I enjoyed the tell it like it is format. No sugar coating, no screaming headlines, just life at sea
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thanks Mark, i'ts just an old acchool video diary really!
@thomasescape30022 ай бұрын
Indeed, but I have all that much more respect for your nautical performance. Two years ago I sailed from A Caruna directly to Sao Miguel, even in heavy weather. Even with my boat, that was a challenging task. So, hats off to you!
@dhouse-d5l2 ай бұрын
U sir are what I call a real old school sailor. CO 26, basic everything, yet not afraid of the big journeys. Salute!
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@dhouse-d5l it's true, no fridge, no satellite phone etc etc..
@shawnlund2 ай бұрын
I loved this video. I have spent most of my life working in aviation and what makes a good pilot is the ability to make the right decision even when it’s not necessarily the easiest one. From what I can see being the Captain of a boat seems to be identical. I would love to learn how to sail one day and let the wind blow me into all sorts of adventures. Thanks for sharing, this is one of my favorite channels on KZbin. You are doing a fantastic job.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
That's exactly it, making the right decision.. not made easier by being alone and having nobody to discuss the situation with.. I hope you do go filling and have a great time 🙂
@jayknight8502 ай бұрын
Heave too, one of the absolute best storm strategies ever. Sat hove too for 3 days in the Gulf of Mexico, quite comfortable, certainly better than the alternative!
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yes, it's incredible how it all changes once the boat stops moving, and so easy to do..
@D-B-Cooper2 ай бұрын
Depends on the boat, mine was better running on storm sail with small drogue. Drogue from bow was too violent and hove too was on beam.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@D-B-Cooper I wouldnt have a drogue from the bow, Jordan series drogue from the stern is the best survival tactic I know of..
@chrisholbrook1412 ай бұрын
Is your tender's outboard a Seagull?
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@chrisholbrook141 no, it's a Volvo penta without the cover!
@jimbennett53912 ай бұрын
Real small boat sailing. Good to see how you are coping with all the stress of navigation, weather and day to day issues, and staying cheerful.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@jimbennett5391 yes you gotta laugh to stay sane!
@robp40372 ай бұрын
a pleasure and an education, as ever. thanks for your honesty and good company in sharing your decision making and rationale to improve the situation and future options, and the emotional toll and toils... 🙂
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thank you, it's harder when one is alone and there is nobody to chew over the options with!
@DavidcallardАй бұрын
Oops, shaken and stirred! 😢 Too bad, but you made all the right decisions! 😂 Just a tip about food tins; common practice is to remove all the labels and identify their contents with an indelible marker. Good luck!
@rolty1Ай бұрын
Yes, I did use a marker pen on the lid but the corrosion was bad, I will have to paint them next time..
@zero_to_sailor2 ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing your experience! Great to see some real sailing!
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it😊
@windfall352 ай бұрын
Greatly enjoyed watching a resourceful and pragmatic sailor who tackles the sea as it comes and isn't whinging at tough choices. Well played sir!
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thank you John!
@landprojects2 ай бұрын
Well done, excellent video. The highs and lows of sailing. Hove to the best alternative in really heavy weather for sure. 👍
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yeah, up to a certain point where one has to deploy the series drogue
@EdHounsell2 ай бұрын
I knew the Glanvilles who owned Green Tambourine when she was in Devon. Well done getting to the Azores in her. When I went in my Contessa 26 some years ago I would heave to and relax while I cooked a meal. Heaving to was not so good in really big seas as the Contessa lies beam on to the seas. I found the best solution was to sheet a storm jib hard amidships which kept her pointing downwind on one tack and making about 1 knot while I retired down below. My electric self steering packed up soon after I left Horta and I sailed the whole way back with a lashed tiller and adjusted the sails to balance the boat. The Contessa 26 is indeed a remarkable boat and I am very attached to mine.(Contessa Anna Louise)
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Good to hear your experiences with your CO26.. for me, electric tiller pilots are purely for getting stuff done as you motor into port, I've always found them perfectly unreliable and greedy on juic, and incapable of dealing wirth any sort of seway.. wind vane is simple and reliable. Good work on sailing with balanced sails, that must have been interesting. I didn't meet the Granvilles, as he was unwell and his daughter handled the sale.
@stevieb50082 ай бұрын
Great videos! Thank you for sharing your adventures
@rolty12 ай бұрын
My pleasure!
@HP-qj4gz2 ай бұрын
Thank you for another interesting video. Very stoic and excellent seamanship. What a fine boat the C26 is!
@rolty12 ай бұрын
A fine boat indeed, I was very pleased to be on such a seaworthy vessel. It always amazes me how small she is when I get off and see her from a pontoon
@daverolstone56692 ай бұрын
Terrific story. you push the boat and yourself hard Jim. You will have some interesting meals out of those tins!
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Haha yes the roulette wheel of the unmarked tins! Actually I managed to mark them with a Sharpie before the labels fell off altogether..
@joeltatham56732 ай бұрын
A Good voyage! Good decision making as well, you and the boat are both safely in port. You are the one there and only you understand the conditions, despite what the armchair sailors out there might think. 👌. Thanks for taking us along.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@joeltatham5673 agreed, although the conditions at the time were not life threatening it was pretty uncomfortable and it didn't seem wise to keep pushing towards the centre of the storm, there's no need to wait till the mast is gone before deciding on a wiser tactic!
@frankmerkle25002 ай бұрын
Thank you, just shared the link in our sailing forum. Your decision to turn back was probably a good one while it was still possible. Good seamanship!
@rolty12 ай бұрын
I've agonised over whether it was the right decision ever since! I'm still not sure, however it was the safest thing to do..
@ticklefish48982 ай бұрын
@@rolty1 please don’t agonize. I say you made the right decision. You are to be congratulated for making the difficult decision, alone, to turn back. The ‘easy’ decision would be to not make a decision and keep going hoping for the best with disastrous consequences.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@ticklefish4898 Thanks!
@chrisk17322 ай бұрын
If in any Doubt about decision then there no Doubt at all don’t proceed !!!?
@denise21692 ай бұрын
I'm glad you are safe!
@rolty12 ай бұрын
I am, thank you Denise!
@billywhizz64832 ай бұрын
Wow, fantastic footage and great seamanship (in true Jester fashion). It did look a bit grim for a while there!
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yes, it was, lucky me having such a tough little boat..
@FranklinGray2 ай бұрын
There is another way to heave-to that I like to use. Instead of tacking, you turn downwind and blanket the headsail with the main causing it to flutter. Then change sheets to pull the headsail to the other side, pull tight, then turn back up into the wind. When ready to continue on, just let the sheet out and pull in the other and off you go on the same tack as before. I like this because if you have any forward drift like most boats do, it will be in the direction you want to go.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
I like that, I shall try it, thanks!
@gringoanon45502 ай бұрын
Why not just take everything down and throw out a sea anchor, and go and make a cuppa, and get some sleep?
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@gringoanon4550 Good question: sometimes its best to move away from an approaching storm centre....
@rickyboy..andcaptinjack25322 ай бұрын
Brilliant seaman ship..love watching your adventures..i sail my self but haven't dont ang long passages for a couple of years..but still sail locally when i can ..your videos are makes me feel at sea again..fairwinds and following seas captain
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thanks Ricky, the sea is a wonderful place to be
@Splash09212 ай бұрын
Thanks for keeping it real.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thank you!
@samsails98202 ай бұрын
Good effort Jim, an uncomfortable bit of sailing. Good to see you and GT back safe and sound 👌
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thank you Sam, yes, we made it OK on the next attempt, video of that in preparation..
@thecockneykayaker22392 ай бұрын
Not being a sailor or having any sailing knowledge, I watched this video with sweaty palms mesmerised by how the boat stays upright and how your not sick 😂 incredible. Can’t wait for the next one
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@thecockneykayaker2239 If I'm going to get seasick, it's generally on the first day after a long layoff, as in this recent video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooTVYq15jZJrh8U The next one is in preparation now!
@rimasmeleshyus94862 ай бұрын
Congratulations, great sailor ⛵️ Cantesa 26 is better ,then a bigger sailboats .Solo is the best sailing, by myself always solo.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yes, very hard to find crew that one can get on with for a long time, I'm lucky to know one or two...
@bluemaxx20062 ай бұрын
Fantastic video. Thanks for allowing a land bound arm chair sailor a sight of true sea faring. Subscribed and am anxious to see more of your content.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thanks for the subscription, there will be more soon, the successful trip home in a few episodes is coming next!
@lorrainefarrell64702 ай бұрын
Clearly I’m not a sailor Jim but your videos are so interesting…and a tad scary, but what a fabulous boat ☺️😬 love watching. Glad you got back all in one piece and hope you enjoyed your get together. Sorry we missed it 🎸🎶🎶 xx
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@lorrainefarrell6470 thanks Lorraine, the boat is great if a little tiny, but she is easy to handle.. hope to see you somewhere soon!
@88rollins2 ай бұрын
Smart decision and well played. 👍
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thank you 😊
@vickipearce93322 ай бұрын
Happy to have "found" you! Looking forward to doing some "backward" viewing. Thanks for sharing.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thanks Vicki! I hope you enjoy the channel 😃
@sailingcorribeemwera2 ай бұрын
Great video, real and pragmatic! It would've been tough sorting out all that on the go, looking forward to hearing about the second attempt
@rolty12 ай бұрын
I'm working on that now so keep an eye out for it soon 🙂
@triggerfish9992 ай бұрын
A great 'warts and all' vid about sailing. I think you've successfully put me off trying blue water sailing.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Oh dear, it's not always like that!
@fraserconnell212 ай бұрын
We'd of done same, chap😊. Great stuff and a lovely kept T'essa. 🫡🙏
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thanks Frazer, difficult decisions!
@Seacracker12 ай бұрын
Great Film❤
@rolty12 ай бұрын
I'm glad you enjoyed it 😊
@sannebast2 ай бұрын
I enjoyed your video. All the things that come with boat live. Its not easy. You did really well. Keep going.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@sannebast thank you very much
@chrishamilton25272 ай бұрын
A good drogue makes a world of difference - I use a Jordan series drogue when in severe conditions …… especially when in need of rest. Little C26’s are great craft.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
I have a Jordan on board but haven't yet been in extreme enough conditions to use it, thankfully..
@HotakaPeter2 ай бұрын
I have heard it said that the best way to use roller furling in a blow is to bear away and provide blanketing from the main before trying to wind it in.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yes that's what I do when it's necessary, one of the nice things about a smaller boat is that I can always pull in the hernia by hand, never have to winch it..
@MikeSantis2 ай бұрын
Nice watching a small boat sailing big oceans. And it takes its man to take a decision and run 200 miles back. Well done. You did what you felt it was best for you and that is important. Subscribed
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thanks for the subscription Mike :)
@user-uf1cm3to7m2 ай бұрын
A cozy little boat, very interesting life, may God richly bless you friend 🙏🌅🍁
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thank you very much!
@Anabsurdsuggestion2 ай бұрын
Was a tremendous video diary account of small boat versus big weather. Serious bravery on show here. I wish you every success. Subscribed.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@Anabsurdsuggestion thank you, I really appreciate that!
@Anabsurdsuggestion2 ай бұрын
@@rolty1 you have guts, talent and skills - a rare combination these days. I look forward to following your adventures.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@Anabsurdsuggestion Thank you! Next chapter coming up before long..
@ianabbott7512 ай бұрын
Ouch Jim. That looked really hard. Some great decision making under pressure. I hope your second attempt to get back was a bit easier.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Hi Ian, yes it was, the experience was quite the opposite and it took 3 weeks! I see you got back PDQ but it looks like you had some lovely weather too?
@ianabbott7512 ай бұрын
14 days 1400 miles Praia to Dover. I had a good crew and weather information and burned 40 litres of diesel motoring across calms so a combination of good weather and grunt. 6 hours bare poles so some interesting stuff as well. Very glad your second attempt was better I look forward to the video.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@ianabbott751 Wow, an excellent sail, well done Ian!
@ianabbott7512 ай бұрын
@@rolty1 thanks it was very enjoyable. And well done to you too. Calm can be very frustrating.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@ianabbott751 Oh yes... very fortunate I had a guitar with me!
@B_Ruphe2 ай бұрын
Always remembered from my children's abridged edition of RKJ's circumnavigation on Suhaili that he varnished his larder of tins (with labelling of course) before setting off from Falmouth. Thanks for the interestnig episode.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
This is clearly a good idea and will be on my list of pre crossing jobs, thank you
@jcfgh2 ай бұрын
Well done old chap. I suppose you could have hove to until the storm blew through but i think i would have made the same decision as you. Best wishes from Plymouth. James
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yes, I agree, next time that will be the strategy!
@netrhyda87612 ай бұрын
Very nice! (of course it wasn't me out on the waves, it was You.....) The 26 Contessa is a very seaworthy little ship, I do know that because I owned a 26 Folkboat for a few years....A very tough vessel. She liked to heel a lot but then stiffened significantly. You did the right thing, veering off. Soon you can continue your trek home...;) Take care!
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yes, she's proven to be a very tough little boat, staying together despite crashing of the waves.. there were times when I took the floorboards up to make sure the hull wasn't cracking..
@kentgreenough752 ай бұрын
I have found the boat is usually the last thing to fail. Fiberglass is much tougher than most people. 😊
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@kentgreenough75 Evidently this is true, my inspection under the floor after the most resounding and sickening crashes revealed no problem..
@Nick-kn2os2 ай бұрын
Brilliant sailing Jim and I've just realised it was Sally your other half keeping the Jester 2024 site updated.....I'm a little disappointed that you never got your guitar out throughout the journey seeing your part of the Mice duo 😀....You both seem to be so happy always, good luck to the both of you ....... Regards Nick
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@Nick-kn2os hi Nick, the guitar does come out very regularly, but when the boat is like a washing machine it isn't safe or possible.. I've never thought it appropriate to put myself nicking the guitar into a sailing video, so you think I should? I played it a lot on the final return trip, yet to come, which was very slow and calm!
@Scoutforlife2 ай бұрын
Great Video.!
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@bradleylaford15262 ай бұрын
I think a Contessa is perfect for Conditioning a Sailor. It's is difficult to manage due to it's Comparative weight. But I think a 26 Footer is perfect for a person interested in a larger vessel to train on awhile prior? Thanks for this new submission. Have you any information on predicting bad weather by looking at clouds & sky changes?
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yes, the CO26 is a very tough boat and easy to handle, I would recommend! A good book on weather is written by Chris Tibbs and published by the RYA.. www.wob.com/en-gb/books/chris-tibbs/rya-weather-handbook/9781910017142?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_sq2BhCUARIsAIVqmQuqZFfEl-FkuFnGUIadP7ebzpMz_euauhRxUYETyQXMqhYWt-6eNZcaAiaoEALw_wcB#GOR009581674
@kentgreenough752 ай бұрын
Hi Rotty, new to the channel, but since you asked, what would I do, I would probably just heave to, and wait it out. I say this having numerous crossings of the Pacific and one Atlantic crossing, along with single handling the Med in a 28 foot boat, with no motor. If there are no real problems with the boat, bobbing about for even a couple of days is better than adding 400 miles to the trip. Also, if the storm worsened I don’t want to be near any shore. Wet and cold trumps a rocky shore any day. Cheers.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
I think you're very probably correct, that's what I will do next time...
@thomasescape30022 ай бұрын
The Contessa 26 is also a very seaworthy, small ship. Naturally less agile with its long keel and therefore easier to take off course. Well done, although I would rather do without the Jordan with my Contest 38s ketch. With the mizzen, the jib also heavily reefed, the ship holds its course perfectly under full control of the Windpilot Pacific.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
I think I'd rather be in your boat too! Bigger, faster, more comfortable..
@MarchTwentyfour-t8z2 ай бұрын
Trying to cross the Atlantic in a 26ft yacht, you're a braver man than I gungadin! I once sailed a 25ft yacht for a day in relative protected waters, the wind increased to 20 knots and it got extremely uncomfortable very fast indeed. I haven't sailed on a yacht under 40ft since hahaha, and doubt I ever will. Good luck to you! Not my cup of tea! 🍻
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@MarchTwentyfour-t8z yeah I know what you mean.. The upside is a small boat is easy to handle and cheap to run!
@MarchTwentyfour-t8z2 ай бұрын
@@rolty1 Yes thats very true! Hahaha Still, you're a brave man in my books!
@nordseegler2 ай бұрын
Well done (from Swantje, an Emka 29 sailing at the German Bight)
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@nordseegler thank you!
@mjcooke2sailingmostly2 ай бұрын
People on KZbin seem to refer to gales or near gales as storms these days, the KZbin storm 30kn, it must up the video in the algorithm like people say 'abandoned' in car or house videos. I did like the video and owned and sailed thousands of miles in an Invicta, similar boat. You took it all in your stride, a good achievement regardless of terminology.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yes, technically you are right!
@timevans82232 ай бұрын
Hi Jim. We met you in Terceira after you arrived. Tim and Gayle on Wild Bird. We are now back in the UK. We had a good trip to Ireland. A nice fast 7 day passage but a couple of days of F7 conditions fortunately on the beam, mostly. Love your videos
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Hi Tim, good to hear from you, and good work on the super fast passage! My return trip ended up being very slow as you'll see from the next batch of videos!
@billfromgermany2 ай бұрын
Excellent video. Most videos of heavy weather at sea don’t look like much, but some of your footage shows the reality of heavy weather in a small boat. The most frightening bits are when a wave hits the side of the boat like a hammer and you wonder whether the grp will hold. But providing the mast stays up, and you aren‘t caught by a heavy breaking wave you come through. The Contessa 26 is a marvellous boat and you are an excellent seaman. Might it have been advisable to have hove to earlier, and waited out the bad weather rather than turning back? Did you consider that and reject it?
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yeah, with hindsight and on further reflection I think it would have been better to heave to and wait it out...unfortunetly there is no rewind button in life, but next time.. we live and learn! Yes, wondering if the boat is going to break up with the heavy pounding is the most worrying part..
@beorbeorian1502 ай бұрын
Seems the Contessa 26 is a very seaworthy and safe boat. That plus sailing with caution and conservative choices is a great combination to sail another day in comfort.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yeah, Ive grown out of being a daft hero!
@squallyheiferadventures2 ай бұрын
I have been liking the contessa 26 if one pops up in my neck of the woods I will like to get it. Great sailing. New sub.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thanks so much for the sub and comment, it really helps! Good luck with finding your boat, where are you located?
@squallyheiferadventures2 ай бұрын
@@rolty1 Southern United States. I currently have a compac 23. It's nice but not an ocean crosser .
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@squallyheiferadventures Nice little boat and very strong!
@eagerv2 ай бұрын
Only found you recently, really enjoying your channel. Thank you. My other favourite channel is Alan on ' Rover's Adventure'. Your Contessa 26 is large by comparison. 🙂 Very best wishes, stay safe. Nigel from Ireland.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Hi Nigel, I'm glad you're enjoying the channel! My wind vane gear is based on Alan Mulholland's design, works great and not expensive or difficult to make!
@eagerv2 ай бұрын
@@rolty1 Bumped into Alan last week here in Ireland. Nice guy and a hell of a genius.😁
@markthomasson50772 ай бұрын
Of course WR 1 was a Contessa 26
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@markthomasson5077 Yew, thats right, modified her and made her rather ugly!
@markthomasson50772 ай бұрын
@@rolty1 …eye of the beholder!
@maesy67302 ай бұрын
It must have been the right decision as you're here to tell the tale.😁
@rolty12 ай бұрын
That's true of course, I often wonder if it actually would have been much worse if I'd carried on..
@davidalexander-watts66302 ай бұрын
Are you sharing this to inspire or to warn people? Probably a bit of both. It's certainly both interesting and instructive, thank you.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Good question.. possibly a little of both, as you say. The sea is a powerful force, it's probably better not to challenge it!
@davidalexander-watts66302 ай бұрын
@@rolty1 out of interest, did you consider heaving-to for, say, a few hours to let the weather pass by - rather than returning to Horta?
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@davidalexander-watts6630 In hindsight that might hve been a good tactic, but at the time it seemed best to regroup and re supply...
@brucewebb20052 ай бұрын
Enjoying your videos ! Can you post something about night sailing? How you doing it and what's involved? Thanks Bruce
@rolty12 ай бұрын
That's a good idea Bruce, I'll have a think about that..
@WightlinkUserGroup2 ай бұрын
@@rolty1 No one seems to have made a video about it - probably because its a challenge to film !
@johnhowley-zi6db2 ай бұрын
Noted your self steering doesn’t attach to tiller: is it a direct drive design and do you reduce the wind vane size for gales? Great video too ! Johnh
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@johnhowley-zi6db yes you are right, it's a trim tab system which operates a small auxiliary rudder attached to the rear of the main rudder , therefore no longer trailing around the cockpit! Yes I have 3 different vanes that cover most conditions
@o4pureh2o2 ай бұрын
Starlink has been a great tool for passage weather updates. You can switch from plan to plan instantly so you only need to pay for the at sea plan while your at sea and can get on the roaming plan should you wish around land. doesn't mean we never get caught out. Got caught in 10m seas and gusts over 50kts coming into NZ from Fiji last year. Amazing experience but quite tiring.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@o4pureh2o yeah starlink is quite tempting; to me it has 2 downsides, firstly of course it's quite expensive (to my mind) and secondly it removes one of the best parts of blue water sailing which is totally getting away from every day life and all the noise and hassle of humanity.. I rather like the solitude and the sheer contrast with the day to day existence on land
@o4pureh2o2 ай бұрын
@@rolty1 You're right on both counts. I sail the south Pacific. Around New Zealand and out to the islands. The Iridium has been a failure letting us down time and time again. Starlink has a roaming option (really for the campervan) which we're allowed to use in coastal areas both around NZ, Fiji and many other island groups. That is unlimited and very affordable. On passage we need to use the marine plan which you pay per gig. It's awesome for weather which uses very little data and the expense of mindless browsing is a great deterrent on passage. The other major safety advantage is being able to pull up google maps satellite photos of the many reef passes and anchorages as Navionics can less than perfect in remote places. Enjoy your sailing.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@o4pureh2o Thanks, that's certainly food for thought!
@stuartsutherland76642 ай бұрын
Exciting stuff!
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thank you Stuart
@shannondeconinck11462 ай бұрын
I’m planning on doing the same voyage solo next year. I’m currently hauled out near Lisbon, and want to sail back to the Uk. My boat makes almost no headway windward, so getting up the coast to Galicia and across the Biscay S to N could be a real pain in the ass, or impossible. So I’ve decided to go via the Azores. Lisbon to Azores I’m pretty confident about, should be on the beam all the way, but this video has made me more nervous about Azores to UK.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
I've done Azores - UK twice now and both times it's had it's challenges.. this time I was doing the wrong thing and trying to work too a bit of a timetable which is never a good idea when sailing.. it's best to have time to study the weather and go when a good window appears..
@shannondeconinck11462 ай бұрын
Cheers, I’ve just subscribed. I’m probably going to be averaging less than 5 knots, so it’s going to be a couple of weeks. I’m looking into how to get weather updates offshore without it costing an arm and a leg. Any recommendations?
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@shannondeconinck1146 absolutely! I've recently made a video on exactly that, weatherfaxes on short wave radio for few pennies, check it out here; kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIClomd_jLSHjMk
@shannondeconinck11462 ай бұрын
Great! Good advice. I’ll get a short wave radio. I don’t think I’ll use the topping lift, especially in any weather, maybe I’ll run it up the mizzen on its own line. All the best and thanks for the tip.
@michaelhamilton55712 ай бұрын
Great vid, dip your cans in shellac, wrksgreat.😅
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Good idea!
@ronkirk50992 ай бұрын
Is that a homebuilt windvane autopilot? Well built small boats like the C26 are perfectly capable of handling heavy weather, it all comes down to degree of comfort. Motion can be quite violent in a small boat.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
You're quite right there, tough but uncomfortable!
@andrew-rw2ku2 ай бұрын
Good content
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thanks Andrew
@SAILBOATJACARANDA2 ай бұрын
Cool stuff mate. You reckon my boat would be capable of similiar types of sailing?
@rolty12 ай бұрын
I would say so, she looks very similar, I think you got a bargain!
@gurrupijimenezperez25592 ай бұрын
Refran Español: a la mujer y al viento con mucho tiento. Buena suerte.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thank you, I like that!
@redwood19572 ай бұрын
Thank you sorry for your troubles. Could you tell what produce you keep in the air net. Thank you
@rolty12 ай бұрын
I keep most of my vegetables and fruit in it, apart from potatoes and onions which are happy in a cupboard; so tometoes, peppers, gourgettes, lemons, etc
@spanishflew2 ай бұрын
wow. that was tense.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yes, that was how it felt!
@jeffrandolf56732 ай бұрын
Is your mainsheet traveler attached to the tops of the aft most lifeline stanchions? It looks very weak, very fragile... one jibe & it'd ripped right off , bent or dislogded.... no diagonal bracing.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yes it does look weak doesnt it, however I have had the occasional accidental crash gybe and it hasnt taken any notice at all.. in fact it seems very strong, I can stand on it and bounce and it doesnt flex.. the traveller itself is quite substantial and coupled with the stainless support it seems OK... I'm not worried about it!
@FranklinGray2 ай бұрын
Did heaving-to to ride out the storm on the way there instead of turning around cross your mind? Usually after the storm you have a few days of nice sailing.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yes, that could have been a good solution too, shame I can't go back and try a few different strategies..
@kentgreenough752 ай бұрын
When crossing oceans heaving to is really nice when cooking, you don’t have to wait for a storm! You really don’t loose much distance and cooking on the nearly level is a joy, safer too, no hot pots leaping off the stove.
@sumobear20312 ай бұрын
Always wise to turn around opposed to foolishly continue if your in any doubt.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
That was the logic that made me decide on the end..
@lagazettedesfrancais81552 ай бұрын
Keep well
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thank you, I'll do my best!
@kevinobrien73602 ай бұрын
I see that you have a windvane like the one I built after downloading Alan Mulholland's MKIII plans. My installation was flawed by a shaft that bent shortly after its first use, so I haven't yet given it a fair test. I will fix it when the boat comes out of the water. Can you offer any tips and tricks you can share would be appreciated. Alan mentions initial frustrations, but does not give any detail. He just says in one video that he would have cancelled his voyage to the Azores if he had not be able to figure it out before leaving the cell phone covered water.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Hi, yes it's a mk3, I've had no problems with it at all right from the first day.. I did use the best 316 stainless for all the metal parts, and generous dimensions, I don't know if that may have made a difference
@rolty17 күн бұрын
Great to see your MK3 performing on the water, I did notice the vane was leaning mostly to port... in a perfect world it should average upright.. it may be to do with boat balance, or adjusting the control lines on the MK3... happy sailing!
@kevinobrien73607 күн бұрын
@@rolty1 Thanks for the tip. If its not averaging upright, something needs to be adjusted. The windvane will teach me how to sail better if I pay attention to its attitude.
@rolty17 күн бұрын
@@kevinobrien7360 Yes that's right, before setting the windvane its important to get the boat sailing with a neutral helm, ie you're not having to lean on it constantly to keep it going where you want. This is achieved by adjusting the sails...
@ColinMill12 ай бұрын
I seem to recall David Lewis describing how he painted his food tins and used a colour code for the contents. I suspect he had experienced something of the same issue with tin storage.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yeah, I think its a common problem, the colour coding is a good idea!
@ColinMill12 ай бұрын
@@rolty1 If I remember the full story the problem came when he lost the bit of paper with the code on. 😀
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@ColinMill1 Ah yes, that would be the snag!
@kentgreenough752 ай бұрын
Label each can with a permanent marker and get rid of the label before you store the tins. Soggy labels have fouled more than one bilge pump. Cockroaches often lay their eggs in the paper labels too. Same with cardboard, nice to carry things aboard, but get it off the boat as soon as possible.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@kentgreenough75 Yes, the permanent marker was what I used. Good point on the labels though, I will certainly keep that in mind, thank you. Fortunately UK is still fairly roach free, which is where the tins joined the boat, but point taken on that too, cheers!
@mcallahan90602 ай бұрын
14:30 Those vegies really were having a great time!
@rolty12 ай бұрын
They were living their best life weren't they!
@WilliamBell-t8k2 ай бұрын
Does the lamp above the cooker not know that it should be leaning to port? Bill
@rolty12 ай бұрын
You're right, it doesn't seemn to have a lot of sense!
@kentgreenough752 ай бұрын
Oh, I am currently sailing in the Baltic, the Finnish archipelago.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Sounds great, I'd love to do that some day
@grahamvincent2 ай бұрын
Just aquired a boat rather like this with a transom hung rudder, anyone know where I can get plans for the type of wind vane self steering like that on Green Tambourine??
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Hi Graham, I got the plans from Alan Mulholland, you can find out all about it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZTHaoxrdrhpp6csi=dBYD-mOxg8ZNyAzi
@grahamvincent2 ай бұрын
@@rolty1 Fantastic, thanks for the info. Greatly enjoying the videos.
@WilliamBell-t8k2 ай бұрын
What is your SSB radio? I'm assuming you are using SailMail? Bill
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Hi Bill, the SSB radio is a D808, on offer by several companies. However it wasnt too good and the fine tuning wheel stopped working after a few days. I sent it back for a refund. I dont use sailmail, I just get the SSB faxes direct from Northwood or Hamburg (on this side of the Atlantic). I did borrow a inreach device from a friend to send location etc to concerned friends and fmily..
@xFD2x2 ай бұрын
4:20 It's good you are wearing a life vest. But .... , once you are in the water and need it, who are you waiting for ?
@rolty12 ай бұрын
I use the life jacket as a harness to clip a line to, I don't really expect to survive if I go overboard..I do however carry a PLB in case a vessel does happen to be close by
@neilking2 ай бұрын
Am enjoying this channel. I used to sail on a Westerly Centaur on the west coast of Scotland in the 70s but always just coastal day sailing. Sailed on a few Contessa 32s as well but never a 26. And by coincidence I now live in the Azores - on Flores but know Horta well. Looking forward to the next chapter.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thanks Neil, the next chapter is on the way soon!
@jerrypolverino60252 ай бұрын
Thanks for a great video. As a pilot I recognized the clouds and front. Well done.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yes, its so important to read the weather clues!
@TroyaE1172 ай бұрын
When sailing alone, it is easy to get melancholy. Your reaction is normal. Having to turn back is never good for morale and a 26 ft boat is not the biggest one around !
@rolty12 ай бұрын
It's true! Sounds like you've been there too..
@SV_Try_Magic2 ай бұрын
I would not ever go offshore sailing in a boat that small. My 50 foot trimaran still seems like it is on the small end of the safety net when you compare it to the environment.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
When I look at the boat at the pontoon she does look very small.. however all vessels are small in the vastness of the ocean..
@sailor67duilio272 ай бұрын
God Speed
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@sailor67duilio27 thanks, just what I need!
@perfstaas71882 ай бұрын
Did you have 41 knots of wind Sir?
@rolty12 ай бұрын
No, the point is that instead of ploughing into dangerous conditions I took the decision to be sensible and live to sail another day.. no point in having weather info and charging into a problem...
@perfstaas7188Ай бұрын
@@rolty1 So WHY do you say a STORM then? Clickbait.
@doctorshawzy64772 ай бұрын
after the cirrus, the altocumulus
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yes, and through the whole series till its cumulonimbus!
@gerhardusvanderpoll2 ай бұрын
A yacht does not have a floor....it has a cabin sole.....
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Yes so I've heard, people tell me boats dont have ropes either, I must learn the proper boaty language and stop using pointy end instead of bow.. 😅
@pauljnolan1000Ай бұрын
Big light in sky scares minority groups in Sector R.
@unequivocaldao17282 ай бұрын
and sailing is supposed to be fun?
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Haha good point.. perhaps without the difficult times one doesn't appreciate the great sailing so much
@oceanscaperАй бұрын
A nice sport if you do coastal or rivers like the Hudson. Crossing large bodies of water with the risk of large waves is tempting the Lord….a sin….not a sport.
@rolty1Ай бұрын
Not necessarily a sin, certainly a personal challenge which relies upon one using some common sense!
@SevenRavens00714 күн бұрын
Its a lovely video, but I feel it would be better with more views of the sea, the boat etc rather than your face most of the time.
@rolty114 күн бұрын
Yes, this has been said before, and Ive taken it on board... future videos should be noticeably better on this front, thanks!
@SevenRavens00714 күн бұрын
@ my pleasure. Im looking forward to some great videos!
2 ай бұрын
With all the stabbings going on in England right now and a new tyrant Government letting out the murderers early out of jail to make room for facebook posts prisoners England is the last place I would want to go besides Gaza lol but loved your journey.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it
2 ай бұрын
@@rolty1 I seen another sailor with a small boat that has his sail ropes coming inside the cabin from pulleys on the rear of his boat so he didnt have to leave the cabin in rough weather or in the middle of the night and i think he had a camera outside also .
@nicksmith82272 ай бұрын
The Contessa design in 26 andc32ft dedigns will look after you.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@nicksmith8227 this is true of course! That's why I sail this boat, it compensates for my mistakes!
@HarryStucklermendotcom2 ай бұрын
Setup a Patreon account. People will support you on your journey.
@rolty12 ай бұрын
@@HarryStucklermendotcom good idea, I'll look into that.