I have been sailing 20 of those years and I really enjoy the sport/passion. But your fearless attitude to take on some of those long distance passages never ceases to amaze me. I am just a pussycat by comparison. It must be something do with being a fighter pilot. I mention this because I met a fellow yachtsman in Portugal (we are still friends)who was an ex wing commander in the RAF, he too was "nuts"! He used to jump of those bridges etc. wings strapped on and fly from some of the highest points you could imagine.He got arrested pulling one of these stunts,in Switzerland I think. He showed me some videos. He too had such a gentle disposition, similar to yourself, if you don’t mind me saying. You are "one cool dude".
Keep posting, and enjoy. Thanks for the pleasure I get from watching your adventures. Dave Platts.
Many thanks David. Sailing has been a wonderful follow-on to my aviation experience. I don't know if you know, but it is actually illegal for pilots to do any maintenance (engine or electronics) on their aircraft. We could only fly them. Licenced specialists maintained them. I'm loving getting my fingers dirty maintaining the engine, learning about DC electrics, taking apart a furling system etc. Great fun.
Legend, love your channel, novice sailor looking for an informative and well explained.
Avoiding the bitches!
Regards
Ronnie MacDonald
Scotland. Stirling
Yes, avoid them at all costs! They can sink your ship. :-)
Patrick: I'm not a fan of so-called cold water sailing i.e. anywhere in Europe. Notwithstanding: I'm becoming attracted to your sailing haunts like Ireland and Scotland. Fair Winds.
'Cold water sailing'. That's a new one for me. Ha. Thanks
18 mins of video watching well spent ! didn't see the time passing by... Happy to see the French flag on an American's boat .. I'll return the favor with an American flag on a French's boat ASAP!
Je rentre en France demain avec un peu de chance! Bonne navigation à vous.
Skipper Laine - I didn't realize you were such a novice of sailing until I was reviewing your posts and noticed that you didn't know a leach line was in leach of the mainsail. I enjoy you cruising tips, I’m 76 and had to finally bail out of racing the R boat.
I've been racing sailboats all my life, from Luders 16, Santana 30 to an R boat [40 ft, 6.5 ft beam, 17 inches of freeboard, 6.2 draft, weighs 17K bare with full keel and has a 50 ft mast with 22 ft boom, partial rig with genoa with a 22 ft on the foot ] on Lake Erie,
Don’t make the mistake that Lake Erie is a sheltered lake, many an east coast sailor has vowed never to return. Waves have been recorded at 22 feet [largest I've been racing in with the Santana 30 was 16-foot waves, 50-degree water, with north easterner gusting at 55 knots] and with the lake being shallow, it's like sailing in waves at the surf line. The 30 was burying over her bow pulpit into the breaking wave. That’s the extreme, but it can be avoided with common sense, that in this case racing a sailboat didn’t exist in 1976 and cost a father and son their lives.
Taking that aside, I admire you, not many people would sail the North Atlantic as a novice, however, you have an advantage; your military training, your character and modern electronics. II navigated by dead reckoning. You flew jet fighters and I was a lowly tank commander Sergeant but we learned more in the military then a civilian’s life will ever teach, be calm when it hits the fan, think the problem through and when it’s over have a scotch or in your case a glass of wine I believe.
You should sail over the pond to America, it’s not as the press advertises, you will find the real America, with the exception of Chicago, people are friendly and helpful. You would be welcome in every yacht club along the great lakes on both sides. You have two choices getting here, the St. Laurence river or up the Hudson to the Erie canal to Lake Erie.
I did the Erie canal once delivering a Hugh’s 48 to Annapolis and it took 5 days plus 40 locks and the canal becomes a ditch. I suggest you come early spring, take the river, see Canada and the US along the way and make a summer of it sailing on freshwater. If you don't get here, keep posting, I enjoy it and thanks.
God bless you and may fair seas, moderate beam winds and sunshine guide you along your way.
Many thanks. I lived on the Great Lakes for a while, so am fully aware that they can become very angry seas, very rapidly! In Europe, our Lake Léman (Geneva) has the same deceptive profile. Thanks for watching.
I will join the short tack camp. I can't help it, even when cruising I tack on the shifts whenever I can. Much aided by having a self tacking jib, of course. Recently, I discoverd that our chart platter (B&G Touch 8) keeps a log of the wind strength and direction, and on some days this shows some very clear patterns that can be utilised. A bit technical maybe, but good fun.
On fuel, we found Dun Laoghaire very reasonable 90 cents a L I think for green diesel. That was the port you had just left! Love the dockings, respect.
Self-tacking jib…….is that fair? :-)
Sorry no Chateauneuf du Pape but I am winning the wager.
Love it! Quantum mechanics in sailing! Excellente!
I love your solo sailing techniques. Learning quite a bit by watching your videos.
When sailing solo, the older I get the longer my tacks! Question: a bit off subject and probably hard to explain but... I have a fixed canvas dodger/spray hood, but I like the way your boat’s hood can be lowered for docking. How do you secure it up, (straps?} and is there any issues with your halyards leading aft binding when sailing with it hood down?
My sprayhood takes 45 seconds to put or down. A snap shackle on either side, and a clip. It does not interfere with any of the lines (reef, halyards, etc.) in any way. It really helps my visibility forward, and reduces windage substantially as well. I pop it right back up as soon as my lines are secure in the slip. (I drop it for leaving port as well.)
Thanks for this Patrick. I use to do a lot of sailing from Dun Laoghaire harbour. The name comes from the "Dun of Laoghaire" A Dun being a fort. Best regards David.
Ahh…. the rest of the story. Thanks.
YOU ARE AN AMAZING SAILOR .I only ply my sea going to flying around the south coast of the uk in a scorpion rib ,but I am thinking of getting some lessons on sailing and trying to talk my daughter in to giving it a go . Thanks for your tails and videos
Great. I'm sure you will enjoy learning sailing, and your rib experience will greatly accelerate things.
No prop walk!
Hi Patrick,
Great videos. Impressed with your berthing of your 40 foot boat. Interesting that when you apply reverse thrust there doesn't seem to any tendency for the stern to kick to one side. Is there a reason for that?
Best Regards,
BillE
My boat has a saildrive Bill rather than a conventional prop and shaft. The saildrive prop is located much further forward than a conventional rig so the prop walk effect is much less pronounced. That said, it is still there, and often shows it head (slight kick of the stern to starboard when in reverse) just when I want the stern to shift to port! Of course. :-)
Patrick: The rocks are called bitches. You need to avoid the bitches.
Me: yeah ha ha got it
Patrick: Here and elsewhere.
Me: Dying.
Sorry about that one; couldn't resist. :-)
I love your videos and I thank you for taking the time to make them and post them. You mentioned in one of your videos that you were in the French Air Force and of course you live in France, so that explains you fluency with French. But I’m curious about your English. From your accent, you obviously didn’t pick it up while living in Wales or England, and you don’t speak it like it is a second language, Would you care to share about the subject.
I grew up in the USA (Calif), and served as a fighter pilot in the US Navy, and then was appointed a fighter pilot in the French Navy. I have spent about 40% of my life in the USA, and 60% in Europe. I have been very fortunate.
What are your thoughts on the Pacific Sea Craft Flicka the 20 foot Bluewater boat. How capabale do you think it is?
I'm certainly not an expert, and am not familiar with the Flicka --- but I will share my thinking about why I bought my boat. I wanted a 40 footer for two reasons: I was intending to visit some places with some serious weather -- the North Sea and the North atlantic. I wanted a boat long enough that it would not be bounced around like a ping-pong ball in seas of 3-5 meters. I didn't want one longer than 40 feet because I felt that was about the maximum length for a solo sailor to easily handle/dock in a marina. Will the Flicka be 'stable' in 3-5 meter seas? I'm sure the designers gave a lot of thought to that, but it is not obvious to me that the answer is 'yes'.
Well done Patrick, some hard sailing days, all done with elàn. This is my home turf, those tides run at nearly 20 knots on spring's between the teeth of the bitches!
Thanks Alex. Yeah, I stayed well clear of those ladies!
Ah, back on the subject of radio anxiety, do the harbor guides come with a phonetic spelling in that region? How is one ever supposed to know how to pronounce these names when calling a harbor?! Oh my, that looks like a very beautiful but also very complicated area for sailing.
Ha! They are used to having people mangle their names. They get a good chuckle out of it, and welcome you anyway.
Patrick, We so enjoy all you do! Not sure if you were in the vicinity of what "Sailing Fair Isle" got clobbered with in the Bay of Biscay but hope you are safe and in fair winds! My son and I are planning a trip to Oban Scotland from Orlando Florida if the weather holds and hope to sail part of the Isle of Skye. Weather does not seem to be cooperating currently. All the Best!
Thanks Bruce. I had my own challenge with a spot of wx while crossing the English Channel --- nothing as bad as storm Miguel in the Bay of Biscay, but it caught my attention (next video)! My experience, based on two passages through the Hebrides, is that it is a great place to visit on a sailboat, but not a great place for 'sailing' experience. The 'Sounds' have a mini-climate all to themselves. At one end you will have 8-10 knots of wind, in the middle zero, and the other end, you will need two reefs -- and don't forget to throw in the serious tidal currents which need to be managed. Based on two seasons and travelling the entire length of Hebrides both times, I would estimate that 80% was done with the motor -- either in support of the sails, or as the sole means of propulsion: beautiful location, but not great if you are looking for a great sailing experience.
I used to live in Milford Haven. Hope you had a nice visit Patrick.
Regarding long vs short tack and a aelf professed novice, doesnt each tack slow the boat. If this is the case and all things being equal, i would think long tacks are the better choice. And like you said, less work.
It is true that you lose a bit of time with each tack Charles, but that is mostly a concern of racing sailors. On a 10-12 hour passage for a cruising sailor, it is not the lost time that matters (less than 1 minute for each tack), but the effort involved……especially if solo. If you are very good, you can bring the genoa sheet across so rapidly that you do not have to winch it back in. I achieve that probably 50% of the time. The other times, there will be a snag-delay just a few seconds, and then you need to winch it back in. One or two times -- no problem, but doing that 15 or 20 times in a passage is fatiguing.
What a beautiful sailing day. Regards Arnold Cook . @ Bundaberg Australia
It was! I would have preferred a slightly gentler arrival, but I love days with a brisk breeze! Thanks for watching.
cor blimey Skipper I though you was heading for them rocks through jack-sound it looked malicious . Question, how would a bilge keel westerly handle such conditions ? because im very close to buying one
I'm not an expert, but Keep Turning Left seemed to go wherever he wanted in a very low draft bilge keeler…..
Another interesting video showing that you are steadily sailing toward Chateauneuf du Pape :-) Just my 2 cents re long vs short tacks : under absolutely unchanging conditions, it should not make any difference (as long as you stay inside the laylines of course). But in coastal navigation, current and wind keep changing all the day long (tide, coast profile, thermic winds, sea state,...), so I prefer to have rather short legs (and tacking maneuver has little impact, if any) to remain not too far from the route and in a position to take advantage of condition changes. "long" and "short" being of course related to the length of your passage.
I do think, fatigue aside, that the safest strategy is short tacks, that way, you will only be caught out a slight bit when currents/winds shift….. My body tells me otherwise. :-)
Hi Patrick - thanks for another informative, scenic video. We are wondering what the yellow strap around your neck is? Is it a camera strap? Thanks again!
That is the tether to keep me aboard the boat. I keep it around my neck so that it is always ready to attach quickly. I attach it when the wx is rough, at night, and (usually) when I need to go forward. When I am just sitting in the cockpit, in relatively calm seas, I do not attach it.
Always remember those lobster pots are some fisherman's livelyhood,, there never in the way,,,but as a good sailor u already know that.
Fully agree ---- and experienced fishermen would not put a trap in an entrance channel. Those would be just amateur sport fishers who lack a bit of nautical experience.
long legs or short legs. Distance is the same, So if i have oscilating wind i tack on the windshifts, if i have a general direction change i would take longer leg i the direction of the expected shift. ie if wind will shift to the right i would start port tack and tack again BEFORE layline.
Sounds like a solid strategy -- tested in practice. :-)
Love the story and the scenery - short vs long tacks, if there are no lifts (as you mentioned) then I can't see any reward for more tacks, though I wondered that with a fin keel and spade rudder if you could get a few degrees closer to the wind by inhauling the jib sheet - this would give a tacking angle close to 90 degrees (depending on current of course) and save a few miles over the day? Irrespective, just envious (in a nice way) of the adventure and not often we hear Heisenberg acknowledged for his contribution to sailing!! :-))
Yes -- others have mentioned the in-haul and outhaul to me before. Good idea!
You should get a 360 degree camera. Reasonably price these days and great for filming docking solo.
I'll look into it. Thanks.
as always great viewing, thanks Patrick for taking th etime to make the videos. re the docking stick, another brand/style is "wRino" It doesnt have the hard plastic piece, but does the same job. I thought of this after that hrbour master changed sides on you.
Thanks Nigel. I had not heard of wRino before. I looked at a video, and it seems to do the job jst fine!
I love you videos and your whole approach... I learn a lot... but once in a while it would be nice to see a bit more footage on shore. I haven't been do Dublin in many years... it would be nice to see just a bit of your shore trips. I suspect that is not your objective... just asking. Peace!!
Yeah -- the videos are already a bit too long, and I just don't have the right cameras and editing skills to do justice to the land-based stuff....... maybe next year.