Why do you need the 'bad elf' gps plug in module - when IPad's have gps already built in - and they don't need WiFi or Cellular to run?? Is this some kind of better Ant?
Since we get this question a lot I'm going to pin this. We use the Bad Elf as a backup option so we have more than 1 way of obtaining a GPS fix. The iPads that have GPS built in are the 3G enabled ones, which is what we use as our primaries. 2 3g iPads that use built-in GPS, 1 wifi only iPad that uses Bad Elf. Hope this helps!
I also use iPads for navigation. In my case, the external GPS is a Garmin Glo but same principle. External GPS has two advantages. 1. You get a better fix than the internal GPS of the iPad. 2. Having the iPAD GPS do the fix is a huge power drain. By using an iPad with internal GPS, AND the external unit, you've also created a two tier back up. For what it's worth, I use iSaiilor predominantly, also iNavx with NOAA raster charts. Sailing on the Chesapeake on an Alberg 35.
We just went and bought an entire new NMEA-2k system from B&G last year. The Triton Display Depth, Speed & Wind Pack and a Vulcan 7 chartplotter are great, and 100% dead reliable so far. All in all it was about $2k for the whole package on sale as a deal, but it's really nice having everything working together as one piece of integrated hardware. The Navionics charts are extra, of course. The iPad system is great but it is really nice to have the wind data and speed over water integrated into the GPS data and the plotter using all that data to give you even more using the maths. This shows tides, currents, and gives you information about when and where exactly to tack to make your next waypoint once you plug in your boat's polar sailing data. It'll even control your autopilot if it is new enough to talk to NMEA-2K. That is something the iPad just can't do. It will also show other NMEA-2k inputs like engine information if you have a fancy modern engine. Tank information, even hook up your Fusion Radio so you can control volume and stuff right from the chartplotter. If you want radar displayed then the Vulcan isn't the right plotter and one needs to spend a bit more on a Zeus upgrade but that isn't too much more compared to the radar and if you buy a bundled radar package the Zeus plotter is practically free with the radar. Older chartplotters are garbage. I agree. But the newest stuff from B&G and Garmin are pretty good. Just make sure it is NMEA-2k compatible. Keep up the videos. Hopefully you guys will get a little closer to current times eventually.
I still like the dedicated Chartplotter as the center of the navigation system and connecting via NMEA 0183 and/or 2000 to VHF radio, AIS, Radar and instruments as it is reasonably bullet proof. With a wireless interface and IP a whole new world of navigation opens for devices like iPad or Android. I use my smartphone with Android Aquamap but iPad, Tablets and any other such can connect. The anchor drag was on the smartphone that I kept with me during sleep time. This is the setup I had on my Youngsun 35 and Irwin 43. I also had a USB external GPS BU-353-S4 for the laptop plus some hand held GPS as well. Redundancy was the idea.
You two are doing great! Some free advice. Remember the advice is free and that may be what it is worth. 1. When your anemometer isn't working, as good rule is that whitecaps begin to form at 10 knots of True Wind speed. 2. As you live your life on the anchor, you will find that a 5:1 scope is a minimum safe rode length. 7:1 scope is best, and is absolutely necessary for an anchorage with current or winds. 3. You may consider a making a true anchor snubber. 3-strand nylon line attached to a bow cleat on each side will make a "bridle" that will take the strain off of your windlass. Attach the snubber to the anchor chain with a chain hook. Once the snubber is taut, pay out more anchor chain so it hags loose. The "bridle" snubber will absorb the shock of waves. Protect the snubber from chafe with ribber hose around the nylon line. Keep up the good work!
Good advice! Love watching your progress. Is your rode entirely made of chain? That could make for a rough ride in winds upwards of 35-40 knots. It would be prudent to look into techniques for adding a length of nylon with a Devil's Hook to snub the chain. Secondary anchors? A Bruce works well in sandy to muddy bottom, and would make a fine kedge as well as decent replacement if you lost your plow. Fair winds and following seas :-)
Nice video, I started in Tampa Bay with my 35' Endurance, in 1977. No GPS, only paper charts and a compass, Later to the Bahamas, just a compass. I still have a sailboat here in Mi. and still love sailing.
PFD, compass and reliable papercharts. Know how to use them. Thats for safety. GPS in whatever shape or form is to make life easy. Challenge each other where one navigate by charts and compass and the other checks the GPS as backup.
Hey guys... A lot of GREAT first time memories on this voyage! Don't let "anyone" tell you what you did wrong or cram a bunch of suggestions down your throat. Nobody has it all figured out when shoving off for the first time. In my humble opinion...you did everything perfectly! Thank you for bringing us along to share this part of the journey with you!!! PEACE OUT!
I've got a 47' boat that I have cruised from Anacortes Washington to Seward Alaska. We lived on it for a year based out of Ketchikan. Our primary nav tool was an iPad Pro using Navionics, with 2 iPhones with Navionics on them for back up, plus paper charts. Both the iPad and the iPhones have built in GPS systems and worked great without any cell signal for days at a time. I am a big fan.
Hell dude and dude-et. I am in the process of doing what you guys are doing. I'm a traveling fighter who lives out of a converted truck and have been dreaming of a boat to live aboard and one day leave to travel the world. So glad to see people living like this. OSS 👊
I have never sailed or even been on a boat. RUclips made a completely random suggestion for your vlog and now you earned a subscriber. You guys have really inspired me to try and take up sailing as a hobby. Thanks and keep up the good work!
It's great to see your reactions and enthusiasm whilst sailing for the first time, no greater feeling than sailing with nothing but the power of nature x Safe winds
Great video! I love it that you share your beginners misstakes also. Reminds me of my first trials with this stuff some twenty years ago. I have also used iPad for navigation but have moved on to a Garmin navigator. The iPad does not cope with rain, but there is good protection to get. The two main reasons that I don't like it is sunglare in the screen and when it gets to hot it shuts off. Now I use a Garmin 922 (named here in Sweden, may be called something else in US) and it works great. I can still use the iPad from down below to make routes, connected to the Garmin via wifi. Looking forward to the next video! 😎👍
OK - one extra piece of advice to add to the excellent comments so far: Run the boat back as you pay out the anchor, otherwise you will end up dumping the chain in a big pile over the anchor. Don't leave reversing until you have all the rode out!! BTW - I use an iPad (in a LifeProof waterproof case) connected to the boat NMEA data via WiFi, it works great. If you get a VHF radio with an AIS receiver, you can show other boat tracks on the chart (using iNavx) as well as have easy comms to them via DSC. Backup is an old chart plotter and my iPhone, so 3 sources of navigation which is more than enough safety. Paper charts are on the way out IMHO, apart from ease for big picture passage planning
Good job you guys. So happy for you. You Have the right approach, thoughtful and methodical. If there are things like pulling in and out of the slip or dropping anchor that make you anxious just keep reminding yourself how soon it will be that they are second nature to you, and you do without even thinking. Looking forward to watching it happen.
iPad is optional. Chart plotter is sail equipment. But basic piloting is nr 1. Get hold on updated navigation charts. Get a fixed chart position and get the best course according to your charts. Yes. Paper charts. Adjust your cours for drift and this is the safest path for your boat. Continued piloting and outlooks always.
Enjoyable. 1. If must rely on an iPad at least put it in a waterproof cover. 2. When you are securing stuff think inverted. If you going are outside the ICW sooner or later you are going to be knocked down and you do you won't appreciate a fridge in the face. 3. To save your winch wrap the chain around a cleat to snub.
Great job! You can squeeze a bit more speed out of the boat if you adjust your halyard tension. At one point it looked you could have raised your head sail another foot or so. You will also want to put a nylon snubber on your chain and back down on that, not the windlass. The windlass is designed and mounted to handle the weight of the rode and anchor, not the weight of the boat. The nylon rode will also provide some shock absorption so the boat rides better and with less strain on the gear. Rig up some 3 strand with a chain hook and you will be good to go. Have fun!
Tim pointed out the two observations I had as well: the head sail halyard wasn't all the way up, and to use a cleated snub line attached to the anchor chain to take the weight off of the windlass.
To add to Tim's comment about the snubber...when the line is attached to both the chain and the boat, let out more chain so that it has some slack and the snubber is tensioned.
You guys are bringing back such memories. We had "Luna C" in that same marina when we started. The ipad is such a great idea. All I ever used was a laptop hooked to a GPS and it served us well throughout the Caribbean. Short story about tacking. On our first trip out of Tampa bay we were heading to Key West on an over-nighter. Some where along the way Beverly was on watch and dodging crab-pots, doing a great job. EXCEPT.....when I came up for my watch I asked her where we were and she mumbled something about near Naples but the problem was land was on the starboard side of the boat, which was OK but we were heading south! There had been no wind that night and Bev would use the auto-pilot to dodge the pots by pressing the 10 degree button but she just keep pressing the same button each time and there are a lot of crab-pots in south Florida! Eventually she had the boat completely turned around and heading back toward St. Pete. Remember you guys are making memories and thanks for taking us along with you. Oh hey. Let me say everyone does the "anchor dance" differently but you guys might think about having her stay at the helm while he goes forward to handle the tackle. There will come a time when you will have to haul all that rode and chain aboard while the wind is blowing 20 knots. It takes a bit of muscle to do. Trust me on that one!
Glad to see you sailing. I like the Ipad idea, one at the nav station, one on the wheel or near the tiller! I'm retired, very new to sailing and saving for my first boat --- all of the good suggestions and comments for 'newbies' are enter in a special gmail 'draft' file for future reference/reminders after I get my boat. Doing a test anchor, before dark, was very smart. Keep going, step by step, day by day and you'll do just fine. SLV, UTL and so many others started out with little or no experience...Sail safe and enjoy...
Foot steering is a valid sailing technique. I am from Wisconsin and many of the racing scows here are designed with a cutout in the tiller crossbar specifically for steering with your feet.
Good stuff. A couple of sailing points, try bringing the traveler up closer to centerline and easing the mainsheet a bit. When you look up the top batten should be parallel with the boom or pointed to leeward. Most of the time you had it hooked to windward which is VERY slow. In breeze if you start to heel too much then you start to ease the traveler down and/or add boom vang and ease the sheet more. Also, LOTS more jib halyard tension. Good luck and have fun.
iPad every time. Waterproof case and a proper mount though. Plus USB charge. Then chart plotter for backup and of course paper charts. Great sail and great video
Hi, Great video. Please change how you store your foldable dinghy. You should not hang big thing like that in the lifelines. The stanchion support are not build for that on any boat. When you are hit by a big wave, you will in best case bend your stanchion. But more likely you will damage the hull. If you lift the stanchion you will see a stainless support that is laminated in to the hull. The support is strong. The hull will delaminate before you bend the support. Good luck with your cruising!
I use a chain hook on a short rope with a loop that I can throw on a bow cleat for holding the chain when I am setting so that I don't rely on the windlass. After I am set I then use a bridle that catches the chain near the water surface and is attached to both bow cleats. I believe it lowers the effective pivot point and provides a better ride at anchor in chop. I use the chain hook as a backup in case the chain ever pops out of the bridle which is has only ever done once.
And also I use a Samsung Tab 4 that I picked up for $50 as my chart plotter and it works fine (built in GPS). Of course I have charts and know how to use them as backup.
ABSOLUTELY! The windlass brake is not your snubber. I would NEVER even back down to set the anchor without a 3-strand nylon snubber with a chain hook. Your deck is not meant to take those kinds of sustained loads.
I have been wakeboarding my whole life, river rat, Caddo Lake Texas. When your boy said, " in typical marine fashion everyone is watching you leave, like omg someones leaving". Spot on lmao
Good start guys. I'm enjoying the series and it takes me back a few years watching you. I love our portabote and find storing it keel up stops it filling with water. Good luck and fair winds.
iPad over "purpose built marine GPS" any day, sailing is like flying anytime something is marine grade or aviation grade the price goes up exponentially. Love your channel, love your enthusiasm, and love your followers! A newbie sailor myself I'm getting great tips from the other comments!
Great videos so far! I never comment on youtube but a little advice. NEVER advertise where you hide your startup engine key especially if it's in the engine compartment area under the stairs. I read an article about boat thieves and this is the first place most boat thieves look. I used to hide my engine key near the saltwater intake valve, but no more! I'm only on video 12 and excited to see the rest. Best of luck with your sailing.
Paul's advice is correct...(in a shallow anchorage)...I'm in 50 feet of water (High tide) . For good weather, 3 to 4 to one is plenty which puts 100 to 150 feet of 5/16th on the bottom. If a storm is coming in a deep anchorage all 250 feet for sure.
Good stuff. First night at anchor is always a bit nerve-wracking. After the first 500 times or so you start to relax... Snub the anchor chain on a cleat rather than the winch otherwise you will damage it. Ipad is fine - provided that you have a waterproof case that you can operate with wet hands.
The next time you do your bottom job, add some Cayenne pepper with the Trinidad red bottom paint you used. It sounds crazy but it helps keep the barnacles from forming. Egmont key was one of our favorite places to sail too, about 6 of us on our boats would go down every October and use it as our base camp for Gulf sailing. You guys are doing great!
If you have fog roll in obey the Colregs and maintain the appropriate speed and auditory and visual signals. Don't just follow course. Some people forget the other things. Awesome video by the way love the review of the ipad chartplotter. The chartplotter can integrate with your autopilot and radar. That is an important safety factor....though yours may be a little old. Oh when backing out of your slip it is a good idea to blast the horn three times. It indicates a vessel in astern propulsion, though sometimes it is just an annoyance to others in a marina. Oh you don't have a snubber that I can tell. You need to go to west marine and pick up a snubber. You are putting a lot of pressure on your windlass. A snubber is usually like a nylon bridle you put on the anchor to provide a shock absorber to the chain. You clip onto the chain, and tie off to the bow. Then run out the chain a little and let it hang. If you don't have one it will ruin your windlass, and maybe rip it out of the deck.
I have a chart plotter and a iPad with navigation apps and I use them both. Redundancy is a beautiful thing when operating in any maritime environment.
We also use the Ipad for alot of our navigation. We do also have a chartplotter and computer but the ease of use and the cost of new chart is a big plus for the Ipad!
Good video nice to see you sailling. I was always told that when u anchor you should secure the chain to a cleat or the anchor chain with a snubber tied of to a cleat. But you shouldn't leave the chain on the whinch.
Always useful to have the ability to go to reversionary mode when navigating..... paper charts, dividers, a plotter, hand bearing compass and binoculars and a seat at the chart table not taken up by the fridge is good advice. The RYA have one good teach yourself navigation books.... Great video though and great that you are trying everything.... do remember, every sailor started as a novice at one point.... keep it up 😎
So NMEA over IP is gaining a lot of traction these days, setting up a small boat wifi network and getting sensors that will contribute (GPS, AIS, anemometer, compas, etc) to the data stream would make portable/disposable/off-the-shelf display heads a truly reliable option. Something to keep an eye on.
Awesome look forward to more. Get it out there! If something is going to go wrong it is going to happen while sailing. You will figure it out as needed. Just always think of safety first.
You two did great, one thing I did when I had my Catalina 27, was put the 5000 BTU air conditioner in the companion way and run it off the honda generator, it would run about 12 hours on tank, now that we have a catamaran, all that has changed.
Put an anchor rode on your stern anchor. If you need it suddenly, that is no time to look for the rode and a shackle. Your stern anchor is a safety device and it has to be instantly deployable. A reel that holds the stern anchor rode guarantees that it will unspool when needed. To save space and volume, flat tape anchor rode is available on a reel.
Congrats! Looks like had some fun. Regarding Ipad vs chartplotter, no contest. I use both. I like the Ipad for plotting a route, checking distances, running weather/wind prediction programs and running apps like Active Captain. My chartplotter is networked into other nav components and gives me visuals on things like depth, AIS targets, current wind conditions etc. Further as the chartplotter is hardwired into the boats electrical system there is less chance of the battery going dead. I am sure a techy could configure the Ipad to do everything, but I like having the redundancy for when something craters. FYI if your Ipad has cellular the GPS will work with it off grid, no wifi, cell service or expensive plan required. The Bad Elf is a good solution if your Ipad does not have cellular. Fair Winds
You guys are so awesome, I wish you both all the best with your trips. I wish I could do the same, but a 7 year old and boat life don't mix. Great video can't wait for the next.
One big advantage of dedicated chart plotters is that they typically use coaxial cable. Because of the common axis there isn't a magnetic effect. However, mounting a battery powered anything 4 inches from your main compass is a bad idea! If you do use it, keep it 4 feet or so away from your compass. This goes for hand held GPS, Radios, Spot transmitters, flashlights... anything battery powered (and obviously pieces of ferrous metal!)
Noticed last time you sailed no reef lines threaded in. I know you didn't have much wind but easier if they are put in before you need them and good idea to practice reefing. The little cringle on the leach just up from the boom is for a flattening reef, takes the belly out of the bottom of the sail and depowers it...
Great job! SAil as much as you can! a few things, also answer to your question: we have been using laptops (any brand) with OpenCPN for blue water navigation - works spotless. Expect though the computer to die due to the salt water - so buy the cheapest one and keep a replacement onboard, as well. THe computer can easily die from a splash of water, hence we keep in on the nav table (on our boat you can see it from the deck), this way it is more protected - also from the sun which can otherwise overheat the thing. WHen in storm, always put it on airplane mode or switch it off as it can dye from a nearby thunder. Great that you practice anchoring - it will save you a lot of money later. I suggest though to be very carefull with the wintch and never try to stop or secure the boat with the chain on the it - when you launched the anchor and chain, take it off the wintch and secure the chain where you would secure the mooring line in the marina - that is thestrong enough to hold your boat. A peace of mooring line-type rope with a rubber shock absorber cn also increase safety and comfort when andcoring, cou can attach the two end of the rope to the chain in the way that the chain is loose between the two rope ends. FOr cleaning the hull and free entangled propeller (!) I found best a cheat snorkelling google with the pipe, to which I attached a 3 meter plastic tube in an airtight way - this way you vcan spend time under the water and way easier to work. Have a great time while sailing!
Great video... I'm also a bit of a tablet supporter, actually surprised by the number of sympathizers! A suggestion if I may, I use transas iSailor (can also receive nmea signals via wifi) on an android tablet - don't know if anyone has experienced any issues, none my end so far.
iPad for sure!! We used them on our aircraft when I was still in the service. They got approved just before I separated but we secretly used them as our primary means of navigation and course plotting with the "real" primary means as our backups. I love your content by the way. My wife and I just started going on our own adventures this year. Nothing big and crazy yet. I'd love to go sailing sometime but in terms of living on a boat, I wish it was feasible with the type of work I'm doing. Can't wait to see where you two go next. Sail Safe!!
The IPad is a great tool. I'm sure you also have paper charts, and along with a chart plotter, they will fill any need you have. They are all tools to be used together, or separately. The only downside to our IPad is that it sucks in sunlight, it dims down so low, it can be very difficult to see. Trial by fire and hands on, you've got this.
Great video. 2 suggestions. You guys do a great job of telling us about what your doing or did. Maybe a little more showing though. Like with the anchor test. Would have been cool to see your test. Second, maybe add a float to that anchor windlass handle. Would suck to lose it overboard.
It is really hard to film this kind of action. The cameras they are using now are pretty hard to set up like that and don't really capture action very well or sound when things start to get a little crazy, or are they weather-proof enough to leave out on deck. They would have to have at least 3 or 4 times as many cameras mounted around the boat, all water-proofed with wind-proof mics to get any kind of decent audio or video out of such "action." This isn't a high-budget channel like LaVagabond and even they don't have that kind of gear to catch real action at sea.
Cheers you two! You'll be fine. Excited for the miles you two can go together. The boat will be a classic one day. Please, Being able to learn makes you rich in wisdom.... 2 cents from the other side of the ocean on my boat: Whatever you use to navigate on a boat, your first lesson should be to navigate without electronic devices. Electricity should be considered luxory even when I have a backup for my backup power generationsystem. (Wind, Solar, Engine, towing propellar etc). You probably noticed, Every thing on a boat will break sooner than later.
iPad with iNavX is all I use. You can download all the charts before you leave the dock. Delos crew uses the same,. Might want an otterbox or at least a ziploc bag! Another fun video!
Grew up in St. Pete but, on power boats. Great to see the Bay again. Just not used to that new bridge yet. Looking forward to you sailing under it at night with all the suspension cable lights ablaze. Memories of the first time watching the mast and full mainsail going under the Golden Gate during my first SF Bay still gives me goosebumps. Been trying to clean up a friend's 1982 Cascade 36 after it has sat here in a Delta slip unmoved for over five years. Topsides, the boat has improved but, below deck, it still has too much mold...I had hoped to sail it this year. Who knows what the hull looks below waterline. Heartbreaking. Leave your cabin clean and dry and properly aired out and buttoned up. Don't Abandon her for long periods. Find someone you trust who will care for it when you cannot. Cinnamon, cloves and citrus below deck is wonderful. Thank you for your videos. Timothy from Yuba City, Ca. ..
Look at the windline A-L 1 Anchor lock...mounted in your bow roller with chain freely flowing in it ..Use your break a little to stop chain ..then Quickly pin A-L 1 ..you should have an anchor chain lock anyway. In a blow you would ease the tension on the chain with your windless. Pull the pin. ( tethered to the lock with a 1/8 inch line Lanyard). Oh also wind and current in opposing directions NO problem...Trust the anchor completely... Set it hard. Enough scope. Your done....Goal ..drop only once.. Tampa Hat Kelsey... Is really nice...P.S. trust your ground tackle ... Set an anchor drag alarm. See if you can hardwire navigation So no battery problems at night on long passage.
So long as the GPS system is still working, an iPad is fine. Don't let anyone tell you different. If the GPS system goes down, you'll want to know your paper charts, but as I have often said, if the GPS system goes down, it's WWIII, and we all have way worse problems than where is the anchorage. If your iPad has data, not just wifi, then it has a GPS and you don't really need the bad elf add-on. The charting software does not rely on the cell system in any way, so it works fine in the middle of the ocean. If it's a wifi only iPad, then you need the external GPS. Oh, hey, you have a porta -bote. I'd kinda like to have one.
hey ya guys! I have no "advice" to give based on my whatever blah blah blah experience in blah blah.. So yeah, sorry, not gonna do that. What I will say, is THANK YOU for sharing these videos. I really enjoy learning about your experiences. It is so hopeful to see young people just stepping up and learning as they go. Fine videos and a spectacular adventure. Thank you!
God Speed Abandon Comfort. I live in Palmetto, and Irma has her sights set on the Florida peninsula. Hoping you have her tied up well and have abandoned...Abandon. Do not take this storm lightly, even though we will be on the "weak" side of the storm. By the time she hits us, she will still be a Cat. 3 storm.
@ 9:07 Kelsey, somehow I don't think Ryan's ready to get a new partner to go sailing with anytime soon. :-) Reason? Because he hasn't got rocks in his head. He surely knows you are as good as it gets. If for some reason he doesn't know that, I, or any number of other gentlemen like me, will come and tell him, in no uncertain terms. :-) Keep smiling as you keep learning and enjoy knowing that you're making a lot of people around the world smile with you. Regards, Rick.
Thank you both for video. The yacht looks great under sail . I have read most of the other comments and there is some pretty sound advice from your subscribers. Take care and enjoy life.
Probably best to have the iPads available for back up navigation... or vice versa. I do think you have to look in to some type of water proof casing for the ipads. I'm sure sea spray could have some effect on those devices after a long time. They weren't specifically built for that purpose. Best of luck!
Been sailing with my Iphone/Ipad for 6 years as my chart plotter and never had a problem. Just make sure you record your track, that way, if fog appears, you can always retract your way back! Fair winds.
How well does your iPad hold up in heavy weather? I've personally never used one as more than a back up. I've always assumed it would get destroyed the first time the bow slammed down the back side of a wave or if any water came into the cockpit. That not the case?
A nice breeze you had. Over here on the west coast of France its so so calm at the moment. We use our Ipad+Navionics+Gamin Glo GPS and find like you that it works great. For safe anchoring we use the app Sailsafe on my phone as this emits a seriously loud alarm if the anchor drags. Very comforting for a sound sleep. Nice change to see someone else who isn't shy of using a manual windlass. We really appreciate and enjoy your unpretentious, open and informative approach and look forward to hearing about your inverter/ lithium set up, sounds interesting.
Great vid guys, when your cleaning the hull it may pay to wear ear plugs or a swimming cap that comes over your ear, a few people I know had the little creatures in there ear. But total agree, don't pay someone to do that for you. 👍
I use maps.me in my car to navigate off the grid with my cell phone. You download the map you need and the phones GPS keeps track of where you are in real time. Modern technology is a wonderful thing.
Enjoy your channel. A few comments. You need more headsail tension. When you do not have enough there is a kink or dog leg where the sail tape comes out of the furler. This puts a lot of tension on the sail cloth which will eventually fail. I agree with the tablet. When backing down on the anchor put the chain on a cleat. When in ocean find better place for folding boat. Find a dingy to sail to sharpen your skills. Good luck!
My favorite line in all the episodes so far, " Ryan is ready to get a new partner to go sailing with because I suck" LOL I can't wait to get a little further along in the series I'm hoping you're not always so hard on yourself. Every sailor has a life-or-death story that they loved her tell setting the anchor is not one of them :-) look forward to seeing the rest of your experiences. Thank you for being so honest and you're editing or lack of editing. I'm just teasing I know it takes a lot of editing to get it right and we really appreciate you sharing these moments with us
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Why do you need the 'bad elf' gps plug in module - when IPad's have gps already built in - and they don't need WiFi or Cellular to run?? Is this some kind of better Ant?
Since we get this question a lot I'm going to pin this. We use the Bad Elf as a backup option so we have more than 1 way of obtaining a GPS fix. The iPads that have GPS built in are the 3G enabled ones, which is what we use as our primaries. 2 3g iPads that use built-in GPS, 1 wifi only iPad that uses Bad Elf. Hope this helps!
I also use iPads for navigation. In my case, the external GPS is a Garmin Glo but same principle. External GPS has two advantages. 1. You get a better fix than the internal GPS of the iPad. 2. Having the iPAD GPS do the fix is a huge power drain. By using an iPad with internal GPS, AND the external unit, you've also created a two tier back up. For what it's worth, I use iSaiilor predominantly, also iNavx with NOAA raster charts. Sailing on the Chesapeake on an Alberg 35.
@@jameseaton905 good info man, thx.
What happened?
the unit he has plugged in is at least 10x better.
We just went and bought an entire new NMEA-2k system from B&G last year. The Triton Display Depth, Speed & Wind Pack and a Vulcan 7 chartplotter are great, and 100% dead reliable so far. All in all it was about $2k for the whole package on sale as a deal, but it's really nice having everything working together as one piece of integrated hardware.
The Navionics charts are extra, of course. The iPad system is great but it is really nice to have the wind data and speed over water integrated into the GPS data and the plotter using all that data to give you even more using the maths. This shows tides, currents, and gives you information about when and where exactly to tack to make your next waypoint once you plug in your boat's polar sailing data. It'll even control your autopilot if it is new enough to talk to NMEA-2K. That is something the iPad just can't do. It will also show other NMEA-2k inputs like engine information if you have a fancy modern engine. Tank information, even hook up your Fusion Radio so you can control volume and stuff right from the chartplotter. If you want radar displayed then the Vulcan isn't the right plotter and one needs to spend a bit more on a Zeus upgrade but that isn't too much more compared to the radar and if you buy a bundled radar package the Zeus plotter is practically free with the radar.
Older chartplotters are garbage. I agree. But the newest stuff from B&G and Garmin are pretty good. Just make sure it is NMEA-2k compatible.
Keep up the videos. Hopefully you guys will get a little closer to current times eventually.
I still like the dedicated Chartplotter as the center of the navigation system and connecting via NMEA 0183 and/or 2000 to VHF radio, AIS, Radar and instruments as it is reasonably bullet proof. With a wireless interface and IP a whole new world of navigation opens for devices like iPad or Android. I use my smartphone with Android Aquamap but iPad, Tablets and any other such can connect. The anchor drag was on the smartphone that I kept with me during sleep time. This is the setup I had on my Youngsun 35 and Irwin 43. I also had a USB external GPS BU-353-S4 for the laptop plus some hand held GPS as well. Redundancy was the idea.
You two are doing great! Some free advice. Remember the advice is free and that may be what it is worth.
1. When your anemometer isn't working, as good rule is that whitecaps begin to form at 10 knots of True Wind speed.
2. As you live your life on the anchor, you will find that a 5:1 scope is a minimum safe rode length. 7:1 scope is best, and is absolutely necessary for an anchorage with current or winds.
3. You may consider a making a true anchor snubber. 3-strand nylon line attached to a bow cleat on each side will make a "bridle" that will take the strain off of your windlass. Attach the snubber to the anchor chain with a chain hook. Once the snubber is taut, pay out more anchor chain so it hags loose. The "bridle" snubber will absorb the shock of waves. Protect the snubber from chafe with ribber hose around the nylon line. Keep up the good work!
Paul Warren good advice
Paul warren
excellent advice.
that is some excellent advice.
Paul's talking about the Beaufort Wind Scale. You're not racing so it's close enough.
www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/beaufort.html
Good advice! Love watching your progress. Is your rode entirely made of chain? That could make for a rough ride in winds upwards of 35-40 knots. It would be prudent to look into techniques for adding a length of nylon with a Devil's Hook to snub the chain. Secondary anchors? A Bruce works well in sandy to muddy bottom, and would make a fine kedge as well as decent replacement if you lost your plow. Fair winds and following seas :-)
Nice video, I started in Tampa Bay with my 35' Endurance, in 1977. No GPS, only paper charts and a compass, Later to the Bahamas, just a compass. I still have a sailboat here in Mi. and still love sailing.
PFD, compass and reliable papercharts. Know how to use them. Thats for safety.
GPS in whatever shape or form is to make life easy. Challenge each other where one navigate by charts and compass and the other checks the GPS as backup.
MickeSandman, wise comment.
I always did this when flying. Of course navigation in the air (when not in IMC) is easier because there are more unique landmarks.
I also keep a pull string to start my car in case the electronics go out.
Hey guys... A lot of GREAT first time memories on this voyage! Don't let "anyone" tell you what you did wrong or cram a bunch of suggestions down your throat. Nobody has it all figured out when shoving off for the first time. In my humble opinion...you did everything perfectly! Thank you for bringing us along to share this part of the journey with you!!! PEACE OUT!
I sure do enjoy watching your adventure unfold. Don't be ashamed of your failures. I've learned way more failing than I have succeeding!
I've got a 47' boat that I have cruised from Anacortes Washington to Seward Alaska. We lived on it for a year based out of Ketchikan. Our primary nav tool was an iPad Pro using Navionics, with 2 iPhones with Navionics on them for back up, plus paper charts. Both the iPad and the iPhones have built in GPS systems and worked great without any cell signal for days at a time. I am a big fan.
Hell dude and dude-et. I am in the process of doing what you guys are doing. I'm a traveling fighter who lives out of a converted truck and have been dreaming of a boat to live aboard and one day leave to travel the world. So glad to see people living like this. OSS 👊
I have never sailed or even been on a boat. RUclips made a completely random suggestion for your vlog and now you earned a subscriber. You guys have really inspired me to try and take up sailing as a hobby. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Way to go RUclips!! Welcome to the AC Crew, Aravind :)
It's great to see your reactions and enthusiasm whilst sailing for the first time, no greater feeling than sailing with nothing but the power of nature x
Safe winds
Great video! I love it that you share your beginners misstakes also. Reminds me of my first trials with this stuff some twenty years ago. I have also used iPad for navigation but have moved on to a Garmin navigator. The iPad does not cope with rain, but there is good protection to get. The two main reasons that I don't like it is sunglare in the screen and when it gets to hot it shuts off. Now I use a Garmin 922 (named here in Sweden, may be called something else in US) and it works great. I can still use the iPad from down below to make routes, connected to the Garmin via wifi.
Looking forward to the next video! 😎👍
OK - one extra piece of advice to add to the excellent comments so far:
Run the boat back as you pay out the anchor, otherwise you will end up dumping the chain in a big pile over the anchor. Don't leave reversing until you have all the rode out!!
BTW - I use an iPad (in a LifeProof waterproof case) connected to the boat NMEA data via WiFi, it works great. If you get a VHF radio with an AIS receiver, you can show other boat tracks on the chart (using iNavx) as well as have easy comms to them via DSC. Backup is an old chart plotter and my iPhone, so 3 sources of navigation which is more than enough safety. Paper charts are on the way out IMHO, apart from ease for big picture passage planning
Good job you guys. So happy for you. You Have the right approach, thoughtful and methodical. If there are things like pulling in and out of the slip or dropping anchor that make you anxious just keep reminding yourself how soon it will be that they are second nature to you, and you do without even thinking. Looking forward to watching it happen.
iPad is optional. Chart plotter is sail equipment. But basic piloting is nr 1. Get hold on updated navigation charts. Get a fixed chart position and get the best course according to your charts. Yes. Paper charts. Adjust your cours for drift and this is the safest path for your boat. Continued piloting and outlooks always.
Enjoyable.
1. If must rely on an iPad at least put it in a waterproof cover.
2. When you are securing stuff think inverted. If you going are outside the ICW sooner or later you are going to be knocked down and you do you won't appreciate a fridge in the face.
3. To save your winch wrap the chain around a cleat to snub.
Great job! You can squeeze a bit more speed out of the boat if you adjust your halyard tension. At one point it looked you could have raised your head sail another foot or so. You will also want to put a nylon snubber on your chain and back down on that, not the windlass. The windlass is designed and mounted to handle the weight of the rode and anchor, not the weight of the boat. The nylon rode will also provide some shock absorption so the boat rides better and with less strain on the gear. Rig up some 3 strand with a chain hook and you will be good to go. Have fun!
Tim pointed out the two observations I had as well: the head sail halyard wasn't all the way up, and to use a cleated snub line attached to the anchor chain to take the weight off of the windlass.
To add to Tim's comment about the snubber...when the line is attached to both the chain and the boat, let out more chain so that it has some slack and the snubber is tensioned.
You guys are bringing back such memories. We had "Luna C" in that same marina when we started. The ipad is such a great idea. All I ever used was a laptop hooked to a GPS and it served us well throughout the Caribbean. Short story about tacking. On our first trip out of Tampa bay we were heading to Key West on an over-nighter. Some where along the way Beverly was on watch and dodging crab-pots, doing a great job. EXCEPT.....when I came up for my watch I asked her where we were and she mumbled something about near Naples but the problem was land was on the starboard side of the boat, which was OK but we were heading south! There had been no wind that night and Bev would use the auto-pilot to dodge the pots by pressing the 10 degree button but she just keep pressing the same button each time and there are a lot of crab-pots in south Florida! Eventually she had the boat completely turned around and heading back toward St. Pete. Remember you guys are making memories and thanks for taking us along with you. Oh hey. Let me say everyone does the "anchor dance" differently but you guys might think about having her stay at the helm while he goes forward to handle the tackle. There will come a time when you will have to haul all that rode and chain aboard while the wind is blowing 20 knots. It takes a bit of muscle to do. Trust me on that one!
The only thing I say is to have more than one option. The charts can lie, and it is nice to have more than one source to help make an educated guess.
Glad to see you sailing. I like the Ipad idea, one at the nav station, one on the wheel or near the tiller! I'm retired, very new to sailing and saving for my first boat --- all of the good suggestions and comments for 'newbies' are enter in a special gmail 'draft' file for future reference/reminders after I get my boat. Doing a test anchor, before dark, was very smart. Keep going, step by step, day by day and you'll do just fine. SLV, UTL and so many others started out with little or no experience...Sail safe and enjoy...
Foot steering is a valid sailing technique. I am from Wisconsin and many of the racing scows here are designed with a cutout in the tiller crossbar specifically for steering with your feet.
I cant get over how incredibly beautiful this girl is...and she only gets more beautiful when she talks or explains herself. Lucky man
Good stuff. A couple of sailing points, try bringing the traveler up closer to centerline and easing the mainsheet a bit. When you look up the top batten should be parallel with the boom or pointed to leeward. Most of the time you had it hooked to windward which is VERY slow. In breeze if you start to heel too much then you start to ease the traveler down and/or add boom vang and ease the sheet more. Also, LOTS more jib halyard tension. Good luck and have fun.
Nothing wrong with Rolling Rock man,.. great easy drinkin' beer. Well done,.. didn't sink the boat so very well done!
iPad every time. Waterproof case and a proper mount though. Plus USB charge. Then chart plotter for backup and of course paper charts. Great sail and great video
Hi, Great video. Please change how you store your foldable dinghy. You should not hang big thing like that in the lifelines. The stanchion support are not build for that on any boat. When you are hit by a big wave, you will in best case bend your stanchion. But more likely you will damage the hull. If you lift the stanchion you will see a stainless support that is laminated in to the hull. The support is strong. The hull will delaminate before you bend the support. Good luck with your cruising!
Great video guys! But you need a snubber! Take pressure of your windless, a windless brake is unreliable for sleeping at anchor. Look it up! Enjoy!
I use a chain hook on a short rope with a loop that I can throw on a bow cleat for holding the chain when I am setting so that I don't rely on the windlass. After I am set I then use a bridle that catches the chain near the water surface and is attached to both bow cleats. I believe it lowers the effective pivot point and provides a better ride at anchor in chop. I use the chain hook as a backup in case the chain ever pops out of the bridle which is has only ever done once.
And also I use a Samsung Tab 4 that I picked up for $50 as my chart plotter and it works fine (built in GPS). Of course I have charts and know how to use them as backup.
ABSOLUTELY! The windlass brake is not your snubber. I would NEVER even back down to set the anchor without a 3-strand nylon snubber with a chain hook. Your deck is not meant to take those kinds of sustained loads.
I have been wakeboarding my whole life, river rat, Caddo Lake Texas. When your boy said, " in typical marine fashion everyone is watching you leave, like omg someones leaving". Spot on lmao
Good start guys. I'm enjoying the series and it takes me back a few years watching you. I love our portabote and find storing it keel up stops it filling with water. Good luck and fair winds.
iPad over "purpose built marine GPS" any day, sailing is like flying anytime something is marine grade or aviation grade the price goes up exponentially. Love your channel, love your enthusiasm, and love your followers! A newbie sailor myself I'm getting great tips from the other comments!
Great videos so far! I never comment on youtube but a little advice. NEVER advertise where you hide your startup engine key especially if it's in the engine compartment area under the stairs. I read an article about boat thieves and this is the first place most boat thieves look. I used to hide my engine key near the saltwater intake valve, but no more! I'm only on video 12 and excited to see the rest. Best of luck with your sailing.
Paul's advice is correct...(in a shallow anchorage)...I'm in 50 feet of water (High tide) . For good weather, 3 to 4 to one is plenty which puts 100 to 150 feet of 5/16th on the bottom. If a storm is coming in a deep anchorage all 250 feet for sure.
Can't wait to watch y'all adventure further and further...you'll be expert sailors in no time. Keep the videos rolling, great work!
Good stuff. First night at anchor is always a bit nerve-wracking. After the first 500 times or so you start to relax...
Snub the anchor chain on a cleat rather than the winch otherwise you will damage it.
Ipad is fine - provided that you have a waterproof case that you can operate with wet hands.
Progress! Way to go guys! Keep asking about how to improve under sail and setting anchor. You will get there!
The next time you do your bottom job, add some Cayenne pepper with the Trinidad red bottom paint you used. It sounds crazy but it helps keep the barnacles from forming. Egmont key was one of our favorite places to sail too, about 6 of us on our boats would go down every October and use it as our base camp for Gulf sailing. You guys are doing great!
If you have fog roll in obey the Colregs and maintain the appropriate speed and auditory and visual signals. Don't just follow course. Some people forget the other things. Awesome video by the way love the review of the ipad chartplotter. The chartplotter can integrate with your autopilot and radar. That is an important safety factor....though yours may be a little old. Oh when backing out of your slip it is a good idea to blast the horn three times. It indicates a vessel in astern propulsion, though sometimes it is just an annoyance to others in a marina. Oh you don't have a snubber that I can tell. You need to go to west marine and pick up a snubber. You are putting a lot of pressure on your windlass. A snubber is usually like a nylon bridle you put on the anchor to provide a shock absorber to the chain. You clip onto the chain, and tie off to the bow. Then run out the chain a little and let it hang. If you don't have one it will ruin your windlass, and maybe rip it out of the deck.
I have a chart plotter and a iPad with navigation apps and I use them both. Redundancy is a beautiful thing when operating in any maritime environment.
oil your teak deck its healthy for it and can make it last forever, and make sure you change the calking when it showes seperation, happy sailing kids
We also use the Ipad for alot of our navigation.
We do also have a chartplotter and computer but the ease of use and the cost of new chart is a big plus for the Ipad!
Stoked you two went out of the comfort zone of the slip. Makes me feel like i could sail! The six knots looks rippin'.
Tahoe Roger plenty more coming!! Appreciate the support 🙂
Good video nice to see you sailling. I was always told that when u anchor you should secure the chain to a cleat or the anchor chain with a snubber tied of to a cleat. But you shouldn't leave the chain on the whinch.
Always useful to have the ability to go to reversionary mode when navigating..... paper charts, dividers, a plotter, hand bearing compass and binoculars and a seat at the chart table not taken up by the fridge is good advice. The RYA have one good teach yourself navigation books....
Great video though and great that you are trying everything.... do remember, every sailor started as a novice at one point.... keep it up 😎
I'm a newbie also, I'm not much of a reader but I bought Capt Fatty's creative anchoring, I strongly recommend it, well spent money.
So NMEA over IP is gaining a lot of traction these days, setting up a small boat wifi network and getting sensors that will contribute (GPS, AIS, anemometer, compas, etc) to the data stream would make portable/disposable/off-the-shelf display heads a truly reliable option. Something to keep an eye on.
Awesome look forward to more. Get it out there! If something is going to go wrong it is going to happen while sailing. You will figure it out as needed. Just always think of safety first.
I noticed that your docklines are one on top of each other, if you dipped the eyes you can take of either line without disturbing the other
You two did great, one thing I did when I had my Catalina 27, was put the 5000 BTU air conditioner in the companion way and run it off the honda generator, it would run about 12 hours on tank, now that we have a catamaran, all that has changed.
Great to see you on the water, looking forward to learning how to sail with you guys ;)
keep safe
Put an anchor rode on your stern anchor. If you need it suddenly, that is no time to look for the rode and a shackle. Your stern anchor is a safety device and it has to be instantly deployable. A reel that holds the stern anchor rode guarantees that it will unspool when needed. To save space and volume, flat tape anchor rode is available on a reel.
Good thing is you two are very careful and organized
Good luck on the open water. Irma is coming in strong!
Congrats! Looks like had some fun.
Regarding Ipad vs chartplotter, no contest. I use both. I like the Ipad for plotting a route, checking distances, running weather/wind prediction programs and running apps like Active Captain. My chartplotter is networked into other nav components and gives me visuals on things like depth, AIS targets, current wind conditions etc. Further as the chartplotter is hardwired into the boats electrical system there is less chance of the battery going dead. I am sure a techy could configure the Ipad to do everything, but I like having the redundancy for when something craters. FYI if your Ipad has cellular the GPS will work with it off grid, no wifi, cell service or expensive plan required. The Bad Elf is a good solution if your Ipad does not have cellular.
Fair Winds
Love the humility you show, feels like we're learning with you. Great episode!
Just started watching your channel. That cat that left Sunday morning from manatee river was us! Enjoy your adventure!
Well done you guys! We enjoyed sharing in your first solo adventure. Thank you for posting. To many more of these!
I hope you are doing okay with this hurricane hitting your side of the world!! be safe!
You guys are so awesome, I wish you both all the best with your trips. I wish I could do the same, but a 7 year old and boat life don't mix. Great video can't wait for the next.
One big advantage of dedicated chart plotters is that they typically use coaxial cable. Because of the common axis there isn't a magnetic effect. However, mounting a battery powered anything 4 inches from your main compass is a bad idea! If you do use it, keep it 4 feet or so away from your compass. This goes for hand held GPS, Radios, Spot transmitters, flashlights... anything battery powered (and obviously pieces of ferrous metal!)
Noticed last time you sailed no reef lines threaded in. I know you didn't have much wind but easier if they are put in before you need them and good idea to practice reefing. The little cringle on the leach just up from the boom is for a flattening reef, takes the belly out of the bottom of the sail and depowers it...
Nice work guys. It was nice seeing you get "giddy" at 1.8 kn.
That made me laugh out load as well. I don't know how many times me and my boys have been announcing our speed to the rest of the boat!
Hey guys, grand start. For sure I'll be waiting for the next one. All the best, Mick McCoy
Great job! SAil as much as you can! a few things, also answer to your question:
we have been using laptops (any brand) with OpenCPN for blue water navigation - works spotless. Expect though the computer to die due to the salt water - so buy the cheapest one and keep a replacement onboard, as well. THe computer can easily die from a splash of water, hence we keep in on the nav table (on our boat you can see it from the deck), this way it is more protected - also from the sun which can otherwise overheat the thing. WHen in storm, always put it on airplane mode or switch it off as it can dye from a nearby thunder.
Great that you practice anchoring - it will save you a lot of money later. I suggest though to be very carefull with the wintch and never try to stop or secure the boat with the chain on the it - when you launched the anchor and chain, take it off the wintch and secure the chain where you would secure the mooring line in the marina - that is thestrong enough to hold your boat. A peace of mooring line-type rope with a rubber shock absorber cn also increase safety and comfort when andcoring, cou can attach the two end of the rope to the chain in the way that the chain is loose between the two rope ends.
FOr cleaning the hull and free entangled propeller (!) I found best a cheat snorkelling google with the pipe, to which I attached a 3 meter plastic tube in an airtight way - this way you vcan spend time under the water and way easier to work.
Have a great time while sailing!
Your spirit makes me so happy! I love you two and look forward to watching you guys become salty sailors!
All caught up now, you guys are an inspiration! If you end up the Firth of Forth in Scotland there's a pint and dram waiting for you near the bridges!
Great video... I'm also a bit of a tablet supporter, actually surprised by the number of sympathizers! A suggestion if I may, I use transas iSailor (can also receive nmea signals via wifi) on an android tablet - don't know if anyone has experienced any issues, none my end so far.
as I will be traveling and living on my 34 foot sailboat you are doing a great job of giving me a feel for life on board
iPad for sure!! We used them on our aircraft when I was still in the service. They got approved just before I separated but we secretly used them as our primary means of navigation and course plotting with the "real" primary means as our backups. I love your content by the way. My wife and I just started going on our own adventures this year. Nothing big and crazy yet. I'd love to go sailing sometime but in terms of living on a boat, I wish it was feasible with the type of work I'm doing. Can't wait to see where you two go next. Sail Safe!!
The IPad is a great tool. I'm sure you also have paper charts, and along with a chart plotter, they will fill any need you have. They are all tools to be used together, or separately. The only downside to our IPad is that it sucks in sunlight, it dims down so low, it can be very difficult to see. Trial by fire and hands on, you've got this.
Great video. 2 suggestions. You guys do a great job of telling us about what your doing or did. Maybe a little more showing though. Like with the anchor test. Would have been cool to see your test. Second, maybe add a float to that anchor windlass handle. Would suck to lose it overboard.
It is really hard to film this kind of action. The cameras they are using now are pretty hard to set up like that and don't really capture action very well or sound when things start to get a little crazy, or are they weather-proof enough to leave out on deck. They would have to have at least 3 or 4 times as many cameras mounted around the boat, all water-proofed with wind-proof mics to get any kind of decent audio or video out of such "action." This isn't a high-budget channel like LaVagabond and even they don't have that kind of gear to catch real action at sea.
Cheers you two! You'll be fine. Excited for the miles you two can go together. The boat will be a classic one day.
Please, Being able to learn makes you rich in wisdom.... 2 cents from the other side of the ocean on my boat: Whatever you use to navigate on a boat, your first lesson should be to navigate without electronic devices. Electricity should be considered luxory even when I have a backup for my backup power generationsystem. (Wind, Solar, Engine, towing propellar etc). You probably noticed, Every thing on a boat will break sooner than later.
iPad with iNavX is all I use. You can download all the charts before you leave the dock. Delos crew uses the same,. Might want an otterbox or at least a ziploc bag! Another fun video!
Motivational indeed. Thanks for being awesome!
Grew up in St. Pete but, on power boats. Great to see the Bay again.
Just not used to that new bridge yet. Looking forward to you sailing
under it at night with all the suspension cable lights ablaze.
Memories of the first time watching the mast and full mainsail going under the Golden Gate during my first SF Bay still
gives me goosebumps. Been trying to clean up a friend's 1982 Cascade 36 after it has sat here in a Delta slip unmoved for over five years. Topsides, the boat has improved but, below deck, it still has too much mold...I had hoped to sail it this year. Who knows what the hull looks below waterline. Heartbreaking.
Leave your cabin clean and dry
and properly aired out and buttoned up. Don't Abandon her for long periods. Find someone you trust who will care for it when you cannot. Cinnamon, cloves and citrus below deck is wonderful.
Thank you for your videos.
Timothy from Yuba City, Ca.
..
Stumbled across this channel last night and binge watched the whole thing! Can't wait for more updates.
Look at the windline A-L 1 Anchor lock...mounted in your bow roller with chain freely flowing in it ..Use your break a little to stop chain ..then Quickly pin A-L 1 ..you should have an anchor chain lock anyway. In a blow you would ease the tension on the chain with your windless. Pull the pin. ( tethered to the lock with a 1/8 inch line Lanyard). Oh also wind and current in opposing directions NO problem...Trust the anchor completely... Set it hard. Enough scope. Your done....Goal ..drop only once.. Tampa Hat Kelsey... Is really nice...P.S. trust your ground tackle ... Set an anchor drag alarm. See if you can hardwire navigation So no battery problems at night on long passage.
Congratulations for the first sail by yourselves!
So long as the GPS system is still working, an iPad is fine. Don't let anyone tell you different. If the GPS system goes down, you'll want to know your paper charts, but as I have often said, if the GPS system goes down, it's WWIII, and we all have way worse problems than where is the anchorage.
If your iPad has data, not just wifi, then it has a GPS and you don't really need the bad elf add-on. The charting software does not rely on the cell system in any way, so it works fine in the middle of the ocean. If it's a wifi only iPad, then you need the external GPS.
Oh, hey, you have a porta -bote. I'd kinda like to have one.
hey ya guys! I have no "advice" to give based on my whatever blah blah blah experience in blah blah.. So yeah, sorry, not gonna do that. What I will say, is THANK YOU for sharing these videos. I really enjoy learning about your experiences. It is so hopeful to see young people just stepping up and learning as they go. Fine videos and a spectacular adventure. Thank you!
God Speed Abandon Comfort. I live in Palmetto, and Irma has her sights set on the Florida peninsula. Hoping you have her tied up well and have abandoned...Abandon. Do not take this storm lightly, even though we will be on the "weak" side of the storm. By the time she hits us, she will still be a Cat. 3 storm.
@ 9:07 Kelsey, somehow I don't think Ryan's ready to get a new partner to go sailing with anytime soon. :-) Reason? Because he hasn't got rocks in his head. He surely knows you are as good as it gets. If for some reason he doesn't know that, I, or any number of other gentlemen like me, will come and tell him, in no uncertain terms. :-) Keep smiling as you keep learning and enjoy knowing that you're making a lot of people around the world smile with you. Regards, Rick.
Pervert😝
Thank you both for video. The yacht looks great under sail . I have read most of the other comments and there is some pretty sound advice from your subscribers. Take care and enjoy life.
I was pleased to see that it wasn't a Captain "Ping Pong" Crash that left the port.
Well done guys you got out! Pretty nerve wracking..really like your honesty
Have enjoyed watching what you two did to make the dream come to fruition - really looking forward to the end of the year when the journey begins.
You two are so adorable and we could feel the joy. So excited for tomorrow.
Nice to see what binds us as sailors. Once you are out on the water by yourself's The rich and the not so rich have the same experience :-)
Nice confidence builder!! Great to see you getting out there!
love your willingness to learn as you go, great couple of adventurers here!
I am learning along with you. Thanks for the detail in information. I am also learning a lot from the comments. Someday I may make it out there.
Probably best to have the iPads available for back up navigation... or vice versa. I do think you have to look in to some type of water proof casing for the ipads. I'm sure sea spray could have some effect on those devices after a long time. They weren't specifically built for that purpose. Best of luck!
Been sailing with my Iphone/Ipad for 6 years as my chart plotter and never had a problem. Just make sure you record your track, that way, if fog appears, you can always retract your way back! Fair winds.
Good advice! We'll be sure to keep our track on from here on out :)
How well does your iPad hold up in heavy weather? I've personally never used one as more than a back up. I've always assumed it would get destroyed the first time the bow slammed down the back side of a wave or if any water came into the cockpit. That not the case?
Just get a shockproof/waterproof ipad case at Amazon and a few heavy duty zip ties :)
A nice breeze you had. Over here on the west coast of France its so so calm at the moment. We use our Ipad+Navionics+Gamin Glo GPS and find like you that it works great. For safe anchoring we use the app Sailsafe on my phone as this emits a seriously loud alarm if the anchor drags. Very comforting for a sound sleep. Nice change to see someone else who isn't shy of using a manual windlass. We really appreciate and enjoy your unpretentious, open and informative approach and look forward to hearing about your inverter/ lithium set up, sounds interesting.
Great vid guys, when your cleaning the hull it may pay to wear ear plugs or a swimming cap that comes over your ear, a few people I know had the little creatures in there ear. But total agree, don't pay someone to do that for you. 👍
I'm proud of y'all! Be safe out there! Really enjoying your videos.
I really love watching the absolute excitement and (terror?) motivation to get underway. Bravo you guys! Can't wait until the next vid
I use maps.me in my car to navigate off the grid with my cell phone. You download the map you need and the phones GPS keeps track of where you are in real time. Modern technology is a wonderful thing.
Enjoy your channel. A few comments. You need more headsail tension. When you do not have enough there is a kink or dog leg where the sail tape comes out of the furler. This puts a lot of tension on the sail cloth which will eventually fail. I agree with the tablet. When backing down on the anchor put the chain on a cleat. When in ocean find better place for folding boat. Find a dingy to sail to sharpen your skills. Good luck!
My favorite line in all the episodes so far, " Ryan is ready to get a new partner to go sailing with because I suck" LOL I can't wait to get a little further along in the series I'm hoping you're not always so hard on yourself. Every sailor has a life-or-death story that they loved her tell setting the anchor is not one of them :-) look forward to seeing the rest of your experiences. Thank you for being so honest and you're editing or lack of editing. I'm just teasing I know it takes a lot of editing to get it right and we really appreciate you sharing these moments with us
Awesome!!! hoping to follow your lead sooner rather then later! (still scraping through college) Glad to see ya'll are getting out and doing!