North Sea crossing in a 20 foot sailboat. PART 1||

By far my most awesome small boat sailing adventure in my 20 foot trailer sailor. Matt and I crossed the North Sea from Southwold - Oostende and back to take part in the biggest festival in the North Sea - Oostende Voor Anker. A 180 Nm round passage. We experienced fog, rain, becalmed and high winds of up to 30 knots. Conditions didn’t really allow us to eat or sleep so we ended up rather wet, cold, tired and hungry but we did have the best time.
Thanks for watching and please drop me a comment and subscribe if not already. Keep an eye out for part 2.

[@Woodegger]

Nice video and nice that there are people who do something like this with a small boat! Otherwise you only ever see sailing boats over 10 metres. You have my respect, it's fun to watch you!

[@boatedout]

@@Woodegger thanks, I do like the small boat thing, and ultimately that’s what It’s all about for me. So much fun to be had in such an affordable boats. I have just been looking at a 26 foot full keeler. Something that will keep going forward if you let go of the tiller. Can’t decide though. I’d be able to go out in rougher and longer passages!😁⛵️

[@piperhonigmann5745]

great video. congrats

[@Winterbourne_Workshop]

As soon as you started I thought….thats Wobbleswick and Southwold. Nice to see some local Sarfolk bouys a makin a video. Keep you on a gooin .

[@boatedout]

Ha ha brilliant! Yes doing our bit for Sarfolk buh.

[@lauriebloggs8391]

Awesome....one of the best sailing videos, along with Part 2 out there. Come and teach me to sail my boat properly! Both of you come across so well..........

[@boatedout]

@@lauriebloggs8391 thanks Laurie, glad you enjoyed it. Looks like you are a capable sailor judging by your video on your channel. Are you based out of Harwich? Happy to come for sail with you 😁⛵️

[@lauriebloggs8391]

@@boatedout Wasn't aware I had a channel😳!? We sail out of Shotley....anytime you can, just shout!!

[@boatedout]

@@lauriebloggs8391 you appear to have a video doing over 6 knots in a Feeling 286 with Harwich in the distance on your channel😁 ⛵️

[@lauriebloggs8391]

@@boatedout Ha!Ha! A minute on the mobile!!! I didn't know anyone had seen it...a bit of fun!

[@boatedout]

@@lauriebloggs8391 it’s a great shot! Perhaps you should post a bit more😁⛵️

[@servantofgod5642]

Man you’re maniacs! What’s next ? Trailer sailer to Cape Town ? God protects some of us with miracles on the sea, you are likely blessed too. I’ll ship aboard with you on your next North Sea adventure. As long as the boat is on its trailer attached to a car aboard a large ferry!😂

[@peterjones-b5b]

Well done lads ... Sam Holmes Sailing eat your heart out ! lol

[@boatedout]

@@peterjones-b5b thanks a lot! Love the reference to Sam Holmes. He’s a cool dude. 😁⛵️

[@mattharvey2138]

Well done Chaps! I was on the edge of my seat! That was exciting stuff!

[@boatedout]

@@mattharvey2138 great to hear! Thankyou🙏⛵️

[@russ01539]

Well done chaps. Great video.

[@boatedout]

@@russ01539 thankyou!🙏😁

[@fabienh3943]

Finally people doing ambitious things with accessible material! You both made me dream and woke me up. Sailing a 25ft sailboat with decent genes myself, but I realise crossing just this narrow stretch will be a huge challenge, if ever... Very nice video and trip 👏

[@boatedout]

Thank you, it’s a challenge worth doing. It may not be the Atlantic, but a very rewarding experience. Best of luck to you. 😁⛵️

[@NauticalSimulation]

So refreshing to watch a real sailor honestly recount their journey. Great watch, looking forward to part 2.

[@boatedout]

@@NauticalSimulation that’s great, thanks for coming along for the ride.🙏⛵️

[@georgestanton7918]

Brilliant. I made this trip last year in a Hurley Silhouette. I can honestly say it was the hardest thing I've ever done. A fantastic achievement. Looking forward to part 2.

[@boatedout]

Wow, that’s even smaller! Well done. Yes it’s definitely not easy in a small boat, great to hear of another small boat doing it. 🙌 navigating the shipping lanes is tiring enough. I think I would agree, was probably the hardest thing I’ve done. We did the same trip 2 years ago but was very light winds. A completely different experience. But we wanted it to be a bit more challenging. We always knew we’d get the 30knots. Whilst we were a little scared either side of the trip, we thoroughly enjoyed it especially when it kicked up a bit. 😁⛵️

[@marcusingram522]

I saw your little silhouette, we were all in awe of you. Incredible

[@SailingDaniel]

Great video Ollie! Pretty wild arrival into Oostende, but looks like the festivities more than made up for it! Looking forward to Part 2.

[@boatedout]

@@SailingDaniel thanks Daniel, yes the entrance could have been bad but we were lucky. It was an awesome festival, looking forward to next year already! ⛵️

[@SailingDaniel]

@@boatedout Good to know - will have to check it out, although any crossing we do in Catsnip will involve its trailer and a ferry!

[@boatedout]

@@SailingDaniel don’t blame you! I was contemplating my options while in Belgium, if I could sell Elise to raise enough funds for a ferry ticket home for one😂

[@robbuhops2]

That was awesome….. loved every minute ( brave sailing and good camera work)

[@boatedout]

@@robbuhops2 thanks so much, great to hear- yes the camera work was tough as all filmed on an iPhone 11😁. Was a great trip. Still buzzing off from it. 😁⛵️

[@tommystokholm4698]

Great video thanks for sharing you adventures 👍👍👍

[@boatedout]

My pleasure thanks for the comment 🙏⛵️

[@mikereeder4337]

Well done guys. You will inspire many of us to dream!

[@boatedout]

Thanks! Dream by day not by night. Or something. 😁⛵️

[@swsfrancais7289]

Ollie. I've really been looking forward to this adventure. It doesn't disappoint. Outstanding. Now waiting for Part 2. Hoping you are having a great sailing season despite the weather. Chin-chin Rej

[@boatedout]

@@swsfrancais7289 thanks Rej! Really appreciate your kind words as always. Yes having a great season thank you, how about you? 😁⛵️

[@iandhill1539]

Excelent video.. good sailing and good seamen. Sometimes more fun in the smaller boat. Look forwards to see more. Great stuff 👏👏👏⛵️⛵️⛵️

[@boatedout]

@@iandhill1539 thanks Ian, definitely prefer the smaller boat sailing😁🙏

[@billgiles3261]

Good sailing and well done for sharing your adventure.

[@boatedout]

@@billgiles3261 thank you!🙏⛵️

[@jeriksson7686]

Thats the way to go! Small boat big adventures ✌️ Respekt

[@boatedout]

@@jeriksson7686 😁thanks ⛵️

[@brevardfencecompany]

Awesome brother congratulations on a safe journey

[@boatedout]

Thank you!🙏😁⛵️

[@chrisswinnerton1729]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing. This will inspire others I'm sure :-)

[@boatedout]

@@chrisswinnerton1729 thank you, I hope it will inspire others. 🙏⛵️

[@ablearcher4610]

Great sailing! Well done video.

[@boatedout]

Thankyou!😁⛵️

[@paulstebbings1309]

Fantastic Ollie, fantastic Matt 🇬🇧⛵️🇳🇱 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@boatedout]

@@paulstebbings1309 thanks Paul!😁⛵️

[@zcl812]

Brave lads! Thanks for sharing

[@boatedout]

Thanks or watching!😁⛵️

[@joewilliams5396]

Nice bit of sailing. well done.

[@boatedout]

@@joewilliams5396 thanks Joe, how’s your Leisure 17 coming along? 😁⛵️

[@mikediskin3090]

That was uplifting. You lads are nuts 🤩

[@boatedout]

Ha ha thanks! 🙏⛵️

[@Haroosh20]

Wow good effort in a wee Copland Harrier. We had one when I was young and I loved that boat.

[@boatedout]

No way! That’s so cool. Do you remember the number of it? Such awesome little boats. So much fun😁⛵️

[@Haroosh20]

@@boatedout yes she was hull #17 and was called Haroosh. We sailed it in Scotland on the river Tay. Got loads of great pictures of her

[@boatedout]

@@Haroosh20 I actually know the one, she is called AnnieB now and funnily enough I had a look round her recently. Very tidy boat and has been well looked after.😁

[@Haroosh20]

@@boatedout No way!!! After us she went down to the Norfolk Broads I think. Where is she now?

[@mikefriend7570]

Very ballsey! And in such a wee craft. Great videos as ever!

[@boatedout]

@@mikefriend7570 hey Mike, nice to hear from you. We were just hoping it wouldn’t blow more than forecast!😁

[@sixtenfredriksson1224]

Nice video. I am also sailing a trailer sailer. It's sometimes scary when the swell and the wind is unfavorable.

[@boatedout]

@@sixtenfredriksson1224 ah cool, great to hear from you, what are you sailing? Yes it’s a fine line between manageable and unsuitable in a smaller boat, but I do like to see where that boundary is. It’s pretty cool going in survival mode and nursing the boat in stronger conditions. Must admit, I was a bit scared prior to leaving knowing 30 knots lay ahead. Healthy scared! But it was actually pretty chill while we were in it. All part of the experience and certainly glad to have that one under my belt. 😁

[@captratty2167]

Well done lads. Old sailor here likes comfort of a 30 ft keelboat too much now for such capers in a trailer sailer, but really pleased to see adventurous spirits like yours having a go in such a small boat. If you haven’t read him yet, get hold of Hilaire Belloc’s small boat experiences entitled “On Sailing the Sea”.

[@boatedout]

@@captratty2167 thank you! Yes I keep trying to avoid the temptation of going bigger. Bigger boat- bigger adventure!😁thanks for the heads up in the book, I’ll check it out. Nice to hear from you and thanks for the comment!😁⛵️

[@oldshipmatesadventures]

I watched a few of your videos; great hints and tips, docking in current; excellent advice, thx mate! You got yourself another subscriber today. :-) I am sailing a 26ft fin keel Dutch made Compromis 777 in Portugal, near Lisbon, currently doing the YM Coastal, and we've done some of your docking techniques during the training week, I loved the ferry gliding part of it on both your boats. I can't wait for the 2nd part of the channel crossing; this is badass, in a tiny boat like that crossing at night - wow. Cheers, Frank

[@boatedout]

@@oldshipmatesadventures hey Frank, thanks for the awesome comment. Hearing from people like you is what it’s all about for me. Just checked out your channel, looks like a great boat and some great sailing vids. 😁🙏⛵️

[@oldshipmatesadventures]

@@boatedoutthanks, happy to hear that you like my amateur sailing skills and videos; unfortunately I’m not a great video jockey, do these videos mostly for myself, glad you enjoyed them

[@colleenj7389]

Awesome job guys. 🎉

[@boatedout]

Thankyou!😁⛵️

[@matthewbeard752]

Well done, nicely sailed in lively conditions. Awesome trip.

[@boatedout]

@@matthewbeard752 thank you, appreciate the kind comment😁⛵️

[@matthewbeard752]

​​@@boatedout By the way, I always mouse my turnbuckles now, with stainless steel wire, to stop them from coming undone, after a similar experience losing a forward shroud (and the body of the turnbuckle). Luckily, the mast survived and I had a spare turnbuckle on board.

[@CrawfordJohnstone]

Hi fantastic guys. I sail the same boat on the Clyde and round Isle of Bute. I have fitted boom cover with lazy jacks. Makes reefing easier as I sail alone. Quite a lot. I have cable ties between mast stay bottle screws to stop them going slack.

[@spudflap]

Brilliant vid. Subscribed

[@boatedout]

Welcome aboard!😁⛵️

[@keithgabriel-o9l]

Fantastic adventure for you both well done

[@boatedout]

@@keithgabriel-o9l thanks Keith😁⛵️

[@AlanZimmerman-t3z]

Nice video Just goes to show what small yachts can do. We have a Hunter 232 so perhaps one day !!

[@boatedout]

So much fun In a small boat! Although not many luxuries. Cheaper too😁⛵️

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Nice one, brilliant job.

[@boatedout]

Thank you !🙏😁⛵️

[@claverton]

Great vid! Good job. Maybe a another reef point in the main?

[@boatedout]

Thanks! Yes that’s a good point. I’ll consider that for my new set of sails when I eventually get them. Otherwise a tri-sail would do it. Depends how much I plan on being in those conditions. 😁⛵️

[@henrycartwright3673]

epic, congrats!

[@boatedout]

Ah Hey Henry, thanks for the comment, love your videos by the way. 👌😁⛵️

[@johnmclachlan1023]

Well done from Oz.

[@boatedout]

@@johnmclachlan1023 thank you!😁🙏⛵️

[@marcusingram522]

Didn’t the same trip last year n my friend Moody42, slightly more luxurious. Well done it’s a great event.

[@boatedout]

Nice! You probably had all the things that we could have done with!😁⛵️

[@dan342]

Amazing! Brilliant to watch, I would love to do this race myself in my little Snapdragon 21 bilge keel, thank you for the inspiration! Have you ever heard of heard of a sheet to tiller self steering? All you need to set it up is lines and blocks, very cheap and east to fix, once you get the hang of it you can set a course to sail on the wind, similar to the way a wind vane works, the sheet to tiller system reacts to the gusts and maintains balance, unlike a autohelm, Would be great to use on an adventure like that, also doesn't require any power. Fair winds Captain

[@dan342]

I use it all the time in all wind conditions from light winds to, gusting 35 its brilliant, takes a while to get use to it once you get the hand of it its a breeze

[@boatedout]

@@dan342 hey, thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it. It’s a great trip. Planning another one to Dunkirk which will be cool. You should defo do it in your snapdragon, where are you based? I’ve only ever seen the tiller sheeting system on longer keel boats with better directional stability, with my boat it’s a lot of steering just before the boat yaws and pitches to keep it going straight, but now you’ve mentioned it I might try have a play and see how it works before committing to a proper install, so thanks for the heads up. 😁⛵️

[@richardsue1]

well done guys

[@boatedout]

@@richardsue1 thanks🙏⛵️

[@NauticalSimulation]

Fantastic!

[@boatedout]

@@NauticalSimulation thankyou!😁⛵️

[@samsails9820]

Nice trip, one thing sailing a small boat in these conditions another filming at the same time. Its not easy 👍

[@boatedout]

@@samsails9820 ah hey Sam how’s it going? Yes the filming was hard so was staying awake! But not as hard as your trip you just did, you went further and you were on your own! We didn’t get intercepted either. Bet you were bricking it with that helicopter on you. A great watch. I’ll have to pick your brains about your trip some time. 😁⛵️

[@sumobear2031]

Superb video and much respect to you. I'd love to do such trips but sadly sit in the marina dreaming.

[@boatedout]

@@sumobear2031 thank you, just being afloat no matter where you are is still a lovely thing to do. Even better if you turn your dreams into reality. Is there a reason for not doing such trips? Or just preference?

[@maxesser8668]

Respect!

[@boatedout]

Thank you!😁⛵️

[@RoyCook-f1t]

excellent sailing, minimalistic Sailor Captain Cook 80 Durban South Africa

[@boatedout]

@@RoyCook-f1t 🙏thanks😁⛵️

[@LondonerBerlin]

Small boat sailing, yeah ! I sail a 40 yr old Beneteau First 24 on the Baltic. Good fun.

[@boatedout]

Awesome! Nice boat!😁⛵️

[@tombristowe846]

What a great trip. If you're planning to go over to, say, Ostend, do you have to call them and book a place on a pontoon, or do you just chance it?

[@boatedout]

@@tombristowe846 I personally would never chance it, I’ll always phone or email ahead to secure a berth. Even if it’s non bookable, like first come first serve. I enjoy the ‘peace of mind’ knowing that they know I’m coming. But I’m sure most places will accommodate you on a last minute basis. Depends if it’s on a busy weekend or an event too I guess. I heard a Dutch boat get turned away and refused entry the other day. Even though there was loads of space. How bad is that. Nearest port is 7miles away.

[@tombristowe846]

@@boatedout Thanks very much for getting back to me. Have a great summer's sailing.

[@boatedout]

@@tombristowe846 no worries and you!😁⛵️

[@rezawaheed8879]

suffolk to belgium , live in both but never sailed it yet . BUT BRING BACK FELIXSTOWE TO ZEEBRUGGE FERRY. start a petition cause that was a great route

[@RobertDaniels-s8c]

Safe winds

[@janisspalvins677]

Thanks for grest video. Can you tell - what is your boat model and size?

[@boatedout]

@@janisspalvins677 you’re welcome, thanks for the comment🙏 she is a Copland Harrier 20. From 1984

[@tamcolkni]

Great video and great achievement in a small boat 🤗 I have a Hawk 20 cabin and you are inspiring me to consider some longer trips! What sort of boat is Elise?

[@boatedout]

@@tamcolkni thanks, was a lot of fun. You have the perfect boat for some cool adventures, you should defo do it. Where do you sail? Elise is a Copland Harrier 20 from 1984. Very strong boat, 340kgs of keel. Which is a lot for a small boat. All good fun!😁⛵️

[@windwaterandSandra572]

WOW Wat voor een boot varen jullie?