Offshore Solo Sailing - Cape Lookout to Norfolk

Sailing offshore from Cape Lookout to Norfolk. With first person camera!
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[@simonmarthinsen1566]

The interesting thing about your sailing channel is that you’re actually sailing.

[@ellemdee276]

Yes! But some credit probably has to go to the camera equipment now widely available so that solo sailors on KZbin can more thoroughly document their passages. I guess he's got one of those osmo pocket cams so he can film hands-free when he goes up to the foredeck to trim sails, adjust the jib etc? That's very cool to see, it feels like we're there!

[@svchineeljunk-riggedschoon4038]

I'm doing a solo Atlantic crossing next month if you want to see that :)

[@kimberlyb5512]

@@svchineeljunk-riggedschoon4038 LOL look at you poaching his subs 🙃🤣

[@ianmac86]

Hi Sam you cool dude. I’ve done some single handed sailing but your’s is real sailing in open water. I noticed with lots of interest and admiration how you: clipped onto the jack line before putting the second reef in, adjusted the Boom Preventer after repositioning your tether to the forward jack line, tightened the Main, adjusted the Jib, adjusted the Main Sheet, readjusted the Boom Preventer then readjusted the job and the Vane ( probably missed a couple of items here) and then sat back and simply said “ and that’s all there is to it”. You are too cool man and I love it. Just as important is that you are also loving it. Stay safe sailor. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@samholmessailing]

Thanks. The tether adds a lot of extra steps to everything but there’s a good chance it will save my life one day if i keep doing these sort of trips.

[@mrastleysghost]

@@samholmessailing I work up on tower cranes on occasion and the rule up there is 2 tethers so you can always be 100% tied off. Clip one, unclip and reclip the other, and so on

[@davidcox8961]

@@samholmessailing A woman told me the story of how she fell off her boat in the middle of the Pacific while single handed. She was lucky, grabbed a sheet before falling. Eventually the boat stopped for her. Be safe bra.

[@IntheBlood67]

@@samholmessailing Bingo. Develop that Muscle Memory. It won't let you down!

[@belleisleguy]

Your fan base has grown since that first Hawaii solo! Glad to see you’re still going strong, Sam!

[@robm7543]

That was a good video. The education, the scenery and just how you deal with the day to day problems is very entertaining. The comments are great too! We're looking forward to the next video!

[@thomasweatherford5125]

Good to see Zoe’s back! I’m sure you miss having someone else around to spend time with. Great content as usual!

[@debakey7111]

Rig your preventer from the end of the boom forward to the bow, around a block, and back to the cockpit where you can cleat it off. Run that line outside of the side stays. You can make that line in two pieces, dividing it at the forward end of the boom with a shackle, to make it easier to switch sides. Oh and by the way we've tried oil, Cetol and polyurethane but the best was Awlwood. Hard as a rock and lasted forever.

[@edschultheis6767]

I had to look it up, as I was curious when I just saw the "7." The vessel you passed is the USS Iwo Jima, which is an amphibious assault ship. I always am on the lookout for vessels coming and going whenever I transit the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

[@samholmessailing]

Cool!

[@brettagostini8025]

Please do more sailing rich episodes like this. This was golden.

[@ryanrettler518]

I really want to learn how to sail and I’m learning quite a bit from your videos. Very inspiring!

[@wojomojo]

These days we are all becalmed at home with nothing to do, so it's great to see a nice guy passing time enclosed in a small space, doing small projects, like we all are, but unlike us continue to travel and see the world, going on an adventure. Thanks Sam.

[@samholmessailing]

You bet. Glad you’re enjoying them

[@nearlynormal]

At this point there are 145 comments. I didn't take time to look through all of them, so hopefully my idea won't be redundant. Instead of DDW (dead downwind), wing on wing, have you considered reaching? That would reduce the likelihood of an accidental jibe, your speed would likely be higher (unless you were already making hull speed DDW), the motion of the boat would be much more comfortable, and it would be much easier for the wind vane to control the boat. Of course the proof of the pudding would be if your GPS has the ability to give you VMG. Even if you were to add a small amount of time to your passage, reaching might be less stressful. Thanks for anther interesting video. I'm away from sailing now so it's a treat for me to vicariously experience another voyage by watching your videos. I also started following Olivia last year after seeing your video chronicling your sail to Hanalei with her on Juniper . You probably already know, but her 23 1/2 day passage to Tahiti was pretty gnarly, trying to sail hard on the wind to make easting. Her boat stayed pretty wet for most of the trip. I really felt for her, on that one. She had planned to go solo, but was able to get two crew that sure helped her out.

[@cygnus1179]

Really great as always, thanks. I sail a 33' in Lake Ontario and I don't go out in conditions even remotely like what your in. You're inspiring me to toughen up!

[@kimberlyb5512]

That’s awesome! I hope you take the next step in your adventures and go for it 💪👏👏 You can do it!

[@gpk7683]

Yea, Zoe’s back!

[@barrywhite7237]

Like the way you secure your line's and sheets to a cleat Sam , a round turn to start and then a couple of cross overs , that is how the British navy teach seamanship.

[@clubracer6]

It is my dream to learn how to sail but my goodness it seems so complicated! Love watching your videos only sailing channel I’ve ever watched and probably will watch.

[@bake162]

Another excellent production, thanks for taking the time to make these videos for us!

[@robert4212]

Favorite channel on KZbin.

[@garthwaitekevin]

Sam, love your videos, you’re a brave young man, and a very good sailor. I like that you use a preventer when going down wind. I also saw that you had a few issues using a nylon line but you figured that out. If you don’t mind a suggestion - you might want try to running your preventer forward and then back to the cockpit and cleat off there. Keep up the great videos and stay safe!

[@bobhamilton298]

Cool trip up the coast. For gybing, I have a cheap (less than $10) figure 8 belaying/rappeling descender ring that is used for a boom brake. It slows down the boom as it comes across. And gives you some time if you have an accidental gybe and you don't have a preventer set up. It stops the boom violence that occurs and will add years of life to your rig. Also, perhaps try using different height vanes on the wind vane. Could make some home made ones to try tuning the steering. Welcome to the Chesapeake and have fun!!

[@samholmessailing]

Thanks. it sounds like some type of boom break might be a good addition.

[@bobhamilton298]

@@samholmessailing Video of one in action. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWHUn4CEaKprmZo

[@AppleRob]

@@bobhamilton298 that is one cheap and effective setup! Thanks for sharing!

[@billwilliams9527]

Good stuff here, actual sailing, you're explaining the procedures. Solo sailing looks very demanding for being alert when you have a sleep deficit. Good work sailor.

[@jims5338]

I just got back from a day sailing San Pablo Bay (N. San Francisco Bay) and LOL'd at your comment that half of sailing is organizing sheets- because it's so true! You were one of the inspirations for me getting my Columbia 28 two months ago, so thanks. Fair winds...

[@mmccartney6579]

That carrier you spotted is the USS Iwo Jima, a helicopter carrier. I served on the very first helo carrier back in the early 60's, the USS Thetis Bay LPH 6. Love your vids, Sam! Ahoy! :)

[@thespiritualsagaofanidiots8321]

Love the POV line changes - as a learning solo sailor those are super helpful

[@johnjordansailing]

Good stuff Sam. Keep the details coming. It's interesting!

[@kisser228]

I love the sailing videos. Keep them coming! Also, I love how you take care of those precious birdie friends! You are very kind to let them rest aboard in warmth and comfort. They are so trusting and you, in kind, give them reassurance that they are in good hands. Safe travels!

[@johnmccarroll]

Looking forward to your video as you go past Cape May. Greetings from Newark NJ. I enjoy your videos and learn a lot too. Thanks Sam.

[@trailsandsails2722]

Thanks for posting this. We just made pretty much the same trip from Beaufort NC up to Yorktown VA July 18-20. Like you...we experienced a hot trip too but we had more wind which kept things comfortably warm. We have a Pearson 365 ketch. You saw a lot more ships then we did in the lower Chesapeake. Keep having fun and thanks again for sharing!

[@bullhippo9023]

Thanks for the feed back, I can see how the wind vane could do that.. Our boat is too small for a wind vane.. I have looked at the Hydro vane some , maybe for a future boat ? You gave a great boat!

[@emeryclark]

Can't wait for the next one. Love your videos⛵

[@yuccaken]

like your videos with no canned music. thanks for no music. Keeping it real . Cheers from Kansas.

[@samholmessailing]

You bet

[@patricknugent6159]

I have been watching ever since your trip from San. Diego, CA to Hawaii but that trip from FL to NC seemed like the scariest one so far due to the weather. Glad to see that the passage to Norfolk, VA was smoother!

[@Lowegy]

Awesome video. Quite a passage. No wonder you were so tired when you arrived in Norfolk. Glad you made it through the hurricane without any issue.

[@snida3166]

You’re a cool dude, Sam. Good to see you’re still making vids. Keep it up!

[@davidc6510]

Another great video Sam. Thanks for sharing

[@Bob8091]

Thanks for the vlog Sam. It must take some bottle to sail in the dark with the possibility of ships around etc.

[@gptravel531]

Great video! Thanks for practicing “safe sailing” :-)

[@jeffarmitage4731]

You should do a camera view looking at the cockpit. I think it would be crazy so see the boat from that perspective in a storm, or tacking.

[@dosquats]

Thanks for including some commentary and sailing!!!!!!

[@leog3935]

Another awesome video. Glad to see Zoe back.

[@airnix8108]

Keep up the great work Sam, you are a true skipper!

[@mohamedouarsafi3923]

Hi Sam, Love your content. It is just so awesome to see how at ease you are when you set the sails for a passage. I hope to see you one of these days in San Francisco Bay Area.

[@MrColdwatercanyon]

Enjoying your adventures

[@toddstidham8374]

Awesome video, I sail the Delaware myself, but way up river in the Philadelphia area. Enjoy Cape May!

[@rhett7716]

Another Great vlog Sam thanks. And good to see you explaining your sailing proceedures. Maybe when yr in port for a while u could pull the wind vane down and give it a service? Would be nice to get it tracking straighter

[@zupvw71]

Great video Sam. Spent 20 years in Hampton Roads sailing all around what you just showed, now I work for MAERSK which you also had in this video. Thanks for all your vids, keep it up.....from Japan.

[@samholmessailing]

Cool. You bet!

[@rolandorfortunato456]

Awesome video and good sailing information looking forward to more videos, fair winds.

[@johnmcdade6318]

Super...Enjoy the Delaware bay...Grew up at Gandy's beach (close to Fortescue, NJ)...Great CrabbingLooking forward to the Delaware canal video

[@kbryancroft]

Watching your video, and you just sailed by my house at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.....cool!

[@MarkSperry]

That heat was hard to watch! Fall can't come here soon enough, Looking forward to getting out on my Daysailer here in Maine. Hopefully that will satisfy me until I can afford my own cruiser. Keep up the great vlogs.

[@victor-charlesscafati]

I love that you tacked out of a narrow channel. Keep show off those sailing skills.

[@choochoodebut3059]

Thanks Sam, I really liked it the voice overs where the wind wasn't cooperative.

[@JohnSpo]

I went out and bought a whole slew of RYOBI One+ power tools after seeing you mount your drill chrager. I love the one battery fits all. I bought a bunch of extra batteries too. I sanded all my old varnish off with the RYOBI cordless palm sander. It was great; got most of it off with one battery.

[@samholmessailing]

Nice. Cordless is the best!

[@christophermeoli8480]

at 17:32, that ship is USNS Burlington. I'm the First Officer on board. I specifically remember heading out that day and seeing your boat! I was talking to my second officer, trying to convince him to buy a sailboat, and we saw yours and I was like "That looks like a Cape Dory, probably 25-30 ft-super nice boats, really well made blah blah blah." Anyway, I was catching up on your videos and watching this one cause I work out of Little Creek (that's right inside the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel) and keep my boat there, and was just pleasantly surprised to see my ship pop up in this video. Wicked cool. Take it easy man.

[@samholmessailing]

Right on! Very cool. Fair seas

[@Ajay_RacMace]

I was out on my paddleboard about a mile west from Thimble Shoals Light when them Navy ships came through, and I'm remembering seeing you anchored now in Willoughby. Shame I didn't know it was you, I'd have paddled you out some beer! Great videos, brother!

[@johnjolly2087]

Bro, love your channel. Also love your boat. It was a great idea to move your mainsheet traveler to the coach roof. Live the dream man. You won't regret it.

[@jbrockba1]

Big fan. I live in Richmond, VA and love the Chesapeake. Welcome to Virginia (a bit after the fact since it sounds like you might be in the upper Chesapeake by now). Sorry about the heat. As you found out the rain certainly didn’t cool anything off! Hope you enjoy sailing the Chesapeake though. Next time come in the Fall!

[@lighghtrite2261]

Dolphins! And the views of those passing ships were so cool.

[@Militaria_Collector]

I love your videos man!

[@jonssailing]

Awesome! We love Zoe! 😊

[@robertarthur7059]

Lovin' your show. Sharing with all I know.

[@Ned69]

my favorite youtube channel

[@robertcalifornia4821]

The Biggest Naval Station on the East Coast. Lots of Coast Guard too! Very busy area

[@johnbrooks1188]

Lived in Cape May for two years (in USCG). Hope you enjoyed an overnight there. It is a great town, and a nice rest stop before sailing up the Jersey shore.

[@samholmessailing]

Anchored in Cape May right now!

[@mammaholmes]

Wonderful, son! The first-person sail trimming was neat. Really good job on that walk-through. Do you remember when we did a summer vacation in Cape May?

[@samholmessailing]

Yes

[@jimleonard4974]

I’m a big fan of the teak oil. Maybe I’m old school but no chemicals, no scraping, just a fresh coat every now and then. I think you’re right about needing to do it less frequently over time. Great channel, thanks for all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

[@samholmessailing]

Thanks. You bet

[@mammaholmes]

I agree. It does take several coats, preferably spaced out, but eventually it becomes very durable also just looks great. As time goes on, it's easy to do a quick wipe if you start to notice some weathering.

[@b87gr]

At the 16:50 mark your boat was basically on a water treadmill...not that it needs to slim down or anything haha. So annoying when you can see where you need to be, but can't seem to get there.

[@gregkgorman]

I always used a canvas bucket to cool down...safer than jumping in

[@lukedenbleyker5091]

Zoe's back that's cool.

[@jbrat1967]

Yes, steering A bit less than perfect seems like no big deal until all you have to do is strive for efficiency… Enjoy your videos

[@deweypug]

So great being a small part of your sailing adventures Sam! Love the explanations of the details... How far north are you planning on sailing? Would love to come out on our boat to say hello if you are going as far as New Hampshire! Stay safe!

[@geeterdun5966]

I think last vid he said he might head up to Maine then Nova Scotia.

[@danbowers9195]

You should try Pure Tung oil ... you put on several coats and it shines like varnish but lasts for years .. take a look.

[@brucekratky7993]

Cape Dory sailboats are really nice your’s included. Keep heading north you’ll be like a salmon swimming up the stream from which it was spawned. Cape Dory boats on the Chesapeake Bay and north are right a home. Good video. Oh, by the way. Gimbal you stove or anchor it. No burning anything flopping around at sea. 😉

[@samholmessailing]

Thats the plan. Thanks

[@tas252]

Thanks for these videos Sam, helps me feel a little less lonely/stuck at home in these isolating times, love your calm and collected vibe

[@corujariousa]

Remaining awake and alert with almost no sleep and with the additional risk of the traffic around is certainly a challenging experience. Stay strong and safe.

[@samholmessailing]

Thanks

[@MadMaxRyan]

I could feel the heat in that clip

[@joeweeks7256]

Nice when you get everything set , then you got to tack lol just when you get to take a break ! Lol

[@victor-charlesscafati]

I love that you sail off of anchor!

[@samholmessailing]

It’s actually easier to sail off anchor because it gives you as much time as you need to put the sail up.

[@davidpanek5741]

Hit up the lobster house take out. Great scallops!

[@JBurney]

Man i saw the thumbnail, i thought you had Chuck Norris on this episode hahaha!!

[@kimosabi860]

s/v Tikiti-boo. Always a learning and a realistic sailing adventure on your channel. If you make it to Mass. I have a mooring you can use in Hull Mass.

[@bobleclair5665]

13:02,, I’ve been using tabletop epoxy on the outside,it lays down good and seems to be more flexible, you do need to tape off the edges because of the drip,,the sun here in the keys is brutal, after a few months,I light sand and give it another coat, so far I’m satisfied with it,

[@chippate]

Love the t-shirt on backwards, lol.

[@gw8278]

Just a another great job. Not looked yet, but is there a camera headset out there? Can really capture your sailing execution. I really like your "straight at" video work, your basic journal approach. Shows us what sailing's about. Nice work man!

[@omgitzsteg]

Hey Sam I really liked the first person you did, please do more of that. Also, what was the grey power cat?

[@engineear5571]

I can't imagine just charting a course overnight and letting it go while I sleep. What an experience this kind of sailing must be.

[@dprider02]

Lookin' good Sam! I like it when you add the short, real(ish) time clips at the end that let us know approx. where you really are. Did you find another dingy yet?

[@samholmessailing]

I did. A smallish achilles inflatable

[@alexandergooding4860]

30! Sail into the Great lakes! I don't know the logistics but that would be sweet

[@SteveSeas]

Hi Sam. Don't for get about sun management. Maybe consider a little zinc on the nose on sunny days. Having skin issues after years of sun damage is overrated. I really enjoy the content. Cheers!

[@TrevPulver]

I was stationed in Norfolk during my Navy days.

[@ColumbiaPoint]

Are you coming up the Chesapeake or heading up the Atlantic coast? Thanks for sharing your adventures with us. I was delighted when you bought a Cape Dory 28. Cheers from Baltimore and SV Fayaway, CD28 #2.

[@kimberlyb5512]

I’m amazed at how massive the ocean is and yet these other boats/ships get so close to you 😳

[@georgeroach7499]

Great video

[@jclark4185]

Try Cetol. Works great, lasts about 4 to 5 years. You can do light sanding every other year, one to two coats and you’re done. Highly recommend. Varnish is way too much trouble.

[@samholmessailing]

I’ve got a can of that stuff. I might give it a try sometime

[@JustinFromMD]

That isn't an aircraft carrier- although it does have aircraft. It's an amphibious assault ship. The flat deck is for vertical take off aircraft- helicopters, osprey, harriers, jsf, etc.

[@joeweeks7256]

You got a nice boat , its better than the red boat !

[@KGeezydad1]

Check out Danish oil, it is a compromise, of oil and varnish,, danish oil is a mixture of tung oil, a type of varnish, and thinner, the best part about it is the varnish is thin enough it goes into the wood vs setting up a film, years ago, in Colorado, I had a natural redwood deck that I wanted to keeps is color,,, danish oil apply once a year, It maintain its color for 15 years

[@cameronetienne7531]

Which wind vane was on the Swedish Fish? - Thank you for churning these out. You are inspiring a lot of people. Regularly talked about in so cal haha.

[@samholmessailing]

Windpilot Pacific light

[@vxnova1]

Good video Sam.

[@samholmessailing]

Thanks

[@Thomas-ts2gl]

Sam, I seen other sailing videos where they have slack or even bungee cord holding the tiller in place ..to allow it to move while using the wind vane..

[@samholmessailing]

A windvane is normally attached with tight low stretch lines. Any play reduces the responsiveness. Bungee lines might be a sheet to tiller setup.

[@kirkspicer1755]

Those Flying Scott's and chase boat you passed looked like camp don lee. Was it near portsmith?

[@arekkaniewski4442]

Great video. What varnish stripper did you use. Seems to work well and almost effortlessly. It's great you sailed around the cape. Not many sailors do