Ep1 Preparing for a Solo Atlantic Crossing (also my first R&S channel video)

In this video I talk though and show you some of the preparations made for my Solo sail across the Atlantic from the Caribbean to Europe. When this was filmed I had already sailed the boat from the UK to the Caribbean with a short-handed crew so I knew the boat was in pretty good shape but these are a few extra things I did before pushing off on my longest solo sail to date.
Music credit - Bensound.com

[@fungkimmary9100]

Just subscribed from Miri Sarawak Borneo. Looking forward to more vids .All the best!

[@80649]

Excellent video. Can't wait for part 2. Planning this journey for 2024 once refit on Oyster UFO 34 complete.

[@RefitandSail]

Thanks, best of luck with the refit. Most important thing is to go, I left with a long list of “nice to do” jobs on the boat and some have been done on route and some will get done eventually. Pleased I did not delay until the boat was perfect as no boat ever is.

[@ianb4801]

Goodness, this world sure is short. You used to talk about your "Atlantic laps" when woking on my HR-38 at Gosport. I'm currently in Panama, been lingering here with all the frustrations of Panama. After single-handing from Portugal via Curacao. Learnt a bit more about sailing on the way and very little broke. Had issues with PredictWind tough, until I emailed NZ to get them to prune my polars outside 40-145 degrees. Must look at more of your videos - something about racing bungalows?

[@RefitandSail]

Hello Ian, good to hear you are still floating about. Good luck with onward travels.

[@hellodarren]

Thanks for the info, would like a more in depth vid too. Also be good to know how you passage plan and what navigation systems you use.

[@WavedancerWesterlyfulmar]

Just subscribed to support fellow westerly yacht channel. They’re fantastic yachts. Best wishes for your safe passage from Ireland and the crew of Wavedancer

[@RefitandSail]

Thanks :-)

[@richguest]

Great stuff, very informative - planning on departing the UK next year on my Corsair so will be watching your vids with a keen interest!

[@RefitandSail]

Thanks for watching, remember that the boat was already pretty well prepared prior to that vid so it was really just the additional bits I wanted to do before heading off on my own. Best of luck with your Corsair, I nearly bought one but missed out to another buyer and then could not find another Mk2, having said that I’m very happy to have ended up with the Sealord which has been an excellent cruising platform.

[@marcgiraudon9188]

Great set of vids. Thank you for taking the time.would really like to see a more in depth vid about use of weather software and satphone whilst on passage and how you do all of that. Have a safe trip. Marc

[@RefitandSail]

Hi Marc, thanks for the message and I am pleased that you enjoyed the videos so far. A few people have asked about getting weather offshore and weather routing so I will do a separate video about that. If you subscribe to the channel you will get notification of when that is posted.

[@thepigwillfly5869]

Nice video.

[@LiaSailing]

Great stuff, looking forward to your videos and you may have just solved my solo mast climbing issue!

[@RefitandSail]

Be careful solo mast climbing, it’s not hard with the right equipment but best to practice with someone on a safety line. I may at some point do a separate video on this.

[@LiaSailing]

@@RefitandSail Cheers, would be very interested in seeing a video on it. I have a removable inner forestay which attaches just in front of the shrouds when not on the bow, works great with a prusik knot as a safety line.

[@ray8328]

Hi George. I just found your channel and I am looking forward to watching the next few episodes. Thanks for all the information, it was very informative.

[@RefitandSail]

Pleased to hear you enjoyed it, hopefully my delivery is a little less wooden in the following videos as I got used to speaking to camera.

[@Duartechamps]

Love your channel. What boat is on your wall? The half hull model.

[@RefitandSail]

Thanks for the comment, it’s a half-model of a contessa 32

[@raymondthomas8080]

What and how many spare parts are you taking along with you?

[@RefitandSail]

Good question, I carry a lot of tools, plenty of engine spares and other general repairs materials. It’s had to imagine every eventuality and impossible to carry spares for everything as the boat would sink under the weight but there re common things that are worth having for repairs on the go. I have also been about to help out and borrow from a few other cruisers as and when needed.

[@Anmeteor9663]

Interesting video but please turn your music down a bit. Its overpowering. Save the viewers from having to alter the volume from speech to music

[@RefitandSail]

Will do, that was my first video so I'm learning along the way. pleased you found it interesting.

[@WavedancerWesterlyfulmar]

Recognise your name from FB groups