Our Favourite SMALL SAILBOAT UPGRADES | Sailing around the world EP17

[@snakeplisken4278]

Good tips, all. May I suggest the Engel 12V fridge when you need one and Rainmaker for water (but you don't really need it)

[@trevorbyron9448]

I listened with open ears. Wanna add that Erik Aandreaa, used radar to sail a narrow lnlet in iceland to port in the pitch blackness of the night and thanks to the precision of the radar had no problem reaching his destination...very interesting...

[@ChasingCurrents]

We have actually done this also when radar was overlayed on the chart. We couldn't see how many boats were moored and thought we had a wide river, but the radar told us otherwise. Really glad you like the video 😊

[@alanscott.online]

Just love your beard, B nice when its finished :) :) :) Great vid.Thanks for sharing and have fun!!!

[@ChasingCurrents]

Hey thanks 😁. Really glad you enjoyed the video 🤙

[@LindaLindenauSailing]

My son bought a boat in Spain, sailed to Canary Island, and then to Sweden. Part of the way he was solo, and used the sheet to tiller steering. Of course, you cannot trust it to steer straight in all conditions, but it doesnt cost anything and it never breaks :)

[@ChasingCurrents]

We are still yet to set this up. Its something we definitely want to make use of 😊. Thank you for commenting. And what a trip for your son, thats incredible!

[@paulharrison7914]

Nice work Talisman. Could I just add a word of caution. The danger with AIS is that people tend to get into the mind-set of 'I can see everything around me' which is where the danger lies. Not all craft are fitted with AIS and not all AIS transmitters get turned on so a better approach, when on watch, is to have the mindset 'which boat out there is not on AIS'. A similar argument could be made for the radar due to low radar cross sections, anomalous radar propagation etc. etc. (I have chosen to go for AIS in the form of a transceiver (not a transponder)). And don't forget the power budget for both. Fair winds fellow sailors.

[@ChasingCurrents]

Hey Paul, we also agree with this caution. We hope that in our videos we also encourage others not to fully rely on the electronics but to use them for the information on top of good seamanship. Were fortunate enough to have both Radar and AIS but still do our watches as if it were not there, its a very welcome extra. Thanks so much for commenting

[@paulharrison7914]

@@ChasingCurrents Don't forget the power budget. I've been on a boat where the radar drained all batteries and I mean all (due to poor wiring loom) and having all the lights go out, including the compass light, on a night watch is not nice. You can't even see the sails to keep them full.

[@Sp3ktral22]

You both are coming across as really comfortable in front of the camera. A pleasure to watch and listen to. Well produced.

[@ChasingCurrents]

That's such a lovely compliment, thank you! Really glad you enjoyed it ☺️

[@richardanderson4916]

Stock up on cooking fuel! A lovely lady indeed. Brynn's head seems to come to a point now....but with the man bun it definitely resembles some sort of furry mammal. Good Lord I see it now! It's a groundhog!

[@annamay6351]

Very informative video THANK YOU...I would say in Southeast Alaska and Canada radar is an absolute must with the way morning clouds will sit in the fjords and not move or burn off until mid day and the large amount of fog. I will be interested in following how your roller furling holds up. Way back, when they first started being popular, an acquaintence of mine from work got himself into a pickle. He sailed all over and was overjoyed with the roller furling....until it jammed on him with seas and winds coming up quickly...he went back to hanked on sails after that incident. I am curious to see how yours works...I am sure they have made many improvements to them over the years. His comment was the roller furling made him lazy on paying attention to the weather as closely as he should (this was before cell phone and all the wonderful apps giving weather patterns mind you) and he knew all he had to do was pay attention enough for the main to be reefed somewhat to weather conditions since it was so easy to just reef in the genoa with the roller furling ... until it didn't :)

[@ChasingCurrents]

Ahh yes radar is amazing to have in foggy mornings. We did used to have problems with our roller reefing when we had our genoa on but we haven't tried it since we have had a new forestay. The jamming might have had something to do with that maybe 🤷‍♂️. Having a smaller jib definitely makes us more confident with furling now for sure. A head sail jamming in bad weather is no fun. We would love to sail around Alaska and Canada one day its so beautiful there 😍. All our best Brynn and Jade

[@annamay6351]

@@ChasingCurrents Hopefully one day you will be up this way!!

[@joannelowe5032]

Very helpful video, you both look very happy and relaxed!!!

[@ChasingCurrents]

Awww good, we are 🥰🥰

[@martyn101101]

Not quite an upgrade but super important is a comprehensive stock of spares and a complete tool kit. Both mechanical and electrical. Plus of course, the knowledge of how to fix all of the systems onboard should you need to. Ps, spares for the bog are just as important as spares for the engine 😂 fair winds to you both ⛵

[@ChasingCurrents]

Couldn't agree more with this. What have exactly what you have mentioned 👌. Cant say for sure we could fix every system but we'd definitely give it our best. Spares for the head are also a must 😅. Thanks for the comment 👍 😀

[@argentosebastian]

Best sailing channel. Most of the ones I saw they don't really say/teach anything in terms of equipment and stuff like that. But you guys are giving important details to consider. One thing I would like to hear from you in a possible video is food. You guys don't have a fridge. How do you deal with that? What kind of food do you have? How much food? Do you fish? Are all fish edible? (with the exception of a few japanese fish) and many more questions I hope to hear the answer 😊🙏

[@ChasingCurrents]

Thanks so much, that's a lovely comment to read 😁 we'll definitely work on a video related to food, good idea 👍. To touch upon your questions though, we don't eat meat or dairy - so this makes our eating much easier! We do however eat fish if Brynn catches it, he mainly spearfishes. Most fish are edible, but we'll only catch/eat fish that we like the taste of and only if it's of the right size ( not too small, not too big for just the two of us). From what we've been told though, there's not many fish in the Med (due to overfishing) so not sure how much luck we'll have with that anyway. We'll do a video soon showing the meals we do eat though too, thanks for your comment 👍

[@svtruthandpups.6218]

My next two upgrades are going to an auto tiller and and 3.5 mercury outboard for the dinghy.

[@svchineeljunk-riggedschoon4038]

I'll be setting up a water catching system soon, I'll make a video. I gave some ideas about self steering in an Instagram post that I tagged you in.

[@guliver1950]

Thanks guys. Reeeeeally useful video. Keeping an eye on your travels and allways wishing safe winds, good weather and high spirits. See you!

[@ChasingCurrents]

Aw thanks so much!! Really glad you found it useful 😁😁 all our best to you, Jade & Brynn ⛵

[@richardayres2949]

Another great and useful video, thanks guys. You can also use radar for spotting squalls out in the ocean as it picks up the rain. Also you can use it for basic navigation if your chart plotter went down as it shows up the land mass. I’d add cockpit enclosure to your list, it may seem an extravagant item but it adds that extra room and makes life on board much more manageable on those wet and windy days, somewhere to dry the wet clothes. Have fun.

[@ChasingCurrents]

Thats another really good point for radar 👌 we have actually done that as well in fog having it overlayed over the charts so they match up. A cockpit enclosure would be amazing, its on the list for sure👍. It would add sun protection as well 😉. Thank you for commenting, all our best Brynn and Jade

[@trevorbyron9448]

Wanted to, but couldn't find that particular episode to answer back. Thanks for spontaneous reply Jade? I will send a few pence ( pound) to make up for those coffees I couldn't buy...when pay.p is sorted...

[@ChasingCurrents]

Yep it's Jade 😁 There's nothing to make up for! Appreciate your support with watching and commenting. We did manage to set a PayPal up now though here - paypal.me/Chasingcurrents and we have started linking it in our video descriptions - so thanks for the suggestion! 👍

[@benlindner5285]

Hi Guys if you are sailing offshore in heavier weather using a tiller pilot will not work out. First they are notoriously unreliable and second you will not be able to make enough power to keep it going under heavier loads. I use a Monitor wind vane and it is the BOMB! You can also attach an auto pilot to the Monitor that uses a fraction of the power because it is not fighting the rudder forces. If you get a watermaker you will need more power for that as well. I Also have a very efficient Refer system with a holding plate, it uses about half the power of a conventional refer. I sail a 27’er offshore with all of the gear mentioned. I have more solar and battery storage, 500 watts and 675 AH and never run the engine to charge. Best of luck I love what you are doing! Ben S/V DAWN

[@ChasingCurrents]

Hey thank you so much for commenting. Maybe we have just got really lucky with our little tiller pilot then, it did amazingly crossing the Bay of biscay and bringing us down the Atlantic Coast of Europe. We have had some decent heavy weather we think and only a couple times have we decided to hand steer. We would love a wind vane or hydrovane but they are unfortunately out of our budget. As for the power usage we dont think its that bad, we are hoping to up our solar maybe over winter though but thats more to do with our laptops using to much power haha. We thing having a back up tiller pilot is better than having no back up auto pilot for long passages at least, cruising along a coast isn't to bad. Thank you for commenting and all our best Brynn and Jade

[@Spicks96]

Nice video guys, I wouldn't know where to start with my upgrades as there have been so many, Nice to see Brynn awake for a change 🤣 Glad you are both happy and relaxed. My adventure starts next May on SV Jazzi Girl 😃👍⛵

[@ChasingCurrents]

Thanks so much ☺️ hahaha yep, it happens (rarely 🤭😴) that's so exciting! Bet you can't wait to get out ⛵

[@karensimmonds9245]

Just for info, our new Exide Dual AGM 100Ah batteries have a max depth of discharge of 75% - not the cheapest, but worth the extra spend!

[@ChasingCurrents]

Ah awesome, didn't know they could discharge that low! 👍

[@johnhanson5943]

Vielen Dank aus Deutschland. Actually from a Yorkshireman in Germany. Very useful summary. What about heating or climate control? Also insulation when cold above and below?

[@ChasingCurrents]

Hey, glad you found it useful 😁. We don't have much in terms of climate control but we do have a diesel heater and some rechargeable fans. We was thinking of insulation while we were in the UK but now we're in warmer places we find keeping the boat well ventilated works for us. We might go in to think a bit more on a video. Thank you so much for commenting 😁, all our best Brynn and Jade

[@ChristianMilesOnLine]

Great video…. Again! I even watched all the adverts!

[@ChasingCurrents]

Aww thank you so much! Really glad you enjoyed ☺️☺️

[@ronblubaugh9380]

Ryan and Sophie Sailing describe how to self build a water maker. Still not cheap but way less than a plug and play unit. Takes up a fair amount space however but if ya handy ya’ll will sort it out.

[@ChasingCurrents]

Hey, this was a really good episode they did, we have watched it a few times. We think we would be handy enough to do something like this. We also like how sailing uma installed theirs (super small space). Once we have been on the boat longer I think we will feelnout where things need to be and where we might put a water maker 😀. It will also give us some time to save up 😊. Thanks for commenting

[@richardsimmonds4442]

Very informative, enjoyed this guys, also good to see the tans are coming across nicely. Hope you’ve managed to get hold of some gas. Keep it up, safe sailing guys.

[@ChasingCurrents]

Hey, so happy you enjoyed 😊. The tans have definitely improved 😀, we just need to stay protected with cream now 😅. It took a little longer to get gas than hoped but we managed it in the end. Thanks for commenting, all our best Brynn and Jade

[@patriciab3739]

Hi Guys, another great vlog, really interesting ! Looking forward to the next - thanks for sharing :)

[@ChasingCurrents]

Thanks so much ☺️☺️ glad you enjoyed it!

[@9mswoody]

you guys .... funny, nice vid xxx

[@SailorReba]

Looking tan guys! ❤️😎

[@ChasingCurrents]

Thanks 😎😎

[@DeGladeNyheder]

Very useful information. Greetings from Denmark and wish you fair winds :-)

[@ChasingCurrents]

Hey so glad it was helpful 😁. Thabk you so much for commenting. All our best Brynn and Jade

[@SailingOTR]

If you think it is time to reef, it is time to reef. Delaying this often leads to trouble. And it is easier to shake out a reef than put one in. You have an outboard rudder. Put a trim tab on it. Your A/P will use far less power. And it is an easy step to add a self made wind vane. One big advantage of AIS is that it gives you the NAME of vessels. Big ships tend to be more responsive to VHF calls if you can use the ship's name rather than say something like "Hey big ship out there, do you see us?".

[@ChasingCurrents]

I have thought alot about a trim tab, I just don't have the confidence to do it just yet haha, more reading is needed. Would be a very good upgrade though. You are absolutely right with what you have said as well 😁. Thank you for commenting, all our best Brynn and Jade

[@nicholaspablocmith3165]

@@ChasingCurrents You're welcome.

[@our_lifeinireland]

Fantastic episode and so helpful

[@ChasingCurrents]

Hey, thank you 😊. So glad it was useful, all our best Brynn and Jade

[@dapman2007]

Thanks guys, really enjoy your videos.

[@ChasingCurrents]

Thank you so much 😊.

[@jjordii71]

I am often reading that radar does not catch small (

[@ChasingCurrents]

So far we have picked up pretty much all boats even without a reflector. I think it definitely depends on the radar hit and the settings you are using with it. We have been able to pick up birds on the water in flat calm conditions and with it being adjusted for it. But when using it for long rage you won't pick up the smaller stuff close by. We hope this offers some help 😊. A our best Brynn and Jade

[@epcode5121]

Enjoying your journey 😎 Would love to see more marina life facilities eating cooking washing, plus at anchor. Daily sailing life and costs. Helps me plan to follow you 😀⛵🍝

[@ChasingCurrents]

Thanks so much ☺️ that's a good idea! We were actually thinking of doing a video specifically on marinas (cost, facilities etc) that we've stayed in so far, and will also do a video on those other topics - sounds like useful things to discuss. Keep the good ideas coming when you get them 👍 all our best, Jade & Brynn

[@epcode5121]

@@ChasingCurrents 😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@paulfox1756]

Another great video guys, thanks... I use the same water bottles on my boat. If you haven't already, I would make some covers for them as the sun got to them in one season and broke the handles off! and that was in Scotland! lol.. If you are ever looking for video ideas, one on your radar and AIS setup would be brilliant. I currently have an old radar and it sounds that you pick up alot more than me! or I could just be using it wrong!

[@ChasingCurrents]

Hey thank you so much 😊. That actually a really good idea haha. That not a bad idea for a video 🤔, I dont feel like I know enough about it to teach others but I could at least show how we use ours. With the unit we have I tend to use it more for close range pick up, this way I can tune it for smaller objects. I always notice that when I try use it for long range it tends to only pick up bigger things like fishing boats and bigger. Its definitely something I've had to play with to get the best out of it. Thanks so much for this comment 😊, all our best Brynn and Jade

[@markthomasson5077]

Interesting that you have a radar on such a small boat. They must have got smaller and lighter, and by the sound of it a lot more sensitive. How much power does the radar use?

[@ChasingCurrents]

Hey thanks for the comment 😀. Ours weighs 7.4kg for the unit not including the bracket so not to big or heavy. And it uses 18watt max when being used and 2watt on standby, so pretty good we think. 😁

[@markthomasson5077]

That’s good. Sure you don’t mean amps, that hardly any watts.

[@ChasingCurrents]

@@markthomasson5077 Yep, seems to be right - got the info from the B&G website and seems to correlate with what our victron app says too 👍

[@markthomasson5077]

I had to check. Amazing how these bits of tech have got so much better and less expensive.

[@davidclarke7728]

Radar is only good for fog or night sailing if you have AIS , although you can see squalls

[@ChasingCurrents]

Thanks for commenting. We've found so far that loads of boats on the Portuguese coast and Spain haven't had AIS, so we've only seen them because of radar.

[@nigelwhybrow9257]

Yes a well useful video thx for posting,,,fro. Aguadulce southern espania

[@ChasingCurrents]

Thank you, so glad you found it useful 😁😁

[@debbiemccrossan3809]

Love this episode, so useful, thank you!

[@ChasingCurrents]

Aww thank you 😁 so glad you enjoyed. All out best Brynn and Jade

[@AHmad-pm4pb]

Upgrade no. 10. Electric winches.

[@zxczxczxc987]

This is ace. Safe sailing.

[@ChasingCurrents]

Thanks so much ☺️☺️

[@chilesauce7248]

Radar and an R/T AIS are a must for short-handed and solo sailors. For a small boat a "radar reflector" can help make the boast look bigger and thus it can be seen more easily by other ships radars.

[@ChasingCurrents]

We definitely agree 👍, we always forget to mention our radar reflector as it came with the boat but we are always grateful when we can tell a boat has a reflector. Thank you for commenting and bringing this up 😁

[@paulhearn2857]

Good video guys. Out of interest, what did you think you would definitely need, but now realise you don’t ? Thanks again and stay safe👍🏻

[@ChasingCurrents]

Thanks Paul ☺️ good question! One thing that springs to mind is we got a 2.7m dinghy thinking it would be better due to more space to carry things/ handle choppy waters. In hindsight a smaller one would've been better due to being able to store it easier on the boat and possibly keep it inflated onboard then (ours doesn't fit). We also got a tiller extension, but end up using autopilot so often we've barely used it! Sure there's other stuff too, we'll have a think and let you know!

[@pete9501]

@@ChasingCurrents Interesting, we have just popped our 2.65 dinghy and its beyond repair. We bought a 2.4m in desperation in Poole to continue our holiday as it fits the foredeck even with the baby stay which has always been a problem. I would love the little Honda dinghy due to the quality, perhaps next time. If your going south to the sun make a cover (called chaps)for the dinghy or it will go sticky in short order.

[@ChasingCurrents]

We would love to get a dinghy that would fit on deck 😔. The small Honda do look very good although I've heard they can be noisy. We got the Mercury due to cost and availability. Chaps is such a good shout we can feel this one being a bit tacky sometimes. Thanks again for commenting

[@nortonmolly]

How about doing a video about items you don’t really need but are just nice to have, to cruise.

[@ChasingCurrents]

This is a brilliant idea 💡 😁. Thank you for suggesting. All our best Brynn and Jade

[@justme.9711]

what radar did you get

[@ChasingCurrents]

Its a B&G 3g broadband radar 😊

[@justme.9711]

@@ChasingCurrents Great, I see the 4G has been replaced by the Halo 2 or 20??? makes the 3g and 4g a greater bargain - BARGAIN. Can't wait for lithium batteries to be replaced by - whatever, just as long as it drops their price by heaps AND IT WILL!!!, LOL!!!

[@ChasingCurrents]

It was because it was on a deal we was actually able to afford the radar, definitely a big plus that its an old discontinued version 😁.

[@justme.9711]

@@ChasingCurrents An old discontinued version that still kicks ass and is a powerful navigation and safety at anchor and sea weapon at a bargain price. Congratulations.

[@markthomasson5077]

I would have both a Tillerpilot and a wind vane type. With a stern hung rudder there is a very simple DIY option. With either, consider some method of releasing it (and the jib sheet) if you go over the side and your crew is asleep.

[@ChasingCurrents]

We are thinking about a wind vane type but at the minute they are out of our budget. Maybe in the future though 😁. Thats a very good point about a safety line though I hadn't thought about that 🤔, thank you so much for commenting 😀

[@markthomasson5077]

Have a look at How to Sail Oceans, KZbin. You could knock one up in a day or two with bits from a skip. I had a tillerpilot on my Hirondelle cat. I used a long harness tether line, so if you went over you ended up behind the stern. Say a metre or two before it attaches to the boat, tie a light line around the harness tether, take the light line up to a block tied to the back stay and back down to a loop over the arm of the tillerpilot. As the tether gets pulled tight it pulls on the light line and lifts the arm of the tillerpilot off its socket on the tiller. You can do similar for the jib sheet. And before you ask, no I never jumped over to test it!

[@rainfinger]

Circumnavigated with a Hydrovane in the 1980s, and I wouldn't go to sea without one, steered day and night without food or drink or electricity in light air and force 10 gales, plus it is a spare rudder. Hydrovance will not let you down, using one on our next voyage.

[@ChasingCurrents]

We love hydrovanes as well. So many people recommend them. Unfortunately for us they our out of our budget but our tiller pilot has done amazing so far getting us where we are now without missing a beat. Unfortunately they do use a little electricity but not enough that its a problem on our boat 😊. Thank you for commenting 😁

[@irekmalinowski9196]

OMH you both lost so much weight. I am getting a boat just for that reason!

[@ChasingCurrents]

😂😂 love it!! Yep the sailors diet is suiting us, would recommend 😉

[@AthelstanEngland]

LOL - this may be just the comment I need to get the Mrs on board!!

[@chrisballUKtoNZ]

pahahahahahaahha who is it? upgrade number 4 😂😂😂😂😂

[@ChasingCurrents]

😂☎️

[@JonMadsen70]

:)

[@pauljamison3340]

Must be day sailors that said AIS and radar are a gimmick!!!!

[@ChasingCurrents]

You're probably right!! Very glad we didn't listen to them 😂

[@janszkop8681]

🇵🇱🙋⛵👍💙

[@jamesmcmahon7837]

Loving the blogs 👍🏼.. What are you going to do after your 90 days? Don’t come back! ( meant in a nice way lol!) Have you watched this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYKwf3aGrs1knNk ? Maybe some ideas...

[@ChasingCurrents]

We will be heading back this winter as we won't be able to get anywhere to reset our visas but after this we think we will be able to reset in countries out side of the visa to keep us going none stop 😁. Thanks for the comment

[@neilappeal20]

Amy and Matt on Florence have been sailing since they were children. Their latest video shows them crossing the Indian Ocean, they misjudged and turned back once and are on their second attempt. They've had struggles. I'm SERIOUSLY concerned about you two. Are you planning on sailing the world on your boat? Do you have any RYA training? I don't want to muddy the water, I'm sure you're having a nice time. I hope you've thought this through. Good luck!

[@ChasingCurrents]

Thanks for your comment, what is it you're concerned about? We've managed to sail from England to Gibraltar now, crossing the bay of Biscay and sailing down the Portuguese coast - we're doing pretty well so far! Brynn has his day skipper and I have my Competent crew. We're definitely aware of the risks and struggles, we'd prefer them to the risk of living a predictable life on land 👍 thanks for the concern though, and all our best Jade & Brynn.