S3#52. 50 KNOT STORM!!! Our Anchor Drags and Boats Collide!

The link to add your Yacht Insurance Claim report is : www.barefootdoctorssailing.co...
Join our Patreon : www.patreon.com/BarefootDoctorsSailing - from $3/episode
Join us as we say goodbye to our Patreons after one last lovely sail downwind with the Oxley back to Fethiye. We share their feedback about the experience and then sail south to Butterfly Valley, a pirate cove used for ambushing ships in the past!
We enjoy the valley and walk up the steep gorge to a beautifully refreshing (freezing) waterfall an enjoy the clear waters and dramatic steep cliffs...
While anchored in a very protected bay, we get hit by a 50 knot storm with lightning all around and we drag anchor between and into very congested area of boats. Boats collide around us as we fight to control the boat and avoid direct hits ourself, camp;ered by the fact that we could not look forwards at all and I have to motor the boat back and forth looking only sideways for a reference point for our position.
Of when emergencies arise, somethings go wrong and we are unable to open the anchor locker that we eventually prise open with a screwdriver and pliers.... Eventually the storm passes and we return to our half eaten dinner and wine in our glasses still waiting to be drunk...
We also announce our next Patreon sailing adventure on Expedition Barefoot that will be in Turkey on 9 June - 16 June 2024.... We look forward to having more of you with us this year!
WE ARE STILL WANTING ANYONE THAT HAS MADE A YACHT INSURANCE CLAIM to fill in our Data collection form so we can make the yacht insurance companies accountable and we can share how well or badly they pay out for the claims made.... WE ABSOLUTELY NEED YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS SO PLEASE ALSO SHARE THIS INFO WITH ANYONE YOU KNOW HAS HAD A CLAIM!
Form is at:
www.barefootdoctorssailing.co...
Our Patreon option starts from only $3 per week, and will allow our supporters to enjoy live updates, join us for sailing events in Aegean Greece, May 2024. Then in Dubai Jan 2025 (aboard the new Portofino 52) join us for the launching party and test sails!!! We are also offering boat build tours with sailing off Dubai to share the progress of the P52 build and provide whatever sailing or life discussions that YOU want us to provide during all of these events..... It is a very exciting prospect and we have been requested repeatedly to give advice, take folk sailing, teach sailing techniques etc etc.... So here it is!!!
Any Patreons will have the choice to join us for these events which are usually about 5 days to be up close and personal with Eli and John and learn from their expertise... There will be sailing trips, excursions and chats during the events and the subjects will be designed to suit the participants that will be there. Patreons will receive all the sailing and talks with the Barefoot Doctors without any cost but will only have to cover their own travel, food and accomodation costs.
All Patreon proceeds go to Exqisit Life Foundation to support TUFMINDS Mental Resilience and Suicide Prevention Program worldwide.
Some come Barefoot with us on this exciting journey - now physically and in person with Patreon if you wish!!!
Binge watch and come barefoot with us as we travel and explore the planet, mostly from the water but sometimes through the minds of others as we provide aid and support where needed through the amazing TUFMINDS solutions!
WHAT IS TUFMINDS
The free TUFMINDS program is released as a smartphone program under the Exqisit Life Foundation Charity, a registered not for profit and requires financial support to fund the free program. TUFMINDS saves lives by intervening at the point of suicide and pulling everyone to higher levels of mental resilience, wellbeing and functioning. it also creates better attitudes, relationships, resilience and coping - all very important for sailors facing difficult situations at sea.
@Barefoot Doctors Sailing
DONATIONS to the charity to support Suicide Prevention with the free TUFMINDS program can be made at:
shoutforgood.com/charities/ex...
For more info:
www.TUFMINDS.com
www.barefootdoctorssailing.com.au
TUFMINDS app - in App Store

[@davidnichols147]

Marvelous, our introduction to your Patreon's was first rate, what a lovely change to learn from your experience.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thank you kindly, David!

[@leeoldershaw956]

When you hear thunder, wake up and turn the radar on. If the storm is heading I your direction, put your safety flotation harnesses and foul weather gear on. Start engines and remove anchor snubber and rely on chain stopper. There should be a switch by the helm to retrieve/deploy the anchor for one person to operate. Turn on nav display. If you have a helm protected from the weather you may not get wet. If your boat doesn't have these capabilities and you cruise in thunderstorm areas, add them. We've done this many times in a 41ft. monohull ketch.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Great steps and strategies Lee! We don;t have the anchor control at the helm station but we have already ordered it for our P52. The cold air from the storm and the high wind has a huge chill factor so getting the wet weather gear on early is a very good plan....

[@leeoldershaw956]

@barefootdoctorssailing8567 It's a toss up about whether to have your radar and nav on during a thunderstorm but you can better keep track of your own and others position. We put a handheld VHF and GPS in the oven to shield them from lightning EMP but I'm not sure how much stainless steel shields. Our unoccupied boat was hit by lightning 3 times at the dock in 29 years in SW Florida. All damage was EMP as the bolts went down the mast directly into a 10,000 lb. lead keel. No exit wounds were ever found. One 50 kt squall in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas we motored on anchor as far port as possible while a 50 ft. Krogen trawler dragged past us 10 ft. to starboard.

[@SailingSeahorse2026]

Lovely episode Eli. Your Patrons really seemed to have enjoyed themselves. Who wouldn’t with Eli’s hospitality and John’s sailing knowledge. I’d bet at least one couple will be out on the water soon. Woa, far out Batman, that storm looked intense. I just kept thinking ‘not another insurance claim’ 😂 thankfully no lightning strikes or boat bumping, phew 😅. Cheers Guys 😘

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks Clint for the amazing support and hope you’re enjoying your fast sailing in Oz!!!

[@lazzj4995]

Never dull…but crikey those lightening photos are something

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Yes impressive - but we'd rather not have that experience.... Glad all was good in the end!

[@azuresea8086]

Harrowing! and that happened in a VERY PROTECTED anchorage! What a lovely example of being in the F L O W together in a very difficult situation. So many skippers would have lost their S !!! Ellie, you too with the composure to film the mayhem!

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks you for the kind words.

[@MrJerobona]

Lucky you! Bravo to the super Team!

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks again Jero!

[@KirkThomson]

Very exciting episode! Glad you made it through unscathed.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks and glad you liked it Kirk!

[@braddonbuckley8629]

Excellent video and videography under such trying circumstances, well done, glad you got through the storm unscathed as a result of remaining level headed with great communication. Loved seeing the patreons interviews, giving your time and passing on your knowledge in such a meaningful way is golden ❤ Love it 🥰 How nice is butterfly bay and a great story of how the pirates used it to attack innocent trading vessels back in the day. ☠️

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Hi cheers for your lovely comments , so glad you appreciate our video, we are fortunate we have such amazing people as Patreons it easy to give freely to those who appreciate it! Thanks for your great support!❤

[@mangowalter8239]

Oh my goodness! First, your videos and narrative have reached a new level. The photography, vocal description and editing are so superb that I beg for more when the video ends. Congratulations are in order for your 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ posts! I feel truly blessed that I get to be a part of your adventures as seen through your camera lens. 😊 Butterfly 🦋 Bay was so beautiful and the water was crystal clear. Visibility in the water was so clear that even with my shark fear I think I would have taken the water plunge! lol 😆 That storm was a “doozy” and you both handled it like the professionals you are. It’s a reminder to all us couch sailors that full time sailing is NOT always clear sky’s and white beaches. You both complement each other’s skills and a HUGH thumbs up 👍 for staying sensible in a time of panic! Stay safe my friends 😉

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks very much Mango! Very kind!!!

[@keithb2338]

What an epic episode! Congrats at surviving that sudden storm, very scary indeed! Once again you showed how important keeping your cool is when dealing with a stressful situation. Thanks for sharing and glad you are both safe. ❤🙏👏🏻👏🏻

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks Keith for your support!

[@gbsailing9436]

Hi John and Eli, Great to see this weeks episode !! It's always sad to say goodbye to great friends. Rick, Collette, Peter and Toby not only have been great supporters of you both, but have become good friends as you say, so it must be difficult to part ways. However, you never know, Peter and Toby may just look to purchase your 45 when you move to the Portofino 52! I'll say more once I watch the storm segment. I'm back. WOW!! Dreadful weather. I'm sorry for you both having to deal with that horrendous storm. If I may offer some advice from my considerable life experiences. Firstly: People who have been struck by lightning and lived have often been told they survived because they were totally saturated by water and the electricity passed around their bodies rather than through it. So my advice would be if you going to be in a storm go put your wetsuits on immediately and jump in the water getting totally wet and then get back out. The suits will keep you warm no matter how long you stay outside in the pouring rain, dealing with anchors and such. If they are closed cell neoprene suits they will also offer a layer of protection for you from lightning strikes should use be accidentally hit but only if you're FULLY wet. Personally I would be using a Neoprene DRY suit as they are quicker to put on, provide FAR better insulation, both against cold, water and electric shock! They are also great if you happen to fall overboard accidentally in the process. Additionally, because you don't have to worry about wearing all the extra layers and coats to keep warm getting things done is much easier. With a DRY suit you can just take it off afterwards and you are totally dry and warm the whole time. Wear a wetsuit hood (personally I only buy wetsuits with the hood built into them so you don't have to go looking for it when you need it), this will help with hail, although not against Aussie hail as you know. Secondly, let me know what you think of this idea. I would have had Eli at the helm manning the engines to stay in position as you did, but I would have jumped into the rubber dingy and fended off boats using the dingy at the front and sides. Using a dive mask if the rain is driving hard into your face can be an advantage. This would help protect your boat as well as others because of the soft sides of the dingy and you can push them around at will. Of course it means dropping the lines (so the dingy has unfettered room to manoeuvre and using the engines to keep stationary. Of course all this can take time to deploy, but you would have had your dingy in the water already. I'm glad you both (and Expedition Barefoot) made it through unscathed. Let me know your thoughts. If you need any advice on suits let me know and I'll email you some stuff. Fair 💨's and Following 🌊's.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Hi again Garth! Thanks for all that info and yes, getting on the wet weather gear would be better but we hadn't had it out ALL YEAR! And yes hoods and dive masks are really useful for protection during these times so you are right. Certainly we would consider the dinghy if our engines failed or were fouled but using the main engines to motor away from harm is faster and safer than using the dinghy, I would have thought... If you have more folk on board, it could be very useful but as we are only two, we need both hands on deck. Great thoughts!

[@gbsailing9436]

Yes all true and there wasn't much time to react. You sent the crew home too early. LOL. @@barefootdoctorssailing8567

[@btrent9244]

Outstanding

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks Trent!

[@paulbadenhorst7761]

Once again, an absolutely awesome episode. What a storm !!!

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks very much Paul and wishing you some good winds to continue your track across the Atlantic!

[@larslind1815]

well done to both of you - I assume this weather was not in the forecast, as knowing you, you would have been prepared if it was .... Mediterranean weather is unpredictable (something many people do not realise) ... stay safe and remember : life is easy, just add water

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Yes Lars it was not forecast apart from the presence of thunderstorms. Certainly no talk of Highwinds to that extent. We had also been in many similar thundery days previously without anything like that happening but perhaps we were just lucky.Anyway we came out it fine and all is good.By the way, We enjoyed your lovely photographs of your cruise down to Oman and sorry we couldn’t make it.

[@waltervanderboor]

Its amazing how quickly its calm after a storm. We have these massive storms with terannual rain in Asia all the time. It's no joke when anchors drag. Well,dealt with sailors. Consider to remove that hatch.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks again Walter and those "clever" latches with complex mechanisms are so likely to fail or jam.... We have just had the engines serviced that day and it was workers that forced the latch closed.

[@MK-gr9qz]

Well done 👍🏅👍

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thank you! Cheers MK!

[@mountaindweller9118]

You did an excellent job managing this and did everything right. Well played. Curious if you have the standard Leopard issue Delta/Lewmar onboard or if you had upgraded the anchor. What comes with the boat is undersized IMO and not a fan of plow anchors. Great Job!

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Hi MD, thanks for the comment and we don;t like the standard Delta as they are undersized for the boat and we upgraded to a 40Kg Rocna and 110m of chain. We also spend 20 years sailing with CQR which was awful too!!! (We ordered 100m but I think they just gave us extra as it must have been the end of the roll!)

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

Damn Lionfish.. time to exercise some fisheries protection and have a lionfish barbecue 🤞🏼 Weather bomb incomming .. more energy in the atmosphere more in the seas..repeat the cycle just faster and more intense.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

They taste quite good actually! Thanks Clive.

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

@@barefootdoctorssailing8567 So ive been told ... Theres a Plymouth couple heading through the Panama canal and theyve been spear fishing for the invasive blighters in the Caribbean. Just mind the spines and remove them first. 👍🏼🧙‍♂️

[@johndewaard8032]

We call it you got balls lol

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

There are things that you just have to get through - ballot or not! But thanks for the kind words again John!

[@billhanna8838]

Well done , Have you looked at auto angker from the helm & 2 way ear speakers ? Thank god no Lightning strikes .

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks Bill, when wind came up and the anchor started to drag we just jumped into action and did not put on our mics. It was raining so hard they would probably get ruined...

[@ahminmabed5166]

Ship happens...even in the Med

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Unfortunately so and it was mid October so near the end of the season and these were the winter storms coming in... Thanks for your support!

[@davedavids9619]

Great episode and we feel for you. We know how it feels to be in a completely calm anchorage and all of a sudden you find yourself in a storm from Hell. You managed it very well, stayed calm, no panic and came through it unscafed. It is the type of experience none of us (living on a boat) wish to have, but getting through it does make you stronger. You look at what you can improve and that will help with the next storm, which will come for sure. Just out of curiosity, how much chain did you have out at the time ? I saw a very busy anchorage, so am kind of curious to find out how much chain you can put out in that bay without running into other boats.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks Dave - yes good question. We had 30m of chain out in 6 m of depth and that was about all we could have because of the other boats around. We have a Rocna 40Kg and big chain but I think we must have either been fouled by seagrass when the wind changed or were in soft mud - both of these are there in plenty in the Fethiye Bay...

[@davedavids9619]

@@barefootdoctorssailing8567 that would mean a scope of 1 : 4 (roughly) and for that amount of wind may have been too little. The forces of the wind on your hull were probably very high, much more than the holding power of the anchor and the chain. But that is indeed the problem with busy anchorages, you cannot throw out what you normally would like to put in the water. Biggest problem is that these storms come out of the blue and then the only thing you can do it 'sit it out and hope for the best'. But you managed very well.

[@steverogers2658]

Thanks for another great episode! Phew ..... that sure was some squall that came through and well done on managing it so well. That forward cockpit is definitely a big plus in situations like that. Interesting to hear your comments on the Oxley about wind angles. I have a symetric spinnaker from North Sails and use it through both the blocks on each bow most of the time as I can use it up to 150 degree wind angles comfortably in winds up to 15knots without it luffing. In higher wind speeds - up to 25 knots (and sea state dependant) I use it up to 160 degrees to avoid it luffing and have it flog on a luff. I have used it like you do with a Antal snatch block on a barber hauler from the mid ship cleat with wind angles from 150 to around 140 and release the windward sheet to to bring it around. Do you sail with the Oxley on a wind hold or heading hold? A couple of questions if you have the time: 1. Where in Turkey were you when the storm hit? 2. What time of the year was that and time of the day? 3. Intrigued to know what anchor you have on the Leopard (seems other folk are too!!!!) 4. What depth of water were you in? ..... I have sailed that area about five years ago ... and water depths can be an issue ..... hence the frequency of Med mooring in small bays ..... looks like you were in a larger bay like Gocek as you were surrounded by a lot of other yachts. Well done once again on your seamanship (yes both of you !!) Cheers ....... Steve

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Hi Steve, thanks for the details comments and your kind words. We only keep the Oxley up in up to 15(-20) knots true wind and they state that you should only sail it to 15 knots AWS. The trouble with keeping to that is that if you slow down at the bottom of a trough the TWS of 25K with AWS of 15k then suddenly increases to 23 or 25 knots as it refills so I prefer to use TWS. We can sail it up to 100* TWA and all the way through180* and as I showed there 10-20* past the gybe point if needed... So very similar to your symmetrical s[innaker but I would dose it earlier as they are so big. I use wind angle if we are not watching the sails and fixed heading when paying attention. 1-4. Storm was in Fethiye Bay - 6 m depth All quite shallow but some seagrass and some areas of soft mud that don;t hold well, it was Mid October so bad weather starting, 40 (or maybe 45kg Rocna).... Hope that covers it all!

[@the_ayesha_khan]

Wow! Well done guys…so it didn’t look like you dragged?? What anchor do you have?

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

hi Ayesha, yes we had dragged about 300m probably but I had the engines on then and holding the boat almost stationary against the storm. We have a 40 kg Rocna and 110m of chain but Fethiye has patches of grass and very soft mud so I do not think it was the fault of the anchor.

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

These sort of storms are getting more common.. sailing uma resorted to ski goggles to get through them. If the stones get really large as they can in places and times. Some headgears recomended... Like kyak helmets. Good point about straight through to the front route and proves the value of a protected helm and rigid screen . A down light on the mast makes things safer on deck and shows the boat up without blinding you so much as moving around on deck.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Yes we use swimming masks as we don;t have the cold weather gear on board. Yes some light on board is good but you do still need to see out to know where folk are and in the storm bright lights may limit distance vision. You can try them on and off and see what works better but we prefer to only use low lighting so we can see out better...

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

@@barefootdoctorssailing8567 👍🏼 I guessed as much and it works best if the up mast deck light is adjustable the french would go on about their yellow headlamps.. 😉 i see under dim blue light better than red for some reason. I've normal colour vision. Last year there were massive hail storms in italy. Not just in size but quantity. .. as the drought that afflicted the whole region broke. I took one look and thought there is no way anyone would survive that stuck out on the transome of an open cockpit. Let alone be able to helm it through an emergency like that.

[@dc1544]

When it comes to anchors and chain bigger is better. I see so may boats with right size anchors and they just are not big enough in high winds. either 2 anchors or 1 a lot bigger is needed. Chain so many get smaller chain because a 12 volt windless can only pull so much. Now they have 48 volt windless which can pull much larger chain and anchor easily. a 125lb, 55 kilo anchor is so much better than a 85lb, 40 kilo anchor. even the size and weight of chain makes a huge difference. Planning and using a much higher scope like 10-12 to 1 even making sure enough room is available is tuff. I see so many move since you can see what will happen 10 days from now.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Hi DC, we are happy with our 45kg Rocna and 110m of chain (quite large grade) but where we were anchored there are patches of grass and some very soft mud. The depth is only 6m and certainly we would have let out more chain if we knew it was coming but it had been squally all day and this one came unexpectedly. Letting out 10-12/1 scope also relies on there being enough space in the anchorage... Good points and everything is still a compromise - fortunately weight is not such an issue on Leopards but is a significant issue with performance cats...

[@dc1544]

@@barefootdoctorssailing8567 Yes under normal conditions. when 4 times the force is applied most anchors will drag unless they are over sized or you use 2 anchors like big boats do. Just saying I have seen a boat drag under those conditions and then an 125lb replaced and in same spot with same winds didn't drag. Remember when they cell those boats they plan on 25 knots as there safety line not 50 knots. so anchor is rated for 25 knots with that boat. Its physics and when wind doubles force increases also and then that anchor is no longer rated for that boat.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

@@dc1544 HI again DC yes you are right. The other thing that sometimes helps us is thick mud that holds very firmly but where we were here it was soft mud and grass. Obviously when you know a cyclone or hurricane is coming you put out two anchors and lots of chain but while thunder was forecast, they never predict the wind strengths in the squalls so we did not expect such an impressive event! We had been there several times before with the same squalls passing over, but this one was out of the ordinary!

[@dc1544]

@@barefootdoctorssailing8567 Get a yearly subscription to predict wind or several. Putting yourself in danger and damage to another boat would be devastating. Being able to go to Dock or move 50 miles you could avoid the storms. Watch the super yachts. They run to avoid storms all the time. They will spend $10k in fuel just so they are not in high winds like that.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

@@dc1544 we have windy and predict wind but they do not forecast those local squalls as they don’t know where they will occur. We had two other days with thunder storms rolling through but no significant winds for us… Fair degree of chance and you never know where the bad squalls are going to happen and we were with many other Superyachts in that bay cause it was a “good” place to be!

[@ianh2674]

Wow that was an intense few minutes, keeping calm under trying circumstances is the key to success, as well as knowing what you are doing! Good video folks.

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Thanks Ian, kind words!