Battered by a TERRIBLE STORM. Life aboard isn't always easy. Raw Unedited.

[@SailingMelody]

Happy Boxing Day! In this episode we hunker down aboard to wait our Storm Darragh. We’re so glad to be here in #portlandmarina where the staff are so vigilant and caring and were out and about checking everyone’s boats. Hope you enjoy this raw look at what it’s like living aboard in the UK during the winter storms.

[@davidnichols147]

Horrific weather from Darragh, great to see Jack up and about helping you with the various tasks at hand. As Melody laid starboard side in Portland we were thankful she was being blown off. Enjoy your hot chocolate and Harry Potter reruns, our best to Melissa and Ollie and for a safe and Happy New Year!

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

Lucky you were not at Holyhead.... It was seriously damaged and even the Ferry sailings won't resume for months . .. all the traffic is now having to go via Fishguard.

[@SailingMelody]

@@davidnichols147 thanks you so much

[@SailingMelody]

@@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665 yes I heard they had a bad time. That’s awful news

[@davidrichardson5163]

Well done Andy for helping other boaters to secure their boats in the storm. This video really highlights not only the importance of plenty of well-placed fenders and stout bow & stern warps, but also how vital mooring springs are. Oh, and waterproof trousers too!!

[@SailingMelody]

Hahah. I actually prefer shorts because I can get dry quicker with bare legs unless it’s sub zero

[@davidrichardson5163]

@@SailingMelody I was thinking of Jack - who got a thorough soaking!

[@mr-mw9cq]

That’s great Andy, you should have filmed them in action. I have lived in the Marina 12 yrs and not seen them once check boats ! I’m an old git and probably got it wrong 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@vg4413]

It is in such a storm that we can appreciate the awesome job you did with your cockpit enclosure.

[@SailingMelody]

Oh thank you. The cockpit enclosure is rock solid. Absolutely didn’t shift even a tiny bit. Really pleased with it

[@Austringer]

Love the way the Gull is just flying around in that storm like it's just a small breeze, they are amazing birds, as well as being annoying at the same time. Hope you are all good

[@SailingMelody]

They’re incredible creatures aren’t they

[@MonkPetite]

Nice to see how you help to take care of other boats. It’s attitude I share as there is no need to neglect other people materials

[@SailingMelody]

Yeah for sure. The marina staff were all out doing an amazing job but there’s only so many of them and it’s a HUGE marina so the way I see it everyone has a responsibility to help each other

[@martinhale7357]

Good on you looking out for for others. True meaning of the Christmas spirit, not that you only do it at this time of year. Each episode, Jack just matures at a colossal rate into a sterling young man. Has your just get on with it attitude. Tribute to fine parents

[@MetalDetectingSwansea]

You literally reminded me why boat life in the winter was such hard work genuinely don't miss the gales like that

[@SailingMelody]

It is. But I love it.

[@tropicalbluwaters]

The few seconds we saw of the interior of your boat seemed quite nice, despite the raging storm outside.

[@SailingMelody]

Oh 😂😂 the interior was a mess because we’re being super lazy and just lounging about. But we will do an interior tour soon.

[@jkstehn1]

Good to see both of you wearing proper inflatable vests with your harness done up correctly. A great time for Jack to learn a bit of what it means to experience a gale.

[@SailingMelody]

Definitely a good learning experience for him!

[@junepeck4259]

Happy Boxing Day. I appreciate all the effort you made to help your boating neighbors. As always, I enjoy your videos. Stay safe.

[@SailingMelody]

The marina staff were around doing amazing work but I think everyone who can should help where possible in these situations

[@jameskiehm546]

Andy, good on you to walk the docks to spot boats in trouble. Absolutely a boater best practice.

[@SailingMelody]

Thank you. The marina staff were out and about doing amazing work but there’s only so many of them so in these situations i feel like it’s all hands on deck

[@daveyporterpictures5368]

I've enjoyed every episode, but I have to say this is one of the best. It was downright exciting, and it was so reassuring to see how true seamen care for one another--checking the status of the other boats in the marina goes beyond kindness, and that is so wonderful to see. Take care, and Happy New Year!

[@SailingMelody]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lenwhatever4187]

Makes me thankful for our break water.... which is about 10 feet above the water at high tide. It's been windy here on Vancouver Island too.

[@SailingMelody]

Yeah it was what we’d call “spicy”

[@BristolPilotCutterCarlotta]

Jack please stop growing! In the last 12 months you have grown so much! 😊❤

[@SailingMelody]

He’s an inch shorter than Melissa now 😂

[@delukxy]

Must have been an inch every month!

[@OldAndWithered]

Hot soup weather, though it might end up on the ceiling. Such a good neighbor, Andy. Exciting episode!

[@SailingMelody]

Oh yes! Melissa makes awesome home made soup as well

[@bobuncle8704]

A lot of faith being placed on some of those ropes. 😱

[@SailingMelody]

Indeed! The marina were out doubling up peoples ropes

[@lawgoch]

That's some amazing camera work in that mess, you really put us in the middle of it - thank you! Happy Boxing Day to you as well!

[@SailingMelody]

Thank you

[@stephenjordan8712]

I’m glad you’re in the marina instead of out in open water during the storm. 😮

[@SailingMelody]

Absolutely! Portland marina is so Great and the staff are so vigilant and care so much about the boats. It really was all hands on deck, including the Marina manager who was out securing and protecting everything they could

[@jeremyallard7015]

Compliments of the season Andy and Crew, Stay Safe.

[@SailingMelody]

Same to you. Thanks 😊

[@mrdent5648]

my parents and i lived on queen annes battery marina in the 90's and we had our fair share of storms. most of us that lived there always looked out for the boats whose owners didn't have the experience nor were there to look after them. after a going through a couple of major storms you get used to it and just ride it out.

[@SailingMelody]

Yes I know what you mean. Some people live too far away or have got sick or whatever but you’d think by now most boat owners in the Uk would know how to prepare their boats for a british winter

[@mrdent5648]

@@SailingMelody what we found out is that most owners just buy expensive yaughts for apperance only and have no clue as to what it takes to look after them never mind if the weather goes bad which of course can be a very expensive repair and maintenence bill.

[@SailingMelody]

@@mrdent5648 I think that’s true the world over sadly

[@gregbolitho9775]

G'day Olly, how you? G'day Jack. Lovel,y weather your havin. Geez you a good bloke in that weather Andy. 'Come in No.46, your time is up.' wOW! thats some weather. I stay inside when rain and wind do that and hope the Xtrail is still there tomorrow! Pretty good Marina Crew you got. Thanks m8s, glad you were still round to put the vid out. Stay vertical Eh!

[@SailingMelody]

Hey Greg! Nice to hear from you as always matey. Love your comments, always make us smile. Stay vertical friend!

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Pretty humbling a storm like that. Your boat was the right side of the pontoon. Some boats had some pretty shoddy mooring lines. You can’t have too many in that sort of a blow. Good for you Andy helping out but stay safe. Andy UK

[@SailingMelody]

Thank you. There were others about and the marina staff were also doing an amazing job

[@ssshebees2842]

Andy best marina friend you can find.

[@SailingMelody]

Awh thank you

[@martinbirdiebrain1912]

Wow! That mono up at the end opposite the cat was where my yacht was moored when I was down in the summer from Penarth, I’m a friend of Stuart and Neil 👍🏻 I have a phobia of the wind! Scares me to hell, Good work helping to minimise damage,

[@SailingMelody]

Thanks! Say hi to the guys in Penarth from us. :)

[@sv.alannah]

Amasses me how the people with the most expensive boats (the most to lose) are never around when the weather gets bad to look after them.

[@SailingMelody]

You may be right. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt and assume there is a really genuine reason they’re not there but who knows.

[@billb3444]

That brought back a few memories of Portland Harbour. Saw many similar days in the RFA there.

[@SailingMelody]

That’s cool. It’s a great place to be

[@MrGraminou]

Nature is impressive. Respect due

[@SailingMelody]

Certainly is! Thank you

[@jonathanscott550]

Wow! That wind. Thankfully, you did as much as you could and selected the marine office of whose responsibility it is to ensure boats are safe. And yes, the owners have responsibility also that their boats are safely docked with the boys properly put out and lines tied down. The fun of owning a sailing boat, Andy. Was that storm, the one that brought all the snow they got in the UK. Hope your Christmas was grand cheers😊

[@69spook]

This blow arrived after & melted the snow causing excessive flooding in the UK.

[@rijmenammerart1100]

Good video, bit wind ... good to show what wind can do, heavy hé, lot of memories here, long time ago, still the same, listen to dad Kapt'n Jack, he is a good man thanks for showing this here, a couple more months (and storms) and summer is there .. .holiday greetings from flanders, all the best, get wel for your lady and keep the ropes tight and the boat warm 💪🙂👌

[@SailingMelody]

We’ve had the shortest day now so spring will be on the way soon as you say

[@rijmenammerart1100]

@@SailingMelody lol

[@rows3063]

Well done for offering support to those in need - very professional! It always amazes me to see so many yachts (sail or motor) that are left in their standard summer state when they’re wintering on a marina. At a minimum I’d expect to see sails removed from furlers & all canvas work stowed below. It’s been a while since I negotiated direct with brokers & underwriters but I was always able to end up with what I called the ‘idiot clause’ whereby any wind damage from named storms to canvas and sails wouldn’t be covered when moored - used to reduce my premium by at least £1K. Anyway, at least Ocean Melody is moored downwind of the pontoon so your fenders aren’t being destroyed! Good luck-at least things were settling down post ‘Darragh’ for a bit.

[@SailingMelody]

Thanks so much: yes we’re very pleased we were on that side of the pontoon. These winter storms are fairly standard in the UK so there’s a good chance we will get hit by another and it might come from the other direction but fingers crossed

[@richardball9724]

Well done Andy nice of you to check others boats

[@SailingMelody]

Thanks 👍

[@jenateer2518]

Good of you to take Jack with you.

[@SailingMelody]

It's good for him to see what it's like and get him off the boat for a bit.

[@jenateer2518]

@ he will look to you for the kind of man he is to become spending time with you now is more important than we realize

[@ruudstiebeler6819]

Merry Christmas to y nice Familie! ⛵️🎅🎅😉

[@SailingMelody]

Thank you. Merry Christmas to you too 🎄

[@WavedancerWesterlyfulmar]

Olie is such a cutie ❤ hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Crikey that marina was crazy exposed to Darragh. Surprised more damage was not done. Our house had no electricity for 2 days thankfully had a stove fire to keep warm alone as John was in Arzal, Brittany checking wave dancer. He was staying in the yard and was rattling in the stand

[@SailingMelody]

It’s thanks to the Marina staff. There was some unavoidable damage of course but the guys here worked tirelessly to try to protect boats as best they could in dangerous circumstances

[@JoSharpe-g4l]

Stay safe team melody. Hope you had a great Christmas and wishing you all a safe 2025, see you when you reach the Essex coast line

[@SailingMelody]

Happy Christmas! Thanks 😊

[@janissarywalker6312]

You're a good neighbor!

[@SailingMelody]

The marina staff here were amazing though. They were working flat out and running around protecting boats

[@Frank-E]

Well done!

[@SailingMelody]

Thanks

[@trevhedges]

Thanks guys!

[@SailingMelody]

Our pleasure!

[@JayPerrypersonal]

Andy in those winds I always double up ALL lines, just in case

[@SailingMelody]

Yes!

[@whitneylake2107]

Holy smokes ! Best wishes in the New Year ! Time to play REO Speedwagon's "Riding The Storm Out" !!

[@SailingMelody]

Hahaha merry Christmas and an amazing new year to you too.

[@paulrobertssydneyscubadive91]

crazy weather.....

[@SailingMelody]

Yes. Although it’s often like this in the UK generally in winter 😂😂 Not just here in particular, but the whole of the Uk in winter can be pretty gnarly

[@markchodroff250]

I had a 35’sailboat for,years , use more lines to,pull,the boat away from the dock ! If you need help run your lines back to a winch then tie off again!

[@SailingMelody]

Yes lots of boats did the same. We’re were being blown off so wasn’t an issue for us

[@gavinseal1043]

Glad you didn't sustain any damage, and that you were all safe! We took a bit of a beating here in Peanarth as well. We were both awake from 2am getting tossed around, it wasnt pleasant..

[@SailingMelody]

I think we all had a bit of a battering eh. Penarth is lovely and safe though.

[@Rob-r2s]

I took my Laser out in conditions like this once and had a blast. It was so rad. Fastest I've ever been on a Laser.

[@SailingMelody]

Wow that’s very brave 😊😂

[@Rob-r2s]

@@SailingMelody Not really. I was the only one out in the harbor that day. Not even the government boats were out. I was probably going 20 plus knots.

[@davidbreathwick8313]

I would always put a lashing around my Furling headsail in strong winds or when leaving the boat. the times I have seen them come undone on other boats over the years, shredded in minutes

[@SailingMelody]

It's crazy how fast they shred!

[@zebulonjohn1]

May next winter see you in a more temperate climate!

[@Seahorn_]

That was an ugly storm, and the bloody bugger kept on blowing...... At least it gave us an extra day in port. Must say the last 2 weeks were the jackpot with gales

[@SailingMelody]

It’s just been non stop hasn’t it lately

[@yogihartmann8562]

Stay safe

[@SailingMelody]

Yeah normally I wouldn’t wear a life jacket just to walk up the pontoon but it was seriously a good idea on a day like that

[@kevinmartin3859]

I. Hope you all a good Christmas but that storm was horrendous did a lot of damage up the ogmore valley where I live the main mountain road from our valley to the rhondda valley suffered a land slip but being on a boat is very dangerous in that wind glad you okay

[@SailingMelody]

It was a big one wasn’t it. Although we do tend to get a lot of storms similar to that in winter in the UK

[@haydenwatson7987]

Always fun to weather a storm be it on anchor or at the marina. It was sure good that you were on the leeward side of the pier. When you were showing the outside of the boat, I saw yourself steering gear and do not remember seeing any videos of your using it. Have you had a chance to try it out yet?

[@SailingMelody]

The autohelm? No actually we didn’t use it yet but looking forward to next year

[@dmitripogosian5084]

Would be good to have snubbers on mooring lines. Cleats will take only so much of jerking action

[@redshifttrucking4537]

I was thinking about you guys during this storm, but also confident your skills would see you through. Some, I'm sure will disagree, but I am glad you allowed Jack out. People should realize that at one time you were an alpine climbing instructor, and have years of judging what is safe for a trainee, and what is beyond safe. I understand that this storm is of mental stregth... Things get serious above 40 knots... it is still doable, but any mis-step can unravel a heap of trouble. At 60+ knots... people have to realize it's an exponential increase it complications... it's not one third more problems... it's three times the problems. Hope you had a Merry Christmas... love you all

[@SailingMelody]

Thank you. Yes I don’t ever want to be over confident or arrogant or take my experience for granted but I have lived my life on the mountains and the sea and have been taking novices out in bad conditions for many years and experienced truly life threatening times myself on various occasions (haven’t we Manny Perez). So I’m uber cautious about what we do but I am comfy taking Jack out in conditions others may not do

[@lifewithmedicalsupportdogs4506]

Yeh its quite windy😂 merry Christmas

[@SailingMelody]

Just regular British winter weather though ironically

[@MarcelEling]

Happy Chrismas🎉

[@SailingMelody]

Same to you! Merry Christmas

[@MarcelEling]

Good to be in the marina😅

[@budgie003]

wow

[@SailingMelody]

Indeed. It was quite exciting

[@rossprentice4975]

From what I've seen over the years is that most yachts that get into trouble in marinas have left their curling headsail up.

[@SailingMelody]

I didn’t see much of that on this occasion but I agree you’re right lots of people have issues leaving boats with furled headsails coming undone.

[@Sailingcatsanddogs]

We had the same, down in Spain, the same weekend. 25 cm fairlead snapped in half, but like you, plenty of ropes on and rode it out on board, as not safe enough to get off for two days.

[@SailingMelody]

Wow yes that storm did extend all the way out across Biskay didn’t it

[@jason4109]

man I'm in the USA and could feel that wind🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶

[@SailingMelody]

Hahaha yes it was pretty gnarly

[@TimPorter-y2d]

high drama in the marina

[@SailingMelody]

Haha. Well kind of. It was kinda fun but certainly needed to be taken seriously

[@daviddrew4000]

Interesting that many of those boats are not tied up correctly not to mention the fenders are way to high up the sides . Theres a lot of money with owners not being aware of basics.

[@SailingMelody]

Thankfully rhe marina staff were really vigilant and out doing everything they could including adding extra lines etc etc

[@69spook]

​@@SailingMelodyGlad to hear that 👍

[@craigsimpson3186]

Surely the marina has people going around and checking all the boats?.

[@SailingMelody]

Yes they did but it's a huge marina! We couldn't fault the staff they worked tirelessly throughout the storm.

[@Aeolus999]

Invest in some dock fenders, they stay put

[@SailingMelody]

Yes if you notice lots of people here with permanent berths have them. We’re only here temporarily so we don’t but loads of folks do

[@kurtarmbrust]

Tied to a pontoon it looked pretty rough. Out in open water it would be deadly.

[@SailingMelody]

Absolutely! We have no intention of putting our kids in that kind of danger unless there’s absolutely nowhere to run. We want to anchor as much as we can of course but winter in the Uk is no place to anchor and we’re delighted to be here in Portland where it’s super safe

[@JayPerrypersonal]

Wow some wind,, and no real protection from the wind in the marina. What marina are you in?

[@SailingMelody]

Normally fairly protected until it's a NW/ W and then its a bit exciting.

[@johnmartlew5897]

Worst in … 2 years? Count them! Two. Years. Next will be weeks.

[@SailingMelody]

Just going off the news, it's definitely the worst we have seen.

[@69spook]

At 6:43 Doesn't the marina check their customers boats? All the fenders have popped out of that catamaran & the hulls now scuffing on the edge of the pontoon....😕

[@SailingMelody]

Yes they do and they were. The marina staff were out and about doing an amazing job and protecting boats as much as possible. They sorted those ones within minutes of identifying the popped fenders. They were patrolling non stop and dealing with issues as they arose

[@69spook]

@SailingMelody Good to hear.👍 You certainly captured the atmosphere & strength of the blow in your video. All the best.

[@frankdillon6127]

bad weather placement of bumper/lines is critical amazing more people dont understand.

[@SailingMelody]

Thankfully the marina staff were around patrolling and sorting stuff like that out constantly

[@mrstephenthomas100]

It's still saying Penarth Marina above !!

[@SailingMelody]

Penarth? Where is it saying that?

[@mrstephenthomas100]

@@SailingMelody minutes ago PENARTH MARINA Watch as we live aboard our classic sailing yacht and tough out a Winter Storm un the UK, Storm Daragh. Looks like the description bar. Happy Christmas, belatedly !!

[@SailingMelody]

Think we have fixed it now.

[@jakobusphsteyn3500]

I know, it is controversial, but storm and weather data is dramatized world over. Storms of whatever ilk has always been present and is part and parcel of life on earth and the system which put the earth in a state of eternal flux most humans cannot comprehend due to geological time scales. I have sailed for some years, crossed the Atlantic ocean in a variety of boats 4 times and many miles of delivery on the American eastern seaboard as well as on the western coast of South Africa. Many a difficult sailing experience but incredibly fulfilling. Bad weather and storms was very much part and parcel of the times. GPS which actually allow me to become an ocean voyager just stated and was an incredible help but weather was what it was then and now. It bothers me to an incredibly extend that temperatures I grew up with in the early sixties which was a daily occurrence is now seen as life threatening. Drought, rain storms and flooding was and still is just part of life. It can be dangerous if you ignored the reality of it and people were pragmatic enough to accept that we do not have any influence on nature and its "whims" try as we might with shooting clouds and praying as examples of actions to alleviate "problems". I am glad that you could do the necessary to get through this rather mundane weather occurrence with the necessary hubris and aplomb.

[@SailingMelody]

You’re absolutely correct of course. Weather is weather. I’ve lived my life on the mountains and the sea and I know what REALLY dangerous weather is like. This wasn’t that. But it was that kind of weather that could kill you if you’re not paying attention. As I said in the cockpit, we were totally fine and in a position to go and check on other boats because I was confident ours was completely fine

[@moonhand8311]

All brest ropes should be doubled in weather like that, period. Don't think much of the marina staff not being around to do the checking. Poor, eh?

[@SailingMelody]

Maybe it didn’t come across in the video but trust me when I say the Marina staff were working tirelessly. It’s a huge marina and I just happened to be filming on our pontoon when they were elsewhere dealing with other boats but in the time it took me and Jack to walk to the shop they were on our pontoon sorting stuff out as you will have seen. They were amazing and had all hands deck trust me.

[@nigelmorgan3449]

Andy you just got to look after you own if the owners of these other boat don’t realise by now it blowing hard on the pens they deserve all they get

[@SailingMelody]

We like to help.if it's safe to do so and would like to think of we were away for whatever reason someone would do the same for us.

[@mr-mw9cq]

Where are the Boatfolk Marina staff - why aren’t they walking around checking all this stuff ? Isn’t their job 🤷🏼‍♂️☹️

[@SailingMelody]

They were! There were loads of them around doing an amazing job. I was just checking the pontoon I was on. And within minutes they were down sorting out issues on our pontoon. Remember it’s a HUGE marina so even with lots of them about it takes to time ground every pontoon.

[@mr-mw9cq]

⁠you should have filmed them in action, if they were actually there; I have lived in the Marina for about 12 years I have never seen their staff running around helping anyone : Hayden et al, there are about 3 of them ! I applaud what you did, but please do not put Boatfolk on a Pedestal.

[@mr-mw9cq]

Have reviewed all your video cannot see ONE mariner staff running around as you claim. Your support is great but where are the Boatfolk team. DCW (RIP) hated them !

[@monkeyman1230]

People with to mutch money dont care about there boat's

[@SailingMelody]

I hear what you’re saying, but that’s not always the case. There are folks who live hundreds of miles away or have fallen sick or a multitude of reasons why they sometimes can’t get down to prep for every blow that comes through.

[@peterw2092]

Perhaps put the cam down

[@SailingMelody]

Hahah. I spent a HUGE amount of time that day out doing stuff without the camera. You just saw 20 minutes of my day. I DID put the camera down. I refer you for example to the point in the video where I say “I’ve just been outside to double up the lines” etc, you didn’t see the footage of that bit because………. I had put the camera down 😂😂😂😂😂 I don’t know what you expect from a KZbin video. You want to see a KZbin video which someone didn’t film 😂😂😂😂 honestly laughing my ass off here

[@gauteresheim]

why are people fasting the fenders too the lifelines its the worst place to tie off the fenders since the force would damage the stanchion base and you would get a leak .

[@SailingMelody]

It depends on the type of toe rail you have. Lots of boats have soiled toe rails not the ones with lots of tie off points.

[@SailingMelody]

Where would you suggest. That’s really interesting because I do the same to be honest

[@moonhand8311]

Watching even more, it is pathetic that marina staff are not out and about doing more. The lack of doubling on short mooring lines is also a joke. Again , marina staff at Portland ( you say?) clearly need education and should be more prescriptive to many of these foolish yacht owners,

[@SailingMelody]

They were working non stop. It’s a HUGE marina and I just happened to be filming on our pontoon when they were on other pontoons but in the time it took me and Jack to walk to the shop they were round on our pontoon sorting stuff out. Trust me, they were working very hard

[@antebratincevic6764]

The video is good, but it would have been much better if you hadn't said anything.

[@SailingMelody]

I wondered about that. We did that last week if you look but the video didn’t do so well as this one actually

[@StanleyFranklin-fw5wb]

Rubbish 😊

[@SailingMelody]

What’s rubbish?