I’m Terrified but We’ve Gotta Do This | S08E28

I once heard someone say that you can learn to sail in an afternoon but it takes a lifetime to get good at it. I’ve lived and worked on boats for over ten years now and have experienced a wide variety of situations on the water.
But this week we come face to face with a boating maneuver that has instilled fear in my heart ever since I began dreaming of sailing the world. Personally I regard it as the most difficult boating maneuver that I know of and although it is quite rare throughout most of the world here in Greece where we’ve been sailing for the past couple of weeks, it is used prolifically.
So this week we seek advice from a med mooring expert and get a crash course on… well… how not to crash. And our new found skills get a trial by fire when an unexpected storm descends on the Ionian Islands and the only thing keeping us off the rocks are the techniques that we just learned days before.
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[@johnross440]

Jordan, Please be careful when you enter those small caves in the kayak with your family, if a wave or surge took place while you are in the cave it could push you upwards into the sharp ceiling… be careful, we enjoy your presentations… John and Penny, Ontario, Canada

[@rizalinobautista6258]

Isabela is becoming more beautiful week by week! Good job Jordan!

[@Tomm9y]

I love the way Jordan recognises the limitations to his knowledge and the need to upgrade them with a relatable experienced expert like Ben Sutcliffe-Davies. Expertise on location is worth a whole lot. More skills evaluation and certification should include this type of thing. For those using a tiller and even some wheel steering systems, be aware that when reversing the forces on a rudder are significant.

[@lindafett1826]

Jordan👏👏👏⛵PERFECT maneuvering

[@dovetomarc]

Just fyi Stern tying is very common in British Columbia throughout the Canadian Gulf Islands and in particular Desolation Sound so it's a great skill to learn. Med mooring (as opposed to stern tie) is common at places like Roche Harbor, WA in the busy summer months were certain sections of the dock use Med Ties.. A suggestion...be very careful about the type of line you use for your stern ties. The common myth is to use a bright yellow floating polypropylene line. It is a bad choice especially in places like Greece where you have lots of sunshine. Polypropylene is highly susceptible to degradation by UV radiation.The material becomes brittle after prolonged exposure. In fact, basic polypropylene can lose up to 70% of its mechanical strength after 6 days worth of exposure to high-intensity UV radiation. A flat line Dyneema (though way more expensive) is a much better choice. We learned this the hard way when one or the Polypropylene lines we had that was only a month old snapped and we lost the dinghy!

[@TheCornucopiaProject-bd5jk]

New skills are great. This reversing technique kind of reminds me of trick shots in sports. We are used to go forward, but reverse is where the fun is happening. We need a “trick shot course for sailors” - all in reverse.

[@carolgale2590]

Great job Jorden!

[@jimfisk4474]

Boat safety and good scenes and can't forget the water, thank you much, audios

[@327365hp]

Great lessons by Ben! Great job by Jordan!

[@johnmayer3433]

Swim lines are easily suffering from chafing so when tying up to a rock you better use a piece of chain around the rock and attach the line to it. A work around that is using old sheets or halyards which are way more resistant against chafing. Also you could use some protective sleeve like a piece of water hose to the swim line to protect it from the rock. My former boat also had a full keel but since here in the Baltic Sea we do a lot of harbour maneuvers I quickly learned how to deal with it. But it stayed being a nightmare when there was not enough room to build enough speed.

[@cathyadams2861]

Wow 🤩 and just like that you’re Ben Moring 😂 what a blessing Ben was to your family … Great job 👏 Issa’s high pony’s are too cute 👧🏼 ❤

[@DirkJacobsz]

Well done gang - Did you see the goats at Kalamos come down near you and drink sea water .Suggestion put some towing straps on the end of your yellow float lines that you tie off to rocks - they are cheap and stop chafe on your expensive flating lines.

[@josegonzalez9054]

What a beautiful bebé. ..she smile all the time. ....God bless all of you.....from Caracas , Venezuela

[@FredCooper-en1sd]

The key with reversing a sailboat is knowing when the lift on the rudder grabs. It will grab fast and in a non-linear fashion. If you are not prepared it can snap the wheel out of your hand and possibly damage the steering gear. We had a Catalina, a wing keel boat with an enormous spade rudder. When you put it in reverse it would first walk to starboard and then at about 1.5 knts the lift would counter the walking and it would balance and straighten out. The helm response would be sloppy until about 2-3 knots and then "Wham" it would start responding to helm like a sports car. I would back into slips a lot and knowing how the response curves worked was key. I'd get it going 2-3 knts in reverse, line up for the slip and pop it into neutral. The speed would bleed off in a boat lenght or so and if lined up would drift nicely into the slip. The key is understanding the lift curve on the rudder.

[@hvulin]

learning to med moor is a great skill that can be used in all crowded marinas since you learn much better control of the boat going in reverse...

[@loisphillips5826]

Great Saturday morning with Atticus. Isabella is the happiest baby. What a smile 😊 ❤

[@graeme-sailingskeptic]

Thanks for the "super" episode! Really, excellent video!!

[@susieboodoo8464]

Omg! Look whose hair can now get little ponytails,🥰 she is getting cuter and cuter. Enjoyed the video.

[@bitsurfr46]

In this world there are nice people and people who know what they are doing. I follow your videos because you are both.😅

[@jeffmoon6230]

I love how Isabella was helping with Jordan’s pep talk!

[@klouism1]

So good that you were able to get some expert training. What's also great is you don't have an ego that prevents you from learning. That is what makes you a great captain. Your good judgment is an asset to your family and yourself. Keep having fun. ⛵

[@everydayeverything]

You three are just so charming. Ozo too!

[@moneyfornothing3264]

Gotta love these Saturday mornings!!! 💜💙

[@TomInGulfBreeze]

In hindsight, it makes a lot of sense that you'd need some speed to get water moving better over the rudder, but without knowing that, my tendency would be to be really easy on the throttle out of caution. Great lesson! Sometimes "balls to the wall" is actually the safer option!

[@JasRoss]

Funny thing, that movement of water is true on different scale watercraft. When teaching my friends how to stand on stand up paddleboards, I am often telling them the board is far more stable when you're moving with speed through the water vs trying to stand while the board is stationary. Way to tackle your "fears" head-on. Part of being a good captain is always being open to tuition, regardless of your experience. As is most things is life... we are better people when we are constantly learning. Safe travels!

[@MistaEmPe]

FYI: In Greece It's kind of not polite to put your shore line OVER someone else's line on the rock. The polite way to do it is UNDER their line so people can just pull it off a bit quicker when they leave short handed. I'm being petty but since you are new here you might want to consider it in the future :)

[@jesperslattengren2243]

That's not only in Greece. Anywhere you tie to a rock, pollard, or anything using a loop, create your loop, go in UNDER their loop, and over the object you're tying up to.

[@MistaEmPe]

@@jackielight6908 1. This does not apply if your boat is on PUBLIC property (the sea). Just like on land where you won't go to jail if you touch someone else's car in a public parking spot. 2. You can pull your shore line underneath someone else's line without touching it. 3. If you are so concerned with touching other people's property - find your own rock or pole to tie your line to. You don't have to put it in a place where someone else has put their line.

[@TheOldThug]

Makes me smile when I see Isabella with such a big grin!!

[@davidbamford4721]

I am pleased to see your staysail being flown; so many yachties from North America don’t understand the benefit of a staysail.

[@BillB23]

That short clip of Oso camped on the bowsprit was worth the price of admission. (Okay, I'm not paying anything, but it was priceless.) Y'all two just keep getting better and better at this sailing vlog thing. Fair winds and following seas!

[@chrisgentry4427]

That baby just living her best life!

[@johnmaliskey7951]

The only time we did a Mid Moor was in the Seychelles in the early 70's. The Captain did a two anchor drop , first to port then to starboard. Maybe had a 100 yds or so in between. Backed into the dock, put out the stern lines and used the wenches to tighten up the anchor lines and drop the gangplank onto the dock. It was fair weather and he said that he hadn't done it in a while and used it to train the junior Officers. This maybe something to consider on your travels. ............................ Great Port of Call ......... enjoy

[@tracyoliver550]

Great segment. My two early lessons learned when Med mooring was 1) drop the anchor further out than you think is needed. At least 25-33% . We seem to be always overestimating how far out we are, and 2) be thoughtful when taking apparent slack periodically out of chain. Excess tension can pull the anchor until the proper cantenary is established, which to the eye looks somewhat slack. This one finally dawned on me long after it should have!😂

[@philpaige9770]

Heck I love the little swimming pool.

[@vernonreed415]

Thanks for letting me cruise along with y’all in Greece. Looking forward to next post

[@windingroad9678]

Will you be adding thrusters to your boat for Mediterranean passages? It went over my head but just liked watching Desiree & the baby always smiling. Great job Jordan!❤❤(and Ozo)❤

[@georgemorris9971]

Excellent as always - storylines beautifully crafted and put together.

[@mojoneko8303]

I've sailed the coast of Alaska for 20+ years and anchor stern to allot. Many of the coves along the coast can be very deep close to shore. 100 feet deep 100 feet from shore.. So we would anchor stern to and run lines from the stern to shore. Normally we are the only boat in the cove. There are a couple of places I know of where you can tie up to a vertical rock wall that has pitons driven into it with 50 feet of water under the keel. I put an oversized motor in my sailboat when I replaced it. Made a big difference backing up and I wasn't working it as hard when motoring. Thanks for the video. Sail On!

[@briansurinanikonprofession862]

SPA video viewed, I can now start my day! Thanks for the inspiration guys! Isabela is a sweetheart❤❤❤

[@HoneyBunster]

Desire, that anchorage might seem quiet and nice, just wait until Sunday early morning) when the local Greeks roll in to that little church with their speakers blasting Greek music and then leave after the service blasting music again. 😂😂😂

[@Allen-by6ci]

That is a happy baby. Nice job guys.

[@Snookbite24]

I have been fighting that port prop walk for the last two years and my Endeavour 40 is my first sailboat ever so this is so helpful! Now knowing how to get starboard movement is huge!

[@stevemedlock5716]

she is so cute. You all rock thank you.

[@alohatvj]

Excellent video 📹 👏. Greece is very beautiful 😍.

[@waynocook53]

You both are so very grashus🤙🙏

[@robnee3313]

Your videos are so cool and informative! Thanks so much.

[@shnorman1]

As always, I love your honest and candid approach. I’ve never tried the Med method but I feel better equipped now, and I understand it! Your daughter has such a sweet and lovely smile as well as a cheerful attitude! Thanks for another great video! I’ll be remembering “wet air conditioning” for a long time.

[@Hermandbl7]

Thanks for taking us along with you and sharing a bit of your life on the water. This was another episode filled with interesting scenes and beautiful scenery with great drone shots. Love you guys!

[@laurierodriguez1432]

Great job getting your techniques down maneuvering your boat! Thanks for the info✌️💜

[@carryontravel]

Your content is so feel good and wholesome 😊.

[@TheMarineSurveyorNotebookBenSu]

It was great to meet you and help you on your journey! Fair winds and following seas!❤

[@ProjectAtticus]

Thank you so much!!!

[@bensutcliffemarinesurveyor3981]

❤️ so glad everyone likes it!! Loads more in the can for an actual training video!!! Can't believe the amount of interest hahah

[@miltontorres7638]

So glad your doing it and feeling good and safe. It’s great to practice before hand. 😊. Enjoy 🎉

[@thomasthornton5737]

😃👍👍👍❤ Watching from Seattle, WA. As always an intelligent and fun video. Please keep it up. 300K subscribers all agree with me!

[@wsb3377]

Absolutely stellar channel!

[@toddsummerson7734]

Love your videos. I’ve been a lurker for many seasons now. Thank you for keeping me coming back. You have a beautiful family. Great content.

[@user-oo6jo9sg4f]

Thank you Jordan & Thanks to your instructor as well. This video had some Truly Worthwhile Information & •Guidance• for me. Greatly Appreciated Men! 🙏🦉⛵

[@brownnoise357]

First thing I do with a new to me Boat, is do lots of manouvering practice around marker buoys and / or a big Bright Fender with a weighted line suspended from it, to get a good feel for how the boat behaves in every direction, coming alingside forwards, reverse, etc until I have got used to the boat's character. So far, so good. Best Wishes and Safe Travels. Bob. 👍⛵️✨️✨️✨️❤ eta fixed letter shifts in words on posting that mess them up lol.

[@PaulBKal]

How often do you get a new to you boat!

[@brownnoise357]

@@PaulBKal I have tended to get a new to me boat every few years tbh. Something that needs a bit of work is nice to have something to do in the Winter. Get on top of servicing, and thinking back I must have been bloody razy the amount of time I wasted on Teak Decks etc, getting them beautiful. Rewarding at the time, but Never again. Any wood on deck is a big mistake, and ends up being expensive due to Balsa Cores and such. Still , Keels and Rudders and bow thrusters are different kettles of Fish. Anyone got any experience with the Vetus variable water jet bow thruster ? Bpwthrusters to me, make a lot of sense for long keel boats as they do track really well, so if your autopilot goes on holiday without permission for me it works as a backup steering system as well. I've never felt the need for a bowthruster before, and apparently it is really easy to get at every part of a Vetus install once fitted ? Sorry to hijack your question (locals tended to know of a lightweight refurb project was up my street, and a swap and a bit of cash either way for a boat already good to go for next season was always attractive) as any pointer to a good review on that Vetus Bow Thruster would be dry nice to look at. Best Wishes. Bob. 👍⛵️✨️✨️✨️

[@christyhanlon554]

Jordan, you rock(pardon the pun) I have the opportunity to go sailing in Greece for the past ten years. You have really taken on board(again pardon the pun) the med mooring manoeuvre perfectly. Great episode, Thanks guys. I miss Greece😟😟👍👍👍🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@para1324]

Alway being a better cruiser. 👏

[@AngusJohnson-ei1kk]

This was a great episode on med moring. Thank you . Angus

[@tommyc9237]

Our Passport 47 is a similar design so this video was very helpful as I've had the same trepidation about cruising in Greece!! Continue to love your channel!!

[@thomasw5430]

Nice video. I always enjoy watching the med moorings. One thing you may wish to consider is either putting something over the line when wrapping it around something on land, or maybe get two large slings to put around what ever you are using on land.

[@skohaya]

Better than anything in cable. Don't even watch cable TV anymore. Your video editing and story writing truly is one of the best. You could have sold your show to the networks. Hope you're having a wonderful trip stateside. You got to share with us Where is Oso? He wasn't in any of your state side photos. Blessings

[@ProjectAtticus]

Glad you enjoyed it! He's at a "dog hotel" in Athens. We miss him!!

[@kevind.2465]

To prolong the life of your shore lines when going around rocks or rough objects I have acquired used pieces of double jacked fire hose 1 1/2 or 1 3/4 diameter and feed the line through it for abrasion protection.. You can buy line protectors but generally I get the used fire hose for free since it is considered junk to the fire department once it is old and has holes in it.

[@perry-ad]

You guys. So cool. Of course, I only tune in to see your adorable little baby. So more of Iz please, but also I'm taken in by your sailing lessons and the new things that you've learned, but seriously, more bab y!

[@tomgibson9291]

No more gently easing out of the slip backwards. Keep giving short sharp bursts to get the boat moving early enough to get control before the center of the fairway.

[@ronniemedlin]

Backing.... Reminds me of my dad's old boat, he had a 38' sportfish with a single screw, no bow thruster and rudder like a barn door. It was scary how fast you had to back that thing into a slip to have any control. One of the rare instances in boating where speed is your friend in close quarters.

[@sailingcitrus]

Have always wanted to med Moore! You guys are legends for doing that! Proud of ya’ll and thanks for inspiring…freaks me out to 😂

[@h.v7461]

Thanks for the valuable lesson on Med mooring. I’ve done it but using the slime line. Much easier I must say. Cheers 🍻

[@jesuschrist-alphaomega]

Wonderful segment. Thank you for sharing with us. So happy for you guys.

[@fredbrooks8347]

Had a thought……….plotting your course is important, boat maintenance is important, so is eating. Have you ever thought of doing a video based on cooking on a boat? Covering all aspects of stoves, fuels, pots and pans, food storage , food storage, food prep in calm and rough seas, etc. As always a great video. It is refreshing to see that you both are appreciative of what you have, what you learn and who teaches you. As always be safe have fun and see you next week.

[@christopherforster6555]

Supa dupa video lovely scenery and you learned something new take care.

[@wdavis6254]

Clean episode❤.

[@michaelcummings1313]

Great insights into the med mooring

[@johnlove4183]

Fantastic demo!

[@paulrohring6398]

Love you guy's!!!

[@yvonnekneeshaw2784]

Your pot of gold IS your family ❤ enjoyed this video as u learned new techniques under an experienced guide.

[@davescott1491]

Very nice video. In all of yachting struggles with a baby, beautiful and priceless memories emerge.

[@MrCherrybottom]

That was great guys.

[@gatojj]

lol heck I know nothing about boats but I even learned and understood his training! That was cool!

[@eliasgouvelis69]

Great to see you here! A useful tip is to use a short length of chain to secure your lines to rocks; this helps prevent any damage to your lines ;)

[@eliasgouvelis69]

I noticed you secured your line over another boat's line on the rock. To make removal easier for everyone, it's best to thread your line underneath the existing line. This way, the first line can be removed without having to disturb the second one.

[@KevinHowell501]

You did great bud..just remember..you have to give her the onions ..in reverse..so you can steer better..you made it look easy.great job..

[@phillyg760]

My DW isn't into watching sailing channels like me, but she thoroughly enjoys Isa, who she thinks is the cutest baby ever!

[@ProjectAtticus]

🤗

[@safiyyahcummings]

Yup, that's a good rock❤

[@stormcrow1112]

Congrats on your successful Med Moring maneuver! You three are the most normal sailing couple on KZbin and that's why we watch you. Stay safe and take care of that beautiful little girl!

[@jorgegorina3039]

Love you videos guys. So awesome!❤❤❤

[@darenpeplow2060]

The med mooring is getting very popular in Malta because of the huge amount of boats and small anchorages we have in Malta. As such maltese are getting very used to it….

[@aprile271]

well thank you guys for a great video yes hubby is great at learning to be safe and the gentleman whom helped you quite nice and courteous nice to meet people like that , and youre all doing so well, and Isabella is growing like a flower so adorabe what a smile worth million bucks !!! ciao

[@triscuba17]

Greetings from Red Wing, MN!

[@joeykeith5922]

Awesome🎉

[@lkmb1717]

Congrats

[@nearlynativenursery8638]

Very helpful info thanks

[@Sommers234]

I sail a J105. It's super maneuvable in forward and reverse, close quarters. When I saw the bottom of your boat I shuddered at how difficult that must be, especially in reverse.

[@user-hg7xu5kd7f]

Thank you. Enjoyed the video and learned some stuff. Oh, Good Morning from Lodi, California!

[@marcvanderlinden5862]

Hey You need some protection for your lines that go around the rocks. I am usging chain that go around the rocks.

[@lesdanser489]

I was thinking about that too. Would take much movement for the sharp rock to cut through the line if it was under a strain for very long. Great video though! I always learn something.

[@gogogaga7441]

Always super satisfying to learn a new skill, and execute it! BTW, I've seen a lot of folks sailing granite shores (ie far NE States/Canada, Norway, etc.) using the "med-mooring" technique; lots of deep fjords with rocky shores, so it comes in handy!

[@keithproctor5559]

I truly Love your channel. You 4 are great to watch. Awesome job Jordan on your Med mooring

[@chefylad]

Everytime we watch a new episode we both look forward to isa her wee stares and looks always put a big smile on our faces we have three new grandchildren and knoiw the love and happiness you both are feeling mind you we still havnt seen her throwing a tantrum yet lol safe sailing

[@randscottadams490]

This kind of episode is very welcome! Boat technique!

[@howardlewis5515]

Great video guys and happy you crishef med mooring. Wondered where you are now/ how far behind the videos are. We are splashing in Vliho next to Nydri tomorrow having spent most of the week buying stuff in Nydri Marine…. On the off chance you are still about here we would love to say hi and maybe even see that baby smile for real!

[@dieterwenner9533]

Recommendation to put some rubber Tube / Hose around the rope where it is around the rocks