HUGE FAIL Mid-Ocean -Outremer 55 Atlantic Crossing Part 2-

[@carlforsander5184]

I circumnavigated with Clipper Round The World Yacht Race 2019-2020 edition. Our tactic to reduce the chance of this spinnaker halyard issue was to when possible which was most of the time have 2 halyards connected to the head of the sail. Then on every hour we adjusted the halyard tensions by alternately tightening one halyard and loosening the other. This was done entirely to eliminate having a single point of halyard chafe. We hand quite a lot of spinnaker disasters during some 40,000 nautical miles of sailing but never a snapped halyard.

[@TheOKellys]

That is a very cool idea. Had not thought of that! Chafe is a huge issue when doing big miles like this, but when the speeds get bigger, the threat to safety goes way way up. Someone hung up in a sheet when a spi goes over and we are talking MOB or broken bones or worse. I bet Clipper really upped your game.

[@dexterbailey5406]

On long off wind passages such as racing top Hawaii, we always made a point to adjust the halyard tension at least twice daily so it doesn't chafe at one point

[@VibesFromAVeterinaryNurse]

I absolutely love this channel, I learn so much! I feel like when we’re finally able to take the plunge, we’ll be starting with such a great foundation thanks to y’all.

[@TheOKellys]

Awww, thanks. That's a tremendous compliment

[@BreakingBarriers2DIY]

Try to let it go. I’ve felt like this in many situations (usually at work) where the opportunity to manage is given to another…and they immediately are lacking the self confidence to use the knowledge of others and truly lead. That person will perform quite poorly because they feel the pressure. The only way to possibly help them succeed is to never express any concern for their decisions. I know I know…their decisions can be absolutely awful…but the only way you can help is…actually you may not even get the chance to help because this person is so lacking confidence they cannot collaborate. But you can make it worse if they detect your concerns…they would be the awesome leader if they DID solicit genuinely the thoughts of others…but guaranteed they can’t even hear you speak once this develops. Anyway most of this is reminders for myself coming out of a recent situation parallel to this. I hope what you feel from my words is empathy?

[@TheOKellys]

I understand what you are saying, but that's not how affective crews work in my experience. Responsibility is divided and shared but the captain/skipper is the final authority with the ultimate responsibility for the boat, the crew, and the voyage. It is not the crew's responsibility to make the captain feel like a leader. If he or she is making poor decisions (in the opinion of the crew), it is their responsibility to voice those concerns. Group think leads to mistakes and sometimes accidents. I left it out of the video as to not stir this pot any further, but I told the captain in the hours before the spinnaker went overboard that given the squalls in the area and flying it at a high angle (085 apparent), we should take the spinnaker down and go to the genoa. He said he'd wait until the next day. Did that contribute to the spinnaker going overboard? I don't know...I wasn't even on watch when it happened. But, at the end of the day, the captain answers to the owner for the damage, and I do not.

[@jmullen4658]

I've crossed a few oceans, a few times, and it makes for very tense life on board if someone is giving the impression they know best, and this can be entirely non verbal. We understand you had your opinion, and probably voiced it (many times) to this captain, but judging from the video dialog, it was always "I'm right, they're wrong" with constant superior tone, never appearing supportive, only critical. This is not team work, especially in a serious and possibly life threatening situation, the last thing and the least helpful, is judgment. And that's all I heard here. I imagine it can't be soon enough to get to shore.

[@TheOKellys]

@@jmullen4658 that is a dangerous attitude.

[@robertburnett1970]

Those drone shots in heavy seas look amazing. Great job.

[@stephetbeaenmer]

Many others Outre-mer broke their spinnaker halyard at the same point. The « retainer » IS the problem. We attached a low friction ring on it and now our halyard passes through the low friction, with more possibilities of movement. A block would have perhaps be a better choice than the retainer…

[@TheOKellys]

I'm sure had the skipper known, he'd have been on the lookout for that issue. Low friction ring to the rescue once again. Those things are so useful. And probably the best marine business to be in....ever....the cost .....!!!! For a smooth metal ring!!! Anyways, thanks for chiming in with first hand knowledge.

[@mungbean84]

Could the halyard splice have rubbed through on the edges of the mast where the halyard block comes through if it were hauled in tight to the mast? I think this is what you were discussing with the transfer block etc and the HLU. I'm sure Outremer will do a thorough investigation, but it would be great if you can report their findings if and when they have them and allow you to do so.

[@TheOKellys]

That would be my guess, but it really is a guess. I haven't taken any measurements or climbed the mast. Yeh, will be interesting to see if they follow up on this.

[@jamesjoyce5611]

halyard chafe on mast sheave. due to over hoist, as never been thoroughly rigged

[@Resort_Fans]

I know nothing about sailing and am totally hooked on your adventures. I absolutely love that you take the time to talk about the physics and engineering of things. Very satisfying.

[@roberre164]

I'm the same. Love the whole adventure, supplemented with the physics and engineering commentary.

[@internetposta7389]

He does a great job of explaining things in a way that experienced and inexperienced people can understand.

[@jkstricko]

As an Outrider 55 owner we were advised to make sure the spinnaker halyard where it meets the shackle was not hoisted into the halyard retainer as doing so will cause rough edges to form. My theory is that that is what has happened in this case.

[@TheOKellys]

Thanks for adding that. Haven't been up the mast myself, but that explanation makes sense. Would be a ton of pressure and friction there.

[@nickpoll4850]

Would be awesome to have some close up drone shots of the spinnaker halyard in action. Maybe next time!

[@gavinferguson]

well done nick: reducing sail at night is very important lesson to learn but again as I've experienced its a delivery and delivery crews are paid by results and have to make choices most normal owner skippers wont take. i do feel for that skipper he's had his choices shown all over the internet and I hope it doesn't affect his job going forward maybe he learned a bit about your routing advice.. but folk need to remember he's paid to get a boat to where its needed on time.

[@Corey-pd3mi]

I’m sure he’s also paid to deliver the boat undamaged too. They need to fix that damage before the show now

[@gavinferguson]

@@Corey-pd3mi you would think but parts can be fixed and I'm betting Outremer don't care. its a cost they plan for they need that boat at the show for the sales potential. regardless of cost,, the halyards is a couple of hrs at most the sails not needed for a show.. when I did deliveries for a skipper who had a contract with a similar french company they gave us a big pile of spare and tool boax it was part of the trip to fix stuff as it broke. sometimes the delivery sales were havier than the costumers sails we or the dealers would swap them out and send them back.. most boats are now shipped rather than sailed to new customers now. they let the customer do the shake downs and expected repairs. Not really surprised by the games on this trip

[@mosca3289]

I don’t imagine Outremer is going to say thanks for the film.

[@clifbradley]

I'm assuming then you didn't get the Outremer? Lol. Well they can't assign any blame to you. You aren't the captain and it seems the captain just wanted to do things his way, which is his prerogative but even when I worked in yachting, the captain always talked to the crew about what we were doing and we knew all the aspects amd he took advice, even from me and I was a lowly deckhand. But I had worked on fishing yachts for years and knew about where we were going, how much speed we needed, how much fuel, where we could go for gas, food, shelter. I grew up around the carribean islands. So I always put in my 2 cents. I'm zure the caltain didn't need it, but he pretended to listen and a few times, took my advice. He made an effort to make everyone feel like they mattered.

[@kirenireves]

This sounds like a good model to follow. If there is time, poll everyone and listen. Then, in the next emergency when when things are chaotic, the day-saving idea may come from the "lowly deckhand" just in time because he feels empowered to contribute.

[@moxie-at-sea3847]

We have a Outremer 51 and almost lost our spinnaker to a chafed halyard on our 2021 Atlantic crossing. It also had a very long luff, and in an effort to reduce the foot chafing on the lifelines, I pulled the halyard up to high. The shackle on the halyard (same as your setup) then ground into the aluminum retainer, creating a sharp edge. We had chafe issues the rest of the way across, but could easily have lost the sail had we not found the problem in time. I suspect you might have had the same issue … unlucky

[@TheOKellys]

Interesting. Wonder if it was the same thing. Foot of that spi was catching on the forward stanchions as well. Captain made a little protector you'll see in some of the shots. Chafe not unique to this builder....it is an issue many if not most boats making long trips like this. What a headache!

[@CanadianGrenadian]

I just got back from Grenada Sailing Week and I raced on Spirit of Everest a Leopard 47. Owner sold his J24 that we have raced for years and I must tell you the cat is way more everything. There was an Outremer 51 & 45 in our class. Outremers are beautiful 😍

[@TheOKellys]

Agreed. Good looking boats.

[@noelsailor442]

Comments so unfair to the skipper ! Nick and Megan, I love your stuff. But look, after the Med, this became a delivery run. Vital to arrive on time, comfort not important, when in doubt take the direct route, no romanticism against using engines, when in doubt keep the bigger sail up. Keep pushing, day and night. This is not cruising, and not my cup of tea. But in a prior episode, the skipper wanted to explain this to Nick, yet he could not, for PR reasons I bet. Instead, the skipper faked up this bad attitude of old guy's tough-headed backwardness. We know from videos on other channels that this same skipper is a very knowledgeable and patient teacher, when contracted as an instructor. Some of the armchair critics here I would never take on a crossing, even as passengers. Though I confess: I did break a mainsail halyard mid-Atlantic...

[@trentspencer7991]

I hope the captain gets penalised for littering, that could float on the surface and wrap around someones prop now. Causing them to have to get in the water in far less safe conditions. The seas were small. If you're fit enough to be out there flying that sail at night, you should be fit enough to clean up your mess. Goggles, a knife and a dive torch. Good video as usual Nick and respect for being candid. The same thing happened to our swivel, same brand but we caught it half way through. Clearly the manufacturer couldn't give a ....

[@threedprintedmarinetechnol3330]

You tolerate stupidity waaaaaaay better than me Nick !! You're a meteorologist !! What a fantastic resource to have on-board yet not listened to.

[@wrobelda]

Hate to say this, but that's stereotypically French arrogance for ya.

[@AdmiralReering]

@@wrobelda 🤣

[@mikemendes7598]

OUCH. I bet you're glad you aren't the skipper now, eh Nick? Would Outremer have sent you a bill for that expensive chute? That skipper needs to get his head out of his rear.

[@dougtratch8260]

From the beginning of this crossing, I seemed to feel that Nick and the Captain would be butting heads and not agreeing on passage or plans. I think Nick was being very diplomatic and fell in line of his status on the voyage. I personally feel the captain ,John Mark was a Maverick, old school salty Captain that believed his way was the only way and his rank meant it was his way. Correct me if Im wrong but I thought Nick on many occasions implied, through many of the videos on this delivery that him and John Mark disagreed. Thanks but I’ll take Nicks safer approach toward sailing. Im just glad Megan wasn’t there to bare witness to such an irresponsible old salt. But Im sure she would have heard all about t. I watched him and Stephan from sailing Awen on the first leg of their videos on the way to the Miami Boat Show and didn’t like his style. I think Nick would never admit it as he’s too classy and understands the rank and fell in line as a good crew member would, just at what point is it safety and at what point would it be almost Mutiny? Well done Nick and I can’t wait to see the next episode. Cheers, your patron, Doug

[@AndreDarras]

On my trimaran, the spinnaker halyard splice was not blocked with an appropriate whipping twine donut to operate as a stopper so that when you overwinch the halyard through the mast sheave, even worse on a rotated mast, the hard stainless steel halyard shackle may damage the mast sheave, especially on my mast where mast sheave are made of cast aluminium… causing intense shafing especially with heavy loads, and shocks when the spinnaker is whipping in the wind. Probably also damaging if you try to overstretch the halyard with a powerful electric winch on a rope that has no possible stretch. I was able to save my halyard with whipping twine and rope treatment and using a dremel to polish the mast sheave. Rope treatment is very useful to reduce rope fraying, and relatively inexpensive… it gives you time to see the problems coming before it’s too late. Color coding the halyard with marks may help to stop winching when the spinnaker is getting close to the mast sheave. Barber haulers on sheets may help to control the chute of the spinnaker and very useful to keep the sheets off the water when things turn wrong… always easier after the facts ;-)

[@TheOKellys]

Unfortunately the halyards were not marked on that boat, but yes we whip the marks on all halyards on our own boats. I've seen round stoppers above the eye-splice before. That would be a good idea too.

[@markgumprecht2295]

All I had on my 40’ tri were symmetrical spinnakers, and they worked great without the mainsail interfering. But not just for dead downwind. I put two sheets on each corner of the sail, one to the bow and one to the aft of the hull. I would usually use one side to the bow and sheet the clew to the aft spot on the other side. If you let off the bow line and sheet in the aft line, you can point quite high. It’s easy to gybe by swapping the bow and stern sheets. I never see anyone using two sheets on each side, but I really think it makes a big difference.

[@marcmaton6360]

Back in 1985 I had a Fountaine Pajot 37' Louisiane catamaran. Asymmetricals were not usual in those days and my spinnaker was delivered with double sheets on each side as described above. I confirm that second set of sheets gives extra control of the sail, makes is much more stable and allowed for angles between 180 and 110 to 100 degrees. Hoisting and controlling the sail even single handedly was never a problem. My next cat, a Fountaine Pajot 38 Athena, was still delivered with the same setup.

[@TheOKellys]

Agree with that config. Would be perfect.

[@kylem324]

After watching the last episode, I found myself a little perplexed about the circumstances of this passage. The idea of relying just on instincts and not use any of the available tools to plan the route seems like an unnecessary risk.

[@HoytFergus]

Amen.

[@LoanwordEggcorn]

It's also tension between old romantic France and new technocratic France.

[@svthorasailing4868]

The trouble with weather forecasts is the inbuilt 40% margin of error,being on the water and reading cloud,waves and wind direction and varying wind speeds is where captains knowledge and experience come into play,rule number 1 from captain Ron’s rule book,if it’s going to happen,it’s going to happen out there on the water.

[@HoytFergus]

The Forecast from NICK doesn't have errors built in. Dip sh*t. He is the meteorologist and Airplane pilot to boot. Are you just off your meds?

[@HoytFergus]

​@@svthorasailing4868REMIND ME PLEASE not to go sailing with you. Omfg.

[@rmkep]

All I have to say is Nick, you have my respect and Outremer made a good decision in partnering with you and Megan. I'm locked in for the duration of this very interesting journey.

[@HoytFergus]

Outreamer made a bad decision to change captains.. Is it just me or do the French need a lesson in Sailing? EIther way they are getting one..

[@macr84]

to be fair, you are only seeing one side of the story, biased by the narrator@@HoytFergus

[@macr84]

this didn't age too well ;-)

[@davidbauerdorf1324]

Great learning experience for sure. Glad all are safe looks like that could have gotten ugly especially at 4am!!

[@billhanna8838]

As a delivery skipper , looked pretty normal LOL

[@keithhall9298]

Its a delivery otherwise call a carrier - and, I would done X is really so American as if theres one truth and one prefect weather forcast.

[@wayner9765]

If I were on board, I'd be very grateful to have your presence. Always a calm, sensible voice amid the chaos. Take good care.

[@TheOKellys]

Thank you.

[@drewb7211]

Ditto and I’d sail under Nick any time. This other guy, not a chance.

[@greygunz2842]

I'm not a sailor, but it seems that boat would be too much for you two to handle safely. Every boat, every motorcycle, every bike is a compromise. None can do everything you'd like to do in every situation. Seems the search for a performance boat gives up a lot in livability and ease of a couple sailing safely. Getting there safely is more important than getting there fast. Love the channel, thanks for the content.

[@BenLin-h7c]

Nick, I totally agree with your appreciation of a symmetrical spinnaker. We got a heavy duty symmetrical for our outremer 45 from 2022 and absolutely loved it on our Atlantic crossing. Once we were hit at night by a squall and it even survived 37 kts of true wind speed. A situation that felt quite scary to be honest especially when we were getting to speeds of up to 23 kts. Of course we should have doused the spinnaker before, but at some point were simply to late to react. However, it feels quite comforting to know that it even worked under these circumstances.

[@TheOKellys]

wow, that is incredible. I have a friend who took his old Danson 55 light across and absolutely hated the sym, so I was skeptical. I wonder if the newer boats are better with them or something.... But I loved that sail. If......IF we ever get our own boat, I am buying one for sure. Now that I think about it, I think that it is the lighter boat that is going to benefit most, because if you put an undersized spi on a heavier boat sailing DDW, it is not going to be moving very well. Hmmmm.....need me a light boat!

[@BenLin-h7c]

Yes, you are probably right, it will work best with lighter boats….we had always a smile on our face when we were surfing the waves with our symmetrical spinnaker and it worked flawless from 11/12 kts TWS up

[@richardthomson4693]

@@TheOKellys Kinda weird I dont think I have ever sailed on a cat without a symetrical in the sail bag.

[@danreed2189]

What I like best about this video is Nick's honesty. He is unafraid to let us know if he doesn't like something. In all of his videos, he is not afraid to be self-critical, and he is not afraid to voice his opinion if a decision is made that he doesn't agree with and why. If he is wrong, he will admit it. All politicians out there....This is how you are supposed to act!

[@roberre164]

This 100%. Nick for President!

[@dalearmstrong2]

Nick will Make Sailing Great Again! 😂

[@outsider5112]

🤣🤣🤣@@dalearmstrong2

[@TheOKellys]

I would make a terrible politician. lol Thank you for the kind words.

[@winmosser]

Mast rotation dramatically increases the asym halyard exit angle and can introduce seemingly impossible chafe points.

[@davidh3194]

Thanks Nick for the very informative vlog. Love the coverage of your crossing. Cheers!

[@HollyandRay]

Great, informative video of an unfortunate situation. Loved the drone shots!

[@tomriley5790]

Love following your videos and it's great to see your progress but have to say really not impressed with dumpting a whole sail into the ocean...

[@TheOKellys]

Not my call. But agreed, it's a real bummer.

[@XavierPil]

Will you be at the Outre-mer booth on Thursday in Miami?

[@TheOKellys]

Nope

[@XavierPil]

Thumbs up to acknowledge your answer. Thumbs down for not getting a chance to meet you😊

[@usefulcommunication4516]

Good stuff. Educational and interesting.

[@TheOKellys]

Glad you think so!

[@benjaminperrett588]

The last video was fabulous and this one is even better. Fabulous information and food for thought. The delivery had the perfect cadence as always. The words per minute was spot on as always. Maybe slightly slower than usual that gave a perfect contrast to the mayhem. I have been a long time watcher and the editing and storytelling just keeps on improving. My hats off to the executive producer…😂. All that is missing is Meghan’s dazzling smile.

[@TheOKellys]

Agreed. We need Megan back. Thank you for the kind words.

[@WillN2Go1]

Tough luck on the spinnaker. All four of the spliced loops on our Para Sailor sheets started to get core hernias -- where the core bulges out between the weave of the cover. I sewed them all back in place... seemed to work. I'm a bit suspicious of these loops. I never have a problem with a bowline... but that's a knot flying around that could hit someone. Same reason you don't use metal hardware or carabiners on those connections. Instead, Dyneema soft shackles. Once a chaffing or a hernia starts it keeps getting worse. Something with our para sailor caught and tore off the mast light. Don't know when it happened or how. Just one day we noticed it was no longer there and the screws were sheared off. Just another boat puzzle. (Be cool if a sail company put cameras at the top of a few boats and let them run whenever there's an additional head sail. See what voodoo is actually going on up there.) We thought we had some monofilament wrapped around one of our props. Very cold water. A GoPro on a pole showed this. The next morning we heaved to, lowered the dinghy and brought it along side with me and my filleting knife, cable tied to a pole. I could trace the outline of prop and sail drive. Another GoPro inspection showed the fishing line had already fallen off, but I felt confident I could cut if off if needed. I had a dry suit (Nick recommended I have for crossing the North Pacific. Thank you) but I couldn't see a way of padding it out for insulation and then getting below the surface with it.

[@TheOKellys]

Have used the old knife on a boathook trick myself for kelp on the prop....any way to stay out of the Pacific water when away from the dock....cheers Will

[@IanSGI]

Check the stitching on the inside of all the spinnaker socks, where the snuffer line runs inside a pouch. Incidence left an unfinished seam on ours, and the loose threads fouled the snuffer line. The end result was a torn spinnaker. Major manufacturing fail. If those snuffer lines aren't buttery smooth, there is a problem.

[@TheOKellys]

Thanks, good to know.

[@julieford1182]

Nick, your voiceover is like Butter. You should hire out for other You Tube channels or documentaries. Maybe you are the next "Sir David Attenbourough"

[@TheOKellys]

lol

[@johnsonpa25]

More of Cap'n Crunch sticking his you-know-what over the rail and deciding the course...

[@Grimmiest]

Omg Nick, great job in educating and focusing on sailing. It is a pleasure listening to you share your knowledge and thoughts.

[@RomainLagrange1]

Thanks for your retex. The spliced end is minimum 40cm long (visible at 20:05), so your worries are reasonable, but I would say that the broken part (visible at 18:05) look like it is at the very end of the halyard, on the shackle eye, and doesn't look like it's on the mast part. So yeah, I really don't understand how this happened.

[@gregsutton2400]

Wow, what content you got out of this trip, experience and reinforcement of the experience you already had. Otremere hit it out of the park having you on this trip.

[@SV-DEDICATED]

This is about the only channel I don't "speed" watch.

[@TheOKellys]

Aww, thanks Roger. Means a lot coming from you.

[@richardhall7822]

This series is amongst the best of the best sailing videos out there - riveting and hugely informative. Great job 👍

[@TheOKellys]

Wow, thank you!

[@dansbrown1313]

Hello Nick, I hope Megan is fully recovered now and since it's February 10, she has already re-joined you in Florida. Thanks for this interesting video. The good folks at Outremer made a common mistake on this rush to get to the "Boat Show" on time. They chose to invite two Captains for the same trip. Bad idea.

[@TheOKellys]

Thanks, she is feeling better now. There was only one captain, and he was 100% responsible for the boat, the crew, the voyage, and like all captains, his decisions. You might be imagining some kind of friction on board. There was none.

[@Ron-zr6se]

Just my opinion but having a swivel on the block will greatly reduce the chance of chaffing along with blending the edges. Any sharp edges is just asking for trouble as proven by your sail mate with his demo. As long as the halyard runs straight and true there isn't an issue but the second it doesn't, you got a cut halyard and shredded spinnaker. Though an expensive lesson but everyone was safe which is what really matters.

[@rosiegreddogyachts4135]

Even though we only have a single halyard and attachment point i'm checking everything double today. We do have a 'spare' in our mast lift, which on a junk rig is to hold the boom up and adjust the height of the boom, so we could get aloft in an emergency, but I don't want to have to do that. The junk sail with just a halyard and a sheet is so wonderfully simple. Our 42' modern junk surfs a half true wind speed with full sail until about 22 when we would reef. Or, if conditions were smooth, maybe carry until 25 and surf at 12. Scow bow lifts and glides on a layer of bubbles from the rolled bow wave.

[@fredcanavan3864]

I watch you guys, HTSO, Zatara, Sam Holmes and Rigging Doctor - all for years. This was the best episode for me of all as a techy person, although I do miss Megan’s smile and laughter. I’m a pilot like you- Citation X, PC12NGX, instructor on Global 5000 and volunteer instructor for disadvantaged aspiring young pilots. So I enjoy the technical thinking that goes into design, components, strategic and tactical planning and hydro-aerodynamics. Amazingly photographed, narrated and edited - Is that you or Megan? I was really psyched for this crossing and, except for Megan’s absence, its way more than I thought it would be. I send cash now and then to you and the others because I don’t like Patreon. Thanks. :-)

[@TheOKellys]

Wow, thanks. And as a pilot, you can appreciate the need for CRM on these boats. We could have done better there as well. Megan is just about healed up and hopefully back in the videos soon.

[@valerieb.4912]

I agree with all your decisions and suggestions. I would not be hiring this captain for my sailboat..He makes a lot of costly mistakes.

[@donjohnston3776]

What about a Parasailor? I recommend SHOKZ OPENFIT ear device for maintaining situational awareness. Ultimate sound and comfort. I often forget I am wearing them.😄

[@TheOKellys]

No direct experience with them. For a symmetrical spinnaker, we would choose something that could take 25-30 knots apparent wind. Not sure a parasailor can do that. Maybe it can, but I don't know.

[@Gpcas9]

Sometimes it takes a virgin sacrifice to make it over the Atlantic in record time :-P

[@TheOKellys]

lol.

[@GM-qh2ki]

Where are the lady’s??

[@adrienjtheatre431]

Ah ah, a little bit "schadenfreude"? Outremer decided to replace Nick by its own in house skipper because Nick was being careful and the catamaran could have missed the start of the show. Conversely, the new skipper took more risks to limit the delay and lost the spinnaker. Nothing to do with “French disdain” for Nick’s advice. The skipper received his mission letter: it’s make or break! But failing to send a team member to the top of the mast daily, we have not heard of visual inspection with binoculars either!

[@anthonycole5664]

I stopped delivering sailboats and went commercial. 2 of my cat delivers from Annapolis to Virgin Islands during the December month is sometime rough. Getting there safely is more important then beating up yourself and the boat. Watch your cold fronts...

[@michaelclary7843]

Really great video. Love the way you narrate in a slow understandable manner. 0:47 😊

[@DougGonda]

More proof that the French captains are both the best sailors and the worst sailors(or is it just Parisians). Too stubborn! This comes from someone with a lot of French blood in his veins.

[@LeeYvesMexico]

Nick, your analysis is really good, thankfully you've filmed everything. Will there be a RECALL?

[@TheOKellys]

Up to Outremer to figure it out. I just don't have enough data to firmly point my finger at the cause. I can only speculate.

[@SkylinersYeti]

It is always good to review failures to reduce probability of additional failures.

[@jamesnguyen9033]

Throwing the Asym sail overboard is irresponsible of the captain in creating dangerous situations for other boats travel the ocean and a terrible environmental impact for marine lives: whales, turtles, etc.

[@Peter_Herrman]

I didn't like that color anyway.

[@TheOKellys]

I thought we were friends.

[@Peter_Herrman]

@@TheOKellys , everything has its limits. Lol

[@TheOKellys]

lol

[@claverton]

Great vid. A shame the skipper consigned the spinnaker to the deep ... it's not as though there's too little human garbage in the oceans.

[@Papaondas]

great footage and great comments full of detail, well done Nick thanks for charing

[@jamieritchie500]

Nicks not happy !!

[@mrcuttime22]

I thought you were gonna play "I been to the desert on a horse with no name. It felt good to get out of the rain!" Perfectly ironic for crossing on a CAT. Haha!

[@augggie]

I bet the captain wished you’d flew with the wife 😂😂😂

[@CoolHand_Adventures]

Can't beat a bowline

[@JRTurgeon13]

Usually the downwind VMG of a monohull is significantly less than on a broad reach. But it's not true of most catamarans. In fact, there is hardly any difference at all. The boat speed may drop, but not the VMG. But I don't know the polars of the Outremer 55.

[@HoytFergus]

Calling "Clarity" and Nick back in the captains chair. The other guys would make good hands for sure. I myself learned a lot from this passage also, never underestimate a Meteor freakiin ologist.

[@bobbates7343]

Why do you hire a Capt. instead of just being the Capt. yourself ?

[@alancoon9351]

Thanks for explaining everything so clearly and concisely. You do a great job teaching others about sailing.

[@GregHathorn]

Big take away in this chapter..... VMG! VMG! VMG!

[@PeterCasier]

hmmm.. i am slightly mesmerised that the sym spin only seems to have 2x tack lines running to the bow, but has no sheets (running more aft - keeping the spin more open, having it collapse less on the waves than what i see on the video). -- I guess you can do that, when running straight downwind on a cat, but the moment you run at an angle to the wind, you will need 2x tack line and 2x sheets. Golden rule for running spinnakers or light foresails on longer crossings: change halyard position every day by just 20-30 cm to prevent halyard shafing when kept the same position. After 9 ocean crossing (and 2x loosing a spin halyard), i learned my lesson on that: even with the best "non-friction rings" or pulleys, shafing of running rigging will happen, when 2 "things" rub against each other 24h/7 for days on end. I have a collection of ocean-passage shafed halyards and sheets at home, including dyneema lines :-)

[@TheOKellys]

Incredibly, there were no other lines aboard long enough....just the one pair of sheets....lol. As for the chafe, it was on both sides of the eye, and seems pretty clear the captain (no one else could handle the halyards) pulled the eye into the retainer. As I speculate in the video, it was to keep the foot high enough .... because the HLU was too long...heck, even when it was over-hoisted the foot kept on hooking the stanchions...you'll see a silly "hat" duct taped on the top of one stanchion in some spots...that was the captain's attempt at solving the problem. The whole debacle was all entirely avoidable. Your solution is a good one that I have used on our boats and others' boats and another is just to periodically drop the sail to check for chafe. Not in the video is the fact that before I went off watch, I told the "captain" we should douse the spinnaker and go down to genoa...squalls coming and we were sailing at 085 apparent and 15-18 apparent...for me that's the danger zone. I left that fact out of the video because I was asleep and off-watch when the spinnaker did come down and don't know the actual conditions...but it WAS raining right after I got on deck. I also left it out because it was yet another embarrassment. I put this one down to poor preparation before departure and poor seamanship.

[@echicod]

you left the spinaker in the ocean, no excuses for me. Hope this accion don't kill some many sea life

[@TheOKellys]

Not my call. It is sad.

[@echicod]

@@TheOKellys but is your Channel and i saw there, i think that action affect your image. I'm sorry, that's how I see it. i have been follow you for some many years and for me this is a stain Put a note.

[@andersonautomotive]

​@echicod should he have mounted a mutiny against the captain over this? How would you have overridden the decision of the captain?

[@Corey-pd3mi]

@@andersonautomotivehe should have jumped in to save it 😉

[@my09ultra]

Wow - so informative and insightful. Can’t wait to see your much anticipated ending!

[@piotrkraczkowski6729]

Could you offer a 4K wallpaper with a cat heading left under all sails in the right side of the screen (left is for icons) in sun weather?

[@HoytFergus]

Beautiful cinematography at the end ~ And music. I Could watch that on my big screen all day ~

[@internetposta7389]

That captain is terrible. Too stubborn to listen to anyone else.

[@hamishpritchard9653]

I think I’d rather have you on my boat than any of the Outremer pros😅

[@planesstrainsandautomobile2801]

I think you meant “pros” ;)

[@AndrewMoizer]

This sounds like some (more) (ominous) foreshadowing @@TheOKellys

[@mungbean84]

A spinnaker pole and associated control lines would give you the control of the foot you seek and then with careful trimming (something cruisers aren't usually on top of) you should be able to keep the kite flying well. Check a few skiff or dinghy explainer videos for proper trimming of a symmetrical spinnaker (kite) on a pole. VMG on an asym is all well and good if you compare to your probable speed running straight down without it. Plenty of racers with both options choose very carefully which they use based on their knowledge of their boats reach angles, wind speed and VMG.

[@TheOKellys]

I think, if we'd had any aboard the boat, we could have run sheets back to the turning blocks aft and left the guys in place. That would have given us all the control we needed. We do have friends on a Perry 43 that run poles and they seem please with their wing-on configuration.

[@RomainLagrange1]

is a spi-pole a thing on cats ? I only see them on monohulls.

[@1STGeneral]

I used to watch a sailing couple turned family that was quite enjoyable then they partnered with outremer and things changed to the Kardashians...Not that I ever watched the Kardashians. This I enjoyed for a first look and will check in again

[@TheOKellys]

Ha! Stick around.

[@markthomas7442]

Very entertaining, I appreciate your attempt at trying to walk the tightrope and could only chuckle, chuckle alot. I didn't see coming all the ass covering though. Route planning is one thing, but the halyard fiasco caught me off guard. Anyhoo, great stuff ! , and keep up the good work.

[@robertvalentine9366]

Ever try the "5 Why" process to analysis to find the cause of a failure?

[@papachuck6007]

Im starting to think this captain is not your favorite person, and i have my doubts that you would consider taking the voyage back with him

[@TheOKellys]

We got along just fine. He was the captain, we did it his way and there was no friction. I point out the routing error to show anyone following in our wake that a more southerly route is preferred by me (Masters in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and decades of operational experience and routing) as well as other professional routers consulted for this trip. I want anyone considering a trip like this to know that it doesn't have to be rough, but scheduling pressures and winter season are a recipe for a rough ride if you decide to take the great circle from the Canaries. It isn't a matter of opinion. It is a data-supported fact.

[@rustysteel8714]

​@@TheOKellys I've noticed meteorologists are extremely tactful, Nick. 😉🛟

[@jaymacpherson8167]

Kitties or kiddies? Meow…ya know…for good luck. I don’t know the terminology for the device where the halyard parted. I get the point about expecting it to part earlier. Though I am curious about the range of motion where the retaining bolt end is located, relative to the sail head and the mast. Where the halyard connects to the swivel, would a pendant provide better protection than an eye-splice?

[@TheOKellys]

I really don't know. I bet a rigger would have a better diagnosis of the problem and a solution.

[@h.m.stanley]

some friction perhaps with the "captain"?

[@carsonc1272]

"RIP" Big Baby Blue... She will be missed😢

[@scooptv9]

Awesome vid Nick … Great information. Every boat needs a Robin! #superman

[@TheOKellys]

Yeh, I'll second that!

[@dougjones9625]

Wow! Great episode. Really well done all around. I could have kept watching as it went by so quick. Cheers

[@TheOKellys]

Hey thanks!

[@sallyjane8392]

Really interesting comments here. I had a spinnaker hazard blow half way across the Atlantic and luckily for us the kite kept billowing out in front so we were able to pull it in. One of the advantages of a spinnaker pole is it holds the clew up. That was 30 years ago, however the halyard should always be lowered at least 300mm from the top so the splice doesn’t jam the sheeve. Also it clears the head of the sail from the mast which improves the windage at the top of the sail which keeps the sail fuller and relieves some of the pressure on the halyard. Shifting the halyard tension regularly is great but I always bring the sail down to inspect after every 24hr run.

[@SailingPennyLane]

So much good information in the is video, thank you Nick!!!!

[@chadgautier1004]

@TheOKellys - Thanks for this episode of your Atlantic crossing. The one thing that would have saved the boat owner’s “Big Blue” kite would have been daily rig instructions. Every distance race that I’ve EVER raced, of my 35 year professional career, we twice daily sent the bowman up the rig to visually inspect the halyards and standing rigging couplings as they exit the mast. That sail likely has a replacement value of around $10K, and several $-hundred to replace head swivel (if lost), and that bent stanchion on the starboard bow! They say that time is money, well 15min of going aloft via a powered deck wench would have saved all of that money and then some! Expensive decision…!

[@TheOKellys]

Hate to be the bowman! On Clarity we really never flew a kite at night, so we were always checking once a day at least. Chafe is a huge issue on all ocean boats. Just thought of one more cost.....that poor halyard!

[@davem1716]

Awesome drone shots!

[@windmolenfarm8030]

As always, exciting and educational. Continue to Fly safe!

[@ericsanford6536]

1. A schedule on a sailboat? 2. Cut the corner? 3. Crossing the Atlantic in Feb? 4. As you noted, a spinnaker at night? When you’re not racing with a big crew? Well, it all makes for ‘interesting’ entertainment.

[@AndrewMoizer]

I usually prefer the term "After Action Review" to "Post Mortem", but I guess in this case I guess it is a PM, such a shame to lose a sail. Very interesting to get the real use feedback on the different downwind sails. Have a whole new appreciation for the symmetrical spinnaker. (And that Murphy guy sure takes advantage of any situation).

[@rel53]

Another great educational episode. Nick, one thing I haven't seen you talking about in this series is "dagger boards". Daggers boars are associated with performance cat... Were they used in this trip? What are your thoughts? Hype? Unnecessary complicated hardware with high cost? Maybe in future episode?

[@TheOKellys]

future episode

[@angela1984a]

It would probably have been an interesting trip if they hadn't used the daggerboards... IIRC they were previously looking for a cat with daggerboards, so I don't think they see them as "hype"...

[@Waterverf51]

I would not want this Captain.

[@GabrielDiaz-bq6rr]

There is a saying ... experience ... makes the master ... you are lucky Nick ... that you did not get in to a bigger trouble ... better to go the less aggressive ... but safer ... way ... how is the Lady M doing?

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

Naked carbon fiber surfaces and hulls are loud.. other alternative composites are more acoustically deadening.