Gale warnings all areas, out in Biscay Fitzroy solo sailing - Halmatic 30

[@AdventuresofanoldSeadog]

Wow I was in Camarinas the same time as you. Just caught a shot of my boat. I was there for 22 days. It blew a gale for 20 of those. I must have left when you did as did many other boat awaiting the weather.

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

+barryperrins I only had 2 nights at anchor and one night in the marina and was lucky to get the break from the NE winds. (left 30 May) That stretch from Finisterre to Camarinas wasn't easy, tough on the boat. I've been wondering since if a patient sailor could wait long enough and get favourable winds all the way home. Until Camarinas I had a few days of sailing without any weather forecasts.

[@WildlingSailing]

This is the sort of vlogging we love, no froth, all intrepid adventure

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Wildlings Sailing. Thank you for your comment, Its comments like yours that keep me uploading, please keep watching, new ones coming soon!

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

I bought the Halmatic an year ago, (see earlier videos), ideal for single handed voyages with the self steering vane. I kept her in Spain and Portugal but had wanted to do a 'blue water' trip to see if I still enjoyed that kind of sailing. I had in total about four months on the boat, very enjoyable She is now up for sale for other reasons. I will do that kind of sailing again. I liked Portimao , I'd like to base a boat there when I can afford it.

[@MyCoolman24]

Proper sailing! Love your videos. Please do more :-)

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Just the sort of encouragement I need, thanks. I'd like to range further, Greece maybe, I try for some variety in boats and places to keep the videos interesting.

[@eric99vigne]

Nice video

[@sailingandpaintingtheworld538]

Great video of the Bay. Are Halmatics as strong as they look?

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thanks for your support and I'm glad you like the video. The Halmatic is an ideal small ocean/offshore cruiser with it's long keel and in the case of the one in this video, a rudder hung trim tab self steering, an Autosteer. They cut through the waves when beating into the seas you saw around Finnisterre. A modern design would have had a hard time there. Crossing outside the Bay in Fitzroy area mostly, she only had a handful of breaking wave tops thudding against the coachroof and rode the big swells and waves very well. They measure 29ft 6in, so will not break the bank with marina charges. They would suit single or double handed cruising.

[@shoestringsailor3889]

Great vid. Some nasty weather and some interesting details you've shown there.

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

+shoestringsailor , Thanks for taking the time to comment, I have just started to watch your Westerly 25 videos, always good to find a new channel.

[@redsnappersadler34]

Thanks - enjoyed that

[@kiang8269]

Nice video. Purchasing a Halmatic 30 shortly. Do you know what the windvane system is?

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Autosteer as I recall. It worked very well, simple course adjustment and fixed to the trailing edge of the rudder so nothing to catch ropes. They were made by a company in Cornwall. You've made a good choice, they are very seaworthy and give confidence in the conditions you see in the video.

[@kiang8269]

@@mjcooke2sailingmostly Appreciate the response and affirmation! Still got the logistics to sort out but super stoked :)

[@StellarSailor]

Did you like the hamatic 30?

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Hi James, This one escaped notifications. I found it an excellent boat which will look after you in all weather. They are cheaper than Vancouvers and well made and appointed below. If there's just you or couple, it's a good choice for serious sailing. The long keel giving a fair chance of avoiding snags on pot or net ropes and good ballast ratio. A trim tab Autosteer windvane steering was fitted which made me an officer of the watch instead of weathering those conditions at the tiller.

[@stevequate1797]

I’m glad y’all enjoy sailing across oceans, some of those damn sail boats are so freaking small and y’all get in them abs sail across ungodly waters and I woukd’nt sleep for days especially at night. My casa woukdnt let a pin thru it. How do y’all sleep at night, arnt you worried about hitting another ship, floating things like cargo containers, logs, just anything floating much less not being able to see what’s coming at you, rogue waves, big waves, anything out there. That would scare the shit outta me, not enough drugs to settle my nerves, waves bigger than your boat the way it tilts to one side seemed like it’s going to capsize then straightens up dies it again and waves you can’t see over screw that

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

The sail from Spain to UK took around six days, in that time I only cat napped and was ready to do anything needed on deck. Floating hazards are a worry and no AIS or radar will detect them. Some boats don't have AIS transmitters so that's not something to rely on. I think there is a risk but I don't feel in any more danger than in a car on busy roads. The sense of achievement makes it worthwhile.

[@stevequate1797]

@@mjcooke2sailingmostly I bet it does make you feel good, I just hv never understood how with sails so much bigger than the boat itself, especially in winds what in the world keeps it from going on over. I’ve seen some iTunes where the boat is actually laying nearly horizontally to the water the edge of top of hull is actually even with water line and the sailors hv smiles on their faces and not a worry in the world, my ass would so tight, a molecule of air couldn’t get in abs my stomach would be so upset worrying about capsizing. Guess just not fit me, gotta be a cruise ship if I’m crossing big waters. Puss I guess I am, even 50’ Viking marlin boat in high seas kinda worries me, but crew just having a good ol time. Oh well good luck

[@StellarSailor]

What wind vane is that?

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

An Autosteer. The firm is or was in Cornwall. It worked very well. Course adjustment was a little wheel. It was a trim tab type fixed to the trailing edge of the transom hung rudder.