1st trip after RYA Day Skipper - Some sailing, fair amount of bullshit

A raw and real account of learning to sail in the North Sea.

[@jamieellam5735]

Great video. I'm in a similar situation to yourself. Passed my Dayskipper June 2021 with no real sailing experience and bought a Bavaria 34 in Newcastle shortly afterwards. Sailed her back down the North Sea coast to the Humber and ended up sailing right through the night. Was sick as a dog, exhausted to the point of collapsing, had to navigate one of the busiest shipping channels in the UK but eventually made it. I know a lot of people would be saying never again but the sense of achievement was immense (not to mention the pod of dolphins swimming with us!). Nice to see I'm not the only one who has had to be towed back in. I was out in Jan and had severe engine failure and no winds whilst drifting into oncoming shipping! Love your dads requirements for the pub to be nearby - a man after my own heart 🙂. Happy sailing to you both!

[@donnasailing]

Oh wow! respect for you for doing that. I think with sailing sometimes we are never really ready to go beyond our limits, you just have to throw yourself in and try it. The dolphins are just incredible too and my dad actually had a pod follow him most of the way from Bergen to Peterhead this summer. I am so jealous! Thank you so much for your comment and for watching.

[@Supergeologist]

Finished and passed my day skipper practical yesterday. I am now having a rest day as you should know its pretty full on. I'm 64 and not in the best of health and I found it pretty gruelling. The 3 young lads on the course didn't have a problem but I feel like I've been stuck in washing machine all week. Certainly learned a great deal and realised I'd picked up a lot of bad habits. The instructor had an infectious enthusiasm which certainly helped. All in all it was an unforgettable experience.

[@donnasailing]

And this is only just the start of it!! Yeah I think I slept for a week after my practical😅😅. I'm sure the young lads had their own struggles they just probably didn't admit it. Good on you for going for it despite your health issues. I find the sea such a healing place to spend time. Good luck on your next voyage as skipper! 🌊⛵🌬

[@davegarforth1511]

Big smile for you and your Dad. Fab to see you both out on the seas and looking forward to more adventures. BTW. I agree, your Dad is a hero, sailing yes, his daughter by his side....proud Dad.... big thumbs up👍😁

[@donnasailing]

Thanks do much 😊 just finished a run up to Orkney and I have lots of footage to edit x

[@stephenburnage7687]

I am a full time cruiser and took the Yachtmaster a few years ago, thinking I should upgrade my skills, before heading offshore. Waste of time! Hours spent memorizing countless (and largely pointless) COREGS and almost zero attention to practical seamanship. OK, a few exercises like sailing on & off an anchor had some relevance but zero attention to truly important things like what to do if your engine fails on a lee shore; what to do if your prop gers snagged on a line, what to do if your anchor drags in a blow...ie the skills that really make a difference to you and your crews safety and well-being.

[@donnasailing]

Exactly!!!!!! I'm Learning these lessons now and I'm lucky enough to have my father with me. God forbid I'd had to money to buy a boat of my own when I first passed...I'd be washed up on some rocks somewhere 😅

[@simonjones9687]

Liking your enthusiasm for sailing. Interesting to see cool places to sail in the north-east, too.

[@stephenburnage7687]

An interesting fact: A female voice usually transmits with greater clarity than a male voice. Consequently, when my wife is on board, she handles all the VHF communications.

[@donnasailing]

@@stephenburnage7687 I didn't know that!

[@stephenburnage7687]

Your father is very lucky to have his daughter to sail with him! I look forward to the day my granddaughters are old enough to join me on my boat. Hopefully at least one of them (I have three) will take to sailing!

[@donnasailing]

Ah thank you. Although there were times we want to throw eachother over board 😂😂 we are really starting to work well together now. He is learning to let go and also to take me seriously

[@donnasailing]

I'm sure they all will, get them watching some blogs like Sailing Uma and such like, they will be dying to get on board (pun intended 😁😁).

[@jeffeaton701]

That was a fun ride and thanks for taking us along! Very enjoyable.

[@vingreensill]

Well done! Good to see real world experiences like this. I will look out for further vids.

[@victorimmature]

Great vid to watch for Learning from , thanks for posting

[@donnasailing]

@@victorimmature thank you so much!

[@marksmeaton1470]

Thank You Donna lovely video. Youre a brave girl showing the whole video with your lobster pot disaster etc. Just one of those days. Hope your dad has deep pockets. Happy Voyages

[@donnasailing]

They are somewhat more shallow after the last few months 😅. Well theres nothing out there for us novices so I thought I would share. Thanks for watching and for leaving a comment x

[@hellodarren]

There was no BS in your video, i really enjoyed this and i'm looking forward to watching your future adventures!

[@donnasailing]

Thank you so much. I'm head to Northern Scotland now and have some footage to edit when I get back. Thank you for your comment and for watching xx

[@hellodarren]

@@donnasailing You're very welcome, good luck on the trip (and with the editing!)

[@LittleBoatAdventures]

Just found your channel. Enjoying your videos. Keep it up😁. The RNLI are amazing. We caught a rope around our prop & needed there help too. ⛵

[@Dreadjembe]

Great vid, a quite rightly very proud father there. It last year i did a delivery from scotland down to plymouth and managed to get a prop wrap on pots too, gutted, we also had to get the lifeboat out just off ireland. luckily no damage as it wasnt our boat and was an expensive bavaria 54. I have a 7 year old s9n and 4 year old daughter, weve spent a lot of time in and on the water this summer where we live in Guernsey. I bought an old ohlson 38 a few years ago and still workking on her on dr land but used the time to learn skippering. Will do my coastal this winter.... Will get there in the end! Gonna check out the rest of your vids :)

[@donnasailing]

Oh no I'm sorry to hear you got caught on a pot too, it's happening to so many people now. Most people up in the north east have fitted rope cutters now, including my dad. How amazing are our lifeboats though, we are so lucky to have them. Good luck with the coastal skipper course and thank you for your comment and connecting with me.

[@stephenburnage7687]

Across Central America pots are everywhere. Sometimes they are only a few yards offshore and sometimes ten miles offshore, so it's impossible to plan a coastal route to avoid them. Some hulls are more vulnerable to pick these up (and wrap around the prop), catermerans seemingly being the most vulnerable, but the only effective solution is to not sail at night and to keep out a good lookout.

[@jameswright7795]

Awesome stuff Donna Great video. look forward to seeing more adventures.

[@donnasailing]

Thank you!! Should be off further north in 2 weeks weather permitting 🤞

[@dulls8475]

Day skipper is a great course and teaches the basics well. As some old salt once said, in order to be a sailor one must go to sea. You have done that now. Your hardest RYA cse will be YM offshore. Your hours now by yourself will become invaluable.

[@donnasailing]

I'm hoping to do the YM offshore in the next year or so and cannot wait!

[@dulls8475]

@@donnasailing The theory is really important as when on the boat they will throw questions at you and will always ask for your reasoning.

[@wayneholman8563]

Great video donna &dad a team welldone sailors fair winds calm seas cheers from australia

[@alaneverett2531]

great video i to have just started with the saling bug got a nice westerly discuss down south 👍 I've been to amble it's a beautiful part of the country you are a lucky lady stay safe and look arfter ya dad xx

[@donnasailing]

Oh lovely, one of the guys in my day skipper is fixing up a westerly and I've heard they are amazing yachts. Haha yes we are up in Peterhead now and looking after eachother x

[@chrisgilbert1399]

Hi Donna, really enjoyed the video, makes a difference that you have a great sense of humour. Always appreciate people who can be self critical. Congratulations on passing your day skipper. I am in the process of doing my theory, practical to follow. Plase don't take this the wrong way (pretty much think you won't), but I love your accent and could listen to you rambling on for hours, lol. looking forward to the next video and good luck in your travels. Before I finish, would it be possible to do a walk through of your dad's boat please? Thank you, Chris

[@donnasailing]

Chris thank you for the feedback! Yes I will ask my dad, he loves talking about his boat so he wont mind me doing a walk through at all. It should be back in the water in the next week or so. Good luck with your theory and practical, are you doing it in the UK?

[@chrisgilbert1399]

@@donnasailing Thank you, interested to see your wind generator and arch/bimini structure as well as the rest. Yes, will be in the UK. I live aboard my boat in Chichester Marina on the south coast. Have done so for that last 4 years, so may as well learn how to sail hehe. Might even learn to swim properly too. Oh, btw, I didn't mean that you were rambling on in your video, just making a point, probably badly, that you could ramble on about anything and I could just happily listen. I think I will shut up now. Take care

[@donnasailing]

@@chrisgilbert1399 yeah will do that for sure. Very jealous of your live aboard life! Haha I honestly didnt take it like that and your comments are much appreciated.

[@donnasailing]

@@chrisgilbert1399 and I definitely recommend some sea swimming too, it's good for the mind and body🥶

[@chrisgilbert1399]

@@donnasailing Thought you would take it the right way, but just checking. Oh, I am not so sure you would have been too jealous when I got back from work today. I like fresh air when I sleep and didn't close the hatch in my berth, so as you can imagine after the downpours today, I spent a lot of time clearing out my stern cabin so I have somewhere dry to sleep tonight. Such a muppet. But still, liveaboard life is so much better. You should sell up and get your yacht Donna. I have no regrets whatsoever, even with my rain soaked bed lol. When you make the next video, make sure you talk lots, thank you.

[@theyacht40]

excellent video ,Thanks

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Just found your videos and hats off to you for getting out there. Best idea that you are crewing as much as you can. Maybe do some racing too as that sharpens up skills in sail handling and trimming sails etc. Also good fun. Keep at it and good luck working towards Norway trip. I want to go the higher latitudes as well. Andy UK

[@donnasailing]

Hi Andy, thanks for your comment. Yes I've been racing most weekends now as crew at my local yacht club. Just finished a trip to the Orkney Islands too so I'm definitely getting more confident. I know what you mean about the higher latitudes, such beauty to see up there 😍

[@paulharrisonn]

never lock em off just adds a risk of getting jammed on. 808 is the most you need - that said ive never had an 80 come loose - but people tell me it has happened.

[@donnasailing]

Exactly thank you!!!!! I've not had one come lose and also never met anyone who has. Thanks for your comment 😁

[@richardayres2949]

Maybe, Wetsuit on, knife, tie a line on the stern with a fender on it just in case there is tide running, and jump in and cut the line off?

[@donnasailing]

Definitely a better option than turning the engine on!! We've installed rope cutters since so hopefully that will be the last time. Managed to get to the Orkneys and back in August with no dramas

[@Ajojets]

Fantastic trip and video, although you had a few hiccups I bet you learned a load from it, them dam lobster pots are everywhere. Safe sailing.

[@donnasailing]

Thank you. Omg yes those pots are bloody nightmare. My number 1 learn is get a rope cutter!

[@Ajojets]

@@donnasailing I’ve gone back to sailing this year after 25 years off, I found it a little challenging at first, things that I didn’t bat an eyelid at then, seen more of a drama now. So you could say I’m on the same leaning curve as you.

[@donnasailing]

@@Ajojets definitely if you dont use it you lose it. Other than the lobster pot trip, my dad hasn't done any longer passages for a few years and the beginning of the trip we just finished today, he had forgotten loads. He was really stressed out until he got back into the swing of things.

[@engineeringconsulting5534]

Donna, Do you have an update, as to when you will be sailing again. You mentioned August; I am constantly watching for it; and will keep watching for it. Thank you. The best to you and your Father. Cheers! Blue Skies, Fare Winds, and Calm Seas. Faithfully, James

[@donnasailing]

Hi James, my dad is picking me up at either wick or Peterhead next week and we are heading to Kirkwall in the Orkneys and then Fair Isle and possibly further weather dependent. I have 16 days off work only so definitely need those fair winds. I'm taking my go pro so will def make another video ❤

[@engineeringconsulting5534]

@@donnasailing Donna, That is great! I look forward to your video. It really sounds like a beautiful voyage. Cheers! Blue Skies, Fare Winds, and Calm Seas. Faithfully, James

[@patrickstratford9798]

hi, loved the video! It's good to see that you are getting out on the boat. I hope you have now changed your plans about visiting Russia. Did you know that if you got to a pub or restaurant the ladies loo is always to the right? That's because women always think they are right! Just ask your dad. Looking forward to the next video.

[@donnasailing]

Thanks Patrick. I think perhaps Russia may not be on the cards now but Norway is, although we wont make it this year due to the keel bolt issues. Definitely next year though. Yes woman are always right! 🤣🤣

[@engineeringconsulting5534]

Donna, I just finished watching your videos. Will you be publishing them on a routine bases, in the future? I like your ambition. Blue Skies, Fair Winds, and Calm Seas! Faithfully, James

[@donnasailing]

Hi James, yes I will. Star has just gone back in the water after having some work done on the keel and we are planning a voyage north in August so watch this space....

[@damianmullin]

Brilliant.

[@janisspalvins677]

Thanks for video. Please tell what is your nice boat type and size? Looking very expencive boat.

[@donnasailing]

It's very old but lovely and timeless accommodation. Star is a Hunter Legend 30.2.

[@richardayres2949]

Every skipper have their own preference for the knots they use to tie fenders on and shore lines. The art of being a good crew is to see how the boat is tied up when you jump on and adapt accordingly 😀

[@Wildcatsailing]

Loved the video, can relate to everything you said spot on advice. I too film on go pro hero 5, would love to invest in the latest. Can I offer little tip you mentioned volume etc everyone complained at mine for same thing. This may help when editing not that I am professional or anything I just love playing about with my silly little KZbin videos for the family to have a laugh at. Do you use video editing software? If yes here’s a couple of things I sussed out. If the volumes to low, raise the volume just below the point when you see red bits on the sound bar graph. between clips that little punch you hear, if you zero the sound level just before the next clip and same at the start to the next clip, there is a little trick to this where you can hold the original/main volume and reduce just after or before. Think it’s a hero 5 thing the punch sound. With the Mic always turn the mic away from the wind, keep the wind behind the go pro or your hand or objects to shield the mic on the phone. Sorry for such a long message. Hope I made sense when writing this. 😹 wicked, keep it up great little video. 💀☠️⛵️💨👍

[@donnasailing]

Hey this is fantastic advice thank you so much. I'm definitely wanting to improve my editing. I cant remember what software I use as I'm actually on the boat now in Scotland and didn't dare bring my lap top. Got the go pro with me so will have some footage to edit when I get back. Thanks again 😁

[@donnasailing]

Also I have got a wind sock for the go pro on this journey. Had a listen to the footage I took yesterday and it sounded ok but hopefully it doesn't effect the quality of the sound more. Have you used one?

[@Wildcatsailing]

@@donnasailing I was forgetting about the wind socks, something I never invested in, I was frightened off compromising the water seals. My plan was to upgrade camera equipment. Then I gave up the KZbin stuff 2 year ago, around start of the pandemic. I ended up investing in a MacBook Air at the time and used Final Cut Pro for editing, found really easy to use once you got used to where everything is. 🤯 Regret didn’t get the MacBook pro, am an apple snob. 🤭

[@Tom-mn1fd]

Hi Donna how long u boat u sailing and how long till u solo.

[@dirkbaumann4157]

Love the accent.

[@donnasailing]

Haha thanks

[@dirkbaumann4157]

@@donnasailing Any recommendations or observations regarding the RYA certification?

[@donnasailing]

@@dirkbaumann4157 yes I have done a video on my channel about my top tips! My advice would be to do it somewhere tidal and also join a yacht club after to crew and get experience. If you have the money and crew then charter soon after to put your skills into practice. Or buy a boat if you can. I wasn't in a position to buy or charter so I still crewing for others and trying to build up enough trust for them to let me take more responsibility. I would also recommend doing a longer passage with another more experienced skipper too. My dad and I are hoping to get to the Orkneys in a couple of weeks weather permitting and I feel I will get more confidence then. I didnt feel the day skipper was quite enough tuition but then I did it during covid restrictions so we couldn't stay on the boat.

[@sf777howdy]

Great videos Donna keep up the good work and out with your dad doing something you both enjoy. Are you on Instagram to follow your journey? X

[@donnasailing]

I was thinking of starting one actually! Gonna do it when I get back from this trip. 😁 xx

[@sf777howdy]

@@donnasailing I'm looking forward to following your adventures. Hope your having fun on your boat xx

[@donnasailing]

@@sf777howdy right I made one its donna_sailing. Looking forward to connecting 😁

[@tvalentinsen]

You should come to Karmøy, it’s right over the pond to the northeast 😊 I’ll come greet your in the sea if I’ve gotten around to buy myself a sailboat by then 😊

[@bubblesandbiscuitspawspa]

I leave in NY and just starting my journey to become a skipper and a Yachtmaster. Contacted an RYA school in FL but have to take the theoretical tests first. Please, do you have any advice....any books you can recommend...I'd really appreciate it. My dream is to sail the Mediterranean sea...thank you in advance!!

[@donnasailing]

So the books I used were just the standard RYA ones. How I got my head around the nav was to ask my instructor to explain things a million times over 😂. I'm not a math/numbers person at all so took me longer than most. There are some colreg apps and rya apps that are good and I used them. Also some good vids on KZbin too. What helped me most though is having my instructor go over it again and again. Poor guy 😂

[@donnasailing]

I want to sail the med too!!!

[@bubblesandbiscuitspawspa]

@@donnasailing thank you so much!! The whole process looks really hard to me and i am looking for ways to make it easier lol

[@MySkyranger]

Hi Donna. What boat are you hoping to buy one day

[@donnasailing]

Oooooh good question! At the moment I would just be grateful of anything as I don't have the budget for what I want just yet. So I absolutely love the Rivals and there is actually a rival 32 for sale at the moment in amble but it needs loads of work apparently...i was thinking about it for a while though. The boats I've actually sailed on so far that I would love are the Hanse 30 and the Dehler 36. What they both have in common, which is a preference for me, is that they are set up for single handed sailing. Both have the traveller in the cockpit which I like and the hanse has a self taking jib which makes life easier. The dehler I also loved as it has an electric winch just in front of the traveller in the cockpit so getting the main up when alone would be a much smoother process. I also love the interior of the dehler. The one I sailed was pretty old but the accommodation was so open plan and all white inside making it kind of timeless, if that makes sense. Both are pretty fast too and can move even in little wind. Anyway sorry, dont get me started taking about boats 😂😂. So in a nutshell, I'll be buying something with those features, or those if I'm ever fortunate enough to afford or even find a hanse or dehler.

[@MySkyranger]

@@donnasailing Hi Donna. Thanks for your reply. I hope you get your wish and one day own your own boat. I have just noticed your dad’s boat in the next pontoon to mine, very smart. Glad to have found your KZbin channel. You and your dad are quite a double act. Mint

[@donnasailing]

@@MySkyranger what?! As in literally next to you? Are you in Amble too?

[@MySkyranger]

Yes. Birth 3/6. I bought an old mans boat late last year and worked on it at Amble. It’s in the water now. I was browsing sailing at Amble on KZbin when Your vids came up. Looking over my bow I saw your dads boat, very sleek. I have the blue and white Fisher 25 motor sailer, I love it to bits.

[@donnasailing]

@@MySkyranger ah amazing well I will look out for you next time I'm over there. Come say hi if you see us! Hope the starlings are not giving you too much cleaning to do. 😂

[@NatNay-cu3uv]

Rya day skipper isnt really any good is it Much more is needed

[@bonvoyage5377]

I lasted 3 days on the course, full of useless outdated info practices etc. Teacher spent more time on his phone talking to family etc, very amateurish to be honest, learnt more by crewing, self study etc, was helped by having 15 yrs windsurfing experience, £200 wasted

[@NatNay-cu3uv]

@@bonvoyage5377 i didnt learn anything from instructor. All I did was take him sailing for a week Hamble school of yachting

[@bonvoyage5377]

@@NatNay-cu3uv my course was at shoreham yacht club..clicky or what

[@NatNay-cu3uv]

@@bonvoyage5377 yes they need a complete shakeup However they do not want to pay for any advice ( feed back ) These schools are being found out a little now

[@BIBIWCICC]

Be careful with the RYA courses. They give you a very basic knowledge. Sadly there is no other organisation that is well known. There are much better sailing schools all over the world. The problem with the RYA is there instructor courses are very simple to pass and require very little blue water experience. Most people I’ve met with RYA qualification especially fastrack student are pretty clueless.

[@donnasailing]

I totally agree! I've just sailed from Northumberland and now I'm in the Orkneys and I have learned that. Couldnt have done this without my dad and I will be talking about this in my next video. Xx

[@markbyford123]

Not your fault really. Way too many pots out poorly marked. It's getting beyond a joke really.

[@donnasailing]

It really is. We did a night sail 2 nights ago from Amble to Eyemouth and it was actually scary. I love night sailing but I dont think I can do it again in Northumberland. The pots are getting further and further out too unfortunately. There were even some next to the transit line when we came into the harbour which was just rediculous. If their gonna be there I think they should be lit up in the evening. A small LED wouldnt cost the earth and it would actually look really pretty seeing twinkly lights everywhere in the dark.

[@markbyford123]

May get confused with other lights. Perhaps a florescent pot marker. There must be a way to overcome the problem.

[@donnasailing]

@@markbyford123 yeah good point with the lights. Fluorescent could work. What part of the uk you from?

[@markbyford123]

I enjoy my sailing mostly on the west coast of ireland. Plenty of pots to dodge there to.

[@markbyford123]

And rocks!!