I fell asleep and crashed my boat into a beach at 4 AM

We take my friends Pearson ensign out for a daysail around miami. Then I take my Bayfield 29 on a 100 miles offshore passage from Miami to the Keys. I make an unfortunate mistake along the way due to lack of sleep.
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[@latkokilla]

My favorite part which epitomizes Sam- "Im really dissapointed in myself- could have been there 2 hours ago.. Hey looks its a dolphin!"

[@samholmessailing]

Heck yeah. Dolphins are cool

[@bake162]

Would be nice to see you get a trimaran, can you imagine how many holes you could drill into 3 hulls 😂

[@leecowell8165]

Saw him sailing a cat 18 in the everglades but cannot picture Sam out there in a Cat or Tri when his default boat is a Bayfield 29.

[@johnnyb362]

Brother, never polish your channel up like a lot of the other cruising channels out there. We love The beauty of your adventures mixed with the chaos of breaking things, wrestling with sails, falling asleep and crashing your boat. One of my favorites was when you left your boat anchored to fly somewhere and meet a chick saying “I hope it’s still here when I get back” followed by the next episode “my boats gone”😂. You make us believe we all can do what you do. After all, it’s just keeping going till you screw up, fix the screw up, learn from it and keep going. Fair wind and smooth travels from South Carolina.

[@townsleycurtis1571]

Hi Sam, youtube channel "Townsley Curtis" here. It was great having you around here last week. I have more footage to put up on my KZbin of you . I will also post your under water swim record lol. Have fun and I hope the hydro foil holds up.

[@samholmessailing]

Sounds great! I cant wait to edit the next video with our lobster adventures. Unfortunately the red tide is horrible here. Should have stayed longer in the keys 😃. But i sold the boat in a day. All the best!

[@townsleycurtis1571]

@Sam Holmes Sailing wow you sold that fast. Well anytime you want to come back just ping me

[@marktracy586]

Awesome learning moment! Thanks for sharing the good, the bad and the ugly with us!

[@allanlee2412]

Always so good natured and outgoing in frustrating times. Most resilient and adventurous dude! Been following you since the Hawaii voyage and 70k subscribers:) Sam's the man!

[@buddymac3993]

Safer to Stop and Sleep than Sleep and Stop Suddenly!!🇨🇦😄

[@santaclause2875]

Hey Sam, thanks for another fun show! Your shows are always a blast to watch, and always contain at least some portion on sharing your sailing skills. Can't wait for the next one. Stay safe out there!!

[@TrueHelpTV]

Sam if you ever need free batteries I've got you covered. I get really expensive ones for free out of radio tower sites when were hired to decom them, and I typically just integrate them into my personal solar projects

[@NateDawg5050]

I’m building a solar grid myself especially for my tiny boat that will be bigger someday

[@TrueHelpTV]

@@NateDawg5050 all i can say is.. discount haha

[@adamtedder1012]

I'll take em. Hook it up!

[@TrueHelpTV]

@@adamtedder1012 well, what would you use them for? I'd rather reserve gifts for people with low budget projects that provide inspiration and education to the masses.

[@TrueHelpTV]

@@NateDawg5050 I'm definitely cool with selling you stuff at a huge discount, its just what you'd use them for isn't the same as someone who uses them to develop inspirational/educational content like Sam does. It takes balls to embark on his solo journeys; and I don't mind helping where I can.

[@hello_newman3116]

You're a good example of calmness! Thanks for taking us along on your adventure. My fav videos are of the tropical kind. So neat, to me who lives in land locked Minnesota!

[@mytreasurechess]

Minnesota has incredible interlake sailing. Go to your nearest yacht club and sign up for lessons.

[@scottanderson9596]

You could use a truckers timer. Brand I had was called an Eagle Timer, you set it for how long you want the timer to be, it had a 10 min warning then at zero mins it was impossible to sleep through. Had 2 volume settings, high or low. Beautiful views of the ocean, love the videos!

[@rolfpiotrowski4325]

I think you mean what we call a mechanic egg timer! ⏲ Many sailor use it! But for the youngsters everything has to have a LED..! 😜 Okay! There is the stupid, tick,tick, tick, tick, tick..... But it's simple, and you could manage it even drunken..! 😜👍

[@jamesgordon2289]

Sam you’re videos are always such fun, even when you are obviously exhausted. Keep goin mate, you make my week whenever you release a video !

[@jacksmith8002]

The only man that shots all of his content with a handheld, he does more with 1 hand than I could do with 5

[@johnstilley2064]

Your mindset is amazing, I love how you stay so positive and calm when stuff goes wrong. You're the type of guy I want to be around when the apocalypse happens.

[@johnnyhubbars9893]

There’s another term for that…

[@santaclause2875]

@@johnnyhubbars9893 What? Biden/Harris win big in 2024 ???

[@thecirinos]

No brains no headaches I guess. Love how he gives responsibility for his errors to “friends” he meets.

[@marioncobretti3076]

He’s the guy that will make the apocalypse happen

[@blacksand357]

@@marioncobretti3076 No, it will be the guy who wants retribution for having lost an election...

[@passagesfromtheheart]

Glad everything worked out alright, Sam, and that you and boat were safe after running aground. Hope you were able to catch up on some sleep and that your thumb is healing and the ingrown nail, too. Thanks for sharing the footage of your sail on the Pearson Ensign -- I'm actually looking at buying a 1981 Pearson Ensign. I love Carl Alberg designed sailboats, but finding one that's not a project boat is proving to be somewhat tough. Fair winds!

[@JBAutomotive794]

Sam I wish I was there with ya brother. Its always a plus to have a buddy to boat with to take the helm for a bit while ya get some rest. We all need sleep every now and again.

[@cosmicsoullove]

i love how sam smiles and in a monotone fashion explains how he is frustrated with himself, when i get frustrated with myself it, um, yeah....it is not like that.... like at all... haha, really appreciate you showing this and the other recent video of some of these mistakes/mishaps etc. you always make it all look so easy, and I suppose it is with experience, but running aground while sleeping and literally losing your boat and then finding it seem like two pretty big ordeals... though i'm sure running aground happens quite a bit to folks... also very cool dock spot at the end, and sometimes you just need to get some rest, glad you showed that you took a nap after that other part where you got frustrated before the nap trying to get into the channel, that time you could actually see a faint hint of what us simple folk call frustration, but barely haha. tides and currents are two things, as a total beginner, seem super challenging to me, but I suppose it all becomes doable with experience, you make it look pretty easy. i guess one of many rules is that you can only access certain places with certain boats at certain tides and times of day and that changes, and currents are sometimes constant and sometimes those change too, so you have to factor all of that in a lot more when you dont have a power boat/limited motoring abilities.

[@PepeDeezNutz]

Sounds like you have issues

[@cosmicsoullove]

@@PepeDeezNutz yup, have a good one , wishing you all the best

[@mangofever233]

These vids are just so much better than the other sailing channels; i love it!

[@pred7949]

your mother loves your sibling more than she loves you

[@mangofever233]

@@pred7949 lol!

[@swaverdPino]

Thanks Sam, you're taking the sea trip I'm planning, great to see you back in the USA. Seems almost as timely as in a car, and a world more beautiful.

[@TurtleFootMining]

Thanks for the upload during these dark times 😊

[@leecowell8165]

It took me a number of these videos to find that your boat is a Bayfield 29. Full keel, protected prop and rudder. 3000 pound ballast around 8500 hundred pound displace. Wow that's heavy for a 29 footer. So you're looking at about 6.5 knot max speed. Built originally with a 15 hp Yanmar with 19 gallons of fuel onboard. What a boat, Sam and no wonder that you feel confident taking this guy anywhere. I love your earthly, no nonsense videos. You're base is NC? But you've been all over the globe... wow what a life!

[@davidc6510]

Another great SHS update. Thanks for sharing!

[@christianjansson6806]

Take it easy with those slippers! I sprained my ankle a few years ago with a similar pair on a similar sailing boat. Had me limping for a few weeks.

[@coconutjenn4]

ahhhh....I loved it when you said that you were talking to your sister about life and what you both wanted out of it. Such special times when you are talking about it at your age...and you will always remember that moment and your conversation forever!

[@mosquitoman3160]

Sam you are the man. Sorry about the haters

[@o_oo_o1812]

Lol wit haters?

[@flower2289]

Sam before I retired I worked as an airline pilot with widely varying work schedules. Of course over sleeping at your hotel was absolutely unacceptable so I always had at least two alarms and also set up a wake up call from the hotel front desk. One thing about oversleeping is that it seems that little extra sleep you get is always so restful.

[@miltonkarl664]

I am literally unable to do 9-5 or 6 job because I sleep too much. Not kidding

[@whoyoukidding1]

I'm semi-retired but I used to do a lot of domestic business travel. Before I trusted my smartphone I relied completely on the hotel wake-up call (I was never confident in setting the clock-radio alarm, which was different in each hotel). The wake up call was automated and one time I set it for 7:00 AM and didn't receive the call until like 7:16 which, on a tight schedule, made a big difference. After that, I started setting the call for 6:59, or just one minute before the time I wanted to wake up. After that, I must have been the first call of the morning because, I never had a late wake up call again.

[@DatsWhatHeSaid]

@@miltonkarl664 If you're not kidding, that sounds like a deeper lying issue. First thing that comes to mind, thyroid underfunction. Get your blood levels checked.

[@deborahmeredith6411]

@Milton Karl sleep apnea maybe causing this

[@michaelnavarette7200]

Flower2289 come on, you know you go back to sleep once you’re airborne. 🤣🤣🤣 JK

[@haviland586]

Great video! Fatigue always seems to lead to chaos. Nice recovery.

[@stecollings5038]

Love your chilled approach to sailing. I hope one day to get out on the water in my own 28 foot boat. Keep doing what you do.

[@gregcostanzo4724]

I use my phone and a loud mechanical twist timer alarm permanently mounted right next to my pillow. I have also had to "kedge" off though. KEEP ON ROCKING!

[@richhocker209]

Good recovery.

[@sracer42]

Ensign - prettiest boat ever made and a good sailor too.

[@SVNimbus]

Hi Sam, glad you got off the beach ok, and good to think that Pickled Herring has a loud watch keeping cockpit alarm !

[@ingtar1701]

I live around Marathon and am impressed you found a sandy spot to touch bottom lol Love the episode!

[@xkupi]

I feel ya Sam lost my job recently and it kinda shocked me but whenever I see your videos I feel kinda like you do sometimes when things kinda just don't line up. Let's keep sailing.

[@daniw565]

Thanks Sam I love watching your videos.

[@samholmessailing]

Thanks for watching!

[@215Daniel]

That Stiltsville is a nice bit of history I never knew about, thanks for sharing Sam.

[@rickyrodriguez5744]

Samwich! Rocks bad, water good!

[@jimbojet8728]

Well done Sam. Indomitable as ever, it’s ok to make some mistakes sometimes you know as long as you really do learn from them. Do you learn from them Sam? I hope so, I think you’ve had enough problems for a while, a little plain and worry free sailing is due. Thank you for sharing and showing us it as it is.

[@boke75]

Sam's very entertaining. I like how he extensively explains (compared to most sailing channels) his actions or concepts in his videos. A lot of others just stare in silence and/or only occasionally narrate.

[@rodsimmons3101]

Hi Sam, The sound coming from the autopilot would drive me nuts.

[@leoandwiz]

This dude is a friggin legend. One of my favorite sailing vloggers

[@pervinmervin]

Him and wind hippie

[@shoutatthesky]

Seems like one of those mistakes you are lucky to have learned from because it could have been your last!

[@OmegaProxy]

Sam “Fenders out” Holmes strikes again. Sandbars beware! Great video as usual. Happy sailing.

[@leeoldershaw956]

We used a 1 hour mechanical spring operated kitchen timer we bought in 1980. The boat was sold in 2009. We still have the timer.

[@stephenburnage7687]

I always use a mechanic (clock like) egg timer at night at sea. Depending on the proximity of any potential hazards, i set it for anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes. In between, I get some sleep.

[@Frank-hm3ue]

I would use that anchor a bit more when fatigue sets in.

[@pikon33]

I’m liking how you’re listening to the Neutral Milk Hotel! Love in the aeroplane over the sea.

[@robertbailey2342]

Very odd...I just watched another channel get blown in mud flats due to strong winds but they have two guys aboard and still can't get their boat free but you didn't seem to have any problems lol. Much love from the coast of Maine 🤙🤙

[@timkrause5081]

Your vid's are excellent, love the way you always have a way to fix things. You seem to keep things simple when things can become complicated for the average Joe...like me.

[@wateraries23]

You must have some serious grease and oil on that bike so it doesn’t rust. Love your adventures.

[@Useless_Knowledge07]

I was thinking the same.

[@brucerleech]

Thank you very much

[@rogerwinright2290]

Once I move to Sarasota, I'm going to be getting myself into sailing as well! Crazy you mention Biscayne too, I'm actually working on a large project for them right now at work! Very awesome and great content!

[@Philippe275]

lol that bicycle gears and chain are going to love the salty water

[@dinghyworldperth3903]

Hi Sam, enjoy your videos and find them very entertaining. Hope to get my little yacht out for a longer voyage one day. In regards to your alarm situation I saw a French yachtsman on you tube and he always used a cooking timer for short naps. Simple but very reliable. Dave

[@randomtraveler3363]

I have a roller furler on my Bayfield 29, I roll it in then out again when tacking and gybing. That narrow slot does make it a challenge.

[@tunatony]

GOOD JOB 👍

[@nelson_moore]

Great sound effects!

[@marianoschaller9066]

Yoi need a furler. Furl it inn, tak, furl it out. No damage for the sail. Ibwpuld love a review C.Dory 28 vs Bay field 29. Great video as allways. Saludos!!!!

[@fis5398]

I like the direction your taking your page.. "let me show you everything wrong" lol

[@ErichRankin]

Love your content.

[@samholmessailing]

Thanks

[@vandalorian8777]

I’ve seen some of your videos and I have to say. I’m not surprised

[@sailingeden9866]

Great video.

[@danfarrell5177]

Good for you, for getting out there and doing it. Especially with an underpowered motor and mostly sail power. Singlehanding is dangerous - please be careful. Some good seamanship here.

[@grunwode]

Those uneventful periods when it's cool out are the perfect time to tackle some brightwork. The less the solvent evaporates, the better it is working.

[@johnbee7729]

This boat is giving you some exhilarating adventures.

[@bobthevirus]

We always had a mechanical kitchen timer along with two alarms in our phones. The mechanical timer never broke, even with 3 years at sea and regular use. Highly recommended

[@karaDee2363]

No worries Sam, that beach wasn't even supposed to be there....lol

[@Pelican506]

I’m literally sailing the same route you’ve been taking, but I’m in a Bayfield 25. Crossing the Gulf Stream from Elliot key in the next few days. Cheers!

[@samholmessailing]

Right on. Im in fmb now. Dont come here though the red tide is horrible. ☠️ 🐟

[@joebrown1382]

Saw this on Patreon. Thanks again. One of my favorite channels.

[@samholmessailing]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Anonymous-jm3mg]

Really enjoy watching your videos. You're living my dream life basically. I'm planning on cycling to the coast to find work so I can afford to buy a sailboat, hopefully on the cheap. I'm completely broke currently and homeless, unemployed, etc. But I'm tired of working junk low paying jobs and paying too much for rent in dumpy apartments with shitty neighbors. I'm handy with tools and basic mechanics but poorly educated really my interest is getting into computers for 3D printing, cnc lathing, designing, machining but have zero experience with computers other than clicking the 🐁. I'm determined though and got snowed in Missoula for now. I should be able to fix most of anything on a sailboat while living on it and either working some job or going to school. I was always one paycheck away from being homeless most of my adult life and then it finally happened in 2015 and I've been homeless since then. I've really had a shit life and would rather die in a sailboat than in a two man tent living on a sidewalk. Funny question Sam, have you ever been a driller in the North Dakota Basin? Thanks for sharing your videos with others who want to live the dream.

[@codassong]

I'm doing the same thing!

[@bluesmandingo]

I feel ya. live your dream.

[@darrenpye-rs4yf]

Lots of adventure here

[@jeffrandolf5673]

The man born with a perma-smile.

[@rassiesmithiii2836]

I've been lobstering right around Grassy Key. Glad you're good my man.

[@chhindz]

Running into the Pennekamp reef could also get a huge fine. I came close to that when heading for a red marker I thought was on the Hawk channel but was actually cutting through the reef.

[@TheRavenousDrifter]

Be careful out there, man.

[@CaptainHook86]

Grassy key on the map there. I lived there for many years. My wife worked at Fipper's sea school.(dolphi s) I am a retired sportfishing captain and guide living on Selah, a 1976 32 Endeavor fully restored. One day we will cross paths Sam. Fair winds and 73 to you.

[@Garnizzle]

Hell of a sunset!

[@JohnEvans-lp9dc]

nice I have ensign 1089 pretty similar vintage

[@denizcimuzafferciv2989]

Good good.. Play in the Garden like a child and gave us the advises....Nice sailors

[@nolanmailhos1470]

We got crazy stupid wind over here in New Orleans yesterday. I personally like a quick sail! Especially when the sails are about to rip. And you got just a little bit more than the rail! In the water. How come and all selling language lingo? There's not one mention of pucker factor in the books!!!!

[@highshotsvideos3501]

Way cool. Ramrod. our family built a house down there. in the 70s. its still there. we lived in miami. would go down there on the weekends. couple of streets behind the motel.

[@rivernet62]

The sailor's lament! But the luck of the Irish is with you. Good thing you stopped in Scotland for whiskey ;)

[@paulh3973]

The stiltsville houses were used in the original Miami Vice series in several episodes.

[@x73.]

I love the Wharrams

[@keithrobinson870]

Your idea of using two alarm clocks is a good one I'll tell you what I used to do my watch my cellphone wear on my wrist and next to my bed those were two alarms then I had two alarm clocks that I set at distances such that I couldn't reach them from the bed I had to physically stand-up which would make sure I was awake and make sure those two are loud

[@dugwillis84]

On our vessel we have the oceanwake system. Highly recommended for times when you’re exhausted.

[@glennsepelak5113]

Also like your videos been watching a long time

[@rainfinger]

Your best video. Sam is human too.

[@bill-gray]

Cool.👍

[@harrykreia5371]

Running aground is normal risk when u sail single. Few days of stormy weather, repairs etc. , and you can miss the timer easily. Happened to me as well. Luckily steel boat and i could winch out as well.

[@ninehundreddollarluxuryyac5958]

They sell an obnoxiously loud alarm called "Screaming Meanie". Its an alarm clock and timer in one time related gadget. It has three loudness settings. 70 db is very loud, 90 db is Led Zeppelin at point blank range, and 120 db sounds like the end of the world. You will not sleep through it. Amazon has everything and ebay when they stop making it.

[@everlastingrhetoric8921]

Hope to See Ya on the High Seas - Black Sailboat Life @ Dinner Key Marina- Miami ⚓️

[@roncanizares9966]

Perhaps if you had used the old fashioned kitchen timers with a long ring (I set two in order to be extra safe), you'd stay beachs. They have no "pause" settings. They just ring!

[@shemraschke]

Dude, I just solo sailed from green bay, lake Michigan to Daytona beach... I'm a stout " monohull" guy . But just sold it and am going to a wharram or tri also. As of right now I'm eyeballing the die cut Mana 24 kit from wharram. A diyer like you might like that

[@dennisfano2574]

If you’re ever coming through Stuart and need a dock for a few days just let me know! We will get you on some good fishing as well.

[@user-jn3hr4se7n]

Thats an amazing image, a peddle bike standing upright in the middle of the sea 😂😂😂

[@robertbodell7221]

I wa into single handed sailing in my younger days. I circumnavigated the atlantic in a 24' bayliner buccaneer. The only changes were a third gudgeon and pintle on the rudder, double instead of single lower shrouds and a Huge cockpit drain. Lots of sail with lots of ref points thanks to an old sailmaker named Laddie Sadler in Florida. No engine. It was 5 years before I could sleep over 20 minutes and now 50 year later i still don't sleep well for waking up to look for ships

[@redwood1957]

Sam I'm 65 and at times I wish I had done half of what you have done at you age. For your mother's sake please slow down and enjoy your ride. I get the feeling your burning the candle at both ends. Thank you for your open communications

[@ThomasDoubting5]

😂😂😂 Fair play for sharing.

[@captainkyle443]

Need a shallow water alarm to your MFD. Any cheap transducer to your MFD and you could sleep and the unit will sounds when you hit the depth you choose